/n/second-life-ranker-252/c-386
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chapter-387
How did Vieira Dune manage to swallow up Mother Earth? After all, Mother Earth was a conceptual entity without any ego. She was an amalgam of data, like a cloud server. However, that meant that it was possible to infect her if Vieira Dune infiltrated her mind like a virus and continued to grow inside it. Luciel’s Soulstone would make the process even more likely.
Many of the gods and demons of the heavenly world had set aside all their differences and cooperated just to catch Luciel. Some even compared him to the Heavenly Demon. Even a remnant of a being like this would be an incredible help to Vieira Dune, who was already on the edge of exuviation.
‘But it’s strange.’ Although Luciel’s Soulstone was a priceless treasure, Mother Earth was as powerful as Luciel, if not stronger. Even if she had no sense of self, she had desire. Didn’t she realize that she was in danger? She must have had some kind of defense mechanism.
But if that were so, that meant that there was only one reason Vieira Dune and Mother Earth had united: ‘Mother Earth wished for it as well.’
Of course, this was only Yeon-woo’s guess. It was also entirely possible that Vieira Dune simply swallowed up her mother, or Mother Earth welcomed her because she had a scheme of her own. Only the parties involved knew the truth. There was only one thing Yeon-woo could be sure of: they were meeting as enemies. His eyes grew cold and flinty.* * *
On the way to the temple, Yeon-woo had a feeling that a path was opening just for him. Considering the violence of the battle between the gods of Olympus and the Titans and Giants, it would be impossible for someone to find a way through the storms, lightning, and fire that wreaked havoc across the holy territory. The fighting was so bloody that anyone who was swept up in it would instantly die. It was like an apocalypse.
Yeon-woo had been ready to use his awakened Dragon Body and Sky Wings to clear a path, but it turned out he didn’t even have to. As he walked down the path to the Temple of the King of the Underworld, the battles around him seemed to veer away, and none of the Titan subordinates made any attempt to attack him.
Yeon-woo instantly realized that this was an invitation from Persephone. She had ordered her subordinates to clear the way so he could reach her easily. He gritted his teeth. It was clear she wanted something from him, and the likelihood that his worst fears would be realized was becoming greater.
Once he reached the dark and quiet temple, he found Persephone waiting inside, sitting on the throne that belonged to Hades.
“You’re here.” Her smile was charming but it couldn’t distract from the domineering aura that she exuded. It was as though the person he’d met in the breezy spring garden a few months ago didn’t exist anymore.
The atmosphere was dark and depressing, and it reeked of winter dampness. The heavy energy around her was familiar: Vieira Dune. He recognized the gaze looking down from somewhere, as well.[Infected Mother Earth is looking in your direction.]
At first, the weak gaze had been difficult to sense, but it had intensified recently. Yeon-woo knew that the gaze wasn’t directed on him but on the pocket watch.
Persephone crossed her legs, at ease now that a great entity was supporting her. The great cocoons hanging from the ceiling shook. There were six of them hanging over the throne incubating some kind of creature, and each one was draped in thin strings of shadows. He sensed a dense holy power leaking from one of them.
“What…happened to Hades?” He could guess what had happened, but he still wanted to confirm. A corner of Persephone’s lips rose, and she jerked her head up to indicate the cocoons. The largest cocoon shook.
“My husband’s doing well, as you can see. I would wake him to receive our visitor, but he’s in a deep sleep. Unfortunately, you’ll have to find a chance to greet him next time.” Her smile was as cold as the ones that Hades had often shown. Persephone touched the cocoon with her fingertips and turned back to Yeon-woo again. “Anyway, I invited you here to talk about something more useful.”
“What is it?”
“Before we begin discussing the details, why don’t you sit down?” She clapped lightly, and as the lanterns flickered, a large table groaning under a sumptuous feast appeared.
Persephone slowly descended from the throne and took a seat, waving her hand to invite Yeon-woo to sit down. However, he only looked at her and asked, “What do you plan to do?”
“The meat is delicious; it’s a shame I’m the only one enjoying it.” Persephone grinned, slicing into a steak. Then, she lifted her wine glass and took a sip as she continued. “I only have one thing to say: I want you to switch sides.”
Yeon-woo’s eyebrow twitched. The pocket watch became quiet as well. “Are you asking me to work for you?”
“No. You might not realize this, but I don’t like having subordinates. I’m not interested in leading others, guiding them, or taking responsibility. I’m asking to work together.”
It was almost unbelievable that a transcendent who saw players as little more than bugs was asking him to partner with her.
“I think highly of you,
