Author's note: First of all, I apologize for the long wait but I promise you I'm back for good and there will be daily updates starting from today. I will post a short summary of what happened previously in case some of you forgot.

...

There was a discernable and tense atmosphere flowing in the air. The riled crowd watching the competition seemed to have been quietened as the real Arthur and the clone stared at each other but opted to maintain their silence, both fearful of Lucy's reaction.

'Damned idiot! How could you bring a woman?!'

As someone with the same opinions, thoughts, and beliefs as him, Arthur's clone should know better than to bring a woman in here. To make matters worse, the woman was a succubus and had his imprint, making the two Arthurs shrink down, their bodies stiff.

In order to save his skin, the clone stood there for a couple of seconds before disappearing, all his memories and the skills he gained transferred to the original

'You bastard! You cause a mess then expect me to take care of it?!'

Arthur vainly cursed the clone in his mind, though that changed of the fact that he'll be the one providing an explanation.

As the influx of memories hammered his mind, his vision blackened for a couple of breaths. The vivid images of all that happened, whether it's the prison break, the matter with Zaarae, the shapeshifter, the Fallen God Clan, and, especially, the Garden of Words and Shen Shen.

Lucy's eyes were narrowed, glaring at the smiling Fariya, as if she wanted to eat her alive. When she glanced at her husband, clearly demanding answers, she was surprised to see him tearing up.

He was staring to the front, a single tear tricking down his cheek. At first, Lucy thought he's acting in order to lessen her anger, however, he had a genuine expression of sadness and relief.

Out of nowhere, the parasite stretched his arms and pulled her into his arms, tightly hugging her while whispering.

"Lucy… our daughter is alive. She didn't die… she didn't die…"

It took her a few moments to process what happened, but since she didn't see what he saw, she was confused and surprised. She hugged him and buried her face in his chest, softly smiling while controlling her welling emotions.

It wasn't the time or place to have such a sensitive conversation, and both the parasite and the white specter knew that, therefore, they left the area shortly after their hug separated.

Of course, Fariya followed after them but didn't dare to say anything. She acted as a proper servant and flew behind the couple, her interest soon shifting to the competition and the dozens of strong auras emanating from the plateau.

…

The competition was still ongoing but Arthur had a more important matter to discuss with Lucy, privately. Fariya was ordered to stay outside, while the couple entered the bedroom, in which Arthur told his wife about everything, not missing a single detail.

It took the couple a great deal of time to digest everything, especially the part regarding Shen Shen and her disappearance. Lucy wasn't a crybaby but as she got learned the truth, she was bawling for a long time, happy that her child survived but saddened over what happened.

She didn't blame Arthur, it wasn't his fault for he didn't know she was his at that time. However, now, they have yet one more motive to break from the cycles. The Garden of Words told Arthur that it'll answer more of his questions were he to break free from the shackles of time that are currently binding him and his two brothers.

The Garden of Words provided the parasite with five methods, with one of them being more difficult than the rest.

One is possessing every lifeform he comes across for approximately three years, which, in return, will make him grow infinitely stronger, to the point of reaching the apex of physical and magical power. Either it's the highest level recorded in the system, or the peak of cultivation, also known as, the Transcendent Mortal Realm.

This method could be considered easy, however, it is mind-numbing and may result in permanent side effects on his mind. With his current condition, which is definitely not alright, choosing this method will only complicate things and perhaps even force him into an unwanted path of blood and murder.

The second method is absolute non-interference, just continue repeating the cycles until they are systematically removed by the Space-Time Continuum.

…

Arthur recounted every letter spoken by the Garden then discussed their choices with Lucy. They spent the whole night talking about what transpired, about Shen Shen, how she looks and sounds, etc…

The couple seemed to have forgotten about the competition, no longer paying it any heed.

Amongst the arsenal of skills in Arthur's possession, there were ones that turn some memories into vivid projections.

[Unforgotten Memories] is such a skill, allowing Arthur to show Lucy how Shen Shen looked and acted.

At the sight of the lovely and rebellious blue-haired girl, Lucy cried even more, unable to contain her emotions.

He held her in his arms and the two quietly watched the images, one by one, for hours on end.

By the time the sun rose, Lucy had calmed down though her face was reddened and her eyes a bit swollen from all the bawling. She was combing her long silver hair and looking at the pondering Arthur.

"What method should we choose?"

"I still don't know. I need to retrieve the last clone first… he hasn't come back yet which means Astria isn't faring well. We may need to go there."

"Alright. We can go whenever you want."

The man stood up and walked toward his wife, took the comb from her hair, and proceeded to continue the simple job, being as gentle as possible.

"We have become stronger… but we need just a bit more. Just a bit to break free and live life how we pictured it."

…

Updated Status Window.

TITLE: MEAT GRINDER / SEEKER OF KNOWLEDGE / ONE WITH THE SWORD / ARK HOLDER / LIVE WITH HONOR, DIE WITH GLORY / BREAKER OF CHAINS / HOLDER OF THE DARK BLADE'S OATH / MAD DESTROYER/PSYCHOPATH/DRAGON RIDER / UNSEEN BOND / ONE STALKED BY THE REAPER / DIVINE HERALD / THE EMPRESS' SWEETHEART / THE LORD OF PARASITES / SLAVE MASTER

Level: ??

Class: Dark ARK Parasite

Realm: Overgod (Formation[Peak])

Celestial Body: 31%

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Strength: 49.9B

Intelligence: 51B

Agility: 53B

Wisdom: 36B

Vitality: 52.1B

Dexterity: 33.3B

-

Health: 70B// Health Regen: 43.1m/s

Nether Energy: 22B // Nether Energy Regen: 26.4m/s(+100%)

Mana: 15.9B / Mana Regen: 30.1m/s

Stamina: Infinite /Stamina Regen: ???

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Creation: 1050

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Attack: 46.8B (+35% damage [Dark Flame Ring]) (+20% if Dark Magic is used) (+5% [Warrior's Cry[LvMax](Passive)][+2% from Breaker of Chains Title]

Defense: 50.5B(+25% Damage Reduction) (+5% [Solid [LvMax](passive)] (+10% [Golem's Wall(LvMax)(Passive)]

Magic Defense: 6B

Soul Defense: 29m

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Enigma abilities : Thought and Effect / [Light Operation/ Righteous Death ] / Sixth sense /

-

Mental Power: 46805

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Elemental Resistances(+)

Fire: 100%

Darkness: 100%

Wind: 35%

Water: 75%

Earth: 75%

Light/holy: 65%

Shadow: 30(+20%)%

Lightning: 100%

Ice: 30%

Death : 19.9%

Crowd Control : 50%

Life: 19.9%

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Possessions (472,129)

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Races:

Divine Beasts (4)

Humans (283,086)

Demons (84,991)

Beasts (+)(101,529)

Unique Beasts (2511)

Mythical beings (1)