The Deceitful One

The black book completely absorbed Bryan's blood. Following that, strange runes appeared on the surface of the book. The runes were full of mystery and very fascinating to look at.

For a moment, Bryan couldn't keep his eyes off the runes on the surface of the book. Because he found it to be strangely familiar.

'That's right! These runes are kind of similar to the mind runes in the Medici Apprentice meditation technique…hmm, but not entirely.' Bryan thought.

The runes wriggled around on the surface of the book like little snakes, finally forming into words in Ancient Hymmnos that read, 'Book of Medici.'

Bryan involuntarily gulped his saliva and turned the hardcover of the book over. The pages of the book were slightly yellowish in color, displaying the vicissitudes of time. The following quote was written on the front page of the Book of Medici,

'It is human nature to try and overcome one's limitations. But what if we had the power to instantly obtain the qualities that we envy in others? Would it bring us gratification? Or a thirst that can never be quenched?'

Bryan was in a daze as he read the words that were most likely written by his great ancestor, Medici. He thought in his heart, 'The power to instantly obtain the qualities that we envy in others…Theft!'

He turned the page over and continued to read,

'My descendant, what do you think the eternal truth in this world is? Some may say it is love and friendship, some may say war and slaughter, while others may say justice and equality.

Let me tell you. All those are nothing but illusions! Mere words spoken by delusional idealists. The only truth in this world is using others for your own benefit!

And the most efficient way to acquire benefits is the Theft Path!

After all, the strong steal from the weak, the rich from the poor, and the influential from the insignificant. Why? Because of benefit.

People may think of theft to be a heinous act of shame but it is all a matter of perspective. Steal a life and they call you a murderer. Steal millions of lives and they will call you a conqueror.

The Theft Path that I have created can allow you to strengthen yourself and steal everything under the heavens. And when cultivated to the extremes, it can steal the very heavens itself!

In the Low-String Ranks, you will be able to steal any and all material things. In the Mid-String Ranks, you will be able to steal things that aren't even there.

And in High-String Ranks, you will become the ultimate thief, the very embodiment of deceit!

You will be able to deceive the natural order of things and steal concepts such as life, identity, fate, destiny, and even time itself!

Deceive the whole world and steal everything in existence!

The world is yours!'

Bryan's heartbeat sped up as he finished reading the words of his great-ancestor. To say that he was shocked out of his wits, would be an understatement.

'T-this Theft Path…deceive everyone and steal everything? Won't I be invincible if I embark on this Path?' Bryan couldn't help but curl his lips into a smirk as he thought this in his heart.

But he soon shook his head and slapped his cheeks twice.

"No! I cannot be complacent. Even if Theft Path is invincible, it can only be considered so in the later ranks. I will still need to work hard." Bryan muttered.

But other than that, the words written by his great ancestor, Medici, deeply resonated with him. At a very early age, Bryan had already realized this truth.

When his parents passed away, Mark, his father's direct subordinate took everything that belonged to the Lombardi Family for himself.

Even his family friends who were supposedly on good terms with the Lombardi Family didn't even step forward to help him. Why didn't they? Because they didn't see any benefits in helping an orphan.

Bryan couldn't help but sigh and think, 'I wonder what experiences my great-ancestor went through in his younger days. What led him to create the Theft Path?'

He shook his head and threw these thoughts to the back of his mind and continued reading.

The rest of the book contained the potion recipes and meditation techniques for Rank 1 to Rank 3 of the Theft Path. Moreover, there were also spells from Rank 1 to Rank 3 that were compatible with the Theft Path.

Bryan skimmed over these parts, trying to look for something else. He found the written cultivation experiences of his great-ancestor, his journal entries, and even some information regarding the various continents of the world.

However, he couldn't find any information regarding the Mid-String Ranks of the Theft Path. Towards the end of the book, Bryan only found clues to as to where it might be. And these clues directly led to the Central Continent!

He couldn't help but sigh, "I should be grateful that my mother has left me with these precious things. This is a problem for after I've reached Rank 3."

Bryan kept the black book aside and picked up the greenish-brown mask. He ran his fingers over the surprisingly smooth surface of the mask as he thought in his heart,

'Even if I imbue the mask with a drop of my blood, as a God-level artifact, it will still take me a long time to refine it. Fuck it, it doesn't matter. I'm not in a hurry anyways.'

He then wrapped his spiritual force around the mask and the black book, and then connected his spiritual force to the silver pocket watch, instantly storing both items in it.

Bryan turned his head and looked at the full moon that was almost hidden behind the clouds with a hint of wistfulness in his eyes.

"Thank you, mom. Even after your death, you continue to help me. Don't worry, I will live a good life, I promise." Bryan mumbled softly as his eyes began to redden.

He gently kept his silver pocket watch inside the drawer of his bedside table and then lay on his bed.

Bryan thought about the times when he was a little child and used to play with his mother and father.

The times when all he knew was happiness, laughter, and the love of his parents. He slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep as a tiny drop of tear slid down his cheek.