Chapter 400: Chaos Gastric Acid

Chapter 400: Chaos Gastric Acid

Empress Roselle let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

As long as it wasn’t about taking her daughter away, everything else could be negotiated.

Her current situation was awkward. Bernadette was still not entirely comfortable with her, and Luke had done her a favor. Moreover, there was a significant power gap between them, making it difficult to prevent anything from happening on multiple levels.

"This Sealed Artifact is a bit peculiar. I tried to decipher the information with the ‘Eye of Secrets,’ but all my methods vanished without a trace when they touched the third layer."

Roselle took out an intricately carved decorative box, adorned with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds, divided into three layers, and handed it over, giving a warning in advance.

"You should know just from the name that this thing is dangerous enough."

Luke took the Elder Box with a smile and flicked his finger.

Layers of ethereal images flashed across the box's surface, only to be burned away in the next moment. The exquisite and luxurious box trembled and crumbled in a crimson glow.

Crack—

The first and second layers quickly disintegrated into a flurry of sparkling "Wanderer" Extraordinary Traits, while the third layer held out for a few seconds before collapsing entirely.

A chaotic liquid, capable of encompassing all colors and possibilities, surged forth from Luke’s hand, writhing as if it had a life of its own.

An invisible ripple began to spread from Luke’s palm, not fast, but everything in its path disappeared—air, light, matter, information—nothing was spared.

Empress Roselle and Bernadette’s expressions changed simultaneously.

A chilling sound of chewing, swallowing, and digestion echoed in the depths of their minds and ears, as if something was gnawing away at their flesh and bones from the inside.

The two figures transformed into a large and a small data stream, rapidly fleeing from the rented apartment.

Luke, at the center, remained unchanged. He seemed unaffected, holding the chaotic liquid, with a halo of unknown substances floating behind him.

"Behave yourself."

Luke’s expression turned cold, and he clenched his fingers, emitting a trembling, awe-inspiring aura, along with the "Convergence" symbolized by the "Unity of All Things."

"Conquer!"

The chaotic fluid, as if sensing something, behaved like a long-lost wanderer finding home. It obediently, fawningly, and affectionately rubbed against Luke’s palm, ceasing to spread its power.

A few seconds later, the concept of "light" that had been devoured was restored, and sunlight streamed into the apartment at 4 Narcissus Street. Everything within a ten-meter radius, centered on Luke, had vanished, leaving a perfectly circular area of absolute regularity.

"What is this?"

Bernadette looked at the chaotic liquid in Luke’s hand with curiosity.

"It looks like seawater from the ‘Chaos Sea,’ but it’s not quite the same."

Empress Roselle also frowned. Just now, even her Sequence 1 "Knowledge Emperor" had felt a chill, as if lingering too long would result in being consumed entirely.

"This is the Sequence 1 ‘Chaos Gastric Acid’ Extraordinary Trait from the ‘Primordial Hunger’ pathway."

Luke examined the liquid in his hand, explaining in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Everything except the mental imprints of the Elders, Singularities, Source Matter, and the Extraordinary Trait itself can be digested, utilized, and erased."

"Is it... a pathway to divinity different from the twenty-two paths within the Barrier, coming from the Extraordinary Traits of those great beings outside?"

Bernadette seemed quite interested, driven by the "Seer" instinct for a thirst for mystic knowledge.

After becoming a Sequence 2 "Sage" and reaching the "Angel" rank, she had received some information from beyond the stars from Empress Roselle.

"Indeed."

Luke nodded slightly, reciting the deity’s name.

"Primordial Hunger, the symbol of consumption, the insatiable convergence, the cleanser of all things."

"He is one of the ten Outer Gods beyond the Barrier, symbolizing the primal ‘Convergence’ instinct."

Empress Roselle cast a peculiar glance at Luke, remembering that he had used a similar "Convergence" power during the war in the Godless Land.

"An unattached Extraordinary Trait alone can have this much power?"

Curiosity drove Bernadette to observe this unprecedented and unheard-of Extraordinary Trait.

"Not just the ‘Chaos Gastric Acid,’ the ‘Elder Box’ also contains direct power from ‘Primordial Hunger.’”

Noticing the light in her eyes, Luke smiled and shook his head, explaining:

"This is the brainless imbecile’s trick. Under normal circumstances, once the ‘Elder Box’ is unsealed, it will immediately consume everything around it, swallowing it whole."

"It starts by eating away at the subconscious and the base of the mental island, consuming emotions, memories, spirit, and consciousness, followed by flesh, night and day, good and evil, Order and disaster, until it eats away at the world’s rules, destabilizing it and undermining the Barrier’s foundation..."

However, the mind and intelligence of 'Primordial Hunger' were devoured by Itself. Its actions are incredibly linear. The 'Wanderer' who traveled through the stars was contaminated by It and brought back this power, which should have been hidden away, waiting to grow strong enough before revealing itself...

Luke shrugged, a mocking smile on his face. "But this power, directly from 'Primordial Hunger,' is just as stupid as Its source. It couldn't control Its hunger and ended up devouring the 'Wanderer' who served as Its vessel."

In comparison, his 'Unity of All Things' symbol was far superior to mere 'Convergence.' Although it was much less efficient at devouring and digesting, having a mind was the greatest compensation.

"Devouring itself?"

Bernadette nodded thoughtfully. "The manifestations of the Outer Gods are more abstract than I imagined."

"Indeed."

Under the astonished gazes of Bernadette and Empress Roselle, Luke swallowed the 'Chaos Gastric Acid' Extraordinary Trait in one gulp.

A dark and profound sensation enveloped Luke, as if he had transformed into a black hole, devouring everything around him. At the same time, a shadowy image resembling an 'abstract stomach' appeared before him, gradually becoming clearer and more tangible.

Just by looking at the 'abstract stomach,' Empress Roselle and Bernadette both felt as if they had already been swallowed by a chaotic liquid that encompassed all colors and possibilities, completely digested.

But soon, the image and the strange sensations around Luke vanished.

Having ascended by devouring Extraordinary Traits and possessing part of the essence of 'Primordial Hunger,' the 'Chaos Gastric Acid' was already on the verge of being digested.

For the 'Primordial Hunger' pathway, the core concept was simple—eat!

It was a straightforward and efficient method, after all, the highest-ranking entity on this pathway was a mindless being obsessed with eating.

"If you're so interested in this knowledge, why don't we find another place to chat, or take a walk and talk while we stroll?"

Luke rubbed his stomach, as if what he had just consumed was a mere dessert rather than a Sequence One Extraordinary Trait from an Outer God. He cleared his throat and smiled, extending his hand to Bernadette.

Knowledge related to the 'Elders' was undoubtedly the most elite 'mystical knowledge' in the world, irresistible to 'Secret Seekers' like a top-grade catnip to a cat.

"Sure!"

Bernadette's voice, unusually filled with excitement, was firm and decisive.

"Luke, you said you weren't here to lure anyone!"

Empress Roselle froze, glaring angrily at Luke.

Sending her daughter out with Luke was like a meat bun hitting a dog—she would never come back.

As the 'Mirror Person' of the 'Emperor of Rossel,' She knew all too well the manipulative tactics of scoundrels. Chatting would lead to holding hands, holding hands would lead to waist-hugging, waist-hugging would lead to finding a place to lie down, and lying down would lead to... well, you know.

She couldn't trust the 'Conqueror,' who represented the 'original yang force,' with exceptional abilities that made others submit involuntarily and exuded irresistible charm to the opposite sex.

Luke looked innocent. "But Bernadette is already an angel, isn't she? She's 'It' now, so how can she be considered a person?"

Empress Roselle: "..."

Could people who play with words like this just die already?

"Relax, I know my limits."

Bernadette, the main party involved, gave Empress Roselle a reassuring look, not giving Her a chance to refuse. She glanced at Luke's outstretched hand and walked out first.

"Let's go for a walk. Show me around."

Luke smiled, retracting his hand without any awkwardness, and instructed Empress Roselle, who was still in the room:

"Remember to restore this room to its original state."

Without waiting to see the terrifying expression on Empress Roselle's face, Luke quickened his pace to catch up with Bernadette, and the two left the apartment, walking down the bustling street.

The setting sun hung low in the sky, like an orange slightly reddened by a furnace, casting a soft and rich glow.

"Go ahead, I'm all ears."

Bernadette made no effort to hide her thirst for knowledge, her eyes gleaming as she stared at Luke, like a treasure hunter staring at a vast, rich library.

"Sure, but according to the principle of equivalent exchange, you have to tell me something about yourself."

Luke set his condition. "I want to know what you were like as a child, your journey as a 'Secret Seeker,' and how you became the 'Mystical Queen.'"

Bernadette's steps slowed for a moment, but her voice remained unchanged.

"There’s nothing mysterious about me that’s of any value."

Luke’s eyes softened, and his voice deepened. "The value of knowledge depends on who it’s for. The knowledge of the ‘Elder’ is not only worthless but harmful to those who aren’t angels, yet it’s crucial for beings above the angelic level. Your experiences might not matter to others, but they are invaluable to me."

Bernadette fell silent for a moment, then gave him a deep, searching look before speaking softly.

"Alright."

She recounted her past with a touch of nostalgia, and Luke nodded in agreement or asked questions at appropriate times, occasionally sharing some secret knowledge. The atmosphere between them gradually became more harmonious and comfortable.

As Bernadette relaxed, finding the walk unexpectedly pleasant, she suddenly felt her hand enveloped by another, warm and impossible to resist, making her want to submit. She instinctively struggled but couldn’t break free. Glancing at Luke, she met his innocent smile.

So shameless...

Bernadette turned her head away and stopped struggling.

Compared to the reserved Rune Kingdom, having grown up in Intis and later roamed the Five Seas, she found this straightforward way of interacting more acceptable. Besides, she didn’t dislike it, and it was a novel experience she had never before encountered.

As dusk approached, the buildings and shadows merged, and the city was cut into patches of dark and light.

For once not urgently seeking advancement, Luke held Bernadette’s hand and admired the city’s twilight, smiling at her.

"Does the city look better now that you’ve saved it? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment?"

"It’s okay. The Seven Gods wouldn’t allow the ‘True Creator’ to escape so easily. Someone else would have done it if not for me."

Bernadette fell silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly. "After being at sea for so long, I’m a bit unaccustomed to walking on solid ground."

Luke nodded and put his hands in his pockets.

"Right. Your ascension ceremony is over, so you can leave and return to the Five Seas if you want."

Hearing this, Bernadette looked at him. "Where do you plan to go next?"

"To Barkeland."

Luke released her hand, stretched lazily, and propped his chin up. "George Iii’s ascension ceremony is like a starting gun. Good things, bad things, and unexpected things will all erupt on that day."

He smiled at Bernadette. "Once everything is settled, your father can return. I mean the real Emperor of Rossel, not the ‘Mirror Person.’ Well... the ‘Mirror Person’ isn’t exactly fake either."

"I know. He... has been good to me."

Hearing that Luke was still thinking about her father, Bernadette’s eyes softened even more. She turned her head and asked quietly.

"Will you be in danger?"

"Yes."

Luke nodded affirmatively and added, "But don’t worry too much. Even if I fail, it won’t have a significant impact."

Bernadette fell silent again, her lips pursing.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Luke shook his head seriously. "If you mean in battle, the minimum requirement for joining this fight is to be an Angel King with a ‘Singularity.’ Otherwise, you won’t be of much help."

A newly ascended Sage wouldn’t just be unhelpful; they would be at great risk of falling.

Bernadette frowned but remained silent, having a clear understanding of her own capabilities and not one to act recklessly.

"However, if you don’t mind, you can help me in other ways. Maintaining mental stability is equally important, as you know the characteristics of the ‘Conqueror’..."

Luke’s tone shifted, and he cast a heated gaze that made Bernadette flinch, shamelessly proposing a duo request.

You have to fight for your rights. If you don’t have a thick skin, how can you get what you want!

Being rejected would only be a bit awkward, but if it works out, it would be a huge win.

Bernadette stared at Luke for a few seconds, then sighed as if giving up on some form of resistance. Her hand blossomed with starlight.

The surroundings transformed into a whimsical forest filled with pea vines, and the animated vines wrapped around Luke, binding his limbs and suspending him in the air without any resistance.

"I’ll take the lead."

Bernadette approached Luke, her striking and regal face exuding a queenly authority. She lifted his chin, fully embodying the bold Intis style, and kissed him with her eyes closed.

Luke raised an eyebrow, allowing her to take the lead, and sent a series of “Fairy Tale”-related messages.

The whimsical secret realm began to transform.

A magnificent palace, the clock striking twelve, a beautiful princess unchanged, the prince dismissing the others from the ball, and the enchanting music and dance resumed.

...

After a long and intense session, Luke looked at the satisfied Bernadette, who had fallen into a peaceful slumber. He retrieved a cigarette from the gaps of history and lit it.

Indeed, he had never changed.

He loved fairy tales as a child, and he still loves them as an adult!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end