Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

Williams paused, the world around him settling into darkness. His breath caught in his throat as the surroundings solidified into something unrecognizable—an oppressive, shadowed space that seemed to pulse with an unnatural weight.

He took in his surroundings, eyes narrowing as he studied the dim room.

[Reality Master]

The Spirit with Good Luck

[Fractured Reality]

The Temple with Good Luck

[Rank]

Memory (Middle Tier)

[Task]

/???/

The air was thick with the scent of incense, heavy and sweet, curling through the space like tendrils of smoke. The faint light of several candlesticks flickered in the gloom, casting long, wavering shadows against the cold stone walls. Their flames danced erratically, as if the fire itself was unsure of its purpose in this place.

In the center of the room stood a massive stone altar. The stone was ancient, worn with time, yet still imposing—a testament to something older, something eternal.

The surface of the altar was covered in runes that glowed faintly with a muted, eerie light, pulsing in rhythm with the heartbeat of the room.

From the shadows, a low, raspy voice sliced through the stillness, causing Williams to freeze. The tone was mocking, laced with an unsettling amusement.

"Say, how about you and I make a deal?"

Williams turned slowly, his eyes narrowing, his instincts on high alert. He knew this was the Reality Master.

"A deal?" Williams said, his voice low, filled with suspicion. "With you?"

A hooded figure emerged from the darkness, its silhouette tall and ominous. The figure's face remained hidden beneath the hood, but Williams could feel the malicious intent radiating from it.

"I know you crave power, Williams," the figure continued, his voice smooth, like silk over sharp edges. "How about you become my walker instead? I could give you everything you desire."

Williams didn't flinch. His gaze remained sharp, calculating.

"The Minotaur of Chivalry has already promised me a spot as her walker if I hand you over to her."

Williams replied, voice steady. He wasn't intimidated by this figure's words, but he knew the stakes were higher now.

The hooded figure chuckled darkly, the sound cold and echoing.

"And you really think she's capable of killing me? I'm not some fool, Williams. I sensed her presence the moment I set foot in the campsite."

His laughter died away, replaced by a sneer that Williams could almost feel. "If she were truly capable of killing me, I wouldn't have even bothered showing up."

Williams' expression didn't change. He allowed the silence to stretch, his thoughts racing.

"A part of the deal was for me to become her walker, no matter the outcome. Even if she fails to hunt you down, that's on her, not me."

His words hung in the air, heavy with the truth of them. He was prepared to play the game, but only on his own terms.

"Besides," Williams continued, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife, "compared to an unknown Reality Master like you, the Minotaur of Chivalry has already been recognized as an Orthodox Reality Master."

The hooded figure stepped forward, his presence almost suffocating.@@novelbin@@

"Exactly," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Already recognized, already progressed, already ahead of me... and yet this is all she amounts to? She can't even take down an unknown Reality Master like me."

His voice took on a mocking edge as he continued. "Besides, how can you be so sure that she'll put any importance on you once you become her walker? She already has her favorites."

Williams' frown deepened, his gaze never wavering from the figure.

"Is this your way of trying to force me onto your side?"

The hooded figure's laugh was low and chilling.

"Perhaps. But think about it, Williams," he said, his tone now smooth as velvet, laced with venom. "She's the Minotaur of Chivalry—bound by honor. Williams raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his expression unreadable.

The hooded figure continued, his tone shifting to something almost inviting.

"Think about it. If you become my Walker, I'll let you do anything you want. No restrictions, no codes of chivalry binding your actions. You could even keep that future-seeing button of yours. I don't need it."

Williams smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Just admit it—you're desperate for more Walkers."

The hooded figure chuckled softly, the sound low and unsettling.

"Desperation? No. Strategy? Absolutely. Unlike her, I see your worth, Williams. The Minotaur of Chivalry clings to her precious code, to ideals that will never accept someone like you. Cunning, strategic, determined... to her, you're a necessary evil at best—a tool to be used and discarded once your purpose is fulfilled."

The figure leaned slightly forward, his hood casting deep shadows over his concealed face.

"But to me? You're invaluable. You'd be free to act as you wish. To shape your destiny without constraints."

As his words hung in the air, a faint glow appeared beside Williams. A system notification materialized, its golden text glimmering faintly in the dim light:

[Would you like to become a Reality Walker under the Spirit with Good Luck?]

Williams glanced at the notification but kept his composure, masking his thoughts behind a calm expression.

The hooded figure smiled, his voice now almost a whisper.

"Those qualities—the ambition, the drive, the willingness to do whatever it takes—are exactly what make you perfect for my side. I reward loyalty, Williams. Not with hollow promises, but with results. With freedom."

Williams let the silence stretch for a moment, his eyes fixed on the notification as if weighing his options.

"Freedom, huh?" he finally said, his tone flat. "Funny, coming from someone who needs more Walkers to survive."

The figure's smile didn't waver.

"Survival is a mutual goal, isn't it? But let's not pretend this isn't an opportunity for you as well. Imagine it, Williams—a position where your talents are recognized, your ambitions unrestrained. No one dictating how you should serve, no one judging your methods."

Williams tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning. "You talk a big game, but I've yet to see proof that you're worth betraying my current deal for."

The figure laughed softly, the sound unsettling in its calmness. "Proof, you say? You'll have all the proof you need when the Minotaur fails. And when she does... you'll know where to find me. But why wait for failure when you can secure success right now?"

Williams remained silent, his eyes flicking between the hooded figure and the glowing system notification.