"It's just a painting with stronger corruption abilities. What did you expect to see in me? So, in fact, this painting still doesn't measure up to Lingren's offer to pay you double, does it?"
He took a step forward, drawing closer to Starry Sky, his gaze settling once more on the wildly writhing colors and twisted stars.
"Whispers, madness—they can indeed destroy an ordinary person's mind, but they mean nothing to me. I've seen plenty of monsters far more terrifying than this."
"But now this painting belongs to me. I'll take it back and devour the corruption inside. Then it'll be nothing more than a valuable work of art. Heh... I should thank you for your generous gift. It'll earn me quite a sum." He spoke softly, his tone full of implication.
The smile on Aiven's face grew even brighter. He could already picture how, before long, this powerful... yet foolish investigator would become a fanatical believer in the ancient god under his guidance, and help advance their great plan.
Just look at him. He didn't even know he was already dead. He was no different from an ordinary person.
Tonight wasn't a good opportunity.
Aiven thought he would wait until later, when he heard the Lord's whispers and received His will, before seeking out this foolish investigator and revealing the truth, turning him into one of their own.
Threaten him, force him, then assimilate him—anything would do.
For now, let him swagger a little longer.
When Yu Xing followed Aiven Clifford out of the lounge steeped in invisible corruption, the commotion inside Flowing Light Gallery had died down considerably, but the exhibition hadn't officially ended.
A few guests still lingered in the exhibition hall. Some were taking one last look at the paintings that still showed a measure