Chapter 145: Neil's Uncontrolled Outburst Again
Apart from those two emotionless eyes, Neil's face was lined with wrinkles, his hair sparse, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. His nails were long, seemingly untrimmed for years, making him look like a zombie clawing out of a grave.
Neil didn't even notice Klein entering. He continued to pace around the altar, muttering words that sounded like some obscure and incomprehensible incantation.
On the altar sat a large basin of blood. In the center was a symbol Klein had never seen before, an eye surrounded by various intricate symbols and polygonal shapes.
Under Neil's chanting, the eye in the center of the altar seemed to come alive, coldly staring at Klein, the intruder.
Klein, no stranger to Beyonder events, forced himself to remain calm. Neil seemed on the verge of complete loss of control. It was crucial not to provoke him further. Calling for the captain's help now would be too late.
The ritual to invoke the power of the Evernight Goddess must commence immediately. This was Neil's last chance.
So Klein approached Neil cautiously, trying not to draw attention. Seeing Neil still absorbed in his chanting, Klein began to arrange the altar.
Everything went smoothly until the altar was prepared. As Klein was about to invoke the Goddess's power, the eyes on Neil's cheeks suddenly moved, seemingly noticing the newly completed altar.
"Little Klein, please don't disturb me," Neil suddenly looked at Klein with a hoarse voice. "I'm about to succeed, I'm going to succeed very soon."
Klein took a deep breath. "Neil, don't be afraid. It won't hurt, it'll be over soon."
"No," Neil's emotions rose, "my research has never harmed anyone else! You haven't lost a loved one, you don't know the pain!"
His tone softened again. "Please, I'm about to succeed, don't stop me."
Klein hesitated, but forced himself to remain resolute. "Neil, don't you know what you're doing?"
"You're hurting yourself, and you'll hurt others."
"Please, Neil, don't resist. This is your last chance."
Neil became agitated again. "You don't understand! You don't know how profound this knowledge is, I stumbled upon it unintentionally, from... from the Hidden Sage!"
Neil's expression turned surprised. "No! That's not it!"
Another eye slowly opened on his forehead.
Klein knew it was now or never. "I pray for the power of the Evernight; I pray..."
Neil lunged forward, intent on destroying Klein's prepared altar.
Klein raised his wand defensively. "I pray for the power of Crimson..."
Neil's strength was overwhelming; he swept his hand, breaking Klein's wand.
If Klein hadn't agilely dodged, Neil's nails would have scratched him.
Neil kicked and destroyed Klein's altar, his last trace of sanity halting his attack. "Leave me alone. Go quickly."
He now realized he had prayed to an Evil God, and something was terribly wrong.
But after saying this, Neil lost his final shred of reason. His skin turned as red as blood, and he roared at Klein like a wild beast.
Klein hurried to the door, but found it wouldn't open.
Neil, now resembling a bloodied figure, charged at him. Klein, using the abilities of the Clown, deftly avoided Neil's attacks.
What to do?
Should he really shoot at Neil?
Klein felt his hand go weak at the thought of reaching for the gun.
No, there's another way! But it's risky!
Glancing at Neil, his tutor in mysticism, Klein knew he had to take this risk now or regret it forever.
After a brief hesitation, Klein recited, "Creator in the Shadows of Order..."
"You are the beginning and end of all order;
You are the lord who governs the clock of order.
I pray for your gaze and favor;"
...
After praying three times and seeing no response, Klein muttered, "Roselle! You great deceiver!"
No, he had to make a final decision. If he continued like this, he would die here!
Just as Klein forced himself to make up his mind, a throne made of swords appeared in midair, with a towering and mysterious figure seated on it.
Then, a surge of power descended. Neil was enveloped by this force, standing still. The abnormalities on his body quickly disappeared, the extra eyes on his face almost simultaneously closed and immediately disappeared.
This power seemed to represent supreme order!
Klein realized something, but restoring Neil's physical order was not enough. His mind was also disturbed.
Just as he thought this, Klein felt another surge of power.
This power made his mind tremble involuntarily, as if a colossal creature stood before him.
It was an extraordinary power of the mind!
Klein breathed a sigh of relief. This "Creator" seemed to offer "full service," even helping to resolve the mental issues of the uncontrollable.
Neil returned to his original state, but he looked much older than a few days ago.
After all this turmoil, he couldn't hold on and collapsed to the ground.
Thunk~
Klein was about to step forward to help when he heard a sound from the altar. Turning his head, he saw that a black eye had appeared in the center of Neil's altar.
It was alive, "jumping" into the basin of blood, though its first attempt failed.
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