Chapter 400: Chapter 400 - Ancient Mask
"Yep! Let’s go, I’ll take you there!" Watson Thompson grabbed my hand and led me toward the depths of the Huge Pit.
The Huge Pit had a cylindrical shape from top to bottom, but when we reached the bottom, everything changed completely.
A vast flat area stretched before us, and deep within this area stood a moderately-sized stone house.
A Stone Door blocked the entrance, which typically would have protective barriers in place.
Things like deadly killing formations or different kinds of traps, for instance.
But to my amazement, no such barriers existed on this Stone Door whatsoever.
When Watson got close, the Stone Door would even open by itself.
The door creaked open slowly with a thunderous rumble.
Beyond the Stone Door sat an enormous Throne.
A dim, shadowy light flickered above the Throne.
Watson gestured toward the light and declared, "That’s it!"
After saying this, she rushed excitedly toward the glowing object.
I hurried after her and reached the Throne.
A mask rested on the Throne.
When I saw the mask, my expression shifted involuntarily.
"Is... is this the ghostly face from the sky?" My eyes went wide!
Something about it made my spine crawl with chills!
It felt like countless eyes were watching me, and that unsettling sensation made me tremble slightly!
"It’s this one. I don’t know what it can do, but I’m sure it’s not an ordinary object." Watson touched her chin thoughtfully, acting like a wise little adult.
My brow furrowed as I reached out to touch the mask.
Right then, an enormous force launched me backward!
"Boom!"
The sheer power was shocking!
The stone wall behind me crumbled, and a massive boulder crashed down on my body!
"Mason! Are you alright?" Watson rushed over with worry.
I pushed the huge rock aside and emerged from the debris.
Shaking my head, I said, "I’m fine. This mask... appears to have some Forbidden Power."
After saying this, I moved toward the mask and tried to lift it a second time.
But the outcome matched the first attempt; I got thrown back again!
This time the force hit even harder than before!
Even my tough body showed white scratches!
"How is this possible?" My face showed clear frustration.
Watson’s brow creased as she said, "That’s not right."
While speaking, she extended her tiny hand and grasped the mask.
"No! Don’t touch it!" I yelled frantically!
But I was too late! Watson’s hand had already made contact with the mask!
To my amazement, Watson lifted the mask from the Throne effortlessly! No resistance whatsoever!
"It seems pretty easy to grab." Watson examined the mask and mumbled.
My eyebrows drew together slightly.
Could it be... that only a pure dark energy body could claim the mask?
"Here, for you." Watson offered the mask to me.
When I took the mask in my hands, I felt an ancient presence overwhelming my senses!
This presence nearly consumed me and even influenced my divine sense!
For a moment, endless visions flashed through my mind!
Though the visions passed quickly, they made my spine tingle with fear!
The horrifying murderous aura was more than I could handle!
"This is definitely no ordinary object," I said gravely while holding the mask.
"Of course! The treasure I’ve discovered must be extraordinary!" Watson Thompson declared with pride.
I stayed quiet; instead, I attempted to place the mask on my face.
The moment the mask touched my skin, I felt an intense burning sensation!
It felt like my entire face was being ripped apart—the agony was excruciating!
"Ah!"
I quickly pulled off the mask and tossed it away.
"What’s wrong?" Watson asked with a confused look.
I didn’t reply.
My thoughts were spinning instead. Did the mask somehow belong with Watson?
Or perhaps... like the stairway to heaven, it needed permission?
"Watson, you should try this mask on," I said, wanting to test my hypothesis.
Watson grabbed the mask and complained, "It’s so hideous. I’m such a beautiful girl; wearing it will destroy my appearance."
Even while complaining, she reluctantly placed the mask on.
Right at that moment, brilliant light burst from the mask!
"Watson!" I called out in alarm.
Watson gave no response. I attempted to pull off the mask, but it seemed fused to Watson’s face—it wouldn’t budge!
"Huh..."
A breeze drifted past.
Sparkling light flickered across the mask.
After a while, the mask consumed Watson completely!
Her whole body lifted into the air, wrapped in a dark radiance!
"Huh!"
Another icy wind rushed through!
The glimmering lights created a tall shadow of a person above Watson!
This figure had flowing hair, her graceful form radiated an ancient presence that couldn’t be hidden.
And she wore the identical mask on her face!
The apparition lasted just an instant, but it made my blood run cold!
It felt like my entire being couldn’t handle the weight of this entity—I nearly dropped to my knees in reverence!
The light faded, and Watson floated down from above.
She pulled off the mask and murmured, "What a weird sensation."
"Are you... okay?" I asked, my shock barely contained.
Watson nodded. "I’m fine, it just felt like I experienced a dream."
"What sort of dream?" I pressed urgently.
Watson shook her head once more. "I can’t recall."
I stayed silent.
But my thoughts were chaotic.
Could it be... that some link existed between this mask and Watson?
Or perhaps... Watson owned the mask? And the mask had been hers in a previous life?
Thinking it over, the radiance from before really did match Watson’s form.
The single difference was—their attitudes and nature seemed completely opposite.
"Hey, what’s on your mind?" Watson tapped my shoulder.
I snapped back to reality, shook my head, and said, "Watson, you should keep the mask. It could prove valuable to you."
"Me?" Watson pointed at herself and then rapidly shook her head. "No, no, no, it’s too hideous! How can I admire my incredible beauty while wearing this!"
"Oh, give it a rest," I rolled my eyes.
"Listen, this mask isn’t ordinary. It could be tremendously helpful to you one day," I said earnestly.
Nobody anticipated that this mask would transform Watson’s life completely.
No one realized that this playful girl would eventually become a fearsome demon that people dreaded.
