Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 455: Lack of Knowledge

The water helped to deal with the physical injuries he’d suffered from Aiden while attempting to suppress the pain wracking his mind though it was with little success.

It almost felt like his very being was being torn apart, dragged from different angles by different people.

Alex could visualize them, watching as they vanquished their foes while relying on his Blessings.

To think that an Ability he’d created for his subordinates would come back to haunt him in such a manner, truly was the definition of a bad joke.

He groaned as he covered a portion of his face with his left hand before proceeding to dive deeper into the lake while releasing even more Authority into the waters.

Needless to say, it was barely effective, only alleviating the pain by a fraction.

As he thought to seize back his power, Alex suddenly found himself in a space filled with darkness so thick, that no light could banish it.

It seemed alive with a thickness that made it seem both solid and ethereal.

As he pondered how he’d gotten here, he heard a mocking laugh coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

There was no way he wouldn’t be able to recognize the voice as his expression soured. "Nyx."

How have you been, my champion?

"What do you want?" Alex questioned harshly, revealing his desire to not engage with the dark entity.

Shouldn’t you be thankful?... Because of me, you no longer have to experience the pain that comes with the weight on your shoulders.

Alex frowned as he realized that indeed, the pain was gone, of course, this was no reason to celebrate as he quickly turned apprehensive.

"What do you think you’re doing?... I won’t give you any of my memories!" He immediately said, worried that Nyx would try to steal his memories.

It’s interesting. Seeing a tough man like you crack so easily. Are the memories that important?

Alex clenched his jaw as he replied. "You could never understand."

... You are right. Which is why I aspire to do so.

"What?"

I did not bring you here to engage in idle chatter, Alexander, though I must commend, your adventures are truly interesting.

"So why am I here?"

I’d rather like to warn you. The burden you carry isn’t something that a mere human can handle. If you do not let go of it, you will sooner than later be left powerless, effectively ruining everything that has been put in place.

Alex frowned. "What burden?"

Hah, your ignorance is rather unfortunate. One would think you had it all figured out after kicking me aside the way you did.

"Are you going to talk?"

Nyx snorted as his humanoid figure slowly outlined from the surrounding darkness.

His characteristic wide smile seemed rather humane today though it was no less unsettling to look at.

Also, Alex couldn’t help but notice what looked like outlines on the dark entity’s body.

The best way to describe it was how a doll maker, when creating human parts for his creations, would hollow out the regions and make the corresponding markings to insert what needed to be inserted.

Alex gulped at such a disorienting sight as he couldn’t help but wonder what had caused Nyx to transform so drastically from a featureless figure to one on the verge of acquiring features.

Then, Nyx spoke, jolting him from the dread slowly settling in.

You share your Authority with your subordinates, hoping to tie them more closely to you but that is undoubtedly foolish. What you have done has caused your pneuma to not just cater to you but also to those who end up utilizing your Authority.

"I don’t understand."

Hah, ignorant. Your Power is linked to your pneuma which utilizes the Authority granted by Breaking the Boundary to control it. What you did was share your Authority which is meant to be solely for your pneuma. What do you think would happen if such a situation persists?

Alex went silent as he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen.

His knowledge of mysticism was too shallow to enable him to give a good answer.

Nyx sneered.

Your pneuma would slowly but surely lose control over the Power it is connected to which would lead to the inevitability of being devoured. Of course, if your pneuma was of a higher level than it is now, you’d be able to prevent the loss for a bit longer, but it isn’t. Instead, you utilize my Authority to manage your Power which causes you to forget that your Authority is almost non-existent!

Alex went silent, realizing just how foolish he had been.

He had set himself on a path to destruction the moment he utilized Blessings of the Dark Moon.

To think that he’d have continued down this path had Nyx not explained things to him.

Nyx chuckled seeing his expression as it was.

You should be grateful. Despite your excesses, I find it beneficial to inform you of your idiotic acts.

Alex’s lips quivered but he ultimately swallowed his ego and remarked. "Thank you."

You aren’t welcome. Now for this, I shall take 2 years worth of memories. Aren’t I just a sweetheart?

Alex’s expression contorted but ultimately he made his decision. "Take my last year as a police officer and my first year as an instructor."

Will do.

Nyx eagerly reached out with its tentacles, shaking into Alex’s skull and dragging out the corresponding memories before swiftly devouring it.

Alex managed to keep a calm face though he was anything but calm.

But he couldn’t blame anyone but himself, he had made the Ability and now it was time to pay for it.

He was tempted to ask if there was a way to get around the situation but knew that it would require a corresponding price, hence, he held his tongue.

"Send me back."

Nyx’s grin curled.

Won’t you spend a few more minutes with me?

"..."

Hah, fine, as you wish. You may return... for now, of course. I look forward to seeing you again, Alex.

With that, the darkness quickly dissipated, allowing Alex to find himself submerged in the black lake.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before snapping.

He felt the connections to his Blessings disappear in an instant.

If he wished to figure out a way around the burden, the first step was not setting himself on a path to certain death hence, his reason for withdrawing the Blessings.

Letting out a sigh, he felt a wave of relief wash over him, his entire body seemingly responding positively to what he could only describe as the freedom that came with no longer sharing his domain.