Single for Eternity
Chapter 83: Stats

Chapter 83: Stats

I stared at the flickering remnant of what had once been the God of Darkness. All that remained was an orb of unstable, pulsing energy—trembling in place like it was terrified of me. As if it were hiding the last echoes of something far more ancient than even gods. A fragment of a primordial force.

I couldn’t help but laugh internally, my lips curling into a smirk despite the pain still echoing faintly in my bones. It was comically ironic, honestly. This whole situation reminded me of that ancient scribble—Baldy.

The self-proclaimed archivist of forbidden truths. Baldy had likely thought of Chaos too... and that alone was what got him killed. ’How poetic.’

And now me? I’d only said the word—Chaos—and the God of Darkness had unravelled like paper in fire.

’Was I just that damn strong?’

I chuckled to myself. One word. Just one name, and even so-called immortals fell to their knees, begging for mercy or running in blind terror. Maybe it wasn’t something to be proud of, it wasn’t fair play exactly, but who the hell cared about that?

"I sure as hell didn’t," I muttered, grinning like a maniac.

But before I could savor that sweet taste of invincibility, something broke.

A searing lance of pain exploded through my skull. It was sudden, vicious, and all-consuming. No warning. No build-up. Just agony.

I stumbled backward, clutching my head as if I could rip the pain out with sheer force. It felt like a thousand parasites were tunneling into my brain, chewing through every memory, every nerve, every ounce of rationality.

A scream burst from my lungs—raw and primal. I dropped to my knees, and then fully to the ground, thrashing as the torment intensified.

My hands shot to my scalp, pulling, scratching. I yanked out clumps of hair, digging deep enough to draw blood. Thick, warm trails of crimson dripped down my face, staining the ground beneath me.

’This... this was so random.’ Even the strange force—the one that had forced me to absorb the Primal Fragment of Chaos earlier—was gone. Absent. Like it had left me to die.

And for a moment, I genuinely thought I would die. That my story would end here—curled up in a pool of my own blood, howling like a rabid dog.

But then...

A thought.

A single, flickering ember of insanity sparked in my mind: ’What if I absorbed the Chaos fragment again? Maybe then... the force would return. Maybe the pain would stop.’

It was desperate. Stupid. Reckless.

But it was all I had.

I began crawling.

Every inch of movement felt like dragging a mountain. My fingernails tore away from my skin as I clawed at the stone floor, smearing blood in my wake.

My face—already torn and ruined—was barely more than exposed muscle. I couldn’t even see through the blood blinding my eyes. But I felt it. The orb.

It pulsed with power just ahead.

With a trembling hand, I reached forward—barely a few millimeters away—and touched it.

And the moment my fingers grazed its surface, a familiar chime echoed in my ears.

[ Primal Fragment of Chaos detected. ]

[ Absorption will begin in 3... 2... 1... ]

I braced myself.

Expecting the same soul-flaying agony from before—waves of pain so powerful they made death seem like mercy.

But instead...

Bliss.

Pure, unfiltered euphoria.

The moment the absorption began, warmth flooded my body. My blood boiled with vitality. Muscles mended. Bones realigned. My torn skin regenerated faster than it had been shredded.

The broken mess of flesh that was once my face became whole again, smoother, even healthier than before. My hair, once soaked in blood, now gleamed black with an almost celestial shimmer.

I felt alive. More than that—I felt reborn.

And when it finished, the system didn’t disappoint.

[ Ding!!! ]

[ Primal Fragment of Chaos absorption complete. ]

[ Chaos Embryonic Core saturation: 100% ]

[ Chaos Embryonic Core evolving... ]

[ Evolution complete: Chaos Embryonic Core → Nascent Rift Core ]

[ Control over Chaos granted. ]

[ Repercussions from using Chaos have decreased. ]

[ Current Mastery: Low ]

I blinked. Control over Chaos?

I finally understood. The earlier torment I’d experienced... It wasn’t something random or done by Ness. It was because I used Chaos without understanding or control. A mere mortal trying to wield a force older than gods—without permission.

’Now? Now, I had permission.’

No, not just permission—I had dominance. ’Actually no, not dominance. My mastery is abysmal.’

"Still..." I muttered to myself, wiping away the last of the blood from my jaw, "It’s not going to get any easier from here."

I stood up, fully regenerated, stronger than ever. My muscles hummed with power. My senses expanded. The world slowed around me ever so slightly. And with a grin, I spoke aloud—

"System, show me my stats."

The familiar panel slid into view, almost eager this time.

——

[ Status Screen ]

Name: Einar Sanguis

Rank: Mortal

Physique: Chaos Incarnate

Affinity: Chaos

Quest: None

Skill: [ Wild Symbiote ]

— [ Stats ] —

Health: 15,000 / 15,000

Strength: 670

Agility: 800

Endurance: 950

Intelligence: 80

Luck: 3

——

My eyes widened slightly. The boost was insane. But one thing stuck out like a sore thumb.

"My luck... dropped again? What the fuck!!"

[ System: The number of atrocities you’ve committed has increased. ]

[ System: It’s karma, bitch! ]

[ ಠ_ಠ ]

I sighed, resisting the urge to punch the imaginary system window.

Seriously—what did I even do? Kissed another man’s wife? Killed a few hundred "innocent" flowery people? Tried to solo-run from Duskholm? Nearly killed a god?

I shrugged.

"Hmph. Nothing too serious."

Still, one thing bugged me.

"System. Where the hell were you while I was fighting for my life back in Duskholm?"

[ System: External force interference prevented contact. ]

"Useless."

[ System: Hey! You were the one who waltzed into a god’s den like an idiot! ]

[ System: That was on you, not me! Hmph! ]

[ .·´¯(>▂<)´¯·. ]

I couldn’t help but laugh. Even with all this power and near-death trauma, the system was still as bratty and petty as ever.

"Fine, fine. Let’s not argue."

I rolled my shoulders, feeling power ripple through my body like electricity.

"Anyway—System. What about the new skill?"

[ Skill Acquired: Wild Symbiote ]

Description: A growing companion born of Chaos. It feeds on life energy and evolves in proportion to its consumption. Possesses minor control over probability. Eldritch in nature.