Chapter 160: An Unfair Duel
Abyss stood up. “So, what are the rules of this duel?”
“I want to torment you, so we’ll do it the Hai-Teweru way—a duel,” the Lord of Nightmares said, his voice filled with a smug confidence. “Right here, in this realm. Use any method, any weapon you wish.”
“A duel? You’re adapting to local customs. How quaint,” Abyss said, raising an eyebrow.
Duels were common in Hai-Teweru. If two individuals had an irreconcilable conflict, they could request a duel, overseen by witnesses and sanctioned by local officials and the Church. It had been a common practice in the past, although less so now, with more “civilized” methods of resolving disputes.
“Hmm? You don’t think I’ll duel you fairly, do you?” the Lord of Nightmares chuckled. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to use any of your abilities within my domain.”
Before Abyss could reply, the Lord of Nightmares, his form still a perfect replica of Abyss, began chanting a spell, his body becoming encased in bone armor, sharp spikes erupting from within.
Abyss frowned, attempting to cast a spell himself, but as the Lord of Nightmares had predicted, his magic was useless. This realm was devoid of mana, its energy manipulated by the Outer God.
The Lord of Nightmares, having abandoned his desire for Abyss’s fear, was now intent on unleashing his full fury, his pent-up rage from Abyss’s constant provocations and defiance.
This Outer God was not only easily angered, but also held grudges.
But no matter how much Abyss cursed him internally, his magic remained inert.
The Lord of Nightmares, his expression cold and mocking, watched as the bone spikes on his armor grew longer, his turquoise eyes fixated on Abyss, as if observing an insect about to be crushed.
Abyss tried channeling the power of the Lord of Submergence, then the Nine Gods, but his attempts were futile.
He couldn’t even access his own rudimentary Dou Qi. He wasn’t surprised. Within the Lord of Nightmares’ domain, his abilities were limited, his every move anticipated.
“Ah… This is troublesome,” Abyss sighed.
The Lord of Nightmares aimed a bone spike—now more of a spear—at Abyss and launched it.
Whoosh!
The bone spear flew towards him with incredible speed, Abyss barely dodging it, its trajectory taking it far beyond them, disappearing into the darkness.
Abyss, his body twisted at an awkward angle, couldn’t change his position, his movements restricted.
“You haven’t given up yet?” the Lord of Nightmares asked, tilting his head, his voice filled with amusement. “You still think you can escape? Don’t you realize it’s futile?”
“I believe I still have a chance,” Abyss said, his gaze fixed on the Lord of Nightmares, his body tense, despite his seemingly hopeless situation.
“Is that so?” the Lord of Nightmares chuckled, reaching out towards Abyss.
This time, there was no escape. An invisible force gripped him, holding him fast.
Abyss, unable to move, forced a smile. “Alright, you’ve caught me. What now?”
“I will use my divine power to plunge you into an eternal slumber—falling asleep in this dream means death in reality,” the Lord of Nightmares said, his voice filled with a condescending arrogance. “This is our last conversation. Farewell.”
“Wait! There’s something I need to tell you!” Abyss shouted.
The Lord of Nightmares frowned, observing him for a moment.
“I’m not listening.”
A powerful force surged into Abyss’s mind, shattering his consciousness, his thoughts dissolving into a overwhelming desire for sleep, an eternal slumber…
…
Abyss drifted through a sea of memories: his master teaching him the ancient language, using a tombstone as a blackboard; his first dissection, chatting with the soul of the deceased; discovering the Shadow Realm and conducting his first experiment within its confines; his visit to the Divine Realm, searching for the gods’ restrooms; his promise to Flora, pulling her from the depths of despair; holding Leona’s hand, listening to her drunken confessions; comforting Rebecca as she recounted her darkest memories…
These scenes, these voices, so vivid, so real. His life had been short, his memories few. The procession of memories reached its end.
“Ah… I remember now… My last act in the dream… I hugged them…”
He could no longer speak. These were his last thoughts.
“I wish… I could hug the real them…”
Hum…
His memories fading, he opened his eyes, finding himself in a beautiful meadow, its grass lush and green, wildflowers blooming, the sky a clear, vibrant blue, a gentle breeze caressing his face. A soft, ethereal mist enveloped everything, making it seem like a dream.
Abyss, momentarily disoriented, sat down. “So this is the eternal dream? It’s not bad, just a bit quiet.”
He sat there for a while, quickly growing bored. He tried using his magic, but it was blocked, inert.
After another futile attempt to explore his surroundings, he opened his mouth and chanted a prayer, a melodious incantation.
It was a prayer to the Nine Gods, a Divine Art he had learned from Flora, a spell to awaken someone from a dream. He had asked her to teach him this spell after learning about the Lord of Nightmares’ ability to control dreams.
He still believed he had a chance…
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