Cursed Immortality

After receiving Immortika's confirmation, Jacob remained silent for a while before asking another question, "If it's true, then if I continue to hunt for them, doesn't this mean I can evolve the Jinx Core up to Mythical Rank? Why stop at only Legendary Rank?"

However, instead of answering Jacob, Immortika questioned, "Hehehe, hadn't you already guessed it?"

"So, it's true." Jacob impassively expressed, "These hourglasses have different ranks. The hourglasses in the unique plains, and this goblin's hourglass is different. My cursed heart reacted strongly to her hourglass, so I can gauge them…"

"Smart."

"Just what is ATLAS, and why would they have such an effect on the Cursed Path Glory Gem? Is the one who is hunting me also involved with ATLAS?" Jacob probed with flickering eyes as he really wanted to know the answer to that.

But Immortika, like always, replied cynically, "Hehehe, that's on you to figure it out!"

Jacob shook his head in disappointment, but no longer probed any further and wasted his time.

He unsummoned Immortika and mused, 'That true soul is Legendary King Rank, which means, if I follow my instincts and let the Cursed Heart absorb her hourglass, I'll get 100,000 years of lifespan and only need to hunt two more legendary kings from ATLAS to evolve the Jinx Core to Legendary Noble State.

'But did they even have so many Legendary Kings? Furthermore, I'm still unsure if she can survive after I absorb her hourglass, and Nyx's abilities wouldn't work on her. Should I use Soul Search on her, but it's also risky…

'What do these guys fear the most?'

A sharp glint flashed past Jacob's eyes as he suddenly thought of something. He quickly reached out to Nyx to instruct her about something and then silently observed while waiting for Nyx to set the stage before he entered the Dreamscape Realm!

Nyx was still enjoying tormenting Long Nose with her fake godly demeanor when she suddenly received Jacob's instructions. A hint of surprise flashed past her eyes before they turned brilliant.

'It seemed he's back to being normal…' She felt relieved and quickly started Jacob's plan.

Nyx, in an imposing demeanor, said at this moment, her tone emotionless and filled with authority, "Do you want to know what your ignorance has wrought?"

Long Nose was distressed and confused as she asked, "W-what!?!"

"You have interfered in our Lord's connive and almost ruined it by revealing it to 'our' enemies!" Nyx coldly stated, making Long Nose tremble, but the confusion in Long Nose only grew stronger.

"Our L-Lord?"

"Ignorant thrall! You still haven't realized who I'm referring to!" Nyx disdainfully lambasted, "My lord is too merciful! Despite your blasphemy, my Lord knows your efforts and your true intent. Thereby, my Lord has decided to summon you to the Holy Domain to enlighten you!"

Long Nose was gob-smacked by Nyx's words. She had absolutely no idea what Nyx was talking about at this moment. But for some reason, Long Nose saw hope in this situation, as she thought Nyx had taken her for someone else.

Yet all of a sudden, the surrounding temperature dropped, and white brilliance descended in the hall.

As the white brilliance faded, another being revealed itself in the hall. He was three meters tall, with a slender humanoid form, and he was wearing a black robe.

A peculiar white symbol glowing between his glabella, corporeal long white hair, and long beard covered his hoarie head, which seemed like white flames; his skin was an unnatural shade of sickly green, stretched taut over bony protrusions.

Eyes, devoid of pupils and completely white, burn with an infernal glow. Long, sharp claws replace nails, and a jagged maw filled with venomous fangs. A stench of sulfur and decay clings around.

Furcas, the King of Hell Knights, had descended!

The moment Furcas or Jacob in Furcas' guise appeared, an oppressive might filled the entire hall, and when Long Nose glanced at that hellish figure, her soul shuddered uncontrollably. She didn't even react like this when she met with Nyx.

Nyx quickly left her throne and approached Jacob like a zealous believer, while she was secretly enjoying this 'play' very much.

Jacob ignored Nyx and looked at Long Nose, who seemed to have received the biggest shock of her entire existence.

'It's working even better than I've imagined. Although I can't imitate his exact aura, this much is enough to fool her as long as she has seen this guy before.' Jacob was elated as he knew his plan had worked.

But it was only the start, and he imitated Furcas's voice, "Do you know who I am, Child?"

Long Nose snapped out of her shock, but she still quivered, not in fear but in pure exhilaration and reverence. Just like that, she instantly prostrated in front of Jacob.

"O' Noble One known as the King of Hell Knights, and one of the Pioneers of the END, this Constant Baron-0 had the privilege to glance at your Timeless Visage when I became a Constant Noble! So, this Timeless Wanderer indeed knows who the Noble One is! I humbly seek your acknowledgment and mercy if I've misspoke!" Long Nose or Constant Baron-0's voice was filled with terror and veneration as she exclaimed without daring to look at Jacob.

For the first time, Jacob finally learns about ATLAS's rankings, especially how these Hourglass bearers refer to themselves. Finally, that terrifying entity summoned by that ATLAS member in the Unique Plain was called the King of Hell Knights!

'But what does she mean by 'One of the Pioneers of the END'? How many are there and what kind of power and authority they hold…' Jacob was extremely curious and wanted to ask, but he knew his cover would blow up if he raised more suspicion.

Jacob merely grunted in acknowledgment, but this little action seemed to have greatly riled up Constant Baron-0.

He ambiguously said, "Since you've recognized me, I want your absolute honesty. Tell me the source of the conflict between you and my poise follower?"