Chapter 840: Battle of mentality
"Stop lying! I've personally seen you use shadows before! It's yours! What are you scheming using your Shadows when you're between us?" Jestil roared. "Looking to betray us?"
"I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but if you're looking for an excuse to fight, you don't need it." Lucifer's fist tightened. "I told you I can't control any shadows. I only have five abilities, and shadow control isn't one of them."
"You dumb human! What childish lie? Only five abilities? Who are you trying to fool? Fess up! What were your intentions!" Jestil stepped closer to Lucifer.
"Jestil, stop." Licorice lazily chimed in. His single word was enough to send chills down the spine of Jestil, who stopped.
"If he says it's not his, then I believe him. He has no reason to lie at this point. Moreover, he's right. He doesn't remember anything, so it makes sense he thinks he only has four abilities," he further added. "I doubt he would lie like this."
"If that shadow isn't his... And it's not one of ours, then who...? That means someone else is here as well!" Jestil exclaimed. She glared at Lucifer. "Who did you bring with you?"
"No one. I came alone," Lucifer responded innocently.
"We kept an eye on him all the way. I know he didn't inform anyone before coming here. It's not his fault," Licia explained, acting as the witness for Lucifer.
From the time Jestil informed Lucifer to now, they had been keeping an eye on him.
"That can only mean someone else is here and not because of Lucifer," Licorice muttered, smiling. "Let's see who it is..."
He turned to a dark-haired man on the side. "Azurel?"
The dark-haired man stepped closer to the shadow of Lucifer, that was trapped in space and time.
"Little guest, why hiding behind a shadow? Since you came here, I'm sure it's not an accident. Why hide then?" Azurel placed his hand on the Shadow. His eyes started shining in a beautiful dark shine.
"Time to give the control of your mind to me. I promise I'll be gentle," Azurel smirked.
In another part of the Dungeon, Lucifer had suddenly stopped. He was connected to the shadow that was following after Licorice. As soon as his shadow was trapped in space, he realized he had messed up. Those people knew about him!
He couldn't even disperse his shadow as it was trapped in space that even he couldn't mess with.
The entire space of that room was like a different world altogether.
Before he could do anything, he saw Azurel stepping before his shadow.
"They know about us. Prepare for battle!" Lucifer exclaimed, alerting his teammates.
As soon as he finished alerting them, he sensed something. It was as if someone was trying to break down the defense of his mind, trying to take control. Fortunately, the last experience like this had managed to strengthen him and his mental defenses.
Despite the strength, it was struggling against the onslaught of Azarel's attack.
"Who is behind that Shadow?" Licia asked Azurel.
Azurel shook his head. "I don't know yet. Give me some time."
"What's taking so long? Shouldn't it be a child's play for you to take control of anyone like this, especially when that other person?" Licia asked. "Unless a person isn't in the Dungeon? Is he controlling the shadow from outside?"
"That's not the case," Azurel responded. "It's so strange, but whoever that person is, he's still inside this Dungeon. Despite that, I am having a hard time entering the head of whoever is controlling the shadow."
"This shouldn't be possible unless that person is really very strong, which should be unlikely," Licia exclaimed in surprise. "Someone with enough mental tenacity to oppose your control?"
She turned to the man who held a small crystal sphere in his hand. "What do you think Milen? Should it be possible?"
"There are many things that can make it possible. The Variants gain different abilities. The abilities give them certain advantages which don't make them stronger than us. However, if that person gained a mental defense ability, that can explain how he can resist," Milena explained.
"Let it be, Azurel. I can see the entire Dungeon. Let me see who it is," he continued as he raised his sphere.
"No!" Azurel yelled, glaring back. "It's like a challenge from that person. I want to find him on my own now! Don't you dare see him!"
"Fine..." Milen lowered his crystal sphere, but he didn't entirely listen to Azurel. He still wanted to see who was behind the shadow. He decided to sneakily check alone without informing others.
The sphere started shining as Milen closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, that were filled with shock.
"How is this possible?" he muttered, glancing at Lucifer.
He could see another Lucifer, resisting the mental control of Azurel, but he wasn't alone. He was with Milena and Jian. Milen knew about both of them and knew they were related to Lucifer.
Did that mean the Lucifer before them was a clone sent to distract them?
He closed his eyes again. His crystal sphere shone even brighter as he looked at Lucifer before him.
His eyes started shining brightly; even though they were closed, the shine was visible.
'No. He is certainly not a fake. He has a soul as well. He isn't connected to the other Lucifer in any way. I can't see any threads. That means he isn't a clone either. So how?' Milen thought, frowning.
Licorice noticed the actions and reactions of Milen. It was the first time he had seen Milen, so shocked.
He moved closer to Milen. He slowly asked, "What did you see?"
Milen brought his lips closer to the ears of Licorice and whispered something.
For a moment, a surprised look was visible even on the face of Licorice which immediately disappeared.
"I see," he muttered as he stepped back.
'This makes things somewhat interesting. That means that Lucifer outside is the one we knew about in the past. He is the stronger one with all those abilities. And the one here... He's also not a clone, but he isn't the stronger one. He wasn't lying when he said he only has five abilities.'
'I don't know how it's possible, but these two are related to him somehow. I'm sure there should be a reason behind this. It doesn't matter though. We just need the connection of Lucifer. It doesn't matter if it's the stronger Lucifer or a weaker one. In fact, the weaker one only makes things easier for us.'
Smiling, Licorice placed his hand on Lucifer's shoulder. "Let them play around. You come with me. I want to show you something."