Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 722

10:47 Mon, Sep 21

Chapter 722 The Demon’s Mark

Chapter 722 The Demon’s Mark

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One crisis piled on another, leaving barely any time to breathe. Even catching her breath felt like a luxury.

Riley leaned back on the couch, planning to close her eyes and rest for just a moment.

Tart King sat beside her, tilted her head, and fell asleep first.

Riley glanced over, intending to adjust her posture. But the second she lifted her hand, her vision blurred.

She sank back against the couch, her fingers still resting on the hilt of her axe.

Where has Pineapple Beer ended up?

What exactly is the Wide Realm?

What price will the Divine Mirror demand?

All these questions crowded the edge of her mind, muffled as if buried under thick snow.

Before her consciousness faded completely, she faintly heard Neeko tuck the blanket over her and TartKing. She seemed to carry them both back to the room.

“Good night, Riley. Good night, TartKing.”

Riley passed out before she could reply.

When she opened her eyes again, endless sea of clouds stretched out all around her.

White mist billowed over the stone platform’s edges, stretching endlessly into the distance. The towering floating platform looked exactly the same as the first time she’d been pulled here. Only now, faint dark red light lingered in the air, like scattered embers mixed into the fog.

Riley looked down.

She stood in the center of the stone slab. Her wounds still ached, and her left arm remained sluggish and stiff.

The Divine Mirror in her chest floated half a foot in front of her. Its surface was covered in clear cracks. Thin strands of black mist seeped out nonstop, coiling around her wrists before burrowing under her skin like living creatures.

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10:47 Mon, Sep 21

Chapter 722 The Demon’s Mark

Riley lifted her hand and swatted at the mist.

The black threads did not disperse.

They only tightened their grip.

A low chuckle echoed from deep within the cloud sea.

“You discard me the second you’re done using me. That stings.”

A massive shadow emerged from behind the mist.

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Baal still leaned lazily against the edge of the giant platform, half his body hidden in the clouds. His dark red eyes lowered to stare at her, like watching a tiny beast that had just crawled out of the mud yet still dared to bare its fangs.

Riley glanced up at him. “Did you pull me into this dream?”

“You fell asleep while carrying my aura,” Baal drawled lazily. “I just stopped by to check if my contractor managed to get herself killed.”

Riley stared at the black mist wrapping her wrist. “What is this?”

“A mark.”

“I know it’s a mark.”

“Then why ask?”

Riley’s expression stayed blank. “I’m asking why it’s spreading.”

Baal’s smile deepened. “You borrowed my power. Your body can’t handle the strain, but your soul’s stubborn enough to hold on. The leftover power has nowhere else to go, so it latches onto you. Relax. You won’t die from this, not yet.”

“Drop the ‘not yet.”

“Can’t do that,” Baal said. “I never make promises I can’t keep.”

Riley flexed her fingers slightly.

The black mist wrapped around her knuckles like fine threads. It caused no pain, but its presence lingered, impossible to shake off. She could feel it connecting to the Divine Mirror and the shallow demon mark on her chest. Whenever she tried tapping into certain powers, this aura would respond.

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10:47

Chapter 722 The Demon’s Mark

This was nothing good.

Riley looked straight at Baal. “Do you lend your power to others often?”

Baal propped his chin up, as if she’d asked something amusing.

“You think I’m that bored?”

“You don’t look busy.”

Baal narrowed his eyes.

The dark red haze in the cloud sea thickened instantly.

Riley did not back down.

This was a dream. Running wouldn’t help. More importantly, she’d just borrowed his power. She knew she couldn’t escape if he truly wanted to harm her.

Baal stared at her for a long moment before he suddenly laughed.

“You’ve grown bolder.”

“I’ve seen far bigger things lately,” Riley replied.

When the Time Wraith Star-Eater Beast had filled the entire platform on Floor 20, she’d even dared borrow a demon’s power to strike it down. Facing Baal now scared her, but not enough to make her stay silent.

Baal sounded faintly pleased by her answer.

He tapped a finger lightly against the platform’s edge. Strands of black mist rose from the cloud sea, resonating faintly with the mark on Riley’s wrist.

“Mortals always overcomplicate these deals. Some crave power. Some pay the price. Both sides agree. It’s fair.”

Riley watched the floating black threads. “Why do you demons keep lending power to people? Got nothing better to do?”

Baal gave no reply.

Riley kept pressing. “Nightshade had your power. Now I’ve used the Divine Mirror. You’re not picking people at random. You’re planting seeds.”

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