Zogarth
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Chapter 1218 - A March Through Nothingness
🕑 Added 2025-09-29 11:21:47 +0000 UTC“That’s just weird, not necessarily suspicious,” Vilas shrugged. “Then again, it could be so weird that it’s purposefully done to throw us off her scent.”
Eversmile looked less than amused at the Viper having some fun with the most recent reports of the thousand students who attended Jake’s lesson. One of the women who’d attended had let the attention get to her head due to the many suitors she suddenly gained afterwards, and she’d decided to make up weird competitions to make them compete amongst themselves to win her favor.
Vilas guessed that all these guys – and even a few gals – would soon realize how insane she was and back off. It was definitely entirely unrelated to her being a secret spy for some unknown, powerful faction and was more just a fun little anecdote.
“There are some who’ve made odd movements and even purposefully tried to harm their karmic connections,” Eversmile pointed out.
“Yeah, but those are just the regular spies,” Vilas shrugged. “That’s just business as usual.”
“Their presence muddies the water,” the other Primordial pointed out.
“True, but if we suddenly start cracking down on low-level D-grade spies, we would be the ones acting suspiciously,” the Viper shook his head.
It was entirely normal to have “spies” in other factions, and more often than not, the faction in question even knew they were being spied on without caring. The information these spies provided was always low-level and inconsequential to the true leaders of factions, though it could certainly impact the lives of other mortals.
As for why factions didn’t crack down, well, because they didn’t want a crackdown on their own spies either. In fact, the consensus was to limit tracking these low-level spies, doing only the bare minimum to identify the most unskilled among them.
Spies had to be nurtured somehow, and this approach had proven to be the most effective. Again, they didn’t truly hurt the factions they spied for, either, and provided little more than regular reports on daily life.
“Telling the others who know to limit karmic obscuration would also appear suspicious if this unknown faction is observing the situation,” Eversmile mused to himself, clearly annoyed.
“All we can do is keep a lookout,” the Viper sighed. “If they do communicate, they’re bound to create some kind of karmic link in that moment. Now, if you somehow can’t use that to find out more… well, in that case, we’re well and truly screwed.”
“I do not see that as an option worth considering. If they were powerful enough to pull something like that off, they wouldn’t have to use these strategies in the first place but would face up openly,” the Primordial of karma commented.
“As humble as always,” Vilas chuckled, though he didn’t disagree with Eversmile’s statement in the slightest.
“Speaking of lacking humbleness… I haven’t heard about that Chosen of yours since his lesson,” Eversmile changed the topic.
While Villy liked to observe Jake, that didn’t mean he shared his viewing experience and allowed others to take part. Alright, quite often he had Duskleaf join him in watching, but Eversmile wasn’t invited to the viewing party. Eversmile likely could still watch Jake forcibly if he really wanted to, but with the defenses Vilas had placed around his Chosen’s residence, the Viper would detect it. Even if he didn’t, Eversmile was fully aware of Jake’s ability to know when he was being observed directly.
“He’s been busy doing his thing,” the Viper shrugged.
“Preparing to hunt down a dragon, I hear,” the other Primordial commented, being far too curious about what Jake was doing as usual.
“Exactly. As I said, he’s busy, and no, I don’t need your help to find a dragon for him to hunt. I already think I’ve found a very good one. You’re free to ask more about him, but unless you want a long speech on alchemy and the struggles of a C-grade successfully crafting bane poisons, I doubt you want to engage in the topic of my Chosen any longer,” the Viper shut down that line of conversation.
“Overly-protective as always,” Eversmile shook his head. “But fine, I won’t pry. I’m just getting the distinct feeling you’re not being entirely truthful with me regarding him.”
“Oh, I’m not, but that isn’t anything new either,” Vilas shrugged. It was a bit annoying that he couldn’t be too much of an ass to Eversmile, considering he still needed the Primordial’s assistance, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t tease his peer at least a little. Besides, he knew Eversmile found Jake interesting, which was both a curse and a boon, and no matter what, he wouldn’t want some unknown faction to ruin his object of intrigue.
As for what Jake was actually doing… well, that was a bit complicated.
--
Another avatar of the Malefic Viper stood in the room with crossed arms as he watched the cross-legged human. Jake wasn’t breathing, wasn’t moving, and all the energy usually circulating within his body had slowed to a crawl. His body was effectively in stasis, with his Truesoul barely even connected to it.
If anyone attacked Jake at this moment, the Viper had a hard time seeing him survive. Even his Bloodline seemed dormant, resulting in his presence totally disappearing. As someone also having a Bloodline, Vilas could naturally feel Jake’s, but it was barely detectable currently.
He was effectively teetering on the border between life and erasing his own existence. No, he wasn’t on the edge of dying, simply losing everything that made Jake himself. He risked losing the parts of his soul that he could directly affect and manipulate, which meant he risked losing his memories, personality, and all sense of self, leaving only a blank slate of nothingness behind.
Yet the Viper wasn’t overly concerned, because he knew Jake wasn’t alone. Not truly.
As for the room where Jake sat in meditation, Vilas was not alone in the room either, as there was one other god who had insisted on visiting and looked far more worried than Vilas was, despite it being his Chosen finding himself in this peculiar state.
“You’re far more experienced in matters like this… have you ever seen a C-grade do something similar?” Artemis asked with a frown.
“Members of the Dao Sect sometimes do similar things. They call it spiritual journeys or something like that,” the Viper answered calmly. “That, or it happens in very controlled group meditation sessions with an elder of the sect.”
“But not this scenario specifically?” Artemis asked, her frown deepening. “If he’s truly tried to go there…”
“He’s trying to,” Vilas sighed before smiling and looking at the goddess. “You must admit the prospect is at least a little exciting.”
“Can the mind of a C-grade even handle it?” Artemis didn’t even entertain the Viper’s casual demeanor.
“Fuck no,” the Viper recoiled at the notion. “His mind would turn to mush and his soul implode or something like that. That’s why I think what he’s doing is slightly different from what we do.”
“How did he even begin going down this track?” Artemis asked, looking at the Viper. “Was it through your guidance?”
The Viper honesty found the slightly accusatory tone endearing. Artemis had been very meek and hesitant to speak bluntly around the Viper for the longest time, but she’d truly grown in just a few years. The combination of bathing in Jake’s unique Bloodline-infused presence and just getting plain more used to being around Primordial-level figures sure did wonders. As for her question:
“No,” Vilas shook his head. “But that doesn’t mean he’s going in blind, only relying on himself and his instincts. He’s doing it with the guiding hand of another.”
Artemis somehow frowned even more, clearly finding his statement odd. “Who?”
“The most qualified C-grade in the history of the multiverse… and if anyone had ever gone there before, it would have been him,” the Viper said with confidence. Artemis had asked if he knew of anyone who’d ever gone where Jake was seeking, and while he didn’t know, he strongly suspected his Master had been able to do so.
“May I know who this person is?” Artemis asked curiously, finding the Viper’s words very odd.
“No, you aren’t allowed to,” the Viper shook his head. “So just trust that he’s the best there is, and I believe that even if Jake fails, his instincts won’t allow him to risk too much.”
“And you don’t know any way we could help him?”
“Best advice is to stay nearby, ready to observe the outcome and celebrate the result,” the Viper shrugged. “Even if he fails, I believe history will be made today.”
Artemis slowly nodded as she joined the Viper in watching Jake sit in meditation, completely unmoving, now going on the twelfth day.
--
Jake felt… weird. He wasn’t entirely sure he was even feeling anything in the first place. Nothing made sense, yet he was aware he was doing something. Seeking something. He wasn’t capable of forming coherent thoughts, yet his instincts continued to guide him forward.
He tried to gather his thoughts, failing over and over again. Perhaps thoughts weren’t even capable of being formed in this place at all, with nothing making any sense in the first place.
Yet he kept trying, still faintly getting the impression he was moving forward. Perhaps it could be compared to a dream. Jake wasn’t in control; what he experienced seemed to fade from his memory mere moments later, and what did happen didn’t necessarily need to make any logical sense in the first place.
All he could know for certain was that the dream continued, and slowly, Jake seemed to become more lucid. Wayward thoughts gathered, and some semblance of sense began to be made as feelings returned.
Jake tried to open his eyes, but was unable to know if he’d succeeded. His sphere didn’t do anything either, as he wasn’t in any kind of physical space. He felt lost, his mind starting to wander again, until suddenly there was something.
A familiar feeling.
Somehow, with Jake unable to comprehend how, he instinctively sought this something. He kept wandering through the realm of nonexistence with only this faint guiding light before finally seeing something in his mind’s eye.
In a world of darkness reminiscent of the void, he saw a single glowing page floating, blown by a non-existent wind.
Jake followed it, and as he did, his mind was allowed to fully form. He began to truly feel his own peculiar body, sense his surroundings, and perceive the odd world he had found himself in. Jake also realized that he wasn’t in a physical body anymore, but in some odd metaphysical state.
The only thing Jake could compare it to was the time during the Tutorial when he astral-projected his own soul to visit the Malefic Viper. In fact, this was very much like that.
Back then, he’d somehow sent himself through all the barriers around the Tutorials and entered the first universe with his soul in a desperate, instinctual attempt to survive. Villy had warned him back then never to do something similar, and in truth, even if Jake had wanted to, he wasn’t sure how he’d done it in the first place. It had all been instinctive.
This didn’t feel entirely the same, though, because Jake felt that he was still somehow within his soul. Rather than saying he was taking his soul and projecting it outwards, he was now taking his soul and forcing it all inwards. It was as if he’d entered the Truesoul or perhaps the Truesoul had just allowed him access to this place that seemed to exist within himself while still being entirely separate from Jake.
Floating through this odd realm of nothingness, Jake struggled to keep his thoughts gathered as he focused on the one seemingly tangible thing in existence: the golden page.
He followed it religiously, but even then, he sometimes lost sight as it flickered and disappeared. When that happened, all he could do was trust that it was somehow still there, letting his gut take over. Time and time again, his faith was proven as he eventually spotted another golden page to guide his journey.
Time passed, though Jake had no way of telling just how long it truly was. In one moment, it was as if he’d just gotten there, while in the next, he thought it had been years. All he could do was try to ignore all these distracting thoughts and sever everything but the single-minded focus to reach his destination. He still didn’t know what he was seeking or why he was going there; all he knew was that he had to. No… he wanted to.
Because, as Jake’s mind regained some clarity, he also regained the ability to return to reality if he so desired. In the back of his mind, a small tether remained that he could yank at any time to return to his body, exiting this odd realm. However, he also knew that should he do so, he wasn’t sure when he could enter this state again.
This status quo of chasing golden pages in the vast nothingness continued until finally something changed. At some point, Jake faintly saw two glowing golden pages rather than one. He continued chasing, and some time after, there were suddenly three.
More and more pages began appearing as Jake chased. They kept increasing, creating a road of light for Jake to follow. Just as Jake had these thoughts, the pages stopped flying and began lying flat, and without thinking, Jake landed on a page and stood on it.
An actual road of golden pages began forming beneath his feet. Jake began walking forward instinctively, only moving forward without looking back. The road seemed to extend only a few meters ahead of him, yet no matter how much Jake walked, it just kept going and going.
Walking was effortless to begin with, yet at some point, Jake began to find himself struggling. It was slow at first, but it quickly got worse as every footfall sent waves of pain through his odd soul-body.
He felt heavy, his body sluggish, and every step was harder than the next. It was tempting to stop and give himself a moment to recover, but something told him that wasn’t an option. He had to keep going or not go at all.
One step after another, Jake experienced a kind of pain that went far beyond the physical. He knew it was his soul struggling, and as it got worse, he felt a particular part of him hurt more than anywhere else. He quickly realized what it was.
Palate of the Malefic Viper.
Like an injury that had been stitched closed and bandaged, Jake’s current struggle was slowly reopening the wound. His soul was under immense stress, enough for even his danger sense to rear its head. It warned him that what he was doing was dangerous… yet he didn’t feel the need to stop.
He felt the desire to stop, and his soul was screaming at him to halt, but he kept moving forward. His soul was unmistakably taking damage, and it was only getting worse. However, if Jake dedicated any mental energy to even consider the potential harm, he would lose the focus required to just keep his metaphysical legs going.
Jake’s entire world was a road of golden pages that seemed like nothing more than an endless march towards his own doom.
What kept Jake going were three things. The first one was the fact that his instincts weren’t screaming at him to stop yet. They were warning him, but not demanding that he halt.
Secondly was the fact that the golden pages were clearly related to the First Sage and his guidance. Of course, if it were just these two alone, Jake would have at least hesitated, which would have ended his trek, but there was one last thing that kept him doing more than any other:
Knowledge that something actually lay at the end of the road. A certainty that there was a destination he could reach as long as he kept struggling. This realization was born of what Jake had learned in the tome of the First Sage and what he was certain the road of pages was now leading him toward.
The core of meditation was something far deeper than merely increasing regeneration of resources. This skill’s entire purpose was instead to deepen one’s connection with the system itself. The Truesoul within every being was directly linked and a part of the system itself, and all Meditate usually did was deepen this connection a little further to increase the system’s natural recovery speed.
It was to tap into something further beneath. To use the Truesoul as a portal or catalyst to seek deeper truths of the system and, through that, gain power. Knowledge. Records.
While all this was just Jake’s interpretation, he had forced himself to believe it was the absolute truth, for if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have the required strength to keep going. Even when the pain began to feel distant and numb as Jake began losing the thoughts he had gathered and the focus he’d regained, his absolute faith forced him to take one step after another.
Jake was no longer able to see the golden road of pages, no longer able to even feel he was taking steps. Everything was fading rapidly, his own instincts letting him know that his existence was slowly being erased as his soul lost its cohesiveness. He himself, and he already knew that whatever fix the Viper had applied to Palate had been completely broken by now.
Just as there was barely anything left… Jake felt something new. His foot had hit something, and as it did, clarity returned. In an instant, Jake became fully aware of himself again. The golden road reappeared, the pain subsided significantly, and while the damage was certainly still there, Jake knew he’d stabilized.
With this newfound clarity and sight of the world, he also saw what he’d walked into. The golden road had expanded, and right in front of him was a bench made of the same glowing pages. Jake had hit its side with his foot, and as he looked to the side, he saw that the bench was facing a massive gate that seemed to block off the entire side of his vision.
The gate was simultaneously small enough to look normal, yet also large enough to encompass all of existence. Unlike everything else, this gate was not made out of golden pages, but of something Jake couldn’t even fully comprehend. All Jake knew was that whatever he saw represented a gate. He stared at the gate for several moments before instinctively turning back to the bench, only to see that it was now no longer empty.
The familiar old man, who Jake had only seen in visions born of Path of the Heretic-Chosen, sat there and looked up at Jake with his usual calm smile.
“Take a seat,” the First Sage said, motioning for Jake to sit beside him. “You look positively exhausted.”
Comments
Alexander C Hyde
“(Overly protective)Overly-protective as always,” Eversmile shook his head.
SilverSentry
Thanks for the chapter. You think the two are related? Maybe she's just a haughty, stuck up true dragon.
Dave
Woah
Chloe
That sounds like some Sage advice. Tyftc
Michael Click
❤️❤️❤️
JJB4345_80_815
Thank you for the chappy Zogarth!
vio
I appreciate you for noticing that because i didn’t even notice.
DeAndrea H
It’s a small detail but I really like that in Villy’s internal monologue, he refers to himself as Vilas and not Villy. It would be so easy for even a Villy who is all powerful in universe to become a satellite character for Jake but little details like this are a great reminder that Villy is his own character with his own internal motivations and conceptions. He’s not limited to how Jake sees him or what Jake is doing at any given moment.
Trumangolorian
Tyftc
Xander
TFTC :) Had visitors round monday so I'm late to the party :| Suggested edits: "make up weird competitions to make them compete" hope I dont have to point out how this phrasing is redundant. Suggestion just go straight to "weird competitions to win her favor." "hurt the factions they spied *for*, either, and" should be "on" since youre referencing the factons that the spies are gathering information about and how that information is trivial. "“Speaking of lacking *humbleness*…" while this may be a word, perhaps "humility" instead?
ABTelford
Yes! Love this chapter!! It needs some editing cleanup but I’ll trust you and your editors to catch those.
brjenness
I think his future primal skills will be separate from malefic skills. Nuclear bomb launcher of the primal hunter. Buddy upgrader juice of the primal hunter. Etc...
Baged
Tldr?
Dennis Damenis
A small style critique. You use "or something like that" a lot. Beings from different levels of power, universes, species, and worlds all keep saying this same thing over and over when they dont have another off hand example of a thing to demonstrate their point or to better illustrate a concept and such. A potential example: "It's not like the Records from this source matter more than that one," Nobody McMadeUpGuy said, "so long as the quality and underlying concepts are compatible, and align well with both your Path and intent. Think of it like using Duracell or Energizer batteries or something like that. Both are top brands and of a similar quality level, so both will power any device that takes batteries that size and require that energy output." That is completely made up but you get the idea. In this chapter alone it's used a lot and nearly every chapter of a lit of conversation and explaining has it even more... It has been overly done since all the way back in the tutorial days. One if the first examples I remember is when Villy tells Jake in his divine realm that that most pre-System universe have a concept Records. He said to look up th e concept of Akashic Records or something like that. I noticed it then but it happened a lot with the people in the Turorial as well. It makes character seem less diverse and more bland and less distinct... I promise I don't mean that in any way but positive help, no insults or casting shade intended. If you look through an entire book for "or something like that" you will get an absurd anount of hits... It's just an artifact of the writer. I am guessing you like that turn of phrase thus it gets repeatedly far more often is realistic with beings across so many different strata in a vast Multiverse. Your characters are pretty well done on most other regards, so I don't want you to think I am casting shade there either... Honestly I think William and the Sword Saint are two of your most compelling chracters. I always thought it was a shame William doesn't do more with Jake and such or that we havent seen another rematch in so long. The second thing will be epic when it happens, and I think you have teased it a few times. Didn't they fight just before or after a Grade evolution? They are both closing in on peak C Grade and I can't help but think that timing of that teasing and this might nit be that coincidental... That just maybe that dragon won't actually he the most epic fight capping Jake's tenure in C Grade... Man I am hyped just thinking about that! Jake's Bloodline versus the Sword Saint's Transcendence once again... And both have picked up crazy new tricks and skills along the way... This time the Sword Saint wont have all that trying to be a crappy water mage dead weight and all of his skill slots and abilities will be usable and truly in sync with his Path this time! Plus we have seen so many hints the old man has taken that Transcendence way freaking further than where it wad then. The Glimpse of Spring techniques just being a teaser! If that is just the glimpse, then we have to wonder what the heck the real thing looks like now. The old man now has time magic and is better using his profession bow too plus has his own Mythic Skill(s). Damn... Sell tickets to that fight! Plus we all noticed the skipped POV of the Sword Saint using his Transcendence during his fights in the arena at Nevernore against the images of the gods left behind and now we kniw what was seen there had them up the old man's "danger rating" to the same as Jake's in the Court of Shadows, yet another little clue and bit of foreshadowing I doubt many missed. And Jake has grown in all the insane ways we have seen too. As for William, what he went through being a major nemesis during the Tutorial to being completely screwed over by Eversmile and now trying to be of some service and use while he tries to learn himself... Seems he should be used more or that all should have led to more. Either that thread was dropped or its still going and we havent seen the kaboom of that yet. Another exiting thing... I like the completely different redemption arc spin you have going on there. This is a guy that suffered from a mental illness but seemingly no longer and noe must figure out how that works and what the world looks like with this new him in it. Thats compelling and I havent seen that done quite like that elsewhere, which is my point, to a degree. That is way too much thought and investment to lead nowhere. That has chekhov's gun plastered all over it in neon signs so bright they can see it from the first universe... Plus it seems every time he is even mentioned he is getting stronger and stronger. He is now too strong for any of Lillian's group to deal with by that tidbit from her last POV when he was name dropped. There is a lit of that. He seems to be bouncing back from the Eversmile crap that left his Records and Path damaged. That seems like its leading somewhere. Does William have the potential to climb high enough a good rematch with Jake is on the table? I mean Karma plus Metal magic sounds like a terrifying and annoying match Jake would have to try harder to get around, as long as the power is there. Everything has metal in it and Karma magic seems suoer annoying. Does Jake or even the Sword Saint have any good counters to this stuff? Either of those would be a good fight if William ever/is on that level. It has been a long enough amount of time and enough stuff has happened that it is believable he could have bounced back from the damage to his Records and Path. He was the second most powerful person hands down in Jake's Tutorial group, not counting King, which nobody has forgotten. See? That all lines up too much to lead nowhere.
Korrasis
I bet his race will be "primal human"
Korrasis
Ohhhh yall, do you think Jake's going to "fix" palette of the maleficent viper into palette of the primal hunter????
brjenness
Jake is about to kill yrel when she says, "I know who ambushed you in the void."
yo dude
Wonder if Jake going to become a high human at B grade
Spencer Miller
New Feat Achieved: What the Hell, Bro?
Spencer Miller
Our lack of hearing about him makes him so suspicious. We know a little about the Dao Sect, but practically nada about the Daofather. The question is if it’s a red herring.
Spencer Miller
You know, if the First Sage sacrificed himself to change how the System worked, we wouldn’t know, since he happened so early in the history of the Multiverse. He was certainly capable of seeing many of the problems that could arise ahead of time. Maybe he strengthened the part of the System that learns/adapts over time? Edit: Unrelated, but the First Sage might have become Forbidden Knowledge specifically to prevent the unknown group’s trying to revive a copy of him.
Devin Williams
Hmmm...What are the thoughts on the gate Jake sees, as being the gate to a Library? Like the Personification of Akashic Records? Which would explain the Sage's appearance. He was a librarian in life. So in death he is a Librarian. Only now his books are all records that make up the system and multiverse.
Zogarth
Fixed!
Jason Hardman
TYFTC! Couple of edit suggestions: In fact, this was very much like. -> very much like that. as Jake’s mind regained some clarify -> some clarity
J W
You think he has a hard candy in his pocket?
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
JW Saxby
😳 Freakin incredible! 🤯 But cliffhangers brooo!?!? 😫 😔 Tyftc 😅🍻
Childish Jordino
I feel like this gate he's at is either a representation of the connection to the system his truesoul has, the locked records of the Malefic Viper legacy skills which he needs to open in order to upgrade and fix his skill, or the entrance to his divine realm or equivalent space. I feel like it's the last one due to the speculation by Artemis and Villy, saying it's something only they could and should do, as gods. I feel like it's gonna be how most training of skills gods do happens in their divine realms and allows them to modify or enhance records of skills, and Jake will gain access to a part of this.
Danny G
Scarlet's time to shine
Nexas Aurelias
Transcendent abilities are beyond the system just like bloodlines I honestly think that people are right and this is step 1 to godhood. Something Jake shouldnt even be close to attempting until possibly even S grade but I guess we'll find out soon
A Flashy BR
Tyftc !! I'm so excited to see where this goes
Tristan Lewis
Was not thinking we were gonna see him here lol
Sushi
Who’s ready for a random chapter on side characters tomorrow?
Rob Lyon
Yes the audiobooks are going to continue to be produced The issue is Travis baldry the narrator it's highly sought after and has like a 2-year backlog projects he's working through. I'm pretty sure that book 13 hopefully 14 are already slated somewhere in this backlog. But unfortunately he's a busy man and we just have to wait
Manowar
Or divine realm
Fyrtue
It's interesting seeing all the theories posted here about how this might be the gate to divinity and making a divine domain. It reminded me of the tail end of Event Horizon's description, "Your Path has led you here, but for now, a mere glimpse of the Event Horizon is all you are capable of, knowing it carries the promise of an endless domain to one day make your own."
TwoMoreYears
Love to see it
Cyranosaurus
We definitely need a chapter on that!!!!
Azayrian105
Hmm I wonder if this has anything to do with Transcendent abilities and the like? Maybe a direct connection to the System or something like that.
Rewdan
😒 you had to go and say it!
Steven Ramey
Been relistening to the audio books and just got to the part where his mom asks about his love life and I really can't wait for him to introduce his gf lol
Biggy smalls
No. Jake already said the barrier that Villy put up for palate went bye bye because of this journey. So he'll have to fix palate after Meditation upgrades after or during his meeting with FS. I think the golden barrier he's looking at is the barrier to godhood. Which is only found by much higher leveled people. Probably S grades.
Nairne
Well... ain't that a cliffhanger
Ty Cooper
Anyone else feel that the gate is the representation of the block Villy put on Pallet to save Jake?
David
YEESSSS!!
Stephen
I agree. I think the true purpose of meditation is to help turn your path into a meta-physical path in your soul. Allowing you easier access into insight about your path, and the earlier this happens, the stronger your path would become.
Daniel
This is the best writing I have read in a while. Such a pleasure to read.
Jack
Genuinely think this might have something to do with godhood, not saying Jake's gonna instantly become a god or anything, but the idea of a gate being located in the depths of your truesoul, that you have to keep walking a certain path to reach, ignoring the fact that you're soul is being damaged every step of the way. Like finding this gate might be the final bottleneck to reach godhood from being a Peak S-Grade.
MATTHEW ARMENTROUT
Are audio books going to continue to be produced
SmokeJam
Now I am more sure than ever that the First Sage did some fuckery to the system and he is deeply interlinked with its progress. For once not system-fuckery, but the opposite. Probably he had to die to unlock the last part of the Meditate function, would make sense if the Truesoul is that involved
Daryl
The First Sage has done so many wild things so far that I've learned to expect the unexpected from him. Looking forward to tomorrow to see what other tricks he's got up his sleeves.
Orgack20
The gate to divinity?
Paulo Furlaneto
Tftc
MrBooniecap
The first sage is back and is in his soul space connection to the universe? Getting deep there.
Fyrtue
Definitely relatable, but for me at least, I missed the chance to take a prolonged break when Zog did his vacation. Chapters like this demand I read again tomorrow.
BumAssBumAss
Honestly, goddess is the only option for Jake's current love life because if it was a mortal, she would have to be a multiverse level genius or Jake would just leave her behind in time. Even if it was a genius, they would walk different paths so they would hardly ever be together.
Admiral Dakbar
After chapters like this if I could pay $100 for 10 chapters I would do it without a moments hesitation
Justin Moen
Omg!! Surprise first sage visit!! I love you zog! I didn’t expect to actually get another encounter!! Please be good to us!
Corey S
We have in Jake’s soul space, etc
Biggy smalls
I think he already alluded to the why during their last conversation. The Multiverse works better with the 12 primordials sitting at the top of the multiverse and not him all by himself. There'd be no balance with that setup.
Carl Never
A primordial we havent met yet but i have a feeling is going to be very interested in this is the dao father
Carl Never
Oh i think your onto something.
Elijah Garner
Kind of seems like it’s being set up that Jake and the first sage are two sides of the same coin direct opposites of one another.
Henrik Nørgaard
That was my thought as well, either that or the gate won't open before godhood.
Carl Never
Art is watching im excited for the questions she cant hear the answer to
Goose18
I’m torn between letting this weeks chapters build up or just reading them as soon as I get the notification
Jordan Rogers
Yippee!
Fyrtue
I have a theory that tomorrow they might talk about why the First Sage couldn't ascend passed C grade. My guess is that he went too far and his vessel was to vast to handle ascending. Something like a literally impossible promotion quest maybe. It's clear that he snuck in here through the book pages and I'm thinking this is a sort of continuation of that vision from before. Whatever ends up happening, I'm super hyped for tomorrow.
tigerfishie
Tyftc…. I need it to be tomorrow asap 💔
Demi
Feels like the gate is something FS conjured up to place behind all that would blow up jake's mind and soul. Kind of like FS saying good job coming this far but you don't want to look beyond the gate just yet. And what is with the FS's words being bolded? Have we seen that before? It's like his every word is a command.
Jeryd Greer
Fuck this was a good chapter. I and stoked for tomorrow.
GeneticSloth
Tftc
Dallin S
This feels like wizard of oz retold I love it
Alexandre8901
This one feels like 3 chapters! So excited for the next FS chat! And post FS chat with Villy :P
Arieh Sochaczevski
Thanks for the chapter!
Alexandre8901
me too!
Corvid
Who's greeny. Give me more authors to follow
Corvid
I don't think it was that the first sage couldn't evolve as much as he just didn't want to
Boomer
I kinda thought that was just expanding the ways to gain experience or make teaching more effective as a human it's kinda assumed you teach and share records.
Kyle Davis
Vocab Correction suggestion “The only thing Jake could compare it to was the time during the Tutorial when he astral-projected his own soul to visit the Malefic Viper. In fact, this was very much like” Change the last word to alike
Corvid
Things are getting real exciting. This might be the most I've felt invested in a story arc since sin Jake or the viper's fight with yip
effigy
Wow - bit of a cliffhanger, and not even a Friday??
Shadowind
Tftc
John Durrett
Stretches hand out to offer some poison beer. Plenty of seating with choice of chips and beer nuts. :)
19Baine88
Thank you so much for not posting this one on a Friday.
Samuel Nelson
I couldn't tell how long either; seconds, minutes, hours. Not till I looked up did I realize it was like 30s...
ThatGuy
Oooo this is spicy. I honestly don’t know what to expect. I got a lot of ideas but honestly no idea what’s about to happen. Love this book
John Durrett
Bah dah dah see dah, I’m loving it. ;)
Leviathan
Fuck yea, first sage is back again
John Durrett
So many people have been mistaking this Cliff guy for Zog. Freudian slip? ;)
Mason Jones
So anyone else think the golden gate is a step into godhood. S rank soul strength needed to survive it but one of the steps into being a god
David
Hope it's a divine realm kind of deal. An avatar is cool and all but kinda boring compared to that IMO. I don't think having two jakes fighting at once would be fun and if we only follow one of the jakes then it's the same as only one existing.
Namorat
I am on vacation, I just had to double check it's not Friday. Wonderful chapter
Eric Shivak
TFTC! One Edit: Because, as Jake’s mind regained some clarify (Clarity), he also regained the ability to return to reality if he so desired. Welcome to Jake the Snake's Gate to his Realm.
Michael
yey! another first sage meeting coming up next!
Jaroslav Zapadlo
I am exhausted jsut from reading about that struggle
smore
New feat incoming!!
Rahsheem Reid
Ahh yeah Jake’s notifications from the system are about to go crazy.
Cory Smith
I am listening to all the books again and in book 4 Jake chose the skill “teachings of the heretical-chosen”, but that was the last time it was ever mentioned. Wouldn’t that have recieved a huge upgrade upon completing his teaching lesson?
brjenness
FS last transcendent ability...ability to help people complete their paths. the cost...his life
Roy
A Friday chapter on Monday, you bless us Zogarth. 🙏
Roy
The First Sage is forbidden knowledge, I doubt that'd be the reason for them accosting Jake in the void. Not that I have any better speculation to be fair. I'm just gonna wait and let the great Zogarth write history.
David Hall
I think this is big step for the creation of Jake's personal realm or maybe Shadow Jake manifesting into something like an avatar
David Hall
Every time, EVERYTIME, they always end in cliffhangers. My poor heart can't take this yoyo treatment.
Matt
I honestly wasn't expecting to see the FS again so soon. Hype
Ty Cooper
Oh snap! He gets to talk to the FS when he gets to certain points of understanding. Glad Jake has a way to keep talking to the FS. Also I have to laugh. I read some comments Friday stating that we won't get to find out what the skill becomes today. I just could help but start laughing at the end of the chapter. So much of what was said happened. I am curious where this is, metaphysical or not. Is it where the truesoul meets the system, their own records portfolio, or something else crazy. I have a feeling Artemis is going to have her mind blown when Jake reveals what he has done. As she asked villy, has anyone other c-grade done this before. Makes me think it is typically the realm of gods and the system, possibly those in higher grades like s-grades.
Xien
Dunh duhn duhn duhnnnnn… ❤️ this forbidden knowledge kick… the first sage has been an appetizer for forever let’s get ready to feast
Numbzy
Thats a funny theory. It might have some sort of path going forward. I would be shocked if this directly gave it to Jake, but maybe makes it possible in the future.
Cory S.
Wow, was this a longer than usual chapter or did it just feel longer because so much happened? I feel like progress in the story and plot have really been made in this chapter. Looking forward to TFS conversation. TFTC!
Abhishek
Dayuumm.!! TFTC! This was brilliant.
Suzanne Pearson
I think Jake’s enemy might be a renagade of the dao sect. Remember in never more after he fought the monk and was forced to kill him in the collceum of mortals - the monk gave Jake a very cryptic message that even the viper and the worm god couldn’t hear? If anyone knows how to delete karmic ties, it would be them…. Maybe they are after the knowledge of the first sage that Jake has been given. Anyways, thanks for the chapter, zog! Keeps us guessing, as always!
OnEyeDevil
I really really really hope tomorrow is not an interlude, that would be just diabolical
Spencer Wilson
great chapter zoggy!
Yahyo Malikov
First Page
Borbino the great
That would be insane
Borbino the great
They might just be after bringing the first sage back they might not be after his bloodline at all but want to use his connection to the first sage to somehow gain some level of control of the system
Erebos
I think we're about to learn a profound secret about the system. The secret of why the first sage couldn't evolve. My guess is that the ability is the counterpart to his bloodline, and he has two extremes within him that only Jake can unite. A transient.
Fdrugc
Tftc
Sogala
Thank you for the chapter
Ed Soto
Tftc
Ben Cox
The rarest man in rhe multiverse, dead for basically a full 93 eras, forbidden knowledge to most people in existence and the first sage keeps showing up around jake like a favorite granddad with tasty sweets. Love it Tyftc
RnR_ RnR
As dope as that would be, I would be kinda let down. Just skipping the struggle bus to godhood.
Loststar7
Fan fucking tastic chapter. Thanks again for the fun.
RnR_ RnR
Oh man that's one of the best parts of this is the pacing
Lynderyn
This is a Friday worthy cliff. Awesome chapter.
Meir Banon
Tftc
Emmanuel Achaab
Zogs is on par with Greeny when it comes to teasers
Ctrl Alt Dust
Fuck yeah
Rewdan
an absolutely fantastic chapter. Thanks Zogarth
glutton 12
Praise be to villy this was a damn good chapter can't wait till tomorrow to find out more!!!
Morazain
The way to Jakeland is made by following the Yellow bri... Golden Page road.
Kristopher Hanson
Let's go more of the OG
Ryan
The people that tried to kidnap Jake in the Void, is a faction that wants to bring someone like the first sage back.
Cyranosaurus
What an ending!!!!!!! TFTC
Blutako
You envious sitting in your boat somewhere in the multiverse Ra?
Jan Backhaus
While I kinda like this idea (and liked it when other people discussed if before)... at the same time i dont want it to be true.. because i want Jake to be Jake.. not Sage 2.0...
NicN
Tftc
Ra
Holy cow! That was an amazing chapter! He's met the gate keeper of the system, The First Sage.
Ghast Renave
Tftc!
Lucas
Tftc
IntenseSushi
Tftc
Shadowessence
He has found it, the system fuggery!!!
Fyrtue
Damn
Jimboslice
Thanks for keeping up a steady pace with the story and overall progression. Some other series have fallen into the trap of dragging things out, to the point of self-indulgence.
AfroMocha
Again I’m gonna call it he gonna learn how to do an avatar.
Naotsugu97
Excellent cliff!
C0bra$
Thank u for the story
Jared Bell
Tftc
Blutako
Close bro sorry yo
Burkes
NO. NOOODJDHXJSOXVH GIVE ME THE REST
Eden
Wondering if he become foebidden knowledge bwcause after jake went in thr past, sage decided to leave this imprint at this location instead of full death like before.
Posiden 300
So.....godhood?? If so I'd laugh if Jake became so sort of demigod.
RnR_ RnR
So brutal
Blutako
Hey sylphie how are you?
Blutako
"Sit down weary traveler you have journeyed far"
Edgar Rolon Rolon
Fr had the same experience the other day 😂
Dow Adkins III
Tyftc
Marc Todd
Awesome
Catrina
The way his senses were cut off, even his bloodline, reminds me of when he faced valdemar and he used his bloodline. Everything sense faded and then he could perceive everything. I wonder if that state is related to meditate and if he's on the road to achieving that.
RnR_ RnR
I think if there was a philosophers stone in this universe villy would have already tried to find it for his wife and kid.
Alexis Cassaigne
Remember the First Sage! It was his only wish, to be remembered.
Jason
Tftc! And another cliff!
Matthias
tftc
Daniel Brian
First Sage!! 🤩
Kt-x
Oooooh! Thanks for the chapter!
Elliot
Tftc
RnR_ RnR
Ahhhhhh!!!!! So glad this chapter didn't drop on Friday. I feel this cliff is much worse than the others. Sage is just chillin in jakes soul. I'm starting to think whoever guessed that jake was the second coming of the first sage was right.
Stevean Bozek
Jake keeps messing with things he absolutely is not qualified for yet, I love it
Gabe Stankiewicz
Thank you for the chapter! Anytime Artemis is around it makes the chapter 10x better. I’m so glad Zogarth picked Artemis to be his girlfriend and not some lowly mortal 💜💜
joel southard
Thank you for the chapter
mitchell kaiser
Oh man Zog is an expert at teasing us for the next chapter.
Invictus Red
As long as Edward Elrich isn’t on the other side we’re in good shape 👍🏾
Tilen Praprotnik
Thanks for the chapter
djthomp
Gotta love interesting experiences with the First Sage.
Jabirttok
Tyftc! By the gods how am I supposed to wait until tomorrow.
Adam Charron
What a brutal cliffhanger over the weekend! Great chapter to pay it off though, can’t wait for the next one.
Strato Junon
Oh snap. Looking forward to tomorrow. Tyfc
Sylphie
Ree!! 'v'
Connor
Thanks for the chapter
Beemoss
Tftc
BlackRazaras
Thanks for the chapter
BumAssBumAss
Thanks for the chapter
Blutako
tyftc
levon
Yo first?
Mike
Tyftc! Heck yeah all the god predictions seem spot on, Jake is doing something either only divines do or something demi gods do to become divine. Now will Jake get cocky and f this up or will he take what he can get and run.
