Chapter 514: Necessary Sacrifice

Chapter 514: Necessary Sacrifice

In December, Backlund had gradually entered winter. By four or five in the afternoon, the sky was already completely dark. A gust of cold wind began to rampage through the streets and alleys, causing pedestrians to hurry home early to prepare dinner.

The cold wind swept through the treetops, seeping through the gaps of windows that were not tightly closed.

Hastur and Adam sat across from each other at a desk, with the coveted 008 item openly placed in front of Adam.

"In my initial prediction, it should have remained with Ince Zangwill, because I helped him trade with the Night to obtain 008."

"Ince Zangwill was destined for misfortune, which is why he encountered you. Before I could intervene, he met you again due to 008's proactive interference, leading 008 to fall into your hands."

"I must say, 008 is indeed smarter than Ince Zangwill. It knew how to find a suitable owner and successfully escaped its predicament."

"To investigate what exactly happened, I went to Southwell County where you were, and unexpectedly encountered an avatar of a high-dimensional observer."

"From that moment, I understood your origin, the Stars."

"The Night and I noticed you simultaneously. Although you were not outstanding at that time, I believed the world would be better off with more chaos."

"Especially since you awakened the ancient Phoenix that had been sleeping for countless years and seized the Death's authority before the Night could, making it impossible for her to tolerate you any longer."

Adam narrated the past events in a slow, hypnotic tone, as if no story or encounter in the world could stir his emotions.

"In the South Continent, during the trial battle from the gods, the foolish War God was the first to fall. The Night and I took the opportunity to explore part of the Stars' authority."

"The initial barrier isolated the Outer Gods in the starry sky. Since there is a barrier, there must be a way to bypass it. The Stars possess such authority."

"The Night's perspective changed. She no longer wanted to target you, fearing you might bring the gods of the starry sky into the world, prematurely causing the apocalypse."

"With such authority, you naturally have the capital to confront the gods."

Adam paused, his gaze falling on 008, and smiled, "I've digressed a bit."

"If someone were to take your key item when you were about to become a god, wouldn't you try to solve the problem?"

"Allowing you to grow until now before retrieving 008 is already my greatest concession."

"I have foreseen the tide of the times. My time is running out, and your choices are limited."

"This is not a threat but a candid conversation, which might avoid unnecessary disputes. After all, I am also looking forward to the day the Stars return to the sky."

Despite saying such words, Adam's emotions remained stable, and he continued to smile.

Hastur understood Adam's words. If he continued to hold onto 008, Adam would stop at nothing to retrieve it, even if it meant drawing the Outer Gods from the starry sky.

Because if Hastur continued to grow, Adam would no longer have the confidence to threaten him.

Therefore, Adam had to seize this moment to have an open conversation with Hastur.

Currently, Hastur could only protect himself and severely lacked the power to protect others.

If he left Backlund with 008 and disappeared, Hastur had no doubt about how terrifying Adam's madness would be.

"Although you speak candidly, it is still a threat," Hastur slowly said. "No matter how eloquent your words are, they cannot change the fact that your greatest reliance is my inability to completely abandon my humanity."

"You are still young, and the weaknesses of humanity still exist in you," Adam whispered. "The Stars are ancient and will one day awaken from their slumber. I will not gamble on this small probability event."

It turned out that Adam was most worried about the Stars awakening within Hastur. The Stars without humanity would never hand over the crucial 008 to Adam.

Adam would completely lose 008. Even if he had other ways to become a god, it would not be perfect. For someone who had been planning for countless years, this was absolutely unacceptable.

Hastur pondered Adam's words and was also curious if the ancient Stars really existed.

Would they truly awaken within him?

And what about the King in Yellow?

He had too many questions, but there was not much time to think them through.

"I can give you this extraordinary trait of a Writer, but there is no such thing as a free transaction."

"It seems our conversation has reached a good consensus."

Adam looked into the distance with a childlike clear gaze. A church, whose location was unknown, housed Paul Della inside. He was suddenly transported into the study.

Paul Della was initially startled. Seeing Adam, his wariness and tension gradually dissipated.

"Honorable Angel of Imagination, what are your orders?"

Paul Della bowed respectfully to Adam, full of reverence and obedience.

He believed in the omniscient and omnipotent Creator, and Adam, the Angel of Imagination, was not only a powerful angel but also the Creator's son.

"I need you to do something for me."

"Please, Angel of Imagination, give your command."

"I need you to sacrifice your life," Adam said with a gentle smile. "This is a necessary sacrifice."

"Ah!"

Paul Della stepped back in fear, his face turning pale.

He had come seeking refuge from the Angel of Imagination, but the one who was supposed to protect him now wanted his life.

In his terror, Paul Della noticed a young man sitting behind the desk. He looked to be in his early twenties and was very handsome.

"I, I…" Paul Della's expression changed dramatically, but he finally smiled bitterly, "I am willing to sacrifice everything I have for the awakening of the omniscient and omnipotent Creator."

Having witnessed Adam's methods, he knew that Adam was not negotiating but informing him.

No matter how unwilling he was, he could not defy an angel king.

"Very well, the Lord will remember your contribution."

Adam nodded, took the cross hanging on his chest, closed his eyes, and prayed. Paul Della's body began to disintegrate, leaving behind a hazy, glowing Sequence 3 Dreamweaver trait.

"Not enough," Hastur said, quietly watching Adam.

Exchanging a Sequence 3 Dreamweaver trait for a Sequence 1 Writer trait was too disproportionate.

"This is just a greeting gift." Adam showed no surprise.

"If he heard this, he would regret his devout faith."

"He never had faith. He didn't escape because he knew he couldn't leave here alive."

"A necessary sacrifice, what an ironic phrase," Hastur sneered.

"I can exchange a Sequence 1 trait with you."

"That is just equivalent," Hastur said indifferently. "You need to add another Sequence 1 trait as compensation for today's threat."

Adam was silent for a moment. He only had one Sequence 1 Hand of Order trait.

But after about three seconds, Adam agreed to Hastur's terms.

Because this trading method was within his expectations.

Equal exchange did not exist, as today's deal was not equal for either party.

"I have a Sequence 1 Hand of Order trait." Adam produced a faintly golden Hand of Order trait, which floated alongside the Dreamweaver trait.

"What about the other Sequence 1 trait?" Hastur was curious about what other Sequence 1 trait Adam could produce.

Adam calmly said, "The other one is with Medici."

"That's ruthless."

Hastur clicked his tongue. Adam's answer was expected yet surprising. Hearing it from Adam still sent chills down his spine.

"Is this also a necessary sacrifice?"

Hastur asked the question again, knowing that the hunter would die of loyalty, yet it still left a bitter taste.