Chapter 382 Confirmed

’Except for sealing my abilities like the Harbinger did, try killing me.’

The mention of Harbinger immediately changed Oriendar’s train of thought. His amusement faded as he recalled the incident that had taken place between Atlas and the mysterious being, along with the unusual method Harbinger had used to seal Atlas’s abilities.

At the time, Oriendar had struggled to understand how such a feat was even possible, considering the nature of the power Atlas possessed.

He had eventually decided to investigate the matter himself.

By rewinding the time of the entire area where the battle had occurred, Oriendar had been able to examine the events that unfolded and trace the source of the sealing method back to the sword Kael had used. The discovery had surprised him more than he had expected, because the weapon’s properties were far beyond what an ordinary weapon should possess.

That sword had the ability to seal every power possessed by the Truth.

Even Oriendar had felt a sense of dread when he examined its nature. If the sword’s sealing power could be applied to him, then his own abilities would become useless, leaving him in a state where he could barely defend himself.

For someone who had existed for eons and stood among the highest authorities of the Primartia Galaxy, the prospect was more than enough to make him take the weapon seriously.

’That sword is truly ridiculous...’

However, the sword itself wasn’t the only part of the incident that concerned him. Harbinger had managed to analyze its properties and temporarily absorb its power, reproducing the same sealing method without possessing the original weapon.

The fact that he had accomplished such a feat was itself worthy of attention, but it also explained how Atlas’s abilities had been sealed during their battle.

Oriendar understood why Atlas had mentioned that particular exception. The boy was deliberately excluding the one method that had already proven capable of rendering his abilities useless, leaving Oriendar with a much more specific challenge.

Even so, Oriendar couldn’t understand why Atlas was so eager to test the limits of his own existence, ’Even if I don’t seal your powers or abilities, you would still di-!’

"Exactly! I really want to see you try, because I’m curious about that matter myself."

Atlas interrupted him once again, his voice carrying the same amusement as before. There was no hesitation in his response, nor did he sound as though he were making an empty threat. He genuinely wanted to know what would happen if an Awakened being attempted to kill him without relying on the sealing method that Harbinger had used.

Oriendar fell silent.

For a moment, he considered refusing to entertain such a ridiculous request. After all, there was little reason for him to indulge Atlas’s curiosity, especially when the boy was practically asking him to kill him. Yet, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that Atlas was unlikely to abandon the matter simply because he refused.

Eventually, Oriendar released a quiet sigh, ’Fine, I’ll simply resurrect you if you actually die.’

Having made up his mind, he snapped his fingers.

At that exact moment, Atlas’s body went completely still.

His heart stopped beating, his kidneys ceased functioning, and every organ within his body came to a halt. Even his brain stopped functioning, leaving no room for conscious thought or physical resistance.

The change occurred so abruptly that Atlas had no opportunity to react before his body lost its ability to remain upright.

His figure collapsed forward onto the holographic table, knocking several books out of place as his body landed among the scattered pages. The books that had occupied his attention only moments earlier were now spread across the table, while Atlas himself remained completely motionless among them.

On the distant mountain peak where he sat, Oriendar released a long sigh.

’Kids these days really know no bounds-!’

He had expected Atlas to challenge him, but he hadn’t anticipated that the boy would be so willing to put his own life on the line merely to satisfy his curiosity. At the very least, Oriendar had already decided that he would resurrect Atlas if the experiment ended in death, so there was no reason to worry about the consequences.

Or so he thought.

Before Oriendar could finish his thoughts, another voice sounded directly within his consciousness.

’It seems... your attempt to kill me failed.’

Oriendar’s eyes widened.

For several moments, he remained completely motionless, trying to make sense of what he had just heard. He had personally stopped every vital function in Atlas’s body, including his heart and brain, yet the boy was still speaking to him as though nothing had happened. There was no indication that Atlas had been resurrected, nor had Oriendar sensed any outside intervention capable of restoring him.

’How?’

The question escaped his thoughts almost instinctively. Oriendar had witnessed countless strange abilities throughout his existence, but this particular outcome was difficult to explain. He had not merely injured Atlas or disrupted his energy circulation; he had stopped the functions necessary for the boy’s body to remain alive. Yet, despite everything he had done, Atlas was still there.

On the other side, Atlas’s grin widened as he considered the result of the experiment.

’Although, for a second, I thought I was a goner. Nonetheless, I’ve confirmed my suspicion now.’

He had finally obtained the answer he was looking for.

Atlas had suspected that his Metadata Axiom possessed a form of protection that extended beyond anything limited such as the Galaxy itself, but until now, he hadn’t had a suitable opportunity to test that possibility against someone of Oriendar’s level.

The result had confirmed that even an Awakened being couldn’t erase his existence or kill him through an external ability.

Whatever Oriendar had done to his physical body, the underlying information defining Atlas’s existence had remained protected. His organs could be stopped, and his body could be rendered completely motionless, but the attempt had failed to bring about the complete end of his existence.

The Metadata Axiom had preserved the very foundation that made him who he was, ’You can give it another try some other time, but for now, I need to go see my Sera.’

Atlas’s voice returned to its usual calm tone, as though the entire incident had been nothing more than a minor experiment. Having confirmed his suspicion, he had no intention of wasting any more time discussing it. Seraphiel was still recovering from her awakening, and he wanted to see her for himself rather than continue observing her from a distance.

On the mountain peak, Oriendar remained frozen in place, still trying to comprehend what had happened. Before he could ask Atlas another question, he suddenly sensed the boy’s presence disappear from the Primartia Library.

In the next instant, Atlas had teleported directly into the chamber where Seraphiel was.