Chapter 108: A Prestigious Outer God
“Hehe, mortal, you are perceptive. I’m curious, how did you determine you were no longer in reality?” the voice chuckled, seemingly intrigued by Abyss’s deduction.
“Intuition, I suppose,” Abyss replied, clasping his hands behind his back. “I didn’t initially sense anything unusual about that mud-creature, which is strange. As a necromancer, I’m inherently sensitive to things that defy the natural order. Yet, it evaded my senses until I specifically cast a heartbeat detection spell on it.”
“That creature is called a Shadowling, a tool I created to interact with the material world. You’re confident in your perception? Interesting,” the Outer God’s voice echoed around Abyss, as if circling him.
Abyss remained calm, ignoring the Shadowlings surrounding him, their weapons glinting menacingly. He addressed the empty air before him. “May I have the honor of meeting you face to face? You are a god, after all. Hiding in the shadows seems unbecoming of your status.”
“Haha, mortal, you think I don’t want to reveal myself to you?” the voice laughed again. “The fact that you can’t see me is precisely why I find you so fascinating.”
“Please, do tell,” Abyss said, raising an eyebrow. It seemed things weren’t as he had initially assumed.
“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Schlezhech. You may call me by my name, but considering the limitations of your human vocal cords, you may also address me as the Lord of Nightmares. That’s what the humans of the previous world called me. Although they perished in their own conflicts, the title suits me, so I’ve kept it,” the voice said smoothly, exuding an air of confidence. This Outer God was clearly different from the simple-minded and clumsy Lord of Submergence. “I do not exist in the material world, therefore I have no fixed form. The shape I take before each individual is their deepest fear.”
Abyss smiled, his teeth gleaming white. “And since I fear nothing, you can’t manifest before me?”
“Precisely,” the Lord of Nightmares replied, his tone conversational, as if chatting with a friend. “You know, since my birth, I’ve traveled through three worlds before arriving in Hai-Teweru. You are only the second truly fearless individual I’ve encountered.”
“Who was the first?” Abyss asked, intrigued.
“The first? His name is irrelevant. He’s dead now, slain by his own kind. He was a true hero, unyielding and unburdened. But I eventually succeeded, I made him feel fear, and in the end, he succumbed to it, becoming my follower. As for how I achieved it, allow me to keep that a secret. I still intend to use that method on you,” the Lord of Nightmares said, his voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction, like a wolf who had just savored the marrow of a bone. “I still remember the taste of that fearless man’s fear… Exquisite, spicy, and so nourishing. And now, I’ve finally found another delicacy. You, Abyss, are the one I’ve been searching for. I will make you fear, I will make you my follower. Just wait, that day is not far off.”
“Fear is your sustenance? You only consume that?” Abyss asked, ignoring the threat, his curiosity overriding any fear.
“Of course. I exist only in the mental realm, so my sustenance is mental as well. What, as a material being, you can’t comprehend such a concept?”
“Oh, I understand. I’m just curious if you ever get tired of it,” Abyss said, spreading his hands. He had encountered beings who didn’t require physical sustenance before. Before meeting Flora and Leona, he spent most of his time with ghosts, and he had even met the gods, who didn’t need to use the restroom.
“Hehe, of course not. Every individual’s fear is unique, with a distinct flavor. However, the fear of ordinary individuals is too bland, and most people are ordinary. That’s why I seek out those with strong minds, those with unique flavors.”
“You sound like a gourmet,” Abyss chuckled.
“Hmm… You could say that,” the Lord of Nightmares said, seemingly pleased with the comparison.
“By the way, tell me, why would a powerful being like you be hired by Prince Kevin to eliminate Princess Givia?” Abyss asked, voicing a question that had been nagging at him.
The Lord of Nightmares burst into laughter, as if he were doubled over in amusement.
“Hahaha! You pitiful mortal, you think I would be hired by anyone? You think I’m a babysitter? A mercenary? I am a god, I stand above all mortals. No one has the right to bargain with me, no one has the right to make deals with me. Your petty interests, your desires, your joys and sorrows mean nothing to me. I’m not a fool who can be commanded by mortals!”
He wondered if the Lord of Submergence would feel offended if he heard that.
“You weren’t hired?” Abyss asked, surprised. “You’re doing this of your own volition?”
“Prince Kevin, what a joke, hahaha! I’m warning you, mortal, don’t overestimate him. I won’t tell you why I’m tormenting Princess Givia, but I will let you witness her mental breakdown, her descent into a whimpering coward, leading her followers to their doom. Everything is going according to my plan. Your appearance hasn’t changed her fate, not even by a single day. You’ve changed nothing, and you can change nothing.”
“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll figure it out myself. I’m actually quite excited about that,” Abyss said, not bothered by his incorrect assumption, but rather intrigued by the unexpected answer.
“I’m going to preheat my new meal now. Your name is Abyss, right? Abyss, I will trap you in this nightmare for a month. Soon, your dream will reset, you’ll forget everything, and you’ll believe you’re protecting Princess Givia, commanding your followers. But she will die every time. I will torment you with frustration, marinating you in despair,” the Lord of Nightmares said, his voice low and menacing.
“And if I endure this month?” Abyss shrugged. “Will you let me go?”
“Of course. And only a few hours will have passed in the real world. You can continue your life. I will release you temporarily.”
“So, if I perform well, you’ll let me do as I please?”
“Hahaha, you’re bargaining with me? You have no right to bargain with me. But I appreciate your spirit, so I’ll grant you some freedom if you perform well.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Hmph, your dream will reset in one minute. Prepare to face endless enemies…”
“Oh, I’m not finished yet—but I refuse.”
Abyss suddenly spread his arms, making a gesture of refusal.
A blinding burst of Dou Qi flames erupted from his body, a powerful shockwave obliterating the Shadowlings surrounding him!
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