Home / Eastern / The Immortal Coward: Path of the Aegis Cauldron / Chapter 52: The Ledger of Infinite Audits
Chapter 52: The Ledger of Infinite Audits
Author: Damian
last update2026-07-03 21:54:31

The smell of ‘The Giggler’ mushrooms had finally dissipated, but in its place, something far more insidious had arrived: an unmarked, obsidian-bound tome that had materialized in the dead center of Zarox’s desk.

It didn't look like a book. It looked like a digestive tract for administrative nightmares. Its cover felt like cold, cured dragon hide, and its pages—endless, shifting parchment—seemed to bleed ink whenever Zarox looked away.

"Grog," Zarox said, staring at the tome with profound betray
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