Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 375 : Divine Blood (3)

“Who exactly are you?”

To Alon’s inquiry, the Predecessor—

no, the individual with the striking blue eyes—responded.

“There’s no need for such caution. From the very outset, I was the one this friend intended for you to encounter.”

“You were that individual?”

“Indeed.”

“Then, why conceal your identity?”

A barely perceptible, enigmatic smile graced her lips as Alon pressed further.

“There are numerous explanations, but to simplify for brevity's sake: it was partly a jest, and the remainder served as a trial.”

A trial?

“Ah, fret not. You successfully navigated the assessment. There’s no motive for me to cause you harm; this would have held true even if you had faltered.”

“You’re veering off-topic.”

Perhaps sensing Alon’s desire for straightforward answers rather than cryptic pronouncements, she chuckled lightly and shifted her stance.

“My apologies, it has been an age since I’ve engaged in discourse with anyone—nay, with another being—and I became somewhat overzealous. To be candid, I would cherish continuing this conversation with you.”

She then added, “However, our conversation must conclude here,” her gaze drifting towards the altar.

The dense, black smoke that had billowed forth only moments before was now visibly diminishing.

“There are limits?”

“When conversing with an entity of my stature, such constraints are unavoidable.”

She offered a shrug, a gesture conveying reassurance.

“Nevertheless, I possess sufficient time to impart all that is necessary. Though, the window for your questions might be rather constrained.”

Her smile seemed to pose the question, “So, what is your decision?”

Alon released a soft sigh.

It appeared further interrogation was futile.

“I will listen.”

“Excellent.”

After a period of silence—

“That concludes the entirety of what I am permitted to disclose.”

Her explanation was complete.

“Very well, until our next encounter.”

“Will there be a next time?”

“Unquestionably. That is, provided you genuinely commit to saving—or more accurately, safeguarding—those whom you hold dear.”

As her words faded, the cerulean luminescence within the Predecessor’s eyes began a slow recession.

Painfully gradual.

“Oh, perhaps a token of my appreciation?”

She offered unexpectedly.

“A gift?”

Her azure gaze fixed intently upon Alon.

“Should you wish to unravel the mystery of your sentiments, seek out the entity known as the ‘Watcher.’ That being holds the key to your revelation.”

Just as Alon’s eyes widened in astonishment, preparing to question her meaning, the blue radiance vanished completely.

And then—

“…?”

“What… what is this…?”

Alon found himself once again facing the Predecessor.

A look of utter bewilderment was etched upon her features.

A quiet sigh escaped Alon.

He posed a tentative question, acting on instinct, but it was evident she retained no memory of their exchange.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

“You are most welcome. While I recall nothing, I am pleased it appears to have been beneficial.”

“Then you will not divulge the identity of that individual with the blue eyes?”

He inquired, sensing she might possess such knowledge.

“If that being deliberately chose to withhold their identity, there must be a compelling reason.”

“I understand.”

No further answers were forthcoming.

Alon offered a silent nod.

His curiosity remained, yet he doubted further inquiry would yield any results.

More significantly, this encounter had already yielded substantial insights.

“I shall depart now.”

He offered a concise farewell.

“But… are you capable of ascending independently?”

“She indicated she would revert to her previous state once our conversation concluded.”

The Predecessor pondered for a moment before directing Alon to a specific location near the altar.

“Kindly step over here for a moment.”

“What is this item?”

“An artifact.”

Before him lay a conch shell, meticulously carved from a sapphire-hued gemstone.

“This will enable your return to the surface without external aid. Upon its use, kindly entrust it to that friend.”

Alon inclined his head in acknowledgment.

With a final gesture of farewell, he exited the chamber.

Standing within the somber abyss, Alon channeled mana into the conch shell he held.

—Wooooooooom!

An instantaneous, spherical barrier enveloped him.

Before he could even register surprise, the sphere ascended through the watery depths, seemingly guided, en route to the surface.

Moments later, light began to pierce the gloom from above.

And then—

Splash!

As Alon breached the ocean's surface, he encountered Radan and Penia, their expressions frozen in astonishment.

“So, what I meant was… if you find yourself with spare time, do pay a visit?”

“And why would I do that?”

Beside them, the Observer was actively engaged in charming Radan.

What is even happening…? Alon mused, completely bewildered.

***

Following the spectacle of the Observer's flirtatious display and his subsequent return—

“Brother, I shall take my leave now.”

“Very well.”

“Yes! I’ll be seeing you again soon!”

As Radan departed with an animated farewell, Alon tilted his head slightly.

“See him again soon?” he wondered, a note of uncertainty in his thoughts.

But he soon dismissed the thought with a shrug and boarded the returning vessel.

“Still, I never anticipated the Observer would suddenly attempt to woo Radan.”

“Indeed…”

“Is Radan the type that attracts female attention?”

“He certainly presents a more welcoming demeanor than you. Despite his irritating nature, he is undeniably handsome. To a specific demographic of women, he might prove irresistible.”

“I possess my own distinct form of deadliness.”

“…You are lethal in an entirely different capacity.”

“What?”

As if seizing the opportune moment, Penia and Evan launched into a verbal sparring match.

“Hmph, it merely signifies that everyone else lacks discerning taste.”

Perched upon their shoulders, Blackie and Basiliora each interjected a comment.

At that precise juncture, Alon briefly grasped the preceding events.

He found himself recalling the narrative imparted by the blue-eyed individual.

“Sigh.”

The intel he received could be condensed into three primary points.

The first concerned the identity and ultimate aim of the Divine Bloods.

The second detailed the divinity that had vanished from Alon's world.

And the third revolved around the abstract notion of "Creation."

Her voice, so assured as if she had foreseen his inquiries, echoed vividly in his thoughts.

"My time is limited, so I shall be concise. The beings you confront, these 'Divine Bloods,' originate from this very world. To be more precise, they are entities who, in a world long since perished, once held the potential to ascend into godhood."

"Gods of this world?"

"Precisely. Have you not already ventured into the Abyssal Gates?"

"…You don’t mean to say…"

"That is correct. The Abyssal Gates are but fragments of those very beings. All that you have witnessed within their confines is a mere reflection of those shattered worlds."

Alon released a soft exhale.

To be truthful, he had harbored certain reservations regarding the Abyssal Gates within Psychedelia, yet he had never delved into their true nature.

Psychedelia was, after all, merely a game.

And within that game, the Gates served no purpose beyond being dungeons for players' advancement.

While certain players had theorized about a profounder significance, given the striking diversity of the worlds contained within the Gates, none could have fathroned such an astonishing reality.

Even Alon, who had felt an undeniable inkling that the Gates held something beyond the ordinary, had never conceived of such a revelation.

Alon continued to revisit her pronouncements.

—As you are likely aware, the Divine Bloods harbor a singular ambition—to attain godhood.

—Are there not already numerous deities in this realm?

—If you refer to the ancient, long-forgotten Outer Gods, then no, they were never true deities. They were simply humans who, by chance, manipulated the inherent order of this world.

—......

—As evidence, they possessed neither omniscience nor omnipotence. Naturally, the Divine Bloods are likewise not absolute.

—...Then what distinguishes the Divine Bloods from the former Outer Gods?

—Heavenly Law Creation.

—Heavenly… Creation?

—Precisely as it sounds. The Divine Bloods are imbued with their own fundamental laws. Unlike True Mages, who draw upon the existing laws of this world, they *embody* the laws themselves. Much like the Divine Blood that bestowed its power upon you.

—Heavenly Law Creation…

An involuntary shiver traced its way down Alon's spine.

If her assertions held true, then every fallen Divine Blood possessed a comparable reservoir of power.

Yet, despite this daunting prospect, a sense of disquiet did not cloud Alon's features.

Understandably—it was due to the subsequent revelation she offered.

—You need not be overly concerned. Not all fallen Divine Bloods command the same might as the one you encountered. There are distinct tiers among them.

—...Tiers?

—Indeed, tiers. While I lack the time for exhaustive explanations, I shall simplify. Based on the current general power hierarchy, you might possess the capability to vanquish a first-level entity.

—That hardly sounds like a comforting predicament.

—Viewed superficially, perhaps. But upon closer inspection, the situation is not entirely dire.

—And why is that?

Within his recollection, the Predecessor offered a slow, knowing smile as she elaborated.

—There is a specific reason.

—Firstly, even though the Divine Bloods have descended, a considerable duration will elapse before they achieve full manifestation. None have yet made an overt appearance, have they?

—That is accurate.

—They will remain dormant until additional time has passed. The more formidable their essence, the longer their materialization process will take. This implies—you are afforded a window of opportunity.

—You suggest I utilize this period to bolster my strength?

—Precisely. You possess a remarkably favorable chance and inherent potential.

—...But I am merely human.

—If you genuinely hold that belief, then it is rather disappointing.

—What?

In response to Alon's bewildered query, she articulated:

—You have accepted the power bestowed by that entity. Though you still require considerable refinement in its application, the undeniable fact remains that you can now command a Heavenly Law Creation that you did not originally forge. In essence, should you master it, unlike the other Divine Bloods, you will be capable of wielding two distinct laws~.

And then, she declared:

—Because you, too, are of Divine Blood.

—...What is this?

He found himself unable to comprehend.

It was entirely natural.

He understood the nature of Divine Bloods.

He had already been privy to the truth of this world from One Who Bears It.

—They are not gods. They are merely anomalies within this existence. Life originating from this world is fundamentally incapable of achieving divinity.

—.....

—The life forms of this realm were not designed for divine ascension.

The profound words of One Who Bears It resonated within his mind.

That voice, so calm and unwavering in its declaration of truth, echoed with crystalline clarity in his ears once more.

—Humans born into this world cannot ascend to godhood... is that not correct?

Consequently, in response to Alon's subsequent inquiry, the Predecessor offered her reply:

—That is the absolute truth. Those who originate from this world lack the inherent qualification to become gods. With the rare exception of a select few extraordinary individuals—but you, Alon, do not fall into that category.

—Then…

—However…

So serenely, so matter-of-factly—

—You were not born in this world, were you?

And those words sent yet another seismic tremor through his consciousness.