Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking-Chapter 827: Blessing and Cruelty of Origin Heaven

Chapter 827: Blessing and Cruelty of Origin Heaven
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Once Cedric got into it, he couldn’t bring himself to stop.
Endless wonders and mysteries of conceptual laws poured into his mind, immersing him into a vast sea of amazing and nigh-infinite possibilities.
But as eager as he was, Cedric knows when to pace himself even amidst his immersion. Having multiple thought chambers helped, sure, but even he has a limit.
His first priority was stabilizing the concept laws he knew so far. He set aside the sword, fire, and space laws for now, as he had them in spades. Instead, he focused on time, divination, and other abstruse concept laws that are considered rare.
He tackled them one by one, raising them to the Heavenly Law level, because it’s extremely easy to do that here. The law insights themselves dive into him. He doesn’t need to chase or seek them out; they come to him.
And the process itself was a joy.
It would be boring and repetitive for others, but not to him. Cedric was having way too much fun dissecting and piecing together the mysteries of concept laws to stop, especially when it’s this easy.
Although he didn’t stay seated all the time. He will, periodically, get out of the inheritance’s perimeter and apply his musings outside into skills or techniques to further deepen his arsenal.
This was his way of confirming that he’s still following the correct path and hasn’t lost himself completely in the sea of conceptual laws.
It’s also how he unwinds his clone after long periods of sitting still.
After each session of this, he’d return to his spot and do it all over again.
Aside from that conversation he had with others a few years ago, nothing followed afterwards. Everybody else was immersed in their own comprehension too and didn’t have time for any pleasantries.
Cedric didn’t mind. He completely understands where they’re coming from.
Although most of them somewhat realized that their chances of returning home were practically extremely low, they’re still holding on to it.
Cedric himself had seen glimpses of this in the conversations he had with them. The longing remains. It’s what’s keeping them sane; it’s why they’re still holding on after so long.
That tiny hope that maybe one day, they’d be able to return home, even for the last time or right before they die, was more than enough to keep them going. It’s worth all the effort they’re making right now.
Cedric understands what they feel. And he couldn’t help but pity them. Alas, he’s a nobody in this strange land. There’s still so much he doesn’t know about. Even if he wanted to help them, he doesn’t know how. And he’s not about to make any promises right now.
In fact, he won’t lie and say that he’s all too willing to help them. Cedric had his own considerations.
Do understand that these people have long since been pronounced dead in their respective homes.
They’ve been here for so long. They’ve been missing for so long. Do they even have a place to return to? Even if they do, would their families still recognize them? Would they even have a place in modern Heavenly Star?
Besides, these people are too strong.
They’ve been here for so long, comprehending all sorts of concept laws. With how potent the insights here were, Cedric wouldn’t be surprised if these people have at least five concept laws comprehended to the Heavenly Law level; maybe they’re even partway through the Origin Law level.
And isn’t that just...scary? Cedric had no idea how the Human Sovereigns are doing right now. Do they even know about the proper way to gain the recognition of origin laws?
If these people were to return, they could instantly destabilize the current pecking order. And that won’t bode well for the race. So, would it even be wise to get them back there?
Cedric felt torn whenever he thought about this.
On one hand, he pities them. On the other, he’s afraid that they’d mess up the stability of the race if they return. Sure, they’re powerful, but they’ve been here for so long that he’s afraid they might lose it shortly after returning. And that’s not something he wanted to see.
’Eh, why am I even thinking of this? ’
’It’s not like I have the ability to send them back right now.’
’I’m getting way ahead of myself.’
’Focus, Cedric. Concentrate on your task first; think about this later.’
**
More years passed, and today, Cedric discovered some people missing.
Even though he’s constantly immersed in his study of concept laws, he set aside a little bit of his awareness to keep an eye out on his surroundings. And today, he woke up to few people missing nearby.
He sighed, understanding why they disappeared.
Their leisure time was up. They have to go to the core inheritance site and accept a trial to figure out if they could still remain here or not.
This is what they warned him about. They told him not to hurry to go to the inheritance site and to take advantage of his indefinite staying time here for now.
Because once he spends his allotted time to comprehend the Origin Heaven Tablets, time would resume for him. He will be pressed, forced to take up difficult trials to prove his right to remain here.
And these trials got progressively more difficult the longer they stayed. And none of them could escape that, so they have to make a decision eventually.
Some of the people who went today? Only a handful will return. The others? He might never see them again, ever.
No, they probably won’t die. They’d most likely end up on ’The Other Side.’ Not forcibly, but willingly this time.
If they failed their trials but lived, they might really consider going to ’The Other Side,’ knowing that they might not survive the next one. Because at least there, they could keep living. And maybe, just maybe, one day, a hero will come and save them.
They’d be a mere puppet there, but at the very least, they’d live. If they insist on staying, they might truly die when their next trial comes.
It’s sad. Imagine staying here, comprehending such rich laws, and practically elevating your understanding to a point that you’d be considered as one of the most powerful people back home if you ever had the chance of returning. But end up either as a puppet or dying miserably without ever returning home.
An ironic and truly harrowing situation to be in, indeed.
Cedric knew he was extremely fortunate. At least only his clone was here. Even if it were to die, he’d be fine; he couldn’t just disconnect it by any means from himself at the very last moment to make sure his main body wouldn’t be affected by the consequences.
The others? Not as lucky as he was.
He sighed at their fates. Alas, such is the pursuit of life evolution. The obsession to reach the peak and become the perfect lifeform was far too much temptation for one to resist.
About a year or two later, they returned. But not all of them.
Cedric’s guesses were on point.
The ones who returned? Beaten, defeated, exhausted. Their gazes were dull, lifeless, and void of any will to live. Their shoulders were hunched, some were still sporting injuries, and others were still bleeding as they dragged their bodies back.
And when they returned to their original spots, it became clear just how many were missing. Some of the returnees glanced weakly and hollowly at the missing spots.
They didn’t cry, didn’t throw tantrums, and didn’t roar in anger. They just gazed at the now empty spots of their acquaintances, mourning them from within.
Yes, acquaintances. Most of these people weren’t even friends. But they’ve been neighbors for so long that they’ve long gotten used to each other’s presence. So now that they’re missing, there’s a profound sense of loss in their hearts.
Cedric winced. He realized that they might’ve even seen how the others died too while they were in there. And they must be thinking that soon, that’ll be their fate too.
The mood was low, and it could be felt by everybody. Suddenly, it’s like everybody’s walking on eggshells around each other. It’s disheartening, uncomfortable, and miserable.
Cedric didn’t like it.
But what was he supposed to do? It’s not like he could change any of this.
If he went to them offering condolences, they might just slap him to death. So, he did the only thing he could think of.
Nothing.
He pretended he didn’t see any of it. Pretended that he’s completely immersed in his own study of laws. He stayed holed up in the little shelter he created for himself, and he doesn’t plan on coming out anytime soon.
Unless, of course, someone were to invite him out.
But that’s very unlikely to happen.
And he wasn’t the only one who had this idea. He wasn’t the first one either.
So now, aside from the misery and loss, there’s also indifference around.
It’s ugly, cold, and merciless. And Cedric felt sorry for doing this, but in the end, he didn’t want to end up like them.
He apologized in his heart, but he won’t stop marching forward just because some strangers around him died.