Chapter 278 Progress

Contrary to what one might expect, the Sin Demons didn't start going all out to enter that empowered state.

Even though Pride already established the method of how to do it properly, they still decided to wait out and allow them to get used to it first before the rest follow suit.

Pride wasn't the one who informed Wrath about the trick, it was Envy. He heard from Greed and he relayed the idea to Wrath to help him out. As a result, Pride didn't need to tell Wrath how to do it himself.

Of course, Pride felt a little proud of himself for figuring this out. Pretty much everyone was expecting Wrath to be the first one to figure out the trick since he was the one who stayed in that state longer, but it was Pride who succeeded first.

Pride felt a little smug about this little achievement. Now, he didn't feel like bashing Wrath's skull in whenever he sees him since this little victory dissipated some of his remaining resentment.

The method that Pride discovered, worked well with Wrath as well. And just like Pride, he too mocked himself for not seeing the obvious clues. Wrath felt that he was too stupid for not noticing it earlier. But that doesn't matter anymore. At least they grasped the trick now.

The Sin Demons decided to call this process the Sin Takeover.

Knowing what it does and what it feels from both of their comrades who were able to do it, that name sounds fitting.

And just like what was stated earlier, the others haven't attempted to enter the Sin Takeover state just yet.

Greed thought that it'd be a good idea for both Pride and Wrath to get used to this new skill first, just so that, in the chance that any of them went fully berserk, losing control over their instincts, Pride and Wrath could work together to stop them.

This idea was supported by others. It's just a good idea in general. If they do it that way, it'd be safer and smoother so why not, right?

So, they did just that. Pride and Wrath continued training each day to get used to entering the Sin Takeover State. And much to their delight, the two were showing progress faster than they expected.

After an entire month of practicing, Pride and Wrath could now enter the Sin Takeover State at will. It's already like second nature to them. They also built up sufficient tolerance from their practice that they are now able to remain completely conscious while still in that state.

Of course, they haven't gone deep into that state yet. This was just their initial dive, there's still a long way for them to go before they reach the true depths of their Sin.

But knowing that they could get used to it meant that the terrible side-effect that they initially expect isn't as scary anymore.

With enough practice and time, they would be able to get used to it so that they won't worry about going mad anymore.

But now, since both Pride and Wrath were skilled enough, they could move on slowly with the others.

Envy had been waiting so long for this, so when they were ready, it was he who decided to participate first.

If Wrath's Aura was deep crimson while Pride's was deep sea blue. Envy's aura was a striking purple.

And as it turns out, Greed's foresight saved them from potential harm. When Envy dipped into the Sin Takeover State, he did lose control and started attacking them.

Thankfully, Pride and Wrath stepped forward and neutralized him right away, pulling him out of that state by beating the hell out of him.

Upon waking up, Envy realized just how difficult it was to do that. That sensation that Pride and Wrath described whenever they're in that state was, in fact, that serious.

He regretted not taking their words seriously before but now, he's better at it. He knows what to expect so this shouldn't happen again.

And just like this, one by one, the Sin Demons experienced what it's like to enter the Sin Takeover State.

This was the new thing that distracted them. They poured their attention into mastering the new depths of their power that they'd never explored before.

It's quite enlightening and ironic, that out of all the places where they would discover this, it just has to happen on this backward planet.

If someone were to tell that about this before arriving here, they'd probably laugh at their faces. They wouldn't even spare it a thought, to be honest.

A few more months passed and the Sins had basically shifted their focus. The risk of them losing control upon entering the Sin Takeover State was completely gone so they went off and trained at their own pace.

The atmosphere around the Qliphoth had become quite lighter since then. The tension was diffused since there was no longer any friction around their leaders. No more surprise fights as well.

Through this, none of the Hypogeans, and the Celestials by extension, realized that they have completely forgotten about Humanity.

The Sin Demons and the Apostles still regularly checked with their spies ritually since that's their job, but since the reports that they've been receiving are quite the same every time, they more or less ignored it.

To them, Humanity wasn't a pressing problem that they have to deal with. The Hypogeans had a discovery that occupied their attention while the Celestials caught news of that and are now making preparations to counter it.

None of this had anything to do with Humanity at all. In their eyes, Humanity held no value to them.

It's quite laughable considering that they have agreed to a temporary truce upon arriving in this world. Yet despite that, they continue to scheme against each other in order to take advantage. They were truly rivals, through and through.

If only they knew how fast Humanity's progress was, especially when they are given time to focus on their developments instead of fighting for their lives. They would most likely think that it would be better to commit suicide instead of giving them that much freedom.

"Blessed Apostles, a courier came delivering an important package for all of you."

In a castle beyond the clouds, a dull looking celestial respectfully entered the Apostles' Abode, delivering an unopened package that he had gotten this morning.

"Place it on the Altar child and be on your way." The voice of an Apostle echoed in the Celestial's ears.

And like an obedient errand boy, he followed their orders and left the package at the altar before leaving to do his duties.

The package was then summoned by Apostle James and taken to the meeting hall where the rest of his fellow Apostles would be going as well.

James didn't look surprised upon receiving this package, nor was he wondering what was inside. And upon arriving in the meeting hall, the rest of the Apostles more or less looked the same.

They didn't need to guess what the content of the package was, because there was only one person who would give them such a package.

James opened it carefully and took out the contents.

The thing inside the package was a normal-looking stone. Others would be confused by this but not them. They have learned the Deceiver's unique way of protecting information.

This stone was indeed ordinary, and that's because this was not the real gift that the Deceiver gave to them.

The true gift was on the packaging, which is also why James was so careful about opening the package.

Through the packaging, they discovered some unique inscriptions. James then arranged it in a way that made sense and suddenly, it lit up and started displaying scenes that were captured by the Deceiver from the Qliphoth.

The scenes that were captured weren't much but it was more than enough for the Apostles to interpret on their own.

They understood that the Deceiver couldn't come too close or else he will be discovered so he could only do this much. Actually, the fact that he could still gather this much intel under their noses was already an incredible feat on its own.

The Apostles couldn't possibly ask for more after seeing that the child already did amazing, so they just took it from there.

From what they saw this time around, it would seem that they were indeed at a great disadvantage.

They had hoped that the side-effect of the Sin Takeover would be a permanent thing, but unfortunately for them, it is not.

But this isn't enough to deter them. Even though their enemies discovered a way to increase their power, the Apostles wouldn't back down from them.

They never went idle upon discovering this. They have made sufficient preparation, all of which are being updated still every time they received intel from the Deceiver.

The Apostles aren't afraid of staking it all against the Sin Demons. Even if their defeat was certain, that doesn't necessarily mean that they would just lie down and receive that.

The merciful Miraculous Grace is with them. That is all the strength they need to do their mission.