Evolution begins with an ant colony

As Akun grappled with the seemingly insurmountable choices before him, a glimmer of inspiration flickered within the recesses of his mind. It was a revelation, a skill that held the potential to unravel the binds of his predicament and secure a future that seemed unattainable just moments ago.

The idea crystallized before him, a path that could allow him to retain his cherished memories, return to his comrades, elude Xalender's pursuit, safeguard the secret of his †Authority† consumption, and retain the godly power he had already consumed. A sly, cunning grin slowly spread across his face, replacing the earlier panic that had gripped him.

In that transformative moment, Akun felt a surge of newfound resolve. He had discovered a way to navigate this labyrinthine ordeal, and with this cunning plan, he was ready to challenge the fate that had bound him and seize control of his destiny once more.

"System," Akun called out with newfound determination.

[Yes, player,] the system responded.

"The taming skill," he began, his grin growing even wider, "it is capable of skill sharing, right?"

[Yes, player, the taming skill is capable of skill sharing,] came the reply.

The revelation lit up Akun's eyes as he contemplated his audacious plan. "So, I can share an †Authority† if I tame a god?"

[??]

[Player, the system doesn't understand what you mean by that,] the system responded.

Akun's smug satisfaction was evident as he continued, "Hmm, I guess using it on a god will make it an enslavement skill."

[??]

[Does the player intend to enslave a god?]

Akun's response was unwavering, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "Yes."

With resolve burning in his eyes, Akun raised his other arm to face Xalender, who had been stretching out his skeletal hand in a cryptic offer. Xalender, observing this unexpected turn of events, couldn't hide his confusion as he questioned the mortal's intentions.

"What are you up to, mortal?" Xalender inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

But Akun's response was a grin that seemed to dance with daring mischief. "Activate the taming skill," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of his audacious plan.

[Processing...]

[Notice: The player is about to use a taming skill on an origin god, which will turn it into an enslavement skill. Does the player wish to proceed?]

As Akun commanded the system with a resolute "yes," a shimmering purple chain materialized from his outstretched palm. The ethereal chain hovered menacingly toward Xalender, the god of death, who was keenly aware of this otherworldly intrusion.

He observed the chain's approach with a mix of uncertainty and trepidation, unable to decipher its purpose until it suddenly coiled around the skeletal structure of his neck or spine—though, as a skeleton, he lacked the traditional anatomy.

Xalender's bony fingers reached out to grasp the chain, his hollow sockets radiating an eerie aura. "How dare you," he hissed with a blend of anger and disbelief, his voice carrying the weight of godly power.

In response to Xalender's defiance, a mighty force surged through the chain, causing Akun to stagger backward slightly. But he remained on his feet. Then, a system message flashed before his eyes, bearing a message that struck like a heavy blow. Discover stories with empire

[Error!! Enslavement failed, there is too much of a power gap between the player and the subject.]

As soon as the system's message resonated in his ears, Akun felt an unsettling and unfamiliar sensation coursing through the very core of his soul. It was as if the foundation of his being was being subjected to a peculiar shattering force, and the pain was excruciating. A guttural scream of agony involuntarily erupted from his lips, echoing through the eerie expanse of the underworld.

Xalender, who had been observing the unfolding drama with an air of disdain and superiority, couldn't help but remark with a tone of mocking disbelief, "How foolish, trying to enslave a god, the audacity."

But then, another system message pierced through the torment of Akun's pain, ringing in his ears with a sense of urgency.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

[Warning to the player!! The player's soul received significant damage due to skill failure.]

Gasping for breath and writhing in pain, Akun mustered the strength to question the system, his voice strained and desperate. "System, why did the skill fail, and why did I receive damage?"

The system's response came swiftly, shedding light on the intricate workings of the skill he had attempted to wield.

[Notice!! Player, Enslavement brings a weakened soul into the domain of a stronger one, imposing its will on it. It is akin to putting a sword in its sheath, with the enslaver being the sheath and the sword being the enslaved target. Using that understanding, what the player just tried to do is akin to forcing a much larger sword into that small sheath, resulting in the sheath breaking.]

Akun's pained gasps and bewildered expression bore witness to the gravity of the situation.

In the midst of the surreal underworld, a fierce determination surged within Akun, fueled by his anger and the dwindling sands of time. His voice, tinged with a newfound resolve, cut through the shadowy abyss as he declared, "There isn't much time left, and I don't care for the power gap or whatever. All I know is... I will be taming a god today."

Xalender, the skeletal deity who had witnessed countless souls pass through his domain, observed the mortal's transformation with a mixture of indifference and curiosity. He had seen countless ambitions crumble beneath the weight of godly power, and he didn't expect much from a mere mortal.

However, an uncanny change began to unfurl within Akun. Though Xalender said nothing, he couldn't deny the subtle shift in the air, a harbinger of impending change.

Amid this transformation, the system's voice echoed in Akun's mind, issuing both a notice and a warning.

[Notice!! The player is using GX-chaos-]

[Warning to the player!! Continuous usage of GX-Chaos- could affect the natural structure of matter around the player!]

[Notice!! Controlled usage is advised.]

Undeterred by the system's cautionary words, Akun tightened his grip on the †Void-Sword-Onos†. His eyes blazed with an unwavering determination as he addressed the system once more, his voice resolute.

"System, again... Activate the taming skill."

With that command, multiple chains erupted from Akun's very body, an intricate web of ethereal links that coiled and danced with otherworldly grace. Xalender, sensing the impending threat, moved to intercept one of these chains with his skeletal hand, but as he grasped it, another chain swiftly ensnared the same hand, rendering his attempts futile.

The dance of power and will had begun anew in the depths of the underworld, and Akun, fueled by his determination and a newfound force, was determined to tame a god.