Chapter 263
by post_apiChapter 263: “The Return of the Emperor”
Bai Yan held his phone, his expression calm as he noticed a new notification flashing across the screen.
Game Tip:
The first part of the mission is complete. The ‘Seven Steps of Calamity’ has been eliminated.
You’ve acquired the first clue for the final boss of this adventure.
Curious, Bai Yan clicked to see the so-called “clue.” It appeared as a single sentence, bold and stark in black font:
The path I have walked has been filled with hardships. All I see before me is disaster, sorrow, adversity, and misfortune.
The phrase struck a chord. Bai Yan felt as though he’d seen these words before, perhaps during his time as a Night Watcher, buried in the archives of the Demon Hunt Agency’s library.
“Who could have said this?” he murmured to himself, a faint crease forming on his brow.
After a moment’s pause, he activated the power of “Connection”—a unique ability that allowed him to link fragmented clues and forgotten memories into a coherent whole.
The answer came swiftly, drawn from the recesses of his mind.
It was her.
The Demon of Justice.
Kessel’s wife, Ailsa, founder of the Demon Hunt Agency and a woman who had perished more than two centuries ago.
Ailsa was a name etched in legends, the pinnacle of an era long gone, and her reputation as the strongest being of that time was unquestionable. Without her, the Air Alliance would never have risen to prominence.
Even so, Bai Yan dismissed the idea of Ailsa being the current stage’s boss. Yet, in the twisted world of Babel Tower, impossible scenarios were commonplace.
“Could she really be involved in all this?” Bai Yan muttered, unsettled by the notion. His thoughts drifted to the remaining three creatures he needed to defeat to uncover the truth.
Bai Yan now stood before a swirling mass of black mist on the bustling main street of Tatsumi City. Above it, suspended in mid-air, was a mysterious black letter exuding distortion and chaos.
“This has to be opened,” Bai Yan thought grimly. He already knew what would happen if he did; the Babel Tower game had prepared him for that much.
Hours ago, within the game, he had opened a similar black letter. The result? A harrowing cascade of despair.
The first person affected would succumb to a crushing sense of hopelessness, seeking immediate release in death. Witnesses would follow suit, spiraling into madness and self-destruction. The despair spread like wildfire, devouring everyone it touched.
“This time, there’s no one left to be affected.” Bai Yan’s preparations were meticulous. Using his mental abilities, he had evacuated the entire area. The Demon Hunt Agency, along with Maryse, had secured the perimeter, leaving him free to act.
With no hesitation, Bai Yan
activated “Power Possession –
Mysterious Magic” and
unleashed the Fire that Burns
Everything upon the black
letter. Flames roared to life,
consuming the letter in
seconds.
From within, wails of agony
erupted as a thick gray mist
surged forth, splitting into
three directions.
Bai Yan’s “Insightful Linking”
revealed the mist for what it
truly was—a manifestation of
pure despair.
Acting swiftly, Bai Yan’s body
split into an “incarnation,” both
forms wielding the black
flames. Together, they pursued
two of the escaping mists,
relentless in their chase.
The fire burned with unyielding
force, catching up to the mist
despite its speed. With an
anguished scream, the gray
haze was consumed, leaving
nothing behind.
The third mist, however,
slipped away.
Bai Yan didn’t follow. He knew
someone else would handle it.
Just as in the Babel Tower
game, salvation came in the
form of a pure white figure.
The air grew heavy as an
immense power descended.
“I command you… bring
destruction.”
The Emperor had arrived.
Kessel, clad in a fitted white
suit with silver hair and a
teardrop birthmark beneath his
left eye, radiated a divine,
overwhelming presence.
The gray mist, trembling in
fear, crumbled under Kessel’s
might, self-destructing in an
act of primal desperation.
But Bai Yan, ever watchful, did
not relax.
Kessel’s arrival was as
expected. In the game, he had
proposed an alliance with the
Psychic Dancer, and Bai Yan
knew this moment would
mirror that event.
“People of Babel Tower, I wish
to form an alliance with you,”
Kessel declared.
Bai Yan remained cautious.
The Emperor, while technically
an ally, had the authority to
strike without warning.
“Why?” Bai Yan asked,
activating “Connection” to
gather information about
Kessel.
The details painted a vivid
picture: founder of the Demon
Hunt Agency, a pinnacle of
strength, and a man burdened
with unresolved grief.
“Because this matter concerns
her,” Kessel finally admitted,
his voice tinged with sorrow.
“Only I still remember her
existence.”
“Ailsa,” Bai Yan murmured,
piecing the clues together.
Kessel’s demeanor shifted. At
the mention of her name, his
composure cracked, revealing
a deep and desperate fear.
“I warn you,” Kessel snapped,
his tone laced with madness.
“Speak ill of her again, and I
will destroy you.”
Bai Yan’s sharp instincts
detected the guilt hidden
behind Kessel’s rage. The
Emperor was hiding something
—something critical to solving
this mystery.
For now, Bai Yan played along.
“Let’s deal with the other two
creatures,” he said, stepping
closer to Kessel.
But as he moved, Bai Yan’s
intentions shifted. His hand
extended, as if to pat Kessel
on the shoulder, but it was a
subtle maneuver to activate
intelligence gathering.
Kessel, however, was no
ordinary opponent. Centuries
of battles had honed his
instincts, and he reacted
instantly.
“What do you think you’re
doing?” Kessel growled,
retreating as his eyes burned
with distrust.
Without hesitation, he
attacked.