Chapter 282
Malzor’s eyes narrowed, trying to gauge the sincerity behind Phantom’s words. There was something in the way Phantom spoke, a conviction that was hard to ignore.
When Phantom first noticed Malzor’s exceptional behavior, he began subtly and gradually informing him about the demon kings and how they rose to their strength and status.
"And what makes you so certain? What do you see in me that you don’t see in yourself?"
Phantom allowed a brief smile to flicker across his lips before it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He knew he had to be careful, to reveal just enough to convince Malzor without betraying his true intentions.
"It’s not about what I lack, but what you possess. You have the drive, the ambition, and the charisma to unify our kind in a way that few others can. But more than that, you have the potential to learn and adapt, to see beyond the immediate struggle for power and recognize the long game."
As Malzor’s expression softened slightly, Phantom seized the opportunity to plant the seeds he had been carefully cultivating.
"In the abyss, where power is the only currency, individual strength can only take you so far. You might rise quickly, but you’ll be alone, and alone, you’ll be overwhelmed. But if you gather those around you, if you lead them with a vision—like the demon kings and the spider queen did—you’ll create a force that can’t be easily toppled."
Malzor listened intently, his earlier suspicion giving way to a contemplative silence. Phantom continued, sensing that he had Malzor’s full attention.
"Look at the demon king, Malzor. They didn’t rise to power by simply crushing those around them—they unified their kind, spreading the idea that the success of one is the success of all. Their armies are not just made up of loyal followers, but of their own race, who see the benefit of collective strength. By aligning their goals, they’ve turned themselves into the most formidable forces in the abyss."