Vengeance of the Returner

Chapter 226: The apex

"Looks like I have to step in now."

Nix uttered, standing opposite a humongous building, which was built in almost the same generic way as any other Chambers or temples, with a dome covering its upper portion.

"Welcome..."

Said the priest with a sliding bow, who was standing at the side of the entrance.

Nix slightly nodded his head and entered the alleyway passing through the countless pillars that were in the sides, supporting the ceiling.

The pillars were sculpted with a few intricate designs, like a warrior riding a beast and some were erotic as may seem all in all the way the chamber was designed showed the artistic value and conveyed a unique story which needs some people who are specialized in history to decode.

After all the chamber located in Nazlane, the river city is one of the oldest chambers to be still standing.

{I do not wish to be noticed by them.}

"As you say."

Nix uttered and placed the dagger inside his inventory and began walking through the grandeur hall. He passed by the towering statues erected for the gods.

As he passed he begun counting the twelve statues and observed their appearance which might be useful later on. There was one thing that particularly caught his eye. 

'Seems like there were thirteen gods akin to the corrupted gods. Probably erased from history?'

Nix muttered inwardly looking at a vacant column near a pillar. Because each side of the six columns was full yet, one place seemed vacant but, there were remnant clues and cracks about a statue removed from that place.

'There are several holes in the story I have heard of...'

Nix muttered after stopping in front of a white door, that was made of white marble or perhaps an alien material? It was designed in a way portraying all the twelve gods stretching their hands towards the center where the handles were located at. But, for some reason, it gave him a feeling that the pillar seems to be the nova pillar.

He just pulled the door and entered the dark chamber without having second thoughts.

Upon opening the door all he saw was a blank white space and seemingly made of the same material with which they've constructed the door. He stood in the center where a stage was erected and swiftly everything around him turned to pitch black and made him feel as though he was blind and floating in a vacuum it was an inexplicable feeling that cannot be expressed with a few words. Yet, if one had to, he'd say it was like he was drowned side a limitless abyss of water without the need to inhale nor exhale.

Soon his ears perked up and he felt a chill run up his spine as he sensed several pairs of eyes set on him.

It was a gruff voice and he can pretty much predict whose voice it was. 

'Shigon, The martial god...'

"Why would you be waiting for me?"

Although Nix wanted to speak arrogantly he didn't want to bring trouble.

"I do intend to offend you. But, you sure cannot be patient with a mortal like me. If you want to come at me you will."

Nix smirked for a second and said.

"But, you have to be daring enough to oppose the law of conservation."

He had heard this voice before as well. It was seductive and serene and obviously pleasing to listen to. Might be the goddess of love?

The goddess in an enchanting voice.

Nix clearly remembered this voice. This sensual voice was one of the gods who had a friendly tone towards him when he first stepped into the chamber for receiving a blessing of gods in order to gain a class. She was even considering bestowing him a class.

"I don't know who you are goddess. But, you have my gratitude for even considering to bestow be a class."

She said with her giggle and as usual, her voice was sensual as ever.

Now this voice was clearly Heredia's.

And swiftly Shigon intervened in the conversation and went for the main point of the meeting.

As he finished his speech Nix smiled floating inside the darkness and began spaeking.

"Shigon, I'd rather die than follow you gods. I am here for receiving my reward and if it's favorable to me I'd be willing to help you all and if not I'll simply not be doing it."

Nix knew he had dropped using the word god nor he cared about it. He knew damn well this will induce anger but, surprisingly in place of Shigon another god jumped into the conversation.

This voice was he'd have never heard of. It was calm and composed yet it clearly showed he was angered as well.

Nix was in no place to grasp their names are who the gods were. As such he just casually continued his conversation.

"I am here for the reward and would care less about you people. Yeah I know if I defy your Gods of integrity you'll send a swarm of armies."

"I am here for few reasons. And one of them is to negotiate my standing. I am not the naive mortal who once groveled in the ground unable to face the monsters in this world. And I will not be going under your wing. And I don't want to become your enemy as well."

It was the voice of an old man. It was soothing and calm and showed that the owner is a humble and wise person.

"Apex? I do not understand God..."

[Private ability: Nova manifestation activated] 

He noticed that his body has begun sweating. It was a phenomenon that happened back when he entered the chamber for the first time. And it seems Nova manifestation is helping him cool down from the immeasurable pressure he is receiving from the gods.

"Thanks for saying God of protection."

Nix replied.

He had to show respect to the man who has revealed to him something but, he didn't know that his judgment about Brumha was wrong at that moment.

"Hah, I was wrong to judge you from a few sentences aren't you a worse piece of shit?"

Nix frowned.

Becoming a god or taking their side will give him nothing. Sure, he'd be able to save those he treasures but, he cannot outright believe them. His soul is mixed with Nova energy, It is something every existence is striving to grasp.

Handing his soul overcomes with a price which he knew full well upon getting his hands on Yeril and he was no fool to do such thing.

[Few existences are trying to read your thoughts.]

[Nova manifestation has successfully refrained the mind readers]

"Certainly, at the first time, we had a conversation as they read my mind... Anyway thanks to nova I guess."

Nix muttered.

'Both sides are greedy to gain power. As much as I do want to feel relieved from the stress. I do not want to be in the middle of this mess. Handing them my soul? It's like suicide and I believe it's better to not trust these so-called gods. I'd rather find my purpose and the reasoning for Dark Nix's regression.'

Nix contemplated.

Shigon uttered. The gruff and high-toned voice showed anger.

"I no longer wish to participate in this meeting. And by no means do I plan on hindering you, gods... Unless if you hinder my life I will hinder your path. I simply wish to obtain my reward and leave."

Nix intervened.

"One thousand souls..."

Nix replied and immediately the chamber lightened up as a pillar of light pierced into the chamber.

The blinding light reflected the smooth marble and continuously reflected through the walls and straightly pierced him who was standing in the center.

"AHHH!"

Nix yelled in agony in the next second as the pillar of scattered light continuously focused and pierced his vessel.