Bab 237: Twilight
Ares walked ahead.
Cedric Blackwell and Mike followed behind.
From the moment Mike met Cedric Blackwell, the latter's Sea of Truth subtly influenced the surroundings, allowing Mike to walk through the void.
Gregory was a professor, and Cedric was Gregory's father.
So, calling him Professor Cedric seemed appropriate, right?
Mike instinctively wanted to get closer to Professor Cedric, thinking it might make him feel safer.
Thunderclap Hammer: No, you are not safe.
Before Mike could take a step closer, the weapon on Cedric Blackwell's back emitted an eager sword hum.
Professor Cedric, unfazed, said, "When you reach level 600, we can have a match to see if your hammer is stronger or my sword."
"That wouldn't be fair," Mike said seriously. "Maybe we should fight at the same level for it to be fair!"
"But I don't have an SSS-grade talent," Professor Cedric shook his head and continued, "If you win, I'll find you a case that can not only store your weapon but also gradually enhance your Thunderclap Hammer to a higher grade."
The Thunderclap Hammer was an SS-grade piece of equipment. Smith Fool had once mentioned that it had the potential to upgrade to SSS-grade.
Hearing Cedric's offer, Mike's interest was piqued, and he eagerly asked, "If I don't win, can you still give it to me?"
Professor Cedric was taken aback, finding it amusing, and nodded.
"Alright."
Giving a gift to someone like Thor was a gesture of mutual respect among superheroes.
Moreover, Thor had worked tirelessly for Gregory's three awakenings, making significant contributions.
Giving him a case was no big deal.
After receiving the affirmative response, Mike said earnestly,
"I concede. Can you give me the case now? I really want an SSS-grade piece of equipment... I mean, I really want the case!"
Cedric Blackwell stopped and, for the first time, seriously examined Thor.
Interesting.
"Alright."
To Mike's surprise, Professor Cedric accepted his bug-exploiting behavior.
The next moment, Mike regretted it.
Cedric Blackwell turned, looking into the void, and said, "Record."
A sword servant appeared, holding a stone tablet, expressionless.
"July 19, 2146, Cedric Blackwell binds his hands and feet, suppresses his realm, fights Thor at the same level, and wins decisively."
With each word Cedric spoke, the sword servant carved it into the stone tablet.
Seeing the sword servant, a prompt appeared before Mike's eyes:
[A being transformed from a sword, essentially not human]
[S-grade equipment, level 899, with the combat power of a three-tier Lord]
The sword servant was actually the embodiment of a sword?
Mike hadn't expected that!
Among the three factions created by the Supreme Beings, Mike had interacted most with the Guardian Shadow and knew it best.
Many 'fallen' individuals ended up in the Guardian Shadow.
The Mystic Market, despite being the most powerful, was the most public-facing.
Cain's dream had been to join the Mystic Market as a staff member.
For a faction to grow, it needed people.
Mike never imagined that the sword servants were all swords, not people!
On second thought, Maxen had it worse.
Ares had so many good swords, yet as his godson, Maxen didn't have a single one.
He had to use a flail as a weapon!
After Cedric finished speaking, the sword servant carved the words into the stone tablet and presented it with both hands.
Professor Cedric shook his head and spoke again,
"Take it to the Mystic Market for auction, name it 'Cedric Blackwell vs. Thor Memoir.' No matter the bid, always outbid by 1 gold coin. This item is for display only, not for sale."
Mike was dazzled by the series of operations.
Is this even possible?!
No wonder Cedric could have such a clever son like Gregory. Their family's bloodline is truly remarkable.
The sword servant took the stone tablet and disappeared into the void.
Ares, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Apollo Lawson said his instructor asked him to pass on the message that he is going to announce your successful class change."
Mike was slightly taken aback but quickly understood Shadow Nine's intention!
Currently, Mike hadn't returned to Earth.
The demon gods knew Gregory had escaped the Suture Abyss, and Thor had left with him.
If the Tower of Truth announced Thor's class change, it would imply Thor had returned to the Earth.
But in reality, Thor was still in the Abyss!
A small deception to add an extra layer of security for Mike in the Abyss.
Mike nodded, "Alright."
Apollo... was quite rigid.
Since he had agreed to delay the announcement, even if his instructor asked him to announce it, Apollo would first seek Thor's consent.
"We're here."
Ares stopped, and the three of them, strolling leisurely, had arrived at the Fifth Abyssal Plane.
It was different from what Mike had imagined.
The Fifth Abyss had its gates wide open, with no intention of stopping Ares.
If he could, the Fifth demon god might as well have been wearing a cheerleader outfit, welcoming them.
His desire for death was evident.
The numerous demon creatures in the Fifth Abyss lay trembling on the ground.
They knew it might finally be over.
The Fifth demon god, tormented by nightmares for many years, finally had a chance to embrace sweet death!
Ares walked forward, directly facing the demon god deep within the Abyss.
Professor Cedric stopped and stood with Mike outside the Fifth Abyss.
"Watch from a distance. Don't get too close, or you'll die." Professor Cedric advised, "Watch carefully and learn well."
Mike nodded obediently.
He had never seen such a scene.
However... Mike had a feeling.
Although Ares said he would strike the Fifth demon god three times,
he never said he would kill the Fifth demon god!
The Fifth demon god had longed for death for years, and the human race had never killed him.
In the last major battle, they even skipped over the Fifth demon god, while the Third, Fourth, and Sixth demon gods perished. Only the Fifth demon god remained alive!
His body was exceptionally healthy, but he had nightmares every time he slept.
The Fifth demon god had had enough of such a life and didn't want to live another second!
The Fifth demon god had long wanted to die and finally saw his chance!
Deep within the Abyss, a colossal monster let out a series of loud laughs, accompanied by arrogant taunts.
"Ares, do you dare to kill me with three strikes?!"
Facing the Fifth demon god's provocation, Ares remained unmoved.
Ares spoke, and the entire Fifth Abyss fell silent.
In this world, he was the sole ruler.
Behind Ares, eighteen sword servants appeared, noting down every word he spoke.
"The chronicle records the tale of 'The Twilight of the Gods'..."
Ares's history lesson began!
The 'Twilight of the Gods' mentioned by Ares was essentially the same as the story Mike knew from his previous life.
Many idioms and myths here were quite similar.
The tale of the Twilight of the Gods originated from ancient Norse mythology.
Listening to Ares's narration, the shadowed Fifth demon god fell silent.
He seemed to realize that something bad was about to happen.
He wanted to escape.
Could he escape?
Just as the Fifth demon god attempted to flee,
Ares's sword struck!
"I have just comprehended a new strike, called [Twilight]."
Snap—
The Fifth demon god was struck by [Twilight]. He didn't die but instantly fell into a deep sleep, only to wake up quickly.
"No—"
The Fifth demon god's screams echoed in the Abyss.
It was extremely tragic!
Just now, he had a million dreams.
Each dream was incredibly beautiful, each dream was warm and sweet, each dream saw him reaching the supreme throne, becoming the Supreme Demon God!
If... there wasn't that man in the dreams!
In every dream, there was the same man.
He was the nightmare the Fifth demon god could never escape!
The man smiled and asked him,
"Tell me, do you dare to face your nightmares?"