Chapter 1729 Testing <TOC> Chapter 1731 Labu's Power
Translator: SumTLMan
Ever since Labu arrived at the Sinful Demon Laboratory, he had been staying by Coleus’s side, striving to learn how to be a researcher.
In Labu’s vision for the future, even if he couldn’t become a demon hunter, he wanted to be an excellent researcher, standing at the forefront of the battle against the sinful demons. This wasn’t just for a greater cause; for Labu, it was also a responsibility. To protect Initial Heart City, to protect his beloved younger brother.
Therefore, Labu has always been moving in the direction of becoming a researcher.
However, what he hadn’t anticipated was that just when he thought he was getting closer to becoming a researcher, fate took an abrupt turn.
“… That’s the situation. You can take a moment to calm your mind today, and tomorrow, we’ll take you for the inheritance ceremony.” Freud told Labu.
Although Freud had explained everything from beginning to end very clearly to Labu, he was still momentarily stunned… Was he chosen to inherit the World Will, gaining the power to guide demon hunters?
What is the World Will? And what is this power? Labu’s mind was filled with confusion. He wanted to ask Freud for clarity, but the answers he received were ambiguous.
After Freud finished speaking, he prepared to leave. As he was about to exit, Labu stopped him once more.
“Lord Tyson… Why… why…” Labu’s eyes were filled with confusion: “Why me?”
“I’d like to know too, why the World Will would choose you.” After answering, Freud turned around and left the room. As the sound of his footsteps faded away, his figure gradually disappeared from view.
Inside the room, Labu remained in a state of doubt and confusion. He had already planned his future, but this sudden twist made the path he thought was clear seem covered in mist once again.
After what felt like an eternity, Coleus, the researcher who had always taken great care of him, entered the room: “Oh? You’re not researching the data? It’s rare to see you slacking off.”
Labu, looking lost, raised his head to address Coleus, “I don’t know what to do anymore…”
Coleus cast a doubtful glance at Labu and inquired, “What’s the matter?”
Hesitating for a moment, Labu relayed what Freud had said, though he deliberately obscured the specifics, merely conveying his concerns vaguely.
Upon hearing this, Coleus adjusted his glasses, his face showing a hint of perplexity, and said, “From what I gather, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. It’s just a change of role. You still stand on the front lines against the Sinful Monsters, and you continue to protect those most important to you. What are you worried about?”
“I initially served as a recorder for the experiments on Sinful Monsters. Now I’ve been shifted to a research position. Isn’t that a different ballgame?”
After listening to Coleus’s words, Labu lowered his head in silence. However, behind the hair that shadowed his eyes, there seemed to be a gradual shift from confusion to clarity.
As night fell, Angel stood atop Azure Tower, overlooking Initial Heart City. Presently, dim lights illuminated the city, and the streets grew considerably more tranquil.
Before the “Celestial Cycle” power took effect, the citizens of Initial Heart City rested daily, but at irregular intervals. Now, with the distinction between day and night, everyone’s biological rhythm seemed to revert to old habits — working in the morning and resting at home in the evening.
Observing this scene, Angel’s emotions were somewhat complex. He initially created the Wilderness of Dreams as a safety net for Jon. Yet now, the Wilderness appeared to increasingly resemble a genuine world. This unintended consequence evoked quite a unique sentiment in him.
Angel couldn’t quite articulate the sensation of feeling like a genuine “creator”, but he had an inkling that this experience would bring countless benefits for his future journey.
While Angel was silently gazing at the nocturnal beauty of Initial Heart City, he heard the sound of a door opening from behind him.
Freud opened the terrace door and approached.
“Have you spoken with Labu?” Angel inquired without turning around.
“Yes,” Freud shared the conversation he had with Labu.
Upon listening, Angel nodded in agreement. He advised Freud to refer to the granting of power as an “inheritance ceremony” and the origin of such an inheritance as the “World Will.” This was done to diminish Angel’s own prominence. In the Wilderness of Dreams, he could become an omnipotent deity, but such a title, other than feeding his vanity, seemed to bring no other advantages. Instead of being thrust into the limelight, it was better to observe silently from behind the scenes.
By the time Freud finished discussing Labu, the moon was high in the sky.
The third day of Angel accompanying Toby was drawing to a close. On this day, Angel didn’t gain much, but Toby had quite the fruitful experience.
Like the previous day, Toby triumphed over the Tribulation of Resentment four times. However, Toby only entered the House of Hearts five times today and failed once, thus elevating his success rate.
According to Toby, the single failure occurred only because of his impatience leading to carelessness. He was confident that there would be no mistakes the following day.
With that optimistic expectation, the fourth day arrived.
Angel remained in the Wilderness of Dreams. While Toby entered the House of Hearts to undertake his trials, Angel’s attention shifted to Labu’s “inheritance ceremony.”
The ceremony was held in the Puppet Theatre of Initial Heart City.
Originally, the Puppet Theatre was a venue in Watford that primarily staged puppet shows. When Angel was experimenting with the Dream Conch, he incidentally pulled it into the Wilderness of Dreams. Since there were no puppeteers or anyone making puppets, the theater remained vacant.
Later on, after the establishment of the Demon Hunters, to maximize the use of space, the Puppet Theatre was transformed into the headquarters of the Demon Hunters.
When Freud arrived at the Puppet Theatre with Labu, a number of people had already gathered there. Among them were Knight Sabel, who had merged with a Sin Demon, Sheriff Tulas, and the City Lord Marilyn. There were also some members who had passed the preliminary selection of the Demon Hunters and researchers from the Sin Demon Laboratory.
Once Labu acquired the Sin Fog’s powers, his abilities would inevitably become closely related to the Demon Hunters and impossible to hide. Thus, having these individuals here in advance was also to let them witness this ritual, which was of paramount importance to them.
All the attendees stood around the perimeter, leaving only Freud and Labu. They proceeded along a carpet lined with candles, heading straight for the altar in the center.
The altar was originally the Puppet Theatre’s mechanism stage but had been temporarily transformed for the inheritance ceremony.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Labu showed no signs of panic. His gaze was steadfast as he approached the base of the altar. Freud halted and pointed to the towering altar, stating, “From here on, you must walk this path alone.”
On the surface, Freud’s words simply instructed Labu to ascend the altar by himself. However, everyone present understood the deeper implication.
Choosing to step onto the altar meant accepting the Granting of Authority for the Sin Fog’s powers and taking on a monumental responsibility.
The journey ahead might be one of solitude, of being misunderstood, a path he would have to tread alone.
Once a decision is made, there is no turning back.
Labu closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he reopened them, his eyes shone with a brilliant light. Visions of his younger brother, Lado, and… Sunny’s smile seemed to flash before him.
With an even more resolute look in his eyes, Labu didn’t hesitate. He took steady steps, ascending to the highest point of the altar.