When the plot-skips players into the game world

"I was ignorant back then, uncle."

Aziz apologized sincerely: "I have completely repented. I will accept you, and I will also bring those who follow me to accept you. The me of the past is not the me of today—I bow to you. If you're still not appeased, you can torment me all you want. I'm willing to stay with you like this forever. If you're not appeased for a year, you can torment me for a year; if you're not appeased for a lifetime, you can torment me for a lifetime."

Though his words seemed sincere, there was a sinister trap lying beneath for the other.

The Savior in "Parthia" is a benevolent person who liberated people, ending their hunger and thirst. If the other person showed too much darkness and cruelty, it would make him seem more sincere instead—weren't those Avalonians all about the "repentant spirit"? His submission would become part of the other's achievements and grandeur, satisfying the other's vanity.

He even hinted that he was willing to submit to their torment, so there's no need to kill him; plus many people follow him, and he was willing to become your strength…thereby greatly reducing the other's intent to kill.

And it seemed to work successfully—Ibn turned back, as if seeking instructions from the high figure behind the curtain.

The high figure spoke and asked slowly: "Have you been to Avalon? What do you think of Avalon?"

"Indeed!"

Aziz answered without hesitation: "It is a land slowly decaying, like a peach pit discarded by the roadside before being completely eaten. Though there is some sweetness, it will eventually wither in the endless wind and sand."

"How many people have you killed in Avalon?"

The other person asked again.

"Oh, a lot. There were quite a few big figures, including some Royal Family members."

Aziz boasted: "Avalonians are not skilled in rituals and curses, like horses unable to jump over obstacles. They can resist many spells, but cannot withstand curses, like leeches that cannot fend off salt—it shows that Avalonians ought to be our slaves!"

"Do you remember each person you've killed?"

The voice asked again.

"...Forgive me, great Savior. That's a bit difficult."

Aziz did not lie, he just evaded the question, his words dripping with jealousy and hatred: "The people there are lazy, decadent, and foolish, yet occupy fertile lands and clear springs. Looking over them, I think everyone should die; I wouldn't bother to remember their names or faces—rather than work, I'd prefer to call it a sacred mission..."

The next moment, the Dragon Beast suddenly went berserk—

It roared fiercely and struck at Aziz with its scythe-like claws.

The radiance on Aziz's belt suddenly flared up, blocking the King of Indigo's fierce assault with a clang; immediately after, the Gold Coin on his head also became dim.

A powerful curse struck his heart, one after another of the equipment emitting defensive light on his body flickered out. Aziz stood up in panic, preparing to teleport away quickly.

But at that moment, a dagger suddenly pierced his back.

...Why didn't the other defenses activate?!

They were supposed to work against anyone's attack—

Aziz turned around, feeling pained and stunned, only to find another "Aziz" behind him!

No wonder his equipment didn't react...the one attacking him was actually "himself"!

It was shrouded in darkness, exuding shadow, yet its features could be eerily seen as identical to his own. Its eyes were crimson, smirking with a malicious grin.

But behind it, a very strange and terrifying shadow was cast—

Its shadow condensed into a pitch-black crow.

The monster-like giant shadow of the crow on the ground also had crimson eyes identical to that of the person, staring coldly at him like him.

He felt even sharper pain in his lower back, trying to reach his shoes to escape...but the other "Aziz" seemed to know him inside out, casting a Leg Binding Curse on him—originally, his equipment could rebound the Evil Curse but now mysteriously failed; his legs were magically bound together, unable to move a bit.

It whispered near his ear, revealing secrets only Aziz knew—

"You killed Aziz and took his place...then, I shall kill Aziz and take his place."

Speaking, the Shadow of Fall Azis showed an ugly smile, pressing its face to his: "This is also a ritual...fair, isn't it?"

It toyed with the dagger in its hand.

Aziz suddenly realized that it was the dagger he first used in murder—the dagger used to kill the real "Aziz".

"You damn—"

In the dizziness of losing blood and paralysis, Aziz realized the disgusting smile he had when he laughed for the first time. He was completely unable to cast a spell; the dagger he discarded in the sandy yellow desert long ago seemed to have bound him, rendering him a helpless and defenseless child.

Just like the real "Aziz".

He experienced the child's feelings at that time.

Like being sought by a vengeful spirit returning for justice.

"...Why?"

Aziz turned around fiercely to look at the compartment, finally realizing who killed him in the end.

The only one who could achieve all this was the Savior!

Yet he didn't even know why he died—such strong injustice, pain, and suffocation hung upon his heart.

He could accept death...rather, he had long accepted such resolution.

But he absolutely couldn't accept dying so confused and amusingly...which would make all his past life's decisions and sacrifices appear like a joke.

Why on earth? Where did he say the wrong thing? Where did things go wrong?

"Why...?"

Aziz asked unwillingly.

The Shadow of Fall had already merged into half of his corpse, his half face melted like liquid, as if corroded by strong acid.

Yet Aiwass was resolute in his refusal to answer his question.

"Why..."

His consciousness gradually faded, but his twisted soul had no chance to enter the Source River—instead, it was dissolved and assimilated by the Shadow of Fall.

His shell screamed hysterically in intense distortion, the mortal body gradually transformed into a Demon.

In the next moment, the Shadow of Fall, created and replicated with his abilities and memories, was also melted by that strength.

"Master, master, I am your strength...I am your follower..."

It called out in terror: "I could completely become your strength...please...please don't—"

Half its face was Aziz, half was an unformed Demon.

"Keep it for disgust."

Aiwass finally spoke, softly replying: "So don't need it."

He toyed with the card of Vinesse in his hand, sitting expressionless behind the desk.

While Night Fiend materialized beside Aiwass, embracing and silently comforting him.

The next moment, the Shadow of Fall Aziz also screamed, completely dissolving.

"Greed's sin, Envy's sin…a heavy weight of sins indeed, enough to become an Upper-Level Demon."

Vinesse slowly looked at the filth in Aziz's soul, then looked at Aiwass: "Master, how would you like him to become a demon?"

"Not necessary...just Mirror Demon."

After a while of silence, Aiwass spoke slowly: "Perhaps being eternally imprisoned in a mirror where he can see no one…is a fitting punishment for someone who always obsessively stares at others' lives."