paranoianovel Chapter 609 His Shadow - II
Chapter 609 His Shadow - II
At the moment when both his present and past selves were about to strike Ansel with finger blades and twin daggers, the legendary adventurer, who seemed completely frozen in this time-space, moved his lips under Knell's horrified gaze.
"Boring."
The indifferent voice reached Knell's ears just before his fingers and daggers could pierce Faust's head and heart.
—No, it was even earlier, before he had even spoken!
As Knell realized this, the phantom emerging from him had its hands suddenly twisted into a cloud of blood mist.
Immediately after, his present hands also transformed silently into a red gaseous-solid mix, dissipating into the air.
When the frozen time resumed its flow... nothing had happened.
Except Knell no longer maintained his aggressive stance. He silently leaned back into the sofa, staring intensely into Ansel's eyes.
"You are... the real deal."
In the unsettling silence, the man spoke slowly with a low, hoarse voice.
Knell had reversed his injuries during the frozen time, so after the time stop ended, he appeared unharmed.
But he knew very well that Faust... had shattered his hands in an earlier time, unbeknownst to him.
This was absolutely... without a doubt, the genuine article.
He was the bona fide Faust!
At the moment when Swordfish and Ravenna were momentarily taken aback by these words, Ansel, who hadn't even changed his posture, uttered something that left all three, including Knell, even more bewildered:
"Who do you intend to sell this information to?"
"..."
Knell's fingers trembled slightly, and his gaze, which had been filled with wariness and coldness, gradually shifted to a mix of complexity and concession.
"A truly dangerous man."
The man remarked, pulling out the dagger that had pinned the ring, and reiterated, "You are indeed the real Faust."
"I never claimed to be an impostor."
"Ocarlan Reynard. The fastest rising assassin in the history of the Chronos Guild, advancing from the third-stage Throne to the threshold of the fifth-stage Crown in just about six months."
Seeing the growing turmoil in Knell's eyes, Ansel continued calmly, "Do you know him?"
Knell certainly knew this person. Fifteen years ago, he was already a fifth-stage extraordinary being. Disagreeing with the Chronos Guild's doctrine, he defected and came to the West, founding the Executioners.
Over these fifteen years, numerous formidable members of the Chronos Guild had attempted to assassinate him, all failing without exception.
— A month ago, that self-proclaimed greatest genius in the history of the Chronos Guild, Ocarlan Reynard, who is an idiot, audaciously attempted to assassinate him with fourth-stage strength but inexplicably escaped unscathed.
Knell had taken note of this young man and discovered that his growth trajectory was equally baffling.
About half a year ago, Ocarlan was merely a typical genius; fast in advancement and strong in ability, but still within the normal range.
But after returning from a routine mission in the North, his strength and talent began to surge at a bewildering rate.
In just six months, he had advanced from the late third-stage to the final stage of the fourth-stage.
Why did Faust... suddenly bring up this question?
"Knell, you abandoned the Chronos Guild because you disagreed with their pursuit of killing efficiency, considering their approach of gaining power solely through assassination too narrow. That's why you came to the West and founded the Executioners."
As Faust looked down at Knell, his appearance seemed to gradually transform, shedding a certain perfect facade to reveal his true nature...
—The nature of a devil.
Knell's eyes, reflecting Faust's image, began to tremble.
"You accept commissions, sparing no effort to exchange for all resources, using this more direct and efficient method to enhance your power. Yet, even as you plunge into the abyss, you still find no way to advance further."
The devil's voice echoed in his ears: "This does not mean you are a fallen one devoid of motivation. Your obsession and craving for power and strength remain insatiably intense."
"So, aren't you curious about what granted Ocarlan that talent? And if that mysterious blessing could be bestowed upon you..."
The whispers, as if from the void, struck at Knell's very soul.
"Might you not see an entirely new horizon?"
Knell, who had just been speaking of integrity, staggered to his feet. He stared intently at Ansel, at those eyes... now filled with an inky darkness.
As if he were gazing at a preacher delivering a sermon.
*