A Deal Beyond Mortality

Under the swirling chaos of the black void, Leo's mind reeled at Ethiyos' words.

"By the time you arrived here… I might already be dead. Or even worse, imprisoned by the Ten Heavenly Outer Gods."

Leo's breath hitched. "What do you mean? How could they imprison an Outer God like you?" His voice was laced with disbelief.

Ethiyos gave a weary smile. "The world you knew, the one you fought in your past life, was merely the surface. Let me tell you the truth about this reality."

He raised his hand, and suddenly, images swirled in the air like a tapestry of history unraveling before Leo's eyes.

"This world is structured in three levels of existence. First, there are mortals—beings who are bound by life and death, forever fragile and limited by time. Second, there exist the semi-mortal beings, those who have surpassed mortality yet are not truly eternal. These beings are called Nobles, the Outer Gods. They are born from the will, faith, fear, and sacrifices of mortals. When mortals desperately seek salvation, their prayers generate mana. This mana manifests into divine entities—thus creating the Nobles."

The floating images transformed, showing radiant figures towering over civilizations, once revered and worshiped. But soon, their forms darkened, and their eyes gleamed with cold amusement as they watched mortals struggle.

"But as time went on, the Nobles grew greedy. They realized that instead of serving mortals, they could use them as playthings. Instead of guiding them, they controlled them. They demanded more worship, more faith, more sacrifices. They turned from guardians into tyrants."

Leo clenched his fists as Ethiyos continued.

"Then, there is the third level—the one and only omnipotent and omniscient being: GOD. The true creator of everything. Unlike the Nobles, who were born from mortals, GOD simply is. He exists beyond all comprehension, watching silently. And when the corruption of the Nobles grows too great…"

Ethiyos' golden eyes darkened. "He wipes the slate clean."

Leo's heart pounded. "Are you saying—?"

"Yes. If you do not stop the corrupted Nobles, GOD will destroy everything. The multiverse will be reset, and all life will be erased, only to be born anew. Everything you fought for, everything you are, will cease to exist."

A cold dread settled in Leo's chest. "Then why are you different? Why do they fear you?"

Ethiyos smirked. "Because I wasn't born like them. I was not created from faith, nor prayers, nor desperation. I was born from nothing. Unlike them, I was not shackled by mortal desires. That is why the Nobles feared me. I was an anomaly, a being that defied the very foundation of their existence. And when you, Alex Benjamin, contracted with me… you tipped the balance of power."

The images shifted to a cosmic battle—Alex and Ethiyos, standing against ten monstrous figures. The Ten Heavenly Outer Gods. Their combined might had been overwhelming, leading to both Alex's and Ethiyos' downfall.

Leo exhaled sharply. "Then why am I here? If you lost, then—?"

Ethiyos chuckled. "Because I prepared for this. I knew we might lose. That's why I created something… for you."

A golden fragment appeared in his hand, pulsating with unimaginable energy.

"This is a piece of my essence. A fragment that will guide you to power beyond what you have ever known. Take it, and when the time comes, you will understand its true purpose."

Leo hesitated for only a moment before reaching out. As his fingers touched the fragment, a blinding light consumed everything. The desert trembled. The black hole in the sky expanded, its pull increasing.

Ethiyos' form began to distort, as if being erased from existence. "Go now, Leo! Grow stronger! The multiverse depends on you!"

Leo's vision blurred, and before he could even process what was happening, everything collapsed into darkness.

A sharp gasp left Leo's lips as he bolted upright, drenched in sweat. He was back in the solitude chamber, his body feeling… different. Stronger. But before he could think further, an unbearable stench filled the air.

Dark, murky sludge seeped from his pores, pooling onto the ground. The sight made him recoil. "What the hell is this?!"

A voice, smooth and feminine, echoed in his mind. "This is the waste that had been clogging your body. Impurities that have been expunged after receiving Ethiyos' gift."

Leo froze. "Who's there?!"

He tried to stand, but the slick floor betrayed him, and he slipped backward—falling directly into the washing tub.

As the water rippled around him, he caught a glimpse of his reflection. His breath hitched. His left eye gleamed an icy blue, while his right eye shone with a brilliant gold.

"What… what happened to my eye?!"

The voice responded, laced with amusement. "This is your reflection in the water, Young Master. And for your second question…"

A soft chuckle. "This is a skill granted by Ethiyos. I am Raphael, an upgraded version of the Ethiyan System you once wielded in your previous life. I am here to assist you in your future endeavors. How may I help you?"

To be continued...