Chapter 222: 222

“You could, on your own, try to find worlds to conquer, but most worlds you will find will do nothing to help the growth of your world. High-level worlds, while plentiful, are hard to find. That is the case for worlds like yours with no knowledge or experience. But for other high-level worlds with the necessary experience, it’s the opposite; all they need to do is pick one and hope the one they picked isn’t too strong,” Murmur said, chuckling eerily.

Ikenga floated down as he said to Murmur, “Your proposal then has something to do with helping us with the knowledge on finding other worlds?”

Murmur’s eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and cunning as he responded, “Indeed. My proposal is to help your world’s growth and turn your current passiveness into action.”

Ikenga tilted his head slightly, considering Murmur’s words. “And what would you gain from this arrangement? Your help doesn’t seem entirely altruistic.”

Murmur chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the chamber. “It might seem like my help is for nothing, but for me, it gives me a fighting chance in claiming your world as mine.”

“After my last defeat at the hands of your sister Keles, I considered self-destructing and exposing your world’s location to the abyss. But I couldn’t do that in the end since I also need this world for my growth.”

“My proposal is my last attempt for this world. If I gain nothing from it, then I apologize for my future actions,” Murmur said, chuckling evilly.

Ikenga’s eyes narrowed. Murmur frowned as the ground where his throne stood suddenly transformed into a huge plant mouth with sharp teeth and boiling acid further down the throat.

The plant mouth shut quickly, but Ikenga frowned as he looked slightly upward, where Murmur and his throne reappeared after a moment.

“My divinity is locked behind this shield,” Ikenga thought to himself. The attack was created purely with mana alone, which was the opposite of what his goal was.

Murmur, meanwhile, was frowning as he thought to himself, “Normal gods aren’t able to generate an attack after being held by the world shield, but it seems this means nothing to origin gods.”

Ikenga floated again as he sat cross-legged. “How does your help give you the fighting chance you want?” he asked the frowning Murmur.

It took a while as Murmur looked back down at the ground where the plant mouth had been to see it was back to normal, making it seem like the previous attack wasn’t real.

Knowing not to provoke Ikenga again, he continued with a smile. “This is because of the method of my help.”

“As demons from the abyss, we are the first conquerors of worlds since the beginning of creation. All knowledge about conquering worlds comes from us, and to be able to start conquering worlds, contact with the abyss is inevitable.”

“Of course, this contact is inevitable for beginners like your world. After a while, the beginners will create their own method of finding worlds to conquer and avoid contact with the abyss.”

“Now, my method of help is the first part, which is me giving you contact with the abyss where you will seek out the knowledge and methods yourselves,” Murmur said, looking at Ikenga.

Ikenga leaned back slightly, absorbing Murmur’s words. “So, your assistance involves providing us with initial contact with the abyss. And what exactly does that entail? What risks does it pose to our world?”

Murmur’s chuckled, sensing Ikenga’s curiosity. “The abyss is a vast reservoir of knowledge and power, but it is not without its dangers. Contacting the abyss means opening a channel through which information and energy can flow. However, it also means exposing your world to the malevolent entities that reside there. These entities will see your world as a potential target, much like how you view other worlds for conquest.”

Ikenga frowned. “I’m guessing that isn’t what you want, Murmur, so what other method of contact do you have?”

Murmur’s smile widened even further which should have been impossible with his current appearance but the light glimmering in the place of his eyes shows well his current emotion . “Indeed, the first method of contact isn’t beneficial to me, which is why for the second method, it will be you origin gods taking a journey to the abyss yourselves to establish contact.”

Ikenga’s eyes narrowed as he considered Murmur’s words. “So, you’re suggesting that we, the origin gods, venture into the abyss ourselves?”

Murmur’s smile remained, but there was a glint of cunning in his eyes. “This method allows you to control the interaction, minimizing the risk of exposing your world to malevolent entities.”

Ikenga frowned as he said, “This is your fighting chance, making an offer we can’t reject. Our absence gives you the opportunity you want to claim our world.”

Murmur’s mouth widened, revealing sharp, glinting teeth as he inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Precisely. With the origin gods journeying into the abyss, your world’s primary defenses will be considerably weakened. This would indeed give me the opportunity I seek. However, it is also your world’s greatest chance to gain the knowledge and power needed to protect itself from future threats.”

Ikenga’s eyes flickered with a mixture of suspicion and contemplation. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Murmur. You risk much with this gambit.”

Murmur’s expression turned serious, the malevolent amusement in his eyes tempered by a cold, calculating resolve. “I am well aware of the stakes, Ikenga. But so are you. Without significant advancement, your world will remain vulnerable, perpetually on the defensive. This is an opportunity for a leap forward, albeit one fraught with peril.”

Ikenga’s mind raced as he weighed the risks and rewards. He currently knew nothing of the abyss, but it was undoubtedly a place of unimaginable danger, filled with beings of immense power and malevolence. Yet, the promise of the knowledge and strength needed to secure their world’s future was almost irresistible. He knew that Murmur’s proposal was a trap, yet it was a trap they might need to spring into for the sake of their world’s survival.

Ikenga looked around the golden shield surrounding him. He wasn’t in danger, as he felt he could return to his realm anytime he wanted to. His only problem now was that the shield was preventing the connection he had with his siblings.

He knew that only his mother knew of what was going on here, but she wouldn’t be of much help as the decision wouldn’t fall on her but on them, her children, the origin gods.

Ikenga wanted to gain a bit more information from Murmur. As his gaze bore into Murmur’s, seeking any sign of deception beyond what was already laid bare, Ikenga knew Murmur’s resolve was unyielding; he truly believed this was the best, perhaps only, chance for both their agendas. This meant that he wouldn’t help any further as he gained nothing from it.

Ikenga stared at Murmur before speaking, “This isn’t a decision that can be made by me alone. I will have to consult my siblings first. How do I get in contact with you to give you an answer to our decision?”

Murmur’s hands clapped together with joy as he pointed at the humans holding the shield. “They still have some weeks before they die. The call will hold up till then; all you need is to respond to get back to me.”

“Why did you choose me and none of my other siblings to call?” Ikenga suddenly asked. Murmur was taken aback before responding.

“I already offended two goddesses. As for the other two gods, experience has always shown that gods with their divinity aren’t favorable to beings like me, especially the sun god. As for the god of storms, it can go two ways: either he is calm enough to hear me out or he is full-blown angered at my presence.”

“I don’t want to deal with both extremes, which leaves the only option: you, the god of nature and curses. The former was a big reason, and the latter brings me a sense of closure as curses, no matter how they are laid out, are understood as evil like us demons.”

Ikenga said nothing in return as his body disappeared from the shield. The humans who were holding it visibly relaxed as if a weight had been taken off of them.

Murmur looked at them, his eyes shining. “It seems my calculation was wrong. They still have about five years. It seems the absence of holding a divine being makes a big difference.”

Back in the present, Ikenga explained his encounter to his siblings. The air crackled with divine energy as his siblings, the gods, all stayed silent while he narrated his conversation to them. Nana remained silent the whole time.

“What do you all think?” Ikenga asked after his explanation.

“We have to take it,” Jaws said in response. Crepuscular nodded in agreement. “The offer is too good to decline, even though we know it is a trap.”

Keles spoke up, “I detest Murmur’s existence, but his offer indeed is of great help to us. Maybe we have already fallen in sight of other worlds. The only reason we haven’t been invaded might be the element of luck, but who is to say how long such luck will last?”

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