Before deciding to act against Goro, Kael had investigated and found news online about people being turned into husks. These reports hadn't caused the uproar seen in the original storyline. Instead, they had been suppressed. Though not widely circulated, they could still be found with effort.
Goro gave a bitter laugh. "You came to avenge those people?"
Even before doing such things, he had expected retaliation. After all, his actions were neither just nor honorable. If discovered, being beaten to death would be natural. So he had always acted cautiously, leaving no trace. But he hadn't expected revenge to come so quickly.
Kael chuckled. "I have no ties to them. Why would I avenge them? I just find the Metaverse app on your phone interesting. I want to use it to enter another world. But to prevent you from playing tricks, I made you my puppet. People like you are too cunning, always leaving contingencies. I don't care to play mind games, so I used a direct method."
Goro laughed bitterly. So it wasn't revenge, but Kael's desire to exploit his ability to enter the Metaverse. He didn't know how Kael had learned of this power, but he admitted Kael's method, though crude, was effective. His life was now controlled—any rebellious thought brought brutal punishment. It was unbelievable.
"Get up." Kael snapped his fingers, making Goro rise.
Looking at the disheveled Detective Prince, Kael waved. "Change clothes and come with me. We're going to the Metaverse."
Goro slowly stood, returned to his room, and changed. But his new outfit looked identical to the old one. How many identical suits did he own? Kael didn't care, and left with him.
As they departed, Kael concealed himself again. With his current strength, he couldn't oppose a nation, so he had to remain cautious, leaving no trace in public.
They went to Shibuya Station, the Metaverse's entrance. When no one was around, Kael had Goro open the app and navigate to the Metaverse. Kael followed, entering smoothly. There were no obstacles. Relieved, Kael had expected resistance. But entry was easy.
Once inside, he felt the strangeness of the Metaverse. It was filled with desire. The Palace of the Masses lived up to its name. Twisted—utterly twisted. Human desires converged, forming this space. Perfect for cultivating the Heavenly Demon Canon of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires.
With prior experience in demonic arts, Kael's cultivation went smoothly. As he circulated the canon, countless desires flowed into him, absorbed.
His emotions magnified—
Thoughts of seizing Kitagawa Marin, Yoshida Saki, Isayama Mei, Isayama Yomi, Ogata Rizu, Kasumigaoka Utaha, Mahiru Shiina, Tae Takemi, Inui Hinako, Mouri Ran, Okino Yoko, and others as his concubines. Dreams of conquering the world, ruling above all, doing as he pleased. Or killing everyone to pave his path to immortality.
Desires sprouted endlessly, entangling his mind. As they neared chaos, Kael's soul trembled, suppressing them all. He calmed, refining the desires.
The canon was strange and profound. Even entry required enduring the trial of emotions. Without his soul strengthened by the Soul-Devouring Art, he might have lost control, enslaved by desire, doomed forever. But with his strong soul, he easily refined them.
From within him, new mana emerged. Different from the Soul-Devouring Art's mana or the Blood River Art's mana. A new force—able to manipulate emotions, trapping people in desire. As he absorbed, it grew stronger.
But then Kael stopped cultivating the canon. He turned to another demonic art—
The Primordial Heavenly Demon Chapter.
Previously, he had cultivated the Soul-Devouring Art and the Blood River Art, both supreme manuals leading to ascension. Each was vast, enough for a lifetime. Few would cultivate more than one. They were time-consuming, dangerous, and exhausting. Multiple arts meant slower progress. While others reached higher realms, one might still linger below. And later, conflicting mana could cause unbearable strain.
Thus, most demon cultivators avoided multiple arts. Kael knew this well. Yet he still did it. Not only the Soul-Devouring Art, then the Blood River Art, now the Heavenly Demon Canon. And now, the Primordial Heavenly Demon Chapter.
Did he not fear the conflicts and dangers of multiple demonic arts?