Chapter 216: Chaos Inversion, Ultimate Perfection

(Extra chapter, extra chapter!)

"Gulp, clatter, crack..."

The water in the teacup was drained in a single breath by the man holding it, then set gently upon the table. Yet, almost instantly, the seemingly pristine vessel shattered into a pile of tiny, dew-dampened shards.

"Professor Zieg, this cup was not cheap. Every time you crush one, it costs me half a month's salary to replace. Enchanted cups are convenient, to be sure, but they are a nightmare to manufacture."

Rudolf looked at Zieg sitting across from him and sighed. He pulled a rag from beneath the wooden table, swept the shards into a heap, and snapped his fingers, summoning a tiny spatial rift to swallow the debris.

"I would like to ask what this is supposed to mean, Rudolf. We have worked together for quite some time now. As fellow members of the Royal Research Association, I thought we were friends. Is this why you invited me here—to trap me?"

Zieg’s typically mild temperament was struggling to suppress the rising tide of fury within him.

His magitech communication device was flooded with urgent calls and reports regarding the descent of the God of Fear, demanding his immediate action, yet the various containment arrays layered around the room rendered him unable to leave.

"We are friends, of course. That is precisely why you should stay and chat a while. It is quite pleasant, and at the very least, you won't have to worry about the chaos unfolding outside."

Rudolf wore an innocent expression. Without missing a beat, he reached under the table—which clearly held nothing—and produced another cup identical to the one Zieg had just destroyed. He placed it before Zieg and filled it with a red, wine-like liquid.

"Do try not to break this one. It is my... well, my second-to-last cup. I must say, the things the Royal Family provides are truly excellent."

After a thoughtful pause, Rudolf offered this reminder, then drained his own cup with a look of pure enjoyment.

"..."

Zieg said nothing more. He narrowed his eyes at Rudolf, rose in silence, and walked to the study door. He pressed his hand against the handle, exerted force, and twisted.

"Hum."

The handle hummed, and an invisible barrier shimmered across its surface.

Intricate runes swirled incessantly within the field, a vast array of magitech circuits integrated into a minuscule space, granting the small handle an absurd level of defensive strength that defied Zieg’s attempt to turn it.

"Click, click..." Zieg pressed his palm against the door panel itself, and a barrier of the same structure manifested.

Battle aura surged through his veins as he increased his pressure, but the harder he pushed, the faster the runes spun and the more vibrant the magic became. No matter how much force he applied, he could not breach the barrier.

"Your handiwork?"

Zieg turned to look at Rudolf, who sat comfortably in his chair, and asked coldly.

"Indeed. The Phoenix Cyclic Inhibition. You cannot break it with the strength of your human form unless you reveal your true nature."

Rudolf nodded, admitting his culpability. It was clear from his words that he was fully aware of Zieg’s identity as a dragon.

"You had this planned all along?"

Zieg’s icy tone betrayed a hint of disappointment. This member of the Royal Research Institute, whom he had known for so long, had been a close companion.

Both were professors at the Institute, both possessed vast knowledge, and Rudolf had always held a special interest in historical secrets and arcane mysteries.

Zieg, due to his inherent incompleteness and inability to channel magic, had been relegated to theoretical research in alchemy and magitech.

Rudolf admired Zieg’s erudition, and Zieg valued Rudolf’s ability to grasp his complex theories. They had often collaborated on experiments and held intellectual gatherings.

This occasion was no different. On the eve of the victory against Seuvintan, Rudolf had invited Zieg to his home to study some theological artifacts and alchemical puppets seized during the war. Zieg had readily agreed, only to find himself in this predicament.

"In a way, yes. Zieg, this is also a form of protection. There is no need for you to wade into these muddy waters. The situation in the capital is chaotic; appearing now would only draw the attention of those with ill intent. Given your identity, there is no reason for you to involve yourself in the political squabbles of human kingdoms."

Rudolf explained, his tone earnest, seemingly convinced that his reasoning was beyond reproach.

"Your so-called 'political squabbles' involve the descent of a fallen deity into the capital? I do not know what they are planning, but if this continues, the entire city will be destroyed. I cannot manage everything else, but I must protect my friends."

Zieg’s voice was hard; he clearly rejected Rudolf’s logic entirely.

Dense, intricate magic runes began to appear across Zieg’s arms. Under the control of his mental energy, these runes began to activate in sequence.

Adjusting the composition of the circuits, Zieg utilized the comprehensive magitech network inscribed upon his dragon body—now manifested within his human form—to forge the power needed to shatter the barrier.

Ever since Avia had first attempted to help him complete his missing circuits, Zieg had visited the capital’s Shadow District every week. Under the protection of the Lady of Night’s shroud, he would manifest his true form to continue the etching of the circuits upon his dragon hide.

During these sessions, Zieg and Avia would engage in extensive discussions, modifying and optimizing the inscriptions. While he marveled at the girl’s astonishing talent, he had gradually completed the restoration of his own magical circuits.

Though not fully etched, the vast space on his dragon body dedicated to magic allowed him to achieve significant spellcasting capabilities in both human and dragon form. While it did not match the terrifying power of a true dragon, it was already formidable among humans.

Analyzing the runes displayed on the barrier, Zieg used his profound knowledge to quickly identify the method to bypass the inhibition.

This barrier was designed specifically to counter physical force—a trap tailored for a Zieg who supposedly could not use magic.

He reached out, a specific magical structure forming between his fingertips, ready to shatter the seal.

However, in the next moment, a powerful and aggressive magical disturbance swept through the room. The structure between Zieg’s fingers disintegrated instantly, collapsing into raw, inert mana.

"Truly astonishing, Professor Zieg. You have actually found a way to acquire spellcasting abilities. It is hard to imagine. If you would be so kind, might you satisfy my curiosity?"

Rudolf stood up, the magical fluctuations in his hand dissipating. He looked at Zieg, who stared back with a frigid gaze, and asked with a smile.

"Do you truly believe I dare not lay a hand on you?"

Zieg’s pupils began to shift. Dragon pressure slowly radiated from his body, and dragon scales began to manifest upon his arms and torso. He was truly enraged.

"There is no need for this... Mr. Zieg. You would not want to draw *His* gaze, would you? That would benefit neither of us."

A fine, imperceptible layer of cold sweat appeared on Rudolf’s forehead. The primal fear inherent to humanity was not easily overcome.

"You may test me."

Zieg’s voice grew hoarse. The dragon pressure became almost tangible, bearing down entirely upon the man before him.

In his heart, he began to communicate through the prayer network. Back when Wang Yu still had the ability to edit the Tree of Night, he had left a backdoor for Zieg.

As long as Zieg held the small statue infused with the Lady of Night’s power, he could briefly manifest his dragon form without fear of detection by that terrifying entity.

"Er, Mr. Zieg, why be so hasty? It is truly irrational to force your way out at the cost of mutual destruction."

The sweat on Rudolf’s forehead became visible. He realized that if he continued to obstruct him, Zieg would truly strike, and then...

"The God of Fear’s descent must be stopped. I must return to the Night’s Edge to provide assistance. What exactly are you stalling for?" Zieg said coldly, his tone resolute.

"Do not worry. The God-Corpse of the End is already prepared. This weapon will deal with the God of Fear. There is no need for you to be anxious, Mr. Zieg. Why not stay here..."

Rudolf still had not abandoned his attempt to dissuade Zieg, reciting the arguments he had prepared in advance.

"That thing—can you even control it? You should know that the effects of such artifacts are beyond our control. It can only serve as a last resort; that is no reason to convince me."

Zieg frowned. He had not expected the Kingdom to deploy that item so quickly, but its inherent instability gave him no peace of mind.

"...Mr. Zieg, your sister is currently quite safe. So... do not worry... about the issue of the God of Fear."

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly deadlocked, Rudolf swallowed hard and made the decision to utter the words he had saved for last.

The moment the words left his lips, an unimaginably terrifying pressure descended upon him.

"Boom!" The creature at the very top of the food chain, whose life level far surpassed that of a human, exerted its full pressure upon Rudolf’s soul.

"Say that again... I recall entrusting her to someone I deemed worthy of my trust. And tell me, how do you know of her existence?"

Zieg’s voice was now chillingly cold. His emotions were on the verge of an explosive eruption, restrained only by the existence mentioned in Rudolf’s words.

"Please... do not worry. She is well. We have placed her under protection... I promise, once the God of Fear is dealt with, you will be able to... see her immediately..."

Rudolf’s words were stuttered. He was truly terrified. He knew the risks he was taking; he was gambling that this dragon, who had lived among humans for so long, would make a rational choice.

"This is the one chance I give you, and it is the last. You had best be telling the truth. Otherwise, I will stop at nothing."

Zieg sat down, his face frozen in a mask of ice. He stared at Rudolf, making no further move.

The dragon's might gradually ebbed, and Rudolph breathed a sigh of relief. Sieg had ultimately refrained from erupting, but with this turn of events, that hidden thread would likely be rendered completely useless. And once the incident concluded, this dragon would probably...

"Boom!" A sound of immense penetrative power pierced through the building, reaching the room and drawing the attention of both Sieg and Rudolph. Their gazes turned simultaneously toward the window, which was shielded by magic against prying eyes.

Outside the window, the pitch-black, semi-circular domain at the city center—the manifestation of the God of Fear’s "Divine Kingdom"—was slowly rising. As beams of light lifted the entire plaza floor, they tore through the God of Fear’s domain.

"It has begun..." Rudolph watched these changes, his eyes filled with excitement and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. That object had been activated.

"If Shugin isn't the one who triggered that thing, then it must be that fellow named Wang Yu. As I thought, someone connected to so many incidents could never be simple. Interesting, truly interesting. The risks I’ve taken were worth it."

Rudolph forcibly suppressed his smile in front of Sieg, though the joy and excitement in his heart were enough to make his entire body tremble.

...

Time returned to more than ten minutes prior. Wang Yu, having sent the Smoke Demon away, rode the lift alone into the abyss, arriving at its deepest bottom.

Ripple-probes scanned the surroundings. The spiritual pollution nearby was so dense that a mere leak would have triggered a void reaction—an unfathomable chaos, an incalculable malice.

The only reason this negative spiritual energy, accumulated by the residents of the Royal City over centuries, had not triggered a void catastrophe was the artifact in Wang Yu’s hand: the Reflection of the Starry Sky.

This artifact, which forcibly inverted the spiritual energy, also suppressed the spiritual pollution at the lowest level from communicating with the void and inviting an invasion by void deities.

Yet, even the mere leakage had caused the entire environment of the Royal City’s Shadow to merge with the void; one could glimpse just how terrifying the concentration of spiritual pollution was down here.

But this concentration, which could not be described by mere numbers, had no effect on Wang Yu as he walked through the abyss clutching the Reflection of the Starry Sky.

Wang Yu had always been this way; any power that directly interfered with his spirit simply failed to take hold. In the past, he could at least perceive these things intuitively, but ever since the "Key" was shattered, he could not even detect spiritual energy without using his ripples.

To him, that spiritual pollution was as good as non-existent.

Running through the pitch-black abyss, Wang Yu did not need light to see his path. His ripples were more than enough to reveal the necessary range, and his powerful sense of orientation allowed him to reach his destination with ease.

He headed toward the place where he had once encountered the Will of the Abyss—that ignorant, yet inherently evil existence, yearning for freedom, yearning to break away.

After a short sprint, Wang Yu stopped. His ripples sensed the presence of the thing nearby, at the very center of the abyss.

In an area where the spiritual pollution had almost solidified, a mass of chaotic matter gathered before him. It was spiritual energy, and it was the Will of the Abyss.

"Is this it? It’s certainly chaotic and disgusting enough. And this time, it doesn't seem to sense me. That’s curious. Was the 'Key' actually what helped me establish a connection with these entities before?"

Sensing the Will of the Abyss through his ripples, Wang Yu muttered to himself. Unlike the last time he had touched it with spiritual energy, this time he was using ripples, and its image presented itself before him.

Rolling black sludge writhed in a continuous cycle, like a black serpent eternally devouring itself, endless and without termination.

Unimaginable malice was contained within: murderous intent, jealousy, greed, tyranny—not merely the seven deadly sins, but every conceivable ugliness could be found in this black mass.

"Is this thing... the 'Pus of Man'? Or perhaps, the 'Evil of this World'?"

Wang Yu looked at the object before him, struck by a sense of déjà vu. It resembled the filth that erupted from the bodies of the Hollows in the Dark Souls games, or similar entities in various works from Earth. In any case, it was very much like the thing before him.

It mattered little, however; it could not affect him. What he needed to do was invert this collection of ugliness and turn it into its opposite. What would that look like? Wang Yu found himself rather curious.

Without hesitation, he brought his spiritual energy into contact with the artifact and aimed it at the manifestation of the abyss—the collection of ugliness, the chaotic will. He unleashed the artifact’s power.

Above the artifact, the galaxy inverted; the falling stars reversed their course. The entire object, which projected the starry night sky, began to run in reverse. The reflections of the stars transformed into true celestial bodies, filling the dead, silent void.

Under the influence of the artifact, the object before him began to change. Its concepts inverted; the ugliness turned into its opposite: supreme benevolence, perfection, flawlessness...

Every adjective of praise could be applied to this entity, now inverted by the Reflection of the Starry Sky. It was a brilliant, dazzling sphere of purity—round, perfect, without a single blemish.

Moreover, it was truly visible. The illusory spiritual energy, under the inversion of the artifact, had become tangible matter—the very sphere of light floating before Wang Yu.

Chaos inverted; ultimate perfection.

This was Wang Yu's assessment of the object. As the core of the abyss—the Will of the Abyss—vanished, or rather, was inverted, the nature of the entire Royal City’s Shadow shifted.

The spiritual pollution filling the abyss dissipated, and the peculiar state of the Royal City’s Shadow, where the void and the material world were fused, ceased to exist.

Everyone in the Royal City’s Shadow with wizarding talent or keen perception sensed it, including the Lady of the Night and Avia.

The girl turned her gaze toward the abyss, deep in thought.

"Did Wang Yu succeed?"

The touch on her shoulder made the girl turn her head. It was the tall Lady of the Night, whose projection was gradually blurring.

"The void in this space is receding. My projection can no longer persist. If you need help, pray to me; I shall watch over you."

As the Lady of the Night’s projection vanished, her words reached the girl’s ears. The girl nodded, though a trace of unease lingered in her heart for reasons unknown.

She tossed the Transcendence Perception potion in her hand, suppressing that flicker of anxiety.

...

"This is... why is it in human form?"

Wang Yu looked at the perfect sphere before him, for it had begun to change. Its perfect form was shifting into a human shape, molding a torso, facial features, a body, and limbs, taking form bit by bit.

It was equally perfect, neither male nor female; those categories could no longer describe this body. The grace and beauty of a woman, the strength and handsomeness of a man—all were present in this human form.

Anyone who saw this body would likely fall uncontrollably in love with it, for it was too perfect. Every virtue one longed to see in a partner could be found within it.

"I suppose that makes sense. After all, this ugliness originated from the minds of the humans in the Royal City. Inverting it—who knows which parts were flipped? It’s certainly possible it would remain human. It’s quite good-looking, that’s for sure."

But to Wang Yu, this body remained in the category of "very good-looking." After all, human aesthetics varied, and one could not expect the things the masses liked to strike a chord with a freak like Wang Yu.

The body glanced at Wang Yu, and he met its gaze for a moment. Wang Yu was not good at reading expressions, but he could discern something: there was no emotion in those eyes, only, perhaps, an infinite indifference?

He felt that, compared to a deity like the Lady of the Night, this thing possessed more "divinity."

It did not care for Wang Yu; after that single glance, it acted as if he did not exist. It turned its gaze upward, to the place where the "ugly thing"—the God of Fear—resided.

With a wave of its hand, the ground beneath the abyss began to vibrate. The rock layers cracked, the earth shook, and the entire abyss began to be pulled from the ground by this existence, rising as a whole, soaring upward.

Wang Yu quickly ran away from it, wary of the potentially collapsing ground and falling debris, but there was none.

The earth was lifted perfectly, and under the force of unimaginable power, it ascended into the sky, hurtling toward the surface of the Royal City, toward the plaza where the God of Fear stood.

"This power..."

Wang Yu was stunned. Such power, how immense—but from where did it originate?

His gaze swept across the abyss floor, which had inexplicably brightened, and he gradually saw something: a body embedded in the earth, unimaginably vast, buried deep within, yet showing no signs of decay.

"The God-Corpse of the End?"

Wang Yu recalled the thing Sieg had mentioned only once.