Chapter 333: Chapter 333

"Mr. Williams, you're as punctual as ever."

Mr. Pisco looked even worse than he had during their last meeting. Jenkins suspected he might collapse at any second, and it wasn't an unfounded fear.

This time, the landlord didn't bring them tea, likely by Mr. Pisco's arrangement. The fire in the hearth had dwindled, its flames barely managing to illuminate half the room.

The flicker of the fire was as fragile as Mr. Pisco's own life.

"You seem to be in good spirits. That's wonderful. I suppose my efforts won't have been in vain."

"No, I've simply resolved to handle what I can. But if my judgment is flawed, the disaster you've prophesied will still come to pass."

he remarked, his eyes fixed on the man's pale cheeks.

Jenkins remained noncommittal; he didn't even trust himself. He had no idea if any of the four tasks were connected to the source of the so-called disaster.

"My time is running short. Before I exit the stage, I can still answer a few questions for you."

He offered a weak smile, raising a hand in a gesture of invitation.

Jenkins hesitated. Everything this middle-aged man had done could only be described as 'great.' He knew he could never go to such lengths to save others, which only deepened his admiration.

Organizing his thoughts, he asked:

"I'd like to know, how many Savior candidates are there for the end of the 18th Epoch?"

"Nine. The mark of a candidate is a unique ability capable of forming its own Soul Emblem. Yes, the emblems from these abilities can overwrite the original one, signifying that the Enchanter's soul has been chosen by the world and by fate... Hah... forgive me, let me catch my breath... Originally, Savior candidates were born with these unique abilities, but after so many epochs, in order to prepare for the great cataclysm sooner..."

"So, these abilities can be acquired later in life?"

"Yes, your wisdom is truly remarkable. Each epoch's Savior is different, but there are always those who can foresee which abilities will be chosen. The Twin Demons, heh... an ancient and resilient race of warriors. Those sulfur-stinking fellows foresaw it, but in the end, they still couldn't defeat you."

"What are the nine abilities?"

he asked after a moment's thought. He still had many questions, such as why the Savior's emblem hadn't overwritten his own. The source of thɪs content is novelꞁire.net

"I know, but I cannot say. Mr. Williams, these are things you must discover for yourself. But I stand by my previous point: those who deliberately pursue it will gain nothing in the end. Only an Enchanter who truly fits the role will be favored by destiny."

As the middle-aged man's low voice echoed, the curtains around the room slid shut with a soft rustle. The fire in the hearth truly dwindled to mere embers, plunging both their faces into darkness.

"Some people spend their lives searching for the secret to godhood, yet they never know where to begin."

His voice echoed through the empty living room, creating an eerie atmosphere:

"The ascension from human to god is an incredibly arduous process. I don't know all the secrets of divinity myself—after all, I'm only a single page. But I do know that there are... 'shortcuts' to becoming a god in this world."

he guessed, his heart pounding violently in his chest. He felt as though some great truth was about to be revealed to him.

"Yes. When a Savior at the end of an epoch completes their mission, the world itself will elevate them to godhood. No long years, no difficult process, no ridiculous rituals. Save the world, and then... become a god. It is the simplest method, a shortcut outside the conventional path..."

"Sir, that's truly..."

"Incredible, isn't it? But it's fair, don't you think?"

Mr. Pisco laughed weakly. With a wave of his hand, the curtains drew open, and the fire in the hearth returned to its normal state.

Jenkins swallowed hard. He was already an incomplete pseudo-god. So, if he could save the world while maintaining his identity as one of the 'Twin Demons,' he could complete his being and become a true god.

"That sounds just as difficult as gathering divinity and completing a divine domain. Though I still have no idea what a divine domain actually is..."

he thought to himself, unsure what kind of expression he should be wearing.

"Excuse me, but this matter... oh, I mean, this path to godhood through saving the world... how many people know about it?"

Jenkins lowered his gaze. At some point in the future, he would face an even more complicated situation.

Perhaps answering the last question had exhausted Mr. Pisco, or perhaps he simply wanted to rest. Jenkins was politely shown out, still reeling from the information he had just received.

But Mr. Pisco told him he could return later in the evening, after he had dealt with the day's affairs. If the man was still alive, they could talk some more.

"Alright, then. I'll see you tonight..."

He hesitated at the apartment door, hat in hand, as he bid farewell to Mr. Pisco, who this time lacked the strength to even see him downstairs.

"See you tonight, Mr. Williams."

He returned home under the cover of darkness for a short nap. Upon waking, he went to the basement and found some scrap metal pipes left by the previous owner. He melted them down with fire, encasing A-03-02-4491, the Malevolent Eye of the Suicider, and then used a sharp dagger to carve square characters onto the surface.

Of course, throughout the process, he couldn't shake the hair-raising sensation of being watched by that eye.

But when the work was done, the frigid air in the basement seemed to change. It was still just as damp, but at least the psychological burden had lessened considerably.

In fact, ever since he had hidden the eyeball in his home, Jenkins had often noticed stray cats and dogs attempting to trespass on his property while he was away. None, however, dared to venture past the fence. Once, he'd even come home to find three stray cats gathered beneath his mailbox for some unknown reason, only for them to scatter the moment they saw him.