Chapter 208: The Abyss Leaves! Return To The Magic Capital!

Compared to Chat Group 001, where members could at least follow Novak's latest movements, the rest of Kepler's evolutionaries could only look up in awe at this legendary Faeloria Country native who continually defied expectations with miraculous feats.

But there was one exception—De M-anila, White Emperor City.

Named after the mysterious and powerful White Emperor, White Emperor City was the first city in the Trial Field of Gods and Demons to be recognized by the Cosmic Will. The city was now in a fervor.

After another half-month of development, White Emperor City had grown into a hub, attracting tens of thousands of evolutionaries. The previous livestream had boosted the city's renown, and its central location within the Faeloria Country made it an ideal destination for evolutionaries eager to join.

Everyone knew that White Emperor City was founded by none other than the famous White Emperor!

A month into the apocalypse, White Emperor's name once again appeared prominently in the thoughts and conversations of all. His groundbreaking first job change had made the evolutionaries in White Emperor City prouder than ever. With such a powerful figure standing behind them, the city felt like the safest haven in the new world.

In fact, White Emperor City had continued to expand significantly. The zombies around the De M-anila villa district had been largely cleared after a recent tide, allowing the city to push its boundaries further to encompass the Metro M-anila area, making it the city's outermost urban zone.

Within White Emperor City, Daphne—known as Queen Song—had taken on the role of the respected leader of the city's evolutionaries. However, even as the city flourished, Daphne herself was restless.

The villa district remained the heart of White Emperor City, and at its center, Daphne was in conversation with Meimei, who wore a slight frown.

Who was Daphne?

Since learning of Meimei's importance and connection to Novak, Daphne had treated her with the utmost respect, almost like family. This respect had fostered a strong bond between the two.

"Mei, is there still no news from Novak?" Daphne asked.

Meimei shook her head. "Nothing new from the group. But you don't need to worry, Aunt Song. Since Big Brother Novak successfully completed his job change, he's certainly out of danger…"

But before Meimei could finish, she froze, caught by surprise.

"What is it, Mei?" Daphne asked, noticing Meimei's expression. She was anxious, not just as the leader but because she, too, was concerned for Novak.

Deep in the old sewer system, a dangerous new dungeon, the Poisonous Sewer, had formed, with level requirements that were almost inconceivably high.

Just then, Meimei suddenly said, "Big Brother Novak…he's responded! He's back in D-avao!"

——

In the boundless depths of the abyss, Novak slowly extended his hand, and waves of spatial energy began forming into a teleportation portal. After spending such a prolonged time in the abyss, what felt like ages even though only days had passed on Kepler, Novak was ready to return.

Each encounter with the hourglass of time felt as though it took him back into the distant past, a strange backward flow that distorted his sense of reality. But now, he was finally headed back to the familiar Kepler, the well-known Demon City, and the Trial Field of Gods and Demons. Just the thought brought a feeling of relief as he prepared to return to where it all began.

After more than ten days spent on job changes and task completions, Novak felt an odd sense of detachment from the world. His recent encounters with several true gods had left him with a strange, unfamiliar feeling.

After casually sending a message to Meimei, he closed his eyes and focused on his attribute panel:

- [Novak Yie (Forerunner) (Zombie Slayer)]

- Evolutionary Number: 001

- Talent: Virus King (SSS)

- Occupation: Master of the Abyss (SSS), Scourge Of Life (SSS)

- Level: 12 (241/5000)

- Strength: 340 (+17)

- Agility: 353 (+17)

- Constitution: 347 (+17)

- Spirit: 393 (+19)

- Charm: ???

- Luck: ???

- Gold Coins: 13,547

- Skills: Cell Rebirth (A-level passive), Hellfire Burning (A-level skill), Exploding Fireball (C-level skill), Spiritual Perception (D-level)

- Talent Skills: Influenza, Black Light Virus (omitted), T Virus (omitted), Depression…

- Professional Skills: [Various, omitted]

Power coursed through Novak's body. During his time in the abyss, he had claimed ownership over several unguarded layers, from the first through the ninth, which had boosted his attributes by 45 points in total. Some demons he eradicated using the Plague Sun ability also gave him a rapid level-up. 

After reaching level 10 and completing his job change, his experience points reset to zero, with a strict rule in the Trial Field of Gods and Demons: only battles against stronger foes would yield experience.

Though his attributes had grown, the damage to his Plague Suit during the trial limited his boosts. However, with his current strength, he could easily raid a Secret Realm to acquire new equipment. Novak already had a specific target in mind.

Upon returning to Kepler, he planned to visit a hidden secret realm within Red Star Mental Hospital. This location contained an artifact connected to one of Solomon's seventy-two demon gods—a means to repair his Hell King's Ring completely. The opportunity to understand more about Hell's landscape was also invaluable, and Novak was ready to leverage his Hell King's power for personal gain.

Thanks to Aga Reiss's soul, his Hell King's Ring had regained some of its strength, and its accompanying attributes had improved. While the full potential of the SSS-level ring that Satan had once displayed was likely exaggerated, Novak still intended to upgrade it to SSS-level if possible.

Thoughts of the Yamai sisters, the ghost duo in the haunted house of Demon City, crossed his mind. If they hadn't survived the past ten days, it would be a loss—their spectral presence was a unique and useful experience.

Lost in thought, Novak stepped into a portal, his figure merging with the spatial ripples. But just as he emerged from the teleportation array, a wicked laugh echoed from the shadows:

"Who would've thought there'd be such a treasure trove in Demon City! Now, little ghost girls, if you submit, maybe we'll make it easier on you~"