Chapter 264: Becoming a True Monster
"I must have truly become a monster now!"
Recalling the scene of devouring humans earlier, it was still vivid in Li Meng's memory.
Although he was somewhat mindful of it, Li Meng did not feel disgusted.
The thrill of seizing power overwhelmed the discomfort of human consciousness.
Those six people could no longer wake up; they had completely turned into slaves of desire.
Their consciousness had been locked by Fraude's divine power due to their deep connection with him.
Li Meng could only make use of waste and devour them.
After consuming the six, his attributes increased by approximately 5000 points in total.
In other words, each person contributed less than 1000 attribute points on average.
Although it wasn't much, it was better than nothing.
Li Meng didn't care too much about his transformation.
He had long become a monster, not just now.
Although he was strong, he was not yet strong enough.
If devouring could elevate him to the top of the ranking.
Then he would continue to devour until he became the strongest in the world.
"Hmm..."
At this moment, Auriana let out a soft sound.
She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling.
After a while, she suddenly sat up in shock.
She touched her body, her chest, and felt her heartbeat.
She was still alive; she had not died.
As if remembering something, Auriana quickly looked to her side.
On the ground, Auriana saw her fallen husband.
She was about to crawl over, but her body trembled.
Auriana shakily lifted her head.
In her sight, that black-robed monster... her master was sitting by the bed.
"Do you feel something strange?"
Li Meng's voice suddenly echoed in the room.
Something strange?
Auriana's expression froze, and her face showed a look of horror.
"M-Master, my contract with Fraude has been severed!"
Li Meng looked down at the pale skin on Auriana's chest.
The clothing in that area was torn due to being pierced through.
Noticing her master's gaze, Auriana discreetly covered her chest.
"What, you don't want me to see?"
Auriana quickly shook her head.
She hurriedly let go of her hands.
"Auriana, from now on, you belong to me!"
Auriana lowered her head calmly.
"Yes, Master, I am yours!"
Li Meng grinned, leisurely gazing at Auriana's curvaceous figure.
At this moment, the others began to wake up as well.
Their reactions were the same as Auriana's.
They sat up in shock and quickly checked their bodies.
Seeing they were unharmed, they revealed looks of relief.
"Madam!"
Seeing his wife unharmed, Enzos let out a sigh of relief.
"From now on, you are all free!"
The master's voice calmed the elated six.
Although they had escaped Fraude's control.
They had fallen into the hands of an even more powerful monster.
What awaited them in the future was unknown.
Li Meng took a cloth bag from his waist and tossed it in front of the six.
"There are some crystals inside, enough for you to return home!"
When leaving the palace's underground space, Li Meng had taken some crystals along the way.
Not many, but enough to cover future travels.
"Whether you go home or pursue whatever you wish, it's your freedom. When I need you, I will contact you again. Enzos, Auriana, Sandra, Theodore, Morris, Athena—you are now mine. Enjoy your future lives. This is the grace I grant you!"
After speaking, Li Meng stood up and walked to the window.
"That's all. I'm not the owner of this house. You must leave, and so must I. Farewell!"
Waving his hand, Li Meng's figure flashed and he jumped out the window.
Staring at the now-empty window, the six exchanged glances.
Auriana quickly got up and ran to the window.
Reaching the window, Auriana looked out into the night sky.
The streets outside were silent; nothing could be seen.
"What do you all plan to do next?"
Theodore was the first to break the silence in the room.
The six of them looked at each other.
"I must return home. I haven't been back in so many years, and I don't even know if my home still exists."
Although Morris said this, he knew deep down.
His home was gone.
That place might still exist, but his territory had been destroyed by the Archbishop of Lust, Fraude.
But he had to go back, he had to return to his homeland.
"Let's go back. I don't know why the master granted us freedom, but I suppose it's because of our status. We are Saint-tier professionals. Returning to our countries will grant us land again. When the master needs us, we must prove our value. Otherwise, something unpleasant might happen."
As if remembering something, the six turned pale.
They recalled the scene of the master devouring people.
If they became the master's next meal...
They couldn't imagine such a despairing fate.
Enzos' words resonated with everyone.
That night, darkness deepened.
The next morning, at Earl Bard's estate.
In the pavilion of the courtyard, a tea party was underway.
"So, Sir Silver Mask plans to embark on a journey?"
Alisa set down her teacup and looked at Silver Mask.
"Yes, a round trip should take about two or three years."
Li Meng lifted his teacup and drank it all in one go.
The scalding tea disappeared into his bottomless mouth.
This sight caused the people in the pavilion to exchange awkward looks.
Everyone from the estate was present.
Bard, Susan, Alisa, and the two sisters Emma and Eileen.
"Two or three years is quite a long time. Sir Silver Mask must be going far away."
Bard gave a strained smile as he looked at Li Meng.
Sir Silver Mask looked far too strange.
Bard was unsure how to interact with him.
"Yes, the Saint Biren Continent is quite far from Obenlo City."
Sir Silver Mask was heading to Saint Biren Continent?
A trace of surprise flashed in the eyes of those present.
A cross-continental journey was no ordinary feat. Most people would never experience such a journey in their lifetimes.
Even among adventurers, only a handful had the ability to travel between continents.
A hint of envy appeared in Susan's eyes.
If possible, she wanted to see the world.
But she couldn't; she lacked the ability to travel freely between continents.
"Enough about me. What happened after the recent turmoil?"
Li Meng had spent considerable time in the abandoned house.
By now, four days had passed since the chaos.
Bard sighed and shook his head.
"Although the Knight Order successfully repelled the Demon God cultists, the casualties among the inner city civilians were severe. Less than thirty percent survived. Tens of thousands of people perished."