Chapter Sixty-Eight: Nyarlathotep

Link was momentarily stunned, then both surprised and delighted, as well as caught off guard. The system's words undoubtedly confirmed that Remilia had not lied; she truly had used the power of fate on his behalf. What shocked him even more was that the power of fate could be absorbed by the system, and that Remilia’s fate power was actually divine in nature.

Suddenly, Link recalled what Remilia had said before: most holy spirits possessed special powers. If these special powers, like Remilia’s fate power, belonged to the realm of the divine, then where did the true god system, which was connected to such powers, originate? Was it, as the name implied, a creation of a true god?

For a while, Link’s thoughts were in turmoil, until the system asked him once again whether he wished to absorb the power of fate. Only then did he return to his senses.

After pondering for a moment, Link inquired, “System, there are three portions of fate power. Is it possible to absorb only one or two, and leave the remaining portion?”

[Yes.]

Link’s eyes lit up. “Then absorb two portions and leave one behind!”

He did not fully trust this so-called power of fate, for it seemed too elusive, and besides, it was someone else’s power. Compared to such an enigmatic ‘friend,’ he placed his faith in tangible, visible strength.

Therefore, Link chose to absorb most of the fate power, leaving just one to observe its effect. He was not particularly concerned about a single lottery opportunity.

The system immediately absorbed two portions of fate power and automatically postponed the lottery draw until midnight. Link set the matter aside and turned his attention to unresolved issues from the previous night.

Among the items left by the Star God Cultists, Jack and the others found a number of valuable things. Link was not shy, instructing them to store everything in the warehouse for future use, and had Bai Ling deliver a letter to Bass City, both to assure their safety and to seek official assistance against the Star God Cult.

This time, the Star God Cult had mobilized all its forces; though not a single corpse remained, the evidence was undeniable. Link intended to take advantage of the situation to decisively eliminate the cult. Given his relationship with Bass and his son, they would surely lend their full support.

However, Link did not plan to involve the Father God Church. Its influence was already formidable, and if it were seen cooperating with the authorities to destroy the Star God Cult, it would become a target for all. No one wished to live alongside a power capable of annihilating ancestral halls at will. Thus, he intended to leave the punishment of the Star God Cult entirely to the officials, while he and the Father God Church would quietly recuperate and amass wealth.

Night fell in the blink of an eye. Link had wanted to see Remilia and her servant off, but upon reaching the villa, he found it deserted and had no choice but to turn back.

Shortly after Link left, someone appeared silently. On closer inspection, it was none other than the information broker, Flandre Reinhardt Hughes, whom Link had met in Bass City.

Flandre gazed in the direction Link had departed, a mysterious and uncanny smile on his face.

But just then, his smile froze, and he shot skyward, fleeing toward the outskirts of the city. In the next instant, a long spear whistled forth, pursuing him relentlessly.

This spear was crimson from tip to butt, exquisitely ornate, etched with ancient, enigmatic runes, radiating a terrifying power as if it could effortlessly shatter a seventh-tier powerhouse.

Under the spear’s relentless pursuit, Flandre fled at breakneck speed, quickly leaving Chinko Town behind. Yet, even though his speed rivaled that of a supersonic jet, he could not shake the spear. Eventually, it struck him with a thunderous crack, splitting him in two, and he plummeted to the ground.

At the same time, the crimson spear deftly changed direction, flying back over two hundred meters, finally coming to rest before two girls hovering in midair—none other than Remilia and her servant, who had already departed Chinko Town.

Unlike her usual self, Remilia now exuded an aura of evil and terror. Behind her, a pair of demon wings spread wide, marking her inhuman identity.

Remilia glanced at the approaching spear, which immediately dissolved into vapor. She then turned her gaze to the bisected Flandre. “False Holy Spirit—Nyarlathotep. The foul stench lingering on Neil Night is indeed yours. Tell me, why have you approached him?”

After a moment’s silence, the severed ‘corpse’ began to emit an eerie chuckle, and then, astonishingly, rejoined itself. Flandre rose, wearing his trademark mysterious smile, and bowed to Remilia. “It has been a long time, Holy Spirit of Fate, the eternal Scarlet Young Moon, Miss Remilia Scarlet. To meet you in such a remote place is my honor.”

Remilia narrowed her eyes, and the crimson spear shot forward, stopping just a centimeter from Flandre’s face.

“Nyarlathotep, don’t play games with me. If you do not explain yourself, even if I cannot kill you, I will make you sleep underground for centuries.”

“Ah, no, please, illustrious Scarlet Young Moon, you must not do that. I have finally found an interesting human, and haven’t yet witnessed his rise and fall. How could I sleep for centuries and miss it?” Flandre laughed nervously, waving his hands, hoping Remilia would not be angered.

Remilia stared at him for some time, her voice icy. “The person you speak of is Neil Night.”

“Exactly,” Flandre smiled with a hint of excitement. “It has been ages since I’ve encountered such an intriguing human—possessing a soul I cannot fathom, and powers unlike any other. His future, his very being, fascinates me. After seeing him act at the All Gods Festival, I became utterly obsessed. The thought of witnessing his rise and fall firsthand fills me with uncontrollable excitement!”

Remilia’s expression turned to one of disgust. “You are still as revolting as ever, finding pleasure in such depravity. Is it truly so entertaining to spy on a human’s entire life?”

Flandre shrugged. “That’s the difference between your taste and mine. To you, my tastes may seem disgusting and hateful, but I simply enjoy these things.”

Remilia snorted coldly, and a terrifying pressure erupted from her, crushing down upon Flandre. His expression stiffened, and he dropped to one knee.

“Nyarlathotep, I don’t care what your intentions are, but remember this: from now on, you may transact with Neil Night under your human guise, but otherwise, you are to stay away from him. If you dare defy me, I will seal you for a thousand years. Understood?”

Flandre was clearly feeling the strain, but maintained his rigid smile. “All right, I’ll heed your words. Even if I cannot observe Neil Night, it’s better than being sealed and seeing nothing at all. By the way, why are you so concerned about this human? Could it be... because he might save Flandre... hmm…”

He hadn’t finished before the crimson spear pierced his head, and Remilia spoke coldly, “Nyarlathotep, you are not permitted to mention my sister’s name with your despicable mouth. This is your final warning.”

With that, Flandre’s body dissolved into smoke, but his voice echoed in the air, “Understood. From now on, I shall keep my distance from Neil Night. I will only approach him in my identity as an information broker, never otherwise. Hehehe~~~”

As that repugnant laughter faded, Flandre’s presence withdrew from the scene.

Only then did Starry Night, who had been silently standing by Remilia’s side, speak. “Miss, are you sure it’s wise to let him go? With his mad and unpredictable nature, I doubt he will keep his promise.”

Remilia replied coldly, “No matter. His fate cannot escape my sight. As long as destiny holds, I will know if he dares to act. Besides, now is not the time to wage war with the Cthulhu faction. After last time’s great battle, the power of Scarlet Devil Castle is too weak; opposing the Cthulhu faction now would be unwise.” She paused, then glanced toward Chinko Town. “Moreover, we’ve already done enough for Neil Night and the Father God Church. If, after all this, they still end up destroyed, it just proves they lack the qualifications to survive in this world, and there’s no hope for Flandre’s matter.”

With those words, Remilia and Starry Night drifted away.

Some time after their departure, a huge black wolf emerged from the shadows of night—it was none other than Shadowbeast Phantom, the spirit pet Link had acquired days ago.

Link had let Phantom out for free roaming the night before. When Remilia and Flandre clashed, Phantom happened to be nearby and, shocked by their immense power, used its racial talent to hide in the shadows and eavesdrop.

Because both sides were wholly focused on each other, neither Remilia nor Flandre noticed Phantom. Its exceptional hearing allowed it to catch the entire conversation.

Now that Remilia and her servant had left, Phantom could finally move again. It headed toward Chinko Town, and once within range to communicate with Link, relayed everything it had witnessed.

Link was stunned upon receiving the news and soon fell deep into thought. The information Phantom had delivered was substantial, forcing him to take time to digest it.

From the exchange between those formidable figures, Link deduced several things: first, there were quite a few Holy Spirits still alive, divided into factions; second, Remilia’s faction seemed to be called Scarlet Devil Castle, and its power was not particularly great; third, Flandre was also a Holy Spirit, and one considered both troublesome and detestable even among his peers; fourth, Holy Spirits possessed remarkable vitality, as evidenced by Flandre surviving being split in two and pierced through the head; fifth, Link recognized the names Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep—they were ancient evil gods from Cthulhu mythology.

In the world of Solakon, Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep were infamous in many religions and mythologies as dreadful evil gods, with Cthulhu as their leader.

Originally, Link had thought these were merely mythical figures. Now, it was clear they existed, not as deities but as Holy Spirits.

“It seems the gods of various religions weren’t entirely fabricated; many of the divine figures in myth must be these powerful and mysterious Holy Spirits.” Link gazed at the night sky, lost in deep contemplation.