Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 553 - 506 Creator Code C1

"If the soul fire of your white skulls indeed possesses a memory storage function, then you might still recall the tragic fact that I lost ten billion at the Wandering Hegemony competition. This world is too cold, and interest has become a universal key to unlocking hearts. Everyone’s heart is built with Gold Coins, either dignity or vanity. This world needs a warm-hearted person to help those in need, it needs a beautiful change."

Shiny tied Delusion to the side spikes of the Spine Wheel; tendrils of flesh and blood ropes stretched the silver-tongued Mr. Delusion into a spreadeagled position.

"What is he talking about?"

"He says that the commission’s payment isn’t ten billion, but the commission’s difficulty is worth ten billion."

"He’s saying Mr. Plague Doctor looks like an easy-to-fool, warm-hearted idiot who would definitely be willing to help for free." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Typical of a literary society."

The three quickly defined Mr. Delusion as an even worse entity, a byproduct of the Liches’ habitual thinking mixed with the reputation of the literary society.

A tendril with surface barbs had already wound around Mr. Delusion’s neck, causing his virtual projection’s expression to flicker, perhaps pressing on some conductive wire.

"The human condition is cold; you’ve overinterpreted my words and slandered me with evil, but I forgive you generously, for Mr. Plague Doctor and I are very good friends."

"He’s playing the sympathy card."

"Exactly, he’s playing the sympathy card."

"Playing the sympathy card with a Lich, Mr. Delusion is quite adept at delusion."

But Lyle was human, and Mr. Delusion knew this. If one were to overinterpret, then Mr. Delusion was threatening Lyle at this very moment, though it was unlikely. The literary society trio, despite their low conduct and moral standing equivalent to crystal worms that fed on trash, were still decent to friends. This was his first request for assistance from Lyle in several months of acquaintance; Mr. Delusion probably wasn’t one to seek help from friends unless he truly faced urgent trouble. Or it could be another damned prank, in which case Lyle would need to be involved to measure the degree of retaliation required.

Inside the metal box that opened like a scallop, an electronic smile faced Lyle.

Setting down the prepared corrosive acid in his hand, Lyle spread his arms, and writhing shadows devoured the last dangerous remnants on his gloves. Lyle walked towards Mr. Delusion, the reflection in his glasses showing Mr. Delusion’s futuristic metallic skeleton.

"So what’s my compensation, Mr. Delusion—is my reward worth ten billion?"

"Cough cough..." Perhaps the living bindings had secreted corrosive mucus that disrupted the mechanism, or maybe "ten billion" had indeed become a triggering switch for Mr. Delusion—he appeared quite embarrassed after Lyle’s straightforward reply.

"To be honest, what I can offer you definitely isn’t worth ten billion. To others, those things might as well be useless junk. Each era generates corresponding knowledge and technology, and advanced materials are always bound by time. But the Evil God transcends all things, even time, doesn’t it."

The blue ghostly light turned into an inspiring orange hue.

"Think about it—knowledge not from this era, if you were to integrate it into your Spirit Summoning Skill, how much could it elevate your future prospects? Those things, to you, might be priceless treasures."

Lyle nodded his head.

"So, the value of that so-called knowledge to me is not a fixed number—it may be useful, or it may not be, all based on your speculation, Mr. Delusion. It’s like Schrodinger’s cat; before I receive that information, you’ve already passed the box to me. Trading with uncertain information, you really know your stuff."

The provocative interplay of light and shadow ceased, and those profound eyes were fixed upon Lyle’s mask.

"Schrödinger’s cat? Mr. Plague Doctor, my confidence in you has greatly increased." The halo above Delusion’s head turned off, and only a simple, unembellished voice came from the speaker.

"I’m sorry, Lyle. I need your help, but it’s hard for me to guarantee that my payment will be valuable to you. In fact, if you accept this commission, you must complete it; there is no room for error, for the cost of failure is terrifyingly high. I can only say that you are the most suitable candidate."

"This is a gamble, an unfair gamble for you."

"...What exactly is my payment."

"The shattered creator core code C1, a complete set of biotic editing instructions. It will calculate the creation of lifeforms based on stored knowledge, ensuring the uniqueness and accuracy of the creation, with error control kept below 0.13%. The creation module can produce a unique species, and the evolution module can guide the direction of the species’ advancement in a controllable manner. A single cell, a nerve, a spine—everything can be perfectly edited."

"If you can use it, Lyle, the difficulties you’re facing now should be easily overcome. Don’t talk about fabricating the flesh of existing races; you could even create a new race."

"Just like a creator."

"..." The shockingly generous offer left Lyle in a daze, and after a moment of contemplation, the trio from the Dead Spirit Handicraft Society handed the decision to Lyle, but they clearly didn’t believe the statement composed of those terms, the better the lie, the closer to the truth.

"You’re joking, aren’t you, Mr. Delusion? You’re telling me that there’s actually a creator standing behind you, the Mechanical God of the Mechanical Devine Sect?"

"Lyle, don’t you also have an Evil God standing behind you that weaves life with flesh and blood? No one has stipulated that there can only be one creator in the world, right? I thought you would be more receptive to the idea of the Mechanical God."

"Then why haven’t I seen any of this creator’s accomplishments? If He truly has the ability to create... then why aren’t there any of His works..." Lyle’s voice dwindled, his gaze focusing on Mr. Delusion’s body.

"Mr. Delusion, what exactly are you...?"

"Mechanical Lich, transferring the consciousness of the dead to a metal puppet filled with electricity and oil—I suppose that could be called a Lich." Sparks flickered across those tentacle joints, and within two seconds, the fleshly tentacles that bound Delusion had turned into carbon chunks.

The metal box opened again, Mr. Delusion moved his limbs, and his eyes playfully blinked twice.

"If you still have doubts, Lyle, I extend my sincere invitation again. You are welcome to visit the Mechanical Devine Sect. My commission and your doubts can both be answered there."

The fully metallic Mr. Delusion’s bow and outstretched hand were theatrically delicate like that of a little bird.

The vivacious movement of his limbs made any self-proclaimed mechanical entity seem inferior.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Delusion..."

The retracted arm was quickly gripped, and from beneath the beak mask came a crow-like cackling laugh.

"We accept your commission."

Beneath the mask, Lyle smiled, his black eyes like the profound depths of an abyss.