Dances with Wolves

Chen Guan didn't immediately accept Li Yuqing's invitation, politely stating that he would think about it. Li Yuqing didn't force the issue; she smiled, chatted for a few more sentences, and then left with Huo Qixing.

By the time he returned to his single dorm room, it was already evening.

After a simple dinner, he began his usual evening meditation, circulating the Starry Sky Meditation Map.

In his mental world, the vast star map slowly unfolded. His consciousness sank into it, receiving the nourishment of the power of the stars.

However, just as his mind was at its most peaceful and relaxed, deep within his soul, the mark left by the Demon God Baal suddenly throbbed.

Following that, a faint phantom emerged. It was still Baal's familiar face.

Heh heh heh.

It was hard to keep a straight face; Chen Guan found it difficult to imagine that the being before him was a Demon God.

Yet Baal himself seemed completely oblivious to this. Thief, you didn't expect this, did you? Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, Lord Baal will always haunt you.

You are... Baal?

Chen Guan asked, feigning ignorance. He had been on guard. Ever since he was marked, he knew this thing would never stay quiet. Its arrival now was entirely within his expectations.

Exactly. Do you have any last words?

The Demon God lazily conjured a recliner in his mental world and sprawled out on it, looking utterly leisurely.

Chen Guan smiled. Mr. Baal, how about we make a bet?

Baal looked interested. Bet on what?

I bet you can't kill me.

You win. Then I bet you can't drive me away. Lying on the recliner manifested in the mental world, Baal directly admitted it. He crossed his legs, his posture lazy and casual. He showed absolutely none of the majesty of a legendary Demon God, but rather looked like a deadbeat neighbor.

My power isn't that easy to use. Your ability is the Mythic Ability 'Reverberation', right? Friendly tip: as long as I don't want to help you, you won't be able to use your ability. Your development of this ability is way too pathetic.

Mr. Baal seems to know my ability very well? Chen Guan probed. He wasn't sure what Baal was planning, but surely he hadn't come just to chat.

I wouldn't say I know it well. Baal waved his hand. I've just lived a long time and seen some similar little tricks.

Stealing the reverberations of myths, recording them, imitating them... and even delusionally trying to master them. Good idea, but if you take too big of a step, you'll easily pull a muscle.

His tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. Especially since the target you stole from was me. My flames of fury, even if just the afterglow of a trace projection, aren't something a frail little guy like you can casually record. Right now, it's sitting in your ability like a restless bomb. It could go 'bang' at any moment and blow your brains out.

So, Mr. Baal has come to take back this power? Or...

Chen Guan remained calm. He had long known about the instability of Reverberation; Sys had already told him when he bought it.

Take it back? Baal sneered. That tiny bit of power isn't even a drop in the bucket to me. Leaving it with you as a souvenir isn't a bad idea. As for my purpose...

He paused, sizing up Chen Guan's mental world. Especially upon seeing the slowly revolving vast star map and the autonomously churning gray mist, an imperceptible strange look flashed through his eyes. Remember that little girl, Guan Jinyue?

Before Chen Guan could answer, Baal continued talking to himself. She wasn't willing to become my contractor at first. Guess why she changed her mind.

Chen Guan kindly played along. Why?

Because humans have limits, and I am not human at all. Baal remained indolent. Kid, how about we make a deal? I like your spirit of not fearing death while being so good at courting it.

Without waiting for Chen Guan to agree, Baal threw out his conditions. I won't stop you from using my power. In fact, I can even let you borrow a bit more of it.

But in exchange, you have to chat with me from time to time to relieve my boredom. Also, you have to do me a little favor. The people from the Origin Group think highly of you, and I'm quite curious about what's going on with this new Origin Group.

Besides that, help me find everything scattered across this world that is related to me or a few other old geezers.

Chen Guan understood Baal's meaning. He wanted him to be a mole, and to help find things along the way, just like the so-called beacon Guan Jinyue was looking for that day.

The benefit was probably having a super thug to help him out.

You can choose not to accept. Then we'll just maintain the status quo. The mark is on you, my power is in your ability, and I'll mess with you from time to time to see when you finally can't take it and break down.

Or, you accept, and we coexist peacefully for the time being. You help me explore the unknown and find things, and I'll give you a little taste of the benefits. As for whether you end up using me to become stronger, or I recover more of my scattered power through you, or even get some other kind of amusement out of it—that will depend on our respective skills.

Baal tossed the choice back, laying bare the pros and cons.

Chen Guan fell deep into thought.

Refusing meant constantly having to guard against the backlash of the mark and Reverberation, like a ticking time bomb. Baal was a Demon God, after all. If he really wanted to make trouble for him, even if he wouldn't die, there would be no shortage of problems.

Accepting meant actively stepping into a game with a Demon God. The risks were greater, but it might buy him room to grow, or perhaps even allow him to use the enemy's strength against them.

He remembered White Tiger's words.

In this perilous world, growing step by step might be safe, but it was too slow. He needed to become stronger faster, and he needed to come into contact with more secrets.

Not being afraid of death was his greatest advantage.

And a deal with a Demon God was undoubtedly a shortcut. So what if it was covered in thorns?

I have one condition. Keep our deal a secret.

Baal laughed. No problem. I am a demon of my word. This will be our little secret.

Then, it's a deal. Chen Guan reached out a hand formed from his mental will.

Baal also extended a dark red phantom hand, lightly touching Chen Guan's.

Contract established.

Baal's voice carried a hint of pleasure. Then, let's end our first chat here. I look forward to you finding the first souvenir soon.

Oh, right. As a deposit, here's a little gift for you, regarding how to make your scythe digest soul residue better.

A fragment of information flowed into Chen Guan's consciousness.

Immediately after, Baal's phantom dissipated like smoke, and the mental world returned to peace. Only that cold mark still existed, but it seemed to have gone dormant for the time being, showing no abnormalities, just like a sticker.

Chen Guan slowly exited his meditation, opened his eyes, and let out a long breath. His forehead was already covered in fine cold sweat.

Making a deal with a Demon God was undoubtedly dancing with wolves, but he had no other choice. At least for now, Baal seemed genuinely interested in him, and this interest, before it turned into malice, was a bargaining chip he could exploit.

He would not give up any opportunity. None at all.