Infinite Range: The Sniper Mage

Chapter 234 234: The Mystery of the Awakener

"Could this be why Usher guarded Celestial Fortress so obsessively?"

Orson squinted, lost in thought.

He vaguely remembered how players used to joke about Usher's wildly fluctuating levels, as erratic as his unpredictable, manic personality.

It now seemed clear that in the previous timeline, Usher had tried challenging the God-Emperor every year but never succeeded—even during the Hardcore Mode.

The consequences of failure were brutal: losing 50 levels and having all Forbidden Magic-tier

destroyed. Even someone like Usher couldn't withstand such devastating losses.

Choice 1: Gain the God-Emperor's secrets, control the fortress, and obtain a divine Soul Seal.

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It was evident that Usher had chosen this option in the past, taking the God-Emperor's sword to claim control of Celestial Fortress.

Choice 2: Sacrifice the fortress but gain dual-class awakening with seamless transitions.

This option was equally tempting. With proper development, a player's individual combat power could reach unparalleled heights.

"A choice with no downsides? Interesting," Orson muttered with a faint smile.

Whether in the world of Infinite Dimensions or the fusion world, the gods rarely handed out rewards for nothing.

Even Female Dorm God, who had earned an Epic Rank Human Soul Seal in the starter village, did so by helping a fisherman out of the kindness of his heart.

When faced with two seemingly beneficial options, the real question arose: was this truly a reward?

It was like a shiny wrapper around cheap chocolate—no matter how appealing it looked, no one would mistake it for a treasure.

"You have 10 seconds to decide."

The prompt reappeared as a grand statue materialized outside the palace.

Curious, Orson tried to inspect it.

"Sky Sovereign · Kael Gaedashiram · Pilgrimage Statue."

The figure was tall and muscular, holding a blazing greatsword pointed toward the heavens. His expression exuded an indomitable will, as if challenging the very sky.

"He does resemble Cain a little," Orson murmured.

A glowing path appeared beneath the statue, guiding him to kneel in reverence.

All he had to do was bow his head, and immense rewards would be his.

Most players would likely choose this route without hesitation. But Orson's ambitions lay elsewhere, and bowing to a dead spirit was far from his intentions.

"Kneel to you? Dream on," Orson sneered, shaking his head.

"If you fail to decide before the timer ends, you will forever lose the God-Emperor's blessings!"

Ignoring the countdown, Orson calmly walked toward the God-Emperor's Palace.

"You have refused the God-Emperor's blessings!"

"You have permanently lost the divine Soul Seal [Insight of the Elemental God]!"

"You have permanently lost the artifact [God-Emperor Sword]!"

Orson froze for a moment. Letting a divine item slip through his fingers hurt more than he cared to admit.

Suddenly, the quest log began to glow.

Cain was forced to yield. His legs were severed, blood pooling around him, and his health dropped to a mere 1 HP.

Enluka remained flat on the ground, not daring to so much as glance upward.

"I've never seen a dragon so obedient before," Orson quipped, laughing.

Enluka gave him a resentful glare but dared not retort.

The skeleton on the throne was Kael Gaedashiram, the Sky Sovereign who once led a celestial army to dominate the rise and fall of two great empires in Infinite Dimensions.

His power was beyond the comprehension of both players and NPCs. Even mighty dragons were forced to bow.

"Because you bear my blood, I will not banish you. But you are unworthy to walk in my name."

"Your mission remains unchanged—to help the creatures of Infinite Dimensions survive the apocalypse."

The ethereal voice echoed through the hall, serene as a breeze.

Cain's expression shifted between rage and despair.

To Orson, the words struck like a thunderclap.

"This God-Emperor isn't simple. Could the gods be using him to hint at the coming of the Heaven Demons?"

The idea made sense. Infinite Dimensions served as a massive factory of war. Allowing a select few players to foresee the Hardcore Mode and issue early warnings could be vital.

Cain gritted his teeth. "You let me see the truth of this world, only to make me serve others?!"

The God-Emperor's soul spoke calmly: "You and I are but vessels of the Creator's will."

"I refuse! I am destined to rule! I will take what is mine—now!"

Cain's bloodshot eyes gleamed with malevolence as he activated Body Domination Recovery. His severed legs regenerated, and his health surged.

Stretching out his hand, he grasped the God-Emperor Sword, trying to pull it from the ground.

"Aaaah—!"

A searing golden flame erupted from the sword hilt, climbing up Cain's arm.

The flesh on his hand vanished, purified into nothingness.

Divine Fire Burn: -10,000,000!

Divine Fire Burn: -10,000,000!

Cain's health dropped back to 1 HP, and the sword seemed to mock his hubris with a sharp, piercing hum.

"I am an Awakener. I will not yield to the insects of another world..."

Cain turned, his venomous gaze locking onto Orson.

Orson shrugged, stepping forward casually. "Your family squabble has nothing to do with me..."

Stopping beside Cain, Orson's smirk widened. "But Kael Gaedashiram, you're far too greedy, trying to trick me into leaving with your so-called blessing."

The golden skeleton remained silent, but Cain's eyes widened in disbelief as Orson reached for the God-Emperor Sword.

Enluka growled in alarm. "Burn him! Burn this heretic who killed my dragonlings!"

As Orson gripped the hilt, a dazzling light burst from his left eye.

Instead of divine flames, a faint silver crystal embedded in the sword's hilt glowed, resonating with Orson's gaze.

Orson laughed boldly. "Kael Gaedashiram, it's time you returned what you owe my friend."