Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world

Chapter 43 : Sin’s Game (3)

"Killing each other? Why?"

Lilia responded, "What you need to understand is essentially a game created by certain gods. That's precisely the reason why they created the artifacts that grant their powers to the wielder of the artifact carrying their sin."

"But why would they do something like that?"

"I don't know, probably for their own amusement," Lilia said, raising her arms as if to show she had no idea.

"You see, this is precisely why I hate the gods. Everything is just a game to them; they don't take anything or anyone seriously!" Alex said, gritting his teeth in annoyance.

"Perhaps, but that won't stop people from participating in the Sin's Game. It might be a bloody game created for the amusement of the gods, however it's still an opportunity for those who dream of world domination."

'That's not wrong,' Alex agreed inwardly.

Before knowing all of this, he had set himself the goal to become one of the strongest in the world using the artifact. He still held onto that ambition. So, there was no reason why others like him wouldn't want the same thing and try to use other artifacts to achieve their goals, the fact that you will participating in a bloody game that might get you killed won't discourage them, only coward's would pass up an opportunity like this.

Alex took some time to think thing's through, then asked for confirmation:

"So, to participate in the Sin's Game, one simply needs to possess an artifact, right?"

"Yes, but it's more complicated than it seems. I'm not sure by how miracle you and your friend stumbled upon your lust artifact without having to do anything, but I'm certain that obtaining one of the seven artifacts is not supposed to be this easy. Something or someone must have caused it." Replied Lilia in a suspicious tone.

"Hmm, maybe. Regardless, it's too late to worry about that now. Tell me instead, aside from becoming stronger with the artifact, do we gain anything else by participating in the sin's game ?" Asked excitedly Alex, hoping that he would gain something from risking his life by participating in the sin's game.

"Not that I know of, but just the possibility of becoming one of the strongest people in this world is already an immense temptation, don't you think?" 

"That's true, but then, I just don't see the point of fighting other artifact users when I can just become powerful on my side without bothering participating in a game that might kill me, it's useless."

"Ah, I forgot to mention, that's probably why you think it's useless to fight other artifact users. In fact, it's quite the opposite," Lilia said before continuing in a serious tone:

"By killing someone who possesses an artifact, you can obtain their artifact. For example, if you were to kill the possessor of the Envy artifact, you would gain the Envy artifact and have two artifacts, significantly increasing your power in a short time. That's generally the reason people fight each other. It's also one of the reasons you need to become stronger faster than other artifact users."

"I see," Alex said, trying not to let it show that he was actually quite alarmed. He hadn't been aware of the negative aspects of having or using the artifact. In his eyes, he had stumbled upon something that allowed him to become more powerful without any consequences.

However, how could there exist something like that, the artifact indeed had its drawbacks, one of them being involved in this accursed Sin's Game.

Still, even if he had known about all this before using the artifact, it would be hard to say that he wouldn't still use the artifact without hesitation. His thirst for power and vengeance was too great.

Moreover, if one thought calmly about the drawbacks of using the artifact, they wouldn't seem as damning as they sounded.

He had to fight other people who possessed artifacts, but so what? Ever since the moment he had decided to seek vengeance for his father and become one of the overlords of this world, his path was one of conflict. A few more battles and confrontations wouldn't change much to his situation.

"Uhmm... Now that I think about it, how do artifact users recognize each other?"

"There's some kind of connection that links all of you together. The moment you meet someone with another artifact, you'll instinctively know."

"Okay, understood."

"Now that we've sorted that out..." Lilia took a deep breath and continued, "Let's talk about your potential future enemies"