Will of chaos

Chapter 1904: Cap 1900: Greed once again

Pov Merchant (Commerce):

I was sitting in my personal space. Around me was organized chaos. To my right, a quarter of the room contained holographic screens with endless business agreements scrolling by, from the agreement between a farmer and a grocer to the contract between two entities exchanging entire universes they control.

In another quarter of the room was a beautiful collection of coins of all types and from all eras up until now. Each coin has a vast history. Some have always had a fixed value, while others have fluctuated in value throughout their existence. Each coin had as much meaning as its purpose, all organized into books with endless pages cataloged with their stories.

In the other quarter of the room was a reality pool, containing liquefied fragments of universes teeming with resources and devoid of population. This is a guilty luxury I allow myself. Swimming in money or jewels might be considered a Mortal luxury, but it was too basic for me. It didn’t match my level of infinite wealth. That’s why I created this incredible pool. Maintaining it is absurd, even for an Entity, but having infinite wealth has its advantages in acquiring resources, labor, and materials.

In the last quarter of the room was my office, where I currently sit. A wooden desk with a floating holographic computer screen, several screens above it, a bookshelf of exotic dimensions on one side, a document shelf on the other, and behind my chair, a large window showing a beautiful night sky with glowing mountains in the background.

“The kid was bold with that proposal, using a mess of this scale to create a betting table. Look at those profits, this is one of the best things I’ve ever done, definitely in the top 40. It’s a shame I can’t repeat such a deal like this.” (me)

I was looking at the betting percentages as well as those interested in participating; it was a much higher number than I initially expected.

I quickly waved my hand, causing all the holographic screens to close, and the space opened, revealing the battle from the last event Callidora organized.

“She’s rushing things too much, creating more confusion than necessary, as always.” (me)

“It seems Curse and Hatred acted exactly as I predicted. Selling the information to Hatred was the right choice. I’m glad I didn’t follow their decision to call Insanity.” (me)

I remember the discussions from thousands of years ago; knowing your decisions are the most profitable and have the lowest risk is always good for your own ego.

But then I suddenly lose myself in a thought I don’t like: Callidora’s haste. Even she wouldn’t do something like that without reason. Her network of influence is different from mine, the information she obtains is also different, so the reasons for her change in the timeline acceleration worry me.

“The question is… should I call her…?” (me)

“…” (me)

“I already have her body prepared. I could take the opportunity to deliver the package… a little early, but at this point it wouldn’t make a difference.” (me)

After making a decision, I open a drawer and take out a medallion with our Symbols of Pride and containing her Concept. I then break it in my hands, simply clenching it into a fist. The power releases, and I simply guide this power to learn from my desk where a portal forms.

Ohara steps through the portal, her golden hair and ruler’s outfit as perfect as the day I sold it to her, but her golden eyes speak volumes of who truly has appeared, her calm, seductive walk filled with an elegant grace before sitting in a chair that has appeared for her.

“Why did you call me?” (Pride)

“Callidora is ahead of schedule.” (Me)

“I know, it seems to be due to the Bringer of Chaos; she wants to push him to his limit.” (Pride)

“Just for that?” (Me)

“Hell has never cared about anything or anyone; its current disposition is strange enough.” (Pride)

“No, it’s not.” (Me)

To sire a Descendant who can serve as her Avatar, as well as have the potential to become an Entity, that’s everything Callidora has ever wanted and more. Her euphoria can be felt in the increase in her cruelty across all universes. Her interest and perhaps even gratitude for Zenos isn’t surprising.

“What is she truly seeking with this? Doesn’t she know anything?” (Me)

“I really don’t know, but she doesn’t seem to be doing this for Paradox, and the only variable I can think of is the current Bringer of Chaos.” (Pride)

“What do we do? Continue with the plan?” (me)

“Yes, I did all this for this moment. We won’t get a second chance. You saw the previous Bringers of Chaos yourself. No one has managed to maintain their sanity as well as Zenos.” (Pride)

“But what will he say in the end? If he’s still alive.” (me)

“He’ll understand, even if he has something to say, it doesn’t matter. Everyone has their role. It defines who we are. There’s nothing to disagree with or dislike. We should be proud of who we are, embrace it, and live accordingly.” (Pride)

“Not everyone is like you and me, sister.” (me)

“But they should be, because there’s nothing sadder than feeling ashamed of yourself.” (Pride)

I couldn’t completely agree with her. Things tend to be more complex whether we like it or not. Denying the complexity of situations with your stupid pride doesn’t change that. Your simplistic way of thinking has always been a problem, but it’s not my problem.

“< Goods Summon: Deliver >” (me)

With the movement of two fingers, a Rune forms before opening a circle in the space through which a metal cylinder descends. It was now right next to Pride, who reached out to touch it.

“Perfect as always, it’s also ahead of schedule.” (Pride)

“Since it’s here, why not take it? It still needs the finishing touch.” (me)

“I understand, I will do that. Thank you for fulfilling my request.” (Pride)

“The pleasure is mine.” (me)

“Now I must take my leave. Until next time, Merchant.” (Pride)

With that, she stands, collecting the cylinder as she leaves with the same elegance with which she arrived, then passes through the portal, which closes behind her.

“Paradox, our contract is nearing its end, I hope you can make it…” (me)

Saying this, I returned to my previous tasks, but the conversation with Pride still weighed on my mind, as did Callidora’s hasty actions. Anxiety gnawed at me, but there was nothing to do about it for now other than sit and watch.

————————–

Pov Zenos:

The wound in my chest wasn’t healing, at least not truly. There was an energy embedded in my bones, flesh, muscles, and organs, preventing it from healing completely.

It was while I was thinking about how I could circumvent this Infernal energy that I noticed a large object approaching us. It stopped a short distance away, a distance of a few kilometers, something that could be traversed in a single step.

What was approaching was a floating castle, and that old man Greed was there, staring at me in a way that sent shivers down what remained of my spine.

“Be careful, he’s not one to fight head-on.” (Davoth)

“(Maybe if these tainted parts didn’t exist… that’s right, just get rid of the corrupted areas and let the healing do the rest…)” (me)

“< Devour >” (me)

The blood and flesh of my body writhed inside me like worms devouring the area around the wound. Whenever this happened, I transformed this Infernal energy into something opposite, something pure and sacred.

I did this to make it easier to store safely, but even if I could do it for my body, I couldn’t do it for my Soul.

My wound was still being devoured by myself, but it wasn’t happening as I thought. The conversion rate of Infernal power was too slow, which only increased my pain. Yet, I couldn’t keep my mind on myself now.

“< Origin of Greed: Governance >” (Avatar of Greed)

“< Break >” (Avatar of Greed)

His voice carried a strange power that traveled, distorting everything. Space in the air shattered as two Concept powers collided. A tidal wave of Demonic power spread out as the two appeared much earlier than they should have.

Now before us stood the smiling old man. The Avatar of Greed was smiling at his plan working, and he wasn’t even trying to hide it.

Besides him, there was the red Demon who was the last one summoned by Callidora’s Envoy. There was also a group of people emanating a heavy presence of pure malice. They were the group that served Hatred, led by their Avatar right in front.

Now I have to deal with two Avatars who hate me and a Demon who seems to have stepped out of the legends of my old world.

I join Davoth, Sarazar, and Lolth in looking at the three enemies. The two Avatars exchange a glance before nodding their heads in unison, but the Infernal creature wouldn’t wait. It glared at me, flying toward me, full of murderous intent.

“Always without rest…” (me)