Chapter 593
“Do you know of any realms or regions beyond the land of the dead? Or perhaps any deities beyond the God of Death?” Xiar asked, looking down at Salas, who was prostrate on the ground.
“I'm sorry... I don't know much about that... But my brother studied at the seminary; he should have some knowledge...” Salas's voice was tinged with hesitation and a slight delay.
Of course, Xiar could easily detect the change in her tone. It was clear that Salas was hiding something.
“I can give you ten seconds to rethink what you want to say,” Xiar said calmly, “to ensure there’s no deception in your words—just now, that undead referred to you as a fraud, and I’m willing to give you a chance to prove otherwise.”
Xiar's words struck Salas like a heavy hammer to the chest, and she panicked, suddenly banging her forehead against the ground. “Please have mercy, great Binder of Time... I only hoped you could save my family, that’s why I said that... But I truly haven’t studied anything beyond the realms; my brother... or anyone from the seminary or the overseers might know.”
Xiar was right; Salas had indeed concealed some information. She was clever enough not to lie outright but chose to convey only half the truth... something Xiar had once excelled at.
Unfortunately, Salas lacked the composure to deliver her words without a hint of fear.
Xiar slowly bent down and took the silver rune stone directly from Salas's hand.
Compared to the straightforward Black Ni, Xiar didn’t think Salas would be able to outsmart her.
This action undoubtedly signaled the death of Salas and her family. Blood oozed from Salas's forehead as she knelt there, feeling her body go limp.
“Two final questions,” Xiar said slowly. “What year is it now? And why did that man react the way he did upon seeing me?”
Hearing Xiar speak again, Salas seemed to grasp a final lifeline and quickly replied, “It’s the year 477 of the Death Omen. In a few days, there will be a ceremony to commemorate the 477th year since the God of Death descended...”
The year of the Death Omen... 477?
In the Abyss, there was no concept of years, making it difficult for Xiar to gauge time accurately. The year 477 seemed unique to the land of the dead.
Was Black Ni still alive at this point?
Or was this old world she was entering after she had broken through the Abyss, or before Black Ni had obtained the silver rune stone?
Xiar sensed the altar in her mind and found no new altar had appeared... It seemed finding Black Ni again was becoming increasingly unlikely.
“As for that man... I think I understand why he reacted that way...” Salas swallowed hard before continuing, “Your flesh and blood exude a deadly allure... an irresistible temptation for all undead...”
My blood has an allure?
Isn’t that only effective on beings from the other realm?
Or does it also have a stacking effect of [Charm]? The undead already crave blood, and my [Charm] amplifies their desire for it?
But... that complicates things...
Xiar’s identity was already conspicuous in the old world, and now in the land of the dead, her blood would attract the attention of the undead. It would be hard for her to remain unnoticed.
Once she stepped out of the dungeon, it wouldn’t be long before the entire city knew of Xiar’s presence, potentially triggering a massive hunt.
Xiar had just fought countless life-and-death battles in the Abyss; she really didn’t have the desire to continue fighting now.
Perhaps she could activate a companion...
If either the Anworm or the Pure White Armor could come to help, it would greatly enhance Xiar’s efficiency.
These 100 destiny points couldn’t be saved.
Xiar slowly raised her hand, and two silver runes gradually appeared on the back of her right hand, one of which began to glow with a faint silver light...
Could it work?
Xiar’s eyes lit up.
This contract is... the Anworm?
Has it healed? Can it fight?
Regardless, the Anworm, as a transcendent being, would be far more powerful than Xiar in her current state, even if it were injured.
“Do you wish to activate the companion Anworm?”
“Warning: Activating the companion may cause significant disturbances to the future. Please choose wisely.”
Significant disturbances to the future?
The Anworm itself is a transcendent being, possibly even an ascendant of the “Avenger” path in the old world. Gaining its assistance would undoubtedly create considerable ripples in reality...
But... is there any cost greater than the death of destiny?
If irreversible disturbances to the future truly occur, as long as Xiar’s altar remains, she can always return to the old world and erase everything she has done, nullifying the impact.
Having confirmed this, Xiar no longer hesitated and spoke in her heart.
“Confirm.”
“Destiny Points: 374→274”
“Companion program activated.”
“Please wait for contact from your companion.”
A few system panels flashed before Xiar’s eyes, and the silver contract belonging to the Anworm continued to shine brightly on her hand, seemingly proving that the contract was in effect.
“Binder of Time, what are we to do now...” After a long wait without any sign from Xiar, Salas raised her head slightly, looking at Xiar’s shoes, and asked in a low voice.
“Wait.” Xiar didn’t say more; she simply leaned against a dry wall, free of blood, and closed her eyes to rest.
For the undead on the ground, this underground prison was a form of protection for Xiar.
Now, all she needed to do was quietly await the Anworm’s response and arrival...
Xiar could afford to wait; she had endured countless nights of silence, akin to being imprisoned in darkness. She was not lacking in patience.
At least for the next year, whenever the Anworm arrived, that would be when Xiar would take action.
After all, there were no guards in this dungeon; by the time the inhabitants turned to bones, no one would come to disturb her...
...
Meanwhile, in another part of the old world.
This was a true golden palace, adorned with numerous rubies and red carpets interwoven with beautiful golden and white architecture.
If Xiar were present, she would surely recognize this place—it was the scene from her first encounter with the “Touch of Fate’s Betrayal”... a rather dreamlike, academy-like setting.
Atop the tower of this academy, a little girl with pure golden hair lay on the edge of the railing, her slender legs almost dangling in the air, gently swaying.
Her emerald eyes sparkled like amber, radiating a soft glow. At that moment, she raised her right hand, fingers spread wide towards the dark, starless sky, her gaze distant and troubled, as if pondering some profound life matter.
After an unknown amount of time, her right hand slowly descended, resting on her flat little belly, and she murmured, “I’m hungry...”
It seemed she wasn’t thinking of anything profound at all; she was simply wondering what to eat next.
If she weren’t in the old world but in Ansu, she would surely become inseparable friends with Adele—of course, their conversations would revolve solely around food.
Just as the girl was about to prop herself up, she suddenly felt a searing pain in her right hand.
Her eyes widened as she looked at her hand, where strange silver runes began to glow.
In the girl’s world, the already overcast sky seemed to be shrouded in an endless, ink-like shadow.
A terrifying, shadowy figure, visible only to her, flickered a few times before slowly solidifying before the girl.
The horrific figure, with insect wings sprouting from its back and countless limbs and shadowy tendrils extending from beneath its dark robe, tilted its head as it gazed at the little girl.
“Who are you...?” the girl asked, feeling a familiar yet strange aura, her small mouth slightly agape in a daze.
“Quick,” the shadow slowly extended its right hand towards the girl, its voice hazy and ethereal, “I’ll take you to eat... something delicious.”
“Let’s go.”
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