Ambition

[Preaching Room]

The hook pierced through their shoulder blades, lifting the two high into the air for their most familiar suspended conversation.

This time, there were even other hooks descending in front of the two, holding two cups of hot tea, which they could drink while they talked.

"Brewing tea"

This is something Hawke learned from the Human World —a technique that he considers meaningful and capable of maximizing the value of ingredients.

Using tortured bodies as a culture medium to grow tea leaves results in a delicious flavor when brewed with boiling water, and can even improve the conversion rate of suffering.

"Delicious!"

After taking a sip, Luo Di felt much better and even became more accepting of pain.

"The tea-making process is still being improved. Once it's perfected, I might take it to the Grand Monastery. I must say, human ingenuity is quite remarkable."

I now spend about 2 to 4 hours a day there.

Who knows, maybe we'll be able to explore those hidden corners together in the future.

"Is... this really possible?"

Luo Di found it hard to imagine what would happen if someone like Mr. Hook went to a corner.

"We'll give it a try then. In any case, I can spend more and more time in the Human World, and my research on the pituitary gland is also making some progress."

"It's still early anyway. You should take care of things here in Hell first. The path that the Overlord pointed out for you is very meaningful."

"So, what exactly are the specific arrangements? And what kind of path do I need to take?"

Hawke took a sip of tea, then held his index finger up in front of him. "This is a secret for now. Telling you in advance would have negative consequences."

The best way forward is to explore and discover things for yourself, even in hell.

"Okay." Luo Di didn't insist on an answer. The path should be explored on one's own, just like exploring the corners later.

"After you've had some tea and rested a bit, I'll personally escort you to the Grand Monastery. After all, you're one of my specially recruited disciples, and since you haven't gone through the normal pilgrimage journey, going directly there might be a bit of a hassle."

Luo Di, however, took out a special iron rod from his pocket.

"Mr. Hook, some things happened on my way here from Chaos Nest. If Mr. Hook is too busy, I can go to the Grand Monastery myself."

"Hmm~ With the nun leading the way, you don't need my escort. Tell me about your journey."

This time, Hawke no longer dared to directly pry into Luo Di's memories, and became an honest listener to the story.

When keywords such as "hotel," "Iron Pillar Nun," and "Wanted Criminal" were mentioned, Hawke's expression changed visibly, and he began to re-examine his most prized disciple.

"You actually managed to kill someone who was about to ascend to demonhood. Although it sounds like that rat's ascension was relatively low-level, it was still higher in rank than you."

It seems you've greatly improved your abilities while you were away from the Fifth Hospital. Or rather, the Corner has significantly enhanced your skills.

In that case, the path that the Overlord suggested is even more suitable. If you know Iron Pillar Nun, you can indeed go there on your own; you don't need my guidance.

"I've been in the Prologue for so long, and I've never seen a monster like you."

Mr. Hook became interested, snapped his fingers and lowered the hook, bringing the two people who were suspended in mid-air back to the ground.

"Come on~ use the way you killed that rat to give me a stab."

I want to see what you've been through during this time, and what changes have occurred. This will allow me to write a suitable letter of recommendation so that the Grand Monastery can provide you with the most effective ascetic training."

The words had barely left his mouth.

There was no verbal confirmation.

A ray of moonlight shone on Hawke's face, and in that instant he saw the moon and the tentacle-like structures that burrowed in and out of the craters.

Immediately following was the sound of a chainsaw.

Bite!

A loud metallic clang echoed through the torture chamber.

Hawke took a step back, his right palm, which he had used to block, was completely sliced open, exposing the metal structure beneath the skin, which was even still emitting white smoke.

"No wonder you were able to kill rats. It seems that your pituitary gland has integrated some kind of ability into you."

Moreover, you yourself seem to have a deeper understanding of killing.

"Did you see the door, Luo Di?"

Luo Di retracted the mask back into his body and nodded in response:

"When I crossed the Bridge of Sins, I entered a very special state. I don't know if it was because I had seen the Gate of Demon Ascension of that rat... I vaguely saw the outline of some kind of gate."

"So you actually saw the outline? You're incredibly fast."

Do you know how long it usually takes for the Devil to sense the presence of a door after it has fed its "Hell Object"?

This cannot be achieved simply by feeding; it requires genuine growth in the individual, a qualitative transformation in spirit, body, and soul.

"A year?"

"One to three years, and that's for those very talented the Devil. Many the Devil never manage to glimpse their own door in their entire lives, forever stuck in the stage of acquiring Hell Object."

It seems that multiple systems complement each other in your case, resulting in excellent effects.

I really don't know what form your "door" will take..."

Luo Di, who also had many questions, took the opportunity to ask, "Do I need to build the door myself?"

"You'll have to find the answer yourself. I can only tell you that every the Devil's door is different."

Don't be swayed by that rat's "door." While corpses can certainly be piled up to form doors, ordinary materials can also be used to create doors, and some doors even exist in the world itself.

Doors may be important, or they may be the medium for moving from one area to the next.

But the truly crucial element is the individual who is capable of performing the act of 'walking'.

"Understood, Mr. Hook."

Hawke quickly wrote a letter and branded it with the metal seal belonging to the torture chamber.

"Now that you know Iron Pillar Nun, just go find her. They will arrange a suitable monastic identity for you and involve you in some daily activities, so that you can become a true Hell Monk as soon as possible."

I've just made a breakthrough in my research on the pituitary gland, and I've been busy with that lately, so I won't take you there to see it.

"Goodbye, Mr. Hook, see you next time."

"No rush~ I hope to see your door next time I come."

"Good."

After drinking the tea in one gulp, Luo Di turned and left, quickly heading towards the Grand Monastery.

Hawke stood high above the torture chamber, watching the raven fly away, the iron hooks between his fingers gently rubbing and kneading.

"The Overlord actually set aside his status and personally guided the soldiers who had not yet ascended to demonhood, and even took the initiative to ask us for assistance."

Most importantly, Luo Di is not a native the Devil.

Why would he bother with this? It's not something a spineless person would do.

Logically, a highly talented extraterrestrial like Luo Di would certainly be sent to the most dangerous battlefields for accelerated development.

Buzz!

The iron hook swelled in his brain, and Hawke seemed to have figured something out. "The Overlord wouldn't want... It must be like this. Only this makes sense, only this is in line with the style of the Spine."

No wonder he has remained in that position for so long without anyone being able to challenge him.

This is good! It's a good thing for Luo Di, for the Spine, for us, and for the entire True Hell.

If Luo Di can truly find this path that no one has ever walked before, he will gain a firm foothold in the upper echelons of the Spine.

His world would then no longer become a target of the Spinebreakers' invasion... I would then have more time and more opportunities to reach that mysterious "corner."

Since Hawke came into contact with Luo Di and was projected back into the Human World, his focus has shifted.

His thinking was no longer confined to the torture chamber and the order group.

He wanted to explore deeper areas.

The raven-foal carried Luo Di back along the same route.

period,

Luo Di was still recalling his conversation with Mr. Hook.

"Even if I am stronger than other the Devil of the same level, I can still be easily subdued by Mr. Hook, let alone that Overlord."

Phew~ That's the feeling.

The higher the ceiling of True Hell, the further I can develop, the more firmly I can establish myself in the shadows, and the more I can slay those profound and mysterious monsters.

Luo Di, on horseback, picked up the butcher knife he had just used to slash at Mr. Hook.

The sudden burst of slashing force seemed to have exceeded the weapon's "endurance limit," resulting in an irreparable crack on the blade's surface.

Even if it were turned back into a pig's head, severe cracks would remain on the surface of the skull.

"Is this relatively basic Corner-transforming item no longer able to withstand my full-force attack? It seems I really need to find a way to acquire more Hell Contribution points to exchange for a weapon that belongs here."

Since Agatha was able to obtain the Wanted Poster, the Grand Monastery might have the necessary resources.

Just as Luo Di was looking forward to the rest of the journey and turned his attention back to what lay ahead.

Perhaps he didn't get any rest at the hotel last night.

Perhaps it was because they gave it their all twice in a row,

Perhaps it was the physical burden brought on by the Suffering Pilgrimage.

Although Luo Di's mind was constantly excited by the stimulation of various information, his Tempered Flesh had already reached its limit and was forced to shut down!

Buzz!

Eyes unfocused

Luo Di's body suddenly lurched forward.

The raven seemed to sense this immediately, and a large number of feathers grew on the horse's back, forming a nest-like structure to catch Luo Di's body and provide a comfortable sleeping environment.

The running speed is also relatively reduced, and the hooves have developed a relatively soft structure to reduce vibration.

As for the Fei Ji

It, which should have been helping, had already fainted from fright in the torture chamber and preaching room...