Who are you, lady? We are not acquainted, so please stay away.
“Oh? Is that so? Then let us discuss the story of you breaking into my home, smashing your fist into my face, and tearing my house apart.”
Damn it, how is this real-time communication? I thought it was just a message.
Lynch felt his hair stand on end and instinctively threw the parchment book in his hand away; the voice in his mind vanished immediately.
【Do not be nervous, Lynch. Without a summoner, the evil god's true body and will cannot descend into the present world. You can interrupt the information transfer by ceasing contact with the medium.】
‘I understand. So as long as I do not touch the book, it is fine. Phew, is this the Swelling Daughter you mentioned earlier? The evil god with a thousand identities?’
【Yes.】
‘Hiss, if I now know her name, will it be like when I learned Mordiggian's name, and develop an increasingly deep connection?’
【……】
‘What is wrong?’
【You have already looked directly at her true form, interacted with her directly, and even punched her true body. Now you are worrying about whether hearing a name will create a connection?】
‘……Go look at the scenery and do not talk to the characters in the play.’
Lynch gave an awkward smile, his eyes fixed on the parchment book lying on his lap.
The Swelling Daughter had found him so quickly, but her attitude was much gentler. It seemed communication was not impossible, so he might as well try to make some contact.
At worst, he would just have one more hostile evil god. She was not the first, and she would not be the last.
Having made up his mind, Lynch reached out and touched the parchment book again. A flash of light and shadow flickered before his eyes, and a noblewoman in fancy clothes, her face hidden behind a black fan, appeared gracefully before the bed.
Lynch's heart tightened. He glanced sharply at Miss Valente, but the girl was still sleeping, unaffected by the shifting light and shadow. Recalling his recent experience, Lynch realized that both the image and the voice were feedback restricted to his own consciousness, which made him feel at ease.
Seeing the noblewoman for the second time, her appearance was no different from before. Looking at her again, the initial shock had faded, but Lynch faintly felt a lingering sense of fear and oppression radiating from behind her.
It was as if something that feared nothing was hidden there.
Lynch instinctively focused his gaze. In the shadows behind the noblewoman, some formless thing seemed to be lurking, stirring at Lynch's gaze, revealing an increasingly intense temptation and shock.
【Stop, Lynch. You are trying to peer into her true body through that connection. It is too early for you right now.】
Lady Luna's rare urgency immediately brought Lynch back to his senses. The attraction in the darkness quickly faded, and he hurriedly withdrew his focus, realizing that his heart was beating wildly and his mind felt dazed.
Damn it, this thing is probably of a very high level, likely on the same level as the Lord of a Billion Radiance worshipped by the Knowledge Library.
Forget it, no more seeking death.
“Good evening, chosen one of the Red Moon.” The cold voice still carried a faint playfulness that Lynch could not quite grasp. “It has been so many years, and I have seen many chosen ones, but I really did not expect to see a chosen one of the Red Moon again. Hehehe, it seems Lady Luna is also going to walk this path. I thought she would never do so.”
Hiss...
Opening with such secrets, Lynch felt his throat go dry. He asked cautiously, “Are there many chosen ones in the world?”
“Of course. Since the Fourth Age, there should have been forty or fifty. Most failed, but a few succeeded.”
“A few?”
“Twelve, of course.” The eyes behind the fan carried a strange smile. “The twelve major gods all walked this path to revive. I wonder who will be the thirteenth.”
Lynch's heart tightened. Ignoring the fact that Lady Luna was still in his mind, he asked instinctively, “What does their revival have to do with the chosen ones? And what happens to the chosen ones after they revive?”
“What do you think? Have you not already guessed the answer?” The cold voice was full of malice, and even the smile in her pupils was hideous. “A twisted soul infinitely approaches the supreme, but that is merely to let the soul become a vessel to carry the supreme. The moment the supreme will awakens in the vessel, the mortal's tiny will shall be integrated with the supreme. This is the honor of a mortal, the fate of the small. So... hehehe, keep striving toward the supreme. Hehehe.”
Lynch pressed his lips tightly together. In his mind, the gentle voice said nothing, making Lynch realize that the information from this evil god was likely true, though the malice in her intent was practically overflowing, sending chills down his spine.
“Why, do you not believe it? Heh, suit yourself, but I do not like to lie.”
“No, I believe it. The explanation is very reasonable, but...”
Before Lynch's eyes, he seemed to see that vast red fog again, along with the crimson moonlight that enveloped him. The loneliness and despair after death had driven him nearly mad, and it was that moonlight's embrace and companionship that had helped him survive through years that felt like thousands or tens of thousands:
“It is just that I trust her more. I believe that even if it is true, she has already thought of a solution for me. Otherwise, she would not be the Lady Red Moon.”
The malice behind the fan turned cold, and the voice became increasingly icy: “That is easy to say. What if you are wrong?”
“Then I accept it.” Lynch smiled calmly. “In this life, one must offer their sincerity a few times, otherwise it would be too tragic. So, I am sorry, lady, but I cannot let you enjoy this pleasure this time.”
“It does not matter. There will be plenty of opportunities. I am always watching you. If there are any interesting games in the future, I will be the first to notify you.”
Damn it, you are still at it? That game just now nearly drove me crazy; I cannot take another one.
“That was a space for my amusement. Those who rush in blindly can only be devoured by that world if they cannot escape, just like that group who broke in a while ago. However, your game provided me with much pleasure, so this book is your reward. It was written by one of my former apostles named Lee, and it contains her insights into the authority of death. The authority of the Red Moon includes death, so it should be just right for you. It will not only deepen your understanding of the authority of death but also allow you to master several death abilities. Do not worry, I will not set any traps this time. Normal people would get into trouble reading this, but you will suffer no harm.”
Tsk, whatever. To improve my strength, I will just accept it on Mr. Klin's behalf. I will have a chance to avenge him later.
Lynch moved the ancient book in front of him, but as he did, a round fan, identical to the one the evil god and her cultists used, fell out.
Hm? A destruction grade artifact?
【Swelling Appearance, an item used by members of a secret society to conceal their true appearance. Holding it in hand can alter one's true physical appearance and grant immunity to death abilities until the artifact is released.】
?? What does altering one's true physical appearance mean?
The evil god blinked and smiled without a word, her gaze meaningful.
Hell, immunity to death abilities sounds good, but does using it mean I will turn into the appearance of those Swelling Daughter types?
Lynch broke out in a cold sweat, but he still secretly hid the fan, his mood quite subtle. He was not worried about her tampering with the reward since he had his neighbor watching, but the effect... was truly indescribable.
Am I going to walk the path of a crossdresser in the future? Master Christian, please no.
However, has it not been rumored in Rhine that I have a legendary powerhouse behind me? And that it is her? Perhaps this legend will soon become true?
Forget it, we will see later. Let us get to business.
Lynch put away his playful expression and asked seriously: “Although the game is over and I have received the reward, what about the people inside the world I destroyed? And that family of three...”
“The sun will rise as usual tomorrow morning.” The evil god, the Swelling Daughter, said with a mocking tone. “But their story has ended. Choosing the wrong path comes with a price.”
A chill went through Lynch's heart. He realized that regardless of their attitudes, to mortals, these evil gods were essentially cold and heartless when facing ants.
He sighed deeply, setting aside the sentimentality rooted in his past life's civilized society, and asked, “The sun rises as usual? So, was that really a dream space you created using the Gate of Falsehood and Reality at the intersection of the Dreamlands and the present world?”
The eyes behind the folding fan scanned Lynch and scoffed: “By mortal cognition, you may understand it that way.”
“Prince William's people went in for that mirror, right?”
The Swelling Daughter said coldly: “I have already rewarded you for the pleasure you brought me tonight. They have also pleased me; why should I tell you their secrets?”
Lynch clenched his fists, realizing this might be the best opportunity to clear this matter up, provided he could pry her mouth open.
Staring at the noblewoman, his eyes rolled a few times, and Lynch suddenly flashed a standard business smile: “Lady, I wonder if you have heard of the concept of early investment.”
“Hm? What do you want to say?”
“I understand now. Watching the show, having fun, and pursuing pleasure—that is your most important goal, right?” Seeing her nod, Lynch smiled and said, “Let me guess, why did you help mortals like William and keep their secrets? Because they can bring you pleasure. Power struggles, court intrigue, patricide, fratricide, usurpation—these are rare shows. Of course you would hope to push this feast forward.”
“And so?”
“I heard a saying once: those who watch the show are never afraid of things getting too big. Do you not think the show is not intense enough? The difficulties they face are not enough; there is no suspense now. But if you invest a little early cost, leak some of their information, and help them cultivate some enemies, will the suspense of their plans not appear? You will get to enjoy the show even more, right?”
The eyes behind the folding fan stared at Lynch and gradually narrowed.
Rate on N.U.
