Holding the Divine Power Crystal in his hand, August suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to swallow it whole.
This surprise and strange feeling puzzled him.
"Fels, how do I use this?" August asked, eyes narrowing as he examined the shimmering crystal.
"Just eat it." Fels replied calmly.
"Eat it?"
"Yes. Those were Ouranos' exact words."
August hesitated. Ouranos? His name was not one August trusted. In the original story, behind many dark matters like the corrupted celestial beings and heretics, Ouranos' influence could always be found. Moreover, the so-called Divine Power Crystal was shrouded in mystery—he couldn't be sure if there was any hidden cost.
[Divine Power Crystal: A crystallization of divine power. Once consumed, it grants the user the divine power of the gods, fully activating their divine blessing and transforming them into a demigod.]
The last line of text clicked in August's mind. Demigod? This would make him part of the divine hierarchy. In this world, there were no true demigods; gods couldn't have children with mortals, let alone empower themselves like this. But August didn't care. Whether he became a god or a demigod, as long as his strength increased, the consequences would never affect him.
Without further hesitation, August swallowed the Divine Power Crystal.
As the crystal dissolved in his mouth, divine energy coursed through his body, mingling with the blessing that had been etched within him. The blessing shattered completely and fused with his very essence, vanishing from his back entirely. It was as if August could now go to Loki and have another blessing inscribed upon him, though he didn't need it anymore. His strength had grown too great for such trivialities.
But this was far from the end. The divine power contained in the crystal was not so simple.
The energy surged through August, fusing with his bloodline and enhancing it. His veins burned as his very essence began to transform, pushing his limits.
Boom!
August's transformation was instantaneous. A dark, sinister mark—a symbol of the Demon King—appeared on his forehead. The aura of darkness surrounded him, making him resemble an actual demon god.
Inside his body, divine power and darkness combined. From this fusion emerged a new force, one that only August's memories could recall—an ability borne from original sin.
Commandment of Lust
In the Seven Deadly Sins, the Demon King, in his effort to bring order to the chaotic demon realm, split half of his power into ten parts, creating ten commandments. Those who bore these commandments became the Ten Commandments, his strongest warriors.
Now, within August's body, divine power and original sin birthed his own commandment—one that would forever bind him to the sins of lust.
August's demonic power surged, nearly doubling in strength. While he had not surpassed the limits of a Demon King, his overall power, especially his dark energy, had grown immensely.
[Commandment of Lust: A commandment born from the fusion of divine power and original sin. Anyone who harbors lust in their heart in August's presence will become his captive, their soul and will bound by his power.]
After digesting this new power, August marveled at what it meant. This was the derived version of the sin of lust. As the incarnation of original sin, August could now enslave anyone who entertained lustful thoughts in his presence. It wasn't as tyrannical as some might think—only those who harbored lustful feelings would be affected.
It reminded him somewhat of the Zeldris Commandment, but while Zeldris ' power required the target to be directly engaged, August's power was triggered simply by the presence of desire.
Overall, the benefits from this Divine Power Crystal were significant.
"How do you feel, August?" Tiona asked cautiously, her gaze fixed on him, concerned. After all, this was the first time something like this had ever happened in Orario.
"I feel great. I no longer have a blessing, but my strength has increased substantially."
"That's good to hear. But what was it like, breaking the blessing?" Tiona pressed further.
"There's no special feeling—it's like breaking free from shackles. And now, I'm no longer Loki's follower."
"What do you mean you're no longer Loki's follower?"
"I've lost the blessing. It's gone."
This revelation shocked everyone. Breaking the blessing meant losing the divine favor? But from the looks of it, August hadn't weakened; if anything, he seemed even stronger.
"Are you ready to go, August?"
"Of course, but what about the passage once I'm inside?"
"I'll seal it with magic for now," Tiona assured him.
"Alright, then I leave it to you."
August nodded, his mind already shifting to other thoughts. Investigating the dungeon for information? That was never the plan. He was the one who had instigated this chaos. Once inside, he'd retreat to his own world, enjoy himself for a few days, and then return after the dungeon had been destroyed. The narrative would be his to control.
No pressure. After all, he was the mastermind behind it all.
"August..."
At that moment, Ais grabbed August's hand, concern clear in her eyes.
Once, her parents had disappeared like this. Now, August was her only anchor. If he vanished too, she would lose everything.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. We've made a contract. As long as I'm alive, the contract stands," August reassured her.
"But—"
"You don't understand my power? Don't forget, I have some tricks up my sleeve."
"Alright," Ais said, her voice trembling as she finally nodded in agreement. She chose to trust August.
With a final glance at Loki's group, Ais entered the dungeon.
Afterward, Fels began casting magic, sealing the passage with a powerful barrier. How long it would last, only he knew.
Meanwhile, outside the dungeon, Finn arrived with Loki in tow.
"Ais, where's August?"
"He's gone in," Ais answered solemnly.
"Damn it!" Loki shouted in anger. Ouranos had played her dirty.
Her child had just entered the dungeon, now in the midst of chaos and violence, walking straight into certain peril.
"Who are you?" Loki asked coldly, eyes narrowing at Fels.
"I am one of Ouranos' subordinates."
"Not human?"
"Not anymore."
"Humph."
Loki didn't want to waste her time with Fels. If she had her way, he'd be dead by now.
___
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