Chapter 619: Deal (Happy New Year to All)

Suddenly, Flores's expression turned cold, a sinister smile curling on his lips, his entire demeanor undergoing a radical transformation.

He lifted his head, his darkened eyes reflecting the image of Lu Mi—an ebony-haired, green-eyed figure.

The emotions, desires, and shadows Lu Mi had long suppressed deep within him erupted all at once, like a volcano spewing forth.

Even the endurance of a "Penitent" could not stop it.

Crack!

Lu Mi's body split open with a network of jagged fissures, thinning and shrinking into a palm-sized mirror.

The mirror shattered completely, shards scattering across the floor.

In the room diagonally opposite, Lu Mi's figure appeared beside Fulanka, his expression grim.

Had he not prepared the "Mirror Double," he would have just suffered a dual explosion of emotion and desire, just like the Xieshenciyuzhe who heard the "Chant of Hatred" play a different melody.

Of course, had Fulanka not been lurking nearby, and had he not prepared the "Mirror Double," he would never have used himself as bait to directly confront Flores for a "conversation."

Lu Mi seized Fulanka 's shoulder and said in a low voice:

"Leave here first."

He was about to activate the black mark on his right shoulder to "Teleport" away.

Facing an enemy who exploited his weaknesses and vulnerabilities, his first instinct was to take a support role, using his abilities from a distance while letting Fulanka lead the assault—but considering Fulanka, as the "Joyful Witch," had gone too long without indulging herself, he doubted she could withstand the detonation of desire either, so he decided to withdraw immediately and gather sufficient forces before returning.

At that moment, a voice—alternately masculine and feminine—sounded simultaneously in his and Fulanka 's ears:

"No need to flee yet. I've changed my mind. I wish to make a deal with you."

Deal? Lu Mi and Fulanka both recalled something at once; after a flash of thought, they chose to remain where they were.

Simultaneously, Lu Mi sank his awareness into his right hand, ready at all times to activate the lingering aura of the "Blood Emperor," Arista Tudo.

This was not to intimidate Flores, but to sound an alarm if his emotions and desires were triggered again!

—As one of Fenn Bote Kingdom's primary trade ports to the Southern Continent and one of the main bases for the "Harvest Fleet," Colia Port, even without a Demigod, surely held at least one "Class 1" sealed artifact.

"What deal?" Fulanka stared at the wall and the empty air, asking.

Flores, wearing a floral shirt, pushed open the slightly ajar door of the apartment and spoke with deep, chilling, yet refined composure:

"Let me introduce myself: Napherieri, a devil."

Devil? Truly a devil… The cost of using the "Power Broker's Black Box" was to be paid here, making a deal with a devil… But Lu Mi's mission from the captain and our investigation into Delila were entirely separate matters—if we had chosen to wait patiently one or two months before approaching Delila instead of using the "Power Broker's Black Box," what would have happened today? Would there even be a deal? Fulanka laughed, startled, suspicious, and confused:

"You just told us outright you're a devil—how are we supposed to make a deal with you?

"Shouldn't a true devil first conceal his identity to lower our guard?"

The devil calling himself Napherieri clenched his right fist and lightly pressed it against his lips, smiling as he replied:

"A true devil is both a devil of the body and a devil of the soul. I will make you aware you're making a deal with a devil—and still be unable to refuse, unlike those dim-witted fools who rely on hiding their identity to achieve their ends.

"Take this man, Flores—he clearly knew from the notebook the consequence of repeatedly chanting my true name. Ha! That foolish wizard once called it the 'Love Incantation,' yet he still couldn't resist the temptation, couldn't control himself. Ha! To a devil, such souls, slowly rotting, sinking deeper into the abyss, are the most delicious food. The sensation of resistance, struggle, and inevitable decay is as intoxicating as the finest wine."

Hearing Napherieri unreservedly describe the allure of corruption, Lu Mi and Fulanka felt no trace of contempt or mockery.

If a devil spoke this way, he must have a deeper purpose hidden beneath!

Moreover, Lu Mi couldn't even be certain whether Napherieri was truly a devil—or merely claimed to be one—nor could he determine whether Napherieri was the entity's real name or merely a borrowed one.

—Though triggering desire matched the Path characteristic of the "Apostle of Desire," Rank 5, it wasn't exclusive to devils; Lu Mi's own "Chant of Hatred" could achieve a similar effect.

Facing the devil's endless monologue, Fulanka smiled sweetly:

"That foolish wizard must have been guided by you to mistake your true name as the 'Love Incantation.' Is this truly your true name?"

"That's why he was foolish," Napherieri replied with a faint smile.

Lu Mi didn't wish to rush into the deal, so he asked instead:

"How did you convince Flores that the 'Love Incantation' worked?"

Napherieri glanced back at the apartment Flores had rented, adopting a posture of complete vulnerability:

"He tried other incantations in the notebook—some succeeded."

"He's just an ordinary man—how could he perform magic like a 'Wizard'?" Fulanka expressed disbelief.

Napherieri smiled:

"I once heard a very wise saying:

'All things possess divinity.'

'Even the most ordinary person, if willing to pay the price, can produce supernatural effects.'"

All things possess divinity… Mr. K often preached this phrase… Lu Mi studied the devil calling himself Napherieri.

Fulankashunshiwendao:

"What price did Flores pay?"

Napherieri smiled without answering, then spoke with pointed implication:

"I've already told you."

The part about the soul slowly rotting, sinking into the abyss? Fulanka nodded thoughtfully.

Lu Mi suddenly laughed:

"If he hadn't paid a price, how could you so easily use his body to communicate with us?"

Napherieri smiled but gave no reply.

Lu Mi changed the subject:

"Did you kill the two adventurers who investigated Flores?"

"A bit of interest," Napherieri said, glancing left and right, smiling as he pulled over a chair and sat down, adding casually, "You lack proper manners."

"Because we never intended to make a deal with you," Fulanka said deliberately, "I won't make a deal with a devil."

Napherieri burst into laughter:

"Though it's hilarious to hear a 'Witch' say she won't make a deal with a devil, I can assure you plainly: I won't force you into a deal, nor will I stop you from reporting Flores's case to the Church of the Earth Mother afterward.

"Unlike my dim-witted peers, I prefer open, honest deals. I don't play with the wording of contracts or twist clauses. I'll let you know exactly what the deal entails and what price you must pay—and still choose to make it."

"I refuse," Fulanka replied with a smile, "I refuse to hear your deal."

Napherieri narrowed his eyes dangerously, yet maintained his ever-present amiability:

"You may listen first, then decide whether to accept the deal.

"I won't boast that I can fulfill any wish—but I can accomplish most things. That is the promise of me, an ancient devil."

"Ancient?" Lu Mi feigned curiosity, "Have you heard of the 'Ancient Sun God'?"

Napherieri's expression subtly hardened for a moment:

"I have."

"Then tell me about Him. The deity I currently worship seems to be the resurrected One." Lu Mi grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, "This can serve as payment for the deal—but it must be paid first. We will only honor the contract after. Don't even think of fabricating—it would be blasphemy against my Lord."

Napherieri fell silent. After several seconds, he smiled and said:

"I already said I cannot accomplish certain things, fulfill certain wishes. This is one of them."

Even with such a low posture, it's hard to trap him with words… Lu Mi sighed inwardly, glancing sideways at Fulanka, silently asking whether she wanted to seize this chance to settle the cost of using the "Power Broker's Black Box."

Fulanka hesitated, then looked at the seated Napherieri and said:

"Tell me the terms of the deal first, then I'll decide."

Napherieri smiled:

"Wise decision.

"I want you to kill the descendant of another devil. He resides somewhere in the Storm Sea. Don't worry—devil descendants are all cold, cruel, bloodthirsty. He absolutely meets your standards for execution."

"Then why don't you go yourself?" Fulanka said with a "tsk-tsk," "You seem quite powerful."

Is he sealed?

Or perhaps he cannot leave the Abyss, and can only project himself onto a human body now, unable to sustain it for long?

Napherieri answered calmly:

"Any movement of mine would draw the attention of the other devil.

"The reward for this deal is: I fulfill one wish of yours—provided it's within the scope I've already agreed to fulfill."

"Can you help me and her digest the elixirs inside our bodies?" Lu Mi probed.

Napherieri shook his head:

"I won't deceive you—I cannot. Digesting elixirs is something each person must do alone.

"But I can create conditions, create opportunities, to indirectly help you digest them faster. Whether you seize those opportunities, however, depends entirely on you."

Quite honest… Fulanka muttered silently.

Suddenly, she flashed a bright smile:

"This deal intrigues me—but I need a reliable, powerful witness."

Note 1: The "Love Incantation" from the previous chapter was inspired by reality—I believe I shared this on my public account—Aphrodite's secret true name is "nepherieri," meaning "beautiful eyes"; repeatedly chanting this incantation wins a woman's love. When I first read this, I thought it was sinister. This time, I simply altered the pronunciation slightly.

PS: Wishing you all a year of vigor and joy, happiness for your families—Happy New Year!

(End of Chapter)