Khrx followed the crow’s directions and ended up at a building in the center of the city. It was a tower-like structure at the highest point on the mountain, and it could be seen from anywhere within the city walls. It was also the only building made from stone other than the temple of Jax

“This is the palace,” the crow said. “It’s where the king lives.” The crow shivered, causing its feathers to ruffle and puff out. “We don’t like him. I’ll be going now. Take care, dummy. Don’t be tricked by the king.” The crow patted Khrx’s ears a few more times with its wings before laughing and flying away.

Khrx raised an eyebrow. “King?” The crow clearly wasn’t referring to Luke. Luke would’ve called himself an emperor or a god, not a king. Khrx pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. The interior reminded him of Anaheim’s living room: wooden chairs, red carpet, a wooden table. The only difference was the spiral staircase heading upwards. Khrx looked around some more and furrowed his brow. Maybe Aaz’Tala was at the top. Khrx sighed as he stared at the stairs, unwilling to raise his feet. When was the last time he ascended stairs? He was a dragon! Dragons didn’t use stairs. It was demeaning.

Khrx sighed as he left the palace. It seemed like meeting Aaz’Tala was a much harder ordeal than he initially thought. If only Lorin, Monika, or Anaheim were around, then they could carry him. Speaking of which, why did Lorin kill Monika? It was a shame he couldn’t call the fallen angel and ask. Why wasn’t there a method to communicate with his companion over long distances?

“Khrx!”

Khrx blinked. Speak of the fallen angel and she will appear. Lorin descended from the sky, landing in front of Khrx. Before he could react, he was already in her embrace which smelled of blood and iron.

“You’re back,” Lorin said, tears falling from her eyes. “I thought I’d have to rescue you from the underworld. I got a lot stronger, but not strong enough to slay a god. But you’re back!” She tilted Khrx’s head up, still holding him to her chest. “Did anyone bully you, master?”

“The whole underworld,” Khrx said and pouted. Those stupid blessings were just excuses to abuse him. Lorin’s eyes flashed with a dark light. “While you’re holding me, can you take me up the stairs to Aaz’Tala?”

“Hmm?” Lorin blinked. “You want to meet that weirdo?” She bit her lower lip. “You shouldn’t associate with strange people lest you stray from normalcy as well. Just stay by my side, alright? This servant will raise you nice and proper.”

“Take me upstairs,” Khrx said, his expression darkening. “Luke told me to meet Aaz’Tala, and I can’t not listen to Luke. If Luke continues to starve Fufu…”

“Luke’s the worst of them all,” Lorin said, narrowing her eyes. “To think he was blackmailing you. I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.” She entered the palace and walked up the stairs. “T-Thed…, the god of the underworld didn’t trick you, right? You didn’t sell your soul to her to be reborn, right? Right? …Though I’m not sure how else you’d come back.”

Khrx scratched his head. “I made a sort of deal with her? I think.”

“Khrx…”

“I’m now a co-owner of the underworld,” Khrx said. “Oh, you can read it yourself.” He manipulated the menu and opened his status screen.

[Name: Khrx’Lrvnjl]

[Guild: Paradise]

[Title: Apostle of the Sun God]

[Strength: 32 (22+10)]

[Constitution: 31 (21+10)]

[Intelligence: -19]

[Spirit: 1,000]

[Dexterity: 12]

[Perception: 11]

[Charm: 61]

[Luck: 1,010]

[Active Skills: Nature’s Spirit (M), Poison Incarnate (M), In Exchange for Life (L), Co-owner of the Underworld (M)]

[Passive Skills: Nature’s Spirit (M), Poison Incarnate (M), Blissful Rest (M), Co-owner of the Underworld (M)]

[Companions: Lorin]

[Lover: Anaheim]

Lorin stared at Khrx’s status. “This…. Isn’t your improvement a bit too exaggerated? Except for your intelligence…. Why did it become even lower? What did you promise the god of the underworld for co-ownership? I don’t believe she didn’t trick you.”

“Come in! Come in!” a voice boomed, causing Khrx and Lorin to flinch. They were standing at the very top of the spiral staircase in front of a wooden door. Well, Lorin was standing. Khrx’s legs were dangling above the ground.

Lorin snorted and kicked open the door, causing it to nearly fly off its hinges. If that weirdo knew they were outside, then he should’ve known they were talking. Why did he interrupt?

“Why, if it isn’t the blood angel. And what’s this? A plush doll?”

Khrx stared at the man dressed in garish robes. The man’s hair was a bright purple with dyed pink stripes crisscrossing to form a checkerboard pattern. He wore a golden monocle that was as large as half his face, and the green and blue tuxedo he wore had its collar popped. His pants were red with orange bananas and apples decorating it. Khrx blinked, unable to say a word. He had never seen something so visually offensive before in his life. Even poisonous animals with their bright red and yellow colors had some sense of fashion.

“Do you see what I mean?” Lorin asked, lowering her head to meet Khrx’s wide eyes. “That’s the weirdo you wanted to meet.”

“You’re Aaz’Tala?” Khrx asked, furrowing his brow. The only thing Khrx knew about this person was that he was Luke’s subordinate.

“Yes,” Aaz’Tala said with a smile and nod. “I knew [Resolution] was amazing, but to think it have talking dolls as well. You’re awfully realistic, you know?”

“I’m Khrx’Lrvnjl,” Khrx said, his expression darkening even further. “Luke said you wanted to meet me.”

Aaz’Tala’s eyes bulged, and Khrx thought they were going to fall out of his head. “You’re Khrx’Lrvnjl? The dragon of the apocalypse? The bringer of the end of times? You’re … a lot…, uh, smaller … than I imagined.”

“I’m not the dragon of the apocalypse, damn it,” Khrx said. “That’s my cousin. Stop mashing our legends together. I’ll have you know, I stopped the world from ending multiple times.”

Aaz’Tala’s shoulders fell. “Oh.” A second later, his eyes lit up. “Then, can I meet your cousin?”

Khrx slapped his face with his hand. Lorin was right. He shouldn’t associate with weirdos. “Luke told me to tell you to take care of the hostile spies in the city,” Khrx said. “Now that I delivered the message, I’ll be leaving now. I hope I never see you again.” He glanced at Lorin. “Let’s go.”

“Wait!” Aaz’Tala said. “When can I meet your cousin? I only started [Resolution] because Luke said you were playing as well, and I thought you were the bringer of the end of times. I’ll quit if you don’t introduce me!”

Khrx’s tail swished. “Eh…. Eventually. Work hard enough, and I’ll introduce you to her after the country is formed.”

“It’s a deal then!”

“Right, right. A deal.” Khrx tugged on Lorin’s arm, signaling for her to leave.

Lorin closed the door with her wing as she left. “You’re really going to introduce your cousin to him?”

“Nah, I lied,” Khrx said. “I’m actually the dragon of the apocalypse, not my cousin. There’s a reason why I don’t leave my home often, you know?”