ATPnovel #186 - Chapter 186 The Price of Freedom
#186 - Chapter 186 The Price of Freedom
“Drew, how did you become like this?”
Wu Wei stroked his chin, looking at the small skeleton so fragile it seemed a push would knock it over, and couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
Not only Wu Wei, but the fallen angel Lilith, who was beside Wu Wei, was also puzzled.
After all, the undead in front of her was once a powerful being, capable of ruling several worlds.
But now, he had become a weak skeleton, less powerful than even a ghoul.
Such a huge gap forming in such a short period of time was something that even Lilith, with her vast experience, had never seen.
Drew did not answer Wu Wei immediately.
Because after arriving at Wu Wei's side through the Abyss Teleportation Gate, the first thing he did was to run to the corpse of a winding demon and turn its not-yet-rotted body into his new body.
And after changing into his new body, Drew finally regained the ability to "speak".
He also couldn't wait to tell Wu Wei about his experiences and what he knew.
“So, so, and so.”
“.....”
“Oh? The Thirteen Undead Council, the Overseer, the demigod Sharop, and forbidden undead experiments?”
Wu Wei chewed over the information he had just heard, pondering secretly.
“Yes, that's what happened.”
“Now I am extremely weak. If the Overseer Sharop catches me, then I might be enslaved forever.”
“Either by the Thirteen Undead Council, or by Ms. Sharop... the latter's enslavement might be even more terrifying.”
“Therefore, Abyss Lord, I need your help!”
“Although I know such a request is excessive, I swear that I will compensate you as much as possible in the days to come.”
Drew said somewhat uneasily.
Although Drew had previously determined that Wu Wei might be the only hope to save him.
But when he really stood before this Abyss Lord, he became less certain.
Because he realized one thing, that he might not be able to offer the reward that the other party wanted.
Especially if the other party realized that sheltering him meant facing the wrath of the entire Thirteen Undead Council!
“Okay, no problem.”
“I will protect you.”
But to Drew's surprise, the Abyss Lord's reply was unusually simple and clear.
Without the slightest hesitation, the other party agreed to his request.
“What did you say?”
Wu Wei smiled, and in his scarlet vertical pupils, a hint of amusement could be seen.
“Didn't you hear clearly? I said I will protect you.”
Drew didn't feel too happy after hearing Wu Wei's decisiveness, but instead became more worried.
Because he needed to clarify one question.
“But, Abyss Lord, I must understand.”
“What price do I need to pay to obtain your protection?”
Hearing Drew say this, Wu Wei glanced at him, saying with a very nonchalant attitude.
“You ask about paying a price? It's very simple, you need to become my subordinate.”
“But.....” Drew raised his head, using his soul fire to meet Wu Wei's gaze.
“I'm sorry, I cannot agree to this, because I am unwilling to be enslaved by anyone. I said before that my goal in life is to achieve the freedom of my soul.”
“If the condition for obtaining your protection is for you to put shackles on me, then I would rather perish here.”
“I have had enough of the consequences of having my soul controlled and being enslaved.”
While saying this, Drew prepared to completely destroy his phylactery.
Because unlike demons and fallen angels, Drew, as an undead, was unwilling to be enslaved by Wu Wei.
Demons and fallen angels were born to be loyal to the Abyss.
Out of instinct, they would obey the orders of Wu Wei, the Abyss Lord, due to their loyalty to the Abyss.
However, Drew, as an outsider, was different.
Currently, he was not yet a creature of the Endless Abyss.
Therefore, it was very normal for him not to want to be shackled.
However, Wu Wei didn't care about Drew's worries.
Because...
“Enslavement?”
“You seem to have misunderstood.”
“My calling you a subordinate is never meant to enslave your soul.”
“I simply need your abilities to provide assistance for the endless wars I wage.”
“Because I, as an Abyss Lord, never enslave anyone.”
Wu Wei stared with his snake-like scarlet vertical pupils at the small undead in front of him who was still worried.
“Or, I can offer another explanation.”
Speaking of this, Wu Wei suddenly recalled some remnants of the Abyss Dominator's thoughts in his mind and blurted out.
“I, and the Endless Abyss I serve, disdain to enslave anyone!”
“This is the greatness of the terrifying, vast consciousness that is the Endless Abyss!”
“The Endless Abyss is free, she welcomes any soul, regardless of whether you are evil or not, regardless of your past!”
“As long as you can adapt to the Endless Abyss, as long as you become a part of her, then you will obtain the right to live freely in the Endless Abyss!”
“The capable reside, the incompetent step aside!”
“You want to become what kind of existence, you don’t need to tell me!”
“You should ask yourself, what kind of existence do you want to become from the free Endless Abyss!”
“Drew, you need to know one thing.”
“Freedom comes at a price!”
“To obtain the freedom you want, what can you pay?”
Hearing this, Drew was stunned.
He slowly opened his mouth, giving his answer.
“I can pay with my....”
“Everything!”
Perhaps....
That existence named the Endless Abyss is far more suitable for me than the River Styx....