Being in the same space as a level 120 King-tier creature is never a wise decision, no matter the circumstances. Even though this old, six-eyed silver wolf hasn't shown any intent to kill, Orson can still feel the creature's watchful gaze, full of caution and suspicion.
"This space is very unusual," Orson thought quickly. The inside of this strange mountain seems to transcend the world of Infinite Dimensions and isn't quite like the real world either. Losing the protection of the gods means that dying here could result in true, irreversible death, not the usual revival players are accustomed to in the game.
A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind. Should he confront the six-eyed silver wolf head-on? Or should he drink the Rootless Water and try to kill this old dog instead?
No… those thoughts were too naïve. The Rootless Water was right here in the half-beastman sanctuary, and as their high priest, Borlog would certainly know more about its revival properties than he did. Directly attacking him was not wise.
Orson's eyes flashed coldly, and his hair stood on end. There was no doubt: if he answered Borlog's question incorrectly, it would be the end of him!
"Why have you appeared? What is your purpose?" Borlog's commanding voice rang out again, this time tinged with impatience. His six bizarre eyes glowed faintly with light.
"What if I say I don't know?" Orson exhaled deeply, deciding to sit cross-legged on the ground, his voice bitter. "My only goal is to survive, nothing more."
"Survive? Hahaha..." Borlog suddenly burst into a maniacal laugh, his tone mocking.
Orson opened his mouth to respond, but Borlog's laughter abruptly stopped. His voice turned cold. "Do you even know what you're about to face? Adventurer Orgod."
"I certainly know, but I'd rather believe it's just a nightmare," Orson said with a smile and a shake of his head. If the end-of-world scenarios from the merged world were just a fleeting dream, he would gladly give up everything he had now to return to that run-down apartment and live peacefully with his sister.
He didn't want to be a Triple Crown winner, a conqueror, or the first in Infinite Dimensions. But of course, if he had a choice in the matter…
"The Holy Light Dragon Emperor left a prophecy: The Destroyer who will bring ruin to the Infinite Dimensions world will emerge. He will destroy everything in his path—Infinite Dimensions' people, the dragons, the monsters..." Borlog's voice lowered. He paused for a moment before continuing, his six eyes staring intensely at Orson. "But I find it strange. I have not seen you in the future timelines."
"Future timelines?" Orson's expression froze. This was too strange. Could this silver wolf really foresee the future? It sounded like a form of divination, similar to what witches used, but it felt like this power was far beyond what should be possible in Infinite Dimensions.
It was almost godly!
Perhaps only the gods could wield such power.
"Then please, answer me again. Which side do you belong to?" Borlog asked again, his voice heavy with authority.
Orson took a deep breath and finally understood the true meaning behind Borlog's question. Was he asking if Orson belonged to the Galactic Gods or the otherworldly Heaven Demon?
His expression gradually grew calm.
Orson smiled faintly, his voice steady and resolute: "I don't know who you are, nor do I understand why you brought me here. I can only tell you this: I will live, along with my sister and my friends."
He stood up, his body seeming insignificant in front of the towering king-tier creature, but his voice rang with conviction: "I do not serve the gods, nor do I stand with Heaven Demon. If necessary, I will become a god among mortals."
"A god among mortals? Hahaha..." Borlog burst into crazed laughter as if he'd heard the funniest joke. He laughed long and hard, his voice echoing, "Your answer is amusing. You won't be the first mortal to die on this path!"
At those words, Orson couldn't help but think of BlazeKing and the "Mother of Chaos" that Rebellion had mentioned. Perhaps, as he had suspected, they were the forerunners of the human race, players from the previous age of Infinite Dimensions.
It was unclear why their legacy had been preserved and passed down to him in this current age.
"Gods and demons... something special has entered this game of death," Borlog muttered, his voice laced with malicious glee.
"Your answer pleases me," Borlog continued. "But let me remind you, young man, time is running out."
With that, Borlog returned to his former frail and elderly appearance.
For the time being, the crisis seemed to have passed. Orson's expression shifted, noticing that the river of stars in the mountain began to stir. Many images appeared within the light barrier.
"This is me… no, it's not just me."
Orson saw himself within the light, back in the character creation space, furiously answering questions on a form, until his hand finally reached out and touched the Super God-grade Human Soul Seal.
The image froze, and a countdown appeared above his head: 2 years, 9 months.
The scene began to fast-forward. Using his previous life's experience, Orson succeeded in drawing the attention of Flame Fosset. The countdown now read: 2 years, 7 months.
During the battle for the top guilds' strongholds, he returned as a king, bloodily slaying enemies everywhere!
The countdown accelerated once more: 2 years, 6 months.
And behind the countdown, a line of text appeared: [Weapon #001] Progress: 7%.
At that moment, Orson suddenly understood. He grasped why Borlog had said that time was running out, and why he had called him the Destroyer.
Infinite Dimensions was essentially a "Gods' Weapons Factory," designed to select the most powerful human-shaped weapons. If one or more players displayed strength or potential far beyond the rest, the world of Infinite Dimensions would close, accelerating the fusion with reality.
In other words, by being reborn, Orson had significantly sped up the game's original timeline, advancing the hardcore mode preset to its final stages. When he activated the Celestial Fortress and obtained his second Super God-grade Soul Seal, the countdown to the game's closure had sped up by half a year.
Moreover, his overwhelming strength had caused other top players to rapidly grow stronger as well. He even saw an image of Usher.
"Usher… I have to admit, he does have reverse luck." Orson's face changed slightly.
In the image, Usher had fled the Dark Dragon Empire, but ended up benefiting from the misfortune. After abandoning the first Epic Rank Human Soul Seal, which should have belonged to him in his past life, he obtained a more powerful divine Soul Seal. Now, Usher was in a mysterious dragon lair, with the second sealed divine Soul Seal floating before him. It was only a matter of time before he obtained it.
Though Usher's influence on the game's timeline wasn't as significant as Orson's, he had still accelerated the countdown by over twenty days.
Not just him, but figures like Blank, Demon Emperor, and even Naoko—who had already pledged allegiance to Orson—were all growing stronger at an astonishing rate.
"No wonder I'm the Destroyer... we're breaking this game," Orson muttered, knowing that with so many powerful players, the countdown would only accelerate.
Finally… the entire world's strongest were working together, and the day when hardcore mode would activate was just two years away. With the current momentum, the fusion of the worlds might come in less than a year.
As the images faded, Orson was left in deep thought.
He knew what this cold number signified.
It meant the bloodiest, darkest period in human history. Even the deepest, most fallen abyss of the world couldn't compare to the horrors waiting in this merged world.
"Keep dreaming, and live well, young man," Borlog mocked, his voice dripping with malice.
Orson shrugged helplessly and said, "Isn't it my turn to ask you a question now?"
"Speak. I'll answer in the name of the Dragon God."
Orson's heart stirred. He immediately asked, "The Dragon God? Who is this Dragon God you speak of?"
"A being unlike any other!" Borlog answered, his voice firm, and his grey fur trembled.
"Where is he? Can you take me to him?" Orson frowned, wanting to understand why the half-beastmen called the Crimson Lizard King the Ancient Dragon God.
Borlog grinned slyly, revealing sharp teeth. "He is here. You've already met him."
"You mean..." Orson turned toward the stone walls, a sense of unease growing in his chest.
Borlog's eyes gleamed with excitement. "We stand in the place where the Dragon God's soul fire burns!"