Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground - Chapter 1678 Tired…

Chapter 1678  Tired…

That evening, Atticus gathered the entire family in the living room of the mansion.

“What is this, bond? I’m a busy man, you know.”

Whisker sneered.

“If you’re busy, then everyone in this domain must be worked to death.”

“That’s rich coming from you. Lazy man, always at the beach.”

“Well, at least I’m handsome.”

“What does that have to do with— wait. Ozeroth is handsome too.”

“Enough, both of you.”

Atticus’ heavy glare silenced them instantly.

“I have an announcement to make.”

“What is it, son?” Avalon said, and the rest of the family turned their attention to Atticus.

“Freya.”

He gestured to her. She hesitated for a brief moment before stepping forward, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. The moment her eyes met Atticus’ steady gaze, she gave a faint nod.

She raised her arm, and her eyes suddenly flushed dark as a pale, shadowy orb formed above her palm.

“!!!!”

Everyone’s eyes widened, several of them shooting to their feet.

“Freya… what is this…” Anastasia’s voice trembled.

“She became a god.”

Atticus said calmly, taking in their shocked expressions. It was only natural. There was no one present who didn’t understand what it took to become a god.

“A… a god…? H-how did you… kill…?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Hah…”

Anastasia gasped, covering her mouth as she stared at Freya with trembling eyes.

“How did this happen?” Avalon asked, his expression hardening.

“It was ma—”

“…It was all my fault, dad.”

Before Atticus could continue, Freya advanced forward, her fists tightening even more.

“Explain.”

“I… I was spying on Atticus and Uncle Ozeroth. I heard them talking about when I’d become a god. I didn’t want to hold anyone back, so I… I…”

Whisker clicked his tongue.

“For a guy who calls himself the greatest, you really didn’t notice a ten-year-old spying on you?”

“Y-you fool! It’s because I was upset about you stealing my goddaughter! I wasn’t paying attention and—”

“Excuses. Just say you’re useless.”

“You—! Atticus was there too! If even the god of the domain didn’t notice, why are you blaming me!?”

“Bla bla bla. Still useless.”

“You…!”

“Guys!”

A crushing pressure suddenly flooded the room, silencing them instantly. All eyes turned toward Avalon, whose body had begun to emit faint, sizzling wisps of smoke.

“Can you keep it down?”

Avalon didn’t wait for a response before turning back to Freya, his gaze hard. Freya’s head was bowed, her posture stiff as though awaiting punishment.

“What you did… that was wrong, Freya. Do you understand?”

“…yes.”

“…go to your room. We’ll call you when we’re ready.”

Freya gave a small nod, threw Atticus a brief look, and quietly left the room. A heavy silence settled in her wake until Avalon’s voice cut through it.

“You knew.”

Atticus met his father’s fierce gaze without flinching.

“I did.”

“Then why didn’t you stop it!?”

Bam!

Avalon’s arm tore through the wall, the force sending cracks racing across it as the entire mansion trembled.

The easiest answer would have been that it wasn’t his place, that she was free to make her own choice. But that would have been a lie. And Atticus had no intention of lying.

“Because I wanted it to.”

“Wanted?” Avalon’s gaze flared red. “She’s ten, Atticus. Ten. And you just stood there and let her kill someone?”

“…I killed for the first time when I was ten.”

“That was you! You were never normal to begin with, so of course—”

“Avalon!”

Avalon turned toward Anastasia, who was now staring at him with a firm gaze.

“Bu—”

“That’s enough.”

“…tch.”

Avalon clenched his fists, then scoffed before turning and striding out of the room.

“Come with me.”

Anastasia walked up to Atticus and gently led him out, leaving the others in an awkward silence.

“Tch… they’re arguing because you’re ugly, you golden oaf.”

“You…! You want to go?”

“Gladly.”

The others let out loud, tired sighs as Ozeroth and Whisker rose to clash.

…

Atticus was led through the expansive garden Anastasia had been nurturing for years. It was a beautiful, almost enchanting sight, yet none of it registered in his eyes.

“I’m sorry about your father, Atticus. I hope you didn’t take it personally. He just… lost his temper.”

“It’s fine.”

He scarcely registered Avalon’s words, especially since they were true. He had never been a normal child.

A moment of silence passed before she spoke again.

“You broke your promise.”

Atticus found his gaze drawn to the tears still streaking down her face, and something in his chest twisted faintly.

“…I did.”

“Why? You never break your promises.”

Atticus paused for a moment before answering.

“Because I’m tired…” he finally said.

“We’ve spent the past ten years doing nothing, mom. My enemies are getting stronger every day, and I’ve just been… standing still. I’m tired of always looking over my shoulder, wondering when we’ll get ambushed. We need more power… we need to ascend.”

It was the first time Atticus had spoken to his mother this way, yet it felt necessary. He had refined more than just his abilities over the past ten years. His time with his family had only hardened his view of the world. Their endless dinners and laughter, the peace, the love, he wanted to protect all of it. He needed to protect all of it.

A sad smile appeared on Anastasia’s face as she gently cupped his cheeks.

“Atticus… you have to stop putting all of that on yourself. I know you want to protect us, and we’re grateful for that, but you can’t keep carrying everything alone. We’re your family. You can rely on us too.”

“…yes mom.”

“And don’t forget why you’re doing all this. Family. Freya is your sister, you’re her big brother. You’re her whole world, and you know how much she looks up to you. You influence her more than anyone else. It’s your responsibility to look after her… to protect her, no matter what you personally want. Do you understand?”

Atticus gave a small nod.

“…yes, mom.”

…

That night, Atticus visited Freya in her room. She quickly sat up the moment she saw him.

“…how mad are they?”

“…very.”

“Argh… I hope they calm down soon. I’m tired of being stuck in here…”

She dropped back onto the bed with a heavy sigh. Atticus let out a faint chuckle before his expression turned serious.

“You took the blame… why?”

“Because it’s my fault. Obviously.”

“But it only happened because I let it happen. I should’ve stopped you.”

“Brother… who was the one that spied on you, then killed the god?”

“…you.”

“Exactly. So it’s my fault. My action, my responsibility.”

Atticus stared at her, slightly stunned. Sometimes, it was hard to believe she was only ten.

After a moment, he stepped forward and stopped before her.

“Show me your will.”

Freya nodded and stretched out her palm. A pale, dark orb formed above it the next moment.

“Hmm…”

It was already surprising that she had awakened her will at such a young age, yet Atticus couldn’t help but frown.

‘She can already impose.’

Atticus had been strengthening her will for years, yet he had never expected her to jump straight to impose. As it stood, Freya’s will could already affect the world around her.

His frown deepened as the image of the woman driving herself onto the sword resurfaced in his mind.

Without warning, he raised his hand, and the orb shot into his arm.

“Hey! How can you control my will!?”

“Because I’m your older brother.”

“That doesn’t even make sense!”

Atticus smiled faintly as he examined it more closely. He could feel a faint sense of… possessiveness. It was as though it was trying to slip into his mind and make him… hers.

He lifted his gaze and looked at his sister again. Just what the hell had she awakened?

…

The next few weeks were spent with Atticus training Freya on how to use her will. He quickly realized she was exceptionally talented at it.

After her declaration that she also wanted to become a monster, and with the dangers of the Crown in mind, Atticus saw the need to raise her strength to the peak of the Span.

To limit the number of people she would have to kill, he captured a single god at the peak of the Span for her. Just like that, Freya’s power soared to the peak of the Span.

A month passed.

On one morning, Atticus stood on a hill with everyone in the domain who mattered to him. Their expressions were solemn as they stared up at the boundless sky.

Finally, after so long… it was time to ascend to the Crown.

Thanks for reading! Next chapters, we’re heading to the crown!