A light ‘eh’ sounded. The seas around the Holy City soon surged, setting off huge waves and windstorms.
It seemed that the god of evil beings had developed some doubts toward Link. He should be an insignificant being, yet he is radiating multiple auras of a higher status than my own… Truly odd!
A strange sound—mingled with endless madness—sounded in Link’s mind as if it were lifting a terrifying storm inside his head.
If it were an ordinary person, they probably would’ve been instantly corroded by the madness encased within that voice, turning completely evil and becoming a madman. Or they would’ve directly disintegrated into a pool of indescribable flesh and blood.
Communicating with the God of Evil was no good thing. However, Link possessed the [Fearless Pathfinder] title, and the [Fearless] skill allowed him to be immune to negative status effects such as falling into madness, despair, and more.
[Fearless] was instantly launched. A warm current flowed out from Link’s body and protected his consciousness, such that Link would not collapse. Due to this, he could analyze the meaning of that voice through the madness.
“You are Th… Their envoy?” The God of Evil’s words were slightly sluggish and contained some hints of surprise and confusion.
This was because, in ‘His’ cognition, even a chosen envoy shouldn’t be carrying the auras of so many gods. After all, it was impossible for those auras’ owners to be so generous to allow their own envoys to go and serve other gods.
However, ‘He’ was uncertain since it could also be due to some kind of interest. This made ‘Him’ more interested in Link’s existence. Being the subject of many gods’ attention—a very interesting nobody…
Link pondered for a while. What? Envoy? I am not! But since this God of Evil imagines so, I can be one too…
Although Link still had some unpleasant memories with some of the auras’ owners, there was no need to expose that now. After all, Link still knew his own limitations.
His current capabilities were enough to defeat a Stage Six existence, but to go against a god?
He was still lacking.
The reform had yet to succeed, and his comrades still needed to grow.
“I want all these people to live.” Link did not deny his identity as an envoy, nor did he hastily acknowledge it. He merely went with the flow and stated his request.
Doing this had left Link had left some leeway while also allowing this god to believe in ‘His’ preconceived idea that Link was the envoy.
After all, if Link wasn’t the envoy, he had no right to negotiate terms at all given his current capabilities.
Link already had a rough deduction about this world after recovering his memories. This should’ve happened in a certain era—a historical event that had long taken place.
The reason why it reappeared was probably related to the historical ruin. It was highly likely a test or an extremely difficult dungeon.
Since he had such an understanding, Link naturally wished to raise his clearance evaluation as much as possible. Protecting these people would be equivalent to changing the original history and achieving something impossible.
By doing this, he should be able to get some expensive rewards.
The God of Evil—who had green skin, large amounts of cirri, and long narrow wings on his back—very quickly gave a response.
That voice containing madness sounded once again. “You want to protect these people? Mm… Sure.”
He actually agreed! Link was delighted in his heart.
“Human, you are very interesting. Are you interested in becoming my envoy as well?” The voice sounded once again. This time, ‘He’ had actually extended an olive branch toward Link.
Link’s gaze froze slightly; he was a little surprised and only came to a realization after some thought.
This God of Evil probably only took destruction as a form of interest or a convenient act. Just like how humans stepped on and killed an ant when walking, there wouldn’t be any special emotions forming because of it.
But now, this God of Evil’s interest had clearly shifted to Link.
‘He’ wasn’t sure why there were so many gods’ auras on Link, but ‘He’ found it interesting and wanted to get in on it too.
Link had nothing to hesitate about. In any case, it was just a test; he wouldn’t lose anything.
As for truly believing in and serving this God of Evil—sorry, it was impossible.
Believing in ‘Him’ was impossible; Link would never believe in the God of Evil in this lifetime, nor would he serve ‘Him.’ Link could only pretend to be an envoy to maintain his life.
Upon hearing Link’s response, that massive figure seemed to be rather pleased. He retracted the palm that was about to destroy the Holy City—Atlan—and presented Link with a gift.
A rune that carried unknown power appeared in the air. It then quickly condensed, turning into a circular object before falling in front of Link.
Link held it in his hand and studied it. The object seemed like an accessory; there was a mysterious rune drawn on it, and it still carried some of the God of Evil’s aura.
He was unable to receive the system’s notifications here and wasn’t sure what it exactly was, but it was probably a pretty good item.
After presenting his gift, the God of Evil had no intention of remaining either. Very soon, the shadow hanging above the entire Holy City vanished.
The suppression that almost caused people to collapse had completely disappeared as well.
And that dense group of evil beings—which thirsted to devour everyone in the Holy City—retreated successively like the ebbing tide.
They quickly disappeared from sight, but the effects they brought hadn’t completely subsided. For example, the warriors and civilians were currently staring at Link with faces full of shock. Eyes as wide as brass bells, they were speechless.
The air seemed to freeze, and the people’s gazes were like spotlights, directed toward Link in unison. Those gazes were filled with incredulity and disbelief.
Is this a joke? The God of Evil actually left with all the evil beings? How can this be?!
They were unaware of the contents of Link’s under-the-table deal with the God of Evil.
They only saw that Link seemed to communicate with the God of Evil for a bit; then, the God of Evil had retreated with the subordinates under ‘His’ command.
This was somewhat akin to repulsing the God of Evil alone; how could everyone not feel shocked?
Even the great sage and the high priest’s gazes—which were directed at Link right now—were filled with surprise and much marvel. They felt overwhelmed!
It was totally unimaginable that Link had managed to achieve this.
As for Lanzhi Sage—who was still sealed in the pillar of light—he was all the more extremely shocked. He dazedly stared at Link as if Link was the actual monster.
“Gone? He’s gone just like that? Impossible! What exactly have you done?” Lanzhi Sage exclaimed.
The God of Evil’s appearance had incurred a great commotion, but they had left after doing almost nothing. All of this was because of Link.
It was as if it was only for the sake of showing ‘His’ face before Link.
That was the God of Evil! A big boss! ‘He’ was repulsed by a rascal who hadn’t even reached the Sage stage? God of Evil, do you not want your dignity? Lanzhi Sage shrieked in his heart. His head was buzzing, almost splitting open then and there.
One had to know this: the reason why he degenerated and sought refuge with the evil beings was that he knew of the God of Evil’s existence on the evil beings’ side. Hence, they were impossible to defeat.
If he had long known that the God of Evil was just coming as a mere formality today, how could he have defected to the evil beings’ side?
Did he not know that his body would gradually fall into the abyss of madness by seeking refuge with the evil beings?
Lanzhi Sage’s heart was full of bitterness and regret. His features—which were ugly to begin with—had contorted into a lump.
