Watch Us Eredar Blast the Burning Legion into the Sky with Twilight Cannons!

The World Soul Argus had yet to develop a self, so of course It did not comment on Dick's words.

But lacking a self did not mean It could not understand or lacked intelligence. As one of the highest-order beings that could be born in the sea of stars, even while still in a "baby" state, the Argus Star Soul already possessed wisdom mortals could scarcely imagine. Its will simply had not yet taken shape, leaving It unable to form a more "individual" inner core.

Faced with Diakum's persuasion, the Argus Star Soul quickly gave Its answer through practical action.

Gentle yet brilliant beams of light drifted from the World Soul's main body like faint, pressureless luminous tendrils. They circled Dick's spirit like soft rays of light. As long as he reached out, he could gain control over this thread of World Power. That meant he would be qualified to call himself a "World Spokesperson," and it meant he would wield the Star Soul's wrath, becoming the second true "World Guardian" since Primordial Sorcerer Augure in the most exalted manner possible.

This was not like those "Guardians" self-proclaimed by Azeroth's spellcasters. This was a Guardian truly acknowledged by the World Will. It meant that, under extreme circumstances, Dick could even mobilize the Star Soul's power to reshape the world!

Seas turning to mulberry fields? Destroying the world with a single thought?

Heh, those were merely the most basic and intuitive manifestations of this supreme authority!

If the world of Argus were viewed as an active database system, then as long as Dick embraced this radiance, he would obtain the "highest authority" in the database permission tree. Forget freely modifying every entry within the database—even operations like deleting the entire database and running off would be entirely possible.

Of course, the price of embracing this power was that he might have to abandon the Holy Light Path, and there was also one small "problem."

If the power of "Guardian Diakum" came from the Star Soul's gift, then no matter how hard Dick worked, the upper limit of his strength could never surpass the Argus Star Soul itself.

Wielding the supreme might to command the world would allow Dick to effortlessly crush every demon that set foot upon Argus. But it was meaningless, because if the Argus Star Soul was no match for Sargeras, then when facing Sargeras directly, no matter what tricks Diakum performed with the Star Soul's power, Sargeras would still cut him down with a single stroke.

Now that it had been confirmed that the Dark Titan would personally come to deal with Argus's aftermath, what meaning was there in holding such power?

At most, he would evolve from a "pitiful ant" in the Dark Titan's eyes into a "tenacious ant." Perhaps, because of the uniqueness of his resistance, after crushing him to death, Lord Sargeras might even offer the remark, "Diakum, not bad!"

But the price of showing off like this was that after his death, Argus would still return to the cruel track of fate. Was that what Diakum, who had chosen the principles of the Hand of Fate, ought to do?

Of course not!

The Argus Star Soul had surely extended the same invitation to Sarkir before.

It had sensed the threat and urgently needed to shape Its own "warrior" to oppose Its terrifyingly bad-tempered "elder brother."

Yet the world memories showed that Sarkir had decisively refused the Star Soul's blessing back then. Just like Dick now, he had refused cleanly and without hesitation!

"Useless."

Dick did not touch that thread of world power capable of instantly allowing him to cross the restraints of two life tiers and reach the "demigod" tier. He spoke very seriously to the uneasy Star Soul before him.

"You can create ten demigods. You can grant your might to the wisest, strongest, and most promising Eredar. But everything you can do, Sargeras—who now completely commands Fel Force and controls the entire Twisting Nether—can do as well.

"He would only need a single glance to create an 'army of demigods.'

"You and I both know that a simple blessing of power cannot change the outcome of this invasion. In this situation, even power itself has ceased to matter.

"If it were merely the Burning Legion's invasion, the Eredar would absolutely fight them to the bitter end with the resolve to defend our homes. If it were only demons, then under the leadership of our two leaders, with your help, we might not necessarily lose.

"But the Dark Titan has come in person, Argus...

"Before Him, all mortal and transcendent power, both quantity and quality, have lost their meaning!

"Even if you completely drained yourself, distributed all your might among the Eredar warriors, and created hundreds or thousands of demigods to slaughter every demon that stepped onto Argus's soil, it would not change the result.

"The moment Sargeras reaches this sea of stars, the game is over."

Argus clearly could not understand.

It had not yet developed a self, so naturally It was not as exceptionally gifted as Azeroth's Supreme Star Soul.

It was merely an "ordinary" Star Soul baby. Its talents and abilities were clearly incomparable to those of a "gifted child" like A-chan, who could casually create a million Highlords as her representatives and proclaim the weight of her existence through godslaying and demon-destroying deeds.

Nor could Dick communicate with the World Soul through words alone.

That would be far too inefficient.

After thinking for a moment and recalling the "hint" from his Character Card earlier, he realized the correct use of the unique "supplementary agreement" of the Veil of the Afterlife. Thus, within the illusion created by the World Soul, he relaxed all mental resistance.

He said:

"Come, look at my memories. Look at your future ending. Perhaps I cannot help you and us reverse the inevitable outcome at this point in time. But at the very least, I can help strengthen your resolve to resist!

"Come!

"Enter my mind.

"There is no need to be polite. In this situation, mutual trust and unity between us are the first step toward resistance. If we cannot trust one another, we may not even be able to deal with the first wave of brutal demons who step into this world as representatives of Sargeras's will."

Perhaps sensing Dick's "sincerity," the World Power surrounding him cautiously touched his thoughts. The moment they made contact, Dick felt like a bar of soap thrown into "a basin of warm water."

It was not especially hot, but he still felt as though he were "melting."

[External power connected! Power path determined as: Star Soul Argus (immature). Power alignment: Unclassified Force/Element. Power connection mode: Resonance.

Hint!

The target you are contacting is not bound by the flow of the river of fate. The "Veil of the Afterlife Supplementary Agreement" has taken effect! Enable "Veil of the Afterlife" to conceal your own memories? Yes/No

This choice may trigger a series of uncontrollable consequences. Please decide carefully!]

This was exactly what Dick wanted!

Faced with the choice, he decisively selected "No." Before this "true god of the sea of stars," he removed his disguise and shared his greatest secret with It. The baby Argus Star Soul, resonating with his memories, was immediately flooded by memories of Dick's "previous life."

Dick once more saw fragments of himself pursuing every kind of undertaking in True History of the Dark Portal, under various classes and identities.

As a true veteran player, he was skilled in far more than just the Highlord's combat style. Mastering every class was merely an entry-level requirement for an old player. That was precisely why he had such a detailed grasp of True History of the Dark Portal.

Through Dick's completely unreserved sharing, the baby Argus Star Soul saw the "gifted child A-chan" in advance.

That was Its "sister" among the stars.

Like It, she was in a long slumber and faced all manner of endlessly emerging troubles that every Star Soul would encounter, seemingly unable to wait for the distant, uncertain day of maturity and birth.

It also saw the various world-ending events that had occurred in Azeroth, as well as the many troubles that planet had endured.

It was no exaggeration to say that Dick could clearly sense emotions called "shock" and "lingering fear" from the baby Argus Star Soul's still-unformed "thoughts." Compared to Its own peaceful years, Azeroth's situation had been utterly dreadful.

While A-chan was still weak, the Six Forces had already begun secretly influencing her. Void Force, the first to find the Supreme Star Soul, had sent five Old Gods at once as Void Heralds, nearly corrupting the defenseless World Soul into a "Void Titan."

Then the Pantheon of Order Force arrived in time, launching a world-spanning war through the Titan Guardians and suppressing the Void.

But that was hardly liberation or protection.

Order Force suppressed Void Force's corruption, then promptly implanted an entire set of devices called the "Everything Unification Field" within Azeroth's planetary body. While purifying the corrupted Star Soul, it guided her onto the path of Arcane Force, never once asking A-chan what she wanted.

Its methods were somewhat better than the Void's, but not much better.

If the Void was deception, then the Titans were kidnapping. After Sargeras embraced fel and became the Dark Titan, Fel Force also set its sights on Azeroth.

Beneath the apparent chaos of the three Forces fighting desperately over Azeroth's future, Life Force and Death Force had already taken root through Order and begun secretly tempting A-chan onto their paths.

Holy Light Force appeared to be the only "righteous faction" not involved, but this Old Six had actually made the first move!

As early as the Great Ordering of Light and Shadow during the initial shaping of the material universe, the first ray of shining light had flashed through the sea of stars where A-chan was located, becoming the first to exert a mysterious influence on the newly formed Star Soul.

Ha, did he think Dick was just boasting?

No!

He had evidence!

Those Shining Crystals hidden deep within the planet, constantly shifting between forms of light and darkness, along with the Song of Shining that would appear in a future version, already demonstrated how serious the problem was!

All Six Forces had joined the fray, each sending agents to lavish every possible trick upon an immature Star Soul. Was that not an overwhelming blessing?

What did the grandeur of a "Supreme Star Soul" look like?

In comparison, the baby Argus Star Soul had lived like a carefree immortal all these years! Compared to Its sister, who had been struggling under burdens ever since her birth, Argus felt like a pampered "giant Star Soul baby" raised in a greenhouse.

The Arcane Path spread throughout Its world through Eredar prosperity, but that was merely the gathering of arcane power.

Without the Titans' direct involvement, the resonance of Arcane Force could not possibly reach a level capable of guiding a Star Soul. And the representatives of Holy Light Force, the Naaru, had only arrived on Argus a thousand years ago in response to the call of the Atama Crystal. They alone had no ability to disturb the sleeping Star Soul.

At this moment, Argus still retained the purest state of a Star Soul.

Unfortunately, It could not avoid the coming ordeal of the Dark Titan and fel.

The Pantheon, the only force capable of opposing the Dark Titan in the material universe, had already been wiped out. Argus was now truly in a desperate situation where neither heaven nor earth would answer Its calls.

Azeroth had managed to pull through after being gravely wounded when Sargeras's massive sword pierced her planetary body with all its force before she had even awakened, only because she was the extraordinarily gifted "Supreme Star Soul."

But Argus was not Azeroth. It did not possess such outrageous power.

Most fatally, within the memories of Dick, the old veteran player who carried an entire True History of the Dark Portal in his mind, the baby Argus Star Soul clearly saw how It would be infused with fel and corrupted ten thousand years later, how It would be born in the terrifying form of the "Extinguisher," and how the million Highlords sent by Its "gifted sister A-chan" would try to save It, only to fail to achieve the miracle of an "ICU resurrection." In the end, It could only be miserably slain amid the ruins of the Pantheon.

Worst of all, under Sima Fate's deliberate arrangement, It could not even rest in peace after death.

The corrupted soul created by Its lingering Star Soul will would somehow be captured by the black hand of Death Force and taken to the Shadowlands. There, in that World of Death, It would "run into" the million Highlords out for a stroll—the very same group that had defeated It in the material universe, the very same "murderers" who had killed It. After a chaotic battle, this ten-thousand-year unlucky soul would be reduced to ashes for a second time, completely losing any possibility of "resurrection."

This entire series of experiences was worthy of the title "most miserable Star Soul." It could no longer be summed up by the word "tragedy." It was the concentrated embodiment of fate's malice. It seemed that the sole value of the Argus Star Soul's stirringly miserable fate was to remind all beings in the galaxy just how terrible things could become in the worst-case scenario!

It was frightened...

Truly, without exaggeration.

Dick could even hear the world's wail. It seemed no different from a child crying after being frightened. He did not know that because of this "intimidation," torrential rain began falling across the entire surface of Argus at that moment.

What torrential rain was that?

They were clearly tears of mourning shed in advance by the baby Argus Star Soul for Its own miserable future!

"Don't cry, don't cry!"

Dick hurriedly tried to soothe the World Soul before him, which had already become restless. He shouted:

"I did not show you these things to scare you, noble Argus. I only wanted to tell you in this way that conventional rescue plans are no longer useful! You, who already have half your body lying in the ICU, need not waste your precious World Power creating a 'Guardian' like Primordial Sorcerer Augure.

"It's useless!

"Your existence and the planet that nurtured you can no longer avoid fel corruption. But I shared my most precious secret with you and honestly revealed everything without reservation so that you would know we still have a way.

"From the series of experiences of your powerful sister Azeroth, we can find a method that can barely be called 'preserving hope.'

"You have witnessed with your own eyes the brilliant measures your noble sister took when facing fate's malice, especially the series of reactions she carried out to save herself when her Star Soul body was pierced by the Dark Titan's sword. They were a perfect 'emergency treatment protocol.' She truly is the gifted child of the Star Soul race.

"I do not mean creating a million warriors blessed by World Power through the essence of her own Azerite blood to repair the world's wounds.

"Forgive my bluntness, but you do not possess that terrifying talent!

"If you tried that, you would probably suffer fatal blood loss and die in the womb within a short time. But we can learn from the method."

Dick paused.

He watched the luminous body of the World Soul before him. Only after It had calmed down from Its agitated state did he continue:

"Star Souls are extremely special lifeforms. Your innate greatness means your growth cannot be smooth sailing. You must endure trials and fate's malice before breaking from your cocoon and becoming gods. The road to godhood is never easy, but you possess one advantage over mortals that cannot be ignored!

"From Azeroth's series of brilliant maneuvers, and from the fact that even after your physical body was defeated in the future, your corrupted soul still survived and could even enter the Shadowlands intact, it is clear that the endless potential you possess from birth allows you to transcend 'life and death.'

"Your state depends solely on whether your will endures.

"This is even more clearly proven by the fact that after the other Titan Souls, tortured for ten thousand years, were rescued, they could instantly reshape their bodies and command the ruins of the Pantheon to seal Sargeras.

"Since the conventional concept of 'life and death' does not exist for you, then in this desperate situation, I say there is nothing so terrible about personally abandoning this majestic divine body of Argus! As long as your will can endure, you will still have the possibility of awakening again in the future!

"Though I still do not know how to purify your future, inevitably battered and corrupted Star Soul body, I believe that as long as we do not give up, we will certainly find a way!

"If all else fails, we can get ahead of the Dark Titan and find the soul body of Life Titan Eonar, hidden somewhere in the galaxy.

"She will certainly have a way!

"But the premise of this 'desperate survival' is that you must find a way to preserve your sanity. Even if, at this moment, your sanity and will have not yet truly been born.

"You cannot even speak yet...

"Sigh, the gap between ordinary children and gifted children is truly enormous."

The baby Argus Star Soul let out another mournful cry.

This time, it carried some grievance.

Was it Its fault that It was not as gifted as A-chan?

That was a Supreme Star Soul, an anomaly capable of resisting the corruption of the Six Forces while still immature and sleeping. There was only one like her in the entire material universe.

Why did the powerful, invincible Dark Titan insist on killing Azeroth before she awakened?

Besides the primary reason of preventing her from being corrupted by the Void and becoming the culprit behind the destruction of the material universe, there was another important reason: Sargeras knew very well that once Azeroth truly awakened, He would be unable to defeat her.

"As I just said, we can imitate A-chan's method of self-rescue! She scattered her power and will into every Heart of Azeroth artifact granted to the warriors, using their actions to heal herself.

"Every chosen mortal warrior can be regarded as an incarnation of the Star Soul's will while wearing a World Artifact!

"You can do the same!"

Dick finally shouted the method he had painstakingly contemplated for so long. He spoke to the Star Soul will before him, which had been left utterly at a loss:

"Place your will in the same way within a vast number of World Artifacts, or directly within the spirits of our people! Then let us Eredar carry it as we flee this planet that is destined to fall.

"As long as we continue trekking among the stars, your precious pure will will not fall into fel's grasp. When the Eredar one day return to our homeland, the fragments of your will can be gathered once more.

"I imagine splitting apart your own mind must be painful, but this is the only way we can save you.

"The Eredar cannot fight the Dark Titan. We can only flee, but there will always be a place for you aboard our ship of escape. I have tentatively named it the 'Wandering Argus' plan. Do not mind the name; it is enough that you understand what it means.

"We truly cannot take away this planet that Sargeras is determined to claim right beneath His nose. We cannot even take away your will in its entirety. That would enrage the Dark Titan and lead Him to personally carry out an extermination sentence against us mortals.

"But at the very least, we can preserve your pure hope!

"If World Guardians can be regarded as extensions of the World Will and the hands of the world, then countless Eredar carrying the Star Soul's will can naturally become your guardians of hope!

"The Eredar possess Eternal Life! That immortality was bestowed by you.

"That means we have sufficient time and perfect compatibility to carry your hope and ensure it never deteriorates. Ten thousand years, twenty thousand years, one hundred thousand years, or even longer—it does not matter!

"We will return to our homeland eventually.

"And when that day comes...

"You will return with us in a glorious tale of the Dragon King's return!"

Dick knew this persuasion was not enough.

So he wagered himself as well. In a low voice, he said:

"You have seen what makes me different. I was shaped by a stretch of dark, desperate memories. Though we achieved final victory in every story I once experienced, rather than singing hymns of courage and salvation after disaster strikes, I would rather reverse those tragedies before they happen.

"I want to change those fates, Argus.

"I want those lives that should not die to enjoy the peace they deserve.

"I want those lands that should not be trampled to be filled with courageous resistance.

"I want those forced into exile not to become cowards who know only how to hide.

"I want to see a future filled with more light and hope, and I want you to be part of that light.

"That is why the Holy Light chose me.

"It appointed me as Its Hand of Fate. It expects me to perform miracle after miracle for It.

"You can trust me too.

"I swear to you. I swear upon my principles and my life that I will find a way to purify your fel-corrupted Star Soul body. I will ensure that you are reborn through your own will in the future!

"There is no time...

"We no longer have time to slowly compromise and talk!

"I have placed myself upon fate's scales. Perhaps you should make up your mind as well."

That was what Dick said.

He knew it would be difficult to convince the Argus Star Soul to take such a risk.

The other party was not a being capable of rational thought, and whether Star Souls possessed self-awareness was itself a question difficult to answer. But he wanted to do something, even if only a little, for this world—just as he faced cruel fate.

You had better torment me to your heart's content while I am weak! But if you cannot kill me, then once I have the strength to strike back, you will have hell to pay!

The Argus Star Soul child might not have been as gifted as A-chan, but it truly had a mind of its own.

Perhaps just as the Holy Gun guard had said, the road of Star Souls was never easy, nor was the end of the path to godhood something one could reach so casually. Mortals had to endure hardships to achieve great deeds, and Star Souls like Argus and Azeroth likewise had to undergo fate's most vicious trials before they could break free from their cocoons and become butterflies.

They did not lack power. What they lacked was something even more precious than power.

Just as Diakum had said, in a war against fate, individual strength was the least important factor.

Dick did not wait long before he saw the dazzling World Light shatter before his eyes in an act of "self-rending."

Amid the Star Soul's mournful cry, it flew toward him like glittering meteor fragments. The instant one of those fragments struck Dick's mind, he was blasted out of that illusion of communication.

He crashed awkwardly onto the ground outside the Holy Stone amid scattered streams of shattered Holy Light. Yet when he turned around, he clearly saw those "World Will fragments" strike the others in the cave who were worshipping the World Soul.

They noticed nothing...

Only Dick could see the process by which those fragments merged into their bodies and minds.

This meant that the Argus Star Soul child had made its decision. It was indeed attempting to divide its still-incomplete consciousness and hide it within the Eredars' minds.

These Eredar were lives born from it. They were the Sons of Argus and possessed the trait of eternal life, so they could naturally bear those "World Fragments."

As for whether those fragments would alter the Eredars' life forms...

Dick did not know.

And this was not the time to discuss it.

[External power connected! Power path determined as: Star Soul Argus (immature). Power alignment: unclassified primal force/elemental. Power connection mode: will fusion.

World Contract signed!

New title "Hand of Argus" acquired!

Effect: As an individual entrusted with a fragment of the Argus Star Soul, you will possess a portion of the Star Soul's will. While within the world of Argus, you may, under certain circumstances, receive an infusion of "World Power." This enhancement will become ineffective upon leaving the world of Argus.

Notice!

As the first individual to sign a contract with the World Will, the "World Power" infusion you receive will be maximized. When World Power enhancement is activated, you will be able to temporarily break through the limits of your life rank and gain extraordinary combat strength.

Notice!

The symbiosis between World Will fragments and individual life may have unknown effects on the individual. Please remain constantly aware of changes to your mind and will, and make timely adjustments.]

"The rest is up to you, Diakum Zastinus. I have made a contract with you. I will take the battlefield with you. Fate will not compromise; because of me, it will treat you even more viciously. Good luck. Good luck to all of you."

For an instant, Dick seemed to hear the world speaking to him.

But it was more a sensation than actual spoken language. He knew Argus had made its choice, which meant another contract now rested upon his shoulders.

A promise...

It was a shackle, but it was also motivation!

"Get up! All of you, get up!"

Dick climbed to his feet and strode toward the bewildered others. He shouted:

"The Star Soul has finished speaking with me. It has granted us a new mission and a grave responsibility. You have also received the world's blessing. Feel the changes in your minds! There is no more time for worship! We have far, far too much to do next."

"I... I can feel it!"

Governor Hutton convulsed on the spot as if having a seizure. Clutching his head, he screamed:

"I saw the World Soul! Ah, it is whispering to me! It wishes me good fortune! It is watching me, it is looking at me... Ah, great Argus! I will fight for you until my final moment..."

"Calm down!"

Dick truly wanted to slap him across the face.

But considering that Governor Hutton had not had it easy raising him since childhood, Dick could only press both hands onto the excited governor's shoulders and say:

"The final salvation of the World Soul must be accomplished by us Eredar ourselves. And the first thing we need to do is right before our eyes. Quickly, gather every jeweler in Krokuun..."

"What are you going to do?"

Governor Hutton looked at Dick in confusion.

Dick glanced back at the Holy Stone behind him and pointed at it.

"Dismantle it! Turn every tiny fragment into wearable pendants. Those are the supreme weapons Argus has bestowed upon us! We must create enough Argus Hearts and give them to our bravest warriors, so they can better receive the infusion of World Power.

"When Sargeras's shameless demons set foot upon our land, the chosen Hands of Argus will personally teach them what it means to flee at the very mention of their enemies, and what it means for blood to flow like rivers..."

"Hands of Argus?"

Neri thoughtfully savored the name. Dick looked at her and nodded.

"That's right! Hands of Argus! You and I, and every Eredar willing to give everything for our homeland, can bear that name and share in this honor. Evil will panic before us, and demons will collapse in rout behind us!

"It will eventually resound throughout the universe!

"It will eventually become an undefeated symbol and eternal legend of hope, courage, and victory in the dark sea of stars! Just like we will be in the future.

"Listen to the horns!

"The final battle of this sea of stars before the Dark Night Era... has begun!"