Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1171

"Try and reach Atticus! Get him here immediately!" Ozeroth barked, desperation seeping into his tone. If what he suspected was true, then they didn't have a second to waste.

Just as Ozeroth was about to launch another strike at the pillar, a voice rumbled through the domain.

"Ozeroth."

Ozeroth froze.

Instantly, he rocketed backward, retreating with blazing speed and reforming his hammer into two. He held them tightly, his glare locked onto the pillar as it began to collapse inward.

The massive structure shrank, the radiant light drawing into itself. Two distinct masses began to form, one condensed into a dome of protection around Zoey, and the other twisted into a searing orb of purple energy, growing brighter and denser with each second.

Ozeroth's face darkened as the orb flared, then burst.

From its core, a figure stepped out.

He walked with calm grace, power radiating off him in waves that distorted the air.

His form glowed so brightly it was as though a second sun of pure violet had appeared in the heart of the human domain.

The Spirit King.

"Ozeroth."

The voice boomed like thunder, shaking the land.

The spiritual energy froze. Even the air stilled.

Ozeroth locked eyes with the Spirit King. Then, he clenched his hammers so tightly, the air around him shuddered.

"Shit."

The Spirit King stood tall, and his face, surprisingly, was gentle. His aura was calm. Peaceful. Like a leaf drifting across a serene lake.

But his eyes… they were not.

"You don't seem happy to see me," the Spirit King said with a soft smile.

"Yeah… that's because you're so damn ugly, you're burning my eyes," Ozeroth replied, trying hard to hide the unsettling feeling taking root deep in his gut.

The Spirit King chuckled, unbothered. "So this is the place you now call home?"

He glanced around, his gaze dripping with disdain. _{freeweɓnovēl.coɱ}

"It is," Ozeroth replied. "And it's better than that shit hole you call the spirit world. At least your stench doesn't choke the air here."

The Spirit King's expression sharpened. His voice came cold.

"Aerithis is your home. The place that raised you. Have some respect."

Ozeroth scoffed. "Says the one who devoured civilizations like candy."

A brief frown flickered across the king's face. Then he sighed. When he spoke again, his tone was quieter. Almost… mournful.

"Ozeroth… I did what I had to. For Aerithis. For our people. I don't expect you to understand. But are you truly willing to abandon the world that nurtured you? That made you who you are? You're one of its greatest warriors. And for Aerithis to survive, we need this world. We need power."

"Don't get me wrong," Ozeroth said coldly. "I'm not against killing. I'll slaughter civilizations if they stand in my way."

He paused.

"But only if they stand in my way."

His eyes narrowed.

"You? You're different. Disgustingly so. It's one thing to ignore the fate of other civilizations. But you… you hunt them. For power. You kill for no other reason than selfish gain."

He raised a hand, pointing to the king's back. The light had faded. But Ozeroth saw it.

The shadows. The dead.

The countless spirits that had just died, sacrificed, so the Spirit King could descend with enough power.

His own people.

Used like tools.