My Talent Panel Can Add Points

”Yes, but each one ended worse than the last.”

Adira spoke with a kind of cold indifference, ”About twenty years ago, there was a large-scale wave of rebellion, but it was brutally suppressed by the Empire.”

”All participants and their descendants were branded, exiled, or enslaved in the harshest and darkest places, enduring endless exploitation.”

Ye Mingqiu fell silent.

Clearly, the Empire’s real power is likely even stronger than it appears on the surface. He couldn’t believe that there weren’t intelligent people among the Rebels who understood the risks involved in resisting.

So it’s more probable that the Three Great Empires possess power and influence beyond what they imagined, making resistance completely impossible for them.

Then, his gaze turned to the boy who had been quietly standing beside them.

”By the way, have you thought about what name you want to take in the future?” Ye Mingqiu asked.

”Hikari.”

The boy lifted his head, his eyes clear and determined, with light burning inside them that had been tempered through despair and battle. He continued:

”Hikari, meaning light. I want to bring the light bestowed upon me by the Lord of Light and Shadow to this world, bringing the belief of resistance to all the oppressed.”

”Very good, excellent indeed.”

Ye Mingqiu nodded in approval.

As the Lord of Light and Shadow, seeing a follower so dedicated brought him comfort. The Power of Faith he’d invested in him wasn’t wasted, and this guy was actually pretty decent.

If he could, like Yuan Chu, actively unite forces within the world and spread the influence and faith of the Lord of Light and Shadow externally, it could bring a significant amount of Power of Faith as a sizable gain.

Unfortunately...

Raising the banner of rebellion in this world is clearly difficult. Beneath its deep waters must lurk unimaginable horrors far beyond what they could fathom.

Ye Mingqiu had a suspicion, considering if the Black Tide could erode the mind like the Power of the Ancient God, then could it be possible that.... the top powerhouses controlling the Empire have had their minds overtaken by the Black Tide, thereby leading the world to become what it is now?

Is it now the World’s Will or the Black Tide’s Will that guides this world?

With this thought, Ye Mingqiu’s mood gradually grew somber. He ceased playing with the Raw Stone, put on the Dawn Oath again, returned the Raw Stone to the Storage Space, and stood up.

”Then, let’s set off.”

His voice was calm but carried an indisputable decisiveness, ”Let’s kill the Lord here.”

Modus quietly followed, with steps heavy yet firm. The light once belonging to the Hero had been extinguished in his eyes, replaced by a nearly callous resolve.

Adira wore a smile of indiscernible meaning, following lightly as if attending an interesting banquet.

Hikari walked at the end, looked back, and waved vigorously in the direction of the distant safe house, mouthing silently, ”Mom, I’ll save this world and then come back to you, wait for me, I will definitely return.”

”Definitely!”

....

”Killing? Really clever.”

In the hall under the boundless starry sky, a young nobleman with silver hair smiled as he looked at the figures displayed in the void, muttering, ”As long as it’s for killing and not for rebellion, killing nobles, regardless of the impact, won’t alarm him.”

”But conversely, if it’s for rebellion and not for killing, no matter how small the impact they make, it will be settled, because...he doesn’t care about the lives of us nobles at all, only whether his rule is stable and if any new variables appear.”

”So-called killing vengeance is the best disguise. The Blood Erosion Tyrant.... once a top-tier Hero, to think he could conceive to this extent, it seems there was always more to his past story. Tsk! How interesting.”

Then, he changed his posture, resting his chin on one hand and showing a pensive look, talking to himself, ”Speaking of which, how did they walk out of the Elf Detection Institute alive? With the Nightmare God’s temperament, it’s magnanimous if he didn’t play them to mental collapse, how could he allow them to walk out unharmed.”

”Something’s off, very off. Could it be because the Blood Erosion Tyrant had some Treasure against him? That’s how they emerged alive from the Elf Detection Institute?”

”Unfortunately, the Elf Detection Institute was too dangerous, and I severed my link at that time, otherwise, I would’ve known the situation back then, missing a magnificent drama.... such a pity.”

”Adira, you’re the best actor and forever only mine, always.”

....

Midnight

Modus stood guard by the campfire, watching the flames dance, reminiscing over his life that was uniquely his own—a life of failure and loss, and now, he had nothing left to lose.

If the belief in resistance and struggle was strong enough, one could earn the Lord of Light and Shadow’s attention and receive His power, but now, it was clear he was no longer capable of any of this. His once bright heart had turned dark, and his belief in salvation and struggle was no more.

But even so...

I am still willing to trust Him...

I, Modus, make a wish here. If the Lord of Light and Shadow can hear my voice, please use my faith to bless Hikari, don’t let him walk down my old path again. This is my final hope.

Modus slowly closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and earnestly prayed for Hikari, as a crystal teardrop slid down from the corner of his eye.

”Drop!”

The teardrop fell, creating ripples.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing above an endless sea of abyss, as tears created tiny, insignificant ripples on the sea’s surface.

Where is this?

Modus looked around and was amazed to see before him a majestic being draped in gray veils, whose face was an endless starry sky.

This is.... the Lord of Light and Shadow!

Could I really see Him too?

In the next moment, the Lord of Light and Shadow lifted His hand, with silver light sparkling on the gray veil as brilliant as a galaxy. That hand seemed to extend across endless space, reaching right above Modus’ head, lightly touching him.

Comprehensive memories surfaced in his mind; it was undoubtedly the blessing unique to the Lord of Light and Shadow, and the power obtained through faith feedback.

Only those with exceptional talent, outstanding strength, and the appropriate beliefs and faith could receive this top-tier energy transformation method from the Lord of Light and Shadow. It was virtually impossible for the average person to obtain.

”This is...”

Modus’ consciousness returned to reality, and once again, light emanated from his hands. He instinctively activated Light and Shadow Transformation; in the blink of an eye, that light transformed into darkness, pitch-black as ink, swirling and dancing in his hands, as if it had Life.

I...

received the blessing of the Lord of Light and Shadow?

Could it be that He sensed the change in my heart, so bestowed upon me this Ability, the ability to convert Light and Darkness?

The brighter my light once was, the colder my darkness now is, and I will use this darkness to accomplish my goals.

Thereafter, Modus secluded himself in a corner, quietly practicing using the Dark Power. This power proved stronger than the light power he once wielded, and it was inherently more aggressive, better suited for fighting enemies other than the Black Tide.

After a brief trial, he placed his hand on the Holy Sword—a signature weapon of the hero—and used Light and Shadow Transformation.

Soon, the Holy Sword, once radiant with holy light, assumed a dark color. Its nature was altered by its master’s hand, and the pitch-black Great Sword seemed to possess a unique magical allure. It was no longer a Holy Sword but a transformed Demon Sword.

The Holy Sword specialized in combating the Black Tide; the Demon Sword excelled in conventional battles.

Although its Attribute was transformed, since Modus’ abilities mostly revolved around the Black Tide, offering no enhancement against humans, the transformation to darkness surprisingly enhanced his strength.

Because no longer was he a hero only specialized against a particular aspect.

”I...could really become the Demon Monarch.”