Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 997

"You don’t know what you’ve done for me," Viktor continued. "For years, I’ve been lost."

Atticus remained silent, listening.

"I was once in charge of a squadron. They were my responsibility, my comrades, my brothers and sisters in arms."

A shadow passed over his face. "And they all died during a mission."

The words were delivered calmly, but Atticus could hear the rawness buried underneath.

"I watched them die. And what I saw that day… it made me believe that everything we were fighting for was a lost cause."

His fists clenched.

"What was the point of training, of fighting, of sacrificing, when in the end, we were just bodies to be used and discarded?"

"For so long, I hesitated. I went through the motions, but I had no real drive, no real reason to push forward. I lost faith in this war. I lost faith in myself."

He looked directly at Atticus.

And for the first time, his eyes burned with something new.

"Then I saw you."

Atticus didn’t react, but Viktor could see that he was listening.

"A child," Viktor continued, "but one with more will than warriors who have fought for centuries. More talent than the strongest among us. More drive than anyone I’ve ever known."

His lips curled slightly, and he chuckled.

"And suddenly, every hesitation I had vanished."

"Because you reminded me why we fight. You reminded me what it means to be a warrior. And for that, I am grateful."

Viktor took a step back.

His crimson eyes locked onto Atticus’s intense gaze, and a small smirk played at his lips.

"I hope that fire in your eyes is never snuffed out, General."

Viktor saluted, his stance unwavering, filled with utmost respect. He didn’t care that he was showing such reverence to a child.

And without another word, he turned and left the island.

Even moments after Viktor left, Atticus’s expression was still filled with intrigue.

’To think I actually inspired someone.’

It felt a bit surreal. He hadn’t even done anything, and yet, somehow, he had helped a random demon get past his trauma.

’I wonder who else I inspired,’ Atticus thought, feeling a bit giddy.

’Tch. What a useless thing to feel good about,’ Ozeroth scoffed.

’It is only natural that the great inspire,’ Ozeroth continued. ’People should bow. They should worship. It is the proper order of things.’

Atticus sighed, shaking his head. ’Of course you’d say that.’

’I speak only the truth.’

’Right. Truth.’ Atticus rolled his eyes. ’So when are they supposed to start the worshipping part? Should I prepare a shrine?’

’A throne, bond. A throne. And perhaps a grand temple—’

’I’m ignoring you now.’

’A golden throne, mind you!’ Ozeroth pressed on. ’Preferably adorned with jewels and bathed in the eternal light of our greatness—’

Atticus tuned him out, shaking his head with a smirk as he returned to his thoughts.

He had trained the Hell’s Fire to an acceptable extent and could now use it effectively in battle.

’But it’s not enough.’

Atticus wasn’t satisfied.

He still focused on increasing his proficiency, and as time passed, what he had dreaded finally happened.

Multiple airships appeared in the skies above his island, and the instant their hatches opened, an army of recruits dropped down like ants, swarming the forests.

Without another word, each of the airships took off, leaving the island.

None could move. _{ƒreewebηoveℓ.com}