The Guardian gods-Chapter 266

Establishing a connection with Phantom, Ikenga began to relay his message. Phantom, in the midst of the demon assembly, felt a familiar tingle in his mind as Ikenga’s presence made contact. He subtly shifted away from the group, finding a quiet corner where he could focus on the connection without arousing suspicion.

Ikenga’s voice resonated in Phantom’s mind. "Phantom, we need you to rise within this group. Your influence is crucial for our plan. Subtly gather support and establish yourself as a leader. Be wary of the chosen Son of the Abyss. If there is any chance of contact with him, stay away. We suspect he can pinpoint us and will find us soon, but we need to be prepared."

Phantom’s eyes flickered with determination as he absorbed the instructions. "Understood, your grace. I will proceed with caution."

Ikenga continued, "We also need information on the two demon kings. Find out their strengths, weaknesses, and any potential allies or enemies. This knowledge will help us navigate the chaos and position ourselves advantageously."

Phantom nodded imperceptibly. "I will start immediately. Is there anything specific you want me to focus on first?"

Ikenga’s tone was thoughtful. "Focus on solidifying your place in the group first and understanding the dynamics within your group. Slowly begin to show your talent and rise in the ranks. Identify potential allies and threats. Once you have a stable footing, gather information about the demon kings."

With the message conveyed, Ikenga slowly withdrew from the connection, leaving Phantom to his task. He opened his eyes and met Keles’s gaze.

"It’s done. Phantom is aware of the plan and will start working on elevating his status and gathering information."

Keles looked at Ikenga before nodding. "I believe, brother, the Abyss is having an adverse effect on us. Mother did say we are endowed with these sins, but it hasn’t been as prominent as it has been since we landed in the Abyss."

Ikenga’s eyes were calm hearing Keles’s words, and he smirked. "I know that, sister, but since our birth, we have rarely had moments like this. I don’t mind letting my guard down a bit and indulging. Isn’t that the same for you?"

Keles gave no answer back, only a chuckle. Ikenga waved his hand, and part of the house expanded to look a bit like a garden. With another wave, he threw different seeds into the soil.

Back at the rocky outcrop, Phantom, who had received his new mission, didn’t move from his spot. Instead, he used this opportunity to observe the group of gargoyles with his talent, aiming to determine who to approach.

Hidden but deep in Phantom’s eyes, a yellow glow flashed as he looked at the gargoyles. Confusion soon filled Phantom’s eyes as he took a closer look, only for his facial features to change as he could hardly control himself. Thankfully, none of the gargoyles paid attention to him. After merging with the Flame Seeker, Phantom acquired a new talent called "Light of Ambition."

This talent enables him to find those with deep-seated ambition and their eagerness to be in the spotlight. Phantom rarely had time to use this talent on normal humans, but he understood that not everyone should have that light burning in them, as people are different.

The sight before Phantom subverted his thoughts, as every gargoyle, big or small, weak or strong, had the same burning ambition to be in the spotlight, meaning each and every one of them believed they could come out on top.

The gargoyle form Phantom was currently using as a facade was chosen based on his own talent during the demons’ attack on Ikenga and Keles. A gargoyle flying too fast had crashed face-first when they swarmed in, arousing feelings of shame in the demon, which Phantom seized upon. This was why he was able to take the gargoyle’s form.

His talent gave him a glimpse of the gargoyle’s memory, enough for Phantom to understand why these demons, regardless of how delusional their ambitions seemed, made sense.

Phantom’s limited understanding of demons made him realize how powerful and broken of a race they are. His best explanation would be that demons are the clones of some ancient mighty being.

No demon is more talented or insightful than another, but experiences are what set them apart. As long as a demon lives long enough and encounters opportunities, it is guaranteed to become something great.

So, while it came as a surprise to Phantom to see the light of ambition in the gathered gargoyle, the surprise was short-lived once an understanding of the race was taken into consideration.

This made things easier for Phantom and, at the same time, harder. Any of the gargoyles could be chosen by him as an ally, but it also meant that his allies couldn’t be trusted.

With the amount of ambition oozing from them, Phantom wouldn’t be surprised if they sacrificed or tricked each other to achieve their goals.

The full extent of the creator’s plan is yet unknown to Phantom, but he knows it is something big, so he has to be careful about whom he first approaches.

Pushing himself off the wall he was leaning on, Phantom began walking around the outpost. He made sure to stay out of sight during his observation.

Phantom suddenly stopped as he felt a familiar pull call out to him. He was truly surprised as the emotion he felt pulling him was something he believed to be rare among this group of ambitious demons.

Following the pull, Phantom was halted in his path as he saw a new group of demons. No, not a new group of demons but the same gargoyles—only these ones were without wings.

"A mutation?" Phantom thought to himself as he walked closer. The closer he got, the more he saw how they were scared of him as they lowered themselves and tried not to meet his eyes.

Sadly, Phantom wasn’t fooled by their weak appearance. The group of mutant gargoyles had two emotions strong in them: "Ambition and Shame."

Pulling the emotions invisible to others but himself, Phantom took a deep breath as memories began flashing in his eyes. Looking back at the mutants, a flash of understanding appeared in his eyes.

Phantom was right in his observation of them being mutants. For the demons, mutants aren’t something new; they even look forward to it as it shows uniqueness, but their favor for this uniqueness is limited.

For demons, as a mutant, you are expected to take on a new path and progress, showing how unique you are. It can be said that for a while, demons do something they are truly against: showing kindness.

Kindness will be shown to the mutant, and many demons will help the mutant grow, but all that kindness and favor are washed away once, after a while, no uniqueness or growth is shown.

The treatment of the said mutant will become bad, and they will be demoted to nothing but a slave. The mutants in front of Phantom are in the same state.

Being the creatures they are and their origin, even after being demoted to a slave, ambition still hides deep in their bones, which is why Phantom knew their current weak appearance was because of circumstances.

At the same time, another emotion very present in them, which attracted Phantom, was "Shame." In their case, the reason for shame can be many: not meeting expectations, and how a noble being like them is branded with slave status.

Phantom chuckled and smiled to himself as he knew he had found his allies. Unlike other demons, he would show these mutants kindness not because he expected something great of them, but because his kindness would be the greatest price to be paid to the demons as they would serve well as pawns for his creator.

Phantom continued his slow walk towards the group of mutant gargoyles, his mind working rapidly as he considered his next steps. The combination of ambition and shame made these gargoyles ideal candidates for his plan. They were downtrodden and overlooked, yet brimming with a desire to prove themselves—a potent mixture that Phantom could exploit. At the same time, Phantom knew kindness wasn’t enough to win these mutants.

If he truly believed that, he would only make a fool of himself, as he knew there was a chance one of these mutants would take this as an opportunity to curry favor with another gargoyle for a greater status than a slave.

As he approached, the mutants’ fear was palpable. They cowered, avoiding eye contact, their bodies tense with the expectation of harsh treatment. Phantom stopped a few paces away, adopting a calm and non-threatening posture.

"Rise," he commanded gently, his voice devoid of the usual harshness these gargoyles were accustomed to, yet still with the sternness of being commanded. "I have no intention or interest in harming you."

The mutants exchanged wary glances but slowly straightened, still cautious but slightly less fearful. Phantom took a moment to observe each of them closely, his talent allowing him to sense the depth of their emotions and aspirations.