Chapter 16: Even Animals Have a Destiny
"My God, this is truly amazing!" Aiden's words burst forth with genuine enthusiasm as he touched his forehead where the "Third Eye" or "Secrets Revealer" now resided, far more powerful than he imagined. It had transformed into an exceptional tool that responded to any mystery or question crossing his mind, providing clear and dazzling answers.
He shifted his focus to the floating screen before him and began reading the content attentively, for the information displayed was profound and worth pondering. Despite growing up in the mountains, Aiden wasn't isolated from the world as some might think. He was an avid reader, especially when it came to novels and myths.
The terms he saw weren't completely foreign to him; he had encountered them in Chinese fantasy novels. "Fate" and "Destiny" were fundamental concepts in the life of every living being. Fate is the pre-written record of the events of our lives before birth, while Destiny is the end we reach. Everything in existence has a fate and a destiny, even the strongest beings... except the Creator. He is the one who made the rules, and He transcends them completely.
Even the word "infinite" – which some believe describes the pinnacle – is ultimately a concept created by the human mind because it couldn't comprehend what lies beyond. But the Creator has no limits.
"Alright, we drifted a bit in thought!" Aiden laughed at himself.
"More precisely, I must change the destiny of a billion beings on this planet... hmm..." he whispered while contemplating the difficult task.
Then an idea struck him, and his lips curved into a cunning smile. "If any living being here counts... hehehe!" He scanned his surroundings, examining the gates scattered around and the beings standing behind them, watching him since his strange battle with the rabbits.
Some looked at him cautiously, others with curiosity. They would be the first to confront him when those gates opened.
He searched around until he found what he wanted – a green-colored gate, radiating vital and growth energy. Behind it, huge plant-like creatures were moving.
"A plant life form... this might be a bit difficult." Aiden muttered, remembering that plant beings possessed an astonishing regeneration ability. Even if cut into pieces, any intact piece could reform itself.
["Secrets Revealer"].
He summoned his skill, and the gate display screen appeared before him:
>[Gate of the Plant World – C]
Special Information:
This green gate is a window to a strange plant kingdom, seeking expansion and domination. Its creatures aren't just ordinary plants, but thinking and hostile beings, moving with collective will and feeding on the energies of living beings and the lands they invade.
[Opening Time]: 5 days
[World Power]: C
[Number of Forces]: 1500
[Type of Forces]: Plant Life Forms
"Alright, it seems we have time to prepare." Aiden muttered, then called out: "Status Screen!"
[Ding!]
[Name]: Aiden
[Strength]: House
[Speed]: 150 meters/second
[Flexibility]: 100
[Talents]: Language Learning
[Skills]: Strength (Level 3), Swift as Light (Level 4), Healing (Level 2), Summon Skeleton (Level 2), Thrust (Level 4), Rabbit Jump (Level 7)
[Imaginary Skills]: Comprehensive Formation
[World]: Rank D
Fate Points: 0
"Hmm... my strength has increased. I can now destroy a house with a single blow. Even my speed has become more defined."
"And the World category... I think it refers to the world of power. This makes it easier for me to understand the path I'm taking."
"And now, it's time to search for the fate points awaiting me. Hehehe!"
And so he set off in one direction.
---
After hours of walking through desolate paths, the outlines of a city began to appear on the horizon. "City of Radiance" – as written on the worn-out sign at the entrance – but it seemed radiance had abandoned it a long time ago. What Aiden saw was embodied disaster: crumbling ruins, burned buildings, and a heavy silence looming over everything.
"My goodness..." Aiden muttered as he advanced cautiously.
Although he had witnessed destruction before, he never got used to it. Every time his heart ached anew.
While examining the rubble, he spotted a faint movement. A man crawling with difficulty, his body covered in dust and wounds. Aiden didn't hesitate and rushed towards him.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly, kneeling beside him.
"Yes... I..." the man's words were cut off by a painful cough.
"You need help." Aiden said firmly. "Let me help you."
"Water... just..." the man whispered with difficulty.
Aiden quickly took out a water bottle and gently lifted the man's head to give him a drink. He knew these moments could be the difference between life and death.
"Thank you..." the man said, his voice clearer. "I was nearly dying of thirst."
[Ding! You saved a desperate soul. You obtained one fate point!]
Aiden smiled lightly. "That easily? Just a simple act of help?"
He realized that the value of life isn't measured by the size of the help, but by its impact. Even the smallest action could change a destiny.
"Stay here." Aiden said as he helped the man sit in a safe spot. "Are there any other survivors?"
"I don't know." the man answered quietly. "I was unconscious for hours."
"Alright, that's fine." Aiden took out some dates, nuts, and another water bottle. "Eat these and wait here. I'll be back soon."
Before leaving, he added wisely: "If you hear any strange sound, hide immediately. Safety first."
The man nodded in agreement, his eyes overflowing with gratitude. As Aiden left, he looked at the horizon with eyes full of determination. He wasn't saving people because he was a saint or because he loved doing good, but because he saw in every living being a "goal," a source of the fate points he needed.
Whether it was a man, a woman, or even an animal, they were all equal in his eyes. What mattered was that they carried a destiny waiting for someone to change it.
He began roaming the city, turning over rubble searching for any trace of life. And he found his treasures: dogs trapped under debris, injured cats, birds stuck in their cages, even humans themselves.
A faint golden light glowed between his hands as he used [Healing] to treat their wounds and save them from the brink of death.
[Ding! You changed the destiny of three dogs. You obtained 3 fate points!]
[Ding! You changed the destiny of a cat. You obtained one fate point!]
[Ding! You changed the destiny of a small bird. You obtained one fate point!]
[Ding! You changed the destiny of a child. You obtained one fate point!]
[...]
"Ah... even animals have a destiny!" Aiden muttered, seeing the points increase with a proud smile.
Gradually, he began to view every living being as a piece on a chessboard, a potential source of points.
After hours, he had 189 fate points. "Excellent!" he exclaimed happily. "I think I can create something useful now."
"Excuse me..." one of the survivors Aiden had saved earlier approached. "Thank you for–"
Aiden interrupted him by suddenly raising his hand, his features changing from contentment to caution. He felt something strange in a distant direction, something familiar but disturbing.
"Wait here." he said seriously. "I'll go check something. Don't move from your spots."
He didn't wait for their response and vanished in the blink of an eye towards the source that made him uneasy.