Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 789 - 730: Blasphemy, Madness

The test had ended. Lyle watched the elven players at the foot of the mountain leave, either content or disheartened,, fulfilling the Intangible Son’s objective of experiencing pleasure. He wouldn’t grant these greedy players any more favors.

Noises of disintegration sounded from behind,, like wood and rats crammed together into a shredder, the sour crunch of disintegration and shrieks pulling the hair from one’s pores. Without turning around, Lyle knew the chaotic, defiling scene behind him, Intangible Sons closely packed, feasting on each other’s emotions. Their god-given bodies were capable of crushing any substance they touched into fine particles, allowing for the exchange of information, matter, and energy at the particle level.

Like a group of fat men, ostentatiously dressed, delicately savoring tiny cakes in their hands—for the sake of that sweet taste—they were extremely delicate, consuming their kindred without leaving a trace. Intangible Sons were immortal; those who weren’t assimilated would separate from their kind’s bodies and reaggregate into an individual entity. Emotions were contagious, hence the joy he held onto wasn’t lessened.

The restless tendrils clung to the ground as the intangible beings humbly bowed their heads, golden semi-transparent membranes with thoughts bubbling underneath. It knelt before Lyle, like a dog that was mad, joyful, and greedy. The pallid creature embraced joy, like someone with a dulled sense of taste experiencing sweets for the first time. The Intangible Son demonstrated an unimaginable level of obedience. Just like those Liches who attained their desires, Lyle even had the illusion that he’d been repeating his actions all along.

The collective submission of the Intangible Sons spread like a plague. Lyle sure, they would remain absolutely loyal until the Sleeper, Teris, awakened, loyal to the Divine Child, the Deceiver,, the instructor of pleasure, Lyle.

Lyle’s mouth curled into a smile, a crescent-shaped split appearing on the ominous phantom’s face. In the voice of the most competent Devil, Lyle gently coaxed the servants of the divine.

"We love pleasure. We can play a game with that group of players. Listen to me, and you will gain pleasure, a lot of pleasure..."

The Intangible Sons were restless; the mere mention of pleasure had become their conditioned response. While Lyle self-satisfyingly cherished his success, he imparted new knowledge to them.

"The BOSS’s Path to Self-Improvement"

The Intangible Sons chewed on the knowledge clusters bestowed by the Divine Child. Newly grown mouths and tongues repeated what they read. "Slow and swift cuts, reading the commands, attack interruptions and changes, transformation for the second phase, hatred reset, unpredictable rage, terrain kills..." As time passed, the Intangible Sons trembled more frequently,, their bodies spontaneously produced pleasure, seemingly foreseeing the beautiful future. They mimicked the Divine Child’s humble disguises and learned to laugh like Devils.

[Master, what are these background story inventions, self-model designs, loot rules, and the BOSS rankings?]

Lyle clasped his hands together and naturally replied, "A qualified BOSS should learn to introduce themselves. You need to develop your personal charm, to have epic tales that awe and inspire, stunning appearances, and skillful attack moves. You need to be diverse, cater to those ants’ personal aesthetics. In short, you must find ways to attract players to play with you. Understand? Players are limited; only the most popular BOSS will get the most players, thus the most pleasure. This is a war, my servants. You must make yourselves the most charismatic, powerful, and unforgettable characters in Dreamland, tailored to the players’ taste."

[So my kind will become my enemies,, they will compete with me for pleasure.] The Intangible Sons glared fiercely at each other; their tendrils drew a clear line between them, intimate contact turning into hostile lashing. With pleasure came greed, and with greed came enmity. By fracturing the unity of the Evil God Legion, Lyle had earned another accolade for himself.

The satisfactory outcome brought Mr. Lyle joy; the benevolent administrator decided to reveal a bit more.

"Indeed, invent, create from nothing. Craft a fake BOSS character, but you must make those haughty players believe you’re worthy of being a BOSS, to have prestige, like me, my naïve servants."

[What does having prestige mean, Master?] An Intangible Son raised its tendril.

"That’s a feeling that makes others tremble in fear upon knowing your identity, just as my name, the Deceiver, does."

Roar~ Roar~ Roar~

A commotion erupted among the Intangible Sons again; they quickly understood Lyle’s meaning. The Divine Child, the Deceiver, had them blaspheme! To fabricate an unworthy name, to overturn the Father God’s dignity. Unforgivable, so malicious! Truly worthy of a Divine Child, effortlessly doing what they dared not even contemplate.

"This is deceit, my servants."

The Intangible Sons expressed surprise once more. The Deceiver taught them to deceive. This was the gift from the Divine Child; they were granted the right to deceive alongside the Divine Child.

[I understand, Master. My BOSS identity will be the servant of the Divine Child!] Although unimaginative in character setting, considering the emptiness within the Intangible Sons’ skulls, Lyle considered it passable.

[I am also a servant of the Divine Child!]

"Innovation! You understand? Innovation! Those players will only remember the first special BOSS. If you don’t want to get eliminated, you need to innovate!"

[Then... then I am the servant of the Divine Child’s servant.]

"No good! Why are you getting weaker? Where is your backbone? Are you willing to be a minor character? How can you let your own kind ride over your head? If it can be a servant, then you must be bigger! You have to be its daddy!"

[I understand now!]

"Hmm!" Lyle nodded in satisfaction.

[Then I’ll be the father of the Divine Child!]

"?"

The taboo of blasphemy made the Intangible Son even more excited. Their bottom line was broken, and the evil thoughts of the Intangible Son continued to expand.

[Then I am the grandfather of the Divine Child!]

[I am the grandfather of the Divine Child’s grandfather!]

[I am the ancestor of the Divine Child!!!]

[I!!! I am the Evil God!!!] The collective of Intangible Son gasped. Their inner worship shattered, and Lyle tore apart the last essence of their chaotic beings.

[I am the Wings of Betrayal, the Devourer of the Sleeper!!!]

[I am your great uncle!!!]

The debate over seniority came to an end, and the Intangible Sons pressing each other did not come out with a winner. Now they faced a bigger problem.

What do those Elven Ant players like, what kind of character is both cool and handsome. The blind vanity did not enhance the knowledge of the servants of God, and they found themselves in a difficult situation again, casting their eyes towards the truly great being for help.

Lyle chuckled, pulling something out of his pocket, a sharply angled, jet-black stone. On its profound surface, one could see vague scenes, distorted human figures, and blinding light.

"This is your study material. Don’t damage my Dark Soul Stone. These memories are very precious knowledge."

The tentacles of the Intangible Son carefully received the Dark Soul Stone, obeying the Divine Child’s instructions.

[What is sealed inside?] Why does it qualify as the Divine Child’s collection.

Lyle’s smile was dark and sinister, his teeth opening and closing as if they were spraying joyous poison.

"A bunch of the most miserable and illusory memories of the Dark Fallen belonging to the literary society."