Chapter 2
In a dilapidated stone house in the slum, I leaned against the corner of the wall, the surgical monitor on my retina showing everything was normal.
The wife's heart bypass surgery has entered a critical stage, and the daughter's hematopoietic stem cells are rebuilding her immune system. The attending physician gives a victory sign to the camera—the second stage of the surgery is a success.
"Bang!"
The wooden door was violently kicked open, and the hinges made a screeching sound.
Baal strode into the house, Damian following closely behind, a sneer of excitement on his face. The Abyss Lord exuded a sulfurous aura, causing the temperature in the dilapidated house to drop several degrees.
"Kyle," Baal's voice was deep and arrogant, "hand over the Shadow Crystal."
I glanced up at them, then looked down again to continue reviewing the medical report. My daughter's platelet count was still fluctuating and required close monitoring.
"Did you hear that?" Damian shrieked, leaping in front of me. "Hand over the magic crystal! It was a gift from Mother, and now it's returned to its rightful owner!"
The Shadow Crystal. The black crystal embedded in my chest symbolizes the favor of the High Priest of the Holy See and contains dark magic powerful enough to destroy a city. In this world, its value is equivalent to the treasury of a small country.
"If you obediently hand it over, I might consider letting you die with some dignity." Baal released an even stronger pressure, causing the entire room to tremble slightly. "Otherwise, I'll dig you out of your flesh bit by bit."
Damian chuckled, "I want to see you beg for mercy! I want to see you cry and beg to hand over the magic crystal!"
I turned off the medical monitor and watched them quietly.
Since the mission is already complete, and I'll be leaving this world soon, it's better to hand it over willingly than to be tortured and have it taken from me—after all, it's just a stone.
But looking at Baal's greedy face and Damian's expectant expression, I suddenly changed my mind.
I stood up and reached out to touch the Shadow Crystal on my chest.
Baal proudly extended his palm, ready to receive this treasure. Damian trembled with excitement, waiting to see my expression of utter agony.
I gripped the edge of the magic crystal and pulled hard.
With a soft "pop," the Shadow Crystal detached from my chest, bringing with it a few drops of blood. I didn't even flinch.
"Very good." A greedy glint flashed in Baal's eyes as he took a step forward. "Now take it—"
Looking at his confident and determined expression, I suddenly found it quite amusing.
Did they really think I would obediently hand over the stone to satisfy them?
I exerted force with all five fingers.
"Click."
The priceless Shadow Crystal shattered into powder in my palm, black shards falling through my fingers.
Baal's smile froze instantly. Damian opened his mouth wide, but no sound came out.
"Are you insane?!" Baal roared. "That's a Shadow Crystal! The most precious treasure on the entire continent!"
"A treasure?" I clapped my hands, flicking away the remaining powder. Seeing their shocked expressions, I felt much happier. "Since you want it so badly, why don't you come and get it yourselves?"
I originally planned to just let them have it easy, but seeing how they thought they had me figured out, I decided not to let them have their way.
The magic crystal fragments erupted into chaotic dark currents, scattering corrosive energy in all directions. Baal's outstretched right hand was the first to be hit, instantly burning a bloody hole in his palm, charring his flesh.
"Ah!" He clutched his right hand in anguish, his abyss lord's majesty completely gone.
What shocked them even more was that the shattering of the magic crystal activated the emergency protection protocol of the Pantheon's main system—a faint blue light shield suddenly opened, directly blasting Damian, who was rushing towards me, away. The little guy fell face-first into the mud, his mouth full of dust.
"Main system emergency protection." I watched the light shield around me gradually dissipate. "Looks like headquarters is still monitoring this place. But this one-time firewall has limited energy; once it's used up, it's gone."
Damian scrambled to his feet, blood trickling from his mouth, his eyes filled with fear and confusion. When his gaze met mine, a chill ran down my spine—it felt as if some being from another world was watching the depths of my soul.
"If you want it, remember to say 'please' next time," I said indifferently. "Now can you get lost?"
Baal clutched his charred hand, his eyes burning with rage: "Do you know what you've done? That was something Morgana herself inlaid for you—"
"I know," I interrupted him, leaning back against the corner of the wall. "It's just a broken rock. I'll be leaving soon anyway, so it's useless to keep it."
These words were more lethal than any attack. Baal growled angrily, and Damian trembled with rage, but faced with my indifferent attitude, they were unable to utter any more threats.
They wanted to humiliate me and gain a sense of conquest from me. Instead, I destroyed what they wanted and even took one of Baal's hands.
"Get out." I repeated, my voice as calm as still water.
Baal gritted his teeth, but ultimately pulled Damian away. Before leaving, he threatened viciously, "You'll pay for your foolishness today!"
"Will it?" I closed the broken door and reviewed the medical surveillance footage again.
My wife has been transferred to the recovery room, and my daughter's white blood cell count is rising. Everything is getting better.
I closed my eyes; the countdown was still ticking. In less than 60 hours, I would be able to leave this world forever.
That whole thing was quite interesting. I was thinking of just giving in to them to save myself the trouble, but seeing their entitled attitude, I suddenly decided I didn't want to let them have their way.
After all, who says you have to cooperate when you're being robbed?
In the distance came the curses of Baal and the cries of Damian, which gradually faded into the distance.
But I knew the real trouble was just beginning. Morgana wouldn't tolerate anyone trampling on her "gift," much less my contempt.
But it doesn't matter. I can just endure it for two more days at most, and then I'll be able to get back to where it's really important.
The countdown continued, as reassuring as my wife's steady heartbeat.
Meanwhile, in the highest level of the Holy See, Morgana witnessed the entire event through a crystal ball.
She saw Kyle shatter the magic crystal without hesitation, saw him treat her "gift" with the eyes of someone looking at trash, and saw his detached indifference.
The crystal ball shattered in her hand.
"Divine Guard!" Her voice echoed throughout the temple, her eyes bloodshot. "Immediately escort Kyle to the wedding altar tomorrow! I want him to know the consequences of disrespecting the High Priest!"
The temple bells began to toll, foreshadowing an impending execution.
