Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 234 - 221: The Cause of the Laceration

"So you came to treat soul fissures, why didn’t you say so earlier?" Dexterous tapped each of the crystal balls on the wall, switching their colors to a starry sky-like dark blue. "My race is the Dream Eater, a kind of soul that can extract emotions; you’ve come to the right place. I can draw out your pain, and I have ample practical experience in this, so you don’t need to worry about your safety. My technique will be meticulous to the extreme, and the process will be very smooth. Your soul won’t endure any damage because I have the most skillful hands, like those of a craftsman."

"So you use these hands to make love films?" Shiny knocked on the closest crystal ball, watching its color change repeatedly.

Dexterous moved the crystal ball to a higher place. "Don’t randomly adjust their colors; they all carry meaning and can inspire or focus me." Dexterous pointed a finger to the sky, his expression serious, "Bringing people pleasure is a sacred profession; it’s only you mortals, filled with carnal desires, that are disgusting. I initially just wanted to create dreams to comfort people, but those guys thought the most comforting things were impulse and pleasure. Thanks to them, my reputation got uglier and uglier, and I can only curl up in this dark place, satisfying the sexual fantasies of those no-brain, pubescent youths."

Dexterous’s expression then changed, reverting to that lecherous loafer, "It doesn’t matter; I make money quickly this way; I mean, who doesn’t like beautiful girls?"

"You could have done so much more; you have the capability," Flexibility said, looking at Dexterous.

"Do more, suffer more, pain more. I’m sick of pain; now I have a sweet tooth. I understand the mindset of you self-righteous strivers; I’m past the age of hot-bloodedness, and I’m certain the trials you’ve endured are nothing compared to what’s in my head." Dexterous reached up to touch Flexibility’s head, feeling the agony within, and let out a relentless hum, then, with a mocking tone and a pinch of his fingers, said, "Your pain is about the size of my booger. You spineless brat."

Shiny patted Flexibility, "Factually speaking, he’s telling the truth, and his brain and boogers are things he lacks, so if you get angry next, it’s just making a fuss over nothing."

"Shiny, I’m a Lich; I don’t need a reason to kill, I forgot, you don’t count as a person."

"Heh, you think I would get angry just like that? I... damn, my head is starting to hurt again, cursed Dexterous’s booger."

Dexterous tidied up the floral bed and looked at the person rolling on the ground.

"I didn’t know the boss’s tolerance improved so much over the years; if it had been during my time following him, someone like you would have been torn to pieces by now. Alright, bring over that whining one on the ground first."

They placed Shiny onto the bed, and Flexibility observed Dexterous’s towering figure.

"Wait, you’re not going to use this chance to steal our memories and turn us into puppets, are you?"

Dexterous raised his hand from beside Shiny’s head, looking at Flexibility with disdain. "I have no interest in your skeletal types, in any sense. This world is full of sullied souls; I wouldn’t tarnish my own by probing your disgusting thoughts. Maybe you Liches don’t have memories of vibrating 24 hours as teenagers, but are you any different? What’s today’s recreational activity, playing with rotten flesh or gut instruments? Let me tell you, the memories I desire are of beautiful women between 1.6 to 1.8 meters tall, with golden long ponytails, fair faces, aged from eighteen to twenty-eight with a voluptuous figure and long legs—humans and the Elf Race are priority, a homely and skillful housekeeper is a bonus. Apart from that, you thinking, moving things are truly annoying."

Dexterous started his healing work.

"This peculiar Specter chasing after women is really hilarious."

"One day, I’ll make enough money to smuggle myself to Light Five District and find the woman of my dreams!"

"He thinks he can live in Light Five District, that’s as laughable as an Elf falling for him."

"If it weren’t for the boss’s order, I’d have killed you already." As Dexterous concentrated, starting to work fully, "The fissures are lingering here. Although they look trivial to me, this is already your limit. Let’s see what you little crazies have done."

One day earlier.

Shiny walked towards Flexibility.

"My friend, can you help me with something? I recently discovered a new kind of scale, and I want to know if it has the ability to defend against soul attacks."

"What should I do?"

"Use the Soul Scream on me."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

Some time later.

"Should Shiny continue? Your legs seem to be shaking."

"Continue, I feel like I’m starting to sense its spirit resistance, just a bit more effort."

Some time later.

"You’re on your knees."

"Keep going, I’m on the verge, the power of this scale is just a little short of being triggered."

Some time later.

"You’ve passed out, Shiny, I think your experiment has failed. I’ll take you back to the room, wait, what’s this? A little note. [’Don’t worry about me, this is a special protective mechanism of the body, my experiment succeeded, now all you need is to take one small step further, keep it up, don’t let my current suffering go to waste!’] Are you sure? Well, you can’t be sure now."

Eight hours earlier.

"Flexibility, what’s wrong with Shiny?"

"He... he’s undergoing a type of spiritual cultivation, one that targets soul power."

"What kind of cultivation."

"You know, my brother, if your mind is under extreme overload, you can transcend yourself and become stronger. And Shiny, he’s done it!"

"Shiny’s head is like an Arcane Bomb right now, you know, those from the Magic Research Society, anything that shines bright white means danger."

"Trust me! My brother! Would I lie to you? Would I deceive you just to see you in pain! Do you think I’m a fool? Would I betray our blood ties over a prank driven by a whim!"

"I believe you would, after all, you are a boring person, and besides, we have no flesh, only bones. Bones are cold."

"...Actually, this is a method of cultivation taught by Plague Doctor, it requires the cooperation of two people. I did this just to provoke you to use Soul Scream on me to enhance myself, it seems I’ve failed, haven’t I?"

The manipulator immediately seized Flexibility’s arm, "Yes, you’ve failed, now, I command you to use Soul Scream on me to make me stronger! Or else I will make you submit through violence, my foolish brother!"

Five hours earlier.

"Damn you, Flexibility! I’m going to kill you! It hurts like hell! Shiny has already told me everything! About his idiotic scale and your idiotic pranks! You son of a bitch! Enhancing yourself, huh! I’ll give you an enhancement! I’m going to make you feel, the same pain as me!"