The Shelter Game: Me, Starting with a Tenfold Drop Rate

Chapter 304 The Ancient Night Blades

In response to Irving's question, Elder Lawrence's projection spoke slowly. "Who I am is not important; what matters is why I am here. What matters is why I am telling you these three things."

Irving listened quietly, as he felt that the projection had not provided any useful information. Elder Lawrence's projection continued, "Shouldn't you find this situation rather strange? You must have encountered similar peculiar spaces before. Do you think dark power can create such an unusual environment?"

Facing this inquiry, Irving answered candidly, "I don't know! I am not familiar with dark power. Although I have gained the ability to manipulate it, I do not use dark power to corrupt myself. I simply regard dark power as a tool to enhance the spells I possess. So, I am not sure whether dark power can construct such a peculiar space."

The projection nodded upon hearing this. "You are indeed very sincere. I can tell you that dark power cannot create such a strange space. Only the powers of chaos can do that. The powers of chaos can place a series of things in an extremely peculiar state. The ancestor of the Smith family, whom you should have encountered before, did he not mention the powers of chaos to you?"

Upon hearing this, Irving's expression turned to one of shock. He took a step back and tightened his grip on his staff. At this moment, Irving was fully prepared for battle. He felt that the information the projection had revealed was too much.

Irving believed that the fact he had met with the ancestor of the Smith family was something Elder Lawrence could not possibly know, nor could any consciousness within the Abyss of Death.

There were only two possibilities for how the projection had obtained this information. Either Irving's own memories had been taken from him, or the projection had been watching his every move. Regardless of which possibility it was, both indicated that Irving was in a very dangerous situation.

Seeing Irving's reaction, Elder Lawrence's projection smiled. "You are indeed quite vigilant. I think being cautious is not a bad thing. However, you do not need to be overly defensive with me, for I can no longer pose any threat to you."

After saying this, Elder Lawrence's projection began to walk toward the direction behind Irving.

Irving did not lower his guard; he simply followed behind the projection of Elder Lawrence as they walked toward a large building. This building was a massive library, and both Irving and the projection entered without any hindrance.

Elder Lawrence's projection casually picked up a book. "You should recognize this book, right? This is the book that the ancestor of the Smith family once gave to you. With this book, you can harness powerful chaotic forces."

Irving took the book from the projection's hand and examined its title and content closely. He had to admit that this was indeed the same book that the ancestor of the Smith family had entrusted to him.

"What is going on? How do you know so much about what happened between me and the ancestor of the Smith family? Are you a part of the ancestor's soul?" Irving directly voiced his most reasonable speculation.

Elder Lawrence's projection smiled. "You don't need to guess anymore; I will reveal all the secrets related to me. I know everything about the ancestor of the Smith family because the ancestor is actually a creation of my imagination."

This revelation shocked Irving profoundly. He instinctively countered, "That's impossible! The treasures possessed by the ancestor of the Smith family have been fiercely contested by many forces. If he is merely a figment of your imagination, then were his treasures also intentionally placed there by you? What is your purpose in all this? None of it makes sense!

So I believe you are lying! Stop testing me and tell me your true intentions!"

Irving's patience had nearly run out. He felt that the projection had not provided him with enough useful information.

Elder Lawrence's projection looked at Irving. "You are a bit too hasty. In that case, let me provide you with some truly useful information. I am no one else; I am the founder of the Night Blades! You can call me Shadow Celestial!"

Shadow Celestial spoke these words with great seriousness. Irving's expression did not change; his eyes still showed that he did not trust the projection.

"You must be deceiving me, because a member of the Angel Guild once told me that the founder of the Night Blades was one of their original members, not Shadow Celestial! Furthermore, if you truly were the founder of the Night Blades, that would mean the Night Blades have existed for a long time. The ancestor of the Smith family lived several hundred years ago.

If you can fabricate the ancestor, that means you must have been alive for several hundred years too. If that's the case, why are you here? Are you also trapped in the Abyss of Death?" Irving voiced his doubts.

As he finished speaking, Irving suddenly felt that he might have missed a crucial piece of information. Shadow Celestial smiled and nodded.

"You are correct; I am indeed trapped in the Abyss of Death. A thousand years ago, I discovered the entrance to the Abyss of Death. I once believed that it could grant me immense power. However, the outcome proved me wrong. Entering the Abyss of Death did not provide me with any great strength. Instead, the power I possessed was gradually absorbed by the Abyss of Death.

The only reason I can appear before you now is that your presence in the Abyss has shifted its focus of power absorption onto you.

Don't you feel your strength rapidly diminishing? Can you still use your most powerful spells?"

Shadow Celestial's words filled Irving with fear. He realized that the projection was not lying. He indeed no longer felt as powerful as before. Moreover, he could sense that the Abyss of Death was draining his strength.

"You all have been deceived! There is no great power within the Abyss of Death. Even the power of the Abyss itself is absorbed from others. The Abyss of Death is a massive trap, and like me, you are all just pitiful insects that have fallen into it."

Shadow Celestial spoke with a tone of deep sorrow.

Irving, however, did not share the same despair. He straightforwardly asked Shadow Celestial, "If that's the case, why don't we try to escape? Even if your power is nearly depleted, we could still create an opportunity by joining forces."

At this, Shadow Celestial laughed outright. "What a display of ignorance! The Abyss of Death will never return the power it possesses to us. It is using that power to attempt to revive a very terrifying entity. This entity is even more powerful than the Dark Overlord! Even the Dark Overlord must keep a distance from this horrific being!"

Shadow Celestial's words gave Irving a new understanding of his previous experiences. Suddenly, he realized that the mysterious figure he had encountered at the old headquarters of the Angel Guild had spoken nothing but lies.

The reason the mysterious figure had granted Irving the ability to manipulate dark forces was merely to lure him into the Abyss of Death to seal away the terrifying entity at its deepest depths. The figure had no intention of harnessing the so-called powerful forces found within the Abyss of Death.

As Irving realized this, the expression on his face changed dramatically. Shadow Celestial noticed the shift and said lightly, "It seems you've been deceived by others as well! But it's fine; at least we can have a conversation before we completely dissipate. Don't continue forward; pushing on will only accelerate the loss of your strength."

Shadow Celestial casually found a seat and sat down. He had completely given up hope, so he had no intention of taking any further action. However, Irving did not share that despair. After some contemplation, he walked directly in front of Shadow Celestial.

"I believe we can't give up just yet! Together, we can create a glimmer of hope for survival! Besides, if we do give up, the Abyss of Death may very well destroy everyone."

Shadow Celestial nodded. "You're right; the Abyss of Death will not only annihilate everyone, but the terrifying entity within its depths could even consume the world of the shelter game and the real world. But what does that have to do with us? Do you really think it's our duty to protect humanity's survival? I've lived for a thousand years and have long since come to terms with such matters."

Shadow Celestial remained unconvinced. Yet, Irving did not give up. He knew that without the projection's help, his own efforts would be futile.

"Maybe you no longer care about these things. But don't you want to regain control of the Night Blades? The current situation of the Night Blades is dire. They are now under the control of those who follow dark powers. The Night Blades have turned into a thoroughly evil organization. Do you truly wish to see the group you founded descend into ruin and destruction?"

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Irving's words caused a shift in Shadow Celestial's expression. He sighed and spoke in a resigned tone. "Of course, I don't want that to happen. However, I've already told you that any action we take is unlikely to succeed. The power within the Abyss of Death is far too formidable.

Moreover, if we were to reclaim our lost powers from the Abyss, the terrifying entity at the depths would surely awaken. At that point, we would still be unable to escape."