Chapter 1509 - 65: Surprise Attack

The Supreme Hub was much larger than Bologue had anticipated. It was hard to imagine exactly how many floors it had, how many doors, and how many enemies were waiting behind those doors for him.

"Forget it, just climb up first."

Bologue comforted himself inwardly as he swung Grudge Bite, the blade cutting a lethal arc through the air, slicing the steel in front of him in two.

The explosive sound of metal shattering echoed, like a bomb had gone off. Metal splinters flew everywhere, knocking over and piercing the Condensers waiting behind the doors.

A blood-stained figure emerged from the smoke with a bizarre, maniacal laughter. This time, Bologue didn’t use cruel methods to slaughter the Condensers; instead, he grabbed their throats the moment he approached them. Protection·Soul Sucking and Essence Stealing activated, and amidst the cries of anguish, he plundered their ether extensively.

Though Bologue was now a Defender, even Defenders had their limits. The consecutive battles had caused a significant depletion of his ethereal amount. To prepare for the upcoming showdown, he climbed the tower while scavenging supplies from the Condensers.

After draining their ether, Bologue discarded the unconscious Condensers to the side. These Low Tier Condensers were all in a state of ether exhaustion and wouldn’t regain consciousness soon. Even if they did come to, they wouldn’t be able to replenish their ether in the short term, effectively rendering them powerless.

Feeling the gradually replenishing ether within him, an irrational obsession lingered in Bologue’s mind.

Bologue knew this inexplicable impulse came from the curse of the protection. After some time experimenting and adapting, Bologue gradually realized the evil nature of this power and formed many guesses about it.

The so-called Original Sin often has an air of mocking fate; the more one obsesses over something, the less likely one is to obtain it and is instead troubled by it.

The Gourmand is forever hungry, the Greedy never satisfied, the Slothful endlessly toils, the Hedonist remains eternally numb, the Furious finds no peace.

The jealousy protection Bologue carries is like this too; the more jealous he is of something, the less likely he is to obtain it.

The Envious seek but never obtain.

Protection·Soul Sucking and Essence Stealing signifies "seeking," while its curse is "not obtaining."

According to its pattern, now that Bologue uses the jealousy protection to seize ether to win this endeavor, the more he obsesses over the victory itself, developing a pathological rigidity and pursuit, the more likely the irrational obsession brought on by the curse will strike a vicious backstab at the moment of victory.

The irrational obsession won’t directly hinder Bologue’s actions. As with previous curse outbreaks, it will still offer aid to Bologue, but this aid—like a devil’s promise—will realize a wish that isn’t what he desires.

Bologue took a deep breath, wary of the lurking curse. The more he stubbornly pursued, the more it would lead to the abuse of protection, thus instigating curse outbreaks. But as long as Bologue suppressed the impulse, driving this force within certain limits might achieve a balance.

Just like walking a tightrope.

Bologue ascended the new steps, pondering, "Then... do the Devils ever feel weary?"

Do Devils also suffer from their Original Sin? This seemed unlikely; the few Devils he encountered appeared quite happy, especially Belphegor. Bologue guessed... no, he was certain this guy was nestled in the audiences watching films.

Maybe classic old films, maybe newly released ones in theaters, or even... perhaps he was peeking at everything happening in the Land of Secrets.

Bologue hated this damned peeping tom, yet compared to other Devils, Belphegor seemed exceptionally mild. The other Devils wanted world chaos, while he just wanted to spy on your privacy.

Oh, and there’s another Devil.

Bologue looked down at the Vengeful Saw Axe tightly clutched in his hand, recalling his conversation with Sai Zong.

Furious Samuel.

This Devil, who governed rage, blood, and war, seemed to be the only one who had grown weary with the passage of time. He dismantled his power and bestowed it upon various Original Sin Armaments, handing over his authority to his Chosen One, eternal champion, Sai Zong’s hands.

The once corpse-laden arena had transformed into a gathering of lazy Undying Club, and Samuel fell into a long slumber, isolated from the world.

Bologue furrowed his brows, Sai Zong’s warning echoing in his ears.

The holder of Original Sin Armaments could gain the protection of Eyes of Eternal Fury: Samuel and thus be deemed his Debtor, the champion of blood.

Each champion’s battles and slaughters were seen as sacrifices to the Eyes of Eternal Fury. Over the years, Sai Zong had intentionally collected scattered Original Sin Armaments to reduce the blood sacrifice to the Eyes of Eternal Fury and help them close, entering an absolute tranquil slumber.

Currently, Bologue is the holder of the Vengeful Saw Axe, naturally making him the champion of Eyes of Eternal Fury. Bologue couldn’t help but ponder whether his massacres would awaken the Eyes of Eternal Fury.

Is this blood and death not yet enough?

With this thought, Bologue turned back to glance at the path he had come.

Bologue was like a bulldozer, advancing from the underground dock upwards, crushing everything in his way. In the heat of battle, several floors turned to ruins, bodies strewn everywhere, blood flowing endlessly.