Chapter 208 The legacy of Hades.
This must be William's first time using a computer, but just this once, his actions on it left everyone dizzied and amazed.
What Wyatt and the others saw as divine skills, to William, seemed merely routine.
"William, even if you don't compete professionally, with your skills, you could totally stream your gameplay."
"You can stream this?" William had just tried streaming earlier that day and now fully realized that in this era, almost anything could be showcased live!
He browsed through the streaming platform and noticed even activities like eating or reading books were being streamed, with a considerable viewership.
This was probably the most bizarre thing he had ever seen.
William had no plans to stream his gameplay. In fact, he no longer had any intention to stream at all.
Initially, he thought streaming was a novel experience, but after trying it out, he felt it was even more monotonous than entertaining clients at a bar.
The most important thing is that he doesn't care about the viewers' opinions. The comments and reactions in the chat mean nothing to him. Thus, such a live stream naturally lacks any real enjoyment.
Late in the night, just before sleep, Lana messaged William, suggesting he start his stream early the next day. William plainly told her he didn't want to pursue it anymore.
Lana had witnessed William's extraordinary abilities. His demonstration of carving techniques that day had ignited a spark online. If William persisted, becoming an internet sensation was just a matter of time.
"If you don't want to, I won't push you. Just let me know if you change your mind later on," Lana expressed her regret. Finding a streamer with William's charisma and natural presence, who didn't even need digital enhancements, was rare. If William was willing to show his face, nurturing him into a new generation internet celebrity or even a star would be feasible.
As night deepened, countless shadows descended upon Maplewood Town from the void.
In the old mansion of the Taylor family, the Radiant Empress Pearl hovered in mid-air. Within the Radiant Empress Pearl, the eyes of a pitch-black three-headed dog gleamed with a sanguine light. In mere moments, the entire town was enveloped in this blood-red glow, as shadows from the void pierced into the foreheads of the town's inhabitants...
Scott stood in front of the Radiant Empress Pearl, eyes shut tightly. The energy emanating from him grew progressively intense and frightening.
James Taylor stood in the courtyard, leaning on his cane, watching as his son Scott's face contorted in pain. Meanwhile, members of the Taylor family began to gather around in the yard.
"I, Scott, swear allegiance to Hades, the God of Darkness and Death. Grant me unparalleled power!" Scott's voice was altered, as if chanting a spell. When he reopened his eyes, a solid red glow emanated from them, and his body was enveloped in darkness. His physique swelled so much that his clothes tore apart.
Horror painted James Taylor's face. He sensed something was off with the family; as if they were under some external force's control. Perhaps, due to his previous association with William, or possibly because he carried magical artifacts left by the Ravenwood magicians, he was temporarily spared from the dark force's influence.
Scott, however, seemed to have pledged himself directly to Hades.
"Fool! Do you even know what you're doing?!" James Taylor, frustrated, looked up at the hovering Radiant Empress Pearl, leaning heavily on his cane. He probably understood why the souls that escaped from the underworld chose the Taylor family.
Although Hades is the god of the underworld, the scene before him was not merely the legacy of some ancient deity; it looked more like a possession ritual.
Legacy, in this context, means acquiring enhanced abilities or powers from deities of the Divine Realm or other dimensions. Possession, however, is when a powerful entity seeks a host in the mortal realm.
Once successfully possessed, the host's consciousness would nearly be completely erased. And what's the point of having immense power if one's very essence is taken away?
Scott's gaze was dark and haunting, his eyes brimming with coldness and resentment. He glared intently at James Taylor, saying, "Old man, stop the charade. I know I'm not your real son! Don't worry, your pathetic daughter will soon join the ranks of our dark legion!" With that, he waved his hand, sending James Taylor flying.
James Taylor lay in a corner, blood trickling from his mouth, his eyes full of helplessness and despair.
Had Scott known all along he wasn't his biological son?
The 13th Bureau had stationed agents in Maplewood Town, but they too were possessed by the escaped souls from the underworld. However, these souls merged with the memories of the 13th Bureau's agents. So, when Wes inquired about any anomalies in Maplewood Town, they reported none.
In the entire town, only Scott wasn't possessed, he genuinely received the legacy of Hades. Now, he was a direct disciple of Hades.
"Old man, tell me, why did you suddenly make us go into hiding?" Scott slowly approached James Taylor, his gaze ice-cold. "I know you aren't the fearful type. Give me the reason, and I might let you die a whole man and ensure a less painful death for both you and your daughter."
James Taylor coughed lightly twice, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. He laughed heartily, exclaiming, "The legacy of the Lord of the Underworld, Hades! What else do you have to fear? You can go back to New York and discover the truth for yourself, to seize control of the entire world! Hahaha!"
"Hmph! Are you courting death?" Scott sneered, "But you're right. What you fear, I do not. As the world's energy awakens, before long, demons and evil spirits from outer realms will descend in various ways. Lord Hades will take over the entire Earth."
James Taylor slowly closed his eyes, not uttering another word. He knew William was powerful, but he had no idea just how potent – to what extent.
How formidable must Lord Hades be? If he were to face William, who would emerge victorious?
Facing imminent death, he was reluctant to even utter William's name.
The last time he saw William, William had posed several questions to him, each piercing his soul like a sharp needle.
William had never wronged him. If possible, he wished nothing but well for William.
Scott didn't press further. Now having acquired the legacy of Lord Hades and possessing the Radiant Empress Pearl, combined with thousands of humans possessed by evil spirits under his command, one could say he was unmatched in power!
"Return to New York? I am curious to see what entity exists that even this old man before me fears." Facing the possessed individuals before him, Scott commanded, "Starting tomorrow, everyone infiltrate New York City. Do not reveal your strength and try to avoid direct confrontations with agents of the 13th Bureau." n((OVELbIn
While Scott assumed he was the leader of these possessed humans, he was unaware that many of these spirits were directly under Lord Hades. They hardly considered Scott significant. Their unfamiliarity with this era was the only thing holding them back.
Agents of the 13th Bureau?
The minions of Lord Hades scarcely gave them a second thought.
After their possession, their primary focus was on enhancing their power, not conquering the world just yet.
After all, coming from the Divine Realm to the mortal realm, if the humans they possessed died, their spirits would genuinely perish. They'd act with extreme caution. The 13th Bureau wasn't much of a concern. Their real threat came from the "demigods" existing in this world or some formidable Soulmancers.