I, the Weakest Human, Start with a Hundredfold Bonus Talent?

Chapter 75 - 75-The Meeting of Apostles (Part 1)

[Deception Apostle] turned back to John, smiling, and said each word deliberately.

"The greatest trait of humans is their longing for freedom, no matter the circumstances. I'm no exception.

Alright, enough talk. I'm off to enjoy my freedom. See you in three days."

[Deception Apostle] waved and walked away, leaving John with a carefree gesture. His figure gradually became more ethereal until it vanished.

After bidding farewell to [Deception Apostle], John leaned against the railing and let out a long, helpless sigh.

Collaborating with [Deception Apostle] felt like dealing with a devil.

There was always the risk of being bitten.

All John could do was to strengthen himself as much as possible before [Deception Apostle] turned against him.

He never entertained the thought that [Deception Apostle] would help him obediently.

He vaguely remembered [Deception Apostle] saying he wasn't content with being just a pawn.

John had every reason to suspect that everything [Deception Apostle] was doing now was just laying the groundwork for becoming a player himself.

The day he gains the power to control others' fates, he would undoubtedly betray John without hesitation.

Lost in thought, John didn't notice Helena coming through the door and walking slowly up behind him.

"Hey! Haha, did I scare you?"

"A little... alright, you got me. How did you sleep?"

Startled, John turned to face Helena's smiling eyes and breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "I saw you log off last night. Did you sneak off to eat something?"

"Of course not! I just felt a bit stuffy and wanted to go out for a walk. Although I studied abroad in your country, this is my first time in your capital. I had to go out and explore."

"So, did you see what you wanted to see?"

"Not at all. It's all ruins and monsters everywhere. The whole world is like this. It's no different from my home. Maybe this was once a beautiful city, but now, it's all the same."

"Actually, Riverside was never a beautiful city. You just had too high expectations."

John shrugged and smiled, "Do you regret it? Leaving home to come here, only to find it's nothing like you imagined?"

"There's nothing to regret. Even if I had to choose again, I would still come to you. But what have you been up to these days? Always so secretive. Spill it! Have you been up to no good behind my back?

I asked Exiled Immortal yesterday, and he was all evasive, clearly hiding something!"

"That terrifying female intuition... Why hasn't Lily noticed anything?"

"You think Lily's stupid? She just doesn't ask. It doesn't mean she doesn't know something's off. Lily has noticed things aren't right for a while, but you know her nature--always gentle and soft. If you don't want to talk, she won't press you.

But I'm not like that. If you don't tell me, I'll get mad right now! Spill it!"

"You... really want to know?"

Facing Helena's determined gaze, John hesitated, then sighed deeply.

"I can tell you, but you need to be prepared."

"Pr-Prepared for what?"

"The day Exiled Immortal and I went to the labyrinth, we saw Lawrence."

As John uttered Lawrence's name, Helena's smile froze. She stood there, stunned, unable to speak.

After a long silence, Helena exhaled deeply and asked in confusion, "Lawrence... how could he be here? Isn't he dead? And why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because Exiled Immortal and I couldn't explain it either. How Lawrence, who was supposed to be dead, suddenly appeared is beyond our comprehension. Also, I had my own reasons. I was worried that if you knew Lawrence was alive, you might act impulsively."

John sighed deeply, feeling a pang of regret. If he had known he would have to tell Helena eventually, he might as well have told her from the beginning.

"I... John, where is Lawrence now?"

"That's the second thing I need to tell you. I did see Lawrence, but he died again, right in front of me, turning into a pile of rotting flesh. If he were still alive, I would have brought him to you. But he died right before my eyes... I'm sorry, Helena. I didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just..."

"I understand. You don't need to apologize. I never intended to blame you. It's just a pity I couldn't see Lawrence one last time. There were questions I wanted answers to."

Helena was surprisingly more composed than John had expected. He had anticipated a much more intense reaction, but she seemed to take it in stride.

"What, did you think I'd throw a tantrum and start a huge fight with you? Someone who chose to betray us isn't worth trusting anymore, and Lawrence is no exception. Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head back. Even if I'm not sad, I still need to process this sudden news...

So that's that. From now on, no matter what happens, don't hide it from me. Remember, we are friends, aren't we?"

" Friends... huh?"

John lowered his head and let out a long sigh. "I understand. I'm sorry for making decisions on my own."

...

Meanwhile, deep within the labyrinth!

A series of crisp footsteps approached, tearing through the gray mist floating in the air as the figure advanced deeper into the labyrinth.

"Even from afar, I could smell your stench. After all these years, haven't you thought of taking a bath, [Lust]?"

"...You, why are you here? Where is this place?"

"You don't know why you're here? Strange. Could it be that you were accidentally caught in the temporal flow of the time reversal as well? But that doesn't matter. What matters is, [Lust], you've angered our master. Repeated insolence, defiance, and ignoring orders.

You even conspired with [Betrayal Apostle] against the master's kin. Do you think the master is unaware? It was just that the time wasn't ripe, so you were spared. Now, the time has come, and your good days are over, [Lust]."

"[Deception Apostle], you liar. Do you think I would believe you?"

"Believe it or not, I've delivered the master's message. Now you have only two choices. Either surrender all your authority, and I might find you a vessel to stay in this world. Or you can refuse, and when you fully awaken in three days, how much power will you have? A fifth? Probably not even that.

When that time comes, and I forcibly strip the authority from you, you'll have no leverage left. If you're smart, you'll agree to my proposal. So, what will it be?"

"Authority is a blessing personally granted by the master. No one else has the right to strip it away, not even you!"

"It seems there's nothing more to discuss then."

[Deception Apostle] sighed, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

"In that case, there's no need for me to stay here. I'll see you again in three days when you awaken."

"Wait!"

Just as [Deception Apostle] turned to leave, [Lust] called out to stop him.

"[Deception Apostle], are you sure the master really knows about that matter?"

"What do you think? If even I know, how could the master be unaware? You conspired with [Betrayal Apostle] to kill John and did that to Lily. The master didn't kill you on the spot because the time reversal was too sudden. Otherwise, for committing such a sin, you would be dead for sure!"

"I... I spent nearly a thousand years to achieve what I have now. No one can make me give it up, not even the master! [Deception Apostle], you must help me, or I will reveal everything about that incident!"