"Why did you grant it life and wisdom?"
Chu Hao hadn't expected that the brain worm would ask him such a question.
To be honest, he had never paid much attention to the creature.
The only reason he captured it in the first place was that he believed a hive will node like it could contain valuable knowledge.
At the very least, he could analyze and decipher certain traits of the Hive Mind through it.
That was the only reason Chu Hao had gone through the trouble of capturing the brain worm.
As for why he had granted it life and intelligence at that time...
"My Lord, shall I relay your answer to it?"
"I apologize for taking up your precious time, but the brain worm... it truly is an interesting creature," said Daimon respectfully.
At that moment, the brain worm was being studied within Daimon's domain.
It was clear that the brain worm had no ability to resist.
The only reason Daimon had agreed to relay its message to the Lord of the Abyss was out of his own curiosity—and perhaps a faint, indescribable emotion resembling pity... or affection.
As a being utterly different from ordinary lifeforms, Daimon—the failed product of the Mind Sea Ascension Project—felt a certain kinship toward the brain worm, an anomaly even among its own kind.
After all, the brain worm was unlike any other member of the swarm.
Once, it had been nothing more than a node of the Hive Will, existing only to amplify and execute its commands—no different from the billions of other mindless drones.
It had no thoughts, no emotions, no soul.
Its only purpose was to obey and perform the tasks assigned by the Hive Will.
But when Chu Hao turned the Ring of Seven Deadly Sins and infused it with the abyssal essence, everything changed.
The brain worm developed a will of its own—thoughts, emotions, and self-awareness.
It came to understand fear, pain, and the instinct to survive.
It even resisted the Hive's attempt to "cleanse" it—an order issued by its own mother, the mighty Hive Will.
Yet, what it felt from this newfound consciousness was not joy or freedom—only emptiness and confusion.
And Daimon, through his boundless Mind Sea, could sense all of it clearly.
He couldn't comprehend it fully, but he was curious.
So he spoke with the brain worm, and after their exchange, he reported everything to Chu Hao for judgment.
---
"To raise such a question is indeed my own indulgence," Daimon continued, "but within the brain worm's consciousness lies knowledge we could use.
"It is thanks to that knowledge that I was able to complete the missing parts of the plan.
"And its only request for sharing this information was that you answer one question.
"My Lord, I beg you not to ignore this opportunity for the Endless Abyss to evolve further, simply because of my imprudence."
Chu Hao could sense Daimon's emotions.
The other was nervous—perhaps even afraid.
After all, he had mixed personal feelings into official matters, something that most rulers would never tolerate.
Many powerful beings despised subordinates who acted on independent thoughts or personal whims.
But as the Lord of the Endless Abyss, Chu Hao understood why Daimon had done it.
And more importantly, in his eyes, this was hardly an issue worth punishment.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"Very well. I will answer it."
For the first time, Daimon's tone carried something close to joy.
"Thank you, great Lord of the Abyss. I will immediately inform it of your response—"
"No need," Chu Hao interrupted. "I've decided to visit your plane myself and meet the little one in person.
"And by the way, Daimon—you've done well."
Daimon's vast consciousness paused for a moment.
"As an abyssal being," Chu Hao continued, "you don't need to be so restrained. At times, you may act on impulse—even recklessly if you must.
"After all, in the Abyss, every creature's thoughts should be free."
"…"
The next instant, a surge of black mist tore through Daimon's plane.
In the endless sea of colossal brains that formed his domain, countless ones shriveled rapidly, clearing a space for Chu Hao's arrival.
Chu Hao appeared before a massive brain worm, its entire body encased in shimmering dream crystals.
Its injuries from the swarm's attack had long since healed, and even its torn limbs had regenerated, restored by Daimon's resources.
"Chya!"
The moment Chu Hao appeared, the brain worm instinctively raised its limbs to strike—an attempt to defend itself.
It was a basic biological reflex, born of fear.
Chu Hao's power was overwhelming, and the moment it sensed him, its thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Daimon was stunned by the sight.
For a creature of the Abyss to even *attempt* an attack on the Lord of the Endless Abyss was unthinkable.
Had any demon witnessed this, they would have torn the brain worm to shreds on the spot.
"It's fine…" Chu Hao said calmly.
To Daimon and the brain worm's surprise, he didn't retaliate.
Instead, he gently waved his hand, dissolving the dream crystal casing around the creature.
"I understand your reaction. Without the control of the Hive Will, your instincts are bound to act first."
The slightly overfed brain worm hesitated, then awkwardly lowered its limbs.
After a moment, it extended several of its other appendages, clumsily imitating the etiquette Daimon had taught it—a gesture that looked both ridiculous and sincere.
"Great Lord of the Abyss," the brain worm rasped in halting Abyssal speech, "I wish to know—why did you grant me life and intelligence?"
Its mouthparts clicked awkwardly, yet the words were clear enough.
It seemed Daimon had taught it a great deal, and the creature had learned quickly.
After its greeting, it wasted no more words and asked what truly burdened its mind.
"Why did you condemn me to this pain and confusion?
"And what is the true meaning of my existence?"