The Crystal of Desperation smirked, "Too naive, King! I thought you would have at least a bit of knowledge about crystals!"
The King smiled as he said, "Yeah, you're right. I still have a lot to learn."
The crystal went silent for a moment. "..."
Before continuing, it said, "King! You truly live up to your praise. Such an attitude... I have never seen another being like you ever since my birth!"
The King shook his head. "I just accepted my fault, and suddenly I become a kind person? Sigh!"
The crystal laughed, "King, become my owner! It will be fun to stay with you."
The King's gaze shifted. "Hmm! But you tried to harm that girl and almost killed her. First, wouldn't you try to kill me? Second, why did you do that?"
The Crystal of Desperation explained the tragedy of the slime, the Organization's schemes, and how Org 690 had killed a member and stolen the crystal.
Hearing each incident made the King gasp in awe. "The Organization... I will remember this. But Org 690 did that out of her emotions. It happens—even I lose my composure sometimes."
"Yes, she killed that member right in front of me, so she deserved that punishment!" the crystal added.
The King smiled gently. "You can't decide other people's lives. Their lives are their own to decide."
The crystal said, "Destiny's Heavenly King! Taking you to him is something I can do, but I won't do it!"
The King's expression changed as he asked, "Why can't you take me? Could you explain your reason?"
The crystal spoke, "Because he is not in a place where anyone would dare to step foot or even think about..."
The King replied, "Hmm... a place like that... I can only recall one location."
His eyes widened and his body trembled slightly as he asked, "Please don't tell me... it's... the Eternal Abyss of Life and Death?"
The Crystal of Desperation turned solemn. "I hate to say it, King, but it really is that place!"
The King swallowed hard as he sank into deep thought.
A heavy silence echoed throughout the area. It was so quiet that one could hear their own heartbeat.
After a few moments of pondering, the King spoke up, "I've decided. I'm going in!"
The crystal asked, "But... what about your life?"
The King laughed, "If I can't help others with my life, what am I even living for? Hehe! But don't get me wrong—I do feel fear, anxiety, and hesitation. However, I can't let them stop me. Imagine if you or I were in that scenario—you would wish for someone to do the same for you, right?"
The crystal laughed, "Alright, King! If you are that reckless, let me join you too! Haha! Even if I die, I can resurrect, so I don't fear death. But there is one thing I fear... and that is not reaching the hands of the right people!"
The King replied, "Don't worry. There are far better people here than me, whom I have personally witnessed!"
The crystal gasped, "THAN YOU?! IMPOSSIBLE! LIES—ALL LIES!"
The King sighed, "Why does everyone react like I'm a saint? It seems like I need to maintain a lower profile. Okay, let's head to that place!"
The crystal replied, "Let's go in Org 690's spaceship. She's heading to the exact same place!"
The King nodded and reminded it, "You still have to apologize to her! And not just for the sake of it—only after you truly realize your mistake."
Both of them flew toward the spaceship. The crystal broke through the windshield and flew inside.
Org 690 was alarmed as she rushed to the cockpit, demanding, "Why did you come back? Do you want to kill me?!"
The crystal decided to have some fun: "Yes! Now choose how you want to die! We have special offers and discounts—"
It was suddenly grabbed by the King, who stared at it with a sharp, cold gaze.
It stuttered, "Haha! Nice try, King, but you should know my true power before—"
The King released a fraction of his aura—barely 1%.
The surrounding pressure instantly suffocated the crystal as it stared at the King with wide eyes. It sensed an enormous, crushing power behind him, like a fierce beast caged behind bars.
The crystal hastily flew away and landed in Org 690's hands.
Her pupils shrank to pinholes as she subconsciously retreated.
The King returned to his normal state as he reabsorbed his aura. He said calmly, "I am righteous, but not entirely like the person you both have seen or heard about. Those acts were just a front."
The crystal spoke respectfully, "But... why show us this side of you? Aren't you righteous?"
The King laughed softly, "I am good, but if someone crosses the line, even I can't stand by and do nothing. Besides, because of my power, a wild beast tries to possess me. The side effect is the other side of me you just saw."
As he said that, he grunted in pain and fell to his knees, clutching his head tightly as the pain assaulted him until he managed to regain control. Once the episode passed, he returned to his normal state.
His gaze shifted toward both of them, seeing their pale expressions.
The King stood up and said, "What you just saw isn't my true self... It's an alternate personality—a side effect I gained during... well, I've been trying for years to suppress it. I'm sorry for frightening you both."
Org 690 stepped closer, her heart pounding.
The crystal panicked, "No, no, you fool! You'll die, get back!"
She ignored the crystal and continued forward without hesitation.
The King warned, "I suggest you keep your distance for now, as I haven't fully regained control yet!"
She ignored his warning and reached him, immediately using her abilities to heal him. Within a few minutes, all of his visible injuries vanished, leaving not even a scar behind.
The King eased up and said, "Thank you, Org 690. I am indebted to you—"
Org 690 interrupted him, "No. I was indebted to you for saving my life, and this is just me repaying that debt."
The King's expression softened. "If you don't mind, will you take me to the slime you're pursuing?"
A relieved expression appeared on her face, and she nodded without hesitation.
The King smiled warmly, "Now, we have to do something about this..."
Both of their gazes turned toward the Crystal of Desperation.
It had a terrified expression before darting out of the ship instantly.
Org 690 frowned, "King, should I go after it?"
The King shook his head. "No. We have to go to the slime first. Leave the crystal—I will deal with it later."
She started up the spaceship, and they sped off toward the Eternal Abyss of Life and Death.
On their way, Org 690 asked, "Can you explain what happened to you earlier? I'm just curious to know!"
The King smiled gently, "Alright. It's actually related to cosmic beasts."
She gasped, "Cosmic beasts? Like the ones..."
The King was surprised as well. "You know about cosmic beasts? Wow, I'm impressed!"
Org 690 replied, "There is nothing in this world that the Organization doesn't know about. It knows everything!"
The King asked, "Hmm... but isn't the Organization's main task to collect cosmic relics and artifacts? At least from what I know."
Org 690 laughed mockingly, "Too shallow! The Organization will do anything you want, provided you pay the price. You could even hire our members inside your space station!"
The King asked, "What price? From what you're saying, the price must be astronomically high, right?"
She nodded, "Yes! It is either a cosmic artifact or... **lifespan**."
"**LIFESPAN?! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!**" the King gasped.
Org 690 jumped back and assumed a fighting stance! "You! You aren't the King! Who are you? Answer me!"
The fake King's lips curled up as he raised his hands. "Ah, too bad! My disguise is always perfect, but my reactions give me away, hehe! What do you think, Org 690?"
She gritted her teeth, "Are you from the Organization? What do you want?"
He replied, "Of course. You violated our rules, killed a fellow member, stole our artifacts, and then lost one! How could you expect to flee so easily? After all, your life was revived by the Organization itself!"
She snorted, "First, show me your true appearance!"
He sighed, "Well, you're right. It's pointless to hold a sword that can't strike!"