[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-god-through-horror":3,"chapter-becoming-a-god-through-horror-becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-42":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Becoming a God Through Horror",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273585,4441,"Chapter 42: Carano","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>As a family that had flourished for decades, the Carano estate was grand, with even its interior decorations receiving considerable thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Italian architectural style, British design dominated the interior, perhaps due to the region’s inclinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, America and Britain shared deep ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Carano family carried strong black affiliations; their servants were few, and the most common figures were burly men armed with guns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis walked through the estate until reaching a grand hall, where Gold and Khorne were left behind, forbidden to enter further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Louis arrived at the central room; upon entering, he felt an immediate sense of spaciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Louis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was an elegant old man with speckled white hair, deep wrinkles, and gold-rimmed glasses; beside him stood a middle-aged woman and a monster munching popcorn—the very peculiar life-form Louis had seen before at André’s place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl smiled, opened his arms, and embraced Louis. “Good boy, you’ve finally returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting before the fireplace, Karl recounted to his grandson the events of recent days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mexican drug cartels had been driven off, but their return for revenge couldn’t be ruled out; as for those who harmed Louis…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll deal with them ourselves soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl spoke this as if he had no doubt Louis would understand his meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are your thoughts about the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I know you have feelings for that foster home—stay there for now. But when you graduate from university, you must return. The family’s future needs you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enjoying benefits naturally demands sacrifice—that’s only right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, once I grow up, my cultivation base will have transformed completely; perhaps that’s when I’ll need the family’s full support—this is purely advantageous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl chatted with Louis for a long time, from trivial matters to recent gunfights; the topics gradually shifted from childish and minor to mature and serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl’s tone also grew increasingly solemn, as if he no longer regarded Louis as a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis appeared oblivious, answering each question calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max, a man with a thick beard and dense hair, walked in. “Hey, little Louis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively lifted Louis into the air. Louis’s mouth twitched. “Come on, let Uncle see how you’ve grown!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive palm squeezed Louis’s arm. “Huh, impressive. In just over a year, your body’s gotten much stronger—you’ve clearly been training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis, like a doll, endured the handling, casting a pleading glance toward his grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl coughed twice. Max immediately stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Max, are those men ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max hesitated. “Dad, Louis is still too young. Couldn’t we…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl shook his head. “Max, you must understand: some are born extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Dad. They’re all prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, Louis. Return to your room. It’s been kept clean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis stepped out, and the door closed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl turned his gaze to the middle-aged woman who had been silent. “Illes, what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was none other than Illes, the medium whispered about in hushed tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illes shook her head. “Your grandson shows no signs of possession by evil spirits or demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl’s trembling hands finally steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correct—he was an old man who had personally encountered supernatural events; he feared his grandson might be possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after his agents investigated the witch named Emilia’s estate—what lingered there was deeply strange. That witch must have lived for centuries. Coupled with legends of witches possessing hosts…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that Louis’s recent peculiar behavior—the dog, the deity worshipped as Zao Shen—and he couldn’t help but worry, so he summoned Illes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that worry seemed lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be from his mother’s side…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well what lineage Louis’s mother came from—on that ancient land, mysterious forces arose endlessly. Perhaps Louis’s blood carried something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a good thing. Don’t be fooled by this so-called civilized society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We old men who survived the war years know better: times never change. Those who hold power are the masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the future Carano family has a powerful figure who wields mysterious forces, everything will be more secure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl’s lips curled slightly upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To survive a witch’s capture, fight back, and emerge so mature and rational—this kidnapping wasn’t entirely without benefit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he had no intention of letting those bastards go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of killing intent crossed Karl’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster on the floor sensed it instantly, dropped its popcorn, leapt forward, and stood before Karl. Its spine-like tail twitched gently, as if awaiting orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl patted the monster’s bald, skull-like head and smiled. “Alright, Bob, go back to your popcorn. You don’t need to handle those men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squeak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster named Bob returned to his popcorn, even opening a bottle of cola.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Illes suddenly spoke. “Mr. Carano, I must warn you—this monster’s origin is unknown. Monsters are typically cruel and terrifying. You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mrs. Illes, it’s late. You should leave. Your payment has already been transferred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Illes’s retreating back, Karl suddenly said, “Mrs. Illes, my grandson may have some talent in your field. I hope you’ll assist him in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illes looked at the man who seemed gentle but was in truth domineering, and sighed. “Alright, as long as you’re willing to trust a fraud like me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karl smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Illes left, Karl coughed several times, feeling his body’s decay, and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had another question about himself he hadn’t asked Illes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened a drawer sealed with multiple locks. Inside lay a monkey’s paw. His eyes flickered with horror, then he shut it, opened the drawer beneath it, and there, clearly visible, was a scroll inscribed with the incantation of the Sin-Eater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hell… sin… they all exist…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze grew more tormented—but after a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drawer slammed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man coughed and walked toward the door. Now, it was time to judge those damned addicts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Bob grabbed a handful of popcorn and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",988,"2026-06-19T23:34:28.869Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5527d9cdcc21561af41d7d7ad366a3fddf92454faa0576c50f9ca9c90ba6eb1c","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-43","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-41",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-god-through-horror-cover.jpg"]