Carter didn't stop moving until the dead zone was a distant gray smear behind the trees. His legs burned, lungs tight, but he kept going until REI finally spoke.
"Carter… you can slow down."
He leaned against a tree, chest heaving. "That thing… that correction agent… it almost erased me."
"Yes," REI said softly. "And it will not be the last."
Carter wiped sweat from his forehead. "Then we need a plan. I can't keep running blindly."
REI flickered, stabilizing. "Your Class Evolution Path is now accessible. That is our next step."
Carter straightened. "Show me."
The System pulsed.
A new window unfolded in front of him — larger, more intricate than any he'd seen before.
> [CLASS EVOLUTION PATH — UNLOCKED]
>
> Available Paths:
> — Path of the Divergent Blade
> — Path of the Temporal Warden
> — Path of the Nullbound (Locked)
>
> Warning: Choosing a path will permanently alter your abilities and future evolutions.
Carter stared at the options.
"REI… what are these?"
She floated closer, her glow reflecting off the interface.
---
Path of the Divergent Blade
"Combat‑focused," REI explained. "Enhanced physical abilities, kinetic manipulation, and anti‑anomaly techniques. Ideal for direct confrontation."
Carter nodded slowly. "Straightforward."
---
Path of the Temporal Warden
"A hybrid path," REI continued. "Temporal resistance, limited time‑sense, and defensive abilities against correction forces."
Carter's pulse quickened. "Time‑sense?"
"Yes. You would perceive distortions before they manifest."
---
Path of the Nullbound (Locked)
REI hesitated. "This one… concerns me."
"Why?"
"It is tied to the trace inside you. The entity's mark. Choosing it would grant immense power… but at a cost."
Carter swallowed. "What kind of cost?"
"I do not know," REI admitted. "But the System is warning you for a reason."
Carter stared at the locked path — the one glowing faintly with violet cracks.
The same color as the correction agent.
The same color as the trace.
He looked away.
---
"Can I choose later?" Carter asked.
"No," REI said. "The next correction attempt will be stronger. You need a path before that happens."
Carter exhaled slowly. "Then we need somewhere safe to think."
REI nodded. "There is an abandoned ranger station two miles east. Off-grid. No mana signatures. It will serve as a temporary shelter."
"Lead the way."
---
They moved through the forest, the trees thinning as the terrain sloped upward. The air grew colder, the wind sharper. After twenty minutes, a small wooden structure came into view — weathered, half-collapsed, but standing.
Carter pushed the door open. Dust swirled in the dim light.
"Home sweet home," he muttered.
"It will suffice," REI said.
Carter dropped his bag and sat on the floor, back against the wall. The weight of everything pressed down on him — the Guild, the correction agent, the trace, the paths.
"REI… what if I choose wrong?"
She floated closer, her glow warm. "Then we adapt. Together."
Carter met her gaze. "You're glitching more. Is that because of the Memory Log?"
"Yes," she admitted. "And because the entity is becoming more active."
Carter clenched his fists. "I need to get stronger. Fast."
"Then choose a path," REI said gently. "Your evolution will determine how you survive what comes next."
Carter stared at the interface again.
Three paths.
Three futures.
Three versions of himself.
Before he could decide, the System flickered violently.
A new notification appeared.
> [WARNING: TEMPORAL DISTORTION DETECTED]
> [CORRECTION ATTEMPT #2 — INCOMING]
Carter's blood ran cold.
"REI—"
She turned sharply toward the window. "It found you."
The air outside rippled.
The trees bent unnaturally.
A low hum filled the forest — like reality vibrating.
Carter rose to his feet, dagger in hand.
"REI… I haven't chosen a path yet."
Her glow brightened, fierce and urgent.
"Then you must survive long enough to choose."
The ranger station shook.
The distortion tore open.
And something stepped through.