Chapter 2: My King Wishes to Speak with You
Passing through the Dimension Gate, Richard felt as if he had slipped into the mouth of a giant beast, reaching its stomach.
But soon, this discomfort vanished.
Instead, it was replaced by a feeling akin to the comfort and security of burrowing into a bed on a winter's day.
He was blessed by the Abyss, and the Abyss World's environment felt almost the same to him as the Wizard World.
The scenery of the Abyss World remained as ever, with the only change being the newly born blood moon in the sky.
Richard spread his arms, and as he breathed, a nearly tangible Power of Abyss flowed around his mouth and nose, appearing as terrifying as the Demon God or Demon Lord from a novel.
However, in the Abyss World, such a display would only be revered by Abyss Demons.
"Indeed, the Abyss World is more suitable for the survival of Abyss Titans," Richard sighed softly.
Even though he was a Blessed of the Wizard World, the environment of the Wizard World wasn't as comfortable for Richard as the Abyss World.
Beside him, Talal Peak stood with vacant eyes, his soul seemingly connected to the Abyssal Will.
As a suddenly appearing Abyss Titan, and a Dominator Level Abyss Titan at that, he had to undergo the scrutiny of the Abyssal Will.
A moment later, a vast will suddenly swept across the land.
It was the Sovereign's Vision exclusive to the Abyss Dominator's ascension, indicating that Talal Peak had been acknowledged by the Abyssal Will, becoming a legitimate Abyss Titan.
After the Sovereign's Vision ended, a crimson star suddenly appeared in the sky of the Abyss World.
This star settled beside Richard's blood moon, seemingly like soldiers guarding the blood moon.
Talal Peak came to his senses and said with a hint of emotion: "I didn't expect they would actually succeed, a living world, a living dimension, it is simply unbelievable."
Clearly, he had obtained considerable information about the Abyss from the Abyssal Will.
Without lingering, Richard immediately took Talal Peak toward the World Tree at the center of the Abyss World.
The World Tree was the incarnation of the Abyssal Will, and dialogues there, even if resulting in conflict, were advantageous to Richard and his companion.
...
At the center of the Abyss World, three Guardians of the Abyss World gathered once more.
The one with a body full of mouths, Devourer, said to the one with a body full of eyes, Inspector: "Inspector, have I been abandoned by the Abyss? I didn't sense the slightest ripple from this new Dominator's ascension."
Inspector shook his body, the eyes on him darting around continuously.
As the Inspector, his eyes could connect with all Abyss Demons except for the Dominator.
And now, he couldn't find the slightest trace of the Dominator's ascension, as if this Dominator had sprung forth from a rock.
"Devourer, you should be cautious with your words," the silent Action spoke up.
"The greatness of the Abyss is beyond our comprehension."
Among the three Guardians, Action was the most dogmatic, always honoring the Abyssal Will as if it were a fatherly figure or a motherly icon.
Devourer remained silent, knowing arguing with his companion would be of no use due to his nature.
Suddenly, all the eyes on Inspector's body froze.
He transformed into a human shape, bowing slightly towards the east.
"Greetings, Dominator."
Before his words were finished, two imposing figures appeared from the Void.
Richard gazed at the three Guardians and smiled: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have important matters to discuss with the two Dominators."
Upon seeing Richard, the other two Guardians immediately expressed their respect with varying ceremonies.
Although Richard wasn't a native Abyss Demon, his identity as an Abyss Dominator was indisputable.
The Abyss had acknowledged Richard as a Dominator, what would the thoughts of these Guardians matter?
While saluting, the "gaze" of the three Guardians subtly fell on Talal Peak standing beside Richard.
Compared to Richard, Talal Peak's presence intrigued them more.
Talal Peak stood motionless beside Richard like a sculpture, but the three Guardians sensed an undeniable grandmaster aura of dominance over all things emanating from him.
Undoubtedly, Talal Peak was the newly emerged Abyss Dominator.
Moreover, all three Guardians detected a "scent of age" upon Talal Peak.
It was the marks left on the soul by the Dominator after living through long ages.
No matter how youthful a Dominator's body might appear, these markings reveal to others that he is an old one.
"Could it be that the creator of old still has Dominators existing in the world?"
The hearts of the three Guardians trembled; after Richard became Dominator, they could now access information about Titans.
The three Guardians were also aware that the Abyss was not born naturally, but rather created by Shepherd Star Titans.
And now, a Dominator suddenly appeared with the marks of age, acknowledged by the Abyss as an Abyss Dominator.
It's hard not to connect this to the Titans of the past.
Still, if this Titan truly was the creator of old, why hadn't he appeared these years?
Disorderly thoughts tangled within the minds of the Guardians; they sensed they were missing a crucial piece of information.
In a flash of thought, Richard finished speaking, and Inspector promptly replied: "Lord Dominator, currently in the Abyss World, there is only Lord Beelzebub as Dominator.
If you and this gentleman must converse with two Dominators about major matters, then I shall go to notify Lord Samuel."
Richard nodded, "This matter must be known to both Dominators, but I can meet with Beelzebub first."
The Inspector then relayed the news to Samuel, who was fighting on the front lines, that Richard had come to the Abyss World to discuss important matters with him.
At the same time, Action and Devour disappeared from their places—they went to invite Beelzebub.
Moments later, the Inspector bowed to Richard once more.
"I have notified Lord Samuel, but at the moment, Lord Samuel is in fierce battle and might take some time to return."
Richard nodded, not giving the Inspector a hard time—what he said indeed matched Samuel's character.
"This matter can wait until he's done fighting."
Meanwhile, Action and Devour, using origin teleportation, had arrived above a vast swamp in the eastern part of the Abyss World, almost like an ocean.
This swamp was covered with twisted Abyss Plants, and the poisonous stench accumulating in the depths rose with bubbles, just a trace of which could make a First Level creature vomit its bile.
Even Abyss Demons were rarely able to survive in this swamp.
However, few demons knew that this swamp was Beelzebub, the Gluttony Dominator's, favorite abode.
"Lord Beelzebub, Wizard Dominator Richard wishes to discuss an important matter with you," Devour shouted to the swamp.
After speaking, the bubbles in the swamp began to intensify, and foul stench ten times more disgusting than the foulest waste dump surged from the swamp with the bubbles.
Moments later, a gigantic face appeared above the swamp.
"Richard Dominator, that's a nice title. What does this Wizard Dominator want with me?"
Devour said honestly, "My lord, I do not know. However, this Richard Dominator brought an old Dominator, whom I suspect is of the Creator's kin."
"Old Dominator? Creator's kin?"
A flash of surprise appeared on the gigantic face formed by the swamp.
In the next moment, the entire swamp began to churn.
A colossal body, as vast as a mountain, slowly rose from the swamp. This gigantic form looked similar in appearance to a type of Abyss Demon known as the Big Belly Demon.
Dark green skin, a huge belly, short and thick limbs, and a disproportionately small head.
But unlike a Big Belly Demon, Beelzebub had a gaping mouth on his belly.
"No wonder I've been feeling uneasy recently, turns out something significant is about to happen. No wonder that Wizard could become a Dominator, it seems that Wizard is a key, a key to awakening the Previous Civilization."
Devour didn't understand what Beelzebub was talking about and pretended not to hear, staying quiet and still.
Beelzebub bent down and fished something out of the swamp, then pulled out a black wood staff. This staff seemed crafted from a World Tree, yet now it had been altered by the Power of Abyss. The canopy that once symbolized prosperity had become a nest of tentacles, and the fruit that represented life had turned into biological heads.
With a wave, these heads let out wailing screams.
"Open the gate, Devour, I'm going to meet this Creator and see if he lives up to the name of Creator."
...
At the world's center, Richard and Talal Peak sat on the platform where Richard had once received an Abyssal heritage, quietly waiting for Beelzebub's arrival.
Suddenly, Richard and Talal Peak simultaneously looked in the same direction.
A vortex appeared at the intersection of their gazes, and then a Big Belly Demon, carrying a wooden staff and exuding a foul scent, walked in.
"Ha ha ha ha, it seems our Abyss is greeting fortuitous times. Dominators appearing one after another, not long before there were two Dominators coming in succession."
Beelzebub entered the platform, his yellowish eyes slightly rolled, sweeping his gaze over Richard.
"Hmm? The Wizards are waging quite a fierce war, forcing this young one to improve to this level."
Richard's physique was visible to Beelzebub. Though he had become a Dominator for just a few decades, his physique had soared to 7,500 points.
This extraordinary advancement rate inevitably suggested resources were heavily invested.
"Unfortunately, a Dominator built on resources is just a façade. In battle, he could merely serve as an auxiliary at best."
Shifting his gaze from Richard, Beelzebub's disdainful look turned serious.
Compared to Richard, Talal Peak gave him a different feeling.
The ancient aura from Talal Peak, only possible through enduring eons, brought caution to any Dominator.
Moreover, this Dominator exuded the grandmasterly demeanor of looking down upon the world.
Almost instantly, Beelzebub elevated Talal Peak to his equal status.
The strength of a Breaking Limit Sovereign was undeniable; however, it didn't mean a Breaking Limit Sovereign could crush an ordinary Dominator.
For beings of Spiritual Evolution, knowledge was more crucial than spiritual power.
The marks of time on Talal Peak, his spiritual power nearing its limit, led Beelzebub to almost conclude he was a Dominator with tremendous knowledge accumulation.
Such a Dominator was not someone a less experienced Breaking Limit Sovereign could look down on.
"May I know how to address you?" Beelzebub asked, slightly squinting his eyes with a hint of respect.
"Talal Peak," Talal Peak replied calmly.
"So, may I ask what you wish to discuss with me?"
Talal Peak frowned slightly, wondering why this Abyss Dominator lacked insight.
He rose and stood beside Richard, like an attendant. Then, he addressed Beelzebub solemnly:
"It is not I who wish to discuss matters with you, but my king who seeks an audience with you."