The Dream God's pupils contracted sharply. His entire body trembled as he froze in place.
Through eyes quivering like an earthquake, he stared in horror at the gleaming spear radiating cold light. A chill pressed against his forehead—he knew that if the masked figure before him so much as thrust forward, his skull would be pierced in an instant.
Beads of cold sweat formed and trickled down his face. Tilting his head slightly upward, he gazed at the terrifying god standing before him.
"Don't... don't kill me..."
"I'll leave... I'll leave right now..."
His voice shook as he pleaded for mercy.
Then, Elliot's spear slowly withdrew from his forehead.
Without another word, the Dream God turned and fled, vanishing from sight in an instant. He knew Elliot hadn't intended to suppress him—if he had, he would have acted already.
Indeed, Elliot had no intention of killing him. Suppressing the Dream God would bring him no benefit, and might instead trigger a resonance of karmic debt.
When Elliot turned around and began walking toward the others, the eight followers watching him approach felt their hearts tighten. Faces filled with fear, they gripped their weapons and stood on high alert.
After all, Elliot's power alone was enough to strike terror deep into their souls.
Just moments ago, they had been fighting him with all their might. The next moment, he was already standing before their master—then, with just a look, their master had fled in panic.
Yet Elliot simply walked past them, calm and unhurried, showing no hostility at all.
The eight followers exchanged confused glances, uncertain of his intentions. Then, Elliot suddenly stopped walking.
Their hearts tensed once again.
"You lot... go back where you came from. Find a place to hide. Wait until this war is over before coming out again."
"Don't let another god catch you and turn you into slaves."
Having said that, Elliot continued forward.
...
The eight followers stood frozen on the spot, staring blankly at one another.
They exchanged wide-eyed looks, struggling to believe what they had just heard. That unbelievably powerful god hadn't just scared their master away—he had even let them go so easily?
Did this mean... they were free again? No longer under the Dream God's control?
Could it really be that simple?
As Elliot's figure grew more distant, they finally seemed to snap out of their daze.
One of them suddenly took off without a word.
"He seems serious. I'm outta here—I'm not getting caught again."
Seeing him go, another followed immediately.
"I'm leaving too. See you around!" The third took flight right after.
The remaining five stayed where they were, glancing uncertainly at one another.
"Aren't you leaving?" Indarias asked first.
"Why aren't you leaving?" Menogias shot back.
The question only made the tense silence feel even heavier.
"I want to follow him."
After a long pause, Bosacius finally spoke, his voice firm.
"Actually, you all feel the same, don't you?" His gaze swept across the four others.
Though they had once been enslaved by the Dream God, countless battles fought side by side had forged an undeniable bond among them.
"Yeah... I want to follow him too. I think he's a good god," Bonanus admitted softly.
"The fact that he doesn't take away our freedom already proves he's a good one," Menogias said with a nod.
"Honestly, I just want to know how strong he really is. The guy who controlled us wasn't weak, but he looked like he'd seen a ghost when he faced him," Indarias added, clenching her fists as if itching to test Elliot's strength herself.
"What about you, Alatus? What do you plan to do?" Bosacius turned toward the silent youth.
"Join." The reply came cold and short.
Hearing Alatus's answer, the five followers exchanged a look before taking off together in the direction Elliot had gone.
Before long, they spotted him walking leisurely ahead, as if simply taking a stroll.
"Why haven't you left?" Elliot asked without turning his head.
The five followers instantly flashed to his front, all dropping to one knee with heads bowed.
In unison, they declared, "We wish to join your ranks."
Hearing this, Elliot's lips curved slightly upward.