Chapter 1685 Lingering Unease <TOC> Chapter 1687 Final Challenge
Previous page password is bold portion: drapR4tra&r
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel recounted Toby’s experiences.
After listening, Freud mused, “A massive Serpent-Bird in the dark void? This must be his inner demon. But why do I feel that Sharu’s situation is somewhat different?”
In the House of Hearts, Sharu also encountered his inner demon——the Snake-Tail Worm. But comparing it with Toby’s situation, Freud felt a subtle difference. Yet, he couldn’t pinpoint what it was at that moment.
“It is indeed different,” Angel said. “The inner demon Sharu faced was a product of his own imagination, including the actual strength of the Snake-Tail Worm. Sharu wasn’t really clear about it and only had a vague idea. But Toby’s case is distinct. His inner demon genuinely exists, and the Serpent-Bird of Resentment’s strength is also measurable.”
Freud, having reflected, understood the difference between the Snake-Tail Worm and the Serpent-Bird of Resentment: it lay in their modes of existence. However, diving deeper into the thought, Freud became puzzled, “I’ve heard from the lord that the Serpent-Bird of Resentment’s strength has reached at least the formal wizard level. So, shouldn’t Toby have been utterly overwhelmed when facing it?”
In the Wilderness of Dreams, Toby currently couldn’t unleash his full strength. Facing an opponent of the formal wizard level, even if it’s just a Simulation of the Tribulation from the House of Hearts, wouldn’t Toby be unable to withstand it?
“I did say that the Serpent-Bird of Resentment’s strength surpassed the formal wizard level, but this pertains to the overall strength after Toby transforms into the Serpent-Bird of Resentment,” Angel explained. “Upon transformation, he becomes the Serpent-Bird.”
“What Toby faces in the House of Hearts is not the real Serpent-Bird but his inner demon, or to put it another way, the inevitable inner tribulation he must confront. Since it’s an inner tribulation, it can’t possess the Serpent-Bird of Resentment’s full strength.”
Freud felt as though he was on the brink of understanding, yet everything seemed hazy, as if a veil blocked his view.
At that moment, Sanders closed the —House of Hearts Experiment Records— he was holding and remarked, “It’s a straightforward principle. Sharu’s inner demon, the Serpent-Tail Worm, was born from his imagination. However, the true entity of the Serpent-Tail Worm is an independent being, with Sharu merely being a former host. The Serpent-Bird of Resentment, on the other hand, truly is Toby.”
Toby is not merely an unremarkable little seabird; he is also the Griffin of Rage and the Serpent-Bird of Resentment.
What Toby confronts is himself, not someone else. Even if the Serpent-Bird of Resentment possesses the strength of a formal wizard, it is, in fact, the power Toby holds.
Hence, when Toby enters the House of Hearts, to solely judge the Serpent-Bird of Resentment based on strength would be misguided.
Sanders succinctly added, “In essence, within the House of Hearts, the Serpent-Bird of Resentment that Toby faces is akin to facing the Tribulation of Resentment.”
Upon hearing this, Freud came to a realization, “So, are you saying that Toby’s experience within the House of Hearts is actually him…”
“Facing the tribulation?!”
Sanders nodded in agreement, “To be precise, it’s a simulated tribulation.”
“Since it’s a simulated tribulation, wouldn’t it allow Toby to repeatedly try and accumulate experience for the real tribulation within the House of Hearts?” A glint of excitement flashed across Freud’s face. If that’s the case, the probability of Toby overcoming the Tribulation of Resentment would significantly increase!
Angel had actually considered this possibility. However, a hint of helplessness clouded his face, “That’s one way to look at it, but don’t forget why I had to abruptly end Toby’s experience.”
It took a moment for Freud to grasp the meaning. Indeed, Angel had forcibly removed Toby from the House of Hearts because Toby, while in the real world, had inadvertently triggered the seal for the Tribulation of Resentful. Wasn’t that the reason Angel had to intervene?
Freud’s idea was commendable; Toby could use the House of Hearts to repeatedly experience and prepare for the real tribulation, thus increasing his chances of success. However, the practical implementation is problematic. Whenever Toby faces the Serpent-Bird of Resentment within the House of Hearts, he concurrently disrupts the Serpent-Bird of Resentment’s seal in reality.
Freud furrowed his brow and remarked, “From what it seems, the House of Hearts doesn’t play as significant a role for Toby during the tribulation, does it?”
Indeed, to the naked eye, the House of Hearts doesn’t seem to be of much use to Toby… Angel had the same thought, but something in the back of his mind felt off, as if he was missing a detail.
“On the contrary,” Sanders interjected, “I believe the House of Hearts could be a pivotal element in resolving Toby’s predicament.”
Angel turned to his mentor with hopeful eyes. “What do you mean, Mentor?”
“To Toby, the House of Hearts is quite special, especially the one within the Wilderness of Dreams.” Sanders emphasized “Wilderness of Dreams,” indicating its importance.
Instead of explaining right away, Sanders posed a question to Angel, “Think about it, Angel. If in the real world, you acquired the House of Hearts from the Golden Umbrella Witch and used it on Toby, what do you think would happen?”
In the real world, how would Toby react to the House of Hearts? Angel followed Sanders’ line of thought, envisioning the scenario.
Without a doubt, once Toby enters the House of Hearts in reality, he’d still be faced with the two doors, and undoubtedly, he’d confront the Serpent-Bird of Resentment in the void.
The sole advantage in the real world would be Toby’s ability to harness his own power.
While this might be beneficial for others — facing their inner demons with their true strength — it doesn’t help Toby. The Serpent-Bird of Resentment is a reflection of Toby himself. He can’t battle it as others would in physical combat. His confrontation with the Serpent-Bird leans more towards a——struggle of the heart.
Or rather, a tug of war for emotional dominance.
From this perspective, whether Toby is in the real world or in the Wilderness of Dreams, entering the House of Hearts makes little difference.
Sanders particularly emphasized the “House of Hearts” within the “Wilderness of Dreams” as being very special to Toby. But why?
Without an immediate answer, Angel decided to continue simulating the scenario——
What would happen in reality when Toby, inside the House of Hearts, confronts the Serpent-Bird of Resentment?
As Angel’s mind conjured an image, a vision appeared: Toby, eyes closed, floating in mid-air. From within him, a thick black mist emanated, forming a massive Serpent-Bird illusion behind him.
When Angel saw this vision, he was taken aback.
Wasn’t this the scene he had witnessed when he returned to reality? However, in reality, the black mist around Toby wasn’t as dense, so it couldn’t shape the Serpent-Bird illusion.
“The thinness of the black mist signifies the depth of resentment…”
Suddenly, a spark of understanding flashed across Angel’s mind, and he muttered to himself, “I think I’m beginning to understand…”
Angel looked up at Sanders, “Are you suggesting that, in reality, if Toby uses the House of Hearts, he’ll instantly activate the resentment seal and directly enter the moment of tribulation?”
Sanders nodded, “Exactly.”
“Although, when Toby uses the House of Hearts in the Wilderness of Dreams, he’ll also trigger the resentment seal. But since there’s a clear separation between the Wilderness of Dreams and reality, the pull isn’t as strong as one would imagine. Therefore, it won’t break the seal set by Lord Frost immediately. That’s why you had the time to forcibly pull Toby out of the House of Hearts earlier.”
“But, if Toby uses the House of Hearts in reality, it’s like he’s choosing to face the resentment on his own. In that case, there won’t be any separation. There’s a high likelihood he’d immediately break the seal of resentment and directly enter the moment of tribulation.”
Chapter 1685 Lingering Unease <TOC> Chapter 1687 Final Challenge