Chapter 372: Stars Reaver (2/2)

”That's what the gatekeeper told me,” Arthur shrugged nonchalantly under the glaring eyes of the spirit.

”Hah,” A hollow and dark laugh escape the spirit's mouth. ”I would expect nothing less than the follower of that liar.”

”Liar?” Arthur raised his brows. ”Are you talking about the Spirits Sovereign?”

”You are not as dumb as the other humans,” The wood spirit smirked. ”When contracts were first proposed, the strongest spirit proclaimed it as the beginning of a new era. The Sovereign didn't tell us about pain, about feelings, or about how corrupted humans were.”

”You choose your contractor, so isn't it...”

”You change!” The spirit roared, shaking the wood building. Arthur looked at the surface of the walls, and wood tiles peel off as the spirit's anger was unleashed. ”Human beings break, and what surfaces from within them is something dark that even the gods fear.”

Its voice almost turned to a whisper at the end. Arthur didn't need to sense the state of its existence to tell what it felt as its emotions dripped from its voice.

”You were hurt by someone you trusted,” Arthur looked at the black surface of the doll. ”But should that determine who you are?”

The words disgusted Arthur himself because he knew it wasn't that simple. He knew that feelings weren't a painting that one paints but the world. We don't choose how we feel because they weren't logical.

”Save your ideal words for yourself, human,” The doll turned and resumed its work. ”What do you want from me?”

”I know they are ideal, but isn't the point? That we shape the world into what we want, instead of accepting it as it is?”

”I never received a visitor who's this chatty,” The spirit snorted. ”Speak of your purpose in my city.”

”We are looking for the Spirit of Gravity,” Li said, choosing to ignore the topic they were discussing. The carpenter paused and nodded.

After placing down its chainsaw, the carpenter walked out of the building. Arthur and Li were surprised that it was this cooperative. Next, the wood spirit took them toward the deeper parts of the city where a giant palace stood.

”Every floating island has a spirit that controls gravity,” The carpenter said. ”However, this one is a bit unique, as it's guarding something.”

”What is it guarding?” Li asked with expectations.

”A spiritual weapon, I assume.” The doll turned to Arthur and stared him in the eyes. ”Are you the seeker of this spirit?”

”No, he is.” Arthur gestured toward Li. The carpenter shook its head and sighed.

”You humans always bite more than you can chew.” The spirit said with exasperation. ”He's too weak to contract this spirit, nor is he capable of wielding the spiritual weapon.”

There was silence after the wood spirit said that. Li clenched his fist hard as his body trembled. Arthur didn't try to defend him because that would hurt his pride more.

”You are indeed too weak, Li,” Arthur said to the man, who turned toward him. ”However, weakness simply means you can grow stronger.”

”Stronger?” Li released his fist. ”Here?” He seemed confused but convinced by Arthur's words. ”You are right. The only way is forward, and the path of strength is an endless one.”

”Haha,” The spirit laughed as it heard their conversation. ”Ignorance is bliss. Let's go into the palace.” The spirit led the way and walked into the empty palace.

Arthur and Li followed after through the silent building. The silence was almost suffocating, and sharp spiritual energy overtook the place.

They reached the grand hall of the palace. On the throne of the court sat an ethereal spirit with a sword resting on its hands. The spirit had an ethereal body, but a plain mask covered its face.

As Arthur saw the mask, his suspicions were confirmed. The mask this spirit had was the same one that Li wore all the time. However, he had yet to know if the mask was the spirit itself or a curse.

When they stepped into the hall, they felt a crushing pressure push them down. A gravitational force surrounded the spirit sitting on the throne.

The spirit rose without talking as the carpenter beside them laughed mockingly. Arthur frowned when he felt the power contained within the sword.

”This spirit is a protector to Stars Reaver, the weapon of a demigod. Unless you can wield the sword, you can never contract this spirit.”