.. So you organized this ugly trial? Attempting to kill me in the name of judgment?
Wood listened to the Voice flowing from his mouth.
He knew that the voice belonged to the "Loki" within the body, that the lofty voice conversing with "Loki" came, without a doubt, from the King of Gods in Norse Mythology, Odin.
Because you fear my power and the power of my children, you want to monopolize everything I can bring to the world?
Sorry, but all life—from the day they are born, they are walking toward Death and doing everything in their power to resist Death. Plundering power from you is the self-preservation we must undertake!
But—
Accept our judgment.
Odin said in a tone that was almost a whisper and a plea, "This is not an ugly judgment! Nor is it a selfish act! This is our desperate self-rescue against Death and Destruction! I beg you—accept the judgment!"
And what about me? What will happen to me?
Loki" said, "You have gained temporary safety by sacrificing me; where will my actions lead you?
You—you won't die anyway, will you?
Odin said in pain, "You do not truly die; you exist forever—at most, you simply lose your memories and start anew. Dear Loki, my dearest and best brother, I beg you to fulfill your promise beneath the World Tree and bring us fulfillment!"
“..”
Wood subconsciously clutched his chest.
He could feel the part of him belonging to Loki letting out a tearing wail from deep within his heart, he could also hear the ripples of sorrow rising from the deepest depths of his soul; he could perceive the dark, distorted energy surging all around him even more clearly—this energy was so intense and frantic that—
Things have come to this point; even if I refuse to sacrifice myself, you would still rush up to kill me and devour my flesh, wouldn't you?
I am sorry.
Odin muttered, "But we must do this."
—Just like They [male] were thousands of years ago?
Yes, we are merely following the original nature of life!
I understand.
Wood heard the sneer from deep within the Soul.
The part belonging to Loki looked around with a sense of relief, watching those guys who, because their bodies were hidden in the darkness, could only express their ugliness through their blatant ***, he could not help but burst into laughter.
—Come! Odin! Take what you want! Take everything you crave! When I wake again, I will no longer be the Loki who made vows to you beneath the World Tree! That shall be the moment of Ragnarok's arrival!
As the words fell, White Light surged, the Divine Serpent appeared and disappeared!
[——Be gone, all of you! He is my private property! I shall ***]
That Divine object made such a declaration, a deafening roar accompanied by a scorching White Light that destroyed everything surged forward. Once the roar and the White Light dissipated, everything that had originally been there had vanished.
Wood looked around blankly, realizing he had unknowingly returned to the museum showroom. Pale light shone upon him, "Rex" lay slumped on the ground, dead and decayed.
(Just now.. what just happened?)
(It feels like I had a dream, but it also feels like.. I remember. I saw a giant winged serpent, looking exactly like Yinglong from Eastern mythology, yet also like Quetzalcoatl from the South American mythological system.. He appeared suddenly, his entire body flashing with intense light, then, then..)
(Ah.. my head hurts so much, my body is also..)
A sudden surge of intense pain shattered Wood's thoughts.
He clutched his shoulders in pain, like a startled toddler, just as—
His back fell into a firm embrace.
It was—
Boss?
Wood looked back, staring at the suddenly appearing Master with a sense of being overwhelmed by favor, unable to believe his eyes or his body: "You're not.. how could you, That Guy, That Guy.."
If I hadn't made it back in time, you would likely have become a part of Him by now—even I wouldn't be very keen on embracing a body that has been assimilated into a slimy, translucent Amoeba.
Master said teasingly, pulling Wood into a tight embrace as he gently rubbed his chin against the top of his head. "It's a good thing.. thank goodness.. thank goodness.."
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Author's Note: Thank you to readers "Yuan Zhong Ren De Yi Yu Zhong Li", "Qing Yun", "Qian Duo", "Bao Hao Du Shu Jiu Jin Chang Da Gong", "Shi Yi", "Xiao Mao Diao Da Yu", "Yue Xia Yin Cha", "Fish Blowing Bubblegum", "kiki", "Zhen Zhu Xue", "Lan Wu", "Riyue Taosan Huan", "Li Yu", "Meng Li Jian", "Courage is Lifelong Reliance", "Nai Pi Nai Pi Wo Shi Cha Pian", "A Cat's Murmurs", "Xing Ye", "Min", "Mu", "Dian Ji Ke Yi Kan Dao Chao Ji Mei Nu", "moonlit", "Yi Tuo Da Yan" for providing Irrigation Nutrient Solution.
Chapter 78 Quetzalcoatl's Secret Treasure (End)
Boss—I thought I.. would never see you again! Thank goodness.. thank goodness.. As expected, without you.. I am just a useless waste.. I, I..
Nonsense! In my eyes, you have never been a complete waste—even if you truly became a waste, you would be a waste whose body and appearance perfectly match my aesthetic taste.
Master soothed Wood with soft, tender words, the sweet speech flowing down his spine, their bodies, long accustomed to one another, began to react faintly.
Boss—
Hmm?
“I want.. I want..”
What do you want to do?
What do you think?
Alright—
Master smiled wickedly, fulfilling his request.
..
..
His body sank into a numb exhaustion, collapsing onto the bed, unable to move. The passion surging deep within his heart remained turbulent, longing for a deeper and more thorough union.
Wood then brought the Man's left hand to his lips, carefully taking the middle finger that could reach straight to his heart into his mouth, gently sucking on it.
The Man indulged his behavior, wrapping his right arm around his waist, his bony palm caressing his skin with care.
“Ngh.. ah..”
Wood couldn't help but let out a contented hum from the corner of his mouth, a sense of greed for the feast reflected in his hazy eyes.
Is it really that comfortable?
“Mmh..”
If I had known that doing this would make someone as shy as you so sensitive and proactive, I should have—
Don't, don't do this, I'll..
I know.. you must have been terrified these past few days, that's why you..
Mm..
Wood blinked with a soft hum, the Morning Light casting fine shadows upon his long eyelashes, making the shimmer in his eyes even more soul-stirring.
The Man said passionately, "I am sorry. I knew you didn't have the ability to handle such a complex issue, yet I still kept you in New York to face it alone—"
No—it's not your fault! I'm just too weak! If I.. if I..
At this point, Wood involuntarily paused.
He recalled the conversation between "Loki" and Odin in his dream, as well as that Mysterious Giant Serpent that would bring everything to an end.
(If—)
(Even if there were only a one percent chance of it being true, I would—)
Why the sudden silence?
I..
Was it too intense last night? Now that you've come to your senses, do you feel the muscle aches? Or was it that—you were seriously injured during your struggle against That thing, you've been forcing yourself to hold on since last night?
.. Boss.
Wood looked up and said cautiously, "I want to be honest with you."
Hmm?
I have already recovered part of my memories. Now I know who I used to be, why I became who I am today.. But.. I don't want to acknowledge that past me.. that me..
If you don't want to admit it, then don't. No one can force you to do something you don't want to do.
Master comforted him in a low voice, his gentle words flowing into Wood's heart like silk.
“Is it really possible?”
Wood asked back, "Can I really deny my former self, and.. and.. those past memories.. is it really possible.."
If you feel that remembering the past will cause you immense pain, I can help you erase those memories you have worked so hard to recall.
Master said without a second thought, "Erasing memories is not a difficult task. Just close your eyes, when you open them again, you will have already—"
But would I still be me if that happened?
Of course you are still you; deleting a portion of your memories will not cause any change to your personality or character.
“I..”
Wood lowered his head.
After a brief moment of thought—
I have decided to keep my memories.
Even if doing so brings you immense pain?
Yeah.
Wood nodded with certainty: "Although they are painful memories, those pains are also my memories; they connect the past and the future, they are an important part of me, it's just—"
“Just what?”
“In those memories, my identity was 'Loki,' the brother of the God King Odin. We swore an oath beneath the World Tree to love and support each other—but the truth is that Odin exploited that oath. He used the oath to incessantly demand various items from me, yet.. well, the truth is I haven't recovered all my memories. I don't understand why Odin asks me for everything he wants every single time, I.. yet.."
If you can't remember, then don't force yourself to think about it.
Master said tenderly, "Recovering your memories should happen naturally rather than being forced."