The atmosphere was momentarily awkward.
The surrounding Nightmare creatures, who had been watching the scene, were now staring at Richard in astonishment.
Who was this newcomer, and how did he know the Tax Collector? Moreover, their relationship seemed quite deep.
This made the onlookers tremble slightly in their hearts.
They had all witnessed the power of the Pyramid.
In the past, the Graveyard City had no concept of taxation.
Back then, it was the Greater Nightmares exploiting the Lesser Nightmares, and the Lesser Nightmares exploiting the Nightmare Spirits. The City Lord himself was often in a deep slumber, and only upon his awakening would the Nightmare creatures of the Graveyard City need to gather enough Power of Faith.
But after the Pyramid arrived, everything changed.
On that day, the Pyramid entered the City Lord's district alone. Three days later, the City Lord awoke and announced that the Pyramid would serve as the Tax Collector of the Graveyard City.
What they discussed, the many Nightmare creatures could not know, but from then on, the Pyramid became the Tax Collector, imposing taxes on all Greater and Lesser Nightmares in the Graveyard City.
These free Nightmare creatures had come to the Graveyard City precisely to avoid paying taxes.
Now that they were in the Graveyard City, they still had to pay taxes—wasn't that a waste of their journey? Thus, resistance began.
The resisters gathered a considerable force, attempting to kill and devour the Pyramid.
But the Pyramid's combat strength far exceeded their expectations.
Not only was their Nightmare Power stripped away, but their bodies also became humanoid creatures under the Pyramid, carrying it around daily.
From then on, no Nightmare creature in the Graveyard City dared to openly oppose the Pyramid.
The Pyramid stared at Richard with its large eye, then suddenly spoke, "How is my item with you?"
Richard replied indifferently, "It's fantastic."
The Nightmare artifact the Pyramid had given him was not only fully repaired but had also gained several new functions.
This only strengthened Richard's resolve to engage in a bit of deceit.
"As long as it works," the Pyramid said, then turned to scan the surrounding Nightmare creatures. "Are you all curious?"
The Nightmare creatures shook their heads in unison and quickly retreated into their houses.
Having dismissed the other Nightmare creatures, the Pyramid turned back to Richard.
"I was planning to find you later, but since you're here, it saves me some time."
"Oh?" Richard raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to take it back early?"
"Not at all," the Pyramid transformed back into its large pyramid form. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss this back at my place."
With that, the dark humanoid creatures began to carry the Pyramid back the way they had come.
Watching the departing Pyramid, Richard felt a mix of surprise and suspicion.
This ancient Nightmare Lord had dealt with Wizards before, and the gap in information between them was significant.
Richard was genuinely uncertain about the Pyramid's invitation.
However, Richard quickly found a solution.
He found a random house by the road, drained the Nightmare Power from the Nightmare creature inside using the Nightmare artifact, and then opened a Nightmare Door to return to the material world.
Back in the material world, Richard immediately sought out Ulysses.
Since he had no advantage in information, he would have to rely on strength.
"What? You want me to accompany you into the Nightmare World?"
Ulysses looked at Richard in confusion, unsure what kind of madness had overtaken him.
Richard explained, "Remember that Nightmare Lord we released? I've encountered him again, and he seems to want to collaborate with me."
"I see..." Ulysses pondered for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I can accompany you, but I only have one chance to act.
In my current state, without mastering the Nightmare rules, any action I take will alert the Nightmare World, leading to my expulsion.
Moreover, once expelled, it would take me three to four hundred years before I could re-enter the Nightmare World."
Although Ulysses' soul was damaged, it was still at the level of a World Master.
Such a soul was too conspicuous for the Nightmare World. Without the Nightmare rules as a disguise, it would quickly be identified as a foreign entity and expelled.
Richard nodded, "One chance is enough."
Ulysses was just a safety net; Richard didn't actually need him to do much.
After finalizing their plan, Richard immediately opened the Nightmare Door.
Ulysses' soul detached from his body, and an indescribable, terrifying pressure instantly made Richard tremble.
Fortunately, the pressure lasted only a moment, as Ulysses quickly reined it in.
"It's been a while since I've been out; I'm a bit rusty," Ulysses said awkwardly.
Approaching the Nightmare Door, Ulysses glanced at it, and a dark light flashed over his body.
Richard asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"
"Self-sealing," Ulysses glanced at Richard. "You didn't think this door could accommodate a normal World Master's soul, did you?
If I didn't seal myself, even a single claw could destroy this door."
Richard was startled—could the Nightmare Door really be destroyed? Ulysses explained, "I carry too many rules. This door was formed with the participation of Nightmare rules. The collision between rules could easily shatter this door."
Richard nodded thoughtfully, then followed Ulysses into the Nightmare World.
Inside the house, Bones was carefully guarding Richard's body, fearing someone might try to seize it.
Seeing the dark door appear, Bones breathed a sigh of relief.
"Boss, you're back."
"Indeed."
Richard's soul entered his Nightmare body, and he pulled out a handful of powder from his pocket, casually fashioning a body for Ulysses.
Only then did Bones notice that the crow on Richard's shoulder was no longer a mere shadow.
Once Ulysses had a body, he flew around the room a couple of times before landing on Richard's shoulder.
"Caw, caw, caw! Bones, remember me?"
Bones immediately bowed, "Yes, I do."
He could clearly sense that Ulysses was extraordinary. Even with his soul sealed, the aura of a World Master was unmistakable to sensitive creatures.
"Alright, Bones, let's go find that Pyramid."
"Yes, Boss!"
...
The Pyramid's residence was adjacent to the City Lord's district. Standing at the entrance of his mansion, Richard could even feel the chilling aura emanating from the City Lord's palace nearby.
At the mansion's entrance, a coachman had been waiting for some time.
"Master, the Pyramid has been expecting you."
Richard nodded and was about to bring Bones inside when the coachman suddenly reached out to stop him.
"Apologies, Master, but Bones cannot enter."
Bones glared at the coachman, his voice icy, "Why can't I go in with the Boss? Have you forgotten your name after serving someone else for a couple of days?"
The coachman remained silent, his outstretched arm unwavering.
Richard raised a hand to Bones, "If the master of this place doesn't allow you in, then wait outside for a while."
Seeing Richard's gesture, Bones said no more and quietly stepped aside.
"I can at least bring this crow in, right?" Richard said calmly to the coachman.
The coachman, not daring to look up, replied respectfully, "That is allowed. You haven't terminated the contract, so I..."
"Ah, no need to explain further," Richard interrupted. "Our transaction isn't over yet, so you're still his subordinate.
I understand."
With that, Richard entered the mansion with Ulysses.
The Pyramid's residence had been remodeled. The original structures were completely removed, replaced by a dark palace built of Obsidian.
The walls of the palace were adorned with murals depicting the Pyramid's ancient past—tales of battles won and territories conquered.
From the murals, it seemed the Nightmare World was far more prosperous in ancient times than it is now.
Walking through a long corridor, Richard arrived at a massive chamber.
Inside, the black Pyramid sat high on a throne, a mass of Nightmare Power constantly condensing and dispersing before him, as if he were crafting something.
"You've finally arrived, Wizard."
The Pyramid ceased his actions, absorbing the nascent form of Nightmare Power into his body.
Richard spoke calmly, "What do you wish to discuss, Pyramid?"
Though this was the Pyramid's lair, with Ulysses' formidable presence at his side, Richard spoke without hesitation.
His demeanor intrigued the Pyramid.
"Interesting," the Pyramid said. "I can sense that you've acquired many Nightmare rules.
It seems you haven't been idle these years."
Richard replied indifferently, "Likewise."
When the Pyramid first escaped, he was little more than a Nightmare Spirit, barely a Lesser Nightmare. Though he possessed Nightmare rules, they required Nightmare Power as a foundation.
Yet in just over a century, the Pyramid had become a Greater Nightmare, with a reservoir of Nightmare Power that rivaled Richard's own.
While Richard had refined over a million strands of Nightmare Power, the Pyramid's achievements were still remarkable.
Over a million strands of Nightmare Power were not something an average Nightmare creature could accumulate.
"Let's get to the point, Pyramid. Our time is valuable."
Richard's composure made the Pyramid increasingly uncertain.
After some thought, the Pyramid decided to offer a proposal.
"It's simple. I want to collaborate with you to kill the City Lord of the Graveyard City."
"Mm." Richard nodded slightly, then his eyes widened in shock.
"What did you say?" Richard asked incredulously.
The Pyramid spoke unhurriedly, "I want to collaborate with you to kill the City Lord of the Graveyard City."
Richard took a deep breath to calm himself.
The Pyramid was, after all, an ancient Nightmare Lord, and he undoubtedly possessed abilities beyond those of ordinary Nightmare creatures.
Though the plan sounded insane, it likely had significant feasibility.
Once composed, Richard asked in a low voice, "What's your plan?"
The Pyramid was pleased with Richard's attitude. Wizards were always so greedy and bold.
"My plan is simple. In three months, this Nightmare Knight will awaken from his slumber. At that time, I will give him something.
All you need to do is prepare a sufficiently powerful Spell for me."
Richard raised an eyebrow, "That simple? And the reward?"
The Pyramid's eyes opened, their gaze piercing like an arrow aimed at Richard's heart.
"That Pyramid of mine—you've been using it quite well, haven't you? Even repaired the damage. Since you like it so much, how about I give it to you as a reward?"
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!