"What? I'm under the Curse of Envy? What kind of ridiculous thing is that?" Lin Tian looked puzzled as he asked, not taking it too seriously.
This was mostly because Celeste seemed calm and unfazed.
In response, Celeste began explaining, "It's a curse that makes you lose everything until you're driven mad. Ninety-nine percent of those afflicted end up choosing suicide. And now, you've got it."
"Oh, so that's it…" Lin Tian gave a look of sudden understanding.
"Huh?!" He jolted, realizing,
"Damn, I've been hit with such a vicious and terrifying curse?!"
He almost got swept up by her calm attitude!
At least now he'd figured out the source of that plot twist!
Celeste continued in her usual calm manner, "No need to be alarmed, dear. Generally, there's a simple way to deal with it—just kill the one who cast it."
Lin Tian quickly asked, "And who cast it?"
"It's likely Gallows of Envy. I sensed he entered this city."
Gallows of Envy?
Lin Tian's brows knitted. "Can you tell me more, and also about the other Lords of Sin?"
"Gallows of Envy is the Envy Demon King, a middle demon."
"His Curse of Envy can drive people mad by making them lose everything."
"Then there's Hir of Wrath."
"She's got a temper, and it's a pain when she's angry."
"Ladrick of Greed is known for scheming from the shadows."
"And Winnie of Sloth—a rather exceptional middle demon—can do anything she wants in dreams, just like in reality."
"As for the Gluttony guy, I don't know much, but he's obsessed with eating."
"And you should know Scarlett."
"Word is you toyed with her pretty badly."
"They're all middle demons."
After sharing this information, Celeste's expression grew more serious. "Then there's Nanavis, the Pride Demon King—a sadistic halfhuman, half-Demon God. She's a high demon."
As Lin listened, he nodded, deep in thought.
Though the information wasn't particularly useful, it gave him a general idea of who these damned foes were.
They dared to mess with him, using such a malicious curse!
Even Alice had left home because of this.
He'd make them feel true cruelty and despair!
"Thanks. But can I ask another question? Where exactly is this Curse of Envy caster? You're not just going to watch me die, are you…?" Lin Tian's gaze shone with a cold, murderous intent.
At his words, Celeste paused and replied, "Well, sorry, dear. I don't know them well, but since their leader is also a Demon God, it'd be tricky if they knew I'd helped you~"
"Forget it; what you've told me is already enough. I won't make things harder for you." Lin Tian thought for a moment.
He had the cause figured out, after all.
Since the caster was in the city, he'd just have to find them quickly.
Celeste gave a seductive smile. "It's wonderful that His Goblin Majesty understands~ Just be careful. In three days, the Curse of Envy will strip you of everything~"
Three days?
Faster than he'd anticipated.
After leaving the Succubus House, Lin Tian didn't return to the palace.
Instead, he began investigating the Rebel Leader in his simulated storyline.
According to the storyline, the rebels were under a Demon King from the Horned Serpent Tribe.
Given the circumstances, tracking down the Envy Demon King himself was likely impossible.
So he'd have to alter the storyline.
Delaying the rebel plot would help ensure Gobu Kuang and the others wouldn't die.
The main goal was simple: to have the curse target the system itself.
"If the curse is supposed to make me lose everything, System Godfather, if someone attacked you, what would happen?"
On the streets, Lin Tian asked aloud.
The system's cold voice replied, "Rest assured, Host. This system transcends all. Any being from this world attempting to attack it will be instantly erased."
"That's a relief!" Lin Tian's smile grew satisfied.
In previous simulations, the Curse of Envy hadn't affected the system because he'd died first.
So Lin Tian planned to adjust the storyline to have the curse target the system first.
Though this might lead to Leah and the ancient dragons departing, there wasn't much choice.
And he'd also have to put a stop to Bill before the guy dropped dead from trying to handle so many wives.
"Huh? Boss? What are you doing here?"
In the neighborhood, Gobu Shan's voice rang out, full of curiosity.
He was patrolling and hadn't expected to see Lin Tian here.
Lin Tian's eyes brightened. "Perfect timing. Go tell Bill he's not allowed to keep overindulging himself. If I catch him again, I'll swap his kidneys out with an ant's!"
"Huh?! Y-yes, Boss." Gobu Shan shuddered and replied nervously.
Hurrying toward the Dwarf Empire, Gobu Shan muttered to himself, "What did Bill do to offend the Boss this time? Poor guy…"
…
Meanwhile, on the city streets, Lin headed straight for the Horned Serpent Tribe's camp.
In the center of the camp, he found a gathering of various demi-human and monster leaders, each with an average combat power of around ten thousand.
"Y-Your Goblin Majesty, what brings you here?"
A two-headed lion demi-human stepped forward to greet him, visibly nervous, with a hint of panic in his eyes.
The other demi-human and monster leaders were similarly on edge, sweat dripping down their faces.
Some immediately went to notify the Horned Serpent King.
Without a word, Lin Tian extended his hand toward the two-headed lion and struck!
"Thud!"
Blood splattered across his face as he crushed the lion's heart with his bare hand.
The lion fell to the ground, eyes wide with shock and resentment.
A fierce, suffocating aura of killing intent emanated from Lin Tian, enveloping the entire camp.
Terrified, the leaders dropped their pretense, drawing their weapons to surround him.
"How is this possible?! Has this damned goblin discovered our plan?"
"Damn it! Who let the secret slip? I'll kill their entire family!"
"It's too late for regrets. Your Majesty, we're going to kill you and take this empire for ourselves!"
Lin Tian glanced around at the surrounding demi-humans and monsters.
"Why do you want to rebel against me? Have I oppressed you? An outstanding ruler like me is rare to find, you know."
The demi-human and monster leaders exchanged glances, saying nothing.
Tension filled the air.
Suddenly, a cold voice echoed from the depths of the camp.
"Your Majesty, it's true you haven't oppressed us. But your plans to attack the Uninhabited Zone and the Demigod Empire? Without a doubt, they're suicidal…"
"I don't want to see this grand and thriving empire brought to ruin, so, please… die."
From within the shadows, a figure slowly emerged—a creature with bull horns, a human head, and a serpentine body, wielding twin blades.
His armor was crafted with impressive skill.
It was none other than the rebel leader, the Demon King-level monster, Seras.
With a combat power nearing twenty thousand, Seras exuded an aura of deadly menace.
…
[Seras: Lv100
Race: Horned Serpent Demi-human
Profession: None
Titles: Demon King, Wolfish Ambition, Usurper
Health: 4100
Strength: 1600
Defense: 1300
Skills: Death Coil, Heaven-Shattering Charge, Twin Fatal Slash
Equipment: Dark Twin Blades
Overall: 19,001]