*Congratulations! You cleared the floor. Teleportation to the Waiting Room will begin shortly.*

Arthur ignored the tower's voice as his mind was preoccupied with all the information he heard from himself. It was just too much for him to forget or ignore, everything that was told was backed by proofs and the more he thought about it, the more he dreaded the incoming future which he won't be able to escape from.

Things are becoming complicated and, to make matters worse, the second he appeared in the Waiting Room, he noticed that one of his emotions was erased again, however, he didn't know which one as he couldn't recognize it anymore. Fortunately, his feeling toward his wife, Lucy, are still present, making him breathe a sigh of relief as sat in a corner and looked at the System notification popping out of nowhere.

*Through sufficient accumulated information, you've gained a new Racial skill: [Multiplication(active)].*

*[Multiplication(passive): As a soul parasite, you're able to create identical clones that share your skills and stats but are without a soul. They are a version of yourself and if they're killed in battle, their memories are sent to the main host: Arthur MoonStar.

Number of clones you can create: 2

Clones created: 0/2

Cost: 1500 Mental Power will be deducted until the clone dies.

Cooldown: None.

Please note that while the clones have the user's stats, any benefits gotten from Blessings or Oaths will not be applied.*

Arthur read the description and became momentarily awed. He very much wanted to try it but there were a lot of peering eyes in the room and showcasing his new skills might cause troubles later—on, if he ever wants to trick others, that is.

"What's troubling you?"

Zodiak came and sat next to Arthur, his robe was all bloodied but he didn't seem to mind as black fog covered it and erased all the traces of the disgusting and nauseating liquid.

"Did you know?"

Arthur stared at the old man and asked him out of the blue.

"About what?"

"Our soul… we each have a third."

Hearing this, Zodiak sighed, retrieved a dark talisman, and put it on the table, which created an inky black cube that separated them from the other guests.

"So you heard. I'm curious about who told you."

"Does that matter? Tell me, is it true?"

"Unfortunately, it is. I told you the truth is never easy to handle."

"So you want to tell me that we're the same entity?"

"Are we though? We share a soul but we're so very different."

The old man stopped talking and waved his hand, getting rid of the cube. Lucy just appeared here and immediately located Arthur and Zodiak.

The latter smiled at the silver-haired woman then got up and left, leaving a frowning Arthur, who only noticed Lucy when she patted his back.

"Did the fight go well?"

For a second, he didn't reply as his eyes were glued on a line he drew on the table.

"A-ah, yes, it wasn't that hard."

"Hahaha then I'm glad. I got rewarded 15,000,000 points, I'll soon get the phoenix's blood."

She softly smiled and sat next to him, who smiled and purged all the troublesome thoughts from his mind, focusing on his wife as he didn't want to get her too much involved. He didn't even tell her the truth, fearing what she'll do to change the inevitable. After all, all he wishes for is her happiness and safety.

Honestly, he wanted to tell her to leave the Red Tower but he kept such thoughts to himself because he knew she'll refuse no matter what he says to convince her otherwise. It's no that he didn't trust her or her ability to defend herself, however, he couldn't help but worry, especially after what he heard in that courtyard. His disappearing emotions may turn him into an emotionless monster and he didn't want her to see him like that.

The only solution is the Garden of Words, his next destination after leaving the Red Tower, though it is said to be a secretive place that very few managed to reach. It has all the answers in the multiverse and can solve any problem you ask it so, as long as he asks the right thing, he'll get a satisfactory answer about his evolution and get rid of the disadvantage of being a soul parasite.

"Lucy… you know that I love you very much, right?"

He uttered those words while caressing her rosy cheeks. In response, a mesmerizing smile appeared on her pretty face, she enjoyed the warmth of his hand and his affectionate words.

"I love you too. Very very very much."

She giggled and gave him a light hug before stuffing his mouth with white cake, which she liked to eat whenever she's in the waiting room.

"I heard that the next floor is tiring so you have to fill your stomach!"

Arthur chewed the delicious cake and complained: "But I don't need to eat… you know that."

"No buts!"

"Instead… I wouldn't mind tasting another thing."

He leaned closer to her, his lips almost touching hers but, unfortunately, she stopped him with her index finger. She coquettishly said:"

"Maybe if there is a secluded spot later then…" Her right eyes emitted a blue light as her finger ran down his chin and lifted his head.

******

"That robe really suits you, woman."

The Joker nodded his head as he stared at the uninvited guest who appeared at the top floor of the Red Tower. She had a skin similar to a corpse's and a hair darker than night. Although she recently became Death, she didn't dare behave arrogantly and, instead, bowed toward the two seated brothers. Wolfram unceremoniously waved his hand while Leiu ignored her, because he did hate what she became but he didn't dislike her personally.

"Pardon the intrusion."

"Nah, it's fine, at least you don't behave like your master, 'God, don't bless his non-existent soul'."

Anastassia ignored that comment and glanced at the large monitor before asking:

"I've seen enough of the past to know that both of you are strong enough to get rid of Sol'khin. Why are you hesitating?"

While the Nameless Knight kept his silence, the Joker furrowed his brow and retorted:

"Hesitating? Who said we're hesitating? We just don't want to. You can't force us to do something, can you?"

"I'm not here to ask you to do anything. I was just curious."

"As Death, it's not your job to be curious. You harvest souls and end the existence of which that should not exist. Any interference with other matters will automatically make the Death Laws strip you of your title and replace you."

For the first time, Leiu talked while still looking at the monitor. His voice was cold and utterly void of any emotions.

"I have the Grim Reapers to harvest the souls."

"That doesn't mean you can wander around, visible to anyone."

Anastassia showed no fear as she took a step forward and talked back: "Before I became Death, I was a human and a friend of Arthur. I am worried about him and Lucy."

"Worried? It's just a lingering emotion that will disappear soon. Death has no emotions."

"Why are you being so mean?" The Joker clicked his tongue at his brother before standing up and signaling for Anastassia to sit beside him.

"Don't mind his grumpy attitude, he's socially inept. You're my younger brother's friend so a proper welcome is needed. Please sit."

The Joker sounded genuine as he crushed a card, causing a table filled with all types of food to appear. He also presented many beautiful clothes to Anastassia, saying that it's a small gift from him.

From the entrance of the room, a short figure came flying into Death's hands, hugging her tightly while her white tail wagged left and right.

"Auntie!"

Saly was happy to see Anastassia, whom she thought disappeared from Astria. The little girl was very delighted as she guided Death to her seat and started talking to her.

Anastassia reciprocated and acted friendly as she was also happy to see her friend's daughter. She taught Saly many things in the past and they were very close.

"You seem to have evolved?"

The woman noticed the archaic aura emanating from Saly as well as her white fur and sky-blue pupils.

"I am Fenrir now!"

Saly giggled and flexed her small muscles to Anastassia, who was gob-smacked. She glanced at the Joker, who nodded his head and confirmed her suspicions:

"It's true, she's the real Fenrir, the devourer of the Sun and Moon. I can't have a shabby disciple, after all."

"I-I see."