Chapter 389: Partners
Chapter 389: Partners
"I do have that intention."
In response to the Nightmare King's cold and stern questioning, the Aquarius Director chuckled and openly admitted, "Although I've defected from the Purification Bureau, I was once a Director there. After being your adversary for so long, I suddenly let you in with my own hands, and I can't help but feel a bit awkward about it. So, I decided to harm you a little to atone for my sins, but unfortunately, you saw through my plan."
"Not entirely, though."
The blurred face on the small boat faded, returning to its original position. The gray fog, soaked in the black river water, resembled a drenched cloak, draping over the Nightmare King's body and outlining his emaciated figure.
The Nightmare King twisted his gray robe, soaked in countless nightmares, and extended his withered arm to adjust the crown-like mirror atop his head. He then leaned over the boat and spoke in a faint voice, "I am curious now. What's so special about that Third-Class Purifier who forced you to cooperate with me? But it's absolutely impossible for you to use his hand to kill me."
"Mhm, as long as you have the confidence."
The Aquarius Director smiled ambiguously and said, "Enough chitchat. It's time to help me repair my soul, right? Where should I sleep? On this boat?"
"You can sleep anywhere as long as you can fall asleep. It's just that..."
After glancing at the Aquarius Director, the Nightmare King tore a piece from his robe and laid it on the black river beneath him. With a hint of playful laughter, he said, "To achieve the best results, you should sleep thoroughly and wake up completely from reality. It's best to sleep on my robe during this process. Are you coming over?"
"Why not?"
To the surprise of both the female reporter and the Nightmare King, the Aquarius Director took the initiative and stepped down from the boat, walking towards the gray robe laid out on the river's surface.
"No! Don't!"
Seeing that he was serious, the female reporter exclaimed, "The Nightmare King's robe is a part of his body! If you fall asleep on his robe, when you wake up in reality, that robe will become a part of you! Even if you're not completely controlled, you'll be influenced by it!"
"It's fine, we're partners!"
Under the silent gaze of the Nightmare King, the Aquarius Director lay down on the gray robe with complete relaxation. Smiling, he said, "My goal is to repair my own soul, so I naturally seek the best results. Since sleeping on his robe yields better results, I'll definitely give it a try."
"..."
Damn it... No wonder he's a Director of the Purification Bureau! Watching the Aquarius Director lie down on his robe without leaving any backup, the Nightmare King's eyes, hidden in the gray fog, showed a deep shade of apprehension.
The process of repairing a damaged soul by exchanging dreams and reality was entirely under his control. As the leader, it was only natural for him to manipulate the situation when the Aquarius Director willingly presented himself.
The Aquarius Director was well aware of this, and since he knew that being manipulated was inevitable, he didn't even bother to be cautious. Instead, he opened his soul, allowing the Nightmare King to do as he pleased.
If it weren't for this encounter, the Nightmare King would likely have secretly left some backup during the soul repair process, creating a few flaws that could cause the Aquarius Director's soul to collapse rapidly. This would have been a means to coerce him into pledging loyalty.
Now, as he willingly opened his soul, allowing himself to be imprinted, these petty tricks were unnecessary. Instead, to ensure the stability and functionality of this "tool" that belonged to him, he would go out of his way to repair the man's soul, making it more complete.
However, a person like him would never truly submit and willingly become a servant.
The reason he was willing to open his soul and allow himself to be manipulated was probably only one... He was certain that he wouldn't survive, and that the Purification Bureau would surely finish him off!
After all, if the imprinted self died, then it wouldn't matter if there was a mark left by him in the man's soul, right?
In an instant, his thoughts raced, and upon guessing the Aquarius Director's intentions, the Foggy Titan let out a cold snort.
The Titan's flesh and bones seemed to grasp at nothing, and the gray robe on the Aquarius Director suddenly unfurled, enveloping him entirely and sinking him into the black river flowing with countless nightmares.
At the spot where the Aquarius Director sank, a blood-colored, dark dream slowly emerged on the surface of the pitch-black river, like a night sky.
Faith, resolve, death, regret, wailing, doubt, collapse, madness... The intense emotions, so pure that even the Nightmare King was startled, directly boiled a large patch of the black river's surface.
Immediately after, a younger man with a much cleaner and tighter skin, a palm free of age spots, and a pale yellow hand, emerged from the blood-colored dream, firmly grasping the river's surface.
"Not bad at all."
A young man, clad in a water-blue robe stained with blood, his expression a mix of tears and laughter, and his figure somewhat translucent, climbed out of the blood-colored dream and onto the small boat, under the complex gaze of the female reporter. He strode steadily onto the boat.
"I haven't felt this light and agile in years."
Flexing his rejuvenated body and glancing at his slightly transparent palm, he looked at the Aquarius Director, only in his early forties, nodded with satisfaction and smiled at the Foggy Titan, "In return for you helping me restore my youth, I'll give you some extra information... Based on my understanding of the Purification Bureau, there's a high chance they'll send over the Scorpio Bureau's Director."
"What?!"
Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's words, the Nightmare King's fog surged, and he couldn't help but exclaim angrily, "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? Even I might not be able to break through if two Zodiac Directors joined forces!"
"Don't worry. He has a bad relationship with the Crimson-haired Lady, and if he's forced to come for support, he won't put in his full effort. Dealing with him will be much easier."
Sitting comfortably in the wooden boat, he knocked lightly on the boat's stern and chuckled, "They won't act together. They'll definitely act separately. Just send a few servants who look similar to him, and trap him temporarily in some troublesome dream.
Given his personality, as long as you make him understand that escaping the dream requires a certain price, and might even be dangerous, he'll willingly stay trapped."
"...
"Before you go, I have one more thing to add... Remember to first bring the Abyss of Fallen Souls into reality, then deal with the Purification Bureau."
The Aquarius Director waved goodbye to the Foggy Titan and said earnestly, "You mustn't die too soon. If I haven't awakened in reality and you're killed by that Lyon first, it'll be a real headache for me."
"...
I'll kill him! I'll kill him as soon as I see him!
(End of Chapter)
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