166 Revelation (2/2)

”With how long the Thorn City had existed, I never knew about the dangers of the outside. I never even knew about the existence of the shape shifters. I thought I could just live a peaceful and quiet life.” Raul's voice were filled with reminisce as he told his story.

”Well, it was like that until I heard the Whispers of God.” Raul said with outmost fanaticism. ”He reached out to me and embraced me, allowing me to live an exciting life and guide me to the peak, I'm pretty sure you've heard some of my stories, all of them were true. And it's precisely because of that, I became the 12th Leader of Thorn City.”

”But even though I went under a metamorphosis, time still caught onto me, even God is powerless to stop it's erosion. In the end, I'll have to groom a successor which could maintain the safety of Thorn City and it's citizens.”

As Raul continued his story, Raven calmly listened to him, neither absorbed into the story nor ignoring it.

”I don't see you as an ignorant junior, young friend. I know that you could already tell what I'm trying to say here. But before we move on, can you tell me more about yourself? As this city's leader, I have to make sure that I know who will replace me so that I could make sure that the city's in safe hands, correct?”

”I agree.” Raven nodded and smiled despite himself, ”My name's Raven, fourteen years old.”

”I am born and raised in the Final Haven Kingdom, a place that is a shelter for at least hundred thousands of humans. Our Kingdom is situated in a world called Grand Ancestral Plane, and unfortunately, Final Haven Kingdom is the last remaining place where humans could suitably settle down, our brethren that didn't make it are under a constant dire states because of Demonic Beast threats.”

At first, Raven's introduction didn't shock Raul. But when he started telling him about his origins, Raul couldn't help but raise his brows and inspect Raven even closer. He didn't see any signs of him lying at all but he also couldn't bring himself to believe him.

Raven of course could tell what Raul was thinking based from his reaction. In the end, he just wanted this farce to be over.

”Quite a shocker isn't it?” Raven laughed, ”For some reason, you can tell that I'm not lying at all but you also couldn't convince yourself to believe me. All throughout your life, you've been here in this small city and it's everything that you've known. From you and your people's point of view, there's only Thorn City, nothing more.”

Raul find himself slightly speechless from Raven's attitude, nevertheless he was truly curious about the origins of the young man.

”What you said is the truth, young friend. Your story is really unbelievable since I've read some records about ancestors reaching the end of this world. It's recorded that there is nothing by a thick fog that swallow everything in there so how could I believe your claim?”

”True.” Raven nodded, ”But if I told you that I'm born and raised in Thorn City, then your 'God' will tell you that I'm lying. Correct?”

Hearing this non-chalant comment of Raven made Raul's face grave. He stared at the smiling young man in front of him with utter seriousness.

”And because your 'God' told you that I'm lying, then you would believe it. But never mind that, what I want is for you to answer one of my question.”

After saying this, Raven's face transformed and became incredibly cold. His piercing gaze met Raul, making him feel like he was being stared down by an entity with an unquestionable authority.

”Why don't we drop the pretenses already?” Raven uttered in a chilling tone. ”I really don't like wasting time and I have matters to attend to. Show me your true form pest.”

Hearing his words, Raul's pupils constricted fiercely. He abruptly stood up in shock while looking incredously at Raven.

Raven on the other hand didn't anything reckless just yet. He stood up and stared fearlessly at 'Raul's eyes and said:

”I know what you are. We both know what you did.” Raven stepped forward with a incredible momentum that brought a deep and existential fear in old man in front of him. ”Your appetite sure is big for a mere pest. You took your sweet time, corrupting humans to make them your host. Then you make your way in, pollenating other humans to corrupt them as well.”

”Your older victims are now nothing but a bunch of walking corpses since you sucked their vitalities empty. You used this chance to evolve and thus gaining more abilities that allow you to corrupt even more humans without them knowing.”

”Unfortunately, they are not me. It's time to end this farce! Come out, Phantasm. Fight me!”