SSS Awakening: Starting With Infinite Soul Copy

White knew what a life oath was.

It was a promise made by two people, mostly awakeners.

They agree on a term, and if any of them starts to go against it, they face backlash.

The most common backlash is the slow loss of their awakening powers.

It wasn’t something to be trifled with, and looking at Nova’s expression, White could easily come up with one thing:

This was her deal breaker.

If he didn’t take it, she would probably never trust him and might cut off contact right then and there.

But beyond her determined expression, there was something else he could see:

Fear.

She was afraid, and her desire to take a life oath with him stemmed from that fear.

In that moment, the notification suddenly flashed before White.

[New Quest Issued.]

[Win Nova’s Loyalty Without Entering into a Life Oath Contract!]

[Rewards:

1. +100 EXP!

2. +1 Level Up Cards!

3. +1 Ability Upgrade Card!]

White took a deep inhale, and he shut his eyes.

Exhaling quietly, his eyes opened, and his hands reached out, clasping Nova’s.

He didn’t curl her fingers around his to mark the Oath complete.

Instead, he placed her hands in his palms, two of his fingers reaching out and slowly pressing down against her outstretched fingers, the void-like tattoo around them dissipating.

"You refuse."

She pronounced the outcome of his action, and he didn’t refute.

Instead,

"Truth was, I planned to join the UEF, but it’s clear with my awakening, they won’t ever take me in."

"I would have stormed out of the hall in anger, only to end up dead in the hands of the Banshee Hunters."

"It’s safe to say, you saved my life, Nova."

"But that’s not all."

Turning up to look right into her eyes, he continued.

"See, you know, a lot more than I do, about the Limitless awakening. You refer to it as a Curse, and you call us ticking time-bombs."

"I’m guessing Limitless is like a psychic with a ’Mind Explosion’ ability: It doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe and misusing it could cause me to blow up violently, taking everything nearby with me."

I don’t know anything about controlling or using Limitless, so my fate is probably just blowing up with a bang sooner or later.

"I need someone... someone who understands Limitless. Who knows a thing or two about its control."

"Someone like you, Nova."

He explained, and she could sense not the slightest bit of lie in his words.

So why? The Oath will benefit you more than it will me. So why won’t you take it?

Nova asked, confused, and White fell silent for a moment before he replied.

"You will die."

The reply sent her heart into a frenzy.

Every single person who has ever sworn loyalty to me promised to stand by my side against all odds, but every one of them died in one way or another."

"Every last one of them died, and... I think it’s mostly because of me.

"I’m afraid that fate will happen to you, too."

"And while I’ve barely known you for so much time to care whether you live or die, I can feel you, Nova."

"You’re a good person."

"You feel guilty, and you see everything happening to me as your fault."

"But you’re also afraid. Afraid to be taken advantage of."

He said, leaving her in quiet disbelief.

’How did he know that?’

But a life Oath won’t make you safe. It’ll only make things worse."

He said, and in that moment, quietly pushed her hand back.

"So, no. I won’t get into a Life Oath with you, nor would I swear on my life to always be by your side."

"All I’ll say is...judge it yourself."

"If I’ll be by your side like you’ll be by mine, then judge it for yourself."

"Not by my words or oath, but by my actions."

White completed, taking back his hands, and falling quietly on his back, a hand over his face.

The sight of her...it reminded him of them.

His battle squad. They had sworn more than a Life Oath with him, yet what had become of them?

He won’t repeat that mistake...ever again.

Nova stared at her folded hands quietly, feeling the gentle warmth of his still wrapped around hers.

She turned away to find him, lying there, hands over his face as if to hide his expression, but he failed.

She could feel his hurt as clear as day, and in the end, she smiled.

Lying by his side, she whispered directly into his ears.

"That...was better than a life Oath."

[Congratulations on Successfully Completing Your First Quests!]

The system notification flashed at the corner of White’s gaze as he opened his eyes, turning to her in disbelief.

He felt his own words sounded like a cheap lie. One even he wouldn’t believe.

But she had believed him, and with the system notification showing complete, he had won her loyalty.

"Thank you."

He whispered with a smile.

"For what?"

"For believing in me..."

They looked quietly at each other, dazzled for a while, before a smile lingered at the corners of both lips.

Suddenly,

"We’re here."

The words resounded through the Mind space, and both instantly shot to their feet.

They found her, one of the XtremeCyber Officials, her expressionless gaze eyeing them both.

"We’re at the Venue for the entrance test, that will determine whether you’ll be accepted as a true student of XtremeCybers, or..."

She didn’t finish her words before turning back, returning outside through the blue door hanging in the space.

White and Nova stared at each other; their eyes lit with mutual understanding.

They gave a quiet nod of agreement before they stepped through the gate, disappearing out of the Mind space.

When they stepped outside, they found themselves in a completely unfamiliar area.

It was upon a large hill, a sprawling jungle beneath them.

Around them, there were about a couple of dozen other people their age.

"The entrance test is simple."

The words didn’t come from a single place, but from everywhere, and in the next moment, light descended from the sky like rain shining upon them.

White turned his attention to his wrist, where the light coalesced, and there he noticed a runic watch appearing, its surface showing one thing:

{0/1000}

"Have Your Points Reach a Full 1000 In the Next 100 Hours."

It said, and in the next moment, the watches undulated with a powerful light that covered each of them before carrying them into the deep jungle.

White and Nova held each other’s hands and were led in the same direction, descending into a random part of the jungle.

But when the light dissipated.

GROOOWWWWL!

A beastly growl came from behind, and White slowly turned around, the sight behind him making his spine grow cold.

"Holy fickoly!"