Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

Caleb couldn't hide his bewilderment, and it was clear that Shu's revelations had left him in a state of shock. He leaned in, his curiosity piqued and his confusion evident. "The Fool Kingdom? Other kingdoms?" he mused aloud, his voice laden with disbelief. "But that still doesn't explain what you want from me."

Shu's expression remained enigmatic, and his eyes bore into Caleb as he continued their conversation. "Ah, Johan, you see, there's more to the story. The purpose I mentioned earlier was merely a guise. The truth is, there exists a hidden temple within our kingdom, the Temple of the Shadow God. It's a place shrouded in mystery and guarded by secrets."

Caleb's mind whirred with intrigue as he tried to grasp the significance of what Shu was revealing. "Temple of the Shadow God? What's so special about it?" he asked.

Shu leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Within the temple lies the knowledge and the recipe to ascend from Tier 6 to Tier 4 of the Shadow Path," he whispered. "It's a power that could change the fate of the world you know. It was the recipe you needed. If you want to obtain those, I have a proposal. I want you to join our kingdom! Then I will help you to obtain those!"

Fuck! Really? Caleb's eyes widened. Finally! Information about the subsequent recipes of his path!!

"What's the catch?"

Shu sighed helplessly. "There's no catch. Just join our kingdom. I see that you have a potential. A genius in fighting. Our kingdom needs the likes of you. You also have the same mindset as me. How about it? You don't need to agree now. Just consider... You don't have anything to lose.

First of all, you're not really that attached to the City of Phenos, right? You can also guess it by yourself. The ruling kingdom of this city is rotten. Just look at the Captain of the Scout Regiment. David... I know that you know it."

Caleb pondered Shu's words for a moment. He knew that he wasn't deeply attached to the City of Phenos, and the revelation about the Scout Regiment's manipulations had confirmed his doubts. David, the Captain of the Scout Regiment, was indeed a cunning manipulator, and Caleb couldn't ignore the rotten underbelly of the city's leadership.

"I'll consider it," Caleb replied, his tone measured. "But I need some time to think about it. You're right that I'm not particularly attached to the City of Phenos. However, this is a life-altering decision. I need to weigh my options carefully before I can commit."

Shu leaned closer, his voice still hushed in a solemn tone. "Johan, I need to tell you, that reaching the Temple of the Shadow God is not going to be a walk in the park. It's guarded, and you'd need to be at least Tier 7 in the Shadow Path to even attempt it."

Caleb frowned, absorbing this new piece of information. "Tier 7? And what's guarding the temple?"

Shu's expression turned grimmer. "Apokalips, Johan. Tier 7 and 8 Apokalips are formidable monsters that protect the temple 24/7. They won't let anyone near it easily."

Caleb nodded slowly, realizing the enormity of the task ahead. "So, it won't be just a matter of joining your kingdom; I'd need to become powerful enough to challenge those Apokalips as well."

Shu's eyes gleamed with determination. "Exactly. But with the resources and training in our kingdom, you can achieve it. We have experts who can guide you, and our kingdom has its secrets. Consider it, Johan."

'This fucking tempter...' Caleb knew he had a lot to think about. The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, but the rewards were equally substantial. He nodded to Shu. "I'll give it serious thought and make my decision soon."

Caleb listened intently as Shu revealed more secrets. "So, David mentioned there are seven Destiny Paths in the City of Phenos," he began, "but what you didn't know, and very few people know, is that there were originally ten Destiny Paths. Those three disappeared in history, and it's uncertain if they ever truly existed. They're known as the 'Lost Paths.'"

"Lost Paths?" Caleb's curiosity piqued. "What were they, and why did they disappear?"

Shu sighed, his eyes filled with a hint of melancholy. "The specifics of the Lost Paths have been shrouded in mystery, and many believe they were lost due to wars, cataclysms, or even forbidden knowledge. It's a topic not openly discussed. Our kingdom, the Fool Kingdom, is one of the few places where knowledge about the Lost Paths is preserved. We have one of them and it's called The Controller's Path."

Caleb realized there was so much about the Destiny Paths and the world he didn't know. "Let me guess? It lets you control those damned Apokalips outside..."

Shu's gaze turned inward as he spoke. "Yes, I follow one of the Lost Destiny Paths known as the 'Controller.' It's an exclusive recipe within our kingdom, and it's what has allowed me to control Tier 9 Apokalips. Not many people outside our kingdom even know it exists."

Caleb was overwhelmed by the revelations that Shu had shared. "The Lost Paths, the Controller Path, and the existence of other kingdoms. It's a lot to take in," he admitted. "But what about the other two Lost Paths? Do you know anything more about them?"

Shu's expression turned somber. "Unfortunately, the other two Lost Paths remain a mystery. We've searched for clues and records, but the information has been elusive. It's possible that they hold even greater secrets than the ones we know."

Caleb couldn't help but mutter to himself, "So many mysteries, so much to uncover."

His curiosity burning, Caleb ventured another question. "What about the gods of this world, Shu? Do you have any information about them?"

Shu's response was cryptic, accompanied by a mysterious smile. "The gods are an enigma, Johan. Their existence, their motives, and their powers are subjects of great speculation and intrigue. But, like all things, the truth remains hidden until it chooses to reveal itself."

Caleb felt a mix of frustration and fascination. It seemed that every answer he sought only led to more questions. Curses!!