The statement made Joseph realize that things weren’t as straightforward as they appeared. The report read:
“Mike claims to have killed one level 100 ghost.”
“After a thorough investigation and rigorous analysis, the Guardian Shadow has concluded…”
“He killed *two* level 100 demon creatures.”
“What the heck is this…?” Joseph muttered, baffled by the Guardian Shadow’s intel.
Was killing a level 100 demon creature really that big of a deal?
It wasn’t like he’d taken down a Nine-Star Lord!
Joseph tossed the report aside and waved Mike away.
The demon army’s sudden attack had disrupted the summer camp’s schedule. Back at the camp, Mike received immediate notification to return to Florida.
Just like that, the summer camp’s Abyssal adventure came to an end.
Stepping out of the portal, Mike squinted against the bright Florida sun. They had returned at noon, their body clocks still on Abyss time.
“Everyone, return to your dorms and rest. If you experience any discomfort, contact an instructor…”
Ace, Mike’s roommate, was nowhere to be seen. Probably still gallivanting around the Abyss somewhere.
The thought of Ace reminded Mike of the 1 million Lord merits he was owed.
That’s a full 2 million Lord merits!
If he could just get his hands on that 3 million, he could pay off his debts!
Mike didn’t linger in his dorm.
He was level 499 now, capable of going toe-to-toe with a Nine-Star Lord, and he’d even soloed a level 1,000 enemy.
Did someone with his physique need to adjust to a time difference?
Heck no!
Never one to sit still, Mike summoned Shadow Four from the Forest of Truth and, under his protection, headed there himself.
Deep within the Forest of Truth stood a tower.
As Mike reached the base of the tower, a white cloud descended before him.
He didn’t jump on right away. He took a moment to observe.
The Tower of Truth… truly had no shadow!
Back in the Abyss, Shadow Three had hinted at Shadow One’s origins.
So, Shadow One was the shadow of the Tower of Truth.
But!
Mike had specifically asked if Shadow One was related to the Tower Spirit.
Shadow Three had said no.
Who was the Tower Spirit?
That was one of the Tower of Truth’s top ten unsolved mysteries.
Satisfied with his observation, Mike hopped onto the cloud, soaring straight to the ninety- ninth floor.
He was back in familiar territory.
“I zapped the Eighth Demon God with lightning, and he died,” Mike said, deciding to start with some good news.
He kept it brief, knowing what to say and when to say it in Apollo’s presence.
“I know.” Apollo paused, then added, “I taught you the Chaotic Lightning Tribulation, but I didn’t expect you to kill him.”
As if worried about a misunderstanding, he added, “No harm done, though.”
Apollo’s tone was casual, as if killing a Demon God was as simple as swatting a fly.
Mike thought he understood.
Apollo hadn’t intended for him to kill the Eighth Demon God.
If he had wanted him dead, Apollo could have done it himself, without involving Thor.
He had given Mike the Chaotic Lightning Tribulation for self-defense in the Eighth Abyss.
Knowing Thor, Apollo had anticipated that Mike would use it if any level 990+ demon creatures attacked him.
He hadn’t expected Mike to be so… bold!
Before any high-level demons had even approached him, Mike had gone looking for trouble with the Eighth Demon God!
In humanity’s original plan, Ares, Maxen, and the others were a mobile force, ready to respond to any unexpected situations.
The Seventh and Eighth Demon Gods’ attacks had been anticipated.
If everything had gone according to plan, after Thor collected the souls of the fallen heroes in the Seventh and Eighth Abysses, Ares would have stepped in, slaying both Demon Gods with a single sword strike.
That’s why Mike’s news of the Eighth Demon God’s death had resulted in Ares only killing the Seventh.
In other words, Thor’s unexpected bravery had thrown a wrench in Apollo’s plans. “That’s the second time I’ve miscalculated,” Apollo said after a moment of thought.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “What was the first?”
He immediately regretted asking.
Curiosity killed the cat, and all that.
But was it appropriate to ask his third bro such a personal question?!
“The first? I told you already.” Apollo assumed Mike had forgotten. “I once calculated for a friend that humanity would need nine consecutive generations of Supreme Beings, all willing to fight the Supreme Demon God at any cost, to finally defeat him.”
Mike gulped, asking cautiously, “Was this friend… the Tower Spirit?”
“Yes,” Apollo admitted freely.
Seeing Thor’s interest, he recounted the story. “The Tower Spirit asked me to calculate which
race would win, humanity or the demons.”
“And what was the result?” Mike asked eagerly.
“I calculated that the demons would win.” Apollo sighed. “Unfortunately, I was wrong.”
Mike: “…”
Mike tried to steer the conversation towards other topics, but Apollo mostly listened,
occasionally grunting in acknowledgment.
After a while, Mike ran out of things to say.
Apollo was inside the tower, Thor outside.
Apollo looked towards the sky, at a distant white cloud. freёwebnoѵel.com
Usually, after a prolonged silence, Thor would take his leave, signaling the end of their
conversation.
The cloud transformed into a butterfly, then into a lyre.
Apollo suddenly remembered something his instructor had taught him.
“Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
His instructor had explained that you should treat others the way they treat you.
It was good advice, and it worked both ways.
Apollo also remembered visiting Thor’s private space a few days ago.
He had been to Thor’s “house,” but Thor had never been to his.
Something felt wrong.
A door appeared on the ninety-ninth floor of the Tower of Truth.
“Come in and have a seat?” Apollo’s voice echoed from within.
Mike: ?!
This… didn’t seem right.
Unless you had faced Apollo directly, you couldn’t comprehend the sheer pressure of his
presence.
In their previous encounters, he had always appeared as a cloud, a butterfly, or some other
form.
Entering the ninety-ninth floor meant meeting Apollo’s true form!
Mike hesitated, caught between excitement and apprehension.
[Go!]
[You have to go!]
[The ninety-ninth floor is related to your future talent awakenings!]
Even in its offline state, the Eye of Truth was spamming him with prompts.
Mike couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse.
Could he really decline such an invitation from Apollo?
“Okay.”
He nodded, stepping towards the ninety-ninth floor.
The door slammed shut.
Mike: ???
What was going on?
Opportunity knocks but once?
Had he missed his chance to explore the ninety-ninth floor because of his hesitation?
[Noooo-]
The Eye of Truth wailed in despair.
Even Mike couldn’t fathom Apollo’s thoughts.
As he stood there, bewildered, Apollo’s ethereal voice echoed from within the ninety-ninth
floor.
“You should knock first.”