Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 651: ’Hunger’

Furrowing her brows, Alice glanced down at Jin.

A fully Eldritch being…

Whatever he does in the future, his power will always corrupt the surroundings.

That’s simply the nature of this energy.

If she were to leave him be, there’s no doubt that issues would be created in the future. But could she allow herself to get rid of him because of the danger he poses? He didn’t choose this path himself.

In fact, both paths that he walked were forced onto him.

The path of becoming Kazira’s vessel and the path of Eldritch.

Right when he was choosing his own life, he was dragged into a ritual that turned him into… this.

Scratching her hair, Alice let out a sigh as she wasn’t sure what she should do.

She leaned back on a chair and closed her eye.

Alyss was injured and sleeping, Jin was turned into a fully Eldritch being, Nyer… She doesn’t know what he’s planning. And then there’s the Will and the bounty he gave her.

It was clear where her next destination should be. To clear out the Eldritch Cultists that have invaded the east. The southern battlefront.

There was also the case of testing out her new Shell theory and how Duality can manipulate it. If the theory turns out to be true and her testing goes well, she wouldn’t need to worry about not being able to harm the soul.

And not only that, but it’ll also unlock more potential paths for her powers and how she modifies her own shell.

###

"She’s woken up master." The sect master of the Abyssal Tyrant Sect reported with a slight bow as a shrouded figure could be seen reading a book.

"Mnm. Her condition?"

"Stable."

"Alright. Look after the people here. Soon, a battle will erupt in the southern battlefront. Be there if you wish." The shrouded figure instructed before standing up.

Turning around, a swirl of darkness enveloped his body as he teleported away from the city.

Beside him, another figure stepped out of his shadow.

"Are we really leaving just like this? I thought you wanted to observe your subject some more?"

"If I interfere too much, what makes the sample interesting will disappear. It’s been that way since the beginning." Nyer shook his head.

Every time he had experimented on a new sample, his interference had always cut things short.

Whether that is because it kept triggering Velouria’s memories or something else, this was the longest a sample had survived. The growth speed and reliance was exactly what he wanted to observe.

All he needed to do was make minor adjustments here and there, nothing major but something to ensure that the experiment continued.

To him, Alice was similar to a delicate rose in a glass case. He can observe but cannot touch. Too much and the rose will die. He can only appreciate its beauty from afar.

Though perhaps, he may have interfered too much already.

Shaking his head, Nyer glanced down at his hand and saw the cracks slowly spreading up his arm.

The speed of withering was progressing a bit faster than what he liked.

"You can consume this vessel if you want and make your way back to the lab. I’m going to pay my collaborator a little visit since it seems like he’s unnerved by the recent events."

Hearing this, the man grinned as the shadows began to twitch.

Nyer closed his eyes.

*BANG!!!

Changing vessels, Nyer glanced to his right and saw an eldritch shadow on the wall. A figure out countless tendrils and crimson eyes.

"Voruth’Zal awaits." The figure squeezed out as multiple voices overlapped.

Nodding his head, Nyer stood up, following behind the figure.

And soon, he reached a chamber where distant echoes of Kazira’s cries could be heard.

The two were locked in a staring contest as Nyer didn’t say a word. He simply observed.

In the end, it was Voruth’Zal who broke the gaze and opened its mouth.

"While the failure to obtain… Sacrifices was rather unfortunate. Suffice to say the operations in the south are going smoothly." Voruth’Zal smiled as Nyer nodded his head.

"The operation in the south will be our last collaboration. Considering the state of your… assistant, I see no further benefits in lending you my aid. Let us end on a good note." Nyet nodded.

Hearing this, Voruth’Zal sat silently for a moment before nodding as well.

Watching Nyer leave, Voruth’Zal contemplated in silence.

This man has given them plenty of help thus far. While the Outer Gods have benefitted from his research and experiments, he had also gained plenty from them.

So what changed?

Kazira’s condition was not enough to dissuade this man from further collaboration.

’Did he find what he needed?’ Voruth’Zal wondered.

All this time, there was still something he needed from them. But now? With his sudden change in stance, he can only assume Nyer has lost his need for them.

"The next collaboration will be the last huh?" He muttered. Since that was the case, he was going to make full use of tools.

After all, if it wasn’t for this man, they wouldn’t even be able to inhibit vessels like this and walk around.

The Icons were also his creation.

Far better, stronger and more stable than the hosts of the past.

Their invasion of this realm is made possible thanks to him.

###

Leaving the chamber, Nyer glanced up at the darkening sky and let out a sigh.

"Last collaboration…" Nyer muttered.

He hadn’t planned on ending the joint effort so soon. Yet… perhaps on impulse, he decided not to continue. Why?

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and regulated his emotions.

Perhaps it was because he saw the sample in person properly. Most of his… vessels work autonomously with a preset of instructions.

It’s safe to say that Alice had come across some of these vessels a few times before now. Whether or not she was conscious of it was another fact. But this time, they met while he was in control.

’Am I feeling sentimental?’ Nyer wondered.

But the thought of his final desire quickly erased these feelings.

No matter how much time passed, there was only one goal for him. One goal alone.

That has never changed and never will change.

###

Jin stood amidst a field of crimson. Withered trees and twitching branches.

The crimson moon hung ominously above while crows perched on the branches. Red eyes filled the crow’s body as its head twitched with every eye focused on Jin’s body.

Yet strangely, he didn’t feel discomfort from this gaze. In fact, it felt almost soothing.

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Looking down at his hands, he noticed strange vines bursting through his skin. Tearing it apart as blood rolled down his arm, gathering at his fingertips before dripping on the floor.

It was strange to say the least.

Everything in Jin’s mind was telling him that something was dreadfully wrong.

That he had to do something.

But there was a disconnect between his thoughts and his actions.

His body, as though moving on its own, continued to wander this strange realm.

With each step, the field around him would begin to decay.

With each breath, life seemed to pulse in his shadow.

Everything he touched became a part of him, assimilated into something. . . greater.

Then, a large figure stood in front of him.

Dressed in black from head to toe, a veil covered its head as its long dangling limbs held onto a blade scythe like weapon.

Was this perhaps death?

No, it didn’t feel like it.

Staring at the figure without backing, Jin watched as it phased through his body, entering his shadow.

He could feel something creeping through his mind, fingers tracing his arms and a dark whisper in his ear.

Dark obsidian spikes tore through his skin, connected to his bones. Every step he took, another piece of him disappeared.

Perhaps at the end of this journey, there would be nothing left of him.

Ah… Is this how his life ends?

To be at the mercy of it all…

But even if he wasn’t at the mercy of this fate, what could he have done? What did he want to live for?

All his life, he was being prepared as the vessel for the Apostle of War.

Then when the coup occurred, he was given a brief moment of safety.

And now, he once again stood on a road in which he had no control, no power, no say in where he wishes to go.

’A bookstore…’ Jin thought to himself.

If he could get away from all of this, perhaps running a bookstore would be fun. Something to dedicate his life to. A man’s journey may end, forgotten by even those who watched him walk.

But if transcribed upon the page, so long as it exists, even if memories fade, his story continues to exist.

Yes. . .

If he had a choice, Jin wanted to open a bookstore.

He reached the edge of this realm.

Behind him, a path of corruption and decay.

Before him, the endless darkness.

One step.

Just as he raised his foot, Jin felt a pull from behind and turned around.

The moment he did, the realm around him disappeared and he found himself lying in bed.

Beside him, he noticed Alice sitting with her legs crossed. Her head bobbed gently with each breath.

Was she sleeping?

But. . .

Was there always this energy around her? This. . . delectable sight.

Furrowing his brows, Jin forcefully tore his gaze away from her as he clutched his head.

Behind him, Alice slowly opened her eye.

He could still control himself which was a good sign.

But the fact that he was already showing ’hunger’. . .

Alice narrowed her eye.