After the Lord of the Abyss Awakens - Chapter 16

Philip felt a mix of shock and awe, unsure whether it was the revelation or the impact that left him numb. It was as if he had glimpsed something forbidden.

Instinctively, he closed the door, but it was too late. Terrifying gazes bore into him. He realized he had become their target.

Xiu Si glanced toward the source of the disturbance—the door. Yet, there was no one visible, only a flurry of snow outside. The dim light obscured pedestrians’ faces, leaving them indistinct.

The antique shop’s glass door allowed a view from inside to outside, but its yellowed glass made the exterior hazy. From his position at the front desk, Xiu Si could only see the gray walls of the opposite building.

He couldn’t shake the feeling of a recent knock on the door.

Was it a mere illusion? But it seems like it’s not the first time.

Xiu Si narrowed his eyes, glancing at the white cat.

The cat lazily observed the outside world, half-closed eyes betraying a yawn.

Xiu Si asked, “Did you hear a knock just now?”

The cat blinked innocently and shook its head.

“No? That’s strange,” Xiu Si muttered.

Outside the door, Philip encountered Aelioge.

Aelioge had shed his feline form, transforming instantly into a human. His jade-green eyes radiated cold authority, and his face darkened.

“You’ve seen it,” Aelioge stated.

Philip hesitated, barely comprehending. He managed to reply, “Yes…”

From mere suspicion to certainty, Philip realized that within this seemingly ordinary antique shop, four Abyss Lords lurked!

Aelioge scanned the contract-bound human before issuing a stern warning. “No leaks, no disturbances to that person, no prying on that person. If you dare, you know the consequences.”

Philip hesitated, cold sweat forming on his forehead. It was as if he had grasped something significant. He asked cautiously, “That person is—”

Before he could finish, Aelioge interrupted, “Can’t you see it?”

Philip’s face paled. The scene—the Abyss Lords appearing childlike in front of “that person”—left him astounded. Who could treat Abyss Lords like mere children?

And was that person truly human?

A god, perhaps? But even gods shouldn’t have this power. Weren’t Abyss Lords disdainful of gods?

Phil couldn’t fathom how such a terrifying figure could silently inhabit an ordinary, even dilapidated antique shop in the Imperial City. If not for Ronald’s chance encounter, they might never have discovered it.

His mind spun, but Philip hadn’t forgotten his purpose.

Before he could voice it, Aelioge saw through him. “If you want to harness our power, it depends on whether you can fulfill our requirements.”

Requirements? Philip immediately thought of the urgent historical revision underway. “Scholars are working on it,” he replied.

Aelioge’s tone remained indifferent. “Hurry.”

It had to be done before his father’s game system update. Otherwise, all their efforts would be in vain.

Though Philip didn’t understand the reason behind this request, he knew what he had to do. He nodded in agreement. At least he secured the Abyss Lords’ commitment!

As Philip contemplated further questions, Aelioge ignored him completely. Philip understood that pressing further would be futile.

Watching Philip walk away, Aelioge fell silent and casually restored their contract.

Humans could be oddly “reserved.” Born from human hands, Abyss Lords were, in a sense, human creations.

Yet, this secrecy stemmed from them never revealing the true reasons behind their contracts, their origins, and their ultimate truths.

Aelioge remained silent, lost in thought.

At that moment, the striking features that set Aelioge apart caught the attention of a passing human girl beyond the alley.

The girl, with twin ponytails, halted, her eyes wide with curiosity. She stared at Aelioge, as if encountering something uniquely extraordinary.

Aelioge met her cautious gaze.

Startled, the girl took two steps back, inexplicably fearful.

Aelioge’s lips curved reassuringly, and with a perfect smile, he dispelled the girl’s fear. Snowflakes danced around him as he stood before the quaint antique shop—a mysterious figure clad in black, exuding an icy aura that kept others at bay. Yet, that smile revealed a hint of gentleness.

The girl stared, momentarily forgetting her fear, until her parents led her away.

Aelioge’s gaze lingered on the flickering figures in the alley, a complex emotion passing through his eyes.

The reasons behind Abyss Lords forming contracts with humans varied among people. The specifics of these contracts remained unclear, often leading to misconceptions. Most believed that Abyss Lords claimed souls or even more vital aspects from their contractees.

However, the truth was different. Abyss Lords held no interest in human souls, unlike certain gods who collected “virtues.” Their purpose was to seek their father, scattered across the continent through human eyes and ears. They favored strong individuals or those in positions of power as contract partners.

As for why they lent their power to humans—it might be because they were creations of their human father. Inheriting his essence, they knew his desires and sought to fulfill his vision.

Thus, behind the scenes, they aided humanity. They buried the demons that once ravaged the land during the “ Demons Era,” ushering in the “Human Era,” unbeknownst to humans themselves.

Secrecy was Agares’s directive. He never acted without reason.

Aelioge’s gaze shifted to the towering Imperial City, then swept over the nearly cloud-kissing spires. Finally, it settled on the Hero Memorial Hall.

In human history, their father remained obscure—a seemingly unremarkable savior who lacked combat prowess and withdrew from the stage early, despite high expectations.

“But humans will eventually learn that our father’s deeds safeguarded them to this day.”

****

Meanwhile, Xiu Si conversed with the cubs, learning about their experiences over the years.

“Do all of you strive to level up?” Xiu Si asked.

The cats nodded in unison. Of course—they pushed themselves relentlessly!

“Have any of you been bullied by abyss creatures? Encountered any villains?” Xiu Si inquired.

The cats shook their heads.

Perhaps it was tough initially, but now they were the ones feared—the “villains” themselves!

Abyss monsters were nothing, they had pierced through the abyss!

The cats’ eyes sparkled. Especially fiery-haired Morax, who tilted his chin with an air of pride.

“You asked me, how is the situation of the new kin.” 

Xiu Si said, opening his game panel. He had only begun modeling them, with rough outlines and no detailed features or specific descriptions.

Skill improvement would enhance precision, but it wasn’t that the earlier models were crude while later ones were more refined. As the cubs evolved, they fine-tuned themselves, ensuring they wouldn’t lag behind those created later.

His progress mirrored theirs.

Additionally, as his skills improved, he’d supplement details for the earlier cubs. With so many children, sometimes he struggled to balance their development, but he persevered.

Xiu Si observed them and said, “Still under construction. It’s been a while since I used the system, so I feel a bit rusty. Skill usage accumulates experience, and once you have enough, you can level up. Good news—I’m currently at level 20. By the way, what levels are all of you?”

The four cats exchanged glances.

Vassago looked at Aelioge, telepathically asking, “What level did you report?”

Aelioge instinctively replied, “Level 21.”

Vassago fell silent.

Morax immediately claimed level 22.

Aelioge blinked, but then Inpos reported level 23.

This time, Morax was taken aback, yet Vassago promptly declared level 24.

Aelioge fumed. Were these fellows trying to use me as a stepping stone to prove their dedication to leveling up?

However, to Aelioge’s surprise, Xiu Si’s gaze settled on him. It seemed Xiu Si valued him more because he had the lowest level among them.

Aelioge realized he had won—being weaker attracted more attention. Let these scheming cats play their games!

The other three cats caught on, their expressions darkening. Their claws itched to pounce on their fellow kin.

After Xiu Si learned enough, he didn’t delve into further details. Instead, he said with relief, “Finally found all four of you. By the way, how did you locate me?”

The four cats unanimously agreed—they sensed his presence and hurriedly made their way from the abyss.

The abyss was a type of subspace, closer to the mainland—a self-contained domain akin to an inner sea within the vast ocean. For higher-level beings above 90, crossing from subspace to the physical realm was nearly instantaneous if the coordinates were clear. Of course, this required “temporal stability.” If time wasn’t stable, survival became uncertain, regardless of timely relocation.

Understanding, Xiu Si continued, “Do you know where the other children are?”

The three newcomers shook their heads simultaneously.

Xiu Si hesitated. “Baal and Agares—any clues about their whereabouts?”

They fell silent. Aelioge, Morax, and Inpos all looked at Vassago.

Vassago should know where they were.

Baal, the first-ranked kin, and Agares, second in line, were their father’s most trusted companions. Baal, the earliest-born, was the strongest among them. Agares wasn’t just powerful, he possessed remarkable wisdom. Despite their mutual animosity, everyone acknowledged that Baal and Agares held unique positions.

When their father couldn’t care for them, it was usually Baal or Agares who stepped in. They often quarreled among themselves, but few dared to provoke either of them.

Baal and Agares paid little attention to the others.

However, when it came to “Where is Baal?”—truthfully, they didn’t know.

Vassago’s last perception of Baal’s presence was through an interdimensional rift over three thousand years ago. As for Agares, that was even more uncertain. Agares was elusive, rumored to reside within human virtues and dreams. His true form hadn’t appeared for at least five thousand years.

Vassago still remembered the intense argument between Agares and Baal before Agares vanished. They had even clashed fiercely in subspace, causing significant disturbances in the physical realm.

He possesses the ability to find lost objects, but Baal and Agares were exceptions. Like their father, they cannot utilize this ability, rendering them untraceable.

It’s also possible that they intentionally shield themselves from being found by him.

After some thought, Vassago honestly explained Baal and Agares’s situation.

Xiu Si furrowed his brow, remaining silent for a while before asking, “How can one enter subspace?”

He wanted to find Baal within that realm.

Vassago hesitated.

If the physical realm were a “surface of water,” subspace would be the deep sea beneath it. “Anomaly” entities freely broke through the surface, entering and leaving the deep sea. In other words, one could enter subspace by becoming an “anomaly” entity or using magic and other means.

However, finding any existence within subspace was incredibly challenging. Despite searching the abyss and the mainland, they hadn’t located their father, leading them to believe he might be in subspace. Fortunately, they found him now.

Vassago didn’t recommend their father venturing into subspace to find Baal. Subspace was perilous, especially with troublesome “gods” lurking there.

The other three cats agreed. Moreover, Baal’s strong presence would be a significant obstacle if they did find him!

Vassago considered the reality. “Regardless of the method, humans need to be at least level 30 to enter subspace.”

True subspace differed from the abyss—it was highly unstable. While the abyss allowed entry at various levels, subspace itself was inherently dangerous.

Xiu Si nodded. “Indeed, ‘The Subspace Traveler’s Guide’ confirms that.” He referred to a book he had borrowed from the Hero Memorial Hall yesterday, conveniently within reach. “I need to level up quickly to find Baal and the others.”

At the mention of “Baal,” the white cat remained silent, its emerald eyes revealing a hint of resentment.

But Xiu Si shifted the conversation, looking toward the door. “However, I don’t know if there’s enough time. Our country faces a crisis—the Divine Kingdom of Light is attacking. Your arrival might not be ideal.”

The vast Aust Empire, with its capital at the center, left little room for escape.

As a non-citizen, Xiu Si might fare relatively well if war erupted—the consequences wouldn’t directly affect him.

“So…” Xiu Si gently patted each cat’s head. “If the empire faces inevitable destruction, assess the situation. If it’s not right, return to the abyss, understood?”

The white cat tilted its head.

The red cat’s tail swayed.

The gray cat nodded.

Aelioge stepped forward, softly pressing its paw against Xiu Si’s arm. It gazed up, eyes unwavering, seemingly saying, “Father, take your time leveling up. You protected us before, now it’s our turn.”

The other cats shared the same expression.

Observing their seemingly defenseless forms, Xiu Si couldn’t discern their combat abilities. He even wondered if he could fight better than them.

Still, he felt reassured.

Meanwhile, Philip returned to the military office, weighed down by thoughts. Suddenly, a daring speculation crossed his mind.

Could that young man from the antique shop be the legendary Lord of the Abyss?