“Who are you, lady? We're not close, please stay away.”
“Oh? Is that so? Then let's talk about the story of you rushing into my house, punching me in the face, and tearing down my home.”
Holy shit, it's real-time communication? I thought it was just a recorded message.
Lynch's hair stood on end. He instinctively tossed the parchment book from his hands, and the voice in his mind instantly vanished.
【No need to be nervous, Lynch. Without a summoner, the true form and will of an evil god cannot descend into the mortal world. Stopping contact with the medium will interrupt the transmission of information.】
‘I see. So as long as I don't touch the book, it's fine, right? Whew, is this entity the Swelling Daughter you mentioned earlier? The evil god with a thousand identities?’
【Yes.】
‘Hiss... Now that I know her name, will I develop an increasingly deep connection with her, just like when I learned Mordiggian's name back then?’
【...】
‘What's wrong?’
【You have already stared directly at her true form, directly exchanged information with her, and even punched her true self in the face, yet now you are worrying about whether hearing her name will establish a connection?】
‘...Just go look at the scenery, don't talk to the characters in the play.’
Lynch laughed awkwardly, his eyes fixed on the parchment book lying on his lap.
The Swelling Daughter had come knocking so quickly, but her attitude was much gentler. It seemed she wasn't impossible to communicate with, so it wouldn't hurt to try making a little contact.
At worst, he would just have one more hostile evil god. She wasn't the first, and she certainly wouldn't be the last.
Having made up his mind, Lynch reached out and touched the parchment book again. A flash of light and shadow crossed his eyes, and an elegant noblewoman in fancy clothes, her face hidden behind a black fan, appeared gracefully by the bed.
Lynch's heart tightened, and his gaze shot toward Miss Valente. The girl was still fast asleep, unaffected by the shifting light and shadow. Recalling his previous experience, Lynch realized that both the image and the voice were only projected into his own consciousness. Only then did he ease his mind.
Seeing the noblewoman for the second time, her appearance was no different from before. Looking at her now didn't carry the same shock as the first time, but Lynch could faintly feel a subtle terror and pressure constantly emanating from behind her.
It felt as if some terrifying thing was hidden there.
Lynch instinctively focused his gaze to look closer. In the shadow behind the noblewoman, something formless seemed to lurk, stirring restlessly under Lynch's gaze, exuding an increasingly intense temptation and shock.
【Stop, Lynch! You are trying to peer into her true form through the connection. It is still too early for you.】
Lady Luna's rare display of anxiety immediately brought Lynch back to his senses. The attraction in the darkness rapidly receded, and he hastily pulled back his attention. Only then did he realize his heart was pounding wildly, and his mind felt dazed.
Holy shit, this entity is probably extremely high-ranking, likely on the same level as the Lord of a Billion Radiance worshipped by the Knowledge Library.
Forget it, no more courting death.
“Good evening, chosen of the red moon.” The cold voice still carried a trace of playfulness, making it impossible for Lynch to fathom her intentions. “It has been so many years, and I have seen quite a few chosen ones, but I truly did not expect to see a chosen of the red moon. Hehehe, it seems Lady Luna is also going down this path. I thought she would never do so.”
Hiss...
She spoke of secrets right off the bat. Lynch felt his throat go dry and asked cautiously, “Are there many chosen ones in the world?”
“Of course. From the Fourth Age until now, there have probably been forty or fifty. Most of them failed, but a few succeeded.”
“A few?”
“Twelve, of course.” The gaze behind the fan held a bizarre, smiling glint. “The twelve major gods—each of them was revived by walking this path. I wonder who will be the thirteenth.”
Lynch's heart tightened. Disregarding the fact that Lady Luna was still in his mind, he instinctively pressed further, “What do their revivals have to do with the chosen ones? What happens to the chosen ones after they revive?”
“What do you think? You've already guessed the answer.” The cold voice was filled with malice, and even the smile in her eyes turned ferocious. “A twisted soul that infinitely approaches the Supreme is merely a soul being transformed into a vessel to carry the Supreme. The moment the Supreme's will awakens within the vessel, the tiny will of the mortal will ultimately merge with the Supreme. This is the honor of mortals, the fate of the insignificant... Hehehe, so keep working hard toward the Supreme. Hehehe.”
Lynch pursed his lips tightly. In his mind, the gentle voice remained completely silent, which made Lynch realize that this evil god's information was highly likely to be true. However, the malice dripping from her intent made him shudder.
“What, you don't believe me? Heh, believe what you want, but I do not like to lie.”
“No, I believe you. This explanation is very reasonable, but...”
Lynch's mind's eye seemed to see that vast red fog again, along with the crimson moonlight enveloping him within it. The loneliness and despair after death had nearly driven him mad; it was the envelopment and companionship of that moonlight that had allowed him to survive those countless thousands of years:
“But I trust her more. I believe that even if this is indeed the case, she has already thought of a solution for me. Otherwise, she wouldn't be the crimson moon.”
The malice behind the fan cooled, and her voice grew even chillier. “Easy to say. What if you are wrong?”
“Then I accept it,” Lynch smiled very calmly. “In a person's life, one must offer their true heart a few times, otherwise it would be too miserable. So, I am sorry, lady, I cannot provide you with any amusement this time.”
“It does not matter. There will be plenty of opportunities. I have my eye on you. If there are any interesting games in the future, I will be the first to let you know.”
Holy shit, you're doing this again? The game just now tortured me to the point of madness. I can't take another one.
“That place is a space I created for my own amusement. Those who barge in rashly and fail to escape can only be devoured by that world, just like the group of people who barged in one after another some time ago. However, you entertained me greatly during your game, so this book is your reward. It was written by one of my former apostles named Lee, containing her insights into the authority of death. The red moon's authority includes death, which happens to be something you can use. Not only will it deepen your understanding of the authority of death, but it will also allow you to master a few death abilities. Don't worry, I won't set traps at a time like this. A normal person would meet with disaster upon reading this book, but there will be no harm for you.”
Tsk, whatever. For the sake of increasing my strength, I'll just accept it on behalf of Mr. Klin. I'll avenge him when I have the chance in the future.
Lynch pulled the ancient book in front of him. But just as he moved it, a round fan—the exact same style used by the evil god and her cultists—dropped out.
Huh? A fear grade mystery relic?
【Swelling Appearance: An item used by members of a certain secret church to disguise their true physical appearance. Holding it in one's hand allows one to alter their true physical form and grants immunity to death abilities until the mystery relic is released.】
??? What does it mean by 'alter their true physical form'?
The evil god blinked, smiling without a word, her gaze deeply meaningful.
Damn it, immunity to death abilities sounds pretty good, but using it wouldn't turn me into one of those Swelling Daughters, would it?
Cold sweat broke out on Lynch's forehead, but he still stealthily hid the fan away, feeling quite conflicted. He wasn't worried about her tampering with the rewards; after all, his neighbor was watching over him, so there wouldn't be any danger. It was just that this effect... was truly hard to describe.
Am I going to walk the path of a crossdresser in the future? Master Christian, please don't.
But then again, hasn't there always been a rumor in Rhine City that a legendary expert stands behind me, and that it's her? Maybe this legend will soon become reality?
Forget it, he would worry about that later. Business first.
Lynch put away his playful expression and asked solemnly, “Even though the game is over and I've received my rewards, I destroyed that world. What about the people inside? And that family of three...”
“The sun will rise tomorrow as usual,” the evil god, the Swelling Daughter, said mockingly. “But their story has already ended. Choosing the wrong path carries a price.”
Lynch felt a chill in his heart. He realized that no matter what attitude these evil gods took, to mortals, they were inherently cold and merciless, like humans looking at ants.
Sighing deeply, he suppressed the melancholy stemming from his past civilized society and pressed on, “The sun will rise as usual? So, that really was a dream space you created in the crevice between the Dreamlands and the mortal world using the Mirror of Falsehood and Reality?”
The eyes behind the folding fan swept over Lynch, and she sneered, “By mortal understanding, you could put it that way.”
“Prince William's people went in for that mirror, didn't they?”
The Swelling Daughter said coldly, “I have already rewarded you for the joy you brought me tonight. They have also pleased me, so why should I tell you their secrets?”
Lynch clenched his fists, realizing this was likely his best opportunity to figure this out—if only he could pry her mouth open.
Staring as the noblewoman's eyes darted around, Lynch suddenly flashed a textbook commercial smile. “Lady, have you ever heard of the concept of an upfront investment?”
“Oh? What are you trying to say?”
“I think I understand now. Watching the show, seeking amusement, and pursuing pleasure—these are the goals you value most, correct?” Seeing her nod, Lynch said with a smile, “Let me guess, why would you help mortals like William and keep their secrets? Because they can bring you amusement. Power struggles, court intrigue, patricide, fratricide, and usurpation of the throne—these are rare spectacles. Naturally, you hope to see this feast proceed.”
“And so?”
“I once heard a saying: onlookers always want to see a bigger fight. Don't you think the current amusement isn't intense enough? The obstacles they face aren't enough, and there's no suspense right now. But if you make a small upfront investment, leak some of their information, and help them cultivate some enemies, won't suspense be injected into their plans? Your amusement will be far more satisfying, wouldn't you agree?”
The eyes behind the folding fan stared at Lynch, gradually narrowing.
Rate on N.U.
