CHAPTER 247: WHAT LAYLA FEARS

Layla, of course, also thought of what they had just said. She glanced at Leonard, her eyes hesitant: "That is exactly what I’m worried about—the only way for someone to become an esper other than through the dungeon..."

Everyone’s gaze followed Layla’s words and landed on Leonard.

Leonard spoke coldly: "A lot of people will die."

He paused for a moment before adding, "It will hurt."

The skin on his finger was torn open by his own hand, blood dripping heavily onto the ground, yet he didn’t seem to care much about it.

"The apocalypse will come."

He wasn’t a prophet, but it was as if he could already picture that future.

As a member of the Curtis family, Leonard knew how many people had died for the sake of a single successful experiment—him.

"For now, perhaps things won’t be as difficult, because we already have one successful case—Leonard. However, it is still something nearly impossible to control. Unlike the powers granted by the dungeon, the powers created by humans won’t be restrained on the continent. When that time comes, I fear humanity will bury itself long before the dungeon devours them," Layla said gravely.

Silas nodded slowly: "That’s entirely possible."

Until now, only the strongest powers, like Drake’s ability, some special ones, or the powers of major believers serving under the angels, had been allowed to exist on the continent.

If ordinary people could also gain special powers—especially in a world already this chaotic—it wouldn’t be hard to imagine how unstable everything would become.

"Replacing the gods, is it?"

Drake suddenly sneered: "If that were possible, we’d have won long ago. They’ve been researching this for so long, and with the Curtis family’s earlier results, maybe they’d already have succeeded. Layla, what exactly are you planning to do?"

His tone suddenly turned serious, startling everyone present.

Layla pressed her lips together: "There’s nothing I can do. All I can do is ask for your help—the strongest espers. This project cannot become humanity’s hope. Frank’s condition is extremely abnormal. He shouldn’t be like that. It feels as though he’s no longer himself, like he’s... a stranger. In short, it’s very unsettling. So if possible, I hope you all can stop and destroy this project."

"If it’s a government-backed project, that’ll be tricky. The few of us can’t fight against the entire continent," Silas said in a low voice.

"Ha, those weak fools—just hearing about the chance to gain powers for free, they’ll probably be overjoyed to madness. You can’t stop them. The only thing we can do is make them realize the true nightmare," Drake said.

"Or make them realize just how much of a threat this is..." Leonard muttered suddenly. "If we had the help of a god, this would be much simpler."

Cocona looked at Leonard: "Go beg Nerio. I think he’s rather partial to you."

Leonard suddenly blushed, then shook his head. He wished Nerio really was partial to him.

"In the end, this still doesn’t solve anything." Drake shrugged. "Let’s head back. Silas, Layla—keep an eye on the higher-ups’ movements. As for those artificial espers, if they dare to show themselves, I’ll make sure their weaknesses are exposed before the eyes of the entire continent!"

"What if they turn out to be perfect?" Cocona suddenly asked.

"There’s no such thing as perfection, Cocona. Especially not when a weakling suddenly gains overwhelming power. That will only cause them to drown in their own foolish delusions." Drake smirked. "At the end of the day, not everyone has the willpower to live alongside a heaven-defying strength like mine."

He kicked at the ground, then strode out.

Leonard spoke softly: "This time, Drake is right. If not for Nerio, I probably would’ve gone insane too."

In the first dungeon he entered, he wanted to kill everyone inside. He had the power to do it—even as his heart bled with fear.

The others gradually left as well. Layla suddenly seemed to lose all strength. She squatted down, her hands buried in her curly hair, eyes squeezed shut, head pressed against her knees. The dark circles beneath her eyes were heavy, as if she hadn’t appropriately rested in a long time. Two dungeons appearing back-to-back had nearly exhausted the observation team—let alone their captain, Layla.

Just then, the sound of slow footsteps approached, stopping beside her.

Layla couldn’t help but startle.

She lifted her head, and Silvanus’s face instantly filled her vision. Standing tall, he looked down at her, his cold green eyes showing no hint of emotion.

"Tell me—how exactly is Frank behaving strangely?" Silvanus’s voice was calm, cold, detached. Yet Layla felt as though her heart was being crushed in his grip.

Since when had Silvanus been here? How much had he heard? He had appeared, yet Drake and the others hadn’t noticed his presence!

But on second thought, it wasn’t so surprising. After all, Silvanus was the one who had carried Drake’s group out of the dungeon. With the gods’ blessing, he was an existence stronger than anything they could comprehend.

The real problem was this: Silvanus, a man who absolutely revered the gods and placed them above all else—if he had heard what she said, how would he take it?

Frank had claimed that artificial espers could replace the gods. Layla feared Silvanus might strangle Frank on the spot, then report everything to the gods—causing humanity to lose their aid forever!

"No, priest Silvanus, they’re only blinded by immediate gain. They are just a minority. It doesn’t mean humanity does not need the gods. The gods have given this continent a new chance." Layla stood, forcing a smile as she spoke.

Silvanus’s face betrayed nothing, though he seemed deep in thought. "No... I don’t think they’re wrong. Relying on others may feel burdensome to them. They want independence. Perhaps the gods could even enjoy a moment of leisure."

What truly concerned Silvanus was Frank’s attitude, representing this secret project.

To create beings surpassing the gods, replacing them—that sounded more like a slogan. Frank was not a fool, and neither was this continent. If that was the case, they surely understood that the gods were allies, not enemies. Yet their attitude felt like they intended to deal with the gods outright.

That attitude reminded Silvanus of another existence he had only just learned of.

Could the infiltration have already gone this far? That even the Outer Gods had begun using humanity as their pawns?

[It’s not hard to understand, my lord. You may establish faith and shrines, but the Outer Gods may have also used their own cults to seep into a corner of this world. Small, perhaps—but enough to cause influence.] The Acting System suddenly spoke.

[You’ve reread my thoughts.]

[It’s because you failed to control them.]

Silvanus did not argue with the Acting System. Seeing his thoughtful expression on his face, Layla spoke softly: "Humanity has always looked to the gods."

As an observer, Layla knew well how frail humanity was before the dungeon. If there was something to rely on, why would they pretend otherwise? She only wanted peace for this world, and the thought of something that could shatter that peace nearly drove her mad.

Silvanus looked at her. "Do not be so worried. I am not narrow-minded, and the gods are even less so."

Layla grew bolder and suddenly asked: "Then... could the gods help humanity? Please—don’t let this world fall into chaos."

Silvanus suddenly said, "The consequences have not even come yet. We don’t even know whether Frank’s and the government’s project will succeed, yet you are certain this world will fall into chaos. What is it you have seen, Layla?"

Confronted with Silvanus’s unreadable expression, Layla faltered for a moment.

At last, she lowered her head and whispered: "I cannot say."

"I see," Silvanus replied, and when Layla raised her head, his figure had already vanished.

He was like a ghost—arriving without warning, leaving just as suddenly. No one could hold onto him, not even a corner of his robe.