Algol was only slightly narcissistic. She wasn't foolish enough to dare challenge all the gods and Buddhas across three thousand worlds alone.
As a Star Spirit, she took on the Bible Gods and Buddhism. Even if she wanted to die, she wouldn't do it that way. Though she and Shiroyasha were both Star Spirits in the past, she was merely an ordinary Venus Star Spirit. Don't even mention Shiroyasha, who was a Star Spirit of the Original Star.
She wasn't even a Sun Spirit, so where would she get the capital to challenge two Almighty Domains?
Yet, she managed to hold out for some time and was only sealed in the end. This record was still terrifying, considering that Buddhism and the Bible Gods at the time, though lacking Two-Digit beings, were formidable.
In the Dawn Era, no one said Three-Digit beings were equal. Strong was strong, weak was weak. The gap between Three-Digit beings was even more outrageous than the gap between Four-Digit ones.
Back then, though Algol was a Top-Tier Three-Digit, the Bible Gods and Buddhism didn't lack Top-Tier Three-Digit beings on her level, or even stronger ones.
The real reason Algol lasted so long, and even came close to defeating Buddhism and the Bible Gods, was her Anti-God, or her completed Primogenitor Demon Spirit Status.
By spreading demons and all sorts of dangerous creatures across all worlds and eras, Algol roughly completed her Primogenitor Demon Spirit Status. She also discovered the possibility of Anti-God. As long as she turned gods into demons, she could complete this Spirit Status and ascend to Two-Digit in one step.
Of course, Algol was tempted. The Two-Digit position was worth the risk. However, she wasn't sure how many Divinities were needed to reach that level. So, she challenged her former master and the rising Buddhism at the time.
Then, Algol was defeated by Sakyamuni, who wasn't yet Two-Digit. Naturally, her Spirit Status and Star Sovereignty were completely divided. The Demon part was taken by Sakyamuni. Her Venus Sovereignty was given to those who came to assist, creating countless Venus Star Spirits. The Primogenitor Demon Lilith Spirit Status was split until only a fragment of the Original Demon remained.
In the end, she was exiled to the Greek Pantheon. Because of her sharp tongue, Athena turned her into something even worse than a monster. It could only be said that she lost completely. The risk matched the reward.
If Algol wanted to become Two-Digit, she had to pay the price. Not everyone had Shiroyasha's advantage. Shiroyasha was born as a Two-Digit. Well, not entirely true—she was born as a limit-breaking Three-Digit and spent a hundred years accumulating achievements to become Two-Digit.
Among the three Problem Children, Algol had the worst background. She could only rely on herself to fight.
"How do I know?"
Hearing her question, Aslan couldn't help but smile. Algol was finally dropping her narcissistic act.
"Of course, it's a secret."
Since it involved his greatest trump card, Little Garden's Central Core, how could Aslan casually reveal it? Some things, if not weighed, don't seem heavy. But once weighed, even a thousand catties couldn't hold them.
For example, what if Little Garden's Central Core generated its own will again, or if its will wasn't entirely pure?
"But I just want to ask, is AI-chan interested in working with me?"
As Aslan said this, the corner of his mouth curved slightly. "Or does AI-chan want to spend the rest of her life as a monster?"
Algol's expression finally changed. But what appeared wasn't panic, but a hint of anger from being provoked.
As a Problem Child, she was a lawless existence. Though she had fallen to the state of a monster, that didn't mean she had lost her past pride. On the contrary, that past pride was the only thing she had left.
"Honestly, I'm starting to like you a bit."
Algol looked at Aslan's profile and couldn't help licking her lips. "Your score in AI-chan's heart is soaring. AI-chan's starting to think you're a bit cool."
"But I have one more question." Algol asked in a somber tone. "Does your secret have a beautification function?"
Hearing Algol's words, Aslan was stunned for a moment. When he realized, his face darkened, and his expression was utterly speechless.
"You…"
Before Aslan could finish, Algol jumped in. "Don't tell me you can uncover a secret AI-chan hid for so long, but you can't even find a way to make me beautiful."
"Though I'm already a bit too beautiful, I'm not stupid. A little guy like you can't fool me."
Aslan's face darkened as he stared at Algol. "I haven't even said anything?"
[We… are not a wish-granting machine.]
A slightly annoyed message from Little Garden's Central Core entered his mind. Aslan could imagine its expression right now, covering its face in slight agony.
Indeed, when it came to abstract matters, he still couldn't outdo these talents. Who would've thought that while he was discussing with Algol how to push her to Two-Digit, she'd ask if he could help her become beautiful?
At that moment, he felt a silent gaze fall upon him, as if saying, "You dare make promises."
Seeing the expression on Aslan's face, Algol couldn't hold back a smile. She began circling around him. "Hey… that's right, the things on you can definitely help me become beautiful."
Aslan's eyelids twitched, then he said, "I'll try my best."
Little Garden's Central Core was the closest to omniscience and omnipotence. In Little Garden, it was the only known One-Digit existence. A little beautification shouldn't be hard for it, right?
[…???]
Little Garden's Central Core stared at Aslan, black lines covering its head.
(Are you seriously treating me like a wish-granting machine?)
"Deal!"
Algol didn't intend to push too hard. Of course, that was because she was completely under Aslan's control now, her metaphorical underwear stripped away. If it were someone weaker, she'd definitely use tactics like "fierce tiger climbs a mountain" or "tyrant forces an archer."
Don't think that a sealed Original Demon was no longer an Original Demon. She had plenty of ways to bypass the seal and trap others to death. Demons weren't good people. On the contrary, demons were the type to trap others to death without paying compensation.
But why was Aslan the one in control now?
With three Another Cosmologies and two Sun Authorities in Aslan's possession, even if Algol broke free from the seal, she might not defeat him. She'd die trying.
Without forcing or crossing Aslan's boundaries, getting a way to become beautiful was a benefit Algol wanted. Of course, she also knew Aslan's temperament.
"Naturally, in return, Cain will cooperate with all your actions. Even if you sacrifice him, it's fine. As long as Cain's Spirit Status is in my hands, I can take everything back from Cain."
Algol planned to separate Cain's Spirit Status from the other Cain's Spirit Status. After all, she couldn't put all her eggs in one basket. Cain, or the Cain in this world, as a Counterpart to the Cain in Little Garden, if used well…
When the Cain in Little Garden died, Algol could use this Cain to inherit everything from that Cain, replacing his return.
For Aslan, a Three-Digit pawn was also very important, especially Cain, who held a high position among the Bible Gods. It had to be admitted, the reward of a Three-Digit pawn was enticing.
At least Aslan was tempted. He had some desire to increase his power. After all, the power gap between him and his opponents was too vast, the kind he couldn't catch up to.
How could a Four-Digit fight a Two-Digit? How? Even with Another Cosmology, a Two-Digit could crush Aslan before he unleashed it.
How could a Planetary-Tier fight a Multiversal-Tier?
He couldn't just fantasize that he'd leap from Four-Digit to One-Digit in a few years, right? Fantasies don't work like that.
Of course, Aslan still preferred stirring up trouble discreetly, and being an advisor was more useful. This way of causing trouble suited him better.
Aslan narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and pleaded pathetically to Little Garden's Central Core in his heart.
(Brother Central, please, this Three-Digit pawn is crucial to me…)
[…Just this once.]
Little Garden's Central Core finally gave in. After all, Aslan was genuinely working for it. It was fine if it couldn't provide much help. If it couldn't even assist with something this small, it would seem like an overly irresponsible boss.
However, without merits, it couldn't help Aslan too much. The only aid it could provide was using achievements to intervene in the evolution of Aslan's Spirit Status, such as granting Authority, helping craft Magic: The Gathering cards, and so on.
Beyond that, it could only offer some information of uncertain truth. Too much information was recorded in Human History, making it hard to distinguish true from false. And the History of Gods… that was even more fabricated.
Then, Aslan suddenly felt a ritual appear in his memory. A ritual that used the Spark's creative power to help someone become beautiful.
"Alright, it's done. Wanna try?"
Aslan turned to Algol.
Algol was also very cooperative. She slightly loosened her suppression, allowing Aslan's Spark power to touch her.
"Oh, my skin's getting a bit darker, instantly reaching the perfect glow I wanted."
Algol hurriedly took out a small mirror and looked at her face, her eyes gradually sparkling. She could naturally see how sophisticated Aslan's power was, but as long as it made her beautiful, she didn't care.