《Lost Miracles》


 Chapter 1: Die, live, dont want to die

    [Price: You have lost a life.]


    [Compensation: Rebirth.]


    ...


    Mithra, still caught in the fog of her daze, slowly opened her eyes. All that greeted her was an oppressive darkness. The air around her was cold, and something unfamiliar lingered in her nose¡ªa strange, unsettling scent.


    The tang of fresh blood. The acrid stench of something burning.


    She sat up from the ground, staring blankly into the black void surrounding her, like someone waking from a deep, endless slumber. Her mind struggled to catch up, sluggish and heavy.


    "Ah, I''m dead," she muttered as the realization finally dawned.


    How had it happened? She seemed to recall a massive car accident¡ªchaos unraveling across a stretch of highway. The memory was fragmented, distant. She could only hope the driver survived, though it seemed unlikely.


    But why was she still here, alive in some strange, unfamiliar place?


    That, she had no answer for.


    All she knew was that it had something to do with the words that had etched themselves into her mind.


    She blinked, and suddenly something seemed to shift before her eyes. Swirling shades of white and purple-black came together, forming a text that she could strangely understand.


    [Next, proceed to the explanation.]


    "Uh..." Mithra blinked again. A whirlwind of questions spun in her mind, but she knew better than to interrupt. Now wasn''t the time to speak¡ªinterrupting whatever this was felt... rude.


    [We have granted you life in another world, but do not mistake this for a simple gift. It may well become an endless torment.]


    "Eh...?" She stammered, her voice barely a whisper.


    [We will not restrict your actions, though there are certain objectives you must fulfill.]


    [To aid your actions, we have adjusted your senses. When your senses are triggered, you will receive compensation, though a price must also be paid.]


    Mithra blinked, absorbing the cryptic words.


    [We may also borrow your senses to offer assistance beyond your normal limits. However, you must accept the corresponding cost to obtain such aid.]


    The text vanished from sight after she finished reading. Mithra stared at the empty space where it had been, her thoughts spinning.


    "So, I''ve been resurrected and transported to another world... And according to this... thing, I died in a car accident, losing my life, and the compensation is a new life in this place," she murmured to herself, still processing the strange explanation.


    Her brow furrowed. "Doesn''t really feel like a good deal."


    Suddenly, a flash of light appeared again before her eyes, but this time it wasn''t there to explain¡ª


    [Event ¨C "Just Woke Up Gift": You may select one of the following forms of assistance and accept the corresponding price. Choose wisely.]


    [Perfect Body: Your body will remain in flawless condition at all times. Price: You will lose the ability to move.]


    [Night Eyes: Your fearless, blackened eyes will glimpse fragments of hidden truths, especially those tied to ownerless objects. Price: One of your life locks will be broken.]


    [Humble Remains: You will inherit a set of "Poor and Despicable" "Corpse". Price: Its will is not yet fully extinguished.]


    "Those eyes, then." Mithra made her decision without much hesitation, selecting the second option.


    She had never liked overthinking, and choosing between these ominous options only aggravated her. The first would leave her immobile, and the third¡ªwell, she didn''t understand it at all. The second seemed the least complicated.


    Besides, she reasoned, she didn''t even know what a "Life Lock" was. It said "one of," so surely she had more to spare.


    After her choice, nothing happened immediately. The text dissolved from sight, leaving her in the same eerie silence as before.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, her head felt like it had been struck by an invisible force. A sharp, crushing pressure clamped around her heart, squeezing tighter until she thought it might burst. Her vision blackened, and a shrill ringing filled her ears, drowning out everything else.


    The sensation was brutal but brief. Her sight returned swiftly, though her body still trembled from the shock. She blinked, staring at her hands, waiting for some visible change, but her eyes looked the same¡ªno strange magic or glow.


    No more text appeared either. Mithra took a few moments to steady herself before finally moving forward. Staying still wasn''t going to get her anywhere.


    She needed to understand where she had been brought. If it was another modern city, that would be ideal. At the very least, she hoped for some semblance of a civilized society¡ªanything but an ancient, primitive world.


    Following a faint flicker of firelight, Mithra moved cautiously through a narrow passage, the shadows around her thick and oppressive.


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    Her newly sharpened eyes cut through the gloom with ease. The torchlight ahead illuminated the cave, revealing what lay within¡ªand it shattered any illusions she had clung to.


    The ground was strewn with bodies, piled haphazardly as if discarded. The overwhelming stench of decay, mixed with the acrid odor of burning, hit her like a wall, forcing her to stifle a gag.


    In the distance, a few figures moved in the flickering light. One held a lantern, casting eerie shadows as they worked. The others were busy transporting and dumping corpses into the growing heap. Mithra''s gaze shifted to a few wooden carts nearby, where bodies were carelessly wrapped in dirty cloth, cocooned in death.


    The person carrying the lamp scanned the area, and since Mithra hadn''t bothered to hide, his eyes landed directly on her.


    "Ah!" The man let out a blood-curdling scream.


    Mithra blinked. ''What?''


    The man, now pale with terror, began shouting, his trembling hand pointing wildly in her direction. His cries drew the attention of the others, who were hauling the corpses. They froze, glancing at Mithra before quickly dropping the bodies they were handling.


    Weapons were snatched up in a frenzy¡ªgrass skewers, stone hoes, wooden clubs, anything remotely useful. But instead of charging toward her, they all turned and bolted in the opposite direction.


    Mithra stood there, momentarily dumbfounded. ''What just happened?''


    "Wait!" she called, instinctively dashing after them.


    It seemed that the people in this strange place weren''t exactly the welcoming type. In fact, they appeared to be... a bit shy.


    As soon as the others saw Mithra chasing after them, their panic only deepened. Their pace quickened, driven by sheer terror.


    The man with the lamp, though the first to spot her, was the slowest of the group. In desperation, he hurled the lamp at Mithra in a frantic attempt to slow her down.


    Mithra, unfazed, carefully caught the lamp mid-air, steadying the flickering flame inside with practiced ease. She glanced at the light for a moment, shrugged, and resumed the chase.


    But just as she gained ground, they vanished into another tunnel. When she reached the entrance, the maze-like passages stretched out before her, twisting in every direction. The place was a labyrinth, and with each turn looking the same, she quickly lost track of where they had gone.


    "....."


    In the stillness of the tunnel, Mithra sighed and turned back, retracing her steps toward the pile of corpses. The eerie silence was thick around her, broken only by the soft flicker of the lamp she carried.


    She knelt and examined the ground beneath the corpses. This tunnel, clearly carved by human hands, bore signs of old labor. Scattered tools lay abandoned, crude and worn. There was no hint of advanced technology here¡ªjust the remnants of a place long neglected and left to decay.


    Her thoughts drifted back to the people she had seen earlier¡ªtheir simple, ragged clothing, and the unfamiliar style that seemed so foreign to her. It was clear now: this world wasn''t just ancient in appearance, but possibly centuries behind any civilization she knew.


    "Right... they looked just like¡ª" Mithra paused, recalling a fleeting moment. As she had snatched the lamp earlier, something else had clouded her vision¡ªa strange dark block that had briefly obscured her sight.


    Mithra lifted the lamp once more, and as she suspected, a small black dot appeared on its surface.


    She fixated on the dot, and after a few tense seconds, black text unfurled before her eyes:


    [Villagers'' Lamp from Gross Town: A tool commonly carried by workers in the Gross mine. However, when the hunt for the ''Eye'' that promises wealth began, the light of this humble lamp became overshadowed by the creeping darkness where curses now fester.]


    "...So that''s how it works!" Mithra whispered to herself, her realization dawning.


    Night Eyes¡ªthe ability she had chosen¡ªrevealed hidden truths, just as the strange message implied. This was how it functioned, allowing her to peer beyond the ordinary.


    She held the lamp closer, studying it for a while, though the flickering light eventually made her eyes ache. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away, pretending to be unfazed. Now, she turned her attention to the rest of the room, scanning the area for more small black dots.


    Amidst the scattered corpses, Mithra noticed an array of mining tools and chunks of mineral stones, evidence of the mine''s past life. She inspected them all, but the information gleaned was consistent: this had once been a bustling mining town. Now, it lay abandoned, its tunnels filled with death, and the curses festering in the darkness.


    "A mining town," Mithra muttered. "But something went terribly wrong. The tunnels, once filled with workers, are now filled with corpses. And this mine... breeding curses. Does that mean something foul has taken over?"


    She scratched her head in thought.


    "So, they must have mistaken me for one of those ''dirty things''¡ªa curse in human form." Clapping her hands as if reaching a revelation, she nodded, satisfied. "That explains why they ran from me."


    "Great," she sighed, a hint of irony in her voice, "then I''m not the dirty thing here."


    Standing amidst the heap of bodies, Mithra glanced at the nearby flickering torches. The light cast her shadow across the ground, but it twisted and stretched unnaturally, like a creature of its own.


    Mithra glanced at her shadow, then, in a moment of childlike frustration, stomped her feet a few times, as if that might coax it to settle.


    But just then, a sound echoed from above¡ªa rock tumbling down from the cliff.


    Mithra turned and looked back. There, sprawled on the cliff''s edge, lay a thin, humanoid creature. Its clothes were tattered, and its face bore a terrifying, feral expression. Empty eyes stared out from sunken sockets, while its mouth gaped wide, revealing teeth that resembled jagged saw blades.


    As soon as Mithra laid eyes on the monster, it released its grip on the rock face and lunged at her with a primal growl.


    Instinct kicked in. Mithra kicked up a pickaxe that lay nearby, gripping it tightly. With all her strength, she swung it down toward the creature.


    Bang!


    The pickaxe connected with a sickening thud, bending the creature''s body backward as it staggered from the impact. It fell to the ground, writhing in agony. A non-human scream erupted from its mouth¡ªan awkward, jarring sound that echoed through the tunnel.


    Mithra pressed her foot down firmly on the creature''s back, pinning it to the ground as it writhed in a desperate attempt to break free.


    She quickly realized that this monster possessed a surprising amount of strength. After confirming there was no black dot on its body, she raised the pickaxe high and swung down with all her might, aiming for its skull.


    Swish!


    The blow landed, and the creature twitched violently before falling still, its movements ceasing entirely. Mithra followed up with two more strikes, ensuring it was truly defeated. Satisfied, she finally released her foot from its back.


    However, in her final swing, she had struck with too much force, embedding the pickaxe deep into the ground along with the creature''s skull. With a sigh, she abandoned her efforts to pull it out for the moment and crouched down to inspect the monster''s body.


    "Ah, a black dot has appeared," she noted in a tone devoid of any emotion.


    As the creature succumbed to death, a small black dot materialized on its form, revealing hidden knowledge.


    [Gross Mine''s Cursed Body: The unfortunate residents of Gross had their eyes removed, and the resentment they harbored before death birthed the Miracle of Resentment. This miracle allowed them to rise once more, yet most remained frail and weak.]


    [¡ª¡ª Which is more important, eyes or wealth?]


    Mithra pondered the question, her brow furrowing. "I don''t know," she murmured, contemplating the implications.


    After that, she stood up and resumed her efforts to free the pickaxe from the ground.


    But before Mithra could fully gather her thoughts, a cacophony of sounds erupted behind her.


    She turned, and realized she was surrounded. A swarm of similar monsters emerged from the shadows, their mouths open in grotesque roars and shrieks. There was no reason for their fury; they had long since lost the ability to discern friend from foe, their resentment now directed at all living things.


    Bang!


    A sharp sound echoed in the tunnel, causing the approaching monsters to momentarily halt in their tracks.


    Mithra, yanked the pickaxe free from the ground, raising it high above her head. She tilted her gaze back, her dark eyes glinting like the night, and surveyed the approaching horde.

 Chapter 2: The First Bloody Battle

    Mithra ran desperately, scrambling to escape.


    Ah, how could she possibly win?


    Despite feeling braver after her reincarnation, her body only slightly stronger than average and her mind a bit sharper, she was still an ordinary person.


    It was pure luck she¡¯d managed to kill the first monster; it had jumped from above, giving her an opening.


    But now, there were so many of them. Forget monsters¡ªshe¡¯d be sweating buckets even against a pack of wild dogs.


    She raced frantically through the tunnel, her clothes torn to shreds from repeated scuffles, leaving only scraps on her upper body and a pair of shorts barely clinging together.


    Her body was covered in wounds¡ªclaw marks, bite marks, visible signs of her struggle.


    The pain throbbed with each step, but Mithra forced herself to ignore it, focusing only on finding an escape.


    She had been running so wildly that everything had blurred together; she didn¡¯t even know where she was.


    Desperate, she spotted a faint light in the distance and sprinted toward it.


    Emerging from the tunnel, she found herself back on the wooden walkway above the piles of bodies.


    ¡°Damn it...¡± The sound of the monsters chasing her echoed behind. Seeing only one path forward, she didn¡¯t hesitate and kept running.


    Just then, a monstrous figure leaped from the tunnel¡¯s darkness behind her. It collided with Mithra for an instant before plummeting from the walkway¡¯s edge.


    She glanced back, muttering, "Always remember to play safe when up high."


    Turning, she swung her pickaxe and struck down another monster that lunged from behind. A swift kick sent it tumbling off the walkway too.


    But she couldn¡¯t afford to linger¡ªthere were too many. She could only press onward, moving upward along the walkway.


    From this height, she realized she could knock the monsters down, making it a tough spot to attack. If things grew desperate, she might make a stand here.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    But before she could set her plan, Mithra looked up and saw more monsters leaping from the cliff above, forcing her to move faster.


    Of course¡ªthey could climb.


    Despite the danger, she noticed her initial jolt of fear had dulled, her heart already steadying.


    No matter how fast she ran, she was scratched and bitten, her hair and ears tugged, her eyes nearly clawed. But she fought back, struggling with every ounce of strength to escape.


    More monsters swarmed her, her chances of survival growing slimmer.


    Suddenly, she shifted her weight, ramming a monster entangled with her against the cliff¡¯s jagged edge. She¡¯d aimed for the sharpest rock to impale it.


    A screech followed.


    Ouch, her leg must¡¯ve scraped something too.


    No matter. A self-inflicted wound was better than a monster¡¯s bite.


    Freeing herself, she swung the pickaxe with all her strength, twisting her body and violently shaking off the monster clinging to her.


    There were too many, but the narrow walkway worked to her advantage, crowding them.


    Her chance.


    With her free hand, she grabbed hold of a monster lunging at her head, yanking its snarling face away from her neck.


    In that instant, their faces were mere inches apart, and Mithra caught the foul stench wafting from the monster''s jagged, decaying teeth.


    It fought with all its strength, still straining to sink its fangs into her flesh.


    Then¡ªa hiss.


    But it wasn¡¯t the monster biting Mithra. It was Mithra, sinking her own teeth into the creature.


    In this fight, every part of her body was a weapon, and her teeth were no exception.


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    The monster, stunned by her unexpected counterattack, spasmed in pain as Mithra bit down on its neck. Its limbs went limp, and she released her grip, flinging it off the walkway with a defiant twist of her head.


    With a fierce swing of her pickaxe, she scattered the swarm of monsters, finally managing to claw her way free from the writhing pile.


    One of her eyes was blinded, her body slick with blood and gore, yet thankfully, her injuries were mostly shallow. She could still move.


    Using the bodies of fallen monsters to barricade the narrow walkway, she crawled toward a passage that led to another cave beyond.


    Upon entering, before she could even draw a full breath, strange glyphs in white and deep purple shimmered before her eyes.


    [Event ¡ª¡ª "The First Bloody Battle"]


    [Gift from "Lebaance": Your body¡¯s regenerative ability is greatly enhanced. By consuming enemy "Blood," you will no longer require additional material nutrition or sensory compensation.]


    [Price: During regeneration, all bodily sensations will intensify.]


    The gift appeared in white text, the price in dark purple, with the rest of the description flickering between black and white.


    ¡°Accept.¡±


    The words dissolved.


    An instant later, a surge of unimaginable pain radiated through every wound. Her blinded eye throbbed like it was on fire.


    ¡°Aah!¡± Mithra cried, a raw, guttural sound of pure agony.


    And then, darkness overtook her.


    ...


    In the haze of her unconsciousness, whispers floated around her¡ªvoices chattering, laughter weaving through the words like fragments of dreams.


    Slowly, she became aware of herself again, her senses grounding. Mithra¡¯s eyes fluttered open, her mind stirring from the depths.


    She was alive. That much was clear. Though she had blacked out so abruptly, the monsters hadn¡¯t caught up.


    ¡­Wait. Something was wrong.


    A campfire crackled nearby, its orange glow spilling warmth across the small cave and banishing the surrounding chill. Scattered around the fire lay well-worn tools, each bearing the scars of frequent use.


    So, she hadn¡¯t evaded the monsters on her own¡ªshe had been rescued.


    ¡°You woke up fast. I only just settled you down here. Want to catch a bit more sleep?¡± A low, gravelly voice echoed in the cave.


    Mithra turned toward it, finding herself face-to-face with a man of sharp, angular features. He was aging, with thinning, curly brown hair and a weathered face. Dressed in a grey robe, he held a chain bracelet in his hands, its links catching the firelight.


    ¡°Did you save me? Thank you,¡± Mithra replied, rising to her feet as she discreetly checked her condition.


    All of her injuries were gone. Her blinded eye had healed as well. While the price of regeneration had been steep, the gift was clearly powerful.


    But the thought of the ¡°life lock¡± nagged at her. Had she forfeited something essential without realizing it?


    ¡°Ah, pitch-black pupils.¡± The man¡¯s eyes lingered on hers, and he murmured with a note of admiration. ¡°You have remarkable eyes. They say that those with such eyes are brave and fearless.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ really?¡± Mithra touched her eyelid, feeling the pulse beneath.


    Fearless?


    She replayed her recent behavior in her mind. For a city-dweller, she had been unnervingly composed, her reaction to the piles of corpses and waves of monsters amounting to little more than a raised eyebrow.


    These eyes were doing more than just granting her insight.


    While she kept her face impassive, her mind raced with concern.


    She remembered feeling stronger too, albeit marginally. Could that also be connected to these ¡°night eyes¡±?


    If so, the life lock must indeed have been something vital.


    ¡°So,¡± the man spoke again, ¡°how did you end up here, in this mine shaft? Gross Town has turned into a cursed wasteland outside. Ordinary folk are rarely found here. And despite your eyes, you don¡¯t look especially hardy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure myself. I just¡­ woke up here.¡±


    The man raised an eyebrow. ¡°And where did you come from?¡±


    Mithra hesitated, then asked, ¡°Who are you, sir?¡±


    The man chuckled softly. ¡°Forgive my questions. I¡¯m Safin, an investigator of ancient relics. But, as you can see, I¡¯ve run into a few complications in this mine shaft¡­ can¡¯t get out.¡±


    ¡°Mithra,¡± she replied, inclining her head.


    "It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mithra. Now, back to what I mentioned earlier: judging by your expression and demeanor, you seem to hail from a place called ''Enchanting Land.''"


    "Enchanting Land?" Mithra echoed, curiosity piqued.


    "It¡¯s a realm untouched by gods or large-scale wars. At least, that''s how it was the last time I heard. People there can easily traverse between ''Dreamland'' and ''Enchanting Land.''"


    "This is Dreamland?" Mithra asked, her eyes widening.


    "Indeed. Dreamland is a place akin to a dream itself, though it holds both good and bad dreams. Right now, it seems there are more bad dreams than good," Safin replied, his relaxed tone reminiscent of her high school math teacher.


    "I don¡¯t know anything about this," Mithra admitted, a hint of frustration in her voice.


    "I can tell. Your senses are still asleep. Typically, someone who finds themselves in Dreamland has at least become a believer, capable of performing miracles."


    "Miracles? Is that like magic?"


    "Magic? Well, some places do refer to miracles as magic, but ''miracles'' is the more formal term from the era of the Forty-Four Pillar Gods."


    "Oh." So essentially, it was magic.


    Safin regarded Mithra with a contemplative look, as if weighing something in his mind.


    After a lengthy silence, just as Mithra opened her mouth to ask a question, Safin continued, "Since you¡¯re not fully awakened yet, how about we strike a deal?"


    Mithra narrowed her eyes at him.


    "I''ll teach you about miracles and help you become a believer. In return, I need you to venture deeper into the mine shaft to retrieve something for me. This isn¡¯t urgent; you can explore the shallower levels of the mine shaft to familiarize yourself and even return to the Enchanting Land to recover before coming back to assist me."


    Safin''s proposal felt surprisingly non-threatening; he didn¡¯t seek to exploit her vulnerability.


    "Do I need to swear an oath?" Mithra asked, brow furrowed.


    "No," he replied simply.


    "You¡¯re not worried I¡¯ll run?"


    "You underestimate how long I''ve been stuck here. Teaching a novice like you won¡¯t require much effort and might even add some excitement to my otherwise dull existence. If you find that you lack the ability or desire, there''s no obligation to return," Safin said, his demeanor calm and inviting.


    "But we just met..."


    "True. I wouldn''t place my trust in a newcomer, especially not one from the Enchanting Land. But I trust your eyes," he said with a warm smile.


    Mithra felt both underestimated and inexplicably valued. It was an unusual sensation.


    "I have no reason to refuse," she finally replied.


    Safin''s smile widened, and he nodded in approval.


    Without further ado, the first lesson commenced.

 Chapter 3: The so-called Miracles....

    Sitting by the crackling fire, the burning logs casting a warm glow, Safin began to speak slowly.


    "Ah, I''ve never taught a novice before. You seem in no hurry, so we can take our time and explain things thoroughly."


    "Please, definitely explain everything thoroughly," Mithra replied, nodding earnestly.


    Safin seemed pleased by her eagerness and continued. "The first thing I need to teach you is that miracles are the power of belief. To put it more eloquently, it¡¯s faith."


    "Faith? Do I have to join some kind of religion?" Mithra asked, her brow furrowing.


    To be honest, she was reluctant to place her trust in anything, especially after hearing Safin''s earlier tone. This world seemed rife with gods.


    "Ha ha, like I said, that¡¯s just a more official way of putting it. In reality, simply trusting and believing firmly is enough. Besides, there are no gods worthy of worship in Dreamland right now, and no established churches that have been recognized," Safin explained.


    Mithra nodded, taking in the information.


    "Miracles don''t concern themselves with those who lack faith. Only those who believe that miracles will appear can bring them forth."


    "That sounds very idealistic," Mithra remarked, skepticism in her voice.


    "Idealistic? Hmm, in a literal sense, that¡¯s correct. The power of the mind is great," Safin smiled and nodded before continuing. "The earliest miracles originated from our desires and pursuits beyond ourselves. Initially, a group of wise men stole the powers of nature, wild beasts, spirits, even gods, to create the miracles we know today."


    "They organized these miracles, researched a system, and discovered a way to manipulate this magical power."


    "Those who possess this method are the believers."


    As Safin finished, Mithra grasped why those who wield miracles were referred to as "Believers" rather than "Miracle Users." Miracles were not birthed from the user''s power but were instead the outward manifestation of their faith.


    "That was a summary. I don¡¯t think I got anything wrong. Uhm, wait a sec." Safin paused, thoughtful, then reached into a cloth bag behind him.


    Under Mithra''s curious gaze, Safin pulled out an old book. The cover bore a strange script that she could not comprehend, but as she stared at it, the writing gradually shifted into English¡ªthe language she knew best.


    Was this yet another gift of her eye abilities?


    The script felt foreign, and logically, the language of this world should differ from her previous life, yet here she was, communicating fluently with Safin...


    What, then, was this "life lock"? How significant had it been to trade for her eyes?


    "Ahem, it¡¯s still here." Safin flipped through the book.


    "What is that?" Mithra asked, intrigued.


    "Sanctuary Beginner¡¯s Textbook."


    "... You just now..."


    "I was merely providing a summarized introduction to the lecture material." Safin didn¡¯t appear embarrassed at all; a rather unappealing smile crept onto his rigid face.


    Mithra was left speechless.


    Flipping through a few pages of the preface, Safin chuckled softly before closing the book and handing it to Mithra. "Here, this is for you. Even though it¡¯s a bit dry, it might prove useful."


    Mithra accepted it, her hands brushing the aged cover.


    Safin raised his hand. "Now, let¡¯s move directly to the practical part. The basic process of releasing miracles is: sensing, channeling, imagining, releasing."


    As he spoke, a faint golden glow emanated from the bracelet on Safin¡¯s arm. Mithra watched as a prism-like pattern flickered before her eyes, and a glowing orb of gentle light formed in Safin¡¯s palm.


    Mithra blinked, caught off guard.


    Noticing her bewilderment, Safin dimmed the light of the orb. "Is it too bright?"


    "No, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t understand," Mithra said straightforwardly.


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    "That''s normal. Your sense isn''t awakened yet, so it''s difficult to perceive the details of this borrowing power process. I¡¯m just showing you an example. This is the simplest ''Illumination'' within the ''Light'' miracle, drawing directly from natural light."


    Mithra glanced down in surprise as black dots began to appear on the light orb!


    As she focused, the black dots rapidly enlarged, forming into text.


    [ "Illumination": In ancient times, it was called "Miraculous Light." A miracle that draws self-generated light. The most basic light miracle, and the first miracle in human history. The first miracle was performed by "Kahira," declaring that mankind could see the light of miracles.]


    [ ¡ª¡ª "From this day forward, I declare, mankind will no longer be slaves."]


    This miracle, while basic, carried an ancient weight.


    And Mithra had gained yet another unfamiliar name.


    "You keep mentioning sense. That seems to be essential for performing miracles," Mithra said, regaining her composure.


    "That''s right. The human body is inherently weak; its blood does not contain strength, but its intellect is like a treasure trove, even reaching toward the divine. Sense emanates from our intellect, like a bridge, helping us perform miracles."


    With that, Safin looked at Mithra and extended his hand. "Hold my hand. Awakening your sense is also very simple. You just need to experience a miracle stimulation. Pay attention to your feelings."


    Without hesitation, Mithra placed her hand in Safin''s rough palm.


    Once again, the pattern on Safin¡¯s bracelet flashed, but Mithra hardly noticed as she concentrated.


    Very quickly, she felt her vision darken.


    Not just her sight¡ªher hearing, sense of smell, taste, and even touch seemed to vanish for a brief moment.


    Everything but her thoughts slipped into nothingness.


    She waited patiently in the pitch-black void, where she began to sense something.


    Mithra "saw" a white silhouette.


    And then? It seemed to be her!


    On the silhouette''s stomach, a swirling, burning red flame danced.


    All of Mithra''s senses returned, and she stared blankly at the white orb glowing in her hand.


    "I used you to channel the miracle, but because your sense wasn''t awakened, you were passively mobilized instead, using all your senses. In that void state, you were stimulated to awaken, and your intuition is now very vivid," Safin explained, dissipating the orb in Mithra''s palm.


    "Now, tell me what you saw?" Safin asked, his eyes alight with expectation.


    "A white figure of myself, with something red on its stomach," Mithra replied directly.


    Safin blinked in surprise. "..."


    Mithra raised an eyebrow. "What?"


    "Nothing?" Safin replied, stunned.


    "Nothing."


    Faced with Mithra¡¯s crisp and clear response, Safin paused for a moment.


    Then he touched his forehead. "Are you sure you didn¡¯t see anything else?"


    "Yes."


    Safin pondered, a frown forming.


    Seeing this, Mithra asked, "Is something wrong?"


    "Your sense is too limited. You only have ''Self'' and ''Ki.''"


    Mithra listened quietly, curious.


    Safin continued, "There are many types of sense, just as people are born with different appearances but ultimately share the same essence. Broadly speaking, they''re divided into nature, beast, spirit, self, ki..."


    "Everyone''s self sense is essential. It''s the most basic component. Ki sense is similar, but the level of one''s ki can vary, ranging from deep to shallow. You can clearly perceive the red ''Ki,'' which is quite sufficient. However, in addition to that, normal people should also possess senses related to various aspects of nature, like water, fire, wood, earth, and so forth... And then there are even more profound senses."


    "So you¡¯re saying my talent is very poor?" Mithra scratched her head, feeling a mix of confusion and concern.


    Safin shook his head. "No, the types of sense don¡¯t represent any inherent talent. They¡¯re more like a passport. Without these senses, you can¡¯t directly borrow corresponding elements to perform miracles; you must use intermediaries. What surprises me is your situation¡ªit¡¯s quite rare... It may be explained by your lack of interaction with this world; you are untainted."


    "But that¡¯s impossible. People born in this world have already been touched by its dust."


    Mithra pondered this, feeling it might stem from her reincarnation.


    "What¡¯s an intermediary?" she inquired, wanting to grasp this concept fully.


    Safin couldn¡¯t determine the reason for her rarity either, so he set it aside. Hearing Mithra''s question, he raised his hand and gestured toward his bracelet. "This is an intermediary. Dreamland has special minerals, materials from creatures, or even spirits fallen from the sky. Such materials can be refined and crafted into corresponding sense intermediaries. With these, even without innate sense, you can use them as a bridge to channel and perform miracles."


    "Do you not have light sense?" Mithra asked, recalling that Safin had worn the bracelet when using miracles.


    "No, my light sense is very deep; it¡¯s my strong point. But the kind of intermediary that can enhance the speed and efficiency of the channeling process is quite helpful in crucial moments," Safin explained. "The mineral on this bracelet corresponds to water, fire, wood, earth, and light senses. The light intermediary mineral is something I added myself; the other four are beginner-level intermediaries."


    He removed the bracelet from his wrist and tossed it to Mithra. "This is the basic intermediary that Sanctuary provides to every believer. Feel free to examine it if you¡¯re interested."


    Mithra caught it but paused, not rushing to inspect the bracelet. "So, I should mainly focus on learning miracles related to Self and Ki?"


    "Yes, it¡¯s natural for newcomers to seek the easier path. Besides Ki, mastering the basic miracles of Self is mandatory. You can¡¯t escape them."


    "Like what?" Excitement bubbled within Mithra as she sensed the learning was finally at hand.


    "''Reinforce Body'' and ''Stabilize,''" Safin replied.


    "Reinforce Body can use sense to strengthen the body, allowing individuals to escape their weakened state and even continuously improve, reaching a level that can match beasts. ''Stabilize'' helps eliminate external interference, stabilizing the mind, increasing mental resilience, and even sharpening your sense."


    Mithra quickly grasped the key point.


    "Can Stabilize reduce pain?" she asked, her tone suddenly urgent.


    Safin¡¯s expression shifted slightly, but he answered nonetheless. "No, Stabilize isn¡¯t a numbing agent. However, it can certainly increase your tolerance to pain, as that could be considered external interference."


    "Please, I absolutely must learn that!" Mithra said with earnest intensity.


    "Uh, yes, I mentioned it¡¯s a mandatory subject."


    "Please, I must learn ''Stabilize.'' Teach me well," she insisted solemnly.


    Safin blinked in surprise, pausing for a moment. "... I¡¯ll try my best."

 Chapter 4: Stabilize

    As a result, Mithra began her study of miracles, with the advanced Stabilize miracle as her goal.


    She activated her sense, extending her powerful perception outward, forging a connection with the object from which she wished to draw strength.


    Then, she had to imagine the shape of the miracle and visualize its intended use. After that, she needed to engage her miracle-releasing organ and set it free.


    The miracle-releasing organ was the part of the body responsible for unleashing miracles. Each person''s first releasing organ was unique, leading to variations in how miracles were manifested.


    For Mithra, her releasing organ was the most common of all¡ªher left hand. She felt no particular uniqueness about it.


    Mithra dedicated herself to practice, losing track of time in the cave, but feeling as though significant moments had passed.


    Finally, her desperate need for Stabilize brought forth a flash of "Self" within her sense. She quickly drew it out.


    A sudden sensation of coolness and relaxation surged through her hand, manifesting as a white mist forming in her palm.


    Something felt off.


    "Not bad. Now fix it onto the required location. Stabilize is typically placed on your forehead," Safin said, observing her progress.


    Before the mist completely dissipated, Mithra placed it on her forehead.


    Ding.


    A sound resonated in her ears like a bell. In an instant, Mithra felt her scattered thoughts vanish, her mind becoming incredibly calm, akin to a monk deep in meditation.


    Whoa.


    That sensation was fleeting. Mithra opened her eyes wide. "How come it¡¯s gone already?"


    "This is your first time using this miracle. It¡¯s quite good that you managed to activate it," Safin replied, shaking his head with a chuckle. He then turned and began digging in a corner of the cave.


    Soon, Mithra observed what he was unearthing.


    Half a frost-covered rabbit carcass.


    "Almost time to eat. Let¡¯s have dinner," Safin said, settling on the ground.


    He processed the rabbit deftly, impaling it on a wooden skewer and placing it over the fire to roast. "Resources are limited. I hear the food in the Enchanting Land is much better than here in Dreamland. But we have to make do for now."


    Mithra shook her head. "I know; anything is good right now."


    They quickly finished the half-rabbit. The flavor wasn¡¯t remarkable, but they consumed it all.


    "Originally, I could have stretched this rabbit for a long time. An extra mouth means less food," Safin remarked, tossing the leftover scraps and bones into the fire.


    "I¡¯ll go out and find more food," Mithra volunteered.


    Safin nodded. "You should get acquainted with the shallower levels of the mine shaft. It will make your future endeavors easier. My range of movement is limited, so let¡¯s discuss it first."


    Safin explained to Mithra that he had carved markings on some of the turns in the tunnel. By following these markings, she would be unlikely to get lost in the shallower depths.


    "Even though there are many curses in the mine, there are also ordinary creatures. They are our source of food. The curses are hostile towards people, but they seem uninterested in other creatures," Safin clarified.


    "How do curses form? Are they a kind of miracle too?" Mithra asked, curiosity alight in her eyes.


    Safin pondered for a moment. "Miracles aren¡¯t entirely inert objects."


    Mithra frowned, confused.


    He continued, "Miracles aren¡¯t merely useful tools. As long as people believe, a different kind of miracle can manifest. Uncontrolled desire can lead to terrible outcomes. While ordinary people can''t achieve this, the collective thoughts of many can give rise to such phenomena."


    "Miracles come at a high price."


    With that, Safin cautioned her, "You can wield miracles, but don¡¯t become entranced by the convenience they offer. When you truly encounter a similar situation in the future, remember¡ªremember your name."


    ...


    Mithra carried a small lantern through the dark tunnels, her heart swelling with joy that it was still lit. In the brief time she had possessed it, she had already grown attached.


    As a newcomer, even with the high-end intermediary she had borrowed, her light wouldn¡¯t last long. So, she had chosen the simplest approach to illumination.


    Unfortunately, the pickaxe she had fought alongside with had not returned with Safin. But that was alright; there were plenty more back where the bodies lay.


    Safin had mentioned that large gatherings of cursed creatures, like the horde she had encountered, were unusual. Typically, these cursed beings were cowardly and wouldn¡¯t dare venture into the light. They could only unleash their hatred in the shadows.


    Even though she didn¡¯t know for certain, Mithra felt a surge of strength within her. Even if she were to face another swarm of monsters...


    This time, she was certain she could escape.


    She continued along the path, familiarizing herself with the way. Soon, she arrived back at the wooden walkway where she had fought her first battle. The remains of the monsters still lay strewn about, thick dark blood pooling in the dirt, impossible to identify as belonging to friend or foe.


    "Pickaxe, pickaxe..." she murmured, her gaze finally landing on a blood-stained pickaxe lying desolately among the corpses.


    There it was.


    The trek back to the pile of bodies took longer than expected. Along the way, she encountered a few monsters, but they were far less aggressive than in a group. They would lash out if she got too close, but Mithra easily evaded them, confirming Safin¡¯s words.


    Just as she reached for the pickaxe, she heard footsteps approaching.


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    A group of individuals, dressed similarly to the ones she had seen before, entered the ghastly pile of corpses.


    Mithra stood in the open, her lantern casting a bright light, making her a beacon amidst the dim, chaotic scene.


    They spotted her immediately. One of them pointed a finger in her direction and said something.


    That feeling of familiarity struck her. Were they the ones she had chased off earlier? Should she return the lantern?


    Mithra¡¯s thoughts were interrupted.


    "You¡¯re not a cursed creature," the leader of the group stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant.


    He was a man with a long beard, clad differently from the others. He wore a large grey coat embroidered with strange purple eyes, a white stone necklace hanging around his neck, and a bracelet adorned with dual-colored stones.


    A peculiar scent wafted through the air.


    Though Safin hadn¡¯t taught her the nuances of the believers¡¯ knowledge, something deep within her intuitively signaled that this was a significant encounter.


    "No, I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re so afraid of me," Mithra replied, her voice steady.


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her from head to toe. "Where did you come from?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    "From the Enchanting Land?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    "What are you doing here?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    The man¡¯s eyes twitched. Mithra maintained an expressionless demeanor.


    "You¡¯re quite the talker. Hopefully, you can keep that up," he said, slightly widening his stance and letting his shoulders sag.


    Mithra noticed a twisting pattern flash on the necklace hanging from the man¡¯s chest.


    Then, with a sudden surge of power, his legs seemed to gather strength.


    Reinforce Body?


    Safin had intended to teach Mithra this essential miracle first. The sense type was Self, and its effect... well, it was complicated to explain. Just think of it as a way to strengthen the body. That much Mithra understood.


    She recognized it from Safin¡¯s earlier demonstration, where his Reinforce Body enveloped him entirely, but this man¡¯s power only reached his thighs.


    Despite the danger looming over her, Mithra found herself oddly absentminded.


    Bang!


    The man suddenly stomped the ground, leaving an imprint of his foot. He charged toward Mithra like a frenzied rabbit.


    Mithra lightly lifted her foot, stamping down on the pickaxe that lay upside down on the ground. She seized the handle and swung it down.


    She had accurately predicted his trajectory, and he slammed directly into the pickaxe.


    The sharp point pierced his stomach with tremendous force, and a scream of pain escaped him as he halted abruptly. Mithra felt the force push her back several steps.


    "Huh? Not bad. His Reinforce Body doesn¡¯t cover his entire body. Other parts are still strengthened, but it seems I can break through his defenses with normal means," she mused to herself.


    Safin had previously demonstrated Reinforce Body in front of her by kicking a wall, creating a hole without sustaining any injury. It wasn¡¯t the best demonstration, but it was clear and effective.


    The man before her was significantly weaker than Safin.


    Suddenly, fueled by pain, the man retaliated, unleashing a flying kick. They were too close, and Mithra couldn¡¯t prepare in time; she only had a moment to raise her pickaxe.


    A dull thud echoed as the pickaxe snapped. Mithra felt overwhelming force that sent her flying through the air, rolling clumsily across the ground.


    "Ugh..."


    Shaking her head to clear the fog, she felt excruciating pain. Her hands twitched as if thousands of needles pierced her muscles. The scrapes on her body felt ablaze.


    But that sensation was fleeting. The intense pain that flared up subsided almost immediately, and the minor wounds healed as if they had never existed.


    Mithra scrambled to her feet and turned, darting toward a tunnel behind her.


    She knew that even though this man¡¯s Reinforce Body was far inferior to Safin''s, he could easily take her down. Had that last kick struck her head, she doubted her recovery would save her.


    Footsteps echoed behind her. Mithra pivoted and swung her lantern at the man¡¯s face, knocking him to the ground.


    She pressed on into the tunnel, her expression unyielding.


    The man picked up a torch from the side. ¡°You lot stay here. She¡¯s a bit strange, but just an ordinary person. As soon as she shows herself outside, grab her.¡±


    The others were too fearful to disagree, reluctantly nodding in agreement.


    With torch raised, the man chased after Mithra.


    He frowned as he entered the tunnel, realizing Mithra¡¯s erratic movements combined with the incompetence of those he had ordered to guard the entrance had allowed her to escape further.


    He paused, closing his eyes.


    About five seconds later, the pattern on his necklace glimmered again, this time focusing on his ear.


    The chaotic sounds of the tunnel amplified in his hearing. A cruel smile spread across his face.


    Found her.


    He quickly found his direction and sped up. Though the tunnel was cramped, his first miracle-releasing organ allowed for incredible agility.


    The torch in his hand gradually illuminated the scene before him, and at last, he spotted a figure.


    "Damn it!"


    "Curses!"


    It was a cursed creature!


    Instinctively, he kicked out, smashing the creature''s head. He cursed a few times, but before he could pause, several more cursed creatures crawled into view.


    The man was too lazy to engage them directly. Instead, he tried to shoo them away with his torch.


    The cursed creatures hesitated, making awful noises that further muddled his already amplified hearing from the Reinforce Body.


    Suddenly, a handful of rock and dirt flew from the side, snuffing out his torch in an instant.


    The tunnel plunged into darkness.


    "Seems like you won¡¯t be ''illuminating'' anytime soon," Mithra''s voice echoed through the dark.


    "You little smart-ass trickster!" he shot back, dealing with the cursed creatures that attacked him now that his light was gone, shouting as he did so.


    The Reinforce Body, which hadn¡¯t been activated on his first releasing organ, had a limited duration. He felt his hearing returning to normal.


    He realized Mithra was trying to completely block him, attempting to use this opportunity to let the cursed creatures do the dirty work.


    Yet even without sight or replenished miracles, the Reinforce Body on his legs remained enough to fend off the cursed creatures. He would methodically search for her, confident that his people outside had already been alerted. She could only retreat deeper into the tunnel; it was only a matter of time before she met her end.


    ...


    Mithra leaned against the wall, listening intently to the chaos unfolding in the darkness. Thoughts swirled in her mind.


    She recognized this path; she had traversed it before. Running this way wasn¡¯t a random choice; it was where she had previously encountered multiple cursed creatures. It felt like a calculated risk worth taking.


    She could easily escape and return to Safin, ensuring her safety.


    But there was another consideration gnawing at her.


    The equivalent exchange mechanism on her body hinted at unseen observers, watching her every action.


    Perhaps she should reveal more of herself. Maybe it would trigger further ¡°exchanges.¡±


    After all, though the rewards had come with a price, they had proven effective. As a newcomer without allies, having more aces up her sleeve could only be beneficial.


    As for being a puppet for those who were watching her? That thought was beyond Mithra''s concern.


    She had already died once. Life goals were a distant memory; she had merely planned to work hard at her previous job.


    What did it matter where she worked? This place was simply more thrilling than before.


    Mithra knew she was essentially a pawn in this game.


    The second consideration was her desire for an intermediary.


    As a naive newcomer, it was only natural to want a few spare intermediaries. After all, Safin hadn¡¯t mentioned giving her his own.


    The environment was dark, noisy, and chaotic. The man was being harassed by cursed creatures and lacked the Illuminate miracle. The Reinforce Body¡¯s enhanced hearing required significant concentration and had a limited duration.


    Despite their differences in raw power, these conditions might be enough.


    Mithra glanced at the broken pickaxe in her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s try this out.¡±


    ¡°Stabilize!¡±


    Ding~.


    For an instant, her mind cleared. With determination, she plunged the pickaxe into her own stomach, twisted it around, then yanked it out!


    The intense pain would have normally sent her spiraling into unconsciousness, but with Stabilize¡¯s aid, she remained upright. Her body trembled violently; her expression wavered between anguish and a twisted smile, tears pooling in her eyes.


    But in the darkness, no one could see.


    Her body began to regenerate.


    As it healed, her overall sensitivity surged. Mithra noticed this enhancement even through the initial excruciating pain that had nearly consumed her. It wasn¡¯t just her pain that had intensified...


    All her senses sharpened. The "overall sensitivity" described was no mere fabrication.


    She checked again; as expected, her sense, already linked to her body¡¯s sensations, had grown stronger.


    This time, the duration of Stabilize had extended to three seconds!


    ¡°Another Stabilize!¡±


    Ding~.


    Good. Now she could keep her head clear.


    She gripped the blood-stained pickaxe and moved slowly toward the man.


    His strength lay solely in his legs; his other body parts lacked substantial reinforcement. He was completely disoriented. In contrast, Mithra¡¯s enhanced senses granted her total awareness in the darkness.


    A pair of eyes, glistening like pools of thick black liquid, approached him.


    She raised the pickaxe high.


    Then, with a swift motion, she swung it down.


    Swoosh!

 Chapter 5: Faith Totem

    "... You''re teasing those things again?"


    "No, I''m just killing individuals."


    "Hmm, I see. A believer."


    "Do you think his meat is edible? He looks pretty meaty."


    "Are you joking?"


    "Yeah, I''m joking."


    Mithra placed the corpse, covered in cuts and wounds, outside Safin''s cave. Its head resembled a squashed watermelon, grotesque and unrecognizable.


    Then she collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.


    Safin regarded her with a hint of concern. He watched as Mithra raised her hand, instinctively gathering Stabilize and pressing it to her forehead.


    Ding.


    It was a simple action, almost instinctive, yet it did little to soothe her panting and fatigue.


    "You''ve mastered Stabilize so quickly; it''s almost like a fixed function," Safin frowned.


    Mithra offered no reply.


    Perhaps it was due to the intense pain from her body¡¯s regeneration that her mastery of Stabilize had accelerated. Under the extreme state of Stabilize, the sensation of pain felt even more vivid, yet she managed to prevent it from overwhelming her.


    She had finally succeeded in killing her enemy, using her environment to her advantage.


    But in a final act of malice, her opponent had retaliated, shattering several bones in Mithra¡¯s body and nearly breaking her ribcage.


    He had attempted to activate other miracles, but Mithra had struck him down before he could succeed. Believers, it seemed, were still hesitant to fight at lower levels. After all, miracle activation often required a time lag.


    After a long silence, Mithra felt the pain in her body gradually subside, her senses returning to normal.


    She thought for a moment.


    Ding.


    She activated another Stabilize.


    With her senses restored, her perception improved as well. Even so, she could activate Stabilize almost instantaneously. The duration was shorter, but she could achieve several minutes of effect in a single use.


    "When you first learn miracles, your sense won¡¯t be lacking. But as you learn more miracles, you¡¯ll need to distribute your sense carefully," Safin advised, noting her incessant replenishing of Stabilize.


    Mithra finally managed to refocus on their conversation. "Is sense inherently fixed?"


    "A newborn''s sense is strongest right away, but it weakens significantly afterward. As they begin to form memories, it will grow again. Before twenty is a period of rapid growth. After thirty, it weakens, and growth becomes difficult after forty. There will be another leap at fifty, but after that, it mostly stops," Safin explained quickly.


    "Strange rules," Mithra remarked.


    "Humanity is quite strange. The whole world is very strange," Safin chuckled.


    "Are there other ways to grow?"


    "Yes," Safin replied without hesitation. "When a miracle is activated or a believer dies, some of their sense splits off and becomes tangible. You can absorb those. But there¡¯s a hidden danger. You must be moderate. Absorb too much, and you¡¯ll be ''lost.''"


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    Mithra nodded, making a mental note.


    "I was going to teach you how to hunt in the caves after you came back. But it seems you need to rest for a while," Safin said, shaking his head.


    "Sorry, I need to rest a bit," Mithra replied, not pushing the matter.


    "It''s alright; I''m not in a hurry," he assured her. "Oh, how many lives do you have left?"


    "...What?" Mithra paused, momentarily bewildered by his question, struggling to grasp its meaning.


    Safin noticed her confusion. "You don''t even know this... Hmm, very strange."


    He took a moment to explain. "People from the Enchanting Land have many lives. I''ve heard them speak of it. All people from the Enchanting Land will have at least two lives in Dreamland, and the number can increase depending on their mastery and use of miracles."


    "I don''t know," Mithra said, stunned for a moment before continuing. "Do they have a name for this kind of thing?"


    "In the Enchanting Land, they call this extra life a ''Life lock.''"


    Mithra froze.


    Life lock!?


    When she traded for "Night eyes," her life lock had decreased.


    That¡¯s why "Life lock" was so valuable; it granted access to such unique abilities.


    "I don¡¯t know if I have any Life locks left. I don¡¯t know anything about this." All Mithra could convey to Safin was her complete ignorance.


    "These are common patterns that our ancestors have researched and developed over time. Each sense type has a corresponding pattern that anyone can learn to use. After all, humans are very weak. We need to learn more to compensate for our weaknesses."


    "And during their research into miracle activation, some strong individuals gradually develop their own Faith Totem, allowing them to modify some properties of a miracle, or even create a powerful unique miracle. Those are more advanced concepts."


    With that, Safin gestured to the beginner''s textbook. "Turn to the last few pages."


    Mithra complied. After flipping through, she discovered an appendix listing numerous patterns¡ªeach a Faith Totem.


    She studied them intently for a while before Safin tossed her a sharp rock. "Start with the ''Self'' patterns; draw each one five times. Familiarize yourself with them. We¡¯ll take a break, and I¡¯ll teach you Reinforce Body. There''s no rush. Get them firmly etched in your mind, and then form muscle memory."


    Thus, Mithra began learning Reinforce Body and Faith Totems simultaneously.


    In addition to that, she accompanied Safin to learn how to hunt the creatures lurking in the caves.


    Mostly rabbits and rodents, and of course, some edible insects. The food available in the tunnels was limited, but Mithra accepted it without complaint.


    In truth, she rarely displayed any expressions at all.


    Without the sun in the mine, it was impossible to tell how much time had passed. Mithra felt as though she were slowly becoming a savage.


    It was fortunate that Safin could activate water miracles to cleanse her body; otherwise, she wasn¡¯t sure how filthy she would have become.


    During this time, Mithra had successfully mastered Reinforce Body at a basic level. Currently, she could only apply it to her arms and forearms. She also began integrating her own patterns into the process of activating miracles.


    However, she encountered a problem.


    Adding patterns required extra sense power. Moreover, before she mastered them, the effects of the patterns on strengthening miracles remained unclear. While the activation of miracles did become faster, the time it took to draw the patterns themselves wasn''t reduced. Ultimately, for Mithra, the lag time had actually extended.


    It was still a matter of mastery.


    And without the stimulation of regeneration, Mithra''s learning progress was only average.


    She considered whether she should stab herself a few more times to practice in a state of heightened sense, but she was spending most of her time with Safin, and acting too strange would raise suspicions.


    The two of them also passed through the pile of corpses in the tunnel. After Mithra had killed that believer, the rest of them had waited a long time, but when their comrade never returned, they became frightened and fled.


    During that time, there hadn¡¯t been any newcomers.


    After mastering the Self patterns, Mithra¡¯s learning tasks had relaxed a bit. She could now begin exploring other knowledge.


    Like the history of this world.


    "Dreamland was once ruled by forty-four beings of immense power. They had different origins, but for a time, they ruled and dominated Dreamland, constantly battling one another in endless wars. Towards the end of their reign, the first group of miracle thieves emerged. They stole the powers that only those beings could wield and transformed them into miracles for humans. From that moment, the era changed. Humans defeated the Forty-Four Pillars, exterminated them, and established the foundations of civilization as it exists today," Safin recounted in a monotonous tone.


    Mithra listened intently; it was all new information.


    "Who was the first person to steal a miracle?" she asked.


    Safin looked at her. "It was ''Kahira.'' She was the first human believer. She stole the power of ''Brilliant Light'' from Michelle, one of the Forty-Four Pillars, the power of light. She was the first human user of that power."


    Kahira.


    Mithra recalled seeing that name associated with the "Illuminate" miracle.


    Thinking for a moment, she continued, "Do you know the name ''Lebaance''?"


    That was the name that had bestowed her the "Regeneration" gift.


    "How do you know that name?" Safin appeared surprised.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "...No, your behavior has always resembled that of a newborn baby. I''m surprised you know that name, although it¡¯s not unfamiliar in Dreamland."


    "Who is he?"


    "One of the Forty-Four Pillars, ''Infinite'' Lebaance."

 Chapter 6: Bear and Hunter

    "Infinite" Lebaance might be, to put it dramatically, the most renowned of the Forty-Four Pillars.


    During the reign of the Forty-Four Pillars, he commanded the largest territory and wielded the most powerful and fearsome army. He was undefeated in the internal conflicts between the Pillars until he was ultimately bested by humans.


    There are whispers that he was even the strongest among them, though such claims remain unverified.


    "Lebaance..." Mithra echoed, tasting the name on her tongue.


    That particular pronunciation felt unique; it couldn''t be mere coincidence.


    If that was true, could the entities behind those whispers be the Forty-Four Pillars themselves?


    "Were the Forty-Four Pillars also exterminated by humans?" she inquired.


    "That''s what history tells us. Of course, that history is incomplete. The specifics of how the Forty-Four Pillars were overthrown and destroyed are not fully recorded. In fact..."


    Safin''s voice trailed off.


    Under Mithra''s steady gaze, he continued slowly, "Even the names of some of the Forty-Four Pillars, and their true identities, have been lost to time."


    "History should be remembered well," Mithra narrowed her eyes, saying nothing further.


    "There''s nothing we can do. People back then couldn''t even feed themselves, let alone worry about history," Safin replied, throwing up his hands in resignation.


    Mithra sighed, though this history lesson still helped her better understand her own situation.


    "I''m starting to get hungry. The mountain rat I just caught is already eaten," Safin gestured toward Mithra.


    Mithra rose to her feet. "I''ll go fetch some food. Oh, can I go out and take a look around now?"


    Safin considered her request for a moment, then nodded. "You can, but be careful."


    "Okay."


    With that, Mithra departed the cave.


    As she walked away, Safin exhaled a sigh of relief. He covered his head with his hands, his body trembling slightly as if he were trying to suppress some form of pain.


    After a long while, the pain finally subsided.


    "This is probably... the last chance."


    ...


    Mithra hadn''t activated the exchange mechanism recently, but her efforts hadn¡¯t waned. She was simply forced to be on her best behavior, as Safin guided her through the mine.


    Around her left wrist, she had strung the necklace and bracelet she had acquired. The insights gleaned from her eyes about these artifacts were quite mundane, providing only a summary devoid of context. The necklace served as a sense-oriented intermediary, while the bracelet held the essence of fire and magma.


    Currently, she was training in fire and magma miracles, though her progress with the intermediary felt sluggish.


    Lost in her thoughts, Mithra made her way back to the pile of corpses, grabbing a torch along the way. After surveying her surroundings, she turned towards the entrance typically used by ordinary folk.


    The path before her branched in several directions, forks that even Safin had overlooked. Mithra marveled at the intricate layout of the mine, a testament to its original craftsmanship.


    To familiarize herself with the path ahead, she activated another Stabilize.


    Ding.


    With a sharp rock, she drove a deep gash into her arm. Taking a steadying breath, she utilized Stabilize to quell the intense pain.


    Her senses heightened, she swiftly began to discern her surroundings, practicing various miracles along the way, now invigorated by the surge of awareness.


    The wound healed rapidly. Just in time, Mithra arrived at the mouth of a cave that opened into the world beyond.


    Stepping out, she beheld the sky of this new realm for the first time.


    Regrettably, her initial glimpse revealed an overcast expanse, thick clouds pressing down like a heavy shroud. The gentle wind stirred, revealing a dilapidated road before her, littered with discarded tools.


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    A rancid odor wafted through the air, accompanied by the sight of several decaying corpses outside the cave.


    Nearby, a few buildings stood in varying states of disrepair.


    Drawing another totem for herself, Mithra enhanced her senses before scanning her surroundings.


    All clear. There were no signs of life.


    With this confirmation, she pressed on, tentatively exploring.


    Upon entering one of the buildings, she discovered it was merely a tool storage room. In the corner, an iron anvil lay neglected, a broken stone sledgehammer resting atop it.


    The sledgehammer was square, with a chipped corner and a head roughly the size of a human skull. The handle was long and slender. Mithra hefted it in her hands, appreciating its weight.


    Rumble...


    Sounds emanated from outside the room.


    Bang!


    As she turned cautiously, a creature crashed through the wooden wall instead of the door!


    At first, all she could make out was its dark black fur, and without a moment''s hesitation, she hurled the torch in her grasp.


    The dark fur ignited instantly, and the creature let out a low, furious growl.


    As the dust settled, Mithra finally identified her foe.


    A bear!


    Mithra had visited zoos many times and recognized instantly that this bear was nothing like those she had seen before. It loomed large, its powerful paws ending in claws that gleamed with a deadly sharpness.


    Yet, what struck Mithra as peculiar was the intelligence shining from the bear''s small, bean-like eyes. As the flames licked at its fur, it glared at her with a mix of ferocity and resentment.


    Mithra wouldn''t interpret the bear''s gaze as one might with a character in a novel, yet its eyes exuded an unsettling intelligence that sent a jolt of instinctive fear through her.


    Without hesitation, she bolted from the narrow space.


    The bear, noticing her flight, didn¡¯t waste time extinguishing the flames licking its fur. Instead, it lunged after her with relentless determination.


    Even the most agile person would struggle to evade a bear driven mad with fury so close at hand.


    Clutching the stone sledgehammer tightly, Mithra used the short lead she had gained to catch her breath. At last, her intermediary activation was complete.


    Reinforce Body!


    A white mist coalesced in her left hand, imbuing it with weight. She swung her left hand toward her right arm, channeling the force through her entire being.


    Thus, she accomplished the initial two-handed Reinforce Body.


    With a swift, fluid motion, Mithra extended her arm, the stone sledgehammer in her grip arcing through the air!


    Bang!


    The sledgehammer connected with the bear¡¯s head, sending a tremor through its massive body. It staggered, losing its balance and collapsing to the ground.


    Mithra pressed her left hand to her forehead, hastily activating Stabilize.


    Ding.


    She pressed on, swinging the sledgehammer again and again against the bear.


    As the creature¡¯s once-fierce gaze flickered, a glimmer of fear seeped into its eyes. With each blow, the bear¡¯s head suffered under the relentless assault, leaving it groaning in agony and unable to rise.


    "Protect animals, protect animals, protect animals... No, I¡¯m hunting. I want to eat bear paws," she murmured, her scattered thoughts muddled even to her own understanding. Each swing of her sledgehammer contradicted her earlier sentiment.


    Despite her desire to protect, the blows kept falling.


    The bear¡¯s life was ebbing away.


    Mithra felt her exhaustion mounting, beads of sweat trickling down her brow.


    Even as a novice in Reinforce Body, the enhancement was formidable. The first time she wielded it, she had felt like a superhero.


    Though she had no way of knowing the resilience of a typical bear¡¯s skull, she reasoned that after battering its head with her heavy stone sledgehammer for what felt like an eternity, any ordinary bear would have succumbed.


    What was wrong with this bear?


    Her mind raced, but the sledgehammer in her grasp showed no signs of stopping, swinging down again and again.


    It mattered little what affliction had befallen the beast. To eliminate any threat, and with no knowledge of how to subdue it without tranquilizers, her only option was to kill it.


    The safest solution.


    Bang!


    But the sound that followed wasn''t the heavy thud of her hammer¡ªit was the sharp crack of a gunshot.


    A spray of blood erupted from Mithra''s chest. Her vision blurred instantly.


    Staggering back a few steps, she knelt on one knee, gripping the sledgehammer to steady herself.


    What the...


    Her mind momentarily stalled before she made a quick decision. Reaching toward her wound, she activated Stabilize.


    Ding.


    Okay.


    That had definitely been a gunshot.


    As she regained her senses, her sharp hearing picked up the rustling of foliage ahead.


    "Why, you want to attack my dog?" croaked a hoarse, shrill voice. Mithra''s gaze settled on an old man, garbed like a mountain villager and bearing the hallmarks of a hunter.


    A strange purple eye tattoo adorned his forehead, and his beard trembled along with his lips.


    Gasping for breath, Mithra reached into her chest wound and pulled out the bullet.


    A gunshot?


    The old man didn¡¯t approach her. Instead, he ambled over to the bear''s side, retrieving a bracelet from his chest. He muttered something to himself as the bracelet flickered with a pattern resembling a claw, then hastily placed it against the bear¡¯s body.


    The bear¡¯s groans diminished, its wounds closing rapidly as it struggled to rise.


    "Good boy, good boy. It''s good that you''re okay," the old man cooed.


    "Roar!" The bear erupted in a thunderous roar directed at the old man.


    He merely chuckled, unfazed.


    Behind him, Mithra rose to her feet, the old man''s head in her sights.


    Bang!


    Suppressing the throbbing pain in her chest, she aimed carefully. The old man¡¯s neck twisted violently, his expression frozen in a blissful smile¡ªlikely a painless death.


    She had shown him mercy.


    Mithra lowered her head and delivered another blow.


    Splat!


    Brain and blood splattered, the human skull yielding as easily as a watermelon.


    "This feels pretty normal. He would have caused me more trouble..."


    Raising her head, she released the blood-stained sledgehammer and turned her gaze to the bear, which had regained its strength and was now standing.


    Its fierce eyes bore an uncanny intelligence.


    Mithra half-sat, swiftly reaching for the fallen musket at the old man¡¯s side. She aimed it at the bear and fired.


    Bang!


    As she raised the musket, the bear lunged at her. The bullet should have found its mark at such close range, yet the bear appeared entirely unphased.


    It was likely shielded by its thick fur and blubber.


    The bear¡¯s massive paw crashed down. Mithra scrambled to evade, but the beast pressed its attack, striking her with brutal force.


    This time, dodging was impossible. The world spun around her as she was sent tumbling through the air like a broken doll, crashing heavily to the ground.


    This was a problem. Her surprise attack had given her the upper hand before, but now she stood no chance against the bear in a direct confrontation.


    What should she do next?

 Chapter 7: A valiant fight against a wild beast

    Beast miracle.


    The old man had used a miracle on the bear. Judging by the glowing pattern, it was a beast miracle.


    According to Safin''s teachings, beast miracles fell into two categories: intelligence and strength.


    Beast intelligence was a rare, inverse miracle¡ªone that transferred human intellect to a beast. This could elevate a beast¡¯s mind to the level of human thought.


    No doubt, this bear was under the influence of such a beast intelligence miracle.


    As for the healing miracle, Mithra didn¡¯t know. Safin had never taught that.


    Locked in her struggle with the bear, Mithra had to keep replenishing Stabilize and extending Reinforce Body. Without it, her blows were mere ticks against the creature¡¯s thick hide.


    She¡¯d fired the musket several times, but soon enough, the bear had swatted it away, bending the barrel like straw.


    In the chaos, Mithra found herself near the cave entrance. She could turn and retreat inside; it was the safe option.


    But she had little interest in running.


    Test¡ª


    The tips of her left fingers tingled, a faint burning sensation prickling them.


    "Fire can suppress wild beasts."


    Safin¡¯s teaching came to mind. Covering her left hand, she used the amplified sensitivity from her wounds to channel her power.


    Heat gathered in her palm, igniting into flame.


    Ignite.


    ["Ignite¡±: In ancient times, it was called "Blazing Appendage." A basic fire miracle. It lets one attack with flames conjured in the hand, or transfer fire to external objects for burning.]


    [¡ªWild beasts fear fire.]


    The flames brushed her sledgehammer, and it flared to life with fire, illuminating the weapon like a torch.


    As this flame-born miracle stemmed from her own sense, it didn¡¯t burn her; she felt only warmth.


    ¡°Thank you, Lebaance,¡± she murmured. The heightened sense from her wounds had driven her miracle mastery forward.


    Just as she finished, the bear¡¯s paw came crashing down on her head. Half her scalp was torn open, but Mithra¡¯s eyes remained fierce. Her black, unlit pupils darted, calculating the bear¡¯s movements.


    Her body shuddered, but she didn¡¯t fall.


    The strength of Reinforce Body now extended beyond her arms, enhancing her entire form. Her physical power had reached a new threshold.


    The bear swung again, and this time, Mithra met it with the blazing sledgehammer.


    Bang!


    Mithra hit the ground, tasting mud, as the hammer connected with the bear¡¯s side. The bear staggered, its wound bursting into flames!


    It let out a howl of agony. Its injuries hadn¡¯t fully healed, and the fire stirred a primal terror, threatening to overwhelm its granted intelligence.


    Mithra struggled to her feet.


    Stabilize.


    Ding.


    Then, lifting the sledgehammer with purpose, she swung it into the bear¡¯s hind leg with all her might.


    The bear, thrown off-balance, crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. Mithra reached up and pressed the torn skin on her scalp back into place. Her fingers glided down from her forehead, smearing away the chilling blood on her face, and her grotesque smile tightened through the pain.


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    "Roar!"


    "Noisy," she muttered with a disdainful glance at the bear¡¯s dying cry, then brought the hammer down again.


    Bang!


    The bear¡¯s jaw twisted with the force of the blow, releasing only a feeble whimper. This time, no one would save it.


    The hammer''s rhythm created a grim melody in the silence of the forest, a tune only Mithra could enjoy. When the bear¡¯s body finally stilled, she released a breath, the Ignite miracle''s duration having expired. She¡¯d kept swinging even after the creature had died, half-fearing its body might rise again. She¡¯d seen enough today to expect surprises.


    As she panted, she activated Stabilize once more, not bothering to calculate the miracle¡¯s duration. She cast a final look at the bear''s corpse, black spots already forming on its fur. Intrigued, Mithra leaned closer.


    [Bear of Gross Mountain: Wild beast dwelling in Gross Mountain. After devouring an old hunter''s beloved dog, it was captured and granted beast intelligence to guard the mountain. The crazed hunter treated it as if it were his lost pet.]


    [¡ªGood boy, good boy. Come home to town tonight. Beware the bears in the mountains.]


    Mithra recoiled. Just as she considered how to handle the bear¡¯s massive corpse, her vision blurred, and black and white script appeared before her.


    [Event ¡ª¡ª ¡°Valiant Fight Against a Wild Beast"]


    [You may choose one of the following.]


    [One, Gift from Bicester: Through the absorption of beast blood, you may manifest their power.]


    [Price: Those who pursue beast blood will gradually begin to resemble the beasts they pursue.]


    [Two, Gift from Phaselos: The crafting method of god-killing weapons, usage, and experience with various types of arms.]


    [Price: A master weaponsmith often incorporates their body into their weapon storehouse, becoming one with their weapons, intimately intertwined.]


    [Signed by Phaselos: Pursue intelligence and skill. Your hands are the proof.]


    The activation was different this time. Two gifts, but she could only choose one.


    Mithra studied the choices and frowned. Both came with prices that were as ominous as they were vague.


    The first price implied that absorbing beast blood would make her gradually more beastlike. The second¡ªwhat did it mean to make her body a "weapon storehouse"? The words ¡°god-killing weapon¡± in Phaselos¡¯s gift certainly caught her eye, and there was even a message signed by him.


    Repeating "Signed by Phaselos" in her mind, Mithra pondered a moment longer before selecting the second option.


    No real reason¡ªPhaselos¡¯s style just sounded a bit too cool to pass up.


    After choosing her gift, the black and white text swirled into a dense mass before plunging into Mithra''s mind. A deluge of knowledge and experience struck her, freezing her in place. It was only after what felt like ages that she blinked back into focus, rubbing her eyes as fatigue settled deep in her bones.


    With newfound clarity, Mithra inspected the broken stone sledgehammer in her hand. Understanding the cost of her selection, she took a steadying breath, activated Stabilize, and drove the sledgehammer straight into her stomach.


    Splat.


    The hammer sank into her abdomen, not piercing through, but disappearing as if her body had swallowed it whole. No blood, no gore¡ªjust the unsettling sensation of cold metal nestled within her flesh. This was her new ability, a flesh storehouse for weapons. Her body could contain them, call on them at will, and bind them to her with a kind of invisible contract.


    The hammer rested within her, unnoticed by weight but unignorable by feel. She could sense its mass pressing within, cold and alien, despite the natural warmth of her flesh regenerating around it.


    ¡°Damn¡­¡± she muttered as the pain radiated through her abdomen. The regenerative gift from Lebaance worked in tandem with this new ability, making the otherwise unbearable process feasible. Yet with each future weapon she stored, she¡¯d feel the constant ache of flesh under pressure, her heightened sensitivity always reminding her of her new role.


    ''Convenient,'' she thought, ''but with a price.''


    Deciding the sledgehammer would stay, she activated Stabilize once more, allowing her body to adjust to its presence, then began the task of dragging the bear''s corpse to the mine. She strengthened herself repeatedly with Reinforce Body, letting the repeated activations sharpen her control over the miracle.


    Finally, with the bear¡¯s carcass deposited, she called for Safin. Together, they carved and stored the meat, a tedious process that dragged on.


    Safin, wiping his brow, chuckled as he surveyed the massive pile of bear meat. "Why is it every time you go out alone, you stumble upon ¡®good things¡¯?¡±


    "Wouldn¡¯t call them good.¡± Mithra shook her head. ¡°There was an old hunter too¡ªnearly shot me down.¡±


    Safin raised a brow. ¡°Two enemies: a musket-wielding hunter and a bear with intelligence? And yet you survived and even took them down?¡±


    ¡°Just practical luck, I guess.¡± Mithra shrugged, summoning a flicker of flame to her palm. Her grasp of the Ignite miracle had grown.


    ¡°Not bad for a warrior with night eyes,¡± Safin remarked with approval.


    Mithra¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Are these eyes really that special?¡±


    ¡°During the uprising against the Forty-Four Pillars, human heroes emerged¡ªone of them a warrior with night eyes, like yours. Many legends were born from that line, but the eyes bring attention. Some still cling to the remnants of the Pillars, bearing malice toward those with night eyes,¡± Safin warned. ¡°When you wander Dreamland, be cautious. The eyes attract more than allies.¡±


    The mention of the Pillars shifted something in Mithra. Her earlier suspicions about the Forty-Four Pillars being connected to her now felt misplaced, twisted by misjudgment or mere paranoia.

 Chapter 8: Wandering God

    Maybe she should find some kind of contact lens to wear in the future?


    Mithra was already toying with the idea, wondering which color might suit her best.


    But¡­ did this world even have contact lenses?


    Together, she and Safin finished processing the bear¡¯s corpse and took it back to the cave for burial. The familiar campfire flickered between them as they sat, the firelight casting long shadows while Mithra recounted her encounter.


    ¡°Beast miracle¡­¡± Safin echoed, after hearing her story. His expression was thoughtful but not surprised.


    ¡°Feels like a taming tool. Convenient,¡± Mithra said, flipping through her textbook.


    ¡°It¡¯s no mere tool. In the Sanctuary¡¯s cities, beast intelligence miracles are strictly forbidden for individual use. If one is ever necessary, it¡¯s subject to exhaustive investigation.¡±


    ¡°But here it is, just out in this poor, rural place.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡± Safin rubbed his forehead. ¡°Beast miracles can be dangerous for humans. Sure, they visibly enhance strength, but they¡¯re notorious for slipping out of control.¡±


    ¡°Are the side effects worse than with regular miracles?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re a different kind of strength, rooted in animal nature. There¡¯s a deep psychology involved I don¡¯t fully understand. But if you reach the Sanctuary, you¡¯ll have a chance to explore it,¡± he replied.


    Through her time with Safin, Mithra had learned what the Sanctuary was: a place born during the time of the Forty-Four Pillars by those who had stolen miracles, serving as the earliest academy for miracle studies. Through hardship, it endured and grew into Dreamland¡¯s most renowned place of learning, its fortress offering refuge to many wanderers. Amid all the world¡¯s chaos, the Sanctuary remained fiercely independent, a bastion of education and discovery, from which talented people constantly emerged.


    ¡°Opportunities will come later,¡± Mithra said, turning another page in her book. ¡°We can¡¯t see the future anyway.¡±


    Almost done with the book, she felt like a schoolchild again, just given new textbooks¡ªeager, ready to dive in.


    ¡°If you can take down a beast-intelligence bear, you could leave this place anytime,¡± Safin said slowly. ¡°Just be careful.¡±


    Mithra looked up and held his gaze a moment, then replied, ¡°I¡¯m planning to stay a bit longer.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing worth staying for in this mountain range,¡± he said.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten bear paw yet.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Just kidding. I haven¡¯t finished learning yet. There¡¯s so much still to understand. I¡¯m not used to this life, and I really need to absorb all sorts of knowledge,¡± Mithra said, glancing down at the textbook in her hand.


    Safin chuckled dryly, though Mithra didn¡¯t respond.


    She had looked out at the sky earlier, but with the thick cloud cover, it was hard to tell the time. All she knew was that it was daytime¡ªthough here, she still had no idea exactly when or where.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    But dinner would be bear paw, and after eating, she¡¯d return to her studies.


    Recently, she¡¯d mastered a magma miracle called ¡°Accumulate Dust.¡±


    ["Accumulate Dust": In ancient times, it was called ¡°Stone Fragment.¡± One of the most basic magma miracles. It gathers dust and small stones to form hardened rock, durable for a short time.]


    [¡ªHardness is strength.]


    Mithra could now handle a few intermediaries with ease.


    She had also acquired the old hunter¡¯s bracelet, which now rested on her wrist. The beast tooth set within it marked it as a beast-type intermediary¡ªSafin had confirmed it.


    Yet Safin¡¯s teachings were running thin. When it came to beast miracles, he knew very little. Even without restrictions, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to teach her.


    Similarly, Mithra possessed another, subtler sense: Ki.


    Ki sense, like Self, was inherent to all humans, but it remained shrouded in mystery. Knowledge of it was scarce, and related miracles were even rarer.


    ¡°If you want to study Ki systematically, aside from the luck of meeting the right believer, there are two places I can recommend,¡± Safin offered.


    ¡°One is the Sanctuary¡¯s Ki Academy. It¡¯s one of the most mysterious branches. At first, the academy even refused to include Ki miracles in their textbooks. I don¡¯t know why, but after much debate, the Sanctuary finally agreed. Those scholars have deep knowledge of Ki.¡±


    Mithra nodded. ¡°And the other place?¡±


    Safin continued, ¡°In the east of Dreamland lies the Mysterious Kingdom, behind an unbroken mountain range. People say they hold the oldest, largest legacy of Ki miracles.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s really such a place?¡± Mithra¡¯s curiosity flared.


    ¡°To most, it¡¯s just legend. Very few have crossed the First Mountain Range¡ªconsidered the world¡¯s edge¡ªto reach it. But Sanctuary records confirm its existence.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying it¡¯s hard to get there?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Mithra nodded, then added, ¡°Since there¡¯s so little known about them, let¡¯s discuss what lies beyond.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t been too concerned with exploring the tunnels or unraveling the mysteries of Gross Town; her focus was still on grasping the basics. Yet questions lingered¡ªquestions she couldn¡¯t ignore forever. Why had the tunnels become graveyards? What were the people of this strange town up to? And who exactly was that ominous believer?


    She remembered the old hunter with the eye tattoo on his forehead¡ªthe one who could wield beast miracles with unsettling ease.


    Eyes.


    There was always something uncanny when it came to mentions of eyes. Every instance seemed to carry a hidden weight.


    ¡°You should tell me what¡¯s really happening here and why you¡¯re stuck in this place. I¡¯ll probably be joining in soon enough,¡± Mithra said, her tone light but her gaze steady.


    Safin didn¡¯t respond right away, a heavy pause settling between them.


    ¡°What?¡± she pressed.


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Safin sighed, casting her a wary glance. ¡°You realize, if you¡¯re going to help, you might be walking into dangers beyond what you¡¯re ready for.¡±


    Mithra frowned in mild confusion. ¡°I already agreed, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Safin eyed her, then nodded, as if seeing her resolve anew. ¡°Deep within Gross Town¡¯s tunnels lies a relic¡ªan ancient artifact of a Wandering God. Gross Town was built on the minerals extracted here, minerals that could be refined into intermediaries. But this digging, this intrusion, woke something that should¡¯ve been left buried.¡±


    ¡°Wandering God?¡± Mithra echoed, narrowing her eyes at the term.


    Her night eyes hadn¡¯t translated it with perfect clarity. She received fragments of meaning, as though multiple voices whispered simultaneously in her mind, offering different interpretations: ¡°God of Wandering,¡± ¡°God of Travel,¡± ¡°God of Drifting.¡± She landed on the simplest term¡ªWandering God¡ªfeeling its strange resonance.


    ¡°Unclaimed miracles, once awakened, gather into powerful conduits,¡± Safin explained. ¡°They come in many forms, often ancient and otherworldly, and act as focal points for miracles beyond those bound by common sense.¡±


    Mithra recalled the main types of senses: Self, Nature, Ki, Beast, and lastly, Godly.


    ¡°Godly miracles?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Safin replied. ¡°Though Godly miracles are a broad category in the academic world, Wandering God miracles almost stand apart. They have peculiar traits, similarities to other miracles, but also significant differences.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ basically, they¡¯re extraordinarily powerful, right?¡± she asked, her voice flat.


    Safin¡¯s mouth twisted into a wry smile. ¡°Your courage is commendable. I hope those eyes of yours never falter.¡±


    Mithra rolled her eyes, unimpressed. ¡°So, there¡¯s really one of those buried under Gross Town?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Before the Sanctuary ever found it, a group of believers picked up the signs. They settled here and took control of the town, leading its people into their rituals¡ªall of it aimed at releasing this Wandering God and seizing its miracles.¡±

 Chapter 9: Transformation Technique

    Pausing for a moment, Safin continued, "I was part of an investigation team sent by the Sanctuary. We infiltrated this place, but the townspeople and the believers ambushed us. The survivors fled into the tunnels, trying to continue our investigation, but we fell victim to the curse of the dusty Wandering God."


    Mithra stared at him in silence.


    Safin raised his head slowly, meeting her gaze. "We can¡¯t leave these tunnels. Whether we try to escape or delve deeper, it triggers the Wandering God¡¯s curse. We¡¯re trapped in the shallow tunnels, forced to wander. My teammates... they couldn¡¯t hold on. Some succumbed to injuries, others to mental torment. One by one, they fell. Now, I¡¯m the only one left."


    He lowered his head, his voice quieter. "Maybe I¡¯ve already gone mad. It¡¯s just that my symptoms are less severe."


    The cave fell silent as his words lingered. Finally, Mithra broke the stillness. "What do you want me to do in the depths of the tunnel?"


    Safin rubbed his face, as though trying to wipe away the weight of his story. "When I was fleeing deeper into the tunnels, I dropped something¡ªa silver necklace. I want you to get it back for me. I know I can¡¯t leave, but at least that necklace should. It needs to leave this cursed place."


    Mithra¡¯s voice was steady as she asked, "What if I get cursed too?"


    Safin shook his head. "That area has fewer curses. The necklace fell in front of what looks like an ancient building. You don¡¯t need to go inside the building. And if you do, don¡¯t touch the object on the altar deep inside. Follow my advice, and you won¡¯t end up like us."


    Silence filled the cave once more after he finished speaking.


    After a long pause, Safin said softly, "If you¡¯re uncertain, you can refuse. There¡¯s no obligation to repay kindness in this world."


    Mithra¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. "No, I¡¯ve already made up my mind. I don¡¯t know anything, so I¡¯m not afraid of anything. I¡¯ll go take a look."


    "If you find yourself outnumbered, you could try seeking help from the Enchanting Land," Safin added. "Those from the Enchanting Land are adept at calling for aid. Their ability to traverse between worlds allows them to gather strong allies easily."


    Mithra sighed, lowering her head. "But I don¡¯t even know how to get back to that so-called Enchanting Land."


    "That¡¯s the issue. We Dreamland people rarely understand how you from the Enchanting Land traverse worlds. Otherwise, many would¡¯ve already gone there. If you don¡¯t know how to return, your only option is to wait until you meet someone else from the Enchanting Land. Maybe they could take you back," Safin said, his voice slow and deliberate.


    Mithra tossed her head lightly. "That¡¯s too much trouble. I¡¯ll just head down and take a look."


    Safin gazed at her. The firelight reflected in his eyes, making them glisten slightly. "The more you talk like this, the more I regret making this deal with you."


    Mithra leaned back against the cave wall, her expression unchanging. "As long as your morality hasn¡¯t been completely consumed, you¡¯ll always feel guilty about deals like this. You¡¯re a good person, Mr. Safin."


    "A good person..." Safin muttered, burying his face in his knees. He said nothing more.


    Only the sound of crackling firewood filled the cave. Occasionally, a spark would leap into the air, but neither spoke.


    Though Mithra had resolved to venture deeper into the tunnels to retrieve Safin¡¯s lost necklace, she wouldn¡¯t charge in recklessly. Even without the Wandering God¡¯s curse, the creatures lurking in the deeper tunnels were said to be far more violent and terrifying, their forms twisted by the god¡¯s influence.


    For now, she needed to focus on improving her abilities. Preparation was key. She would start by mastering the miracles she already had at her disposal.


    Then there was the knowledge about weapons, a lingering echo of Phaselos¡¯s gift.  The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The methods for crafting and wielding god-killing weapons were shrouded in layers of obscurity, their complexities daunting. Mithra quickly realized that she lacked a fundamental understanding necessary to fully explore them.


    Still, there was a glimmer of utility amidst the chaos¡ªa collection of "various weapon usage experiences" that seemed more like a generous bonus.


    For now, that bonus was of immense value to Mithra.


    Phaselos had been truly magnanimous. While the gift didn¡¯t provide a direct or systematic blueprint for crafting weapons, it did something extraordinary: whenever Mithra held an object that could remotely function as a weapon, her mind would immediately conjure the most effective techniques for wielding it.


    It was intuitive rather than technical, straightforward yet remarkably efficient.


    Mithra was in a clearing outside the tunnel, the weight of a sledgehammer in her hands. With every grip and swing, an array of techniques unfolded in her mind.


    Some were grounded and practical, others fantastical¡ªmethods seemingly tailored for monstrous creatures or beasts with wildly exaggerated forms. They painted images of claws, fangs, and sinew, and in learning them, Mithra felt her muscles aligning with these alien blueprints. Muscle memory developed at an unnervingly rapid pace.


    But maintaining the flow of this knowledge taxed her sense power. Even the gifts of higher beings adhered to the same miraculous principles, tethered by natural limitations.


    Sweat poured from her brow as she paused, settling under the shade of a tree with the sledgehammer resting across her lap.


    "These techniques don¡¯t seem to include Transformation Techniques," Mithra thought, her legs gripping the hammer¡¯s handle while her fingers absently traced its surface. "That must be an entirely higher level of skill than basic swinging."


    Transformation Techniques. A concept introduced to her by Safin.


    Every miracle followed a sequence: sensing, channeling, visualizing, and releasing. Transformation Techniques intervened during the visualization stage, altering the miracle¡¯s nature and unlocking new possibilities.


    For most miracles, such deviations spelled failure. But for certain miracles, the potential for modification was immense.


    Take Reinforce Body, the most basic miracle of strengthening. On its own, it targeted specific areas of the body for enhanced durability or power¡ªa foundational Transformation Technique. But variations of Reinforce Body could ascend into entirely new realms of mastery.


    Safin had demonstrated this principle, adjusting the miracle¡¯s coverage and intensity to execute advanced techniques. By shifting the balance of power across his body, movements that would ordinarily be impossible became fluid and seamless.


    Then came the true marvel: the Shockwave Punch.


    Through a brief and focused application of Reinforce Body during an attack, the enhanced force extended beyond the fist, generating shockwaves. It was simple yet devastating.


    According to Safin, many powerful believers relied solely on their mastery of Reinforce Body Transformation Techniques to achieve renown. While they might not possess a vast array of miracles, their expertise made them legends in their craft.


    The potential of Reinforce Body was limitless¡ªthough that potential was far from Mithra¡¯s grasp.


    For now, she was preoccupied with a challenge closer to hand: extending the Shockwave Punch''s effects to her sledgehammer.


    Reinforce Body could briefly channel its power into objects, creating the foundation for weapon-based Transformation Techniques. But the process was far more intricate than transferring force through a punch.


    Mithra gripped the hammer tighter, her mind simmering with ideas and possibilities. The difficulty only made the task more alluring.


    Lost in thought, Mithra''s ears caught a peculiar sound.


    A rapid, rhythmic noise¡ªapproaching fast.


    Her mind flickered with possibilities. Snacks? No. Wild animals? Unlikely. The cadence was... deliberate.


    She strained to make sense of it, but the sound remained indistinct. Without hesitation, Mithra activated Stabilize and, with practiced precision, grabbed a jagged rock. She drove it through her palm, ignoring the sharp jolt as it pierced flesh. Leaning casually against the tree, her senses sharpened, tuning into the elusive noise.


    ...


    It wasn¡¯t quadrupedal. This was human. A runner. Their footwork was precise, practiced, but another set of steps followed in pursuit¡ªheavy, frantic, and closing fast.


    Mithra pulled the rock free. The bloodied wound in her palm sealed in seconds, flesh knitting seamlessly.


    Her Stabilize was improving. Or was she merely growing indifferent to pain? Grim literature often argued pain defied habituation. Yet over time, it dulled, reduced to a manageable hum in the background.


    She pushed the thought aside as the lead set of footsteps came closer.


    Mithra¡¯s gaze shifted upward, her eyes narrowing in quiet surprise.


    A figure burst into view.


    Athletic wear¡ªvivid red. The jacket¡¯s zipper hung halfway down, exposing a black undershirt. The pants and jacket bore unfamiliar patterns, but their sleek design screamed modernity, unmistakably tied to some kind of athletic brand.


    The runner was a young man, striking in appearance with a face that radiated charm and vitality. His black baseball cap sat low, shading sharp features. Earrings glinted faintly with each step. His style was unmistakably trendy, far removed from anything Mithra had seen in this strange, archaic world.


    No, no, no. That wasn¡¯t the most important thing.


    The critical detail was that after weeks of acclimating to this realm¡ªa land steeped in the hallmarks of Western fantasy¡ªa modern-looking youth had just sprinted past her.


    Mithra froze.


    Then, the spark of a thought ignited, flaring brighter as it coalesced into realization.


    Safin¡¯s words echoed in her mind.


    "Someone from the Enchanting Land?"

 Chapter 10: Several lives?

    Mithra was still lost in thought.


    No, she was contemplating.


    But the other person had already seen her.


    He was sitting there alone, leaning against a tree in the open area at the tunnel entrance. He wasn''t hiding at all. He was very visible.


    "There''s still a guard? That place behind is the tunnel! It seems this town really has secrets. Alright!" Nie Hong grinned happily, accelerating his pace. He didn''t seem worried that there was a horde of people chasing him.


    Mithra thought for a moment and slowly stood up, lifting her stone sledgehammer.


    Unexpectedly, her standing-up action immediately caused a reaction from the other party.


    Nie Hong leaped into the air while running, spreading his arms like a great bird unfurling its wings.


    A strange red energy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and enveloped Mithra.


    What was that?


    Mithra felt her senses being stimulated. This familiar feeling...


    Ki!


    Her body was immobilized by the red energy.


    Nie Hong quickly threw three small, slender throwing knives. Red energy clung to the knives, and they flew towards Mithra''s chest with unusual speed.


    With a loud thud, his large figure landed on the ground. Nie Hong passed Mithra smoothly, casually saying, "Done."


    ["Immobilize": One of the basic Ki miracles. It guides the internal circulation of Ki to activate the dormant Ki outside the body, thereby restraining living beings.]


    ["Control Object": One of the basic Ki miracles. It uses internal Ki to control external objects, and it''s even easier to use on inanimate objects.]


    [¡ªControl objects with Ki, making them your own.]


    Nie Hong turned around and reached out to retrieve his throwing knives, but then he heard several tearing sounds as the three knives flew back towards him with sharp force.


    He hadn''t retrieved them. They had been thrown back!


    "Damn it!"


    Despite the distance, he managed to use Control Object, and the red energy stopped the knives a few inches from his face.


    But it wasn¡¯t over. Mithra had somehow gotten up from the ground. With swift movements, she closed the distance between them, and her sweeping sledgehammer roared towards him.


    Bang!


    Nie Hong was sent flying backward and crashed to the ground, wincing in pain.


    Seeing the red energy dissipate from Nie Hong, and noting that despite a direct hit, he wasn''t severely injured, Mithra didn''t pay much attention. She calmly picked up the throwing knives he couldn''t retrieve.


    ["Protection": A Ki miracle. It uses Ki to block external objects, neutralizing or severing external connections.]


    Nie Hong''s expression finally turned serious. He stood up and looked at Mithra. "Elite anomaly guard? I clearly hit her, but she wasn''t injured..."


    Then, he saw Mithra neatly placing the three throwing knives on her shoulders before continuing to approach him.


    Nie Hong felt something was wrong. This person wasn''t just an ordinary lunatic. After some consideration, he turned and ran into the tunnel.


    Mithra watched his back, not pursuing him but turning to look behind her.


    Several figures approached, mostly the ragged townspeople. There were also a few people wearing coats similar to the believer she had encountered earlier. The purple eye patterns were striking, seemingly their mark.


    They arrived and looked at Mithra with uncertainty.


    "Who is she?" one believer asked, confused.


    Another believer thought for a moment, then said, "Didn''t we hear that something strange happened in the mines, that a dangerous cursed creature appeared?"  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "She doesn''t look like a cursed creature, but..." The two believers looked at Mithra casually manipulating the throwing knives stuck in her shoulders, hesitating to speak.


    But she certainly wasn''t an ordinary person.


    "One of our people went to investigate earlier and died here. It was probably this thing that attacked him. We didn''t send anyone else to investigate. That person who snuck in from the Enchanting Land probably went into the tunnel, using this thing to stop us," a believer said grimly.


    Mithra stared at them for a moment, then approached. She activated Ignite with her left hand, attaching it to the hammer.


    The hammer ignited, the wind blew through her hair, and the flames flickered.


    The townspeople were startled and retreated. Only the two believers remained in position.


    Mithra faced them for a moment.


    In an instant, all three simultaneously activated Reinforce Body and charged at each other.


    ...


    Nie Hong was lost in the tunnels.


    He had been fiddling with the flashlight at the tunnel entrance for a long time and was starting to feel dizzy. The Gross tunnels were inherently complex, and the entrance was incredibly confusing.


    "The guard didn''t follow me. She must have gotten into a fight with the townspeople and believers. Good, good," Nie Hong scratched his head.


    Even though he was fearless, that thing should have died after being pierced by his throwing knives. Yet, it suddenly got back up and attacked violently.


    If he hadn''t reacted quickly, no matter where the hammer had hit him, he would have been injured. A hit to the head would have been fatal.


    "That thing must have been a human-like monster. I was too careless," Nie Hong reflected on his actions. He suddenly spotted a light in the distance, and his eyes lit up.


    He quickly dashed towards the light. "Looks like I''ve found my way in!"


    But very quickly, he froze.


    He had arrived at the pile of corpses.


    A large number of corpses were piled up. The stench of decay and burning mingled together. The few scattered flames offered no warmth, making Nie Hong feel like he had fallen into an ice cave.


    Suddenly, slow footsteps came from behind him.


    He turned around.


    Mithra, her hair disheveled, walked calmly towards him. Her handsome face was covered in dust, but her pitch-black, unlit eyes still stood out. Something seemed to be swirling within them.


    Something was thrown from Mithra''s hand, rolling towards Nie Hong.


    Nie Hong looked down.


    A human head...


    Two human heads were like smashed fruits, charred and mangled. The fact that they still vaguely retained their shape was fortunate.


    Nie Hong reacted quickly. They were the two believers from the town who had been chasing him earlier.


    They had caught up! While he was lost, the guard had dealt with the pursuers and then tracked him down!


    He took a deep breath, focused his senses, and braced himself. He forced himself to remain calm and not panic.


    This was something he would inevitably encounter sooner or later in Dreamland. He couldn''t be intimidated by such a trivial matter!


    Mithra activated Reinforce Body with her left hand, then positioned herself with her legs spread, her left hand gently brushing against her legs to apply Reinforce Body to the correct points.


    Bang!


    Leaving a footprint on the ground, Mithra launched her attack.


    A red light immediately enveloped Nie Hong, and several throwing knives were manipulated from within his clothing to fly towards Mithra.


    Mithra quickly sidestepped halfway through her charge, the first volley of knives missing their mark. Nie Hong adjusted the nearby knives to pursue Mithra while simultaneously throwing new knives.


    But Mithra sidestepped again. Her figure was almost ghostly, dodging several times before disappearing from Nie Hong''s sight.


    He quickly turned, only to find himself enveloped by the shadow of the sledgehammer.


    He had kept Protection activated, and now it blocked the blow.


    He wanted to use the opponent''s momentum to increase the distance!


    Nie Hong expected this, but he found that the opponent''s hammer had deviated slightly, lacking the force he had expected. It brushed lightly against his Protection.


    Nie Hong broke into a sweat and had to expend more sense power to maintain Protection.


    Mithra moved with surprising lightness, striking rapidly with the hammer. She hit Nie Hong from head to toe, with varying degrees of force. But none of the blows gave Nie Hong the chance to increase his distance as he had hoped.


    However, he didn¡¯t dare to relax. The feedback from Protection told him that even though the blows weren¡¯t as powerful as the previous sweeping strike, they were still beyond his capabilities.


    While defending, he quickly extended a finger.


    The throwing knives behind Mithra swiftly flew back.


    Unexpectedly, Mithra lightly spun, dodging the knives, which returned to Nie Hong¡¯s hand. Mithra then swung her hammer, striking the hand that had just caught the knives.


    Protection and Control Object were conflicting, and Nie Hong was completely off guard!


    "Aaah!"


    Nie Hong cried out in pain.


    He felt the bones in his hand shatter!


    It wasn¡¯t over. Mithra swiftly moved in for a low sweep. Nie Hong, incapacitated by the pain, lost his balance and fell to the ground.


    Mithra quickly brought the sledgehammer down on Nie Hong, without mercy.


    Nie Hong reacted instantly, rolling on the ground, his hat falling off, but managing to dodge several blows.


    "There¡¯s still a chance! Still a chance! I just need to use that move!" Nie Hong screamed frantically in his mind, raising both hands to his chest, a red energy swirling within.


    Mithra''s pursuit suddenly slowed.


    Seizing this opportunity, Nie Hong, who had been rolling on the ground, suddenly spun, extending a hand towards Mithra. A pattern of "a central flame spreading outwards in waves" flashed in his hand.


    A Ki pattern!


    Swish!


    However...


    The instant he extended his hand, he was pierced by a throwing knife, pinned to the ground. The swirling Faith Totem vanished instantly.


    "Aaah!" Nie Hong screamed again.


    One of the three throwing knives Mithra had stuck in her shoulder was missing.


    Nie Hong tried to pull out the knife, but Mithra stepped on his chest.


    "Enchanting Land?"


    Only then did Mithra calmly speak.


    Nie Hong looked at her in horror, his body trembling. He didn¡¯t say anything.


    "How many lives do you have left?" Mithra continued to ask.


    Nie Hong, his consciousness blurring with pain, blurted out, "Two!"


    "That''s good."


    With that, Mithra mercilessly brought the hammer down on Nie Hong¡¯s head.


    Bang!

 Chapter 11: Enchanting Land?

    Crack!


    A sound like something shattering echoed.


    Nie Hong instantly opened his eyes.


    He gasped for breath.


    Mithra was slightly surprised. When she smashed Nie Hong''s head, a red dot appeared on his body, then shattered. The red dot reformed, and Nie Hong seemed to have been reset.


    Clang.


    The throwing knives that had been stuck in his hands flew out, blood splattering around. The brain matter and blood that had been scattered everywhere instantly gathered back together.


    That must''ve been the life lock?


    Nie Hong sat on the ground, dejectedly sliding backwards until his back rested against the wall. He looked at Mithra in fear.


    Mithra stared back at him.


    Silence fell between them, neither of them making a move.


    Seeing his fear, Mithra raised the hammer.


    Nie Hong flinched. "Don¡¯t hit me anymore! Don¡¯t hit me anymore!"


    Mithra lowered the hammer. "Tell me about the Enchanting Land."


    Nie Hong remained huddled for a long time before reacting. "What?"


    ...


    "Okay, let¡¯s summarize."


    "The Enchanting Land is actually what you call Planet Blue. Planet Blue has a unified federal government. It originally relied on real science and technology to develop its civilization, but one day it suddenly established contact with Dreamland. It was discovered that people from your Planet Blue have the ability to freely travel between the two worlds. It also brought in the power of miracles, changing the trajectory of history."


    Mithra¡¯s voice was steady and calm.


    Nie Hong seemed a little less dejected than when he had been revived, but he still looked apprehensive at Mithra¡¯s expression.


    "......Yes, that¡¯s basically it," Nie Hong nodded in response to Mithra¡¯s summary.


    "Ugh," Mithra sighed. "It¡¯s not ''Earth'' but ''Planet Blue.'' Oh well, let¡¯s endure it. At least this isn¡¯t so bad."


    "Huh?"


    "So, you people from Planet Blue, relying on having multiple lives, are fearless...?" Mithra turned to ask.


    Nie Hong¡¯s face reddened. He lowered his head and said, "Actually... this is the first time I¡¯ve died..."


    Oh, alright, so he¡¯s a fearless kid.


    "Will the life lock recover?" Mithra continued, her mouth full.


    Nie Hong thought for a moment, then said, "If you can spread the miracle activation organs throughout your body and achieve complete sensory perception, you can add to the life lock¡¯s limit. The life locks that have been used up can also be recovered... You can also use a large amount of external sense power to heal. This will require collecting a lot of dispersed sense."


    Dispersed sense... Safin had mentioned that before. Besides natural growth, it was a way to supplement sense power. But Safin had also said that supplementing external sense power was very easy to get lost.


    "How do you travel between the two worlds?" Mithra asked the next key question.


    "Through transmission points. A type of point that only we, the people of Planet Blue, can see. It looks like a small blue-purple cross. For us, they¡¯re everywhere in both worlds. The transmission points in Dreamland are interconnected and can be used for transmission, and any point can lead to a transmission point on Planet Blue," Nie Hong explained simply.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "I see," Mithra nodded.


    Even though she didn¡¯t know if she could use them, based on the description when she exchanged for the Night Eyes, she had a life lock, which meant she was probably considered a person from Planet Blue, or perhaps the Enchanting Land.


    She might be able to see those so-called transmission points and go to Planet Blue.


    But with these things, it was too easy for people from Planet Blue to travel in Dreamland. She didn¡¯t know how large Dreamland was, but it certainly wasn¡¯t small.


    Being able to quickly travel through these different transmission points was really powerful.


    Plus, the existence of life locks.


    The people of Planet Blue were excessively favored in Dreamland. If this was a deliberate arrangement, it showed a clear preference for Planet Blue.


    Oh well, she was too lazy to think about this. She would figure it out later. Worldbuilding was the most annoying thing.


    "Alright, thank you for your explanation."


    "You¡¯re welcome. Thank you for not killing me," Nie Hong was undoubtedly more compliant than he had been earlier.


    It really was better to beat people up.


    "There¡¯s one more thing I want to ask you," Mithra said.


    "Anything I can do, I will do my best to complete!" Nie Hong bowed his head.


    "Teach me Ki miracles."


    "What?"


    ...


    Just a short while ago, this person had smashed his head, and now she was sitting seriously in front of him, asking about miracles.


    Nie Hong couldn¡¯t have imagined such a surreal situation.


    From a young age, he had heard countless incredible tales about Dreamland. Stories of people exploring its depths, uncovering miraculous opportunities, and ascending to prominence abounded. Every year, new legends were born, and even those close to him weren¡¯t strangers to such experiences.


    This unending stream of success stories drove countless individuals from Planet Blue, Nie Hong included, to embark on their own journeys of exploration.


    Even though schools repeatedly emphasized the dangers of Dreamland, it was hard to suppress the adventurous spirit of the young.


    But now, one profound brush with death had seared the reality of those dangers into Nie Hong¡¯s heart, leaving him deeply shaken and fearful.


    "¡­That¡¯s it," he muttered at last. "When you¡¯re first learning, remember that Ki is related to the human body¡¯s blood circulation. It¡¯s the power contained in flowing blood¡ªit¡¯s life, proof of being alive."


    Nie Hong awkwardly explained, using his own Ki to guide Mithra in sensing it. The process was clumsy, and though he tried his best, it was clear he wasn¡¯t a natural teacher.


    Mithra, meanwhile, silently manipulated the throwing knives still embedded in her shoulders.


    She activated Stabilize first.


    Ding.


    The Ki originated in the abdomen and radiated outward, spreading through the body. It used one¡¯s own life energy to affect external objects.


    This kind of miracle was about unlocking latent potential to enhance oneself. Ki, however, also influenced external manifestations.


    Though blood had many special properties, when intertwined with Ki, its essence became more closely aligned with concepts like "circulation" and "movement."


    Even with these concepts in mind, sensing Ki was no simple task.


    Mithra found Ki to be more elusive than other senses. Even as she actively regenerated and stabilized herself, it evaded her grasp. Unlike the other miracles she¡¯d learned, Ki resisted her attempts to summon it directly.


    After a long silence, Mithra opened her eyes. "I still can¡¯t do it."


    She glanced at Nie Hong without further comment.


    Even without words, her stare made Nie Hong sweat. He could feel her doubt¡ªwhether he was teaching her correctly.


    Panicking, he exclaimed, "Ki miracles are extremely rare and hard to master! It¡¯s not my fault! I wouldn¡¯t teach you wrong out of spite!"


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he added nervously, "Sometimes, sensing things like this just needs an opportunity. Ki can be much more active under certain conditions."


    "Such as?"


    "The most relatable examples would be¡­ anger or drinking."


    "I don¡¯t get angry," Mithra stated flatly.


    Nie Hong looked at her, recalling her earlier reactions. From the moment he provoked her to the instant she crushed his head, her expression had hardly shifted.


    Quietly, he pulled a small, rectangular, transparent glass bottle from his jacket pocket and handed it over.


    "This is¡­?"


    "Liquor," Nie Hong explained. "A type of¡ª"


    "I know. How old are you?"


    "Twenty-one..."


    Mithra clicked her tongue, disappointed she couldn¡¯t scold him for underage drinking. She reasonably suspected he was lying, but it wasn¡¯t worth pursuing.


    She inspected the bottle, tilting it slightly.


    ¡¾Two-Headed Bottle" Liquor: A common, stable brand of liquor in the Enchanting Land. Ingredients¡­¡¿


    Nothing suspicious stood out.


    "I have a very powerful Ki miracle that requires alcohol to use," Nie Hong said hesitantly, scratching the back of his head.


    He didn¡¯t sound very convincing. Considering how decisively Mithra had attacked earlier, he doubted she¡¯d let him drink mid-battle without knocking him unconscious first.


    Mithra twisted off the cap and took a long swig.


    The liquor burned all the way down, and her face flushed as her throat convulsed violently. She nearly spat it out, coughing behind her hand.


    Nie Hong winced. "Are you okay? I wouldn¡¯t dare drink that much in one go¡ª"


    Hiss¡ª


    A red energy began to ripple from Mithra¡¯s body.


    Nie Hong¡¯s eyes widened.


    It actually worked?!


    Though his explanation had been true, he hadn¡¯t expected such immediate results. He¡¯d been gambling on her reactions, yet she activated Ki just like that!


    The energy flare subsided as quickly as it had arisen, leaving Mithra calm and composed once more.


    "Ahem. Good," she said with a nod, her tone neutral. "I can feel it now. Teach me the specific miracles."


    Nie Hong nodded mutely, too stunned to argue.

 Chapter 12: Ki Miracle

    Ki miracles were difficult to learn initially but relatively easy to grasp once the basics were mastered.


    At Mithra¡¯s request, Nie Hong began teaching her the most basic technique: Control Object.


    It didn¡¯t take long. The red energy extending from Mithra¡¯s hand enveloped a small pebble, lifting it shakily before drawing it into her palm.


    "Wow, you learned that really fast," Nie Hong exclaimed, his admiration genuine.


    "Not bad," Mithra replied, rolling the pebble between her fingers. "It feels¡­ strange. Different from other miracles."


    Nie Hong leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head. "Well, I specialize in Ki miracles. I only know Reinforce Body and Stabilize from other disciplines, and I don¡¯t understand Nature miracles at all."


    Mithra tilted her head thoughtfully. "Is the miracle inheritance on Planet Blue very comprehensive?"


    According to Safin, learning Ki miracles in Dreamland required either attending the Sanctuary¡¯s Ki Academy or journeying to the legendary Mysterious Kingdom.


    "Basic miracles are available to everyone," Nie Hong explained. "I didn¡¯t know anything at first either. We¡¯re only allowed to start learning about miracles in high school, and back then, we could only study Reinforce Body and Stabilize. After getting into college, we choose a direction based on our aptitude and are assigned to different departments."


    "So, how many people study Ki miracles?"


    "Not many. Everyone has sense, but those who can feel Ki are rare. My school¡¯s Ki Academy only has one class with about two dozen students," Nie Hong replied, scratching his ear.


    Feeling that wasn¡¯t quite clear enough, he gestured broadly. "And my school is a nationally renowned university!"


    Mithra glanced at him, unimpressed. Without a word, she raised her hand, and a red glow extended toward Nie Hong¡¯s head.


    Nie Hong froze, then stammered, "Wait, wait! Control Object is for inanimate objects! In Ki miracles, there¡¯s a difference between living and non-living things¡ªow! Why are you pulling my hair?"


    With a few strands yanked out, Nie Hong¡¯s newly summoned Ki faltered.


    Before Mithra could press further, their surroundings stirred. Wandering cursed creatures began to emerge. Though they posed no real threat to Mithra, the chaotic environment wasn¡¯t ideal for training.


    Without hesitation, Mithra casually stuffed the throwing knives back into her body and dragged a still-nervous Nie Hong back to Safin¡¯s cave.


    When Safin saw the pair enter, his brow lifted knowingly. "Looks like you¡¯ve found yourself a comrade."


    "Hard to say. Maybe it was just coincidence," Mithra replied, her tone indifferent.


    Safin chuckled, shaking his head. "The meat¡¯s almost ready."


    Nie Hong hesitated, unsure how to react. He couldn¡¯t quite follow their exchange.


    Safin glanced at him with a grin. "If the young brother doesn¡¯t mind, you¡¯re welcome to join us. It¡¯s just some wild game."


    Ignoring them both, Mithra sat by the fire and picked up a piece of meat, biting into it without hesitation.


    She hadn¡¯t replenished enough energy today. The blood of the believers she fought earlier had been weak and unsatisfying. She¡¯d hoped to recover her strength from the pursuers¡¯ blood, but her underestimated skill left her with no challenge.


    Without blood, she had two choices: pay with sense or eat more. Given the opportunity to eat, she chose the latter.


    Nie Hong nervously picked up a piece of meat, his gaze uncertain. "What kind of meat is this?"


    "Bear," Safin replied nonchalantly. "Mithra hunted it."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Nie Hong shivered.


    He¡¯d seen bears before¡ªat the zoo. To him, they were large, gentle creatures. Dangerous in the wild, perhaps, but his mind clung to their more docile image.


    The school had always warned against consuming food in Dreamland, especially meat of unknown origin. Yet refusing to eat might be considered impolite¡­


    After a long internal struggle, Nie Hong cautiously took a bite.


    The meat was tough, hard to chew, and flavorless.


    Of course, neither Safin nor Mithra had bothered with finesse. To them, cooking was merely a way to make food edible without getting sick. Taste was irrelevant.


    Resigned, Nie Hong reminded himself to adapt to the local customs and quietly continued eating.


    Mithra, having finished her meal, began recounting her encounter with Nie Hong to Safin.


    She didn¡¯t hold back, detailing everything, including the moment she crushed Nie Hong¡¯s skull.


    Safin listened with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You always manage to find strange situations. And your methods¡­ a bit too straightforward, don¡¯t you think?"


    Though his words might have sounded critical, his tone wasn¡¯t. He understood her approach¡ªDreamland wasn¡¯t a place for subtlety.


    Meanwhile, Nie Hong buried his face in his food, trying to disappear into the background.


    From Mithra''s perspective, he was nothing more than a clueless newbie¡ªa fledgling who dared throw a few knives at her vital points. He deserved to be captured and beaten.


    "If he says he doesn''t have a life lock left, what will you do?" Safin asked casually.


    "I''ll cut off his legs first," Mithra replied bluntly, chewing on a piece of meat.


    Safin chuckled.


    Nie Hong''s trembling intensified.


    Caught off guard earlier, his hand had been shattered with a single blow. The thought of his legs suffering the same fate made his stomach churn.


    He silently thanked his instincts for being honest and decisive.


    "He knows Ki miracles," Safin pointed out. "Keeping him is bound to be beneficial for you."


    Mithra nodded thoughtfully.


    "So, I suggest you go back to the Enchanting Land with him to recuperate. Don''t argue," Safin continued. "The Enchanting Land offers favorable conditions. If you find a place to settle down, you''ll be much stronger when you return to Dreamland to face danger. I can tell you¡¯re eager to try, given your mysterious and extraordinary nature."


    His hoarse voice carried over Mithra''s attempts to interject.


    After a moment of silence, she gave a slow nod. "Hopefully, you''ll still be here when I return."


    "That won¡¯t be an issue. As long as you don¡¯t forget me. And if you do, well, that wouldn¡¯t be so bad either," Safin said with a wry smile.


    "Stop saying such depressing things," Mithra replied, irritated.


    Nie Hong sat silently, staring at the two by the fire.


    His Dreamland common language was excellent, yet their conversation sounded cryptic¡ªclearly something an outsider wasn''t meant to understand.


    Still, he grasped one key point: this imposing figure was going to return to the Enchanting Land with him?


    The revelation left him stunned. He¡¯d assumed she was some sort of high-level NPC with a hidden storyline, not a compatriot.


    The whole situation felt surreal, and Nie Hong¡¯s mind spun trying to make sense of it.


    The rest of the meal passed in silence, everyone focused on eating.


    Afterward, Mithra activated Stabilize once more and resumed questioning Nie Hong about Ki miracles, with Safin listening intently.


    Nie Hong felt the immense weight of their combined stares, his voice quaking as he explained. Yet Mithra''s heightened sensitivity accelerated her learning, and before long, she had mastered Immobilize.


    Though Immobilize and Control Object fell under the same Ki discipline, they were fundamentally different.


    "As I said earlier," Nie Hong explained, "controlling inanimate objects with Ki and controlling living beings are incomparable.


    "Both are basic Ki miracles, but with roughly the same sense power consumption, Control Object allows for flexible manipulation of objects. Immobilize, however, can only briefly restrain living beings.


    "That¡¯s because controlling a living being means projecting your own Ki to suppress theirs. The resulting conflict is far more complex than manipulating an inanimate object."


    Both Mithra and Safin nodded, digesting the explanation.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, Nie Hong asked hesitantly, "Should I teach you Protection next?"


    "Protection isn¡¯t necessary," Mithra replied curtly. "Tell me about that long-range attack you used¡ªthe one I interrupted. Also, the alcohol miracle you mentioned."


    She dismissed Protection outright. Defensive techniques weren¡¯t compatible with her habits or her preference for counterattacks.


    Nie Hong, clearly uncomfortable, scratched his head before answering. "The technique I was trying to use was Ki Absorption Hand. It¡¯s a miracle I haven¡¯t fully mastered yet. By touching a target, you can forcibly absorb their Ki.


    "If their Ki is drained, they¡¯ll collapse from exhaustion at best. At worst, they¡¯ll die from blood stagnation."


    Mithra¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. "That powerful, huh? You even used a pattern to enhance it."


    Safin chimed in thoughtfully. "If you can¡¯t control a living being, then stealing their Ki directly is a logical alternative."


    Nie Hong froze. "Uh¡­ I guess? I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way."


    Safin offered an apologetic shrug. "My bad, I overanalyzed."


    Mithra glanced between them before refocusing on Nie Hong. "And the alcohol miracle?"


    "If you drink alcohol, you can activate a miracle called Ki Ignition," Nie Hong explained. "It temporarily sets your Ki ablaze. Your Ki burns brighter, and you can even ignite the Ki of others.


    "But it¡¯s dangerous. If you lose control, you¡¯ll burn yourself."


    Safin chuckled dryly at the explanation. "A perfect mix of mystery and danger. I can see why the Sanctuary¡¯s Ki Academy refused to include Ki miracles in the basic curriculum."


    Mithra, however, wasn¡¯t concerned with the risks. To her, it sounded fascinating.


    Ki was undeniably cool. And with so many potential uses for Ki miracles in this world, it was even cooler.


    "Teach me," she demanded bluntly.


    "Okay, okay," Nie Hong stammered, nodding hurriedly.

 Chapter 13: Encirclement

    However, Mithra couldn¡¯t master ¡°Ki Absorption Hand¡± and ¡°Ki Ignition,¡± which were slightly more advanced Ki miracles.


    Ki Absorption Hand required living beings to practice on. Nie Hong said that his school had white mice and rabbits available for practice, but the conditions in the mine weren¡¯t suitable. If she wanted to try, she would have to go hunting.


    The reason she couldn¡¯t learn Ki Ignition was simpler.


    Not enough alcohol.


    There was nothing they could do about that.


    So, under Mithra¡¯s unwavering focus, a sweating Nie Hong introduced another Ki miracle he hadn¡¯t mentioned before.


    ¡¾Ki Attraction: A Ki miracle. It releases intense Ki to attract things within a certain range, regardless of whether they are alive or dead.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThis is the Ki of greed.¡¿


    This was a way to appease Mithra¡¯s anticipation.


    Mithra was almost satisfied. She had learned so much at once, but she would need to spend more time mastering these miracles. Having three usable Ki miracles would be one of her next goals.


    Safin continued to help Mithra with her literacy and fill in gaps in her knowledge of Dreamland. Nie Hong shamelessly started listening in. Safin didn¡¯t mind. He even curiously inquired how Nie Hong had learned Dreamland history in the Enchanting Land.


    About a week had passed.


    Nie Hong¡¯s youthful attire was now covered in dust from his fight with Mithra. He hadn¡¯t cleaned himself properly in a week, and he felt like he¡¯d become a savage.


    His initial awkwardness had subsided considerably, and he had begun to get used to life here. Humans were truly resilient.


    He knew how much time had passed because he had a watch.


    Nie Hong had wanted to go home on the second day, but he hadn¡¯t dared to mention it.


    Today, after Mithra went hunting and practiced miracles and hammer techniques, she came to Nie Hong. ¡°I¡¯ll take you back.¡±


    Nie Hong, slightly sleep-deprived, was stunned for a moment before reacting. ¡°Really?!¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mithra nodded, then looked at Safin.


    Safin nodded in response. ¡°Be careful, especially when you go through town. Because of the kid¡¯s earlier intrusion, they¡¯ll probably be on guard.¡±


    ¡°You be careful too. Don¡¯t die before I get back,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°Since you¡¯ve agreed to me, I¡¯ll hold on until you bring back what you need,¡± Safin chuckled.


    After making some preparations, Mithra and Nie Hong left the cave and headed towards the tunnel exit.


    Before leaving, Safin gave Mithra a black hooded cloak. It was more of a hindrance than help. Mithra had gotten used to going bare-armed in the tunnels and found the cloak slightly uncomfortable.


    Walking through the tunnel, Nie Hong explained how he¡¯d gotten there, answering Mithra¡¯s questions.


    ¡°Not long ago, a new teleportation point was opened in a small town at the foot of Gross Mountain by people from Planet Blue. So the area was bustling with many explorers from Planet Blue. I heard about Gross Town from an old man while wandering around this town, so I came to try my luck¡­¡±


    ¡°By yourself?¡±


    ¡°Well, it sounded like a hidden quest. I wanted to see if I could find anything interesting¡­¡±


    ¡°It seems you treat this place like a game,¡± Mithra said.


    Nie Hong didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    Because, to a large extent, people from Planet Blue did treat Dreamland as a game. It really was too similar.


    There were extra lives, teleportation points, and the ability to freely travel between worlds.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Dreamland offered Planet Blue too many conveniences, so this kind of thinking was normal.


    But even with extra lives and many advantages, when the time came, people still died.


    ¡°What was the situation in town when you snuck in?¡±


    ¡°There was no one on the road. Occasionally, I saw a few people walking, but they looked unsteady. I felt something was wrong and didn¡¯t dare to approach. But I was spotted by a believer on patrol and was pursued. However, most of the believers weren¡¯t very strong, I could handle one or two,¡± Nie Hong replied.


    ¡°Have you killed anyone?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nie Hong replied casually.


    Mithra looked at him.


    Nie Hong looked confused. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Mithra shook her head. ¡°Nothing. If necessary, we can kill our way out. Be ready.¡±


    Nie Hong quickly nodded, showing he understood.


    They left the tunnel.


    The weather was still bad. It was overcast, with a light wind. It was almost dusk.


    As soon as they came out, Mithra and Nie Hong were taken aback.


    A group of people appeared from the mountain path. Townspeople with purple eyes tattooed on their foreheads carried torches and various weapons. Large bears and vicious dogs, their mouths dripping with saliva, were interspersed amongst them.


    Several believers led the group, all wearing various intermediaries, their active senses clearly detectable.


    Mithra and Nie Hong stood at the tunnel entrance, looking down at this group.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± Nie Hong used the simplest words to express his inner collapse.


    He could handle one or two, but this was more than just one or two.


    Mithra remained expressionless. She was used to encountering bad luck, but it was fine. Her bad luck would always turn into good fortune, and those who brought her bad luck would always end up even more unlucky than her.


    First, Stabilize.


    Ding.


    A believer across from them spoke in a low voice, ¡°Target acquired.¡±


    ¡°Take them out quickly. This is a crucial moment. We don¡¯t have enough people, don¡¯t cause any more trouble,¡± a voice commanded from within the group.


    Only then did they notice a figure in armor, a knight, carrying a long straight sword. The armor had been crudely modified, with the eye pattern clearly visible.


    The long straight sword was also engraved with a similar eye pattern, densely packed, a frightening display of ¡°art¡± that needed to be avoided.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the believer who had spoken earlier responded and pointed a finger at Mithra.


    ¡°Woof woof woof!¡± The vicious dogs were stimulated and barked loudly, charging forward.


    A giant bear roared and followed closely, then the lost townspeople.


    Nie Hong¡¯s legs trembled.


    ¡°What are you spacing out for? Run!¡± Mithra said, touching her legs to activate Reinforce Body.


    Nie Hong reacted and patted his legs to activate Reinforce Body. He quickly brushed it across his legs, and then, with his legs strengthened, ran.


    But after running a short distance, he turned his head and realized that Mithra hadn¡¯t followed him!


    Then he saw Mithra reach into her stomach, blood gushing out as she forcefully pulled the stone sledgehammer from her flesh.


    Nie Hong, who had been wondering just moments before where Mithra would hide such a large sledgehammer, was stunned. The visual impact was quite significant.


    Whizz!


    A Ki pattern flashed in Mithra¡¯s left hand.


    Control Object!


    Red Ki enveloped the stone sledgehammer. Mithra swung her left arm forcefully, and the heavy sledgehammer flew out instantly, knocking a dog away.


    With a loose grip, Mithra swung her left arm widely. The hammer flew through the air, powerfully striking the somewhat organized group, scattering them.


    Except for a few bears who remained relatively unscathed, many dogs and people fell to the ground and couldn¡¯t get up.


    One dog seized an opening, charging close to Mithra and opening its bloody maw to bite her neck.


    Mithra pulled back her hand. The hammer quickly flew back, smashing the dog¡¯s head before returning to Mithra¡¯s hand.


    One of the believers seized the opportunity and approached. A dense pattern of branches and leaves flashed on the necklace around his neck, the pattern for wood sense.


    But his releasing organ wasn¡¯t the usual hand¡­


    The believer opened his mouth and aimed at Mithra.


    A whirlwind roared from his mouth, and withered leaves swirled towards Mithra.


    ¡¾"Falling Leaves": A wood miracle, although it¡¯s activated by wood sense, it¡¯s a miracle that utilizes wind energy.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThe wind blows the leaves, and the leaves follow the wind.¡¿


    Mithra felt an invisible, soft impact against her chest, the falling leaves severely obstructing her vision.


    Her heightened senses were largely disrupted by the whirlwind.


    The other believers took the opportunity to approach. One conjured a fireball, another solidified a ¡°Magma¡± pattern and forcefully dug a large stone from the ground and threw it, and several others simply activated Reinforce Body and charged.


    Faced with such an encirclement, Mithra remained impassive. She quickly activated Stabilize before the disruption affected her.


    Ding.


    Swish swish!


    The energized throwing knives flew through the air, deflecting the large magma rock.


    Mithra glanced unexpectedly at Nie Hong, who had returned, but her counterattack plan continued uninterrupted.


    Facing the encirclement, she pressed forward, using her hammer to block. A Ki pattern flashed in her left hand, and intense Ki gathered, directly targeting the believer closest to her who was trying to approach under the cover of fire.


    Ki Attraction!


    The intense Ki was like a vortex, capturing the opponent.


    An irresistible force pulled him closer, his neck falling into Mithra¡¯s grasp.


    She then used him as a shield.


    Before he could struggle, various ranged attacks struck the human shield.


    The believer died instantly. Of course, under such concentrated fire, Mithra was also knocked back, but the human shield had clearly absorbed most of the impact.


    Her wounds regenerated quickly, and Mithra stood up, brushing the dust from her hair.


    But the believers who had been preparing to attack hesitated.


    They hesitated, but Mithra didn¡¯t.


    Ki Attraction!


    Another person was pulled closer. This time, he wasn¡¯t used as a shield. His head was grabbed, and the hammer swung down.


    A perfectly executed swing.


    The head shattered.

 Chapter 14: Darkness

    Ki Attraction was precise. Anyone it targeted died. The relatively close-range Reinforce Body meant that these believers had no chance to counterattack while being restrained by Ki Attraction.


    Nie Hong also helped kill a few believers, but looking at the corpses at Mithra''s feet, he felt a chill down his spine.


    As expected, he had messed with a killer.


    She had only learned Ki miracles a week ago and was already very skilled.


    Nie Hong''s speed in forming Ki patterns was slightly slower than Mithra''s, and the range of his Ki was also slightly less powerful. His specialty was high-precision Control Object.


    More importantly, her close-combat skills after closing the distance were not something a young person should be capable of. She systematically smashed the heads of those believers one by one.


    Soon, the believers didn''t dare to approach. The occasional bear or dog that tried to approach was easily knocked down. Mithra walked calmly over the bodies toward the knight.


    The knight had initially seemed to be only observing, but seeing that more than half of his people were dead, he had to approach Mithra with his sword.


    "Ki miracles, truly impressive. At such a young age, your skills are so polished¡­ Is it because of your eyes?" the knight''s voice was muffled by his helmet.


    "You know about these eyes?" Mithra stopped and asked.


    "Ah, yes. Everyone here knows. It''s a shame that the dark, filthy tunnels obscure your beauty? Those beautiful eyes are the guide we pursue..." The knight held the straight sword at his side, the blade partially covering his face.


    The opponent stood still for a moment. Mithra realized that this might be a form of greeting.


    What he had said was...


    Lost in thought, the knight took a large step forward, thrusting his straight sword forward with great force. Mithra dodged at the last moment, striking the sword with her hammer and then hitting the opponent''s chin.


    The knight, agile, quickly regained his balance. He retracted his straight sword, parrying the hammer. After adjusting his stance, he thrust forward, aiming for Mithra''s eyes!


    Mithra kicked out, striking the knight''s sword hilt, disrupting his posture, and then using Ki Attraction to close the distance.


    But the knight immediately countered with a flurry of punches and kicks. Mithra couldn''t get a hold of him and was overwhelmed by the knight''s powerful blows.


    Mithra struggled to defend, absorbing many punches before forcibly grabbing the knight''s attacking wrist.


    The knight''s other hand quickly raised the straight sword again. A red glow appeared on Mithra''s other hand, gripping the hammer.


    Slash!


    Bang!


    The straight sword pierced Mithra''s abdomen. The stone hammer flew out, striking the knight''s head and sending him flying. The sword embedded in her flesh was pulled out.


    Mithra''s body trembled slightly, but ignoring the wound in her abdomen, she charged forward, her left hand summoning the stone hammer, giving no chance for respite.


    Thanks to the sturdy helmet, the knight only suffered a momentary dizziness. The helmet was merely dented.


    Seeing Mithra''s relentless advance, he got up, quickly pulling something from his chest and lightly wiping it on his sword.


    Instantly.


    Swish!


    Mithra''s left hand was severed by a blue sword energy, flying away and falling powerlessly to the ground.


    "Ugh..." The excruciating pain of the severed limb caused Mithra to pause momentarily, her eyes widening slightly.


    Nie Hong, who was fighting several believers in the distance, was also distractedly watching Mithra. Seeing this, he was immediately shocked.


    What was that just now!?


    Sword energy?


    Mithra gasped, activating Stabilize...


    With her left arm severed, she couldn''t activate miracles until it regenerated!


    Although she had mastered several miracles and her combat skills with the hammer were impressive, she hadn''t yet spread the ability to use her miracles to other parts of her body.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The opponent had accurately targeted her weakness, aiming for her left arm, a weak point that was difficult for Mithra to fully cover with Reinforce Body.


    The severed limb was rapidly regenerating. The intense pain, starting from her arm, was like strong, sharp needles repeatedly piercing and twisting the wound.


    Mithra''s cold sweat poured down. Her body trembled violently, her lips twitching into a twisted smile.


    The knight pressed forward, intending to capitalize on the opportunity.


    But Mithra quickly turned, her right hand seizing the stone hammer that had fallen nearby. The rhythm of her body suddenly became strangely fluid. The knight swung his straight sword, repeatedly missing. Mithra, dancing, kept her right hand holding the hammer unsteady, her footwork impossible to predict.


    Even though she had lost an arm, she hadn''t lost her balance. Her body, despite feeling unfamiliar, should be at most half as effective. The fact that she could even maintain her footing was remarkable, but Mithra simply changed her fighting style and regained stability, denying the knight the chance to win.


    Praise Phaselos. His gift was truly powerful.


    Techniques for using a hammer after losing an arm, even how to wield it while crawling, were all included.


    However, this wasn''t enough to defeat the knight.


    Not to mention the strange sword energy he had released earlier, which Mithra''s heightened senses hadn''t even reacted to. For a moment, it felt like all her senses were blocked.


    Considering Mithra''s situation, even regeneration would take time for an injury of this magnitude. The severed arm was only regenerating up to the elbow.


    The crucial hand would take much longer, and she couldn''t activate miracles in the meantime.


    Fortunately, Mithra had habitually replenished Stabilize. The current duration was definitely sufficient.


    But her other miracles were rapidly depleting, especially Reinforce Body. Without Reinforce Body, how could she defeat a fully armed knight?


    The key was to buy time...


    ¡¾Price: You have lost your left arm.¡¿


    ¡¾Compensation Received: Abyssal Hand (Left).¡¿


    ¡¾Jungo''s signature: Heh heh heh heh heh¡ª¡ª¡¿


    Mithra froze.


    Gush gush¡ª¡ª


    Suddenly, she felt an intense itching sensation in her regenerating arm, then the wound was covered in a viscous black liquid.


    The black liquid continuously flowed out, causing both Mithra and the knight to momentarily freeze.


    What was that!?


    But Mithra quickly understood.


    The knight hesitated before pulling something from his chest.


    This time, it was a living eye.


    After crushing it, he smeared it on his sword.


    The mysterious straight sword emitted a blue light, and Mithra''s senses could no longer detect the sword for a moment.


    Swish!


    The sword energy rapidly approached. But this time, the previously slow-moving, viscous liquid suddenly transformed into several tentacles with a definite shape, wildly swinging around Mithra.


    The blue sword energy was shattered. Mithra stared at the knight, tilting her body to aim the strange arm at him, focusing her mind.


    The tentacles obediently restrained him, then pierced through him like arrows!


    The knight had no time to react. His armored body was easily pierced. The tentacles burst from his back, eagerly drinking his blood, seeming quite excited. But under Mithra''s control, they deftly retreated.


    Mithra''s breathing became increasingly heavy. Swinging the arm, she felt many strange sounds in her head.


    Prayers. They sounded like prayers...


    Suddenly, the intense pain in her left arm subsided.


    ¡¾Left arm has regenerated. Abyssal Hand (Left) has departed.¡¿


    ¡¾Jungo''s signature: Heh heh heh heh¡ª¡ª¡¿


    This new being was something else.


    The black substance on her arm completely disappeared. The previously unclear material had vanished.


    Mithra looked at her newly regenerated left arm, clenching and unclenching it. It didn''t hurt. The severed left arm had automatically dissolved and disappeared.


    Then she suddenly turned her head and looked at the surviving townspeople and believers.


    ...


    Killed them all.


    The open space before the tunnel had witnessed a small conflict: two innocent young people versus a cult and the townspeople who had been manipulated by them.


    It ended with the two innocent young people miraculously winning.


    It was truly fortunate.


    Nie Hong''s gaze toward Mithra was filled with even greater fear.


    This person was definitely a newly awakened Wandering God! A monster in human skin!


    He began to suspect that taking Mithra back to Planet Blue might be considered "leading the enemy to our base."


    While Nie Hong was filled with suspicion, Mithra was walking among the corpses, picking and choosing as if she were shopping in a supermarket.


    Because she was a sense-deficient person, accumulating sense intermediaries was very important.


    Finally, she arrived at the knight''s corpse.


    She picked up his sword and examined it.


    ¡¾Night Worship Sword: Ordinary material, but a straight sword imbued with fragments of a special Wandering God miracle. Weapon of a Night Hunter Knight. Crushing and smearing a living eye as an offering allows activation of miraculous power. It is said that using this weapon to hunt Night Eyes will allow one to see that Wandering God at the end of the hunt.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª"Invisible Blade": Godly miracle. With the power of the "Night Hunter" miracle blooming, no one can capture the blade''s shadow.¡¿


    After confirming this, Mithra stabbed the sword into her body, adding it to her weapons storehouse.


    She might need it or not, but she''d collect it anyway.


    Mithra found that she was starting to develop a desire to collect these unique weapons.


    This was probably an influence from Phaselos''s exchange, but Mithra didn''t mind. He hadn''t mentioned many details, so she might as well make this her new hobby.


    Then she continued searching, finding several live eyes in a small pouch the knight had carried.


    These were the necessary offerings to activate the miracle on the sword.


    Miracles could be attached to items, something Safin had mentioned before. But she hadn''t expected that her first acquired miraculous item would be related to a Godly miracle.


    "Night Hunter," the description revealed the title of that Wandering God.


    Mithra touched her eyelids and looked up at the darkening sky. "It seems that the big shots didn''t just put me anywhere."


    Combined with what the Night Hunter Knight had said earlier, their organization hunted Night Eyes. Even the unnamed Wandering God, the title seemed incongruous with Night Eyes.


    Safin had mentioned not long ago that these eyes might cause trouble in Dreamland. She hadn''t expected the trouble to come so quickly...


    No, the big shots behind this had probably planned things properly.


    Their gifts were definitely not easy to obtain.


    She decided to express her gratitude first. Mithra vowed to do her best.

 Chapter 15: Just dont count me in

    This was just a short interlude.


    Nie Hong''s internal struggle ultimately led him to help Mithra, choosing to guide her out of a sense of loyalty.


    He really wanted to go home.


    And the true skills hidden in this town were evident from the recent encounters with the groups of people and the knight. He felt incredibly lucky that he hadn''t encountered such a fierce pursuit when he had first arrived.


    But the journey home wasn''t necessarily going to be easy.


    Nie Hong was filled with regret. He really shouldn''t have come alone. No, he shouldn''t have come at all!


    Mithra, however, was contemplating the events of her arm being severed.


    The activation of the exchange mechanism when she lost her arm seemed different from the usual "rewards from the big shots."


    The text described is what she had seen when she first arrived.


    A price was presented, and then compensation was given.


    Right, during the initiation phase, the big shot behind it had mentioned that after paying a certain price, there would be an additional bonus. The "reward mechanism" was secondary.


    She just hadn''t encountered such an opportunity until now.


    But losing her left arm triggered it.


    Would losing other limbs trigger this mechanism as well?


    But losing limbs was extremely painful. That level of pain was still somewhat stimulating for Mithra. She felt it wasn''t necessary to inflict such suffering on herself.


    On the other hand, the knight had used a broken sword to cut off her arm, so Mithra figured she would have plenty of opportunities for severed limbs in the future.


    She felt that she should leave some room for future concerns.


    This way, when she lost more limbs in the future, there would be some hope, instead of just enduring the pain.


    Thinking this way, she started looking forward to future encounters with strong opponents.


    She hoped she wouldn''t end up as a black mud monster.


    Could the big shots hear her?


    "Mithra, we''re almost there," Nie Hong''s voice brought her back to reality.


    Mithra looked ahead and saw a quiet town nestled below the mountain path.


    The town wasn''t very large; she could see its boundaries from her vantage point. But the buildings inside were densely packed. The style of the mountainside buildings was unremarkable, but outsiders would easily get lost.


    "I entered from the outskirts. I didn''t go into the town itself," Nie Hong pointed towards the town''s edge. A faint outline of a mine cart track was visible there, likely one of the transport routes for the mines.


    "Going directly into the town would be like wandering around aimlessly. If you want to go around the outside, there are only two routes. The mine cart track is the fastest and has the best visibility. The other way involves going over the mountain, and the distance is much longer. It''s getting very dark now, and I don''t recommend it," Nie Hong calmly analyzed.


    Although he had initially seemed like a naive young man, a closer look revealed that he was actually quite resourceful.


    Was he truly capable, or was it simply the Enchanting Land''s educational system?


    Mithra said, "Were you discovered on the cart track when you snuck in?"


    "Ah, yes," Nie Hong nodded obediently.  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Then for safety, we shouldn''t take that route. They''ve been stationed here for a long time, they know this place better than we do. They''ll surely use that route to monitor the easiest escape route," Mithra said.


    Nie Hong agreed. "But going through the mountains is troublesome too. They have dogs and bears, and the terrain isn''t good. We could easily get trapped."


    "So, isn''t the answer obvious? We go through town."


    "Ah?" Nie Hong, who had been worried, was stunned.


    "We know the enemies are the believers and the knights. The townspeople, dogs, and bears are only a problem when they''re together. But if we go through the town, the complex terrain will significantly limit their ability to threaten us. Even bears won''t be able to move easily through the town."


    "But wouldn''t our chances of encountering believers and knights increase significantly if we go through the town? It''s their base."


    "If we meet them, we''ll kill them. Aren''t you able to take on one or two?"


    "Um... Okay," Nie Hong was speechless. Upon further reflection, it did make sense.


    Mithra used her eyesight to observe the town from the hillside, selecting a relatively easy route before leading Nie Hong, under the cover of darkness, towards the town.


    Getting closer, they could see lights flickering within the town.


    Townspeople carrying torches patrolled the town, and occasionally, they could spot believers in coats leading the patrols.


    The patrol routes weren''t very dense, with many gaps. Under Mithra''s guidance, Nie Hong followed vaguely, and surprisingly, they weren''t discovered.


    Nie Hong marveled at their good luck and Mithra''s speed.


    If they had been discovered here, they would have been in trouble.


    A wide road appeared before them. The patrols here were denser, so Mithra had to stop, hiding in an alley to observe.


    After observing for a while and finding no opportunity, Mithra informed Nie Hong and pointed towards the outside.


    Nie Hong nodded, looking at a nearby incomplete wooden crate. He focused his Ki on it for a while before activating Control Object.


    After the red energy enveloped the crate, it was lifted into the air, flying over the rooftops into the distance.


    Bang!


    The sound of the crate hitting the ground in the night was incredibly clear.


    Immediately, the patrolling groups reacted and headed towards the source of the sound.


    Mithra and Nie Hong seized the opportunity to pass quickly.


    After crossing the main road, they seemed to have entered a residential area. Mithra could detect concealed lights in some of the houses.


    After observing the situation, Mithra led Nie Hong through the area.


    Suddenly, they heard the sounds of fighting nearby.


    "Aah!" A shrill scream could be vaguely heard.


    Mithra and Nie Hong immediately stopped and became alert.


    "I said we could cooperate, but please let my child go!"


    "Please! Please! Aah!"


    Another commotion.


    As the sounds spread, the lights in the nearby buildings were extinguished one by one.


    Soon, the sounds subsided.


    Mithra calmly observed and saw two believers and several townspeople emerging from a house, dragging two corpses. One townsperson was holding a struggling child.


    "Help! Help!" the child screamed. A believer frowned and slapped the child, knocking him unconscious.


    "What... what are they going to do?" Nie Hong whispered, his voice trembling slightly.


    "Gouge out their eyes," Mithra replied casually.


    Nie Hong covered his mouth. He remembered the corpses in the tunnel, most of them eyeless. And the cursed creatures in the tunnel, they were also like this.


    He took a deep breath, seemingly calming himself, and then cautiously looked around.


    Mithra noticed him observing the group.


    "What are you planning?"


    "Just two believers, a few dogs, and some townspeople. We have a chance," Nie Hong looked at Mithra. "If we quickly take them out, we can save the child."


    "Your plan probably doesn''t include me," Mithra said calmly.


    Nie Hong pursed his lips and slowly nodded. "I know this is dangerous. If I make a commotion, you just go. I''ve told you the location of the teleportation point. Just follow the mountain path and find the town. You''ll be sure to find it."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Mithra nodded. "Okay, let''s go kill some people."


    "Ah? No, I said I didn''t include you..."


    "If you hadn''t included me, I would have just let you go. But you didn''t, so I''ll help you. Any problems with that?" Mithra''s voice remained steady, leaving Nie Hong speechless.


    After a moment of stammering, he could only say, "Thank you."


    Having confirmed their objective, the two sprang into action.


    Mithra activated Stabilize.


    Ding.


    Nie Hong focused his Ki, taking a long time to form the pattern, enhancing the power of his Ki miracle.


    Then he quickly jumped out of the alley.


    The people preparing to leave were completely unprepared. Nie Hong suddenly spread his arms and clenched his hands tightly.


    Immobilize!


    Intense Ki instantly enveloped everyone in front of him. The massive sense power consumption caused Nie Hong''s brain to spasm, as if he were in pain, but he had successfully restrained them!


    Mithra emerged, her hand reaching behind her shoulder and suddenly drawing a sword.


    The Night Worship Sword, stained with blood, was drawn. With her other hand, she grabbed a live eye, crushed it, and smeared it on the sword. Simultaneously, she shifted her weight into a sweeping stance.


    Invisible Blade.


    Swish!


    Blue sword energy swept past. Everyone in front of her was instantly killed while their bodies were immobilized.


    After unleashing the sword, Mithra quickly moved in, retrieving the stone hammer from her body. With a sword in one hand and a hammer in the other, she quickly dealt with the dogs.


    After breathing a sigh of relief, Nie Hong didn''t relax. He immediately used Control Object, launching throwing knives at the dogs Mithra hadn''t been able to reach.


    Whoosh!


    In a matter of seconds, only corpses and spreading pools of blood remained.


    Mithra casually wiped the blood off her sword and put it back into her body. Then she turned to Nie Hong, who was covering his head.


    "You lead the way. Let''s go."

 Chapter 16: Stranger

    Shortly after passing through the residential area, the density of the buildings before them noticeably decreased.


    Nie Hong, carrying the child, finally breathed a sigh of relief. "We''re finally out."


    The dense buildings and patrolling groups had put immense pressure on him.


    For the last half of their journey, his brain had ached from the excessive consumption of sense power. His senses had become dull, and he felt dizzy.


    The cool wind outside helped clear his head a little.


    Mithra, however, was hurrying along while thinking about her experience using Invisible Blade.


    It made sense that the knight hadn''t been able to continuously use Invisible Blade. It wasn''t because he didn''t want to; it was because he couldn''t.


    It wasn''t just because of the limited number of live eyes needed as offerings. Invisible Blade also consumed a large amount of sense power. Even after Mithra had used it once, she had felt a momentary lag in her senses, a characteristic of rapid sense power depletion.


    Using it multiple times might leave her completely stunned.


    Regardless, they had passed the most difficult part. The rest of their journey was much smoother.


    There were still some wandering, lost townspeople at the edge of the town. Dealing with them was much easier than in the town.


    Mithra and Nie Hong killed their way through without further incident.


    "Whew, we''re finally out!" Once they were on the path down the mountain, Nie Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief and spoke in a normal tone.


    Mithra said, "Be careful, don''t drop the child." The path down the mountain was no longer dangerous, but it was still difficult to traverse under the current conditions.


    Nie Hong quickly hugged the child tighter and looked at Mithra curiously. "Mithra, if I had included you in my plans, would you really have ignored me?"


    "Yes. I do what I say. After all, it was you, not me, who wanted to save the child," Mithra replied, looking at the path.


    "Ah..." Nie Hong lowered his head.


    He still didn''t understand Mithra.


    He had initially mistaken her for a ruthless anomaly guard, killing him without hesitation. Yet, she was easy to talk to when she asked him questions, then later discovered she was a monster with hidden secrets.


    Now she was helping him for some strange reason.


    It was all so complicated.


    Suddenly, the child in his arms stirred.


    Nie Hong quickly recovered, realizing the child had woken up.


    "You''re awake! We''re not bad people, don''t be afraid! We''re taking you to a safe place. Don''t cry!" After waking up, the child was stunned for a moment before starting to cry. Nie Hong quickly comforted him.


    "Mithra, I can''t soothe children. Help me... Don''t just silently increase your pace! Help!"


    Finally, Mithra, with an unchanging expression, returned to help.


    If the child started crying loudly in the wilderness, that would be terrible.


    Mithra seemed to have a natural knack for interacting with children. Nie Hong''s attempts to comfort the child had failed, but once Mithra took over, the child calmed down, even though Mithra hadn''t said anything or even smiled.


    Nie Hong felt a sense of failure. He couldn''t even comfort a child as well as a monster.


    "My mom and dad were killed by them..." the child whispered on Mithra''s shoulder after a while.


    The child quietly sobbed for a moment.


    "Do you know what happened to your hometown?" Nie Hong asked, seeing this.


    Initially, he had only been interested in the secrets of the town and the possibility of finding treasures in the tunnels. He hadn''t paid attention to anything else.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    But his experiences had undoubtedly corrected his reckless mindset. Mithra''s impact had been monumental.


    "...I don''t know exactly. A few years ago, everyone was fine, but one day, my dad came home and said something had happened on the mountain, and no one could work there anymore. Then those people came. At first, they said they could provide other ways for people to make money. But gradually, those who chose to work with them became strange. The town became like it is now. My dad always told me and my mom not to go outside, and not to talk to others in the town,"


    The child spoke for a moment, then began sobbing again.


    Nie Hong fell silent.


    "They wanted your eyes?" Mithra asked.


    "Yes, they said eyes were exchanged for wealth and treasures. And it didn''t have to be your own eyes; others'' would do too... My dad worked for them, he wanted to protect me and my mom. But I don''t know why, lately they''ve wanted more eyes, and more people in the town have died..." the child''s body trembled.


    Mithra comforted the child while continuing down the mountain.


    The child cried himself to sleep.


    The two walked in silence. To take care of the child, they didn''t walk very fast. The dark night sky gradually brightened, revealing a clear sky behind them. Moonlight shone down, illuminating their path.


    The path gradually leveled out, and they unknowingly left Gross Mountain.


    They finally reached a wide, flat road at the foot of the mountain.


    "I took a carriage and got off here, but at this time of night, we can only walk," Nie Hong said.


    Mithra nodded and followed Nie Hong along the road.


    The road stretched to the horizon, revealing a silvery-white expanse. Without Reinforce Body on her legs, they would have been exhausted. Even with it, they were still quite tired.


    Finally, they saw the buildings of a city in the distance.


    "We''re here! We''re here!" Nie Hong exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.


    He could finally go home.


    The small city before them was a stark contrast to Gross Town. Though modest in size compared to larger hubs, it was still bustling with activity. Since the teleportation point to the Enchanting Land had opened, the influx of travelers from other worlds brought equal parts vitality and chaos.


    The city mayor, burdened with this new reality, was overwhelmed.


    Mithra and Nie Hong handed the child over to city officials and relayed the grim events of Gross Town.


    The officials listened but appeared indifferent.


    It was understandable. Had they cared, Gross Town wouldn¡¯t have languished in isolation for years, its mines abandoned, its people forgotten. Dreamland¡¯s chaotic nature made such neglect common, especially for remote towns like Gross.


    Besides, the city faced its own pressing concerns. The surge of travelers from the Enchanting Land demanded constant attention.


    Nevertheless, they accepted the child.


    Luckily, a Sanctuary patrol team was due to arrive shortly.


    The Sanctuary operated with the knowledge that many corners of Dreamland remained untouched by their influence. These patrols were meant to bridge that gap¡ªrescuing the lost, offering aid, and guiding the homeless to safety. For this child, the Sanctuary would provide passage to their well-guarded city, Andemiriya.


    With the child¡¯s fate resolved, Nie Hong¡¯s spirits soared. His efforts had borne fruit, and his steps became lighter.


    Mithra took in her surroundings. This small city, though unremarkable by her standards, was leagues ahead of the isolated Gross Town. It was her first real glimpse of civilization in this world, but Dreamland¡¯s aesthetic¡ªa mix of medieval and magical¡ªfelt oddly unremarkable to her.


    Her thoughts drifted instead to the Enchanting Land.


    As they walked, she noticed the occasional figure dressed in distinctly modern attire, mingling with Dreamland''s citizens. These were undoubtedly travelers from the Enchanting Land, Planet Blue.


    "Mithra, are you really a compatriot?" Nie Hong asked suddenly, his tone laced with curiosity.


    "I told you, I don''t know," Mithra replied flatly.


    "Ah, don¡¯t worry! Sometimes people like you get teleported to Dreamland for unknown reasons, and then they lose their memories. The Federation will take good care of you!" Nie Hong reassured her with surprising enthusiasm.


    "Are there many cases like this?" Mithra inquired.


    "Not many, but it happens. I heard of someone who grew up thinking they were from Dreamland only to discover they were from Planet Blue when they stumbled upon a teleportation point."


    "What does the Planet Blue government do for them?"


    "Oh, they usually do an assessment and help them reintegrate into Planet Blue society. It''ll be fine, really!"


    Mithra nodded, offering no further comment.


    They soon arrived at a bustling square at the city''s heart.


    In one corner, a shimmering boundary marked the teleportation point. Occasionally, blue and purple light gathered into a humanoid shape before solidifying into a living person.


    Nie Hong gestured towards the glowing structure. "See it?"


    Mithra nodded.


    Nie Hong¡¯s face lit up. "So you really are a compatriot! You never know someone until you fight them, huh?"


    "You¡¯re the one who got beaten," Mithra remarked coolly.


    Nie Hong froze, then recovered with a sheepish laugh. Mithra, unfazed, approached the teleportation point¡ªa cross-shaped star resting lightly on the ground, shimmering with unearthly energy.


    She extended a hand and touched it.


    In that instant, her senses connected to an intricate web. Through this network, she glimpsed a vast continent, each intersection a radiant cross-shaped star like the one she touched.


    The vision faded as quickly as it came.


    "How do I get back to Planet Blue?" she asked.


    Nie Hong stepped forward. "To return, you need to use the same teleportation point you came through. You should see it on the network."


    "I don''t see it," Mithra replied bluntly.


    Nie Hong frowned. "That''s strange... Wait, let me try. Put your hand on my shoulder."


    He touched the star, and Mithra mirrored his actions. The moment she connected to the network again, a new point emerged¡ªher original teleportation point, glowing faintly.


    Suddenly, light enveloped her.


    When the light faded, Mithra opened her eyes to a bright, clear sky. Towering skyscrapers reached upward, and a plane soared overhead, leaving a faint trail in its wake.


    Around her, the sounds of a bustling modern city filled the air¡ªpeople talking, cars honking, the steady rhythm of urban life.


    For a moment, she stood still, taking it all in. She had returned to a world of steel and glass.


    But something lingered.


    ¡¾Event ¡ª¡ª "Stranger"¡¿

 Chapter 17: Arrangement

    ¡¾Event ¡ª¡ª "Stranger"¡¿


    ¡¾Gift: Awakening of an alternate form, an unacknowledged aberrant species, a unique individual without peers.¡¿


    ¡¾Price: This shouldn''t be considered a price, because it''s already a part of you.¡¿


    ¡¾Entangled by an extradimensional being, you have traversed unimaginable space-time to reach a strange world. Everything is superficially pleasing, familiar scenes cannot become your home, and you should consider accepting another form of yourself in this world.¡¿


    ¡¾Accept?¡¿


    This time, the message didn¡¯t reveal its sender.


    Judging by the wording, this wasn¡¯t an external power being gifted to her. It was an awakening¡ªan uncovering of something already buried within.


    The signature space below the message remained empty, just as it had when she first arrived in this world.


    Unsigned, these messages could be from a collective of unseen entities or perhaps a singular representative, tasked with managing Mithra¡¯s peculiar existence.


    A strange parallel to a property manager, she mused, but with cosmic implications.


    Mithra stared at the glowing text, lost in thought.


    But in the end...


    "Accept," she said firmly.


    If the description was accurate, this was inevitable. Better to confront it now than delay the truth.


    The moment her decision solidified, the text dissolved into twin streams of light¡ªone silver, one dark violet¡ªthat wove themselves into her being.


    Mithra shut her eyes instinctively, though no pain or discomfort followed. When she opened them again, everything seemed unchanged.


    Yet, within her, there was a difference¡ªsubtle but undeniable.


    Her senses sharpened, her awareness stretching further than before. Her body felt alive with latent energy, restless like a cauldron on the brink of boiling over.


    The tools she carried¡ªthe hammer, the enigmatic straight sword, the knives¡ªand this "alternate form" spoke to her in a new way.


    Liveliness, that was the word. Her existence was becoming... more crowded.


    "Hey, hey! Back in modern society, and you''re spacing out?" Nie Hong¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts as he snapped his fingers, trying to draw her attention.


    Mithra blinked, fixing her gaze on him.


    "Damn it! Don¡¯t use Control Object to grab my hair! I said I¡¯m sorry, okay?" Nie Hong yelped, trying to dodge as his hair was tugged upward by invisible force.


    ...


    The Planet Blue Federation maintained basic oversight over every discovered teleportation point, ensuring order without excessive restrictions. The key requirement was simple: identity verification upon arrival and departure, a precaution to prevent anyone from becoming stranded or unable to return.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    To Mithra, it felt more like entering a tourist attraction than crossing dimensions.


    According to Nie Hong, they were now in the Hong''a Administrative Region, Southeastern Province, Wuh¨³ City. A significant urban hub, it was the provincial center and far larger than the remote Gross Town.


    The teleportation point was set in a massive, lively square teeming with people. Even Mithra, with her enhanced senses, found the density overwhelming.


    Nie Hong noticed her disinterest and didn¡¯t bother trying to engage her. Instead, he led her directly to the official reception desk.


    After a brief exchange with the receptionist, the woman gave Mithra a surprised look, asked a few routine questions, and then made a phone call.


    "Please wait here. A specialist will come to pick you up shortly, and we will arrange for your accommodations," the receptionist explained. She handed Mithra a jacket.


    It was winter in Wuh¨³ City. While the chill wasn¡¯t biting, the cold air still lingered. Mithra¡¯s attire¡ªa simple hooded cloak and barely adequate leggings¡ªdrew concerned glances.


    Mithra, however, felt no discomfort.


    She silently activated Stabilize. Ding.


    Nie Hong stayed with her, obligated to complete some additional formalities as the one who had escorted her back.


    Before long, a sleek car arrived at the plaza. The receptionist guided them to the vehicle, gently refusing Mithra¡¯s attempt to return the jacket.


    Once seated in the car, Nie Hong sprawled across the seat with an exaggerated sigh.


    "I can finally relax!" he declared, then abruptly remembered something and reached for his phone.


    Before entering Dreamland, he had temporarily stored his phone at the teleportation square. The Federation offered a secure storage service for such valuables, though the fees weren¡¯t cheap.


    As he powered on the device, it came alive with incessant vibrations, notifications flooding the screen.


    "Only gone a week, and it¡¯s like they thought I was dead!" he grumbled, fingers flying over the screen to sift through the chaos.


    The driver chuckled. "Well, disappearing without notice for a week is a quick way to end up on a missing persons list."


    "If you weren¡¯t lucky, you¡¯d actually be dead," Mithra remarked without looking up.


    Nie Hong opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it, quietly conceding her point.


    After a pause, he noticed a missed call from a familiar number and hurriedly dialed back.


    "Hello, Grandma? Yes, I¡¯m fine... School¡¯s been busy, so I couldn¡¯t answer... I ate, of course! The school isn¡¯t starving me... Be careful on your bike! Don¡¯t fall again... Okay, I¡¯ll visit soon..."


    When the call ended, Nie Hong caught Mithra¡¯s gaze.


    "What?"


    "Nothing. It¡¯s just impressive how careless someone with family waiting for them can be," Mithra replied coolly.


    Nie Hong slumped in mock defeat. "Please, no lectures. I¡¯ve had enough."


    The car continued its smooth journey through the city streets. Nie Hong glanced out the window, then blinked in recognition.


    "Wait a second, isn¡¯t this the road to my university?"


    The driver chuckled again. "You¡¯re from Shu¨«xi¨´ University, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Yeah, but why are we going there?"


    "Shu¨«xi¨´ University houses the Federation¡¯s resettlement center for returnees from Dreamland. It¡¯s where we¡¯ll be taking this young lady for her checks and procedures."


    Nie Hong¡¯s eyes widened. "There¡¯s a place like that on campus?!"


    Meanwhile, Mithra turned her attention to the view outside, silently observing the bustling university grounds as they drove in. Compared to Gross Town, this place was vast and teeming with life.


    Eventually, the car stopped outside a remote yet imposing building.


    "We¡¯re here," the driver announced.


    Mithra and Nie Hong exited the vehicle and were greeted by a man with a kind smile, his round face radiating warmth. Beside him stood a younger assistant, clipboard in hand.


    "Welcome back to Planet Blue," the man said, his tone calm and reassuring. "You may call me Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o. Please don¡¯t worry¡ªeverything we do here is routine, purely for the safety and well-being of all parties involved."


    Mithra nodded.


    Turning to Nie Hong, Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o added, "My assistant will guide you through your necessary paperwork."


    Nie Hong followed without complaint, leaving Mithra in Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o¡¯s capable hands.


    The next hours were a series of standard examinations. Height, weight, blood samples¡ªall basic data collection.


    Later, Mithra was escorted to a small, quiet room where she was handed several forms to complete.


    The questions, while mundane on the surface, had a clear purpose.


    The first section tested her general knowledge.


    The second assessed her psychological state.


    The third gauged her familiarity with Planet Blue.


    The fourth explored her understanding of Dreamland.


    The inquiries were straightforward and lacked any pressing sensitivity. Mithra filled them out truthfully, her answers precise and calculated.

 Chapter 18: Furthermore

    "Your test results are in. We have a few questions to ask you directly. Of course, if there are any questions you''d prefer not to answer, that''s your right," Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o said evenly as he entered the room.


    Mithra, seated in the stark yet tidy room, nodded impassively, her expression unreadable.


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o placed the completed forms on the table, sitting down opposite her. His gaze flicked between the papers and Mithra.


    "Your general knowledge is quite impressive," he began. "You can solve advanced mathematical problems with ease. Your way of thinking aligns closely with the patterns of those from Planet Blue. In fact, your test results suggest you received an education here. But..." He paused, looking directly at her. "You seem entirely unfamiliar with this place, don¡¯t you?"


    Mithra nodded once, her gaze steady.


    "But you also didn¡¯t grow up in Dreamland," Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o continued. "Your knowledge and impressions of it are sparse, far less detailed than your understanding of ''Planet Blue''."


    Again, Mithra nodded.


    "It¡¯s remarkable, truly." Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o leaned back slightly, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. "Could you describe your impression of ''Planet Blue'' in more detail?"


    Mithra paused, deliberating her words, then began to recount the image of her familiar Earth. She spoke with deliberate clarity, her description vivid yet precise.


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o listened intently, not interrupting until she finished. He nodded slowly. "A deep understanding. Your knowledge of this ''Earth'' is indistinguishable from that of someone who grew up there. However..." His voice softened. "Though it¡¯s strikingly similar, what you described is not our Planet Blue."


    Mithra¡¯s expression didn¡¯t shift. She nodded again, her calm demeanor unwavering.


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o rested his hands on the table, his gaze thoughtful. "I won¡¯t make any judgments about you. The existence of Dreamland has already fractured many of Planet Blue¡¯s long-held worldviews. That fracture only deepens as we learn more."


    He straightened. "In short, if you truly come from a parallel world, then until you find a way back, we hope you can establish a place for yourself here."


    His tone was unexpectedly gentle, almost welcoming. It caught Mithra off guard. She had braced for skepticism, perhaps even accusations of madness. Yet, Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o displayed no such inclination, his words carrying no edge of doubt or dismissal.


    With the primary questions addressed, Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o¡¯s inquiries shifted.


    "Your regenerative abilities are extraordinary. Could you explain their origin?"


    Mithra gave a vague account, sidestepping specifics but offering enough to satisfy curiosity.


    "What about your miracles? Where did you learn them, and which have you mastered?"


    Mithra didn¡¯t withhold this information. She recounted her abilities plainly, her tone devoid of embellishment.


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o listened carefully, meticulously taking notes.


    After a pause, he spoke again, his voice more direct. "Your descriptions of life-or-death combat are consistent with your results. It seems your experiences align with what you¡¯ve reported."


    Mithra met his gaze. "I act when necessary. Nothing more."


    "Regardless of whether your opponent is human or not?"


    "Regardless of whether they¡¯re human or not," Mithra affirmed.


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o¡¯s face remained neutral as he considered her words. "Since the opening of contact between Dreamland and Planet Blue, the ethics of such actions have grown increasingly complex. For many, the dominant view is that it¡¯s justifiable for Planet Blue citizens to kill Dreamland citizens. After all, many don¡¯t even consider Dreamland inhabitants as ''people.'' Furthermore, Planet Blue¡¯s laws don¡¯t extend into Dreamland, rendering most legal discussions moot."Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    His tone shifted, adopting a note of caution. "Still, now that you¡¯re on Planet Blue, we hope you¡¯ll adhere to our laws and regulations. It¡¯s a matter of coexistence."


    Mithra¡¯s response was succinct. "I understand. I¡¯ve already said¡ªit¡¯s only a matter of necessity."


    Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o seemed satisfied. He set his pen down and straightened. "I have no further questions. Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Mithra."


    He stood, extending a hand. "Your residency procedures will take time to process. In the meantime, we¡¯ll arrange for you to receive supplementary education here at Shu¨«xi¨´ University. This will help you familiarize yourself with Planet Blue and integrate into society."


    He added, "Until your residency is finalized, we recommend staying on campus. You won¡¯t face strict restrictions, but avoiding unnecessary conflict is advisable. Once your education and examinations are complete, you¡¯ll officially receive your Planet Blue residency."


    He smiled warmly. "Welcome back¡ªno, welcome to the Planet Blue family."


    Mithra rose to shake his hand briefly.


    Afterward, Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o departed, leaving an assistant to escort Mithra to her assigned accommodations.


    The room was modest but well-furnished, equivalent to a high-end hotel suite. It lacked a kitchen, with meals intended to be taken at the dining hall.


    Mithra secured the key, her motions methodical, and proceeded to bathe.


    It was her first proper bath in ages, far removed from the makeshift miracles Safin had conjured in the mines. She scrubbed away every trace of dirt, the water a quiet sanctuary after endless battles.


    Emerging from the bathroom, her skin warm and clean, she stood before the mirror.


    Mithra had an athletic build, her frame lean yet strong, with muscles that hinted at a life of rigorous training rather than idle luxury. Her long hair, though clean, was slightly disheveled from neglect. Finding a stray hair tie by the sink, she swept her hair back, securing it without much thought.


    Her features were striking¡ªsharp and refined, the kind of face that could easily belong to a spirited and charming youth. Yet, the effect was undone by her icy demeanor. Her cold, emotionless expression clashed with her otherwise vibrant appearance. Her eyes, dark and unnervingly hollow, seemed to drink in light rather than reflect it. At first glance, they appeared normal, but prolonged scrutiny revealed a depth that sent shivers through the spine.


    The room felt empty¡ªsilent, devoid of any intrusive gaze. Mithra, trained as a believer, would have sensed any surveillance easily. Such detection was second nature to her, and this space seemed devoid of prying eyes.


    Standing before the mirror, she fell still.


    Then, slowly, she lowered her head, her reflection flickering faintly in the polished glass.


    The skin on her hands began to retract, peeling back unnaturally, revealing flesh beneath. What should have been healthy pink tissue blackened in an instant, shifting into something alien and sinister. A dark energy seeped out of her, wrapping around her like a living shroud.


    When Mithra lifted her gaze again, her vision was sharper, clearer than ever before¡ªeven beyond what the blessings of Lebaance had granted her. Her hands, now long and thin, bore grotesque clarity in the glass. Her left index finger stood out unnaturally, far longer than the rest, with claws that gleamed wickedly at its tip.


    Her reflection no longer showed a young girl but a blackened, desiccated figure. Her face was skeletal, her empty eye sockets alive with swirling black matter that shifted and churned.


    "This is me?" she murmured, her voice soft but weighty.


    Her clawed hand touched her head, her fingers gliding over the ridges of her altered skull.


    The form staring back at her was hideous, a grotesque distortion that no ordinary person would accept. It was utterly unique, utterly alone.


    The truth of her form¡ªthis monstrous reality¡ªsettled heavily within her. A flicker of unease rippled through her heart, but she stilled it, quashing the emotion before it could take hold.


    This body was strong. Stronger than she had ever been. It carried the weight of all she had suppressed¡ªher solitude, her longing for a distant home, her refusal to succumb to despair. All of it had fused into this form, creating something extraordinary.


    The name whispered itself to her consciousness: Stranger.


    A black dot hovered before her, one that seemed to pulse with intent. It wasn¡¯t an external force but a part of her, a fragment of this new self. Her Night Eyes, typically able to read the nature of unclaimed objects, activated involuntarily, revealing a truth she hadn¡¯t sought.


    ¡¾"Stranger": Drawn into this world by a miracle, separated from their homeland, altered by a miracle, their essence accumulating, finally transforming and activating miracles in the darkness. This might be a fledgling god.¡¿


    Mithra let the words settle in her mind, her gaze lingering on her elongated claws and sinewy form. The power coursing through her was undeniable. This body, though grotesque, surpassed her previous self in every measure of physical strength. Even her Reinforce Body technique paled in comparison to the raw potency of Stranger.


    And yet, the form had limitations. It rejected Nature miracles entirely, a dullness in its connection to the world around her. Even intermediaries, which she had relied upon previously, were silent. It was a strange paradox¡ªgreater strength yet diminished sensitivity.


    Mithra stared into the mirror for a moment longer, then let the transformation ebb. In the blink of an eye, the monstrosity disappeared, replaced once more by the cold, stoic young girl.


    The transition felt seamless, yet something lingered in her mind. That monstrous form wasn¡¯t just an external transformation¡ªit was her.


    The thought weighed heavily, and Mithra reached out, her fingers brushing against her reflection in the mirror.


    For a fleeting moment, the glass rippled. The monstrous figure appeared again, its skeletal visage staring back at her.


    Mithra exhaled, her voice a whisper in the silence. "Please take care of me."


    The reflection shifted, the dark figure tilting its head as though acknowledging her plea. Or perhaps it was just an illusion.

 Chapter 19: Planet Blue

    After showering, Mithra put on her tattered pants and jacket and opened the door.


    She immediately saw a familiar figure.


    Nie Hong seemed to be leaning against the door across the hallway. Seeing the door open, he glanced over. "Huh? Wow! Beautiful woman, who are you?!"


    He had only seen Mithra covered in dust before, so it was understandable that he was surprised by her appearance.


    "Why are you going out wearing only pants and a jacket? Do you want someone to get you some clothes? Ah, actually, I''m here to give you some clothes," Nie Hong said cheerfully, showing the bag in his hand.


    Mithra: "..."


    "Aah! Why are you using Control Object to grab my hair again?! What did I do wrong?!"


    ...


    Nie Hong, clutching his head, entered Mithra''s room.


    After receiving the clothes, Mithra went to the bathroom to change.


    It was a thick set of winter clothing, all black, unremarkable, and without any visible brand. It seemed to be provided by the center.


    Mithra emerged and saw Nie Hong touching everything, seeming curious about the room.


    Had this kid never stayed in a hotel before?


    "Ah, that was fast. Ch¨¦n Sh¨¤o said you can basically move freely within the campus. Want me to show you around?" Nie Hong said.


    "Go take a shower and change your clothes first. Don''t get my room dirty," Mithra said.


    Only then did Nie Hong realize how dirty he was. A week without a shower, plus rolling around in the tunnels, had left him incredibly grimy.


    "Ah, right," he said, looking frustrated.


    "What procedures did you help me with?" Mithra asked directly.


    "Some guarantees. Since I brought you here, I have to take some responsibility if you get into trouble. Also, it''s about answering some questions about our encounter," Nie Hong said.


    Mithra nodded and said nothing.


    Nie Hong immediately became restless. "I didn''t say anything bad about you."


    He had told most of the story, but he had omitted details that might be unfavorable to Mithra.


    He had originally planned to simply cooperate, but seeing Mithra''s fight against the encirclement and her transformation after her arm was severed, he was reminded of Mithra helping him save the child.


    He had unconsciously omitted that part.


    He knew this was irresponsible, but he had instinctively made that choice at the time.


    Besides that, he was severely criticized for his initial thoughtless attack on Mithra.


    "It''s fine. Just go take a shower, you stink," Mithra said casually.


    "I didn''t mind you stinking in the tunnels... Hey, hey, hey! I''m going to take a shower! Don''t pull my hair!"


    Nie Hong left, grumbling.


    Mithra picked up a remote and turned on the TV, intending to get a feel for this world.


    Most of the TV programs were similar to what she remembered from Earth. It seemed that the influx of miraculous powers hadn''t significantly altered this world.


    Perhaps because Dreamland''s influence on Planet Blue was limited, creatures from Dreamland couldn''t travel to Planet Blue. Creatures larger than a human couldn''t pass through the teleportation point.  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The biggest impact was the introduction of miracles.


    Planet Blue''s history of contact with miracles had been less than a hundred years. But thanks to its well-established social system and relatively stable and peaceful world environment, the introduction of these new elements hadn''t caused any major problems. They had even developed rapidly.


    It was a pity that because the influx of miracles happened at a peculiar time, it caused some deviations in Planet Blue''s technological development. Although it still looked like a modern city, its level of pure science and technology seemed slightly behind Earth when Mithra had last been there.


    Mithra didn''t have much knowledge about specific scientific and technological fields, so her assessment might be inaccurate.


    Maybe Planet Blue might suddenly unveil some inexplicable black technology in the future?


    Seeing an advertisement for new sense intermediary products, Mithra turned off the TV, stood up, and decided to go out and explore.


    This time, she wasn''t disturbed. She successfully left her room.


    Looking at the campus map in the hallway, Mithra decided to go to the central library.


    The library was quite large. Bookshelves were everywhere. Mithra saw a few students of similar ages sitting at some tables, seemingly working on essays on their computer screens.


    Hard work.


    Her arrival attracted some attention, but no one seemed particularly interested and quickly looked away.


    Although she wasn''t fond of reading, Mithra enjoyed browsing libraries and bookstores, checking out the collection and choosing a few pages of anything that caught her interest.


    She found that the books in this resettlement center were mostly basic texts, covering history and culture.


    She picked up a copy of ¡¶Planet Blue History¡· and looked for a quiet spot to sit.


    Going deeper into the room, she found a long table situated amongst the bookshelves. Someone was already sitting there.


    A very striking person.


    Her hair was a striking slivery-white, and it was hard to miss.


    Mithra sat down at the other end of the table. The person looked up.


    She was a woman with exquisite features and a stunning appearance. Even from the back, her tall, slender figure, unusual for a woman, was noticeable. Her long, silvery-white curly hair was styled into several small braids, and her eyes had a slightly dull golden color.


    She didn''t look like an ordinary person.


    She was wearing the same style of clothing as Mithra, white instead of black.


    Was she also someone who had been brought back from Dreamland?


    "Hello. Are you also someone who has returned from there?" The woman smiled warmly and greeted Mithra.


    "Yes," Mithra replied casually, opening the book she had taken and starting to read.


    Seeing that Mithra didn''t seem inclined to talk, the woman looked a little disappointed but quietly lowered her head and continued reading her book.


    Time passed quickly. Mithra unknowingly spent a long time reading.


    Planet Blue''s history was largely a version of Earth''s. However, upon closer inspection, there were many differences. They weren''t the same world; they weren''t even parallel worlds.


    The current date on Planet Blue was February 21st, 1995.


    The Planet Blue Federation had attempted to contact some of Dreamland''s authorities, but mostly encountered obstacles. Only the Sanctuary had established friendly relations with the Planet Blue Federation. Planet Blue''s systematic miracle education had learned from and referenced the Sanctuary extensively.


    Apart from the Sanctuary, most of Dreamland''s authorities disliked Planet Blue citizens. Dreamland couldn''t directly interfere with Planet Blue, but Planet Blue citizens could freely travel to Dreamland, leading to a perception among Planet Blue citizens that they were superior to Dreamland citizens, which created many negative impressions.


    Combined with Dreamland''s xenophobic customs, the experiences of Planet Blue citizens in Dreamland were far from the idyllic portrayal in propaganda.


    But the hidden benefits were too tempting to resist.


    Especially since the risks, while not insignificant, weren''t particularly high either.


    Extra lives from the life lock and incredibly convenient teleportation¡ªthese two factors alone gave Planet Blue citizens a significant advantage.


    They had a large margin for error in any research activity.


    After reading for a while, Mithra became curious.


    The activation of miracles produced strange phenomena, even potentially leading to the appearance of beings like the Wandering God.


    Dreamland''s influence on Planet Blue was limited, but the introduction of miracles had no issues. So, did the miracles brought to Planet Blue cause any problems?


    "Is there a problem?" The woman across from her seemed to notice Mithra''s thoughtful expression and proactively asked.


    Mithra looked up. She was curious why the other person was so eager to speak to her, but she still replied, "Won''t the miracles here come to life?"


    The other person closed her book. Mithra noticed that she had been reading...a fashion magazine?


    "On Planet Blue, the influence of miracles is weakened. The senses here aren''t as profound as in Dreamland. Conversely, the conditions for miracle activation are also lacking. Even activated miracles are weakened here. Planet Blue citizens are the same. On Planet Blue, life locks can''t protect them."


    "It''s more like a different kind of protection mechanism. It''s just that life locks and similar things are excluded from this mechanism," Mithra offered her explanation.


    The woman nodded and smiled. "Maybe that''s right."


    Mithra observed her again. "I''m Mithra. What''s your name?"


    "I''m Matsuri. I''m a returnee who arrived here about two months before you. Besides you, I''m the only returnee in this resettlement center."

 Chapter 20: Return

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 Chapter 21: Tunnel Infiltration

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 Chapter 22: Strengths, have a bite

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 Chapter 23: The hunt for the lost relic

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 Chapter 24: Night Worship

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 Chapter 25: Cause of the chaos

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 Chapter 26: Way to use

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    <div>


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 Chapter 27: Townspeople

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 Chapter 30: An Inspired Strike

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 Chapter 31: Wreathed in Resentment

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 Chapter 33: Pursuit on the Return

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 Chapter 34: Night Hunter

    Mithra had almost been turned into mush by the continuous invisible attacks. Fortunately, she had memorized the surrounding area when leaving the church and managed to make a correct guess based on a single hammer blow.


    The pain of regeneration was stimulating, but also tiring.


    The wolf and bear carried Mithra through the tunnels. They had been "beasts of burden" in these tunnels and were quite familiar with the layout.


    The wolf had initially planned to escort Mithra all the way, but Mithra warned them that she was being pursued and they might encounter her pursuers if they stayed.


    That wouldn''t end well for the evolved beasts.


    So the wolf and bear, after some hesitation, decided to carry Mithra part of the way and then escape.


    Honestly, they had wanted to escape for a long time, but for newly intelligent beasts, without someone pointing it out, they hadn''t realized they were already free.


    With the humans in chaos, this was the perfect opportunity to escape.


    The wolf and bear were strong; ordinary cursed creatures in the tunnels were no match for them. Their journey was smooth.


    Back in the shallower levels, although the path was unfamiliar, the wolf sniffed out the scent trail left by Mithra and Nie Hong. Following it, they eventually reached the familiar pile of corpses.


    The wolf set down Mithra, who had long since regenerated.


    "That''s about it. Go out through that entrance and follow the strongest human scent. You''ll reach the mountains. Then you can live freely. Avoid contact with humans," Mithra advised.


    Humans these days weren''t tolerant of intelligent beasts. If they were discovered, these two wouldn''t be safe.


    The wolf nodded.


    The bear, however, stared intently at Mithra''s arm.


    Seeing this, Mithra extended her arm. "Want to try some? You didn''t eat anything along the way."


    The wolf shuddered, remembering Mithra''s "malicious" smile as she cut off her flesh. It shivered, slapped the bear, and quickly headed for the exit.


    The bear whimpered and followed its friend.


    After pushing the bear into the somewhat cramped tunnel entrance, the wolf paused and looked back at Mithra. After a moment of hesitation, it gave a thumbs-up before disappearing completely.


    Mithra was slightly surprised and shook her head.


    Where did it learn all those gestures?


    The pile of corpses was quiet again.


    The shallow levels of the mine were eerily silent. The usual sounds of the cursed creatures were gone, replaced by the crackling of a few burning torches.


    Mithra glanced at the pendant in her hand.


    If she hadn''t been afraid of losing the pendant, she would have severed both her arms and fought the flying old man.


    After a moment, she looked up and walked back along the familiar path, pendant in hand.


    A light appeared ahead. Safin''s cave.


    Mithra''s pace faltered almost imperceptibly, but she quickly regained her steady rhythm and arrived at the cave entrance.


    "I''m back," she said, touching the rock face.


    She saw Safin''s hunched figure.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    His body was trembling violently, his gasps for air mixed with bestial growls.


    "Mithra..." a distorted, guttural voice faintly called her name.


    "Your pendant," Mithra reached out.


    "Stay away from me!" A furious roar erupted, a gust of wind pushing Mithra back.


    Mithra withdrew the pendant and looked at the figure impassively. No... it could hardly be called a "figure" anymore.


    "Sorry..." its voice suddenly weakened. "I didn''t mean that... Ugh... give me some time... No... there''s no time... Please stay away... I can''t remember... who I am... who... are... you...? Aaarrgh¡ª!!"


    The figure suddenly turned, a wolf-like, inhuman face with a gaping maw roaring at Mithra.


    Rip!


    Its body swelled, tearing the already tattered uniform. Sharp claws dug into its own stomach.


    Amidst growls and screams, blood flowed. A dark grey sword hilt was pulled from its flesh.


    Slowly, then completely.


    Mithra took two steps back, her pupils flickering as she looked at the blood-soaked sword.


    It was a large sword, shimmering with a faint blue light. The blade had a graceful curve, its tip sharp, the light on its surface like still water.


    Gush¡ª


    But this beauty was quickly shattered.


    Eyes opened on the blade.


    Dark, empty eyes, with a black substance swirling within.


    Night Eyes!


    Several Night Eyes were embedded on the blade, becoming part of its power!


    This weapon was¡ª


    "Get out!"


    A roar, accompanied by a gust of wind, struck Mithra.


    Slash!


    With no chance to react, Mithra was cut in half!


    The tall, beast-like figure, after delivering this single blow, turned and fled towards the tunnel entrance.


    Mithra collapsed, the silver pendant falling to the side.


    Looking at her severed body, she silently pushed herself up with her hands, retrieved the pendant, then clumsily pulled her lower body closer, pressing the severed halves together.


    She wasn''t particularly surprised by what had just happened.


    There were supposed to be two items in the ruins deep within the tunnels.


    One was the beast tooth, which had become the old man''s power source. The other, a supposedly more important weapon, was still missing.


    The Night Hunters church had been searching for this weapon, but after all their efforts, they only obtained the tooth.


    Where did the weapon go?


    Someone who had arrived at the depths of the tunnels earlier and was more professional than the Night Hunters church.


    The day the Sanctuary investigation team was ambushed by the church in the tunnels, the mountain shook.


    Safin had no concrete proof, but he told Mithra that the curse in the tunnels had weakened.


    He was still cursed, but from a distance, he could sense the church''s progress.


    How had the Sanctuary''s investigation team, ambushed and pursued, managed to survive in the depths of the tunnels?


    Why had a curse-ridden Safin been able to single-handedly block the tunnel entrance, forcing the church to find another way?


    The suspicious points and the answers were already quite clear.


    When the Sanctuary investigation team was cornered in the tunnels, Safin took the weapon that should have been on the weapon rack in the ruins.


    The sealed weapon of the "Night Hunter."


    A greatsword containing the most essential power of the Night Hunter.


    Using that sword, Safin repelled the church.


    He couldn''t stay in the depths of the tunnels; the sword would quickly corrupt him.


    He couldn''t leave the tunnels. He had to use himself to block the church, waiting for the Sanctuary to investigate and resolve the situation in the mining town.


    He waited for a long time, but no one came.


    And the hope that finally arrived was, ironically, just a girl with Night Eyes.


    Out of selfishness, he wanted to use her to retrieve a precious item.


    But he was still too kind.


    Knowing his time was running out, that he was losing control and might drag the tunnels and even Gross Town into the abyss, he hesitated and made excuses for the girl to leave.


    Unfortunately...


    "I don''t have any goals. Most things don''t interest me. But if I have a task, I''m rather persistent," Mithra muttered, finally putting herself back together.


    She was grateful that Lebaance''s regeneration hadn''t resulted in any deformities due to her clumsy efforts. It even set her bones and healed her body.


    She stood up again and looked back at the cave with its extinguished fire.


    Then, without a second thought, she turned and left.


    ...


    Mithra arrived at the pile of corpses, following the trail of destruction.


    The piled bodies seemed to form a makeshift arena.


    The beastman, wielding the grotesque greatsword, turned. Its eye sockets were empty, yet its gaze was intense.


    "Roar¡ª!!" A frenzied roar, a declaration of its current state.


    ¡¾"The Night Hunter," Sa¡ö: It was the sick dog of the werewolves, born blind and pursuing the light, eventually becoming a devotee of darkness. "Hunting" was its eternal prayer, but no one ever answered. Gradually, it became a feared god. Wandering Gods spread through miracles, and through miracles, they are immortal. Now, reborn from a weakened body, even at a fraction of its power, the hunt never ends.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªAre you the prey, or the hunter?¡¿


    Black smoke billowed. Mithra put the pendant in her mouth and swallowed it.


    Her skin receded, her hair fell out, her bones shifted.


    A grotesque "corpse" stood among the scattered bodies, even more hideous than the corpses beneath her feet.


    After the transformation, she suddenly bent down and slammed a hand into the ground.


    Boom!


    A powerful shockwave sent the surrounding corpses flying, cracking the ground.


    Then, the twisted figure looked up, letting out a shrill, raspy scream towards the newly awakened Wandering God, a scream filled with rage and resentment.


    "Aaargh¡ª!!"


    Tonight, the "Stranger" joined the hunt.

 Chapter 35: The Wandering and Nascent

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 Chapter 36: Entrusted Item

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 Chapter 37: Unleash the Beast

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 Chapter 38: In the Nights Shadow

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 Chapter 39: Hunts End

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 Chapter 40: Sunny

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 Chapter 41: The Calamity of the Wandering God

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 Chapter 42: Return

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 Chapter 43: Classes

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 Chapter 44: Self

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 Chapter 45: The challenger

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 Chapter 46: Eyes user

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 Chapter 47: Crab

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 Chapter 48: New clothes

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    Thanks to a specific miracle, the fabric will regenerate from even small remnants if torn, but the wearer might subconsciously ignore their injuries.¡¿

 Chapter 49: "Flesh Slime"

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 Chapter 50: The Wall of Sun City

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 Chapter 51: Error

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 Chapter 52: Chrysalis-like

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 Chapter 53: An Open Secret

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 Chapter 54: Shifting to Support

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 Chapter 55: Xyrin

    In a secluded room, guarded by Sun City''s guards, Mithra closed all the windows and stood before a table laden with food.


    She hadn''t specified what she wanted; it was simple fare: rations and dried meat.


    "It''s not as strange as in that other place, but still not much better," Mithra said, removing her shirt to reveal her powerful upper body.


    Gulp gulp gulp.


    With barely-contained eagerness, a diagonal gash opened across her chest, from her left shoulder to her right waist. It looked like a gruesome wound.


    But along the edges of this "wound," sharp, irregular teeth sprouted, like weeds growing wildly.


    A gaping maw opened across her chest, revealing numerous strong, snake-like tongues, eagerly reaching for the food.


    With a swift sweep, the tongues devoured everything on the table. There was nothing left for Mithra.


    Mithra felt no discomfort other than the agonizing hunger being satisfied. In fact, she felt her body becoming slightly stronger as she ate.


    "Hungry..." But her hunger wasn''t satisfied; the food was insufficient.


    "That''s enough for today," Mithra said, lowering her head.


    At her words, the tongues lashed out at her.


    "I said what was enough was enough. If you''re disobedient, I''ll just starve." Mithra remained unmoved.


    After a while, the rumbling and the word "hungry" subsided. The teeth retracted, the maw closing, eventually disappearing completely.


    Mithra touched her chest. There were no abnormalities. She could clearly feel her heart beating.


    But she could also feel something else inside her.


    "It''s getting crowded in there," Mithra said calmly, flexing her neck.


    ...


    Mithra found the advisor and explained her situation.


    While surprised by Mithra''s casual approach, the advisor was pleased with the outcome¡ªeveryone was fine.


    After dealing with that, Mithra began investigating the Flesh Slime.


    Although Sun City didn''t expect much from Mithra, she took it seriously.


    She arrived at the explosion site and saw Nino chatting and laughing with a young woman¡ªhe clearly wasn''t working!


    As she approached, Nino noticed her, said a few words to the woman, and she left.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "You''re here. I hope you weren''t too hungry yesterday. I heard you devoured everything," Nino said.


    "It was alright," Mithra replied, her gaze lingering on the woman''s departing figure.


    "That''s my sister. Not what you think," Nino felt the need to explain.


    "What did I think?" Mithra asked.


    "...The investigation is ongoing. You can relax; just don''t interfere," Nino quickly changed the subject.


    "You''re already investigating?"


    "It''s a Xyrin energy point in the Southwestern District. It needs to be repaired quickly," Nino replied.


    "Xyrin energy point?" Mithra asked, intrigued.


    Nino pointed upwards. Mithra looked up. The sun seemed the same as yesterday. But while bright, it wasn''t hot.


    "It channels the Xyrin energy from above, protecting the energy point below."


    "Wait, is that the legendary ''Artificial Sun''?" Mithra suddenly realized.


    Nino replied casually, "Yes, didn''t you know?"


    Mithra looked up at the bright sunlight.


    Sure enough, black dots appeared in her Night Eyes'' vision.


    She hadn''t paid much attention to the sun before, hadn''t realized it could provide information.


    ¡¾"Xyrin": Also known as the "Artificial Sun," a device created to combat Eternal Night. Its core was crafted by Ringer, from the Mysterious Kingdom. Its light shone for thousands of years, gently illuminating the cursed world, preventing the return of darkness. But it might be tiring now.¡¿


    Ringer?


    Wasn''t Ringer the one who had given her the Miracle Prosthetic after her arm was severed?


    Had he been the legendary figure who had led the Xyrin Project?


    Seeing Mithra staring at the sun, Nino said, "You won''t see anything more by staring. Xyrin''s power in Sun City is linked to the real sun, ensuring a stable climate."


    "Such intelligence," Mithra said, looking down.


    "It''s the pride of our Empire, the eternal soul of Sun City."


    "What are its practical applications?" Mithra asked pragmatically.


    Night Eyes'' information was often vague and only served as a reference. Mithra would have to research it herself.


    Nino glared at Mithra. "While Xyrin doesn''t cause abnormal weather, it doesn''t mean it has no effect. It ensures Sun City has a stable climate, preventing any weather-related disasters. Its light also suppresses those dangerous Wandering Gods, keeping their curses at bay."


    Even the usually calm Nino looked proud when speaking of Xyrin.


    But Mithra''s expression remained unchanged, which disappointed him. He sighed inwardly; outsiders from the Enchanting Land just didn''t understand the value of Xyrin.


    "You''re saying that thing in the sky can block curses?" Mithra stressed her question.


    Nino frowned. "Our ancestors have lived in this city for thousands of years. Please retract your question, Enchanting Land citizen."


    "If you''re so sure, then something is wrong. Inform your leaders immediately. If this explosion was significant enough for you to consider me a scapegoat, then the truth might shake your faith," Mithra said bluntly.


    "What do you mean?" Nino frowned.


    "Those Flesh Transmutation believers were cursed by the Wandering God. Do you understand now?" Mithra said.


    Nino''s face turned pale.


    Flesh Transmutation believers were cursed by a Wandering God?!


    And Xyrin couldn''t stop them?!


    "Are you certain?!" Nino demanded confirmation.


    Mithra didn''t bother replying, simply meeting his gaze.


    Without another word, Nino rushed out and climbed into a waiting carriage.


    He was too preoccupied to bother with Mithra anymore.


    Mithra watched the carriage leave, surveyed the area, then headed towards the debris. The Flesh Transmutation believers clearly had a purpose and a plan.


    Unhindered, Mithra approached the debris and examined the area.


    She saw many scattered machine parts, mostly broken, old-fashioned gears.


    At the very center, a group of people were gathered around a large mechanical pillar, discussing something, using tools to measure and examine it. Their faces were filled with concern.


    Mithra fell into thought.


    The Xyrin and the Xyrin energy point had been created thousands of years ago by Ringer and his team. Unlike the purely magical creations Mithra had expected, this energy point was mechanical in nature.


    Interesting. This world''s fantasy wasn''t just about wielding miracles; it also involved using miracles to develop technology!

 Chapter 56: "The Search for Eternal Night"

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 Chapter 57: World of Darkness

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 Chapter 58: Anderet

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 Chapter 59: Many-Armed Monster

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 Chapter 60: Maw versus Hands

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 Chapter 61: Profound Object

    After regaining her composure, Mithra felt something vague appear in her sense. It was faint and fleeting, and if she missed it, the opportunity would be gone.


    But Mithra quickly refined and clarified it.


    The familiar sense of an external presence, a symbol of Godly sense, was something she had encountered countless times while practicing Hunting miracles.


    Combined with the maw''s battle experience, Mithra refined it.


    ¡¾"Enlightened Step": Also known as "Melody," a Godly miracle. A special miracle from "Universal Hands." Upon activation, it allows the user to enter a special state capable of brief high-speed movement. Prolonged use will severely deplete sense power. Excessive use may result in the growth of extra limbs.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThe source of this ancient power is its desire to play music.¡¿


    "Interesting," Mithra noted the conclusion.


    This made her even more interested in the "Universal Hands" Wandering God.


    This couldn''t wait. Mithra decided to try it herself. The maw had only been a test.


    ...After actually trying it, she realized it was better to let the maw use it. It just required better coordination between them.


    This miracle required a clear, resonant sound.


    It turned out that the Many-Armed Monster''s "boom, boom" wasn''t for show; it was necessary for the miracle''s activation.


    The Many-Armed Monster''s sounds seemed to be connected to its arm movements. The maw, lacking a brain, didn''t know what sound to make, so it mimicked the others.


    Mithra, not having achieved Unified Sense, needed to use her miracle releasing organ to produce the sound.


    "Can''t move around in this world without power," Mithra said.


    The monsters here had enhanced senses. They weren''t just blind; their sense of light was incredible. And they had excellent hearing.


    Using "Enlightened Step" in this world would be like advertising her location to the monsters.


    After a fierce battle, Mithra sat down to rest.


    It wasn''t really a rest; she was waiting for her clothes.


    Unlike Mithra, who regenerated by bathing in enemy blood, her clothes regenerated more slowly and had limitations. If she was careless, she might only have a few scraps of cloth left by the time she returned to Matsuri.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    As her clothes were fully repaired, more and different sounds could be heard in the darkness.


    The sounds of the battle with the Many-Armed creature were still loud enough to attract more monsters.


    Mithra decided not to fight anymore.


    Switching her lantern to flashlight mode, she continued searching for a way out.


    She continued her journey, pausing to rest, occasionally interacting with monsters, collecting information via the Night Eyes, and practicing her skills.


    Finally, she reached a large clearing. She shone her light into the distance.


    "Hmm?" In the faint light, Mithra vaguely saw the tall walls of Sun City.


    Of course, if this was a mirror of the real world, a wall was to be expected.


    Mithra began searching for a breach in the walls.


    She wondered about the relationship between this world and the outside world. The breach in Sun City''s walls had happened much earlier than this world had been created.


    But if she could find it, she might be able to find her original entry point.


    She didn''t know how to leave, but finding a corresponding location might provide some clues.


    Many stories used this kind of plot device.


    She was relieved to find a breach.


    But her relief was short-lived. In the faint light, she saw something above the breach.


    Numerous pulsating, seemingly living pieces of flesh, a mix of pink and red, looked fresh.


    The flesh was clinging to the breach in the wall, the location of the real-world Sunshine Village. It was as if the wall''s wound was parasitized by the flesh.


    All of it was "Chrysalis" cursed creatures.


    Chrysalis in this world?


    Wait.


    So the Wandering God that had destroyed Sun City''s walls the "Chrysalis"?


    That explained why the Chrysalis organization had come to Sun City.


    Their destruction of the Xyrin energy point was described as a previously broken and deactivated energy point. The Chrysalis organization had been here. Was it for their Wandering God?


    Lost in thought, Mithra heard a low rumble.


    The sound came from far away, from above the walls...


    Mithra instinctively raised the lantern, shining it upwards.


    Even the calm Mithra unconsciously held her breath.


    It was a creature far larger than the walls themselves. The imposing walls were like toys before it. One hand rested on the wall; its head was a pulsating tentacle that stretched out, obscuring its form in the darkness.


    If it moved through Sun City, it could easily destroy everything.


    ¡¾"Herald of Eternal Night," Nateduras: They are the heralds of Eternal Night, the great beings who prayed for its return. The pillars supporting "Darkness," now slumbering in Eternal Night.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªPlease do not disturb their slumber.¡¿


    Mithra stared at the creature, which suddenly lowered its head. It had seen the light!


    Attracted, its massive body began to move, leaning forward. A powerful arm reached out towards Mithra, crossing a vast distance.


    Mithra extinguished the lantern.


    With the light gone, everything returned to darkness.


    The massive creature vanished.


    The heavy rumbling sound disappeared, as if it had been a momentary illusion.


    But Mithra didn''t dare to turn the light back on immediately.


    The "deeper creatures of darkness"¡ªMithra had initially thought the Many-Armed Monster was one of them, but it was clearly not.


    The moment she saw the "Herald of Eternal Night," her mind instantly understood what it was.


    Then, the moment it noticed her, she extinguished the light.


    Even though it wasn''t a "Wandering God," Mithra believed it was as powerful, if not more so. And Night Eyes had indicated "they"¡ªthese beings were more than one.


    "My patrons are more impressive than I thought," Mithra muttered in the darkness.


    Countless such beings were merely Anderet''s "pillars."


    Although initially shocked, Mithra quickly regained her composure.


    Beneath her calm exterior, curiosity stirred.


    She was curious about the world as seen by those ancient gods and how they had ultimately fallen, overthrown by humanity.

 Chapter 62: Village

    After walking a short distance, Mithra turned the lantern back on.


    Even in flashlight mode, she wouldn''t shine the light upwards, to avoid attracting another Herald of Eternal Night.


    As she approached the breach, she felt uneasy.


    She stopped and shone the light on her hand, noticing fur had grown there.


    Her eyes flickered between bestial and human pupils before settling back to normal.


    "I''m starting to transform without realizing it. Is it this world''s influence?" Mithra murmured.


    Lowering her hand, she looked ahead. It was time to move quickly.


    She was familiar with the buildings around her. She had reached the Southwestern District of Sun City, where the buildings were low and sparse. Her lantern shone across vast fields, where various monsters were chasing each other.


    Reaching this point hadn''t been easy. Despite knowing her direction, Mithra had gotten lost several times.


    The dimensional pouch had reduced her sense of space, making her slightly disoriented.


    Instead of going directly to the Xyrin energy point, she decided to walk towards the breach.


    Arriving there, she saw a creature that resembled an insect made of flesh.


    As she approached, it stirred, its limbs extending as it stood. Human-like eyes appeared and looked at Mithra.


    Eyesight, and a reaction to the light?


    Mithra briefly moved the lantern, but the scuttling sound continued, clearly not a "deeper creature of darkness."


    When she shone the light again, the creature lunged at her.


    Mithra slammed her hand into the ground. A spike of earth erupted, impaling the creature.


    ¡¾"Fertile Ground": A magma miracle. It can alter the shape of earth, mud, and rock. Ineffective against special materials. The more common the material, the easier it is to use.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª"Stone is just stone. The meaning it carries is merely an impurity; this is its pure form."¡¿


    The insect struggled on the spike. Mithra drew her hammer and brought it down on its head, layering Reinforce Body for extra force. The blow shattered the insect''s head and body.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Although its head was crushed, the body remained active, twitching. More fleshy tentacles emerged from the severed neck.


    Seeing the earth spike was struggling to hold it, Mithra ignited her hammer and began pounding the fleshy remains.


    Fire suppressed the remaining activity. The writhing flesh quickly turned into cooked meat.


    Mithra examined the remains and obtained information about the "Chrysalis" cursed creature via Night Eyes.


    Looking up at the flesh clinging to the wall, she confirmed her suspicions about the connection between these creatures and the Chrysalis.


    Unlike the simple yet complex Sunshine Village in the real world, this Sunshine Village in Eternal Night had become a breeding ground for Chrysalis cursed creatures.


    The writhing flesh defied biological norms, growing into every form they had encountered.


    Insects, humanoids, quadrupeds...all were present.


    The imitations weren''t perfect, just suggestive, as if they had grown randomly in this darkness.


    Searching here was different. If the flesh was exposed to light for too long, eyes would develop, and the creatures would react, attacking Mithra.


    This seemed to distinguish the flesh from the other Creatures of Darkness.


    Mithra followed the path in her memory, climbing upward.


    Suddenly, while climbing a staircase, she heard footsteps and looked upwards.


    From a higher level, through a gap in the wooden planks, she saw a moving figure. It walked unsteadily, either lame or simply learning to walk.


    After a moment, the figure stopped, bent down, and pressed its face against the wooden planks. From the contorted face, a single, swollen eye stared directly at Mithra.


    "You''re not..."


    Before Mithra could finish, the figure began pounding the wooden planks. The weak planks shattered, and the figure fell in front of her.


    "Ugh, ugh..." The figure struggled to its feet amidst the dust, letting out a guttural groan.


    But as it rose, a purple light filled its vision.


    Mithra had moved in for a preemptive strike, quickly plunging her sword into its chest. Then, turning, she threw the figure into the air with a powerful thrust, activating Control Object and a red energy that enveloped the sword, sending it soaring.


    Holding the sword with one hand and the lantern in the other, she examined the figure''s face.


    "I may be directionally challenged, but I''m not blind. You''re one of the people I encountered earlier, the one I hit twice," Mithra nodded.


    The face was one of those she had seen when encountering the "Chrysalis" group. Of course, now it was somewhat obscured by swelling flesh and bloated eyes; recognition wasn''t easy.


    "Ugh..."


    The figure couldn''t speak.


    It was no different from the cursed creatures. Upon closer inspection, its body showed little differentiation; it seemed to have simply been split from a larger mass of flesh.


    Mithra remembered that the group had been larger during their second encounter.


    "Are you a copy or someone left behind?" Mithra asked.


    "Ugh..."


    Naturally, the creature couldn''t answer.


    Mithra used Control Object to retrieve her sword.


    The creature fell to the ground with a thud. Mithra glanced at the mangled remains before continuing her ascent.


    She sheathed the sword and used one of the maw''s tongues to wipe the blood and strange fluids from the blade before storing it back into her body.


    No need to waste "tissues."


    The maw, apparently, didn''t mind.


    "Hungry..."


    Mithra reached a narrow, elevated passage.


    Halfway across, another figure appeared, similar to the previous one¡ªanother member of the five-person Chrysalis group.


    But this one seemed more "complete," moving more smoothly.


    Like the previous one, it approached as soon as it saw Mithra.


    Mithra drew her hammer, but before she could move, she heard a noise behind her.


    Another twisted figure emerged from the shadows, blocking her retreat.


    They had surrounded her on this narrow passage.


    Mithra narrowed her eyes. "This strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu..."

 Chapter 63: Return to the Real World

    Two twisted figures approached Mithra on the narrow bridge. Their legs had transformed into insect-like limbs tipped with claws, while their hands were ragged blades.


    The first figure attacked, its hands whipping out like blades.


    Mithra fastened the lantern to her hip, swinging her hammer to deflect the blades. A swishing sound came from behind.


    "Hungry..."


    The maw extended its tongues to block the attack.


    Swish!


    The soft tongues were easily cut, allowing the blades to pierce Mithra''s back. The blades, upon entering her flesh, broke and sank deeply inside.


    "Tch, if you''re not going to help, stay back," Mithra muttered, enduring the excruciating pain.


    "Hungry... ugh..." The maw retracted its injured tongues.


    The battle with the Many-Armed Monster had depleted her energy. She had been saving her energy, but these two figures proved more difficult than expected. It wasn''t the maw''s fault.


    Before Mithra could say anything else, a pulling force came from behind, trying to drag her away.


    Mithra activated Reinforce Body in her legs and pushed forward, resisting the force.


    Simultaneously, the two figures attacked again.


    Mithra activated Control Object on both hands, drawing another sword. Hammer and sword danced in her hands. Instead of blocking, she aimed for their heads.


    The two figures landed on Mithra''s shoulders, their blades piercing her flesh. The barbs on the blades tore at her flesh but didn''t penetrate deeply. With a pull, they tore two chunks of flesh from her shoulders.


    Simultaneously, the hammer and sword struck the figure in front of her.


    A sword to the neck, a hammer to the head.


    Bang!


    The figure''s head was severed and crushed, but its body only staggered, seemingly unaffected, continuing to slash at Mithra''s legs.


    Mithra ignored the force pulling her from behind, letting her legs go slack as her body was pulled backward, dodging the blows.


    Simultaneously, three swords emerged from her back, piercing the figure behind her.


    Using Control Object, she manipulated the three swords to spin her body, quickly dismembering the figure.


    Despite the two blades in her back and the falling flesh, Mithra didn''t pause. She steadied herself, her cloak billowing, and charged forward.


    The headless figure lunged at her.


    As they neared, Mithra suddenly leaped sideways, falling from the elevated passage.


    The figure''s slashing attack missed. Before it could react, Mithra had moved beneath it, slashing with blue energy-imbued claws that left trails of wood and stone debris as they tore the figure in half.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Hungry..."


    The maw extended its tongues.


    Mithra, after a moment of hesitation, allowed it. Dealing with the remains was troublesome; letting the maw handle it was more efficient.


    The maw even consumed the blades embedded in her back. It seemed the twisted figure had tried to insert something into her body, but the maw took care of that.


    As her claws reverted to hands, Mithra flexed her fingers, activated Stabilize, retrieved her hammer and sword, and raised her lantern, continuing her ascent.


    Reaching the top of the stairs, she saw nothing but darkness. Of course, she could use the lantern. Perhaps there would be a "pleasant surprise."


    This was the large mass of flesh she had seen earlier¡ªthe flesh village atop the wall.


    But upon closer inspection, she found that much of the mass was decayed and hollow.


    The outer flesh still showed slight movement, but it wouldn''t last much longer.


    Entering a hole in the mass, she found many grotesque, incomplete limbs, mostly motionless.


    Reaching the deepest part, she found a cluster of severed, vein-like tubes hanging limply.


    "This is where many cursed creatures were born," Mithra concluded. "And there should be a central component here, but it''s gone."


    Turning, she found a vaguely formed face on the fleshy wall.


    "...It''s me," Mithra said flatly.


    This mass of flesh was mimicking the objects they had "seen." The twisted figures she had encountered earlier were probably copies.


    Mithra crushed the face on the wall with a hammer, ignoring the pitiful shriek, making sure it was thoroughly destroyed. Such a mangled thing was hardly a face, and even if she wasn''t handsome, it was still insulting.


    After another quick look around, Mithra left.


    The five-person Chrysalis team had entered this Realm of Eternal Night and taken something. The importance of that object was obvious; something that could control so many cursed creatures was probably similar to the Night Hunter Greatsword¡ªa vessel containing the Chrysalis''s power.


    And their actions had led to them being copied by the Chrysalis cursed creatures in this world.


    Mithra encountered three. There might be two others.


    Clearly, with the core item taken, the activity of the cursed creatures had decreased significantly, and decay had set in. The first twisted creatures she encountered were probably weak because of this.


    Having mostly solved the mystery, Mithra, satisfied with her trip to Eternal Night, headed back towards the Southwestern District, planning to visit the Xyrin energy point.


    Since the five-person Chrysalis team had been here, they must have entered and exited through the Xyrin energy point.


    Mithra had entered thanks to Anderet''s gift. How did they get in?


    Lost in thought, Mithra swayed, her eyes turning bestial, flickering rapidly.


    Hmph, hmph, hmph¡­


    A low growl, like a beast, suddenly echoed.


    Mithra stopped and activated Stabilize.


    Ding.


    Slightly better, but only slightly.


    "Tch, you''re excited because this is Eternal Night, aren''t you?" Mithra said quietly, looking into the darkness.


    There was no reply. Mithra sighed softly.


    She extinguished the lantern and put it in her pouch.


    "It''s not your fault. I''ll just let you play," she whispered into the darkness, her voice quickly becoming strangely bestial.


    "Roar¡ª!"


    A powerful roar echoed, disturbing the calm darkness.


    Then, the hunt began.


    ...


    Mithra walked through Sun City''s streets. The residents cast strange, fearful glances at her; everyone avoided her.


    This was because she was covered in blood, much of it still fresh. Combined with her impassive expression, she looked like a homicidal maniac showing off her handiwork.


    Mithra wasn''t, of course.


    After activating her beast form in Eternal Night, she had briefly indulged in her newfound power. She had calmed the wolf and bear, returned to her human form, explained to her hungry maw that she wasn''t a monster, then activated Stabilize several times before locating an exit near the Xyrin energy point, finally returning to reality.


    Honestly, after this cycle of transformations, she felt much better. She''d try again when she had the opportunity.


    What? The blood on her body?


    Wasn''t it normal for a killer to be covered in blood? She wasn''t going to use a Water Miracle to clean herself. She''d clean up at her temporary residence.


    Eventually, the alerted Guard Corps escorted Mithra back to the mansion.


    They told her she had been gone for three days. That must have been how long she spent in Eternal Night.


    They hadn''t been worried when she had initially disappeared, thinking it was just another Enchanting Land citizen.


    But her sudden return had certainly attracted attention. Nino would probably come looking for her.


    And she had something to tell him.


    But first, a shower.

 Chapter 64: "Chrysalis"

    "You didn''t run," Nino said, his usual serious demeanor slightly softened by fatigue.


    Mithra, having just cleaned herself, took a sip of water. "We''ve only met a few times. Why would you assume I wouldn''t run?"


    "Anyone who reaches my position should have a bit of discernment," Nino replied. "You didn''t run when you were suspected; you''re even less likely to run now."


    "Makes sense. You look tired. How''s it going? Did the city leaders take my information seriously?"


    "They''ve increased security, but it''s clearly just for show. People have been accustomed to Xyrin''s protection for so long, they don''t believe it would suddenly fail," Nino said, looking out at the sunlight.


    "And it''s all because of my testimony, an Enchanting Land citizen, isn''t it?" Mithra said.


    "Yes," Nino nodded.


    "Then why do you trust me?" Mithra pressed.


    Nino pondered for a moment. "Preventing incidents is my duty. That''s why the Guard Corps exists. Allowing those Flesh Transmutation believers into the inner city to sabotage the Xyrin energy point was my failure; I can''t be careless now."


    Mithra nodded. "Not bad."


    "I''ve increased security and am conducting a census of the Southwestern District and surrounding areas, searching for traces of those Flesh Transmutation believers, but we haven''t found anything yet," Nino reported.


    He looked at Mithra. "So, can you share your findings?"


    Mithra didn''t hide anything, explaining how she entered the Realm of Eternal Night and her findings about the Chrysalis.


    "The Realm of Eternal Night! That place really exists!" Nino''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Oh?" Mithra, however, remained calm.


    "It was rumored in Sun City long ago, but it was quickly dismissed as heresy. The shattered Eternal Night still exists deep within Sun City. Xyrin''s purpose is more than we know!" Nino said seriously.


    Mithra nodded. "Does Sun City have any records of a Wandering God called the ''Chrysalis''?"


    Nino shook his head. "Countless Wandering Gods attacked Sun City during that era. There aren''t many records of that chaotic period... But I''ll have someone investigate. If those Flesh Transmutation believers came for a Wandering God in Eternal Night, that could be a breakthrough."


    "I''ve provided the lead; the rest is your responsibility," Mithra said casually.


    Nino nodded sincerely. "Thank you for your help. Although it wasn''t the city''s intention, I personally apologize for our earlier negligence."Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Mithra waved dismissively, taking a sip of water. "It''s fine, I''m not holding a grudge. Worst case scenario, we all die together."


    Nino''s lips twitched, but he maintained his serious demeanor, taking Mithra''s words as a joke. He thanked her again, told her to rest, and then left.


    After Nino left, Mithra asked the attendant to bring her some food.


    She was hungry. Herself, not the maw.


    ...


    Back at the guard station, after issuing orders, Nino was informed that two young Enchanting Land citizens wished to see him.


    They seemed to be students from the academy.


    Nino had no objections to Enchanting Land people. He found them similar to many in Dreamland and had even guided some academy students before.


    Although most lacked experience, he didn''t dislike them. It would be great if Dreamland could achieve the same level of development as the Enchanting Land, where young people could freely explore without worry. This was one of the key differences between the two worlds.


    Since he had some free time, he granted their request.


    Leo Duncan and Nie Hong soon arrived.


    "You know Mithra, don''t you..." Nino recognized them.


    "Yes. We heard Mithra was missing. Have you found her?" Nie Hong asked cautiously.


    "She''s back. In fact, she caused a minor panic by walking around covered in blood," Nino said jokingly. "Are you just here to ask about your friend?"


    "That''s part of it. But this is the main reason. I''ve compiled this in Common Tongue, please take a look," Leo Duncan said, handing Nino a document.


    Nino accepted it. "What is this?"


    "A compilation of historical records from Planet Blue and Sun City about Wandering God attacks, along with information from the Sanctuary about the Wandering God known as the ''Chrysalis'' from the Wandering God era," Leo Duncan explained.


    Nino''s initial casual demeanor vanished. He quickly reviewed the document.


    He had only just thought about investigating the Wandering God behind the Flesh Transmutation believers after his visit to Mithra, and this Enchanting Land student had already compiled the information.


    "Forgive my bluntness, but I don''t think much of you Dreamland natives, so inefficient and backward. So I did some research on the ''Chrysalis'' Wandering God and, after comparing it to your local history, I discovered that this ''Chrysalis'' has visited Sun City before. That''s probably the motive for this attack," Leo Duncan said, looking up. He was only slightly shorter than Nino, his aura imposing.


    "You dragged me into this to translate, and now you''re showing off, huh, you damn crab," Nie Hong muttered.


    "I paid you. Besides, you were too slow. I couldn''t afford your hourly rate, monkey," Leo Duncan said, without even looking at Nie Hong.


    Nino ignored their bickering and carefully reviewed the document.


    At the beginning of the Wandering God Era, the "Chrysalis" Wandering God, born from the Flesh Transmutation miracle, caused massive destruction, assimilating countless lives from over a dozen city-states and even several smaller kingdoms, commanding an army of flesh-mimicking monsters.


    But it was soon met with fierce resistance.


    The first user of the Self Miracle "Schumann"¡ªa great person who stole and spread the "Self" miracle type¡ªpersonally led a large force against the Wandering God born from the very same miracle.


    They eventually destroyed the army of flesh monsters and defeated the "Chrysalis" in the "Plain of Radiance."


    But the Chrysalis didn''t die.


    Its Flesh Transmutation-based life force made it incredibly difficult to kill. Its body shattered into countless pieces, scattering and fleeing.


    Schumann destroyed most of the fragments, but some escaped. For a long time afterward, stories of Schumann and his followers hunting down Chrysalis fragments were common throughout Dreamland.


    Sun City was one such story.


    The once-great city-state of Sun City, with its large population, attracted the Chrysalis fragments. They gathered and attacked the city.


    They breached Sun City''s walls, intending to invade and regenerate.


    Faced with this sudden attack, to prevent further damage, Sun City used Xyrin to attack the gathered Chrysalis fragments.


    Eventually, the fragments were defeated, leaving the hole in the wall that was now "Sunshine Village."


    But after so much time, this history seemed to have been forgotten, unearthed only by these two young people from the Enchanting Land.

 Chapter 65: Seems Appealing

    "Most Chrysalis fragments lose their activity and die if they can''t recombine. Only a few remain, and even in Dreamland, no one believes in this kind of thing anymore. They''ve come to Planet Blue to find manpower," Leo Duncan explained.


    Nie Hong, seeing an opportunity to one-up Leo, interjected, "According to the Sanctuary''s records, only three arms, one leg, and a heart of the highly dangerous Chrysalis collective remain. The arms and legs are reportedly in the possession of the Chrysalis organization. The heart was recorded in the Sanctuary archives a long time ago, then disappeared. Its disappearance was roughly a month before the Sun City attack, suggesting a connection."


    Leo Duncan glared at Nie Hong but didn''t comment.


    Nino listened and reviewed the documents, then slowly lowered them. "Impressive. You two are quite capable."


    "Just a bit of initiative," Leo Duncan waved dismissively.


    Nie Hong remained silent, appearing much calmer.


    Nino said, "What compensation are you seeking? This information is invaluable."


    "No compensation. We don''t need money. Just stop your underhanded tactics. Mithra is working for you as if she''s a deity, understand? Don''t let me hear her complaining," Leo Duncan said arrogantly.


    "She''s going to complain to you?" Nie Hong said incredulously.


    Nino smiled faintly. "Of course, we won''t mistreat her. She provided significant assistance recently."


    "Okay, then, let''s go, monkey," Leo Duncan waved and turned to leave.


    "I''m not your underling, you stupid crab," Nie Hong muttered.


    Nino watched the young men leave, sighing.


    "This has taken too long."


    ...


    Walking down a Sun City street, Nie Hong said, "Our field trip was cut short. What are your plans?"


    "Just relax after sightseeing," Leo Duncan replied casually.


    "I''ll check on Mithra, then head back to campus," Nie Hong said after some thought.


    "You''re like a fledgling, relying on stronger people. That''s immature. You''ve changed since winter break, but this might lead you down the wrong path," Leo Duncan said, his usual sarcastic tone.


    Nie Hong, unusually calm, replied, "I am a fledgling. My next step isn''t to force myself to fly but to learn from stronger people¡ªboth in terms of skill and mindset."


    Leo Duncan was slightly surprised but didn''t comment. "Fine, suit yourself."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    They walked in silence.


    Without Mithra, they had little in common and weren''t friends.


    At a crossroads, as they were about to part ways, Leo Duncan''s eyes fell upon a pregnant woman in simple clothing.


    She seemed close to giving birth and walked with difficulty, supporting her belly. She looked tired.


    But Leo Duncan didn''t look away.


    The pregnant woman''s hand had momentarily warped, deviating from normal human anatomy, but it quickly returned to normal, hidden by her sleeve. But it hadn''t escaped Leo Duncan''s sharp Pure Water Eyes.


    "What''s up?" Nie Hong noticed Leo Duncan''s gaze.


    Leo Duncan didn''t answer, stepping forward. "Excuse me, ma''am, could you wait a moment?"


    The pregnant woman turned around, puzzled.


    Leo Duncan examined her limbs, particularly her fingers and hair¡ªthe most difficult areas to alter with Flesh Transmutation.


    But there were no issues for now.


    But Leo Duncan wasn''t questioning his observation. He got straight to the point. "Excuse me, please come with me to the guard station."


    The pregnant woman and Nie Hong were both taken aback.


    "What are you saying? Is there something wrong with her? Don''t harass her! She''s pregnant!" Nie Hong protested immediately.


    "Do your good eyes think mine are good, too? Shut up and watch," Leo Duncan shouted, summoning a guard. After instructing the guard, regardless of the pregnant woman''s questions and explanations, he forcibly took her away.


    The onlookers began to gossip. Some seemed to recognize the pregnant woman. They were enjoying the drama.


    Nie Hong watched them go, frowning.


    ...


    Mithra woke up.


    She immediately activated Stabilize, afraid it would wear off while she was asleep.


    She had dreamt of being chased by a grotesque corpse and a black and white dog, and a large maw had saved her with its tongues. All she could remember was "hungry, hungry, hungry."


    What was that about?


    Were her dreams a little too vivid?


    Shaking her head, she got up, put on her jacket, and went to get a snack, only to find her leftover food was gone.


    A tongue silently offered her a piece of dried meat.


    "Hungry..."


    "...Eat it yourself. Don''t leave so much for me next time," Mithra said to her maw.


    The maw retreated, seemingly annoyed.


    She quickly opened the door and went outside.


    The dream was about her beast form saying something. Her Stranger form, perhaps annoyed by her beast form''s incessant barking, had attacked, and somehow, that fight had turned into an internal conflict.


    Strange.


    But the message from her beast form had gotten through.


    She smelled the scent of darkness.


    Mithra set off, running towards the source of the scent.


    She arrived at a two-story mansion, after traveling a long distance and turning several corners. As she approached, guards blocked the entrance. "This is¡­"


    Mithra clapped her hand.


    Clap!


    With a sharp clap, the two guards lost sight of Mithra. Then, they heard the main gate shatter.


    Turning, they saw Mithra in the courtyard, heading towards the second floor.


    "Stop!"


    "Intruder!"


    Mithra clapped again. Her figure seemingly teleported across the courtyard and onto the building''s wall before smashing through a window.


    Figures inside the room stared in shock at her sudden arrival.


    Mithra''s gaze locked onto a middle-aged man holding a familiar staff.


    A Night Hunter branch leader''s staff, the Eternal Night Crystal at its top gleaming. The man also held another Eternal Night Crystal.


    Two more artifacts collected. Excellent.


    "Damn it! It''s her again!"


    "That vengeful spirit is back!"


    Someone cursed. Mithra recognized four familiar faces: the four members of the Chrysalis team, excluding their leader.


    "So, this is how the Chrysalis found the Realm of Eternal Night," Mithra said calmly.


    The Night Hunters church. It had been a while. She missed them.


    The branch leader frowned. "What happened? Are you being pursued?"


    The four Chrysalis members were speechless.


    "It''s not their fault. ''Me'' just transformed, and hasn''t fully recovered. My sense of smell is heightened, and smelled the darkness emanating from you," Mithra said, offering an explanation.


    The four Chrysalis members and the surrounding Night Hunter believers all looked at the middle-aged man.


    The branch leader: ?


    Had he attracted her?

 Chapter 66: Face-Off

    "Why are you here?" the branch leader asked, frowning.


    Mithra drew her hammer. "Give me the Eternal Night Crystal. I need it. And the locations of any others. I''m not greedy; that''s enough."


    The branch leader gripped his staff.


    Anyone familiar with the Night Hunters knew that branch leaders'' staffs contained Eternal Night Crystals. Mithra''s question was essentially asking for the locations of other branch leaders.


    "You fool! You''re provoking¡­" The branch leader started to say something, but Mithra swung her hammer and struck the wall.


    Bang!


    A dark energy surged, and Mithra vanished.


    Boom!


    The branch leader''s staff moved, and the Eternal Night Crystal shone, forming a Darkness pattern.


    The instant Mithra reappeared beside him, she brought her hammer down. A dark energy enveloped him, instantly immobilizing him.


    ¡¾"Dense Darkness": A Godly miracle. It manipulates the darkness to create a dark, intangible curtain, immobilizing and nullifying the power of whatever it enshrouds.¡¿


    Mithra, also affected by the darkness, struggled to move. The miracles she had activated were also suppressed and couldn''t be immediately reactivated.


    The leader swung his staff again, forming another Darkness pattern.


    ¡¾"Heavy Darkness": A Godly miracle. It imbues darkness with weight, crushing and destroying other miracles.¡¿


    Another surge of dark energy erupted from the staff. This time, when it hit Mithra, she felt an immense pressure.


    Bang!


    Mithra felt as if she had been hit by a speeding car. She flew through the air, spinning comically before crashing to the ground.


    Her bones shattered and twisted.


    With her Reinforce Body largely suppressed, she had been hit hard.


    "She has Night Eyes. She''s walked right into a trap. Gouge out her eyes," the branch leader said calmly.


    Several believers approached.


    Suddenly, Mithra''s twisted neck straightened. She stood up and grabbed the nearest believer.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Before the believers could react to her sudden movement, Mithra pulled the believer into a hug.


    The believer felt a warm embrace.


    Then, tentacle-like tongues emerged, seizing the believer''s head and swallowing them whole. They couldn''t struggle; they vanished into Mithra''s chest.


    Mithra, her body regenerating, stood unsteadily. "Cough, cough. Like a girl, kind-hearted. I didn''t mean to be cruel,"


    The four Chrysalis members exchanged glances.


    "She seems more like one of us than we are,"


    Mithra, swaying slightly, pulled the Hunter Greatsword from her back, her hammer and sword clashing gently.


    Bang!


    Mithra vanished.


    The branch leader stood up, unleashing "Dense Darkness," but it failed to restrain Mithra.


    With a series of sharp sounds, Mithra''s figure flickered through the hall, her still-healing body a grotesque, ghostly blur.


    Believers were constantly being struck down by the hammer and sword, or immobilized by the "Dense Darkness."


    The four Chrysalis members, unable to continue observing, transformed and attacked.


    Mithra dodged one attack, then, as another charged, she used her sword to slice through their flesh and send them sprawling.


    Another unleashed a volley of fleshy projectiles. Mithra parried with her sword and hammer, dodging the attack and taking advantage of the opening to attack her target.


    The final member swung a heavy hammer at Mithra''s head.


    Bang!


    Mithra was hit, her body twisting. The "Dense Darkness" was reactivated.


    The branch leader inhaled sharply.


    ¡¾"Paralyzing Darkness": A Godly miracle. After shrouding the target with darkness, it severs or tears it apart, destroying everything within.¡¿


    A slender, dark claw appeared beneath the branch leader''s shadow, slashing towards Mithra.


    The four Chrysalis members simultaneously activated Flesh Transmutation, unleashing fleshy projectiles.


    Suddenly, the darkness was ripped apart.


    Not by the branch leader''s miracle, but by a blue sword energy that seemed to draw all sight, sense, and even spirit towards it.


    Boom!


    The ceiling and a corner of the mansion''s roof were blown away. A howling wind swept through the hall, and three of the four Chrysalis members were instantly decapitated. Surprisingly, they didn''t seem to have life locks. They died instantly. Only one had a shattered red mark reforming, granting them a second life. But another sword energy severed their chest.


    The branch leader''s eyes widened. Even though he had sensed the attack and tried to defend, two consecutive strikes severed his arm, still clutching the staff, which fell to the ground with a clang.


    Mithra, her steps unsteady, emerged from the shadows. The black and white mane on the back of her head slowly receded, transforming back into long, flowing dark hair.


    The eyes on the Hunter Greatsword slowly closed.


    Only the branch leader remained standing.


    "Y...you''re alive?!" he hissed, sweat beading on his brow.


    Mithra didn''t reply, activating Stabilize.


    Ding.


    Much better.


    "It must be the Egov¡­ Damn it. He said he could use that power, but he vanished without a trace, and you were released!"


    Mithra swung her hammer, smashing several transformed cursed creatures and leaving the remains for her maw.


    As she looked up, the branch leader knelt down and threw the Eternal Night Crystal he was holding at the one on his staff.


    Bang!


    The moment they collided, Mithra felt a chilling sense of familiarity.


    A Creature of Darkness suddenly appeared and lunged at her.


    Mithra swung her hammer and knocked it down. But then, a large bat-like creature swooped down, briefly grappling with her before being impaled by the Hunter Greatsword.


    Realizing something, she activated Anderet''s "Remnant Night" miracle.


    Daylight transformed into twilight. Before the branch leader, a rift to the Realm of Eternal Night opened between the two Eternal Night Crystals.


    Unlike the rift suppressed by the Xyrin energy point, this rift was clearly two-way. Light from the real world shone into it, illuminating the dark world.


    And the creatures'' reaction to the light was well-known to Mithra.

 Chapter 67: Tear apart

    Mithra used Enlightened Step to approach, ignoring the scratching of the surrounding monsters, reaching for the staff.


    But the two Eternal Night Crystals seemed to be absorbing each other, making separation impossible.


    Ignoring Mithra, the branch leader plunged into the rift, swallowed by the darkness. With more and more monsters appearing, Mithra found herself surrounded.


    Rip!


    As the branch leader entered the Realm of Eternal Night, the two crystals began to separate. He took one; Mithra held the other, embedded in the staff.


    As they separated, the rift shrank, until it closed completely.


    The Eternal Night Crystal was taken into the Realm of Eternal Night. Mithra, losing her grip, fell backward. The monsters on her body scattered.


    The mansion was in chaos. Mithra stood up, activated Stabilize, stored the staff in her body, and began clearing out the monsters with her hammer.


    She quickly dispatched them all. The maw happily began its feast.


    Any escaped monsters would be dealt with by the Guard Corps.


    The commotion Mithra had caused would surely have attracted them.


    Sitting among the corpses, Mithra stared into space before using her maw to retrieve a Flesh Slime trying to escape through a hole in the wall.


    "Mercy! Mercy!" A high-pitched voice, like a child''s, shrieked. It was the Chrysalis member whose arm Mithra had severed.


    "Why aren''t you dead yet?" Mithra asked casually.


    "Ugh..."


    "Nevermind. Where''s your leader? Why isn''t he here?"


    "Um..."


    "Ugh, getting information is such a hassle. Eat him," Mithra said, offering the creature to the maw. The maw never refused a meal.


    "Wait! Don''t eat me! Everything else is negotiable!" the Slime shrieked.


    The maw''s tongues were already licking the Slime, seemingly enjoying the taste.


    "Why did you come to Sun City?"


    "...For the god''s heart."


    "The heart? Why did you work with the Night Hunters church? What kind of deal did you make?"


    "The church contacted us. They wanted to use our Flesh Transmutation abilities to infiltrate Sun City, enter the lightless world, and retrieve a crystal similar to the one on their leader''s staff."


    "Did you find the crystal on his staff?"


    "Yes."


    "That sounds difficult. You''ve been through a lot."


    "It has been tough. Hiding, moving around, it''s all so dark. I''m starting to¡­ ugh¡­"


    "Tell me your name," Mithra suddenly asked.


    "My name... uh... what was my name again?" The Flesh Slime was suddenly blank, seeming to realize they had forgotten something.


    "I, I, I, I¡­" The Slime began trembling violently, limbs and organs sprouting chaotically.


    "High-level Flesh Transmutation can do that. Too bad."


    Before the Slime could fully transform into a cursed creature, Mithra offered it to the maw.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The small amount of flesh was just a snack, and there was no feedback.


    A moment later, Mithra felt her bottom grow cold and collapsed. The maw had eaten the last of the monster''s flesh, including its bottom.


    After gently slapping the maw''s tongue a few times, Mithra waited for the Guard Corps to arrive.


    ...


    "Something must be wrong. I just went for a walk, I didn''t do anything. I just took some dried meat from my neighbor''s balcony this morning. I''ve done it before, and I didn''t do anything else!"


    The pregnant woman cried, clutching her belly.


    Nino looked at Leo Duncan. "Are you sure your eyes aren''t deceiving you?"


    "My eye assessment is perfectly clear. You tested my inherent Unified Sense. Any other questions?" Leo Duncan said firmly.


    Nino nodded.


    Even though Leo Duncan had just helped, suddenly accusing an ordinary citizen of being a Flesh Transmutation believer wouldn''t be easily believed.


    But Leo Duncan quickly demonstrated his unique vision. Nino tested him, confirming his inherent Unified Sense.


    His eyes, with their inherent Unified Sense, were documented in the Sanctuary as Pure Water Eyes. They possessed unparalleled observational skills; even a casual glance was more discerning than a thorough observation by a normal person.


    Combined with the information Leo Duncan had provided, his credibility increased significantly.


    "But there isn''t a quick way to verify if someone is a Flesh Transmutation believer," Nino said.


    Flesh Transmutation miracles were rare in Dreamland. Although not widely prohibited like on Planet Blue, their dangers and the difficulty of mastering them were well-known.


    They didn''t have a miracle that could easily determine if someone was being manipulated.


    Soon, one of Nino''s subordinates reported, "We''ve questioned the individual based on their identity and the network connections. Everything checks out."


    Nino nodded, then looked at Leo Duncan. "It seems she''s innocent."


    "Tch," Leo Duncan said, annoyed.


    A middle-aged man in simple clothes ran up, sweating. "Nino, what''s wrong with my wife? She just went for a walk. She''s been resting at home for days because she''s about to give birth!"


    "I''m sorry, we haven''t finished investigating, but we''ll have answers soon," Nino said, equally frustrated.


    Nie Hong watched silently, feeling agitated. Then he remembered something and, without saying anything, left. No one stopped him.


    Leo Duncan, lost in thought, frowned. "A blood test... No, Dreamland doesn''t have such comprehensive medical records, and it''s easy to suppress the activity in their blood. Wait... if the Flesh Transmutation believers'' limbs are severed, they remain active for a while. That would be easier to check."


    Nino immediately frowned. "Severed limbs? How many?"


    "Let''s start with a finger. Or, you know, an arm. That should be enough," Leo Duncan suggested.


    The pregnant woman''s husband was frantic. "What are you talking about?! A normal person wouldn''t survive that! Nino, don''t listen to him!"


    Leo Duncan glared at him. "Flesh Transmutation believers infiltrated the city to cause chaos. They could already have the ''Chrysalis Heart''. Releasing that thing would be catastrophic. We''re short on time. What''s a little sacrifice?"


    A tense silence followed.


    After a moment, Leo Duncan, resolute, turned to the worried man. "If you''re too merciful, I, an Enchanting Land citizen, will do it. If she''s guilty, I''ll pay whatever compensation is necessary."


    He stepped forward.


    The pregnant woman looked at him with tear-filled eyes.


    Water trickled from his fingers, forming sharp blades.


    Suddenly, the pregnant woman screamed.


    Everyone was startled. Leo Duncan hadn''t even touched her.


    The pregnant woman collapsed. "My¡­stomach¡­it hurts so much¡­the baby¡­the baby''s coming!"


    With a cry, she vomited a large amount of blood. The excessive bleeding caused Leo Duncan''s face to darken, and he sent a jet of water towards her head.


    Rip!


    Flesh tore. A grotesque baby with the face of a young man burst from the woman''s abdomen.


    With its arrival, a strange heartbeat echoed in everyone''s ears.


    The gushing blood surged forward. Nino quickly moved to protect Leo Duncan, his hands ablaze, blocking the flow.


    The seemingly harmless blood splattered, causing a series of explosions.


    Grotesque limbs sprouted from the baby''s back, and several vanished into the building. Nino shouted, "Pursue!"


    The guards reacted, chasing after the baby.


    The pregnant woman''s husband rushed to her side, gently embracing her, ignoring the blood, and calling her name, tears streaming down his face.


    Leo Duncan stared at the scene, lost in thought.


    It hadn''t been the pregnant woman...but the baby?


    Rapid footsteps approached. Nie Hong returned, along with Salomo, the Xyrin Empire''s ambassador to the Andemiriya Sanctuary.


    Nie Hong was unsure what to do, but he had a positive impression of the Sanctuary. He decided to ask them for help, especially since he knew they had already helped Mithra.


    Arriving at the scene, he was also confused.


    Salomo''s usually gentle face was serious. He quickly went to the pregnant woman, his hands glowing with his patterns as he touched her. A light enveloped her damaged body.


    "...Her flesh is depleted. Her body is affected by the Wandering God''s power. She''s undergone involuntary Flesh Transmutation and is losing life force¡­ I can only stabilize her condition. Nie Hong, help me take her to the Sanctuary. Let''s see if we can find someone skilled in Flesh Transmutation to assist with treatment. I''ll try contacting them,"


    Salomo spoke rapidly. Nie Hong, unable to ask Leo Duncan anything, helped carry the pregnant woman to the Sanctuary. The woman''s husband followed closely.


    Leo Duncan was left alone.


    He stood alone, slowly covering his face with his hand, his fingertips gently touching his eyes.

 Chapter 68: The Calamity of the Beating Heart

    One day, a heartbeat began echoing through a corner of Sun City.


    Mithra, walking with the guards towards the Guard Station, heard it. She turned, her nose detecting a faint scent of blood.


    "Is there some kind of ritual here?" she asked.


    "I don''t know. We don''t have anything like that here," a guard replied uncertainly.


    At that moment, a passerby collapsed, clutching their chest and groaning.


    "Sir, are you alright?" a guard asked.


    "I don''t...feel well. My heart...it hurts..." the passerby whispered.


    More people collapsed on the street, all Sun City residents, suddenly struck with pain.


    Mithra suddenly ran in a specific direction, the guards quickly following.


    In the Southwestern District, as Mithra passed by, a collapsed resident suddenly transformed, insect limbs sprouting from their back as they lunged at Mithra.


    Mithra unleashed Ki Attraction, pulling the figure down and stomping on its face.


    Bang!


    The head exploded, but the flesh remained active.


    She ignited both her hands and incinerated the remains.


    After confirming it was another Chrysalis cursed creature, she turned to the approaching guards.


    "What''s happening?" one of the guards asked, stunned.


    "Something bad has happened. It''s spreading quickly. This doesn''t feel like a full-scale invasion," Mithra said, looking around.


    It seemed believers were unaffected, including herself and the guards, as well as the other Planet Blue citizens on the streets.


    Screams and the sounds of flesh writhing echoed around them. More and more people were transforming into Chrysalis cursed creatures.


    The Planet Blue citizens seemed more curious than afraid.


    The transformed Chrysalis creatures attacked indiscriminately. The streets were plunged into chaos.


    Mithra activated Stabilize and drew her hammer. "It seems we have to fight our way back."


    The guards gripped their weapons, trying to stay calm.


    Mithra led the small squad towards the Guard Station in the Southwestern District. The station was surrounded by cursed creatures. Gunshots and the flashes of miracle activations lit up the area as the guards fought.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "A fantasy zombie siege," Mithra commented.


    "We can''t get through," a young guard said nervously, clutching his weapon.


    Mithra looked at him, patting his shoulder. "Don''t worry. You''ll get used to it."


    "You can get used to this?"


    "Who knows?"


    Mithra shrugged, sheathed her hammer, and drew the Night Worship Swords, holding them point-up.


    After forming the Fire pattern on both hands, flames engulfed the swords. But this wasn''t ordinary "Ignite." The flames didn''t just burn but extended outwards, flickering in the wind.


    "Falling Fire?!" the young guard exclaimed.


    "Oh? How did you know?" Mithra had been looking forward to trying this rarely-used miracle. She felt deflated.


    "Commander Nino also knows..." the young guard, intimidated by Mithra''s gaze, mumbled.


    That made sense. Nino, while easygoing, was a skilled believer.


    ¡¾Falling Fire: A fire miracle. Flames that reach towards the sky, bringing scorching heat to the earth, an advanced miracle. It can be attached to any tool, resulting in various transformations.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªAs the skyfire scorched the earth, the "Blazing Man" was born from self-immolation. This miracle is based on that image.¡¿


    Mithra had learned this miracle from Safin''s notes. The illustration in the book had looked cool.


    It wasn''t a particularly impressive or practical miracle, mainly because it took too long to activate.


    But she''d seen with Night Eyes that it had a unique origin, and she liked the name, so she had learned it.


    She raised the swords, flames dancing, and swung them downwards!


    Blazing sword energy erupted from the blades. The flames in the air coalesced into a sea of fire, falling upon the cursed creatures below.


    Boom!


    A massive explosion erupted at the point of impact, countless cursed creatures turning into ash.


    Mithra sheathed her swords. The residual heat sizzled against her flesh, a smell of roasted meat lingering in the air.


    "Hungry..." A tongue emerged, only to be pushed back by Mithra.


    Mithra touched the slightly burned flesh where she had sheathed the swords, considering that she should let her fire-imbued weapons cool down before storing them.


    She and the guards returned to the Guard Station.


    Nino was walking towards them.


    He had several injuries: cuts and what looked like torn flesh.


    "It''s you. I was wondering who caused that commotion," Nino said, slightly relieved to see Mithra.


    Mithra, skipping the pleasantries, got straight to the point. "Was that related to the Chrysalis?"


    Nino sighed and began explaining.


    After Leo Duncan had identified the suspect, just as they were about to test her, she attacked. She had transformed, burst from her stomach, and then escaped from her body.


    Nino and the guards gave chase. The suspect''s condition seemed poor and was soon cornered.


    But the transformed believer quickly recovered, shifting from its infant form back to its human-like form and retaliating.


    If hit by the suspect''s fleshy projectiles, their own flesh would rapidly transform. They had to quickly remove the affected area to avoid becoming a Chrysalis cursed creature.


    Simultaneously, the strange heartbeat intensified, forcibly transforming nearby residents into cursed creatures.


    In the ensuing chaos, the transformed believer disappeared.


    "Currently, the affected area is limited to the Southwestern District. It''s likely because the Xyrin energy point is still inactive. Xyrin can''t suppress the curse," Nino said, blaming himself for the damaged energy point.


    Mithra wasn''t concerned about that. "Was the transformed believer a small person?"


    "...Does a baby count as a small person?" Nino asked.


    Mithra clarified, "The believer whose face was covered with handprints."


    Nino suddenly realized, "Yes! Him! But the handprints weren''t as extensive as you described. His face was mostly intact, only half covered by white handprints."


    Mithra nodded. It seemed the transformed believer was Sheng.


    Nino then explained their plan.


    A team of craftsmen had already been dispatched to repair the damaged energy point. Repairing it would hopefully mitigate the effects of the curse.


    And the Guard Station was searching for Sheng; they had to destroy him and the Chrysalis Heart in his possession.

 Chapter 69: The Counterattack Begins

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 Chapter 70: Cleansing Fire

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    ust as he spoke, Sheng swung his sword. But a blazing sword energy slashed towards him. Sheng quickly dodged then climbing higher up the wall.

 Chapter 71: Taunts, Unleashed Fury, and Downfall

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 Chapter 72: The remaining

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 Chapter 73: Ending

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 Chapter 74: The after

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 Chapter 75: New weapon

    Mithra looked for the "Blazing Man" information. It wasn''t very clear.


    This was normal; most information about the Forty-Four Pillars era was vague and incomplete, except for the main narrative.


    For example, Anderet, who had seemingly orchestrated Eternal Night while secretly investing in humanity, was so enigmatic that humans weren''t even sure if it was one of the Pillars.


    Mithra made a note to investigate the skyfire incident after her societal integration assessment.


    Perhaps she might even unlock another "Blazing Man" gift.


    Mithra took a bus to the teleportation point and traveled to Sun City.


    She regularly checked in with Salomo.


    During her studies, she had fused the branch leader''s staff into her hammer after extracting the Eternal Night Crystal.


    Another bout of nausea.


    Arriving in Sun City, she checked the communication tablet.


    She hadn''t expected a reply, but the tablet flickered. There was a message.


    Salomo had contacted her. She agreed to meet him at the Sanctuary''s base in Sun City.


    It was a rather grand building. This was her first time there. She had assumed the Sanctuary would be more discreet, but it seemed she was mistaken.


    Salomo greeted her personally.


    "Welcome, Mithra. How are you?"


    "Fine."


    "I see. I hope everything is going well. The blacksmith has arrived and is waiting inside," Salomo, used to Mithra''s brevity, got straight to the point.


    Entering the room, Mithra saw a slender figure, not the "traditional" image of a weaponsmith. But in this world with the versatile Reinforce Body miracle, that wasn''t important.


    He wore patched leather clothing and small glasses.


    "Hello. Call me Diehl. I''m here because I heard there''s funding available. Let''s have a pleasant collaboration," he said.


    His tone was casual. He seemed like a typical "technician."


    Mithra shook his hand and turned to Salomo.


    Salomo quickly introduced him. "Master Diehl is a weaponsmith from Andemiriya. He''s participated in the creation of three god-killing weapons: the Xyrin Empire''s ''Xyrin Warhammer,'' Ms. Orph''s ''Sisterly Radiance,'' and the Sella Kingdom''s ''Siren''."


    Mithra noted the keyword. "Orph has a god-killing weapon?"


    "Yes. Her sword. It appears rather plain, but it''s Master Diehl''s masterpiece! Ah, of course, the other two are also exceptional, but Master Diehl only assisted in their creation; he wasn''t the lead blacksmith,"


    Mithra paused, trying to remember.


    A god-killing weapon had been so close, and she hadn''t even used Night Eyes on it. It had been so unremarkable.


    Collecting god-killing weapons wasn''t urgent enough to warrant stealing, especially not from powerful Sanctuary members.


    "This little girl just wants to learn more about god-killing weapons, right? I''ll explain everything clearly and concisely," Diehl said, seemingly unconcerned about his earlier achievements.


    "No, I''m going to make one myself," Mithra replied casually.


    "Yourself...? Huh?" Diehl paused, then realized what she meant. "Make one yourself?!"


    He stared at Mithra incredulously. "You want to create a god-killing weapon? Seriously? Where are the materials?"


    "Here," Mithra calmly pulled the "Chrysalis" Hand Holding Heart from her pouch.


    The moment it appeared, Diehl and Salomo''s expressions turned serious, clearly sensing the Wandering God''s aura.


    "Mr. Mithra! You didn''t tell us you were carrying that!" Salomo exclaimed.


    "You didn''t ask. Is there a problem?"


    "This... this... well... there''s no problem, I suppose..." Salomo stammered, looking at the Wandering God''s remains resting peacefully in Mithra''s hand. His preconceived notions were shattered.


    Why wasn''t Mithra affected by the Wandering God''s remains?


    Why were the remains so docile, not emitting any aura without restraints?


    Diehl also stared at Mithra. "Are you serious?"


    "Is there a problem?" Mithra asked, genuinely confused.


    After encountering the Stranger, both the Night Hunter''s beast form and the writhing Chrysalis had become surprisingly docile.


    She wasn''t carrying them around; she was storing them.


    Diehl stood up, adjusting his glasses. "Miss, are you perhaps a hidden master weaponsmith?"


    "No, I only have basic knowledge of weapon crafting," Mithra said honestly.


    "Then how can you be so confident about creating a god-killing weapon from a Wandering God''s remains?"


    "Because, as far as I know, the creation of god-killing weapons is rather arbitrary."


    Diehl paused, seemingly pondering this, then looked up. "It seems I''ve been tricked. Salomo, increase my payment after this."


    Salomo: "..."


    I''m also quite shocked, he thought.


    "Put that thing away. It''s disgusting. It''s from the ''Chrysalis'', isn''t it? Even Schumann couldn''t completely eradicate it. It''s rather pathetic that it''s been reduced to this," Diehl said flatly.


    After Mithra stored the heart, she followed Diehl to a room prepared by Salomo.


    They sat down to compose themselves, mainly Salomo and Diehl.


    After Salomo served tea, Diehl tapped the table. "Tell me about your understanding of god-killing weapons."


    "For various reasons, under specific and relatively stable conditions, weapons imbued with the power of Wandering Gods through certain methods are created. They have no fixed form, and their appearances vary, but they possess the power to harm Wandering Gods," Mithra explained simply.


    "Who taught you this?" Diehl immediately asked.


    "Uh, a teacher I met along the way?" Mithra considered keeping Phaselos''s involvement a secret for now.


    "Did your teacher live through the Wandering God era?" Diehl asked seriously.


    "Maybe even longer ago?" Mithra countered.


    "...Alright, I''ll be blunt. Regardless of where you learned this, that knowledge is outdated. To be precise, it''s a rejected theory of god-killing weapons,"


    "Oh really?" Mithra said, feigning surprise.


    Phaselos, you''re not just old, your knowledge is ancient too, Mithra thought.


    "What''s the fundamental theory of miracles?" Diehl asked.


    "Miracles have a high price?"


    "Exactly. God-killing weapons are also a form of miracle, so they also have a price. Those early god-killing weapons, ''naturally'' born through various coincidences, still retained most of their original miracle essence; they had a strong sense of being ''alive.'' To put it bluntly, those so-called god-killing weapons were just Wandering Gods in a different form, a more refined and manageable form,"


    Diehl''s voice was serious. Mithra considered his words and realized he was right.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword was the Hunter''s main symbol, the vessel for its revival. Whoever wielded the sword would become its next host.


    "What about the newer god-killing weapons?" Mithra asked.


    "Stability," Diehl said. "Modern god-killing weapon theory emphasizes minimizing the Wandering God''s influence, to prevent it from affecting the user. They need to be stable and reliable,"


    "That makes sense," Mithra nodded.


    "To compensate for the reduced power, modern god-killing weapons require meticulous planning and a suitable framework to restrict the unpredictable nature of the Wandering God''s power. This requires high-grade, rare materials. It''s usually not something a single person can easily achieve. Do you understand how outdated and dangerous your methods are?" Diehl asked, looking at Mithra.


    Mithra nodded.


    "Give up on creating a god-killing weapon. I''ll take these materials. Name your price, and Salomo will pay," Diehl said, taking a sip of tea.


    Salomo: ?


    "I''ll keep them."


    Diehl frowned. "You''re not giving up?"


    "I''m confident," Mithra replied.


    She had faith in her beast form, her Stranger form, and even Phaselos. They were a dream team.


    Diehl scratched his head in frustration and stood up to pace around the room.


    After a while, he sat back down, looking at Mithra. "I''ll teach you modern god-killing weapon crafting techniques. Consider it a lesson. Create the weapon here in Sun City. Xyrin''s presence will prevent any accidents. Then show me the finished product. If you can control it, I''ll forge any future weapons for you, free of charge. How does that sound?"


    Mithra looked into Diehl''s seemingly apathetic eyes. He seemed genuinely helpful, but also stubborn.


    "Fine." Although she didn''t need a blacksmith, Mithra decided to reciprocate his sincerity.


    And she wanted to see what Phaselos''s knowledge was lacking.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

 Chapter 76: Abhorrence

    They decided to take the elevator.


    After discussion, they realized that the risk of encountering something while climbing the stairs was similar to taking the elevator.


    In this strange place, avoiding danger was impossible. They might as well conserve their energy for when they really needed it.


    Entering the old elevator, Mithra and Elise stood side-by-side as it slowly ascended.


    "Have you remembered anything more?" Mithra asked directly.


    "No. If Ms. Passerby is seeking information, don''t rely on me," Elise replied dismissively.


    "Fine," Mithra said, her gaze fixed on Elise''s blades.


    ¡¾"Elise''s Claws": The claws of the ancient bird of sleep, once used to bring wakefulness or slumber to lost souls. They are an extension of her own being. One claw for "awakening," one for "sleep."¡¿


    Named weapons.


    Mithra coveted them.


    "Ms. Passerby, why are you looking at my weapons?" Elise asked, noticing her gaze.


    "They''re exquisite and sharp. Do they have a story?" Mithra asked, even though Night Eyes had already provided some information.


    "They''ve been with me for a long time. Even though I''ve forgotten many things, they bring me a sense of familiarity," Elise said, playing with one of the blades.


    The blade brushed against the elevator wall, leaving a mark.


    "Compared to your weapons, I''m more curious about you, Ms. Passerby. Your weapons seem intimately connected to you. It''s a kind of Flesh Transmutation, isn''t it?" Elise asked.


    "I don''t know. My understanding of this body is almost limitless. The only thing I recognize is the surface," Mithra replied.


    "Indeed. You''re one of the few lucid dreamers I''ve encountered. Even in a dream, you maintain control,"


    Mithra was surprised. "You can tell?"


    "I''m your guide. I need to understand you. I need you to remain asleep, or you might disrupt this fragile dreamscape,"


    "I''m trying,"


    The elevator, moving slowly, reached the eighteenth floor.


    Not their destination.


    The elevator doors opened, revealing a long hallway.


    Mithra pressed the close button, but nothing happened.


    Looking outside, she saw that the buttons outside the elevator seemed to be pressed down by something invisible. The controls were unresponsive.


    "Let''s go," Elise said calmly, stepping out.


    "Right," Mithra said, then smashed a button with her hammer.


    The elevator seemed to malfunction, and the doors remained open as it began to descend.


    Mithra and Elise saw a vague mass of flesh above the elevator, a human hand impaled on it, a terrifying smile on the face, which, after a fleeting glance, disappeared into the darkness.


    Reaching the elevator, Mithra formed the Fire pattern and unleashed Burning, sending a wave of flames downwards.


    Clapping her hands, she turned to Elise. "Let''s go."


    They ignored the elevator and entered the hallway.


    Numerous figures were moving in the hallway.


    Several stitched-up doctors and a group of people in nondescript clothing.


    Although Mithra and Elise didn''t approach, their conversation was audible.


    "How did reporters get in? This deal has been going on for a while,"


    "We''ve dealt with them. But it was chaotic, so we had to act quickly. We severed their limbs and left them in the elevator, we''ll deal with them later."


    "You idiots! Do you know why these reporters are here? They smelled something. This deal''s been going on for a while; there must be a leak."


    "But...but..."


    "Think about how to cover your tracks. Ha ha, but we can help you deal with this. You understand the price."


    "I knew you were up to something!"


    "Deal or no deal?"


    "...Let''s do this."


    Heavy footsteps approached.


    "Head Nurse! The patient''s escaped!"


    "She''s on the operating table! Did you give her the sedative?!"


    "Yes, but she was a pre-arranged patient, and the flesh was provided by them. Something must have happened."


    "What?" a shrill voice exclaimed. "Something happened to the newborn? Because of the mother and the things we provided?"


    "Yes, but we can handle it¡­"


    "No, take us there! We need to see this ourselves!"


    The voice cut off. Mithra looked at Elise.


    Elise spoke. "As I said, time, space, and logic are chaotic in dreams. Everything is determined by the dreamer''s will."


    Mithra nodded and walked confidently down the hallway.


    Elise followed calmly.


    Their footsteps attracted the creatures, who turned to reveal stitched-up faces.


    They hadn''t been speaking; their expressions were devoid of reason.


    The voices and images were probably staged elements of the dream.


    The creatures growled and charged. Mithra ignited her hammer, activating Control Object to make it fly towards the monsters.


    Elise spread her arms, her blades extending like wings.


    A silver light flashed, and Elise, moving even faster than Mithra, swiftly dismembered the creatures.


    Mithra''s hammer struck the remaining creatures, and flames engulfed them.


    Mithra pulled open her shirt. "Maw?"


    No response.


    But perhaps it was simply exhausted and wanted to rest.


    Mithra didn''t blame it.


    Elise''s attacks were brutal. Her movements, accompanied by silver light, were far from the delicate dance often associated with female fighters.


    ¡¾Sleep Technique: A honed skill used to swiftly subdue targets. Upon activation, it instantly identifies the most efficient killing method, combining delicate movements with powerful strikes, capable of even stripping away divinity. The Sleep Technique is the gentle and merciful side of the ancient bird of sleep.¡¿


    It wasn''t a miracle but a skill born from her own strength, and Night Eyes had given it a high rating.


    Standing amidst the gore, Elise turned, her expression unchanged, her blades still stained with blood, her gaze on Mithra.


    Mithra sheathed her hammer and, standing amidst the burning corpses, extinguished the flames on her hammer.


    "Let''s go. Upstairs."


    "This hospital must have been for treating illnesses,"


    "Yes, that''s one way to look at it,"


    Mithra and Elise searched for the stairs on the eighteenth floor. Elevators and stairs were usually together, but not in this dream.


    "Why would this happen in a hospital?" Elise asked.


    "Who knows? Human nature, I suppose," Mithra replied.


    They found the stairwell. Mithra didn''t open the fire door immediately.


    Lost in thought, Mithra pushed the door open slightly. A blood-soaked arm instantly grabbed her hand.


    Through the crack, disheveled, blood-soaked black hair appeared, and a wide, terrified eye stared at Mithra.


    Swish!


    Elise severed the hand with a single blow. Then, she kicked the door open, sending the woman sprawling.


    The door swung open, revealing a blood-soaked stairwell. The smell of blood and decay was overwhelming. Blood covered the floor, and countless newborn faces were visible.


    "Rough climb from the first to the eighteenth floor," Mithra stepped into the blood, crushing several newborn faces without a second thought.


    The woman struggled to her feet, and Mithra, activating Reinforce Body on her hammer, struck her.


    Bang!


    The woman''s head exploded against the wall, creating a gruesome spray. The wall caved in, cracks spreading like a spiderweb.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll find your child," Mithra said, sheathing her hammer and cleaning the blood off with Ignite, then extinguishing the flames.


    The blood gathered around the woman''s still-twitching body.


    Elise stepped forward. The Sleep Technique glowed, and the woman was silently dismembered.


    The silver light enveloped her, and the writhing flesh gradually calmed.


    But Mithra noted that their activity hadn''t completely ceased; they seemed to be asleep.


    A fascinating power.


    "Let''s go, Ms. Passerby," Elise flicked her blades, cleaning off the blood, and turned to Mithra.


    Despite her considerable skill, she prioritized Mithra''s will and rarely acted independently. As she had said, she was merely a guide and an assistant.


    Mithra wondered how powerful Elise would be without her restraint.


    Judging from Night Eyes, perhaps as strong as a Wandering God.


    They continued, reaching their floor without stopping.


    Unlike the dilapidated but relatively well-lit lower floors, this floor was dark and ominous.


    The posters on the walls had been torn; the mothers'' pictures were shredded, but the babies'' photos were grotesquely distorted.


    A chilling gaze fell upon Mithra. She turned and saw a newborn''s face.


    The baby''s body seemed incomplete, its muscles underdeveloped, one arm and one leg missing. Insect-like limbs sprouted from its back, clinging to the ceiling.


    Its neck stretched, and its head turned, facing Mithra.


    "Sheng?" Mithra asked.


    "...Why the hell is it you again?" the baby said, its voice faint.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to intrude. Something went wrong while I was handling your¡­ offering," Mithra said apologetically.


    "Damn you," Sheng cursed.


    "We killed your mother... I think it was your mother," Mithra gestured towards the stairwell.


    Elise''s eyes widened.


    Although it was true, and Mithra''s tone was sincere, her words seemed cruel and implicated her as an accomplice.


    "It was her... I never knew her. A poor woman. I''m responsible for her death," Sheng said grimly.


    "Can you let me go?" Mithra waved her hand dismissively.


    "I wish I could. Damn it! I''m dead, and I still run into you here. You''re relentless!" Sheng gritted his teeth.


    "This isn''t the afterlife," Elise corrected.


    Sheng glanced at Elise. "Then why am I here? This mother, desperate, became a target for the Chrysalis. Impregnated with Chrysalis fragments, she gave birth to me, an incomplete monster, in this hellhole of a hospital. A bunch of immoral bastards,"Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Before Elise could begin her explanation, Mithra interrupted. "Think of it as your own puppet show."


    Sheng''s face showed confusion. "So you tormented me while I was in a daze? You almost scared me to death when you appeared downstairs."


    "That''s why I didn''t want to come in. This is your dream. They say you can just make yourself wake up," Mithra said.


    "...I can''t. I''m just wandering here. I can''t go anywhere else. I''m stuck like this," Sheng shook his head, his elongated neck swaying.


    Elise spoke. "You''ve remained awake, haven''t you? You''re not lost in the dream?"


    "I was a bit dazed at first, but seeing her woke me up," Sheng replied.


    Elise frowned. "So you''re not the dreamer, or perhaps, not entirely."


    Bang!


    A loud crash echoed nearby. A tall, stitched-up figure in black clothing tossed a bed onto the floor, looking around, slowly approaching.


    "Who''s that?" Mithra asked.


    Sheng was also startled. "I don''t know. I haven''t seen him before."


    Suddenly, the figure''s gaze locked onto them.


    A grotesque smile appeared on its face as it quickened its pace.


    ¡¾Dream "Chrysalis": A Wandering God''s will that enters a dream through contact with its host, manifesting and borrowing suitable forms within that dream to seize control. It seeks to regenerate, but its power is limited by the dream, yet this dream is partially its own domain.¡¿


    "It''s a puppet, no, a Chrysalis," Mithra said.


    Numerous tentacles suddenly sprouted from the stitched-up figure''s back, coalescing into wing-like structures and fluttering.


    Fleshy spikes shot out from the tentacles towards them.


    Elise reacted first, her blades deflecting the spikes.


    But the Chrysalis lunged at her feet.


    A vortex of Ki Attraction appeared, redirecting the Chrysalis''s attack. Mithra''s hammer struck the creature.


    Bang!


    The Chrysalis reacted swiftly, easily blocking the blow. Its arm transformed into a large blade, slashing at Mithra.


    A small, brown knife sliced across the Chrysalis''s neck. Mithra and Elise attacked simultaneously, a white hammer and a silver blade striking its chest.


    Bang!


    A surge of power. The Chrysalis was thrown back, sliding across the floor.


    Sheng dropped from the ceiling, resting on Mithra''s shoulder, his neck returning to normal.


    "Isn''t it your god? Why is it attacking us?" Mithra asked casually.


    "...It''s the god I want to become, but it''s the one who led me to this," Sheng said, his voice grim, his eyes filled with despair.


    The Chrysalis stood again. Mithra silently sheathed her hammer.


    The impact had confirmed her suspicions: even the dream Chrysalis possessed the "Wandering God privilege," high resistance to non-Godly miracles.


    Although she had struck it repeatedly, it had only been stunned, not injured.


    Elise''s Sleep Technique, however, had inflicted clear damage. Its chest was torn open, its flesh writhing, but the wounds didn''t heal easily.


    "Ha ha... ha ha ha..." The Chrysalis laughed, its mouth stretching widely, revealing healthy, white teeth.


    Swish!


    The Hunter Greatsword emerged from Mithra''s shoulder, startling Sheng and Elise.


    Mithra grabbed the greatsword and drew it.


    She still couldn''t separate them. When she considered the hierarchy of weapons, the Hunter Greatsword was undoubtedly a key member of her arsenal.


    The Chrysalis spread its arms, embracing the void.


    Boom!


    The hallway walls shattered, and a torrent of flesh surged towards them.


    Mithra and Elise dodged, and the Chrysalis struck again.


    The ceiling and floor transformed into flesh, engulfing them.


    Then, blades flashed, flesh tore, and Mithra and Elise, covered in blood, burst from the wreckage.


    Elise, moving faster than Mithra, unleashed a flurry of attacks. The Chrysalis transformed several of its arms into blades, its movements agile. Despite being cut, it withstood Elise''s assault.


    Suddenly, eyes sprouted across its body, and it realized Mithra had vanished.


    A powerful figure appeared behind it. The flowing mane and bestial stance were intimidating.


    The Chrysalis turned, and the Hunter Greatsword fell upon its shoulder.


    Like slicing through butter, the seemingly dull blade effortlessly severed it in half.


    Mithra remained in human form. But after that single strike, she realized something was amiss. Using only Hunting Shadow, her beastly nature was surging far faster than usual.


    Swish!


    The severed Chrysalis flesh rapidly regenerated. Sheng''s body, except for his face, transformed into small whips that lashed out at the Chrysalis. Elise''s blades followed.


    This constant interruption hampered the Chrysalis''s regeneration. Mithra paused, raised her sword, gathered energy, and, with a flash of light, opened the eyes on the blade.


    Hunting Blade.


    This wasn''t a simple cut. Most of the Chrysalis''s flesh was obliterated by the energy.


    Its body collapsed. But the smile on its face remained.


    The floor trembled and softened. The surroundings began to change. Eyes opened in the walls, looking at them.


    The humanoid Chrysalis sank into the flesh. Then the flesh pulsed more violently.


    "What''s happening?" Mithra gasped, her breathing heavy.


    "A higher will is trying to forcefully take over the dreamscape," Elise said grimly.


    Sheng looked around, his infant body resting on Mithra''s. He seemed anxious.


    "You''re the original dreamer. If you don''t want your dream to change, fight it," Elise said, turning to Sheng.


    "But that''s a god! I''m just¡­ You want me to fight it like this?!" Sheng exclaimed, turning to Elise.


    "You¡­huh? Ms. Passerby, what''s wrong with you?" Elise noticed something was wrong with Mithra.


    Mithra''s shoulder-length hair had grown to her waist, turning white and dry, like a beast''s mane.


    Mithra''s expression remained unchanged, but her eyes flickered between human and bestial forms.


    "Beast mode?" Elise''s eyes widened. "You just used bestial power?"


    "Yes. You didn''t say using beast power here would be so fast," Mithra said, looking at her increasingly sharp claws.


    Elise paused. "Normal beasts don''t transform this quickly¡­"


    "Go, Sheng. If you can''t beat it, don''t try, but tell us what is essential. What will quickly end this," Mithra said.


    Sheng, after a moment of silence, replied, "The neonatal ward."


    "Let''s go," Mithra said, looking at Elise.


    Elise''s expression was unreadable, but she nodded.


    Following Sheng''s directions, Mithra and Elise moved quickly through the changing hospital towards the neonatal ward.


    "You were in this hospital? As a newborn?" Mithra asked.


    "There was a special ward for children with problems¡ªthose with defects, or whose families had problems. They would be placed there,"


    "Ultimately, they became part of the ''Chrysalis''," Mithra continued.


    "Yes. I received the Chrysalis''s power before birth. My mother, briefly possessing some of it, tried to escape, but she couldn''t. She was killed; I was taken," Sheng explained.


    Flesh surged towards them, threatening to engulf them.


    Mithra sheathed the Hunter Greatsword, now wielding two Night Worship Swords. She moved swiftly.


    And Elise, a whirlwind of destruction, was even more terrifying.


    Covered in blood and gore, Mithra casually wiped it away. "How do you know all this? Did the Chrysalis''s power accelerate your development?"


    "I didn''t know this until I entered this dream. I''ve gradually started remembering. I think it might not just be my dream¡­"


    "What do you mean?" Mithra asked. Sheng didn''t immediately reply.


    Suddenly, as they passed a room, they heard a commotion.


    "This child is interesting. He''s naturally compatible with the god''s flesh. Perhaps, that''s the key. They haven''t found a suitable host for the god''s arm yet,"


    "But is it because his mother died while holding him? This kid has quite the temper,"


    A crash echoed.


    "You! What are you doing?!" A nurse''s voice.


    "There are normal children here! And our colleagues! You killed them?!"


    "Ha ha, the baby''s hungry. Time for feeding,"


    "What are you doing?! No! Our deal¡­ Aah!"


    The sounds of flesh being crushed overwhelmed all other sounds.


    Elise frowned.


    Mithra remained impassive.


    Sheng said nothing.


    Only one door remained.


    Mithra no longer cared about the hospital''s layout. The dreamscape seemed to be spiraling out of control, and this intact door was likely Sheng''s last refuge.


    Smashing the door open, they entered a room. The sounds of flesh from outside vanished.


    Before them stood Sheng''s mother, the grotesque woman they should have killed on the stairs.


    "The key to this dreamscape is her, the most significant symbolic figure in the hospital," Elise said, having already suspected this from Sheng''s earlier story.


    The woman''s vacant expression twisted. Her mouth transformed into insect mandibles, and flesh propelled her to her feet, though she still moved unsteadily.


    Mithra''s Night Eyes still detected the "Dream ''Chrysalis''" designation. The Chrysalis had found another host.


    Elise didn''t hesitate to attack.


    Both clashed and then Elise was thrown back by a powerful force.


    Regaining her balance, she realized her form was blurring.


    Mithra used her sword to block the Chrysalis''s attack. Even with some of the Night Hunter''s power, the sword''s impact was limited.


    The Chrysalis, noticing Mithra wasn''t using the Hunter Greatsword, focused on inflicting damage.


    Mithra was quickly injured, and the Chrysalis seemed to have an endless supply of flesh.


    Sheng tried to help, but his small form limited his effectiveness.


    The Chrysalis raised its arms to block their attacks, its blades coalescing into two massive, heavy blades that smashed down on them.


    Bang!


    Mithra was sent flying, like a broken doll.


    Fortunately, she had absorbed most of the impact. Even so, Sheng was nearly severed by the attack.


    As Mithra struggled to get up, she noticed Elise''s condition. "Miss Forgetful, what''s wrong?"


    Elise frowned. "Something''s taking my power, trying to force me out of the dreamscape. It''s almost successful. I''m just a guide, clinging to you, an outside force; I''m not strong enough to resist."


    "So you''re saying you''re going all-in at this point?" Mithra finally regained her footing, but the Chrysalis attacked again.


    After a brief struggle, Mithra was sent flying.


    Elise tried to catch her, but Mithra passed through her, embedding herself in the wall.


    Flesh oozed from the wall, clinging to Mithra.


    "I apologize, Ms. Passerby¡­"


    "No, it''s fine," Mithra said. "Maybe I can fight better without you, Miss Forgetful."


    As she spoke, dark energy emanated from her body.


    A normal person would be helpless at this point, unless they were willing to sever a limb. But Mithra preferred a more decisive approach.


    Sheng crawled to her side, severing the fleshy tentacles clinging to her, his eyes showing fear, bad memories flooding back.


    He forced himself to say, "Go crazy. Grab me."


    "Huh?" Mithra was surprised.


    The Chrysalis attacked. Mithra grabbed Sheng and dodged, but the creature swiftly moved, launching fleshy projectiles that pierced them both.


    "What are you going to do with me?" Sheng asked, blood trickling from his mouth.


    Mithra realized something.


    "You are¡­"


    She rolled on the ground, grabbing one of Sheng''s limbs.


    Sheng''s despairing gaze remained unchanged. "I hate you. I hate this world. I don''t belong to Planet Blue''s society, nor Dreamland. Even this puppet show of a dream isn''t truly mine."


    "You terrify me, but your hatred gives me comfort. If I must believe in something, then I''ll believe in you, you self-proclaimed, rational lunatic,"


    "Use me to kill it."


    Elise''s eyes flickered, her empty memories unable to process what she was witnessing.


    The Chrysalis roared and attacked. Mithra casually waved her hand.


    A white light flashed. A massive gash appeared in the Chrysalis''s expanding flesh, stopping its charge.


    The white light was sometimes like the skin of a baby, other times like ice-cold flesh.


    It moved with the fluidity of a living creature, yet its sharp edges were like a cold weapon.


    The whip-like blades retracted, pointing downwards, forming a staff.


    The hilt was a pale, infant-like hand, almost as if it was held upside down.


    The weapons she had stored within her body were now manifesting in the dream, becoming her allies.


    ¡¾Unnamed God-Killing Weapon: A miraculous weapon forged from rare metals and minerals. Its unpredictable flesh power is intertwined with its intricate structure, transforming its shape as needed. The power of a Wandering God is its foundation, fueled by the hatred of an incomplete being.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª"I cannot become a perfect god. That was but a reptile''s foolish dream. My monstrous birth and flawed form deny me a place in this world. So I will curse, I will hate... I apologize for breaking my oaths."¡¿


    Mithra gently touched the cold staff.


    "So Its real name is... ''Abhorrence''."


    In Night Eyes, "Unnamed God-Killing Weapon" instantly changed to "Abhorrence."


    The Chrysalis, after a moment, stood again. It was almost unrecognizable, except for its long, dark hair.


    Numerous whip-like blades erupted from its body.


    Mithra moved her sword.


    Swish!


    The Abhorrence''s blades unfurled and separated, transforming into whips that, under Mithra''s control, became a blur of motion.


    The clashing sounds echoed.


    Mithra yanked the whips again. The blades instantly appeared before the Chrysalis, piercing its flesh and transforming into hooks!


    Retracting, she pulled herself towards the Chrysalis.


    The Chrysalis''s large blades slashed down, aiming to cut her.


    Mithra shifted her body, extending her left hand.


    Rip!


    ¡¾Price: You have lost your left hand¡­¡¿


    Reaching the Chrysalis, Mithra forcefully pulled the Abhorrence staff from its body, tearing away a large chunk of flesh.


    She immediately inserted the newly formed Abyssal Hand into the wound. The Abhorrence staff transformed into a spinning saw blade and pierced the Chrysalis.


    The Chrysalis shrieked in agony as its flesh pulsed, but to no avail.


    Black tentacles burst from its body, the pale blades within transforming into a grinder.


    The Chrysalis struggled, its flesh swelling, trying to consume Mithra.


    "Hungry¡­!" The maw, seizing the opportunity, extended its tongues.


    Powerful tongues scraped away the flesh, the maw consuming it, preventing it from interfering with Mithra''s movements.


    Finally, thanks to the combined efforts of the Abyssal Hand, the maw, and the Abhorrence staff¡­


    Mithra tore outwards with both hands.


    Bang!


    The Chrysalis exploded like a bursting bubble.


    Mithra stood calmly amidst the falling debris.


    The Abyssal Hand and the maw fought over the remains. The pale blade retracted, returning to its staff form, supporting Mithra''s unsteady stance.


    Elise''s form solidified, the scene likely seared into her newly awakened, empty memory.


    ¡¾Event ¡ª¡ª "Hunting the Wandering God"¡¿


    ¡¾You hunted a Wandering God in a dream, gaining power. It seems reptiles aren''t good at daydreaming.¡¿


    ¡¾Choose one of the following three gifts and their prices:¡¿


    ¡¾Humble Remains: You obtain a "humble and lowly" "body." Price: Its will remains.¡¿


    ¡¾Infinite Trial: You experience the training of the undying army and learn their power. Price: Is it truly just an experience?¡¿


    ¡¾Abyssal Darkness: You obtain a unique miracle, wielding the power of the abyss. Price: The abyss treats everything equally¡ªhumans, beasts, and gods.¡¿


    Surprisingly, the selection hadn''t appeared when she killed Sheng, only triggering after killing the "Dream Chrysalis."


    It seemed the appearance of a gift depended on whether the target was identified as a Wandering God by Night Eyes.


    She looked at the three options.


    Was the first option a fixed choice? Was it meant to be given to her regardless?


    She wasn''t interested in that strange option.


    She already had enough things vying for her attention. Another unknown entity would be a hassle.


    Then there was the second option, "Infinite," which reminded her of Lebaance. The "undying army" likely referred to Lebaance''s legendary army.


    Experiencing their training and acquiring their strength seemed appealing, but the price was unsettling.


    "An experience" implied some level of risk and potential suffering.


    Considering Lebaance''s forceful style, this option was likely to be the same.


    The third option was also vaguely described: wielding the power of the abyss. Mithra knew about things related to the abyss¡ªher severed left arm had been replaced by the Abyssal Hand, created by Jungo.


    And she had experienced the side effects of the Abyssal Hand firsthand. The chaos in her mind had been incredible.


    "Let''s leave it for now," Mithra said, turning away from the choices.


    Her left arm had regenerated; the Abyssal Hand had disappeared. The maw''s tongues reached for some flesh, rumbling "hungry."


    The maw was clearly conscious, but the recent weapon forging process had made it subdued. Children needed time.


    Elise approached. Before she could speak, Mithra said, "The Chrysalis is dead. How do we get out?"


    "It''s not over," Elise said, "The control returns to the original dreamer once the usurper is destroyed."


    Mithra displayed the Abhorrence staff.


    "He wasn''t the dreamer. I just realized. He was similar, which misled me. While he might be the source of this dream, he exists as a semi-lucid dreamer. He was simply a weapon forged in the outside world. He isn''t the dreamer," Elise explained slowly.


    "What? There''s more? I thought we''d finished the boss fight," Mithra said, examining the staff.


    "Given the scale of this dreamscape, the true dreamer is likely more powerful than this external will," Elise said, glancing down at the flesh on the floor, then at the staff in Mithra''s hand. "It''s truly remarkable that a weapon can maintain its existence in a dream, becoming a crucial tool,"


    Mithra shrugged. "Then we need to find the true dreamer."


    "Yes, the being who truly inhabits this dream," Elise said, looking towards the window of the empty room.


    This was supposedly the twentieth floor of a high-rise building.


    But looking through the window, they saw a courtyard.


    Stepping through the window, they left the hospital. Before them was a small, dilapidated orphanage.


    Mithra turned to see the hospital was gone, replaced by a path with mist on either side.


    "This is the chaotic gap within the dreamscape," Mithra said.


    Mithra walked into the orphanage, Elise following closely.


    The orphanage was neglected. Weeds and bushes grew wildly.


    As they walked, they heard light footsteps.


    They paused. The sound grew closer.


    "You are... ''Abhorrence'', right?"


    "Ah, you''re a newcomer. Welcome. This might not be the best place, but¡­ wait, what happened to your arms and legs? That''s terrifying,"


    "It''s alright. Those scary aunties and uncles will teach me miracles! It''s a really powerful ability; it can make your arms and legs grow back!"


    Mithra and Elise glimpsed a child''s form flickering in the bushes.


    The sound faded. Mithra and Elise exchanged glances.


    "The hospital, then the orphanage. The next stage of Sheng''s life," Mithra mused.


    This orphanage wasn''t an ordinary orphanage. It was another hidden base of the Chrysalis organization.


    Sheng had spent his childhood here, befriending others.


    Mithra and Elise didn''t linger. They reached the orphanage''s main building, opened the door without any resistance.


    They were relieved no one greeted them enthusiastically.


    The small orphanage was cramped. Entering, they smelled mildew, and cockroaches scurried away.


    Once inside, Mithra felt uneasy.


    Although it looked like an ordinary orphanage, the dreamscape within was a maze.


    Mithra''s reduced sense of space made this difficult to navigate.


    Unlike the hospital, however, there were no sudden monster attacks. Walking through the maze for a long time, they encountered little resistance.


    Mithra retraced her steps, and even Elise, who hadn''t been leading the way, couldn''t help but stop her as she was about to re-enter a room they had just been in.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "That''s the room we were in just now."


    "Oh. Got lost again," Mithra said calmly.


    "You''re hopelessly lost, Ms. Passerby," Elise sighed.


    "Not exactly. I just don''t know how to navigate mazes," Mithra clarified.


    "Fine. Stay close. Getting separated here would be trouble," Elise led the way.

 Chapter 77: Abyssal Darkness

    Entering a new room, they noticed something different. The floor and walls were splattered with blood.


    Dark blood was prevalent, but a bright red stain near the window stood out.


    Flies buzzed around the blood. As they entered, the dark blood stirred, and several small, stitched-up faces emerged.


    "Whose children are these?"


    Elise calmly drew her blades. But before the stitched-up faces could move, a white energy flashed, severing their heads.


    Mithra lightly swung the Abhorrence staff, absorbing the blood it had touched.


    The small, stitched faces, after their heads were destroyed, remained still, no longer moving. They were truly dead.


    Mithra didn''t need to use her maw.


    She had no idea how much flesh she had consumed in this dream.


    But the maw had felt full, and her sense power had increased.


    It was clear that even though this was a dream, this Dreamscape Gap was a form of reality.


    Suddenly, a commotion echoed.


    Bang!


    It sounded like something hitting a hard surface. Mithra instinctively looked towards the bright red stain on the windowsill.


    "You useless thing! Stay away from me!"


    "I hate your eyes, you worthless thing. You''ll only ever be food."


    The voice, although young, was harsh and cruel.


    After a moment of silence, the voice spoke again.


    "Abhorrence, are you alright...? We came to see you. They bully us too. They learned miracles earlier and have eaten a lot of flesh. We can''t fight back."


    "We''ll clean you up¡­"


    "Want revenge? It''s hard. But I heard they''re looking for hosts for the arm, and the leaders want it. If you become a host, maybe you won''t be bullied anymore."


    The voice faded.


    Mithra glanced at the bloodstains, and she and Elise left silently.


    "They''re raising the children they''ve collected," Elise said.


    Mithra nodded. "Whether that''s actually ''raising'' them is debatable."


    They continued their search, soon discovering a basement.


    Elise frowned as soon as she entered.


    The stench of blood and decay was overwhelming, enough to make anyone faint.


    The floor was littered with dismembered bodies. Fleshy remains were everywhere, mostly children''s bones, piled high.


    Whether this was a realistic depiction or a dream-enhanced exaggeration was unclear.


    A figure seemed to be selecting the bones, muttering, "So much wasted flesh. Too many bones to consume. Too bad. We''ll use them for ritual materials."


    Suddenly, the figure looked up, noticing Mithra and Elise.


    It was, predictably, another stitched-up face, its eyes dark and menacing.


    "You''re¡­ah, the child with the missing limbs¡­ You''re special, blessed with the god''s flesh. You might become one of the leaders¡­Why are you bothering with someone like me?"


    "What? You want these bones? No way! These are mine! My work! You can''t have them¡­I need them to become closer to the god,"


    As the voice spoke, Mithra approached, wielding the staff.


    "What are you going to do? Ha ha, are you going to attack? Even if you''re talented, your Flesh Transmutation skills aren''t..."


    Mithra swung her hand, the staff transforming into a whip that entangled the creature''s head, tearing it apart.


    Returning the staff to its original form, Mithra looked at the pile of bones.


    "...I can''t even defeat a baby. Ugh... But why do you need so many bones? Even if you could consume them¡­ah? I see¡­ ha ha¡­ ha ha ha¡­ You fool! You have friends! You want to help them! Friends in this place¡­ ha ha ha ha! I was wrong. You''re worthless; you''ll never become a leader!"


    The voice vanished. Mithra turned to Elise. "It''s disgusting. Let''s go."


    Elise nodded silently.


    As they walked, their hurried pace slowed to a leisurely stroll.


    They passed countless scenes from the dreamscape, likely memories.


    Escaping Hell was just the first step; struggling in Dreamland was the next.


    If he hadn''t met his friends, he might have given up.


    He envied normal people''s bodies. But because of the Chrysalis fragments he had absorbed as a child, his body couldn''t regenerate normally, resulting in the growth of extra limbs. His life was abnormal.


    He climbed towards them, towards his promised destiny.


    He had already chosen his path, but his resolve wasn''t strong before encountering those vulnerable children.


    He had made them a promise.


    He would become a Chrysalis arm, become a Chrysalis, gain a perfect body, immense power, and endless lives.


    Then they would be his followers, accompanying him through Dreamland, escaping the frustrations of Planet Blue, escaping this hellhole.


    Driven by this ambition, he followed his intended path, arriving that night...


    After seeking Mithra''s approval, Elise opened the last door.


    Writhing arms enveloped the incomplete child.


    His body was no longer incomplete, but more monstrous and unnatural.


    Surrounded by stitched-up faces, the child trembled, letting out a shriek.


    ¡¾Dream Sheng: You have witnessed his memories and experiences and brought about the end of his physical life. Grant him the peace of eternal sleep.¡¿


    Elise drew her blades. Mithra moved slowly, gently tapping the Abhorrence staff on the ground.


    Dream Sheng looked at Mithra. His gaze lingered on her staff before moving over her body.


    "Aah!" With a cry, he lunged at them, leaping high into the air.


    ...


    "They failed. And their dreams¡­" Elise sheathed her blades, not bothering to wipe the blood.


    "I did it," Mithra said, lightly tapping the scattered flesh with her staff.


    "How do you feel, Ms. Passerby?"


    Mithra glanced at the dissipating flesh, her expression unchanged. "Feelings? What feelings?"


    Elise stared at her.


    "It was just killing. For someone who fights so hard, losing is a common outcome," Mithra said, moving towards the damaged wall.


    Elise followed. They left the orphanage, the scene shifting to a field of silver flowers.


    "This should be the end," Mithra said.


    As soon as she spoke, she felt drowsy.


    The best sleep she had experienced in this world was when she had passed out from the pain of Lebaance''s regeneration.


    "This is the end of your journey, Ms. Passerby. It wasn''t pleasant, but I hope you wake up happily," Elise said, walking towards the field.


    "Can I come back? To this Dreamscape Gap?" Mithra asked.


    "Is there anything here you want to remember? Don''t. Spending too long in a dream can mean never waking up," Elise said slowly.


    "No, it was fun, even if it was a bit troublesome," Mithra replied.


    Elise turned, looking at Mithra silently. After a moment, she said, "Ms. Passerby, who are you? Why do you have my bell? Why are you so strange?"


    "Just a worker...that''s all¡­"


    Mithra collapsed, her vision blurring.


    ¡­


    Mithra opened her eyes again.


    This time, she was back in the forge.


    She had woken up.


    Sitting up, she felt something in her right hand.


    The pale Abhorrence staff lay in her hand, its hand-like hilt gripping her arm, unwilling to let go.


    Diehl and Salomo rushed to the forge upon receiving Mithra''s message.


    They found Mithra sitting and eating dried meat. The forge was a mess; many tools were broken, the furnace was destroyed, and the walls and floor were splattered with dark blood.


    Mithra sat with her legs crossed, the Abhorrence staff resting calmly on her lap. Its pale color stood out in the dim light.


    "You...succeeded?" Diehl asked, surprised.


    Mithra swallowed her meat. "Sorry. I dealt with some things and came back to this. I''ll pay for the damages."


    Salomo shook his head, embarrassed. "It''s not necessary. It wasn''t expensive."


    Diehl''s eyes twitched. Expensive?! Damn merchants!


    He quickly refocused on the Abhorrence staff.


    "Let me examine it," he said.


    Mithra nodded. "You were involved, so you have the right."


    Diehl produced a pair of special black gloves. According to Night Eyes, they were designed to block the influence of Wandering Gods, but the price was a significant reduction in sense power and sense.


    Diehl took the Abhorrence staff and carefully examined it.


    The longer he looked, the more silent he became.


    He handed the staff back. "Have you tried using it?"


    "Yes. It was difficult," Mithra said.


    It hadn''t been difficult to destroy a Wandering God''s will in a dream.


    Mithra casually demonstrated the staff''s abilities. Salomo produced a lens and examined Mithra. Mithra recognized it; it was a device used by the Sanctuary to detect the aura of Wandering Gods.


    ¡¾Miracle Appraisal Lens: A lens capable of detecting the unique characteristics of a Wandering God''s remains. It can also assess the wielder''s mental state to a certain extent. A very useful tool.¡¿


    She had been tested with it in Gross Town. At that time, she only had traces of the Night Hunter''s presence, and none of the Stranger.


    After a moment, Diehl asked Salomo, "What do you think?"


    "No problems. Her mental state is excellent. The Chrysalis''s presence is strong, which is unusual for a god-killing weapon wielder. This might be because it''s only recently been used,"


    Salomo turned to Diehl. "The results are clear."


    Diehl adjusted his glasses and nodded. "It seems you''ve won our bet, Mithra."


    "What bet?" Mithra asked, tilting her head.


    "Well¡­"


    "You helped me complete the weapon''s framework. That''s it. If I need more help, I''ll contact you. It''ll be free. Seems like you''re also short on funds," Mithra interrupted, her usual blunt manner.


    Diehl''s eyes twitched.


    He was happy she was satisfied, but her next words stung.


    "Let me clarify. I''m not¡­I just¡­" Diehl tried to explain but was cut off by Salomo.


    The wealthy ambassador was treating them to dinner.


    Diehl didn''t argue.


    Being poor wasn''t a big deal.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Mithra left, heading for a shower.


    Diehl and Salomo stayed to clean up the mess.


    The forge was covered in blood, shocking them both.


    "Is this what crafting god-killing weapons looks like, Diehl?" Salomo asked.


    Diehl shook his head. "God-killing weapons rarely directly attack the user; they usually assimilate. In most cases, even if the assimilation fails, it doesn''t result in this kind of damage. Mithra''s experience was far more difficult than anything our team has faced."


    "Even though Ms. Mithra has exceptional regenerative abilities, those miracles always come with a price. She paid a significant one,"


    They fell silent.


    Mithra''s image in their minds had grown. While showering, Mithra shivered, considering if she should have a hot bath.


    ...


    Mithra ate without much enthusiasm, remaining silent.


    "Ms. Mithra, do you have any plans for Dreamland?" Salomo asked.


    "Not really. I''m curious about the Skyfall Mountains. Didn''t skyfire fall there again?"


    "The Skyfall Mountains are far from Sun City. Even with air travel, it would take time. It''s good to be an Enchanting Land citizen," Salomo commented.


    "The skyfire¡­ We''ve sent a team to investigate," Diehl added.


    "It''s a legendary event, and these legends are usually connected to Wandering Gods. We need to be careful. But it probably won''t be a problem. Many skilled Enchanting Land citizens have gone to Ember city recently; it''s unlikely a regular Wandering God could threaten its security,"


    Wandering God?


    Mithra''s attention was piqued.


    She had to check this out.


    If powerful believers were there to deal with the Wandering God, she might join the fight and count it towards her "Hunting Wandering Gods" quest. The patrons probably wouldn''t mind; a assist kill counted, too.


    "But anything connected to legendary skyfire is likely to be dangerous,"


    "What do you mean?" Salomo looked at Diehl.


    "Let me share a little-known secret," Diehl said, looking at Mithra. "Mithra knowing this shouldn''t be a problem."


    Salomo nodded.


    "Skyfire created the Blazing Man during the era of the Pillars. He was a being inherently connected to fire. Some say he was fire itself, but that''s disputed. The Sanctuary''s research suggests that fire pursued him."


    Mithra nodded, understanding. "So he''s powerful."


    "Powerful, yes. But the important part comes later. ''Blazing Man'' Salutisas was one of the Forty-Four Pillars. His fire was stolen by the first user of fire miracles, becoming the source of all fire miracles, giving humanity a crucial advantage in the human-beast wars at the end of the Pillars'' era,"


    Diehl revealed this unknown story.


    "So, even though there''s not much public attention, the Sanctuary is likely taking this seriously. Because¡­" Diehl paused. "If this skyfire creates something extraordinary, that would be terrible."


    ...


    After dinner, Mithra left for the university, adding Diehl''s contact information to her communication tablet.


    As an official Planet Blue citizen, she no longer needed to report her movements to the resettlement center. Even though she had been delayed by the god-killing weapon project, she wasn''t worried.


    She returned to Shu¨«xi¨´ University.


    "Mithra, you''re finally back," Matsuri greeted her at the entrance hall, having seemingly been waiting.


    "I told you I''d be gone for a while," Mithra said.


    "I know, but my new clothes are ready, and I was waiting for you,"


    "Okay," Mithra nodded.


    "Can''t you be a bit happier?" Matsuri asked, noticing her expression.


    "I''m in a good mood," Mithra said, her face unchanging.


    Matsuri smiled, accepting her response.


    Light footsteps approached. Mithra and Matsuri turned and saw a slender young girl with long, dark hair approaching the resettlement center.


    She looked like a student, but students rarely came here unless they had a lot of free time like Nie Hong.


    "Liyu? Long time no see!" Matsuri''s eyes lit up as she greeted her.


    The girl, who had been looking at her feet, looked up, her expression vacant. "Matsuri."


    They seemed to be old friends, but Matsuri did most of the talking. The girl seemed shy, but she did respond to Matsuri.


    Seeing them talking, Mithra turned to leave.


    Matsuri pulled her back. "You shouldn''t sneak off without saying anything,"


    "I leave when I''m not needed. It saves everyone time," Mithra said seriously.


    "No, that''s just rude!" Matsuri insisted.


    Then, she gestured to the girl. "This is C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³. She''s also a returnee!"


    Mithra glanced at the girl. "Nice to meet you."


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded shyly. "Nice to meet you."


    Matsuri continued. "But she''s different from us. She''s an ordinary returnee. She was missing in Dreamland for a year before being found. You''re a fifth-year student now, right, L¨ªy¨³?"


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded.


    Mithra nodded, indicating she was listening.


    "She comes back for regular checkups, so we''ve become friends. L¨ªy¨³, this is Mithra. She might seem cold, but she''s a good person."


    Mithra thought Matsuri''s tone was like she was talking to a child.


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded at Mithra, seemingly greeting her.


    Suddenly, Mithra remembered something. "Fifth year means field trips, right? Are you back from yours?"


    "Yes, we just got back today," L¨ªy¨³ replied, though Mithra had been asking Matsuri.


    "I figured. Sounds like some drama is brewing."


    "Mithra!" Nie Hong''s hurried footsteps echoed.


    Leo Duncan, looking refreshed, followed.


    Leo Duncan greeted Mithra briefly, then his sharp gaze fell upon L¨ªy¨³. "Huh? Isn''t that C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³ from the Fire Department? Here for a routine checkup?"


    It was clear he knew her. Mithra wasn''t surprised.


    Nie Hong, however, was still clueless. "L¨ªy¨³? Oh, that Fire Miracle prodigy,"


    A prodigy? She seemed famous.


    L¨ªy¨³ seemed a bit uneasy. She mumbled a farewell and left quickly.


    Matsuri exchanged a few words with Nie Hong and Leo Duncan.


    Then she reminded Mithra to pick up her clothes before leaving.


    Watching her go, Leo Duncan said, "Remarkable. This small resettlement center has three such formidable individuals. Other centers don''t have this kind of concentration."


    "I''m not formidable," Mithra replied. "What do you know about them?"


    Leo Duncan, even more knowledgeable than Matsuri, was the person to ask.


    "Not much. Matsuri is incredibly powerful, her sense is almost superhuman. You can tell she''s a powerful believer. Even my tutors couldn''t match her physically. I don''t know much else. She''s secluded and not a student, but I''d love to spar with her," Leo Duncan said.


    "I can''t tell," Mithra said. She couldn''t tell if someone was strong just by looking at them; she relied on Night Eyes to identify powerful opponents.


    It was like seeing a boss''s health bar.


    "Why did you challenge me, then?" Mithra narrowed her eyes.


    "Oh, you were showing off your skills, and you had a powerful presence, but your physical abilities were¡­ interesting. So I wanted to test you," Leo Duncan said with a laugh.


    "I couldn''t tell," Nie Hong said.


    Leo Duncan''s arrogance returned. "Of course not, you idiot monkey! Do you think you''d still have a life lock if you could see?"


    Nie Hong''s face flushed. "I shared my humiliating experiences with you, and you''re mocking me!"


    "What about the other one?" Mithra interrupted, returning to her question.


    "C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³. She''s physically weak. She hasn''t trained any special skills. But her Fire Miracle talent is incredible. How to describe it¡­" Leo Duncan started, then realized Mithra''s lack of familiarity with the school and changed his approach, pointing at Nie Hong. "That guy was called the ''C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³ of the Ki department'' when he started,"


    "I still don''t understand," Mithra said dryly. She didn''t know anything about Nie Hong''s Ki aptitude.


    Nie Hong''s expression shifted. "I didn''t know about that! She''s really famous,"


    "It''s good that you didn''t. Otherwise, you would have been targeted. Her reputation was well-established by the end of her first semester," Leo Duncan said dismissively.


    Nie Hong whistled. "Alright then."


    He wasn''t in a hurry anymore.


    "Did you challenge her?" Mithra asked.


    "She refused," Leo Duncan said bluntly. "It''s hard to believe someone would refuse. And I tried to be respectful and not provoke her,"


    You were already being disrespectful, Mithra thought.


    "She''s definitely strong, but also aloof, not easy to get along with. Considering she was missing for a year, she might not be fully adjusted to life on Planet Blue," Leo Duncan said, leaning against a wall.


    The conversation ended. Leo Duncan invited Mithra and Nie Hong to dinner, but Mithra refused.


    She had just eaten.


    So, only he and Nie Hong went. Hopefully, they would enjoy the meal.


    Back in her room, after resting, Mithra looked at the "Hunting the Wandering God" options.


    The system was mindless; her patrons seemed lazy.


    Even if she didn''t choose, the text kept appearing.


    She had been interacting with this text since she had dealt with the Chrysalis, both in and out of her dreams, until she returned to the resettlement center.


    As for her choice¡­


    "Number three,"


    Sorry, Lebaance. The abyss sounded interesting. Since she already had a bit of everything, she might as well explore the abyss again.


    Sorry, I''m a glutton for punishment.


    After making her choice, the text vanished, the information flooding Mithra''s mind.


    Along with the knowledge, she saw a strange vision.


    Deep within Dreamland, an endless expanse of darkness existed. These ancient beings were calm because they were nothing.


    As Mithra''s gaze fell upon this place, the darkness stirred. Void gained existence, and the darkness began to flicker with light.


    This wasn''t true light. Light cast shadows; here, light was born from the darkness.


    A jagged light screamed through the darkness, and Mithra''s mind unconsciously associated it with something else.


    Lightning.


    This world didn''t have a specific lightning sense or miracle system. Lightning''s symbolism was scattered among the light, fire, and wood senses.


    Abyssal Darkness was "lightning."


    The fleeting white light illuminated Mithra, pulling her back to reality.


    It wasn''t what she had expected.


    "Abyssal Darkness" had granted her a glimpse of the abyss''s light, not the strange, material aspect of the abyss, like the Abyssal Hand.


    Three miracles appeared in her mind.


    ¡¾Abyssal Darkness: An Abyssal miracle. Those who gaze into the abyss form a connection and can draw upon its power, exchanging senses. It summons vast quantities of Abyssal Darkness, obscuring things. The sense power required for this miracle will be perpetually depleted.¡¿


    ¡¾Darkness in the Palm: An Abyssal miracle. Summons a small amount of Abyssal Darkness. After defining its boundaries, it can be applied to physical objects, temporarily imbuing them with the properties of darkness. The sense power required for this miracle will be perpetually depleted.¡¿


    ¡¾Darkness Diffusion: An Abyssal miracle. Abyssal Darkness can spread through real-world darkness. This miracle requires real-world darkness for activation. The sense power required for this miracle will be perpetually depleted.¡¿


    These were entirely new miracles, not Godly miracles as Mithra had initially thought. They were Abyssal miracles, a type she''d never heard of before.


    Although they all involved "Abyssal Darkness," similar to lightning, their scale and properties differed subtly.


    The most significant similarity was their perpetual depletion of sense power.


    Although Mithra had absorbed additional sense power, giving her seemingly unlimited sense, she hadn''t expected a miracle to directly cap it.


    Fortunately, this "Hunting the Wandering God" gift was perfectly timed. She mastered these miracles almost instantly. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to practice and master them.


    The first miracle was a large-scale skill, like a massive "lightning storm."


    The second was a unique form of enchantment.


    The third was the ability to unleash and even transmit lightning in darkness.


    That was the gist of it.


    After reviewing the information, Mithra didn''t immediately try them. While she had abundant sense power, she wasn''t going to waste it.


    Especially since these miracles seemed quite powerful.


    ...


    Mithra spent the next few days attending classes and socializing with professors. Her reputation at Shu¨«xi¨´ University seemed to be growing.


    This was largely due to Nie Hong and Leo Duncan''s gossiping about her exploits in Sun City.


    In the resettlement center''s library, Mithra used her laptop to search for information about the hospital and orphanage in Sheng''s dream.


    She quickly found a news report from years ago about a private hospital.


    The hospital had been attacked by the Chrysalis organization, and many newborns and medical staff had been killed. The investigation had revealed a terrifying conspiracy.


    The hospital and the Chrysalis organization had colluded for years, secretly selling organs. Their victims were largely vulnerable patients and countless newborns.


    The brutal trafficking had lasted for years. Its exposure caused widespread shock and panic.


    Although the manhunt for the Chrysalis organization intensified, they couldn''t be completely eradicated.


    This world seemed to have a high tolerance for violence; Mithra saw many graphic images online.


    A reporter whose limbs had been severed and left in an elevator shaft, a pregnant woman whose abdomen had been brutally cut open, numerous human organs¡­


    Footsteps echoed in the library, approaching Mithra.


    It wasn''t Matsuri, but Leo Duncan. "It''s rare for you to seek me out. What''s up?"


    "Help me investigate this orphanage," Mithra said, pulling up an image on her laptop.


    "Just a regular orphanage. What''s the problem?" Leo Duncan sat down, looking at the image.


    "There might be human-insect hybrids there, but it''s been a while. I don''t know if they''re still there," Mithra said.


    Information about the hospital was easy to find; the incident had been major news.


    But there was almost nothing about the orphanage. Whether the Chrysalis organization had abandoned it or not was unclear, but it had likely served as one of their bases and hadn''t been discovered.


    Leo Duncan frowned, noticing Mithra reading a news report about the hospital attack.


    "You''re investigating the Chrysalis?"


    "I have some information. Can you help?" Mithra asked.


    "No problem. I''ll give you the results tonight," Leo Duncan replied.


    "Thanks,"


    "But the compensation¡­" Leo Duncan drawled.


    "Name it."


    "Heard you''re going to the Skyfall Mountains? We have a long weekend in early May. Come with us," Leo Duncan said with a smile.


    Mithra was surprised. "It''s almost May?"


    "You don''t pay attention to time, do you?" Leo Duncan sighed.


    Mithra thought about it. She had been busy with Sun City, the assessment, and forging the weapon. A lot of time had passed.


    "How did you know?"


    "Nie Hong told me. He heard it from Matsuri," Leo Duncan replied.


    A gossip network?


    Mithra paused.


    Speaking of Matsuri, she had forgotten to collect her clothes.


    She only ran into Matsuri by chance in the library. Matsuri didn''t have a communication device, so they rarely contacted each other.


    She had completely forgotten.


    It was a bit awkward.


    "If we go to Skyfall Mountain, I''m in," she agreed. Her requirements for helpers were simple. It wasn''t like she''d be in immediate danger, right?


    She closed her laptop. After a few words with Leo Duncan, she went to find Matsuri.


    ...


    "You actually remembered to find me,"


    The door opened before Mithra could knock. Matsuri leaned against the doorframe, looking down at her.


    "Sorry, I forgot," Mithra said calmly and sincerely.


    Matsuri sighed. "I forgive you."


    Entering the room, Matsuri found a dark grey suit and matching shoes.


    The previous outfit was older but more imposing. This one had a more mature, conservative style.


    The coattails were still long, a style Matsuri seemed to prefer.


    It wasn''t combat attire, more like formal wear.


    The description indicated it possessed self-regeneration capabilities, and it also increased resistance to fire and had a unique additional effect:


    ¡¾When the wearer is burned, the power of miracles is amplified in proportion to the severity and extent of the burn.¡¿


    "Impressive," Mithra said.


    Two additional effects built upon regeneration. Most people would focus on the fire resistance, but the amplified miracle power caught her attention.


    "Try it on. Now," Matsuri commanded, her legs crossed. Her earlier frustration hadn''t completely disappeared.


    Mithra used the bathroom to change.


    Her previous outfit had made her look like a detective, but this one was more formal; it might even be considered stylish.


    Matsuri, now calmer, examined Mithra.


    "Not bad. Is anything uncomfortable?"


    "No, it''s surprisingly comfortable. It doesn''t restrict movement," Mithra stretched.


    "Excellent. Wear it out for me," Matsuri said.


    "I prefer the previous outfit¡­"


    "Hmm?" Matsuri''s voice cut Mithra off.


    Mithra paused. "Fine."


    ...


    May Day arrived.


    Mithra looked up information about May Day on Planet Blue. Although she had forgotten the specifics of May Day on Earth, it was a long-standing tradition on Planet Blue.


    It was fortunate that Dreamland hadn''t swallowed up this holiday. But it didn''t concern her.


    On this holiday, Mithra, Leo Duncan, and Nie Hong arrived in Ember city, a city nestled among the mountains of the Skyfall Mountain Range.


    The first impression of Ember city was darkness.


    Literally, the color black.


    Due to the initial skyfire and the awakening of fire spirits, the Skyfall Mountains produced a unique mineral called "Erytic rock."


    This ore was highly resistant to heat and fire, and had been widely used for construction and other purposes in the surrounding human settlements for a long time.


    This was clearly evident in the architecture. Many buildings were coated with a dark, almost black material, which, despite its somber appearance, wasn''t unattractive.


    Erytic rock was also an excellent intermediary for fire and magma-based senses. This was a major industry in Ember city.


    "It''s hot, and there are a lot of people," Nie Hong wiped his brow, already in short sleeves.


    Leo Duncan, wearing a sun hat, glanced at Mithra. "Are you sure about that suit?"


    "It''s hot, but tolerable. And I promised," Mithra replied.


    As Salomo had mentioned, many people had come to the Skyfall Mountains due to the recent skyfire. While the city was a popular destination for Planet Blue citizens, especially those interested in fire miracles,


    The Skyfall Mountains were home to unique fire spirits.


    Whether they could be considered cursed creatures was debatable. But they were undoubtedly ancient entities, though generally less aggressive than cursed creatures.


    Thanks to these spirits, the temperature in the Skyfall Mountains remained high.


    They had arrived on a holiday, via teleportation, and were greeted by a dazzling display of what looked like a feast of human heads.


    The heat from the skyfire hadn''t dissipated. The locals said they had never seen such a large-scale gathering.


    It was probably due to the ease of access via the teleportation point. Planet Blue citizens wouldn''t miss an opportunity like this.


    Typical Planet Blue citizens.


    Mithra silently praised them again.


    "So, where are we going?" Nie Hong asked cheerfully.


    "To see the skyfire," Mithra replied directly.


    "The skyfire seems to be contained. Ember City and the Sanctuary have restricted access to the mountain, but we can probably get a view from a nearby peak," Leo Duncan said, checking his phone.


    They were taking advantage of the holiday.


    But Mithra didn''t mind. She couldn''t be responsible for every incident.


    Even if her patrons were testing her luck, they couldn''t expect her to stumble upon a Wandering God every time.


    She was just curious to see it; she didn''t expect to find a Wandering God.


    "Let''s go there, then."


    The three left the city and entered the mountains.


    Along the way, they encountered some fire spirits¡ªorange balls of fire with indistinct eyes. They were quite cute.


    Apparently, some people kept them as pets, but they couldn''t be taken back to Planet Blue.


    After a while, they encountered a blocked mountain path, leading to the mountain where the skyfire had fallen.


    From a distance, Mithra and her companions avoided the main peak, choosing a nearby one.


    The path was challenging, but Reinforce Body made it easy. They passed many people along the way, making it a popular sightseeing spot.


    Reaching the summit, they had a clear view of the mountain where the skyfire had fallen.


    It wasn''t difficult to spot; the massive, blackened crater on the mountain was hard to miss, regardless of one''s eyesight.


    They could see researchers working within the crater.


    For a moment, they didn''t see anything unusual.


    Nie Hong quickly grew bored, when a noise came from behind them.


    Boom!


    As Mithra turned, an explosion erupted.


    The flames were intense; those nearby were thrown back.


    Chaos erupted.


    As the dust settled, two figures were seen facing each other.


    One of them was familiar to Mithra and her companions¡ªC¨¢i L¨ªy¨³.

 Chapter 78: Flamescape

    The fire spirit shrieked and recoiled. Mithra, using Ki Attraction, lifted its head and, seizing a burning antler, brought her hammer down on its skull.


    A resounding crash. The skull shattered, and the flames of the fire spirit dissipated. The skeleton fell to the ground.


    Mithra glanced at her blackened hand. Forcing herself to grip the burning remains, her regeneration amplified the heat, making it feel as if her hand was melting.


    But this amplified the power of her hammer blow. Without this, she wouldn''t have been able to kill the large fire spirit so easily.


    She lowered her hand and turned to the young people. "How did you get here?"


    "...We just...appeared here...Thank you for saving us," a student stammered.


    Mithra nodded. "Hide in the buildings."


    She turned and left, searching for others.


    She rescued many, encountering skilled individuals capable of fighting the fire spirits.


    They were all believers, many from the Enchanting Land.


    This illusion seemed to target believers.


    But when Mithra asked them, they all said they didn''t know how they''d gotten there.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

 Chapter 79: Fierce

    She sheathed her staff and drew the Hunter Greatsword.


    The Hunting Blade swirled, forming a protective circle against the flames.


    But using Hunting Blade in her human form against such powerful fire miracles was difficult; she could only hold out for a short time.


    Although Mithra was aware of the principle that beasts were weak against fire, she was trying to avoid using Hunting miracles and didn''t want to unleash her beast form.


    But she had no choice now.


    Mithra unbuttoned her jacket. Her body tensed, muscles bulging, bones creaking as her form shifted.


    Black and white fur billowed amidst the sparks, a beast emerging from the flames.


    The Fire Seeds were shocked.


    There was a second stage?!


    The greatsword felt slightly off-balance in her human hands, but felt perfect in her beast form. Thirty-four Night Eyes opened, scanning the surroundings.


    Mithra slammed the greatsword into the ground. "Roar¡ª!"


    With a powerful roar, the energy in the greatsword surged, unleashing Darkness Boom!


    Boom!


    A massive explosion centered on the greatsword, creating a large crater. The Fire Seeds were thrown back violently.


    Jason spat blood, his vision blurry and his ears ringing. He tried to activate Stabilize and find the monster, but couldn''t see anything.


    "Above!" someone shouted.


    The black mane billowed as the beast leaped into the air!


    Its massive form swirled, the Hunter Greatsword a blur of motion. Each swing unleashed a rapid Hunting Blade.


    It wasn''t a beast wielding a sword; it was a bomber!


    Blue energy exploded across the ground. The Fire Seeds caught in the strikes were instantly killed. Those who managed to dodge were still injured.


    They fled in disarray.


    The beast, seemingly ignoring gravity, circled before landing on a rooftop, looking down at the Fire Seeds.


    Despite their disheveled state, they didn''t give up.


    Suddenly, a Falling Fire descended upon Mithra.


    She moved, the flames incinerating the building.


    More fireballs, trailing beautiful sparks, pursued her.


    Mithra parried, and several fire-wreathed Fire Seeds approached, shielded by the flames.


    Her dark eyes flickered.


    She vanished.


    Then, a shadow appeared behind them. The blue light vanished, and Hunting Shadow activated. With a single swing, she decapitated them all.


    Suddenly, sparks ignited beside Mithra, exploding.


    Starfire Fuel!


    Mithra was engulfed in the explosion. She burst from the smoke, letting out a pained roar.


    As expected, fire miracles were incredibly effective against her beast form.


    Her burning fur intensified the pain of regeneration. At the peak of the pain, she felt as if her body was melting.


    "Roar!" She charged towards the Fire Seed who had used Starfire Fuel, her claws scraping against the ground.


    Enlightened Step!


    Hunting Shadow!


    Even without the invisibility, the speed of Enlightened Step was too fast for most Fire Seeds to react to, making it seem like teleportation.


    The Fire Seed, sensing danger, turned to flee. A claw pierced his chest, lifting him into the air.


    "Aaah...ugh...damn...I can''t believe I died¡­" His words trailed off. The burning pain fueled Mithra''s rage.


    "Roar!" She bit off his head and tossed it aside.


    She took another bite of fresh flesh and, discarding the body, continued her hunt. The Fire Seeds fought back desperately.


    Soon, only three Fire Seeds remained.


    Although some Fire Seeds, sensing defeat, attempted to flee, those who showed any weakness were immediately targeted by Mithra.


    Jason, skilled in maneuvering through flames, kept trying to find an opening. He moved around Mithra, but with the reduced number of Fire Seeds, he couldn''t get within ten meters.


    Going closer meant certain death.


    But he didn''t flee. He was confident he could escape, but he chose to stay.


    He couldn''t defeat Mithra, but he wouldn''t run. He was waiting.


    The remaining two Fire Seeds unleashed a desperate attack.


    ¡¾Incinerate: A fire miracle. Unleashes a devastating fire miracle. The user is at the center of the attack. The raging flames consume everything. Destruction reigns.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThe figure stood in the desolate wasteland. The wasteland, the desolation, was all self-created.¡¿


    This was the most powerful fire miracle Mithra had encountered. The two Fire Seeds unleashed it, charging at her.


    But before they could fully unleash their power, Mithra''s claws flashed across the Hunter Greatsword.


    Sparks flew; a deafening sound echoed.


    The blue blade sliced through them both. Before destruction could fully take hold, they were killed.


    Incinerate had consumed them completely.


    Mithra felt an intense heat behind her.


    Turning, she saw Falling Fire forming in the sky. Below it stood Jason, the last remaining Fire Seed.


    The fire seeds from the recently defeated Fire Seeds had been absorbed by Jason.


    A blazing fire burned in his chest¡ªno longer a seed, but a fully formed flame, having absorbed the power of other flames.


    If he could defeat Mithra, everything would go according to plan.


    If he was defeated, then he would absorb the power of the over ten fire seeds he had gathered, potentially gaining the strength to challenge Mithra.


    "I didn''t expect you to be a beast, but that''s fine. With your help, you can''t defeat me. I''m about to achieve the spiritual flame of the Fire Worshipers¡­"


    Jason pointed to his head. "Embrace your defeat, beast,"


    Falling Fire descended.


    Although it was Falling Fire, the flames were fueled by his mastery, a technique capable of threatening even a bestial Wandering God. This was a truly powerful attack.


    But Mithra didn''t react as expected. The beast form remained motionless.


    Suddenly, her massive form shrank, and dark energy emanated from her body.


    The slender corpse replaced the ferocious beast. Its appearance was far less imposing. The eyes on the Hunter Greatsword quickly closed, as if avoiding something unpleasant.


    The Stranger raised the greatsword. "Aaargh¡ª!"


    A sharp shriek pierced the air as Abyssal Darkness erupted from the greatsword.


    There was no escape. Black smoke and white lightning rapidly spread, engulfing Jason.


    Then, Falling Fire consumed the Stranger.


    Boom!


    Reverting from the Stranger form, Mithra collapsed, the Hunter Greatsword falling from her hand, still smoldering.


    But Mithra ignored the sword.


    "Ugh¡­retch¡­damn¡­roar¡­fuck¡­why¡­why¡­" Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her head, repeatedly activating Stabilize.


    Ding ding ding ding¡­


    This battle, if not for fire''s effectiveness against beasts, would have been easier than the fight against the transformed priest in Gross Town.


    But these flames had been intensely damaging and stimulating.


    Even though she had switched to the Stranger form to suppress her beastly nature, it was almost out of control, even overwhelming the Stranger form.


    Mithra slammed her face into the ground, gnawing on dirt and stones to suppress the urge to consume flesh.


    Her will felt weakened.


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t be suffering so much.


    What happened? Think! What happened?


    Those flames¡­?


    Jason had reached the peak. The flames were somehow corrupted. He had mentioned that the flames represented a spiritual fire¡­


    Mithra struggled to put her thoughts together. The burns from her transformation were regenerating, and her mental distress was causing nausea and a headache.


    She frantically struck the ground and anything nearby. The maw frantically tried to restrain her, but it struggled.


    Jason, meanwhile, had perished in the abyss, leaving behind only his fire seed.


    But Mithra didn''t care about that.


    She needed Stabilize. She needed to endure.


    Her face and scalp were covered in wounds, but she struggled to her feet, leaning against the building.


    She couldn''t go far. Only when her mental turmoil subsided did the effects of Stabilize become apparent.


    And then came an overwhelming exhaustion.


    She collapsed amidst the flames, her vision blurring as she closed her eyes.


    ...


    In the darkness, she saw a charred beast lying on the ground, licking its wounds. Its breathing was heavy; its empty eye sockets seemed filled with resentment and ferocity.


    Mithra approached, enduring the intense gaze.


    "Empathy¡­" she whispered.


    "Empathy¡­" The echo seemed to come both from within her and from the beast.


    "Empathy¡­"


    Another voice, raspy, echoed from behind.


    Mithra didn''t turn, but the long, thin left index finger covered her eyes. The source was clear.


    ...


    Mithra opened her eyes, back in reality.


    Another strange dream.


    But it wasn''t as traumatic as before. It was like her first encounter with the maw and the Stranger. If this was an exchange, it was a fair one.


    She looked around.


    She wasn''t on the street amidst the corpses. She was in a room.


    She had been unconscious again, and someone had found her.


    Or perhaps, the maw had helped.


    She shouldn''t underestimate it. Given her reckless fighting style, she might forget to activate Stabilize and collapse, relying on the maw to save her.


    She and the maw had agreed to this. The maw could fight for her, but it had no control over her body during normal times.


    Mithra''s willpower was too strong when she was conscious. Even if she wanted to relinquish control, the maw couldn''t take it.


    It was also possible that the maw was simply too weak and picky.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    But it wasn''t the maw who had helped her this time.


    The maw was upset because Mithra had been so badly burned and it had felt unwell as a result. It had only started cleaning her up once her body had almost fully regenerated.


    It had even stored Mithra''s weapons and put her clothes back on.


    Then the other had found her.


    Because they knew her and the maw don''t wanted to explain its actions, it hadn''t interfered.


    As for who had found her¡­


    Soft footsteps approached. Mithra looked up.


    It was C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³.


    A talented student from Shu¨«xi¨´ University''s Fire Department, and a returnee who had been missing in Dreamland.


    Seeing Mithra''s sudden movement, L¨ªy¨³ paused, seemingly startled, but her expression remained unchanged. "You''re awake¡­"


    Mithra stood and stretched.


    Her body was fully regenerated, the burns almost gone. After sleeping, her mental state had also improved. She felt excellent.


    L¨ªy¨³ pointed at Mithra. "Your clothes are on backward."


    Mithra: ?


    She looked down.


    They were.


    The maw was acting dead¡­


    After putting her clothes on correctly, Mithra said, "A slight mishap."


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded.


    They sat down, silent for a moment.


    Then Mithra said, "Thank you for your help."


    L¨ªy¨³ shook her head. "No, I didn''t help you in time."


    Mithra tilted her head, understanding. "You were watching?"


    "I was nearby. I saw, but I didn''t dare to help," L¨ªy¨³ whispered.


    "It''s fine. If you had helped me, I probably would have killed you," Mithra said casually. "You''re a fire seed after all."


    L¨ªy¨³''s breathing hitched. She looked up at Mithra, her gaze unfocused. "I¡­ I¡­"


    After a moment, she gave up trying to speak.


    "I know how you got here," Mithra said. "A kind Fire Seed told me. And you were targeted by that long-haired redhead, right? I''m guessing you weren''t red-haired because it wasn''t a deliberate action,"


    L¨ªy¨³ was expressionless. Her lack of expression differed from Mithra''s.


    While her facial expressions were minimal, her eyes and mouth betrayed her feelings. Even though her face remained still, she showed far more emotion than Mithra.


    Hearing Mithra''s deduction, despair flickered in her eyes. "You''re right¡­ The skyfire drew me here, and then that guy found me¡­ I thought I was safe¡­"


    "Oh?"


    L¨ªy¨³ said, "When I returned from Dreamland, my hair was red... Back on Planet Blue, it turned dark over several months. Even after returning to Dreamland, it didn''t turn red again¡­"


    Was that another example of the weakening of miracles on Planet Blue?


    Mithra pondered. "Do you remember what happened there?"


    "No," L¨ªy¨³ replied.


    "Do you want to kill other fire seeds?" Mithra asked.


    L¨ªy¨³ hesitated, then shook her head. "I feel compelled to participate, but I resist."


    "Do you resist the act of killing, or do you resist the fire seeds themselves?" Mithra asked.


    L¨ªy¨³ was stunned.


    Mithra reached into her chest and pulled out a burning flame from her maw.


    It was Jason''s fire seed, which the maw had stored since there was no space for more in her body.


    "Want to try?"


    L¨ªy¨³ quickly shook her head. "This is your loot. I don''t deserve it."


    "If you want it, you can have it. Consider it payment for your help," Mithra said.


    "Even so, it''s not comparable to the price you paid, and...I don''t want it," L¨ªy¨³ replied.


    Having been refused, Mithra tossed the fire seed into the maw''s mouth. The maw protested, but to no avail.


    While it could usually absorb and convert fire seeds into energy, Jason''s fire seed was different; it seemed beyond the maw''s capabilities.


    ¡¾True Spiritfire Seed: Utilizing the power of the Blazing Man Salutisas, exploring the secrets of fire spirits, and uncovering the hidden truth beneath the Skyfall Mountains, resulting in a unique type of fire seed. It is mysteriously linked to human psychology and exists in the blurry boundaries between life and death, humanity and bestiality. The fire seed, born from the destruction of human spirits, grows in the ambiguous dreamscape, attaining a semi-mature state. It contains some of its power, quietly awaiting the moment of its full ignition.¡¿


    The description, although vague, contained a lot of information, which required Mithra''s further analysis.


    The source of all this was the "Salutisas" skyfire.


    All the power in the Skyfall Mountains originated from its remnants.


    But this incident wasn''t about the Fire Worshipers trying to understand the Blazing Man''s past. It was a new experiment.


    According to Mithra''s understanding, the Blazing Man was the source of various unique flames, allowing flames to manifest tangible power.


    He was the foundation and origin of all fire miracles.


    However, the Blazing Man''s flames represented the purest and most extreme form of fire¡ªheat, burning, destruction.


    The other flames weren''t recorded.


    Flames could extend and absorb other properties, giving them new meaning.


    This time, the Fire Worshipers had created a spiritual flame, which Night Eyes called "True Spiritfire."


    Mithra didn''t understand fire spirits, but she had recently encountered Carazo, who used "Spiritfire," a miracle that required spiritual energy. The description mentioned "unstable fire spirits."


    "True Spiritfire" might have originated from a similar concept.


    Mithra, with her limited knowledge of fire miracles, could only speculate further.


    Suddenly, she looked down.


    L¨ªy¨³ was staring blankly at the ceiling.


    Right, this person should understand flames.


    It would be funny if a talented student from the Fire Department didn''t understand flames, especially since she should be more skilled than Mithra.


    "L¨ªy¨³, I have some questions," Mithra said.


    L¨ªy¨³ quickly looked up, her downcast gaze unsettling in the dim room. "Ask."


    Mithra didn''t hold back, explaining the True Spiritfire information.


    As a Planet Blue citizen who had been implanted with a fire seed, L¨ªy¨³''s situation was unique, and this incident was closely related to her.


    Honesty was essential.


    Then, she asked her own questions.


    About the fire spirits in the Skyfall Mountains, the spiritual aspects of fire, etc.


    L¨ªy¨³ listened, and Mithra wondered if she was even paying attention.


    "Did I speak too quickly?"


    L¨ªy¨³ shook her head. "The fire spirits in the Skyfall Mountains are flames that represent nascent life. But research suggests that mere life isn''t enough for ''activity''. In Dreamland, the symbol of ''life'' can guarantee ''existence'', but not necessarily ''activity'',"


    Mithra was impressed by her professional explanation.


    She nodded.


    "To be active, or to move mechanically, requires Ki, a symbol of ''flow,'' allowing power to move according to a certain logic. Or it requires a spirit, allowing for spontaneous movement and the emergence of basic consciousness," L¨ªy¨³ paused, then continued. "So, life is only the foundation of the fire spirit. The crucial part is that they also possess a spiritual component."


    "In Ember City folklore, there are stories of people transforming into fire spirits after death. Joint research by the Sanctuary and Planet Blue has confirmed that this isn''t entirely false. Human existence, human activity, human death¡­and this isn''t limited to humans, but also beasts¡­spiritual energy accumulates and dissipates during these processes, affecting the remaining powerful flames. Thus, fire spirits are born,"


    L¨ªy¨³ finished her explanation. Mithra rested her hand on her knee, pondering.


    "It''s similar to the description of fundamental miracles. The Sanctuary''s textbooks mention this in the ''Unified Nature of Miracles and Curses'' unit, where accumulated faith transforms into curses," Mithra said, gesturing.


    She wasn''t sure about the differences between the Sanctuary and Planet Blue''s basic miracle textbooks, but L¨ªy¨³''s vacant expression indicated agreement. "Yes, it''s the same concept. The accumulation of spiritual energy triggers changes,"


    General education courses were mandatory for miracle majors up to the fifth year, and while they didn''t delve into advanced topics, the fundamentals were still taught. Even Nie Hong could explain the concepts clearly.


    L¨ªy¨³, whose level was far above Nie Hong''s, was clearly more than just a skilled fighter.


    "As for the unique flames, there are many. Most can be directly activated via fire miracles. Some are unique and come from Godly fire miracles, transcending mere symbolism. Spiritually¡­ I''ve heard of a Godly miracle called ''Soulfire'', but I don''t know much about it,"


    Mithra was impressed by L¨ªy¨³''s detailed explanation.


    "Theoretically, True Spiritfire is unprecedented, a new development," Mithra said.


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded.


    Mithra continued. "The creation of True Spiritfire is probably their main goal."


    Knowing their objective would make it easier to act.


    "What about you?" Mithra suddenly asked L¨ªy¨³.


    L¨ªy¨³ seemed surprised.


    "You''re a part of their plan. What are you going to do?"


    "...Although I have no memory of that year, I don''t know what they did to me. Now I''m here, compelled by some force. But I don''t want to follow their plan," L¨ªy¨³ said, her voice weary.


    "You haven''t been affected that much. You''re one of only two I''ve met who weren''t consumed by the desire to kill fire seeds," Mithra commented.


    "I don''t know why. I don''t have that kind of willpower. Although I feel drawn to the fire seeds, perhaps the weakening of miracles on Planet Blue is why I haven''t been affected," L¨ªy¨³ said, still despondent.


    Your mindset is far from "battle-hungry," but you''re also too passive, Mithra thought, but didn''t say it.


    "Even the fire seeds don''t have memories, but most willingly participate, as if they were born bloodthirsty,"


    Mithra said, "Remember I said that True Spiritfire Seeds were specially prepared for ''Schizophren''?"


    L¨ªy¨³ touched her bangs. "I¡­ I''m probably normal."


    "I''m normal too," Mithra said, touching her chin, her expression unchanged.


    In Mithra''s opinion, L¨ªy¨³''s personality was normal. Perhaps her year of being missing, her amnesia, and the change in her living environment had made her shy and withdrawn.


    But her shyness wasn''t a result of fear; she was genuinely normal.


    It was just that the widespread abnormality among the Fire Seeds and the information from Night Eyes highlighted their mental issues.


    "In short, they probably weren''t specifically targeting unstable individuals; human nature is unpredictable. Even with you and that other variable, no one can guarantee that a person won''t change. You were missing for a year and have been back on Planet Blue for almost a year¡ªroughly two years. Their selection process must be more rigorous,"


    Mithra spoke slowly, and L¨ªy¨³ nodded in agreement.


    "The fire seeds have no memories, but they clearly did something while you were missing. To understand the full picture, those memories are crucial," Mithra said, looking at L¨ªy¨³.


    L¨ªy¨³ nodded slowly. "I hope to recover those memories."


    "Good. If you want to, I can help. Consider it repayment," Mithra stood up.


    "No, I didn''t do anything," L¨ªy¨³ said quickly.


    But Mithra ignored her. "I need to deal with the remaining fire seeds. If most of them end up with me, the Fire Worshipers won''t stand idly by."


    L¨ªy¨³ stood up.


    "Are you coming?" Mithra asked.


    L¨ªy¨³''s despondent expression steadied slightly. "Yes."


    ...


    "Sir, we''ve re-examined the dreamscape and detected an anomaly at approximately three o''clock,"


    The man, still sitting by the fire, frowned at the report. "Why wasn''t it detected earlier?"


    "The reaction was subtle, lasting only a few seconds. And there were other things happening at that time, so it was missed. We only noticed it after re-examining the data," the subordinate replied.


    The man said, "Explain the situation in detail."


    "A large number of fire seeds gathered and reacted as expected, producing a strong spiritual flame,"


    "And there was another one at the same time?" the man was surprised.


    Their focus had been on another part of the dreamscape, where a fire seed had gathered enough others and produced the desired flames.


    And then, there was another, unexpectedly.


    "Is this confirmed?" the man asked.


    "Multiple dreamscape monitors confirmed it. But Lyrical Flamescape isn''t fully under our control, so we can''t examine the specifics¡­ The dreamscape monitors plan to investigate the site directly,"


    The man pondered. "Our flames trigger the dreamscape''s rejection. If we intervene directly, we must use similar fire miracles. Even then, the outcome is uncertain. There are many powerful beings in the dreamscape. If we hadn''t mitigated the effects, our plan would have already failed. Even so, there''s still unavoidable damage, only our surplus resources prevent catastrophe,"


    "So, what do you suggest?"


    "Don''t directly intervene. It''s better not to give them a target. In a city as large as Ember City, there are surely many powerful and intelligent individuals¡­ Compress the dreamscape," the man said.


    "Compressing the dreamscape will put a massive strain on our dreamscape monitors¡­ And the powerful individuals we''ve excluded might re-enter the equation," the subordinate stated, aware of his superior''s nature.


    The man nodded. "But haven''t we already seen the emergence of a True Spiritfire Seed? True Spiritfire has absolute power in this dreamscape. Normal power can''t match it. This seed will become our advantage. We don''t need to investigate the other True Spiritfire Seed thoroughly. Just act boldly. Any problems will reveal themselves. If not, we''ll accelerate the fire seed''s gathering, and some sacrifice is necessary,"


    His gaze was fixed on the bonfire, now a pillar of fire, its flames flickering like a hand reaching for something in the sky.


    "Even with variables, our path is clear."


    ...


    Mithra watched as Falling Fire, taking only five seconds to activate, incinerated a group of beast fire spirits bound together by her whips. She felt a surge of excitement; she hadn''t developed any special skills in basic miracles.


    Although her focus was on Godly miracles, with Ki miracles taking priority, she had dedicated considerable effort to fire miracles.


    Her Falling Fire activation time was ten seconds, roughly twice as long as L¨ªy¨³''s.


    Before that, however, she had swiftly killed several Fire Seeds in her beast form, activating the miracle in a second or two.


    While the consequences were significant, Falling Fire''s destructive power was undeniable.


    Incinerating people with a sea of flames was truly satisfying.


    As for L¨ªy¨³, although she wasn''t a battle-hungry redhead, her mastery of fire miracles was exceptional, far surpassing that of ordinary fire believers. Her wide range of techniques explained her prominence among students.


    She had almost achieved Unified Sense, only needing to master her eyes. Achieving this at such a young age would give her an even greater advantage.


    Mithra and L¨ªy¨³ eliminated the monsters and collected some distilled sense.


    These fire spirits also produced distilled sense, but the amount was insignificant compared to what Mithra had obtained previously.


    The increase in sense power was minimal, described by Night Eyes as "extremely negligible."


    But Mithra continued collecting, accumulating power.


    The maw absorbed the purer energy, demanding its cut. Mithra, however, needed the distilled sense to replenish her own sense power.


    Mithra already had abundant sense power; the maw had consumed a lot, and the Abyssal miracles were still draining it.


    But it was still being drained, and Mithra wanted to make the most of it.


    L¨ªy¨³ warned her against it, but Mithra dismissed her.


    Suddenly, L¨ªy¨³''s gaze shifted, her eyes widening in surprise and confusion.


    "What?" Mithra asked after absorbing the sense.


    "Many fire seeds have appeared nearby," L¨ªy¨³ replied.


    Mithra paused, then asked, "Suddenly? Or did they approach gradually?"


    "Suddenly. They just appeared,"


    "A manually activated containment circle," Mithra said.


    Mithra realized the illusion hadn''t just drawn in fire seeds.


    Many other individuals had also been drawn in.


    Mithra could sense the increased density of people nearby.


    It seemed a large-scale battle was imminent.


    Suddenly, Mithra noticed some sparks.


    Sparks were common in the burning city, but if manipulated skillfully, some fire miracles could be hidden.


    Like Starfire Fuel.


    Just as Mithra was about to act, L¨ªy¨³ swiftly moved, catching the sparks in her palm. The intense heat was instantly extinguished. Nothing happened.


    ¡¾Reverse Warmth: A fire miracle. A counter-fire miracle that can reverse and negate certain fire miracles.¡¿


    Mithra had seen this miracle in her textbooks¡ªa counter-fire miracle. It was amazing, but the creator''s motives were questionable.


    This miracle wasn''t very practical. Mastery and strong sense power were required, and it didn''t work on all fire miracles.


    For example, if Starfire Fuel exploded, the reversal effect couldn''t match its speed.


    Ignoring L¨ªy¨³, Mithra raised the Abhorrence staff and tapped the ground.


    Boom.


    She vanished, reappearing near a Fire Seed, unleashing a powerful attack.


    The Fire Seed, despite his stealth, was caught off guard. His Starfire Fuel was neutralized, and Mithra''s speed and power were overwhelming.


    He narrowly dodged the initial attack, flames igniting on his body, then launched a flurry of attacks.


    Mithra moved lightly, dodging most attacks with minimal effort. Her staff easily blocked the remaining blows.


    After the attack, the Fire Seed paused, turning to catch his breath.


    Mithra simply pointed her staff at his chest.


    There was no attack, no transformation of the staff, no Abyssal miracle to pierce his defenses. She simply used the staff to push him out from behind the building.


    Instantly, multiple Starfire Fuels exploded in his face.


    Boom!


    A massive explosion followed, and the Fire Seed was gone.


    Mithra stepped back, brushing the dust from her hair.


    L¨ªy¨³ had focused the Starfire Fuel, increasing its density, creating a concentrated barrage that overwhelmed the Fire Seed''s defenses, reducing him to ash.


    Having a reliable partner was helpful.


    L¨ªy¨³ had mastered another technique.


    Mithra tossed the fire seed to the maw. She and C¨¢i L¨ªy¨³ exchanged glances.


    As they dealt with one Fire Seed, another explosion echoed nearby¡ªthe characteristic "Skyfire" phenomenon.


    Explosions rocked Ember City. Buildings were engulfed in flames.


    The battle had intensified.


    The Fire Seeds weren''t only fighting each other; they were also attacking innocent bystanders.


    Amidst the chaos, Mithra and L¨ªy¨³ efficiently eliminated fire seeds.


    As the "final round" approached, the remaining Fire Seeds had absorbed significant power, and while their strength hadn''t increased dramatically, their resilience had improved.


    "Burn¡­burn! Ha ha ha ha! I''ll be fuel, and you''ll be fuel! The whole world will burn! Only from ashes will a new world be born!" a Fire Seed screamed, his face contorted, as Mithra used her whip to restrain him.


    She absorbed his fire seed¡ªshe was lucky; he had produced distilled sense.


    After absorbing it, she headed towards another battle.


    She turned to see L¨ªy¨³ staring at the head, its grotesque and frenzied expression frozen in death.


    "A hobby?"


    "??" Even the impassive L¨ªy¨³ was taken aback by the question.


    "...No, I don''t like this kind of thing."


    "Then why are you staring?" Mithra asked, turning away.


    "I''m thinking that these fire seeds are more¡­ abnormal than expected," L¨ªy¨³ said, exasperated.


    Mithra continued walking. "Let''s go." She didn''t wait for a response.


    L¨ªy¨³ found Mithra''s attitude strange but didn''t question it, sighing before continuing to follow.


    Suddenly, in the distance, Mithra noticed figures moving swiftly through the air and buildings.


    These figures possessed powerful, flowing Ki, their radiant senses visible even from a distance. They weren''t using fire miracles. This seemed to be a group of ordinary people.


    And they were facing a single opponent.


    "Is that a fire seed?"


    As soon as Mithra asked, a massive explosion of fire erupted, engulfing many of the attackers.


    "Yes," L¨ªy¨³ replied, stunned.


    But she didn''t need to answer.


    Mithra''s Night Eyes displayed two pieces of information:


    One was the powerful fire miracle, ¡¾Nirvana Bloom¡¿.


    The other was related to ¡¾True Spiritfire Seed¡¿.


    Clearly, it was another Fire Seed who had obtained True Spiritfire.


    Unlike Jason, who had been arrogant enough to challenge Mithra and was swiftly killed, this one had fully unleashed his powers.


    As the explosion subsided, the figures that had been engulfed fell to the ground, their bodies mangled.


    Even being reduced to mincemeat was a testament to their strength; most would have been incinerated.


    "We need to¡­" L¨ªy¨³ hesitated.


    "That''s our main objective," Mithra said, continuing to walk.


    At that moment, a voice called out, "Don''t go."


    Mithra turned to see Carazo, one of the friendly fire seeds, standing before them.

 Chapter 80: Vessel

    ¡°Long time no see. Time isn¡¯t exactly¡­linear here, and I don¡¯t bother keeping track, so it¡¯s been a very long time indeed. I¡¯m delighted to see you¡¯re alive and still possess all your limbs.¡± Mithra¡¯s expression remained unchanged, yet her words held genuine warmth, though her calm, even tone somewhat undermined their sincerity.


    Carazo met Mithra¡¯s gaze as he had before, offering a somewhat resigned sigh: ¡°The point is, I don''t want to go. I''ve had close contact with that thing once, and it''s not something we should trifle with. That flame-type believer whose growth it spurred is barely at the Unified Sense level, yet the nature of that flame is extremely well-suited to this illusion, capable of unleashing tremendous power.¡±


    ¡°How tremendous?¡± Mithra asked directly.


    ¡°Consider this: most of those involved in the recent sweep were Unified Sense practitioners who had progressed towards Clarity. What¡¯s your assessment?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­it seems passable?¡± Mithra replied.


    Clarity, while a significant advancement beyond Unified Sense, isn¡¯t a direct determinant of fundamental strength.


    Unified Sense involves harnessing one''s senses to achieve miracles, while Clarity, from Mithra¡¯s current understanding, entails imprinting miracles onto one''s body.


    They call it ¡°Fixing¡± Miracles.


    Among a collection of miracles, one selects a few¡ªthe most proficient, powerful, and crucially, the most suitable¡ªand imprints them onto their body.


    Imprinted miracles, and the Clarity practitioner, become one; they truly become part of the body.


    The intensity increases many times over, and it even eliminates the need for the cumbersome pre-casting rituals involved in deploying miracles, significantly reducing the demand on sensory capabilities. Consequently, miracles can be sustained indefinitely with only the lowest threshold of continuous sensory input.


    Mithra hasn¡¯t thoroughly investigated other miscellaneous matters yet, but her biggest hope for this stage is achieving Stabilize freedom.


    She wants to Stabilize the continuous operation of all her miracles!


    The topic seems to have strayed, but the point is, at present, both Unified Sense and Clarity aim to better control and utilize miracles simultaneously.


    However, the most fundamental factor determining raw strength, aside from inherent sensory capacity, remains the miracles themselves.


    Mithra, even at her current Unified Sense level, is far weaker than many she has slaughtered, yet her immense sensory abilities support her God-Communication miracle, the Abyssal miracle, her head-exploding-doesn''t-matter regeneration, weapon auto-adaptation, and the experimental divine weapons.


    With conditions like these, she can slaughter foes despite having seemingly little foundation.


    Of course, a big mouth, reckless boldness, and the ability to bluff are also extremely important.


    Therefore, she remains ambivalent toward God-Communication masters and Clarity masters.


    Although she''s seen Clarity practitioners on Planet Blue before, even they probably couldn''t have matched the Stranger and the Night Hunter.


    Clarity practitioners, whether on Planet Blue or in Dreamland, while certainly not rare, aren¡¯t exactly ubiquitous.


    Following this, Carazo could only twitch his lips at Mithra''s words, unsure of what to say.


    ¡°How¡¯s your combat situation?¡± Mithra countered.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­manageable¡­¡± Carazo nodded slightly, his expression rather listless.


    Mithra glanced at Liyu. "Is this typical of Fire Seed mentality?"


    Liyu, looking at Carazo, felt a surge of shared empathy.


    Mithra gestured towards Liyu: ¡°She¡¯s also a Fire Seed, with a similar situation; she¡¯s searching for her lost past.¡±


    Carazo looked at Liyu with some surprise: ¡°Not red hair.¡±


    Clearly, she was going to get scolded.


    ¡°Greetings¡­ I am from Planet Blue, Enchanting Land.¡± Liyu said.


    Carazo was momentarily stunned. ¡°Enchanting Land¡¯s miraculous suppression¡­ could it even affect Fire Seeds?¡±


    Before Mithra could respond, he continued: ¡°Then why come here? Isn''t hiding in the relatively safe and peaceful world of Enchanting Land better?¡±


    Liyu answered: ¡°I don¡¯t want to be haunted by lost memories and recurring nightmares.¡±


    ¡°If you''re Fire Seed, I wonder if you felt the impact of the FkyFire in Enchanting Land. Even without memories, the knowledge that this is anything but good is evident. Most Fire Seeds undergo a drastic personality change the moment they''re affected, becoming the ferocious beings they are now. With such a hellish scenario before you, does the truth even matter?¡± Carazo pressed, almost accusingly.


    Mithra silently observed Carazo, whose sudden outburst clearly betrayed his inner turmoil.


    Liyu, also taken aback by the question, merely pressed her lips together, unable to immediately respond.


    ¡°It¡¯s just that you feel compelled to stop other Fire Seeds; you feel you can¡¯t not do it,¡± Mithra said on her behalf.


    Carazo looked at Mithra with disdain: ¡°Foolish people.¡±


    Mithra shrugged.


    However, a detail from the life-or-death battle he''d almost forgotten occurred to him: ¡°By the way, did you see a small Ki believer and a Water believer with a crab-like hairstyle? Roughly the same age as her?¡± He pointed towards Liyu.


    Fellow believers from Planet Blue, Nie Hong and Leo Duncan, probably couldn''t escape this.


    The vast, dreamscape was now a "final round"; perhaps the chances of meeting again were slightly higher.


    Provided they hadn''t been burned to ashes, that is.


    Carazo adjusted his mood, thoughtfully replying: ¡°Ki believers are rare; I''ve never seen one. Water believers are plentiful, but what¡¯s a ¡®crab-like hairstyle¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Alright, it seems we can only let that go for now. The situation is urgent; how about we cooperate for the time being?¡± Mithra asked Carazo again.


    Carazo seemed uneasy: ¡°No, no¡­ I can¡¯t cooperate with you.¡±


    ¡°Why? We¡¯re all gathered here; acting alone is far more dangerous,¡± Mithra¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Their conversation had gone on for quite some time.


    Suddenly, a fiery light descended¡ªanother Fire Seed had arrived.


    ¡°Burn! This filthy, dog-shit world, burn it all! What does becoming a god matter? What does becoming an offering matter? It¡¯s all meaningless! What are you waiting for? Let''s destroy everything together!¡± The crazed Fire Seed roared.


    The other Fire Seeds, who had previously been somewhat focused on attacking Mithra, now seemed completely unhinged.


    ...


    ¡°Damn it, why¡¯s the density suddenly increased so much? It¡¯s incredibly dangerous now; it''s all crazies out there!¡± Nie Hong, head hung low, stumbled back into a room.


    ¡°The situation¡¯s gone to hell¡­¡± Inside the room, Leo Duncan frowned, his hand on his forehead, utterly frustrated.


    They had both reappeared in this strange place and found each other soon after.


    But even together, they were helpless against this.


    When would this ordeal end?


    Could it even end?


    Leo Duncan and Nie Hong looked around the room.


    They weren''t alone.


    Along the way, they had gathered a group of unfortunate individuals caught in this, also believers but with poor combat experience; against the wild beasts and fire spirits, they were barely keeping it together, let alone those red-haired maniacs.


    Leo Duncan and Nie Hong were essentially playing the roles of both parents and guardians.


    ¡°If only Mithra were here,¡± Leo Duncan sighed.


    Nie Hong said nothing.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t felt hunger or thirst in this world for so long, this might be an illusion. But relatedly, what exactly is the connection between this illusion and the outside world? How much time has passed out there? When will rescue arrive?¡± Leo Duncan, despite his sharp intellect, could only deduce a few plausible possibilities.


    Suddenly, Nie Hong turned towards the window.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°A powerful presence is approaching, a very strong one. It might be those red-haired crazies.¡± Nie Hong reported directly, without preamble.


    Leo Duncan furrowed his brow: ¡°Where¡¯s it coming from?¡±


    ¡°Its location is roughly a few dozen meters east, at the end of that street. It¡¯s moving without a clear objective, wandering, but still approaching here.¡±


    Leo Duncan looked at the others in the room.


    Damn it, this is bad.


    If they¡¯re discovered, with the scale of those red-haired maniacs¡¯ flame miracles, everyone in this building will be incinerated!


    ¡°Excuse me, what¡¯s happening?¡± A Planet Blue resident, overhearing their conversation, asked anxiously.


    ¡°Shut up, I¡¯m thinking,¡± Leo Duncan said, his face covered in sweat.


    Hopefully, they won''t be noticed, and getting away from here will be the best outcome¡­ For now, that seems to be their only hope; there are no other options.


    Nie Hong frowned: ¡°It¡¯s still approaching¡­ At this distance, it¡¯s nearly impossible to hide this many people from a high-level Unified Sense believer.¡±


    ¡°The commotion outside is loud; there¡¯s a chance we can hide,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°Even if we¡¯re discovered, we might be able to escape, but these people will almost certainly die. Are we counting on a divine intervention from Mithra?¡± Nie Hong asked Leo Duncan.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to die?!¡± A Planet Blue student whispered, then was silenced by the death glares from Leo Duncan and Nie Hong.


    ¡°¡­.Right,¡± Leo Duncan¡¯s face fell as he mumbled.


    Intelligence gathering and observation are useless here! Raw power! Raw power! Raw power!


    ¡°But for now, we can only try our luck; after all, our strength isn''t enough,¡± Nie Hong changed tack, agreeing with Leo Duncan and turning to leave.


    ¡°Hey, you monkey, don¡¯t go doing some stupid, individual heroic thing¡­¡± Leo Duncan called out to him in a low voice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do our best, leave the rest to fate,¡± Nie Hong said resolutely before decisively opening the door and heading out.


    ...


    The thrown daggers melted instantly under the intense heat. A Fire Seed, body engulfed in flames, approached Nie Hong with a ferocious expression, repeatedly lunging to seize him and burn him to ashes.


    Nie Hong desperately dodged, using his Ki Attraction to lead the opponent''s movements.


    Just as he condensed his Ki Absorption Hand to intercept the opponent''s attack, the Fire Seed''s flames swelled, engulfing the space he attempted to occupy. Nie Hong¡¯s Ki shield wasn¡¯t strong enough to deflect such a massive inferno.


    His outstretched arm was burned.


    Nie Hong gritted his teeth, foregoing an immediate retreat, using his Ki to deflect the flames slightly. A dagger, quickly conjured through his Ki Attraction, shot from under his arm, piercing a weak point in the opponent''s flames before they could react.


    The Fire Seed staggered back, pulling the dagger from its arm. Blood and the dagger were consumed by the flames.


    ¡°Ha ha, ha¡­hahaha¡­¡± The Fire Seed looked at its wound and let out a low, maniacal laugh.


    Nie Hong¡¯s skin was badly burned across large areas; while the depth of the burns was manageable thanks to his protection, the surface area was considerable. Without prompt treatment, he would likely be scarred.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Future Unified Sense-based life lock wouldn''t heal these kinds of injuries.


    The forced grab of the opponent¡¯s arm also resulted in injuries to his own.


    ¡°Laugh your mother, you imbecile!¡± Nie Hong retorted through gritted teeth, cold sweat pouring down his face.


    He had ventured out alone to lure this Fire Seed, and was immediately spotted and pursued.


    Even after managing to escape a considerable distance, he was caught up with and now faced his enemy.


    The opponent, a completed Unified Sense believer, was of a higher level; the intensity of their flame miracles was far beyond what Nie Hong¡¯s Ki miracles could easily handle.


    The Fire Seed suddenly lunged at Nie Hong.


    Nie Hong was startled and quickly rolled aside. Though clumsy, he narrowly avoided the immediate explosion of refined fire that engulfed his original position.


    The Fire Seed, seizing the opportunity, unleashed an Inflammation attack, using the refined fire explosion to close the distance. With a swift kick, it struck Nie Hong in the abdomen before he could recover.


    Saliva sprayed; Nie Hong was sent flying. The Fire Seed quickly hurled a molten hand at him.


    Using Control Object to adjust his clothing and body shape while manipulating his Ki to entangle the opponent''s arm, Nie Hong tried to evade, but the molten hand still grazed his chest.


    Enduring the intense pain, Nie Hong forcefully arched his body mid-air, using his core strength to deliver a kick.


    The Fire Protection expanded, sending him flying backward.


    He rolled across the ground, finally coming to a stop against a wall.


    The Fire Seed raised a hand, forming a falling column of fire above his head.


    Nie Hong shakily stood, a dagger clutched in his hand, still pointed at the Fire Seed.


    Just as the falling fire was about to strike, the Fire Seed abruptly turned, sending its flames towards its rear.


    A curtain of water clashed with the flames, creating swirling steam. Leo Duncan rushed forward, water flowing smoothly around him; Water Manipulation¡ªstreaming torrent!


    Countless tiny streams of water, forming water needles with unpredictable trajectories, enveloped the Fire Seed.


    The Fire Seed tried to resist, but the water needles pierced through its Fire Shield, wounding its flesh.


    Immediately after the wound appeared, the Fire Seed resolved itself, unleashing a massive fireball towards Leo Duncan.


    A Water Shield formed, reinforced substantially, and Leo Duncan swiftly charged through the fireball barrage.


    Just as the Fire Seed braced for the attack, Leo Duncan deftly slipped past, reaching Nie Hong, lifting him, and pulling him away.


    ¡°What are you doing here? Playing crab-in-a-pot?¡± Nie Hong asked Leo Duncan.


    Leo Duncan¡¯s maneuver, although swift, suffered significantly from the crossfire, immediately resulting in several minor burns.


    ¡°You monkey, don¡¯t act tough. Damn it, you¡¯re reckless!¡± Leo Duncan, after a brush with that intense firepower, had suffered numerous minor wounds; seeing Nie Hong¡¯s condition, he was quite shocked.


    He quickly initiated Water Purification healing, doing what little he could.


    The Fire Seed was slightly surprised: ¡°So you''re friends? Excellent, excellent. Let¡¯s burn together; even our ashes will mingle.¡±


    ¡°Put me down,¡± Nie Hong ignored the Fire Seed, addressing Leo Duncan.


    ¡°What for? Retreating is the only option now,¡± Leo Duncan questioned, but still put him down.


    ¡°Retreat¡¯s impossible. There are too many flames here. He can use that Inflammation miracle, though not skillfully. But since neither of us has any mobility miracles, we won''t escape,¡± Nie Hong stated, fixing his gaze on the opponent.


    Molten lava streamed down the Fire Seed¡¯s body as it approached, seemingly unhurried.


    ¡°Damn it, we¡¯re screwed. We have to fight,¡± Leo Duncan¡¯s hands trembled slightly.


    No life lock, a true life-or-death struggle, with no guaranteed survival.


    ¡°With you, we can fight. This maniac isn''t that strong. If we can break through its firepower, we have a chance. I can¡¯t handle its firepower and shield simultaneously, but with you, we have a chance,¡± Nie Hong calmly stated.


    ¡°¡­.Right, a simple plan then,¡± Leo Duncan quickly steadied his breathing, then said.


    After a brief exchange, Nie Hong produced a bottle of strong liquor and drank it down in one gulp.


    He hadn¡¯t had time during the pursuit; now that he had the opportunity, he didn''t hesitate.


    He slammed the empty bottle to the ground. Behind Nie Hong, an Ki pattern flickered, his body turning red, even emitting steam¡ªKi Combustion!


    From Leo Duncan¡¯s eyes, a torrent of water erupted, spreading around him.


    In the next instant, both launched their attack.


    Reinforce Body pushed to the limit, their figures blurred as they dashed towards their opponent.


    The Fire Seed laughed, raising both hands, unleashing a massive flame miracle that engulfed the area indiscriminately.


    A crimson flame surged through the network of fire, and a high-pressure column of water erupted from Leo Duncan''s fingertips, aimed directly at the opponent¡¯s forehead.


    However, the column of water left a trail of steam, and the final thin thread was vaporized by the Fire Shield.


    The crimson figure sped along the trail of steam; Nie Hong no longer felt the burning pain¡ªthe intense heat had numbed his senses.


    Ki Combustion accelerated the flow of blood and sensory input in his body, combined with Reinforce Body enhancements. This was Nie Hong''s most powerful burst of speed.


    The dagger in his hand, also infused with Reinforce Body, sliced through the air, leaving a red and white trail towards the Fire Seed.


    The Fire Shield was ripped open, and this time, the wound inflicted on the Fire Seed was far from negligible; blood gushed from its chest, staining its robes red.


    The startled Fire Seed retaliated swiftly, its body transforming into molten lava and launching a rapid counterattack at Nie Hong.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The crimson Ki Combustion flames clashed with the reddish-gold flames. Nie Hong, empowered by Ki Combustion, withstood the barrage, even managing occasional counterattacks.


    Leo Duncan, slightly behind, swiftly joined the fray to assist Nie Hong.


    His refined punches and kicks, combined with his Water techniques, brought the battle to a relatively even balance.


    However, the damage inflicted by the body-molten-lava transformation prevented a true head-on confrontation. They could only maneuver and seek opportunities.


    In a short time, Leo Duncan¡¯s burns increased.


    For Nie Hong, the pain was inconsequential.


    Their gazes unwavering, Nie Hong kicked the opponent back several steps, and the remaining daggers clinging to his Ki Combustion flames struck repeatedly.


    Leo Duncan''s Water Needle miracles, combined with his Streaming Torrent techniques, continued relentlessly from another angle.


    Wear him down, wear him down! Exploit every weakness, weaken every flame, increase the odds of victory! Leo Duncan''s eyes darted, scrutinizing every detail.


    Under such a fierce assault, the Fire Seed inevitably showed signs of fatigue.


    Leo Duncan seized the opportunity, and Nie Hong followed suit, launching simultaneous punches and palm strikes. The Fire Seed raised both hands to defend, locked in a brief stalemate.


    A stalemate!?


    Leo Duncan was stunned. With the lava on its hands, they shouldn''t have had the means for a stalemate, but the lava on the Fire Seed''s hands had significantly diminished! But that wasn''t a sign of simple exhaustion. Leo Duncan abruptly shifted his gaze to the Fire Seed''s feet.


    The lava had inexplicably shifted to its legs! He had been so focused on exploiting the weaknesses in the Fire Shield that he hadn''t noticed this crucial change!


    But with the lava on its feet, it couldn''t mount a swift attack¡­


    Just as he thought that, several sparks of refined fire landed on the lava at the Fire Seed''s feet.


    Refined Fire Explosion? Now?!


    Boom!


    It wasn''t a violent explosion, but a large eruption of lava. Nie Hong and Leo Duncan attempted to retreat, but were caught in the backlash.


    Despite their efforts to dodge and block, they were still hit by numerous lava projectiles.


    ¡°You dare touch me?!¡±


    At that moment, Nie Hong roared.


    The Fire Seed actively dispelled its Fire Protection to grab them, but this allowed Nie Hong to make sustained contact.


    Ki Absorption Hand!


    The Fire Seed was stunned; its Ki began to drain rapidly.


    It tried to pull back its hand.


    Leo Duncan managed to break free, but Nie Hong remained clasped in the opponent''s grasp.


    The Fire Seed''s Fire Protection reignited, engulfing Nie Hong completely.


    At that moment, using the Raging River technique in conjunction with the Waterfall miracle, Leo Duncan, after gathering his strength, swiftly delivered a palm strike the instant the Fire Seed''s attention shifted.


    Bang!


    A powerful wave of water extinguished some of the flames, striking the opponent in the abdomen, causing a pained cry.


    The Fire Seed flung Nie Hong to the ground and swiftly retreated, dodging Leo Duncan''s second strike.


    Leo Duncan, seeing the Fire Seed clutching its abdomen and retreating, tried to pursue, but the lava burns on his leg hampered his movements.


    This is bad. If distance is gained¡­


    Bang!


    A heavy thud. Nie Hong, flung to the ground, rolled over, using the momentum to propel himself upward and charge forward.


    Leo Duncan noticed that Nie Hong¡¯s abdomen was burned through by lava! He was entirely sustained by Ki Combustion!


    Damn it, why so reckless?! That damn monkey!


    The Fire Seed, already depleted of a large amount of Ki, and further affected by the Ki Combustion, experienced an internal explosion caused by uncontrolled ignition of its remaining Ki.


    Ki Combustion flames were unrelated to their flames! And these were flames originating from within the body!


    Ki Combustion flames were unrelated to their flames, especially since these were internally generated flames!


    His steps faltered, but he still unleashed a flame miracle to stop Nie Hong.


    Nie Hong pursued with relentless attacks, the roles of hunter and hunted reversed to their extremes.


    Leo Duncan braced himself, a torrent of water pouring from his eyes, then soaring into the air.


    Water Miracle, torrential rain! Combined with the Raging River technique!


    Raging River was a powerful, heavy-handed transformation technique; the delicate nature of the Torrential Rain miracle, which created a downpour, was normally difficult to integrate, but he was Leo Duncan, a genius, a nobleman!


    Therefore, he had to make it work!


    Heavy rain fell violently, like an invisible mace, engulfing the Fire Seed.


    Falling Fire rapidly ascended, using the miracle to guide the rising flames, dispersing the torrential rain.


    The Fire Seed felt dizzy and disoriented, its vision turning black.


    Weakened by the relentless assault, its body neared its limit.


    A hazy white fog filled its vision, the torrential rain clashing with its flames in a blurry, chaotic melee.


    Its mind struggled to process information, yet it was suffering from blood loss and dizziness.


    A crimson flash suddenly appeared in the fog and white smoke behind it. It felt intense heat, not originating from its own flames or those of the illusion.


    It was¡­?!


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    Several daggers pierced its back, emerging from its chest.


    Blood gushed from its mouth. It staggered, turning to unleash flames, but found nothing.


    Without hesitation, it turned again. Before its eyes, it saw the swirling Ki Combustion flames, a burned and misshapen hand, clenched into a fist, smashing into its face.


    Crushing its skull!


    ...


    ¡°Monkey¡­ monkey¡­? Nie Hong!¡±


    Nie Hong awoke from a haze.


    He instinctively took a deep breath. The intense pain coursing through his body nearly knocked him unconscious again. Even though his body felt completely useless, he desperately tried to activate Stabilize.


    Ding~.


    Slightly better¡­ Although the pain was worse, at least he wouldn''t faint from it.


    Huh? He didn''t consciously activate it? Stabilize was activated automatically?!


    Nie Hong quickly checked.


    His eyes, nose, and mouth had somehow achieved Unified Sense?!


    He had just completed Unified Sense for his body and was about to move on to his head! And he''d suddenly surpassed 3 thresholds?!


    ¡°Dazed?¡±


    Only then did he regain his composure, seeing Leo Duncan sitting beside him.


    They seemed to be temporarily sheltered in a dilapidated building. He must have been carried back by Leo Duncan.


    Leo Duncan was covered in wounds, his clothes torn, his crab-like hairstyle now resembling a bird''s nest. The fact that he wasn¡¯t burned to ashes was a miracle.


    ¡°¡­We won,¡± Nie Hong swallowed, whispering.


    ¡°Yeah, just as planned. Close-quarters combat to wear him down, torrential rain to disrupt, then seize the opportunity to finish him off. Well done,¡± Leo Duncan''s voice was strained. He licked his lips after uttering the final words.


    ¡°We actually won¡­ and I didn''t die. With that level of Ki Combustion, even I thought I was going to die,¡± Nie Hong was astonished.


    ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t you already master Ki Combustion? Even if it was mid-battle, you probably didn¡¯t react; you were just focused on killing the opponent,¡± Leo Duncan looked at Nie Hong with a strange expression.


    Nie Hong was even more dumbfounded. ¡°I also instantly completed Unified Sense for my head ¨C three thresholds.¡±


    ¡°¡­Damn it.¡± Even the prodigious Leo Duncan couldn''t help but curse.


    His Unified Sense progress was instantly matched?! Excluding his innate Unified Sense, he was even slightly behind!


    Could a life-or-death battle be this stimulating? It''s completely illogical!


    Although¡­ his Water techniques had finally broken through; the interplay of refined and powerful techniques was finally clear to him.


    Nie Hong looked at his abdomen, roughly bandaged; thanks to Leo Duncan''s treatment, his wounds were stabilized.


    ¡°Monkey, you¡¯re no longer a rough gem; your brilliance is finally shining,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°Thanks, crab.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. We¡¯ve done our part; now we wait for fate to rescue us,¡± Leo Duncan said, slowly lying down, staring at the inky black sky through the ruined roof.


    Two severely wounded teenagers, side-by-side, gazed at the dark sky, their breathing gradually evening out.


    ...


    Mithra suddenly glanced into the distance.


    At his feet, a Fire Seed desperately struggled, attempting to unleash a flame miracle, but before it could fully manifest, Mithra''s staff pierced its head, pinning it to the ground.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Liyu asked, noticing Mithra¡¯s sudden turn.


    ¡°Nothing. Just wondering if your classmates have become grilled monkeys and steamed crabs.¡±


    Liyu blushed slightly. ¡°I hope they¡¯re alright.¡±


    ¡°Even though they''re reckless fools, I have a feeling they''ll be fine,¡± Mithra said, turning back.


    ¡°They really are amazing,¡± Liyu echoed.


    Having said that, the wide-mouthed Mithra collected the Fire Seed, activating the automatic search function. Mithra then again looked towards Carazo, who had maintained his distance throughout.


    ¡°Is there any reason to stay so far away? Is this place not clean enough?¡± Mithra asked.


    Carazo was in a bad state. Compared to his initial aggression, he now displayed excessive emotional vulnerability, his whole being emanating a depressing, disillusioned energy.


    ¡°I want to find that thing from earlier,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to go!¡± Carazo vehemently retorted.


    The mention of it had instantly restored his previous demeanor.


    ¡°Why the rush? Because it¡¯s powerful, you won''t go? Then why bother stopping other Fire Seeds?¡± Mithra asked.


    Liyu felt Mithra was right.


    ¡°I''m telling you, that thing in this illusion is invincible. Searching for it is pointless; it¡¯s just a suicide mission,¡± Carazo emphasized.


    ¡°But how can we neutralize the Fire Worship cult without dealing with that thing?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait for them to leave. Once that thing appears, the Fire Worship cult will likely have achieved its goals. Soon, they¡¯ll leave; after leaving this illusion, everything will be easier to handle,¡± Carazo explained.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Mithra suddenly glanced again into the distance. ¡°Liyu, isn¡¯t that¡­closer?¡±


    Liyu looked, immediately becoming tense. ¡°Yes! It is!¡±


    A fierce battle was still raging there; judging by the surrounding landmarks, it hadn''t moved much, but to Liyu, it felt undeniably closer.


    Mithra¡¯s spatial sense was impaired here, but not completely absent.


    ¡°The illusion is still contracting; we''ll collide sooner or later. We don''t have much time,¡± Mithra said.


    Carazo¡¯s face paled.


    Silence fell for a moment.


    Suddenly, Mithra said, ¡°Do you remember your name?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I am Carazo¡­¡± Carazo replied with difficulty.


    ¡°Do you remember anything else?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I think I remember¡­¡± Carazo¡¯s voice grew weaker, his face paler.


    Suddenly, a stray fireball slammed into the ruins behind Mithra, exploding with a blast that ruffled Mithra¡¯s clothes.


    They turned to see the battle zone shifting towards them.


    Several loud thuds echoed through the air as several figures fell, landing near them¡ªburned corpses.


    In the next instant, a terrifying figure landed not far from them.


    Its body was shrouded in raging flames, staggering towards them.


    The intense heat from the flames distorted the surrounding air.


    The flames around it receded slightly.


    Liyu gasped.


    Mithra remained impassive.


    Carazo.


    Another Carazo, leading another group of True Spiritfire Fire Seeds, appeared.


    The Carazo conversing with Mithra stared in astonishment at the newcomer.


    This True Spiritfire Carazo was in a terrible state: sweat drenched his face, bloodshot eyes, disheveled hair, and a shaky body; his gait was unsteady.


    ¡°It¡¯s me¡­ it¡¯s me who burned¡­ I¡­ it¡¯s all me¡­¡± This Carazo muttered incessantly.


    Then, clutching his head, he groaned in pain.


    At that moment, long, slender bones materialized, wrapping around him. The flames, sentient, formed serpentine fire spirits, which, fueled by his agony, suddenly lunged towards Mithra and Liyu.


    Mithra and Liyu dodged.


    ¡°What is this¡­?¡± Liyu asked anxiously.


    Mithra didn¡¯t answer, walking straight to the other Carazo. ¡°You two aren''t brothers, are you? Should''ve explained that beforehand if you''re twins.¡±


    Carazo looked at Mithra, offering no response to his jest; only a look of anguish appeared on his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    As the words left his lips, Mithra¡¯s eyes widened slightly.


    Before him, there was nothing.


    There was no Carazo; he had been speaking to empty air?!


    ¡°Mithra!¡± Liyu suddenly shouted.


    Mithra turned, his staff transforming into a bladed whip, striking out; the fire serpent was sliced from its mouth, its bones shattering, its flames extinguishing.


    Gently flicking away the remaining flames from the whip, Mithra looked at the now-deranged Carazo.


    ¡°Liyu, move back. You won¡¯t have a chance to intervene in what''s about to happen,¡± Mithra said.


    Liyu¡¯s lips moved, finally nodding and retreating.


    Carazo¡¯s gaze fixated on Mithra: ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ so sorry¡­ I¡­ I burned everything¡­ I¡¯m worthless¡­ I deserve to die¡­ I¡­ I can¡¯t control myself¡­¡±


    Although he looked at Mithra, Mithra sensed his gaze was entirely vacant, unfocused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask again. Do you remember your name?¡± Mithra¡¯s voice resonated with power.


    Carazo¡¯s clouded eyes flickered slightly. He slowly mumbled, ¡°I am¡­ I¡­ don¡¯t¡­ know¡­¡±


    At that moment, a message flashed before Mithra¡¯s Night Eyes.


    ¡¾¡°True Spiritfire ? Fire Seed Vessel,¡± ¡ö¡ö Cause: A void vessel controlled by a specific flame. Illusory and real indistinguishable Fire Seeds require a real vessel at birth; those whose spirits are fractured and empty are ideal hosts. Convergence is the destiny of Fire Seeds. What they experienced in suffering, what they forgot, that void¡ªthat is the fuel for True Spiritfire.¡¿


    The flames spread, distorting reality with heat and chaotic phenomena. This wasn¡¯t merely a visual effect; the surrounding space seemed to be genuinely warping.


    Fire spirits clawed their way from the inferno, taking on individual forms.


    Liyu, watching from afar, felt a growing sense of dread.


    Mithra slowly advanced, gently tapping his staff on the ground.


    Thump.

 Chapter 81: Forgotten

    The Dreamscape began to warp, Mithra¡¯s spatial senses pushed to their limit. Ten meters beyond her, distance became almost impossible to judge.


    She surged forward, her staff transforming into a sword, one hand wielding a hammer, slaughtering countless fire spirits in a whirlwind of motion.


    Flames dissipated and reformed, shattered skeletons reassembled; there was no end in sight.


    Mithra, trampling flames and bones, raced towards Carazo. Fire spirits endlessly spawned, falling and rising in a relentless tide against her, while she fought and ran.


    Numerous wounds blossomed across her body, the flames burning her will, unsettling her spirit. The bloodlust of the beast and The Stranger¡¯s fury surged within her.


    ¡°Open wide, eat.¡±


    Her vision completely obscured by the mass of fire spirits, finding no opening, Mithra¡¯s steps never faltered; instead, she calmly spoke.


    ¡°Hungry¡­!¡±


    The tongue shot out, piercing her chest and extending outwards.


    The Maw contained another True Spiritfire seed; while unable to digest it, simply holding it allowed The Maw to forcibly manipulate a portion of its essence. Combined with the many seeds consumed before, The Maw directly channeled True Spiritfire power.


    True Spiritfire adhered to her tongue, swiftly clearing the surrounding fire spirits, forging a path for Mithra.


    The influence of Carazo¡¯s True Spiritfire on Mithra¡¯s will was dispelled. She pressed her attack, reaching Carazo.


    Carazo roared, striking with a mighty blow. Miraculous intent and True Spiritfire aided each other, his claws and fangs a ferocious onslaught against Mithra.


    True Spiritfire clung to the hammer, fiercely resisting. In her other hand, the staff-sword repeatedly separated, transforming into a whip of blades. Darkness coalesced in her palm, aimed at Carazo.


    At that moment, the fire tiger battling Mithra exploded, engulfing both her and Carazo.


    Mithra¡¯s body, wrapped in flames, tumbled across the ground before rising, ignoring the fire; this was a time for burning.


    Carazo remained unscathed.


    Ordinary miraculous flames would injure a fire believer, but clearly the True Spiritfire seed transcended this lowly ¡°self-harm.¡±


    ¡°Aaaagh!¡± Carazo clutched his head, screaming in pain.


    The surrounding illusory scene shifted with this cry and the twisting air from the surrounding flames.


    The burning ruins of Ember City transformed into another scene, seemingly a small town.


    Mountains and rivers were clear, the wind gentle, a stark contrast to the burning city.


    Mithra had just turned to look when a fireball hurtled towards her.


    Parrying the fireball with her staff, Mithra looked at Carazo: ¡°Isn¡¯t this a memory kill? Do memory kills still fight?¡±


    But Carazo seemed further enraged, his fiery assault intensified. A terrifying inferno forced Mithra to retreat, even The Maw offering little aid against this onslaught.


    However, these flames didn''t harm the surrounding scene, seeming separated from it.


    In the distance, Liyu stood within the scene, gazing around.


    In the quaint little town, villagers lived peaceful lives, their laughter and chatter filling the air, a picture of idyllic serenity.


    She saw Carazo, but a different Carazo, one existing within this scene.


    His hair was not yet dyed red, clad in simple clothes, walking with his three children. He had two daughters and a son.


    His life, though ordinary, was happy.


    Even though his wife had passed away early, he diligently raised his three children. He bravely faced the pain of his wife''s death and boldly embraced the future.


    Initial hardships couldn''t break him; he believed things would get better.


    Then, one day, he was engulfed by fire.


    ...


    Mithra, cloaked in flames, pierced Carazo¡¯s inferno, the burning and rebirth a constant battle upon her. Her visage was ferocious, like a demon.


    Carazo tried to block her, but Mithra¡¯s hammer shattered his hand. Her staff-sword followed, slicing a bloody gash across his chest.


    At that moment, the scene shifted.


    The peaceful idyllic landscape returned to burning devastation, but this time it wasn''t Ember City, but the small town where Carazo had once lived.


    ¡°No¡­ no¡­ don¡¯t do this¡­ My daughters¡­ my son¡­ Finn¡­ no¡­¡± Carazo knelt, tears falling and instantly evaporating.


    His pleas only fueled the flames erupting from his body.


    Mithra waded through a sea of fire; countless fire spirits, humanoid in form, grasped at her, pulling her to the ground.


    Liyu¡¯s pupils violently trembled. She saw the figure standing amidst the burning town''s ruins; it was "Carazo," transformed into the red-haired Carazo.


    His face was demonic, flames consuming everything around him; charred corpses littered the town.


    Children cried before him, their wails driving him further into a frenzy of destruction.


    The flames consumed all.


    Liyu watched, her limbs freezing, a trembling sound escaping her lips.


    That "Carazo''s" back, in her eyes, blurred, becoming long-haired Jason, becoming all the fire seeds she''d encountered along the way.


    Finally, it became herself.


    The figure turned.


    The red-haired "Liyu," eyes icy cold, looked at her. The burned landscape was no longer Carazo''s town, but a city on Lam Tinh.


    Fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers¡­ all her relatives, their burned bodies beneath her feet¡­


    ¡°A¡­ I¡­ burned¡­ everyone¡­¡± Liyu clutched her head, collapsing to the ground.


    ...


    The Maw, its fiery tongue lashing out, shredded and devoured the fire spirits clinging to Mithra, coating her in a layer of charcoal. She crawled and then lunged forward, repeatedly using Enlightened Step.


    The Maw¡¯s tongue deposited the hammer and staff back into Mithra¡¯s hands.


    Mithra casually retracted the weapons into her body, then clapped her hands¡ªAbyssal Darkness!


    Massive amounts of Ki rapidly burned; black smoke and white lightning, centered on her, erupted outward, engulfing Carazo.


    Carazo, ravaged by the Abyssal power, rapidly suffered massive wounds.


    The scene shifted again.


    The peaceful town was restored, only to be destroyed moments later, then restored again¡­


    The cycle continued, the shifts relentless. Peace and destruction rapidly interchanged, Carazo''s pained roars growing louder; even with his voice hoarse, he continued his anguished cries.


    Then, a flower of flame bloomed.


    ¡¾Nirvana Bloom: A Fire Miracle. It is said Salutisas perished, then reborn from the ashes of destruction. This miracle imitates that legend. Destructive flames and the flower of life intertwine, creating this miraculous fire miracle, reversing life and death in a cycle of rebirth.¡¿


    His wounds rapidly healed under this flame, transforming into fuel for destruction, engulfing Mithra.


    A fire miracle that converts self-harm into powerful outward damage.


    Mithra again burned more sense; Abyssal Darkness returned!


    Black smoke and white lightning clashed violently with the flower of flame.


    Cracks appeared in the illusory space.


    Mithra, sweating profusely, used the openings to replenish Stabilize, but the continuous burning of sense still left her mind briefly overwhelmed, making Stabilize difficult to maintain.


    ¡°Then¡­¡± Mithra drew her Unsheathed Staff, transforming it into a refined blade, and slashed at her right arm.


    Swish!


    Blood sprayed.


    ¡¾Price: You have lost your right arm¡­¡¿


    The remaining embers and dust gathered around Mithra¡¯s severed arm.


    The Miracle Prosthetic, returned.


    Transferring the Unsheathed Staff to the prosthetic, under its influence, Mithra¡¯s mind was forcibly maintained at peak clarity and functionality.


    Eyes bloodshot, Mithra looked at Carazo.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fear, I¡¯ll end your suffering.¡±


    Mithra adopted a stance, her staff-sword pointed forward, her hand resting on the darkness in her palm.


    The moment the flames spiraled in, she moved.


    Lightning followed her blurred movements. Carazo¡¯s flames were shattered by Mithra¡¯s strikes, barely able to coalesce on a large scale.


    It was just the darkness in her palm, but combined with the high-speed movement of Enlightened Step and the prosthetic¡¯s relentless swordplay, she practically carved a path of Abyssal Darkness.


    Slash!


    Carazo couldn''t react; his limbs, joints, and vital points were pierced and severed.


    The moment Mithra ruthlessly severed his neck, the flames even failed to consume her body.


    ¡°Just a vessel,¡± Mithra said, putting distance between them, the intense heat quickly building.


    It was coming again.


    Nirvana Bloom!


    Previous non-lethal wounds could trigger such a massive Nirvana Flame; what kind of inferno would fatal injuries across his body unleash?


    A gigantic flower completely overwhelmed the chaotic illusory scene, its blooming flames like petals, like an erupting volcano.


    Reinforce Body operated at peak efficiency, now forcibly manipulated and analyzed by the Miracle Prosthetic as a model for a countermeasure. It wasn''t some powerful miracle.


    It was Elise, her icy twin blades whirling like a bird in flight.


    Sleeping Technique.


    Mithra didn''t possess that strange ability, but the Miracle Prosthetic forced her to recall, analyze, and mimic it.


    Miraculous Intent!


    Mithra herself hadn''t learned this miracle; the Miracle Prosthetic forced her to use it, mimicking Elise! Though Mithra''s crippled bird only had ¡°one wing,¡± it was enough.


    A terrifyingly fast sword dance bloomed.


    The Abyssal miracle helped her pierce the flames'' weaknesses; her agile form weaved through the gaps between ¡°petals.¡±


    Icy black, the beak of a bird pierced the magnificent flower.


    In an instant, Mithra had passed through the Nirvana Bloom. The flames that scorched her left a long trail behind her, like a beautiful ice ribbon, like a fiery cloak.


    Carazo''s wounds didn''t heal.


    Though the True Spiritfire seed was still connected to his body, the Nirvana Bloom''s reversal wasn''t fully effective, especially the fatal wounds to his chest and neck; they remained unrepaired.


    The Abyssal miracle, coupled with the wounds inflicted by the Miracle Prosthetic, prevented him from acting.


    It was time to end it.


    At that moment, Mithra paused.


    The Miracle Prosthetic rapidly transmitted a warning signal to Mithra.


    Mithra ignored it, because before her stood Carazo. Not the frenzied, empty vessel, but the Carazo who had vanished before her.


    The ordinary Carazo, standing beside the frenzied one, who looked like a lamb awaiting slaughter.


    ¡°Illusory Cycle,¡± Mithra said, the Miracle Prosthetic helping her perceive and analyze more information within the illusion: ¡°The Flamescape hasn¡¯t only activated once. The previous activation was for you, to tear apart your spirits, to turn you into fire seeds. The agonizing cycle, the endless torment, the experiences you¡¯ve had while forgetting your past, all exist here.¡±


    Carazo didn¡¯t immediately respond.


    ¡°Have you seen your children again? The experiences within the illusion are only illusions; they should still be alive,¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°Each illusory scene makes us experience a life as real as any other,¡± Carazo finally replied, his expression calm.


    ¡°We¡¯ve gone through countless cycles. Our experiences have completely changed our faces, leaving them ferocious. Most people despair; they go mad. Even with most memories lost, even if only a trace of familiarity remains, they¡¯ve changed from their original forms into murderous lunatics.¡±


    Mithra faced him.


    ¡°The young woman and I are different; even with our memory loss, we haven¡¯t become as extreme. Perhaps we are simply weaker, unable to muster the will for revenge against this painful world.¡±


    The frenzied Carazo, for some reason, froze, his body violently trembling. Even with the True Spiritfire seed manipulating his body, it strangely struggled to function.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trapped in this cycle, but I couldn¡¯t help but regain my senses¡­ because in one reincarnation, I can¡¯t quite remember which one, my daughter, my little girl, said to me, out of control, that she believed I was still her great father.¡±


    Tears streamed down Carazo¡¯s face.


    This time, the intense heat didn''t evaporate his tears. Mithra couldn''t distinguish whether they were real or imagined; the tears slowly dripped onto the ground.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ I remember¡­ I should remember¡­ even though I can barely distinguish reality from illusion, I want to protect this world for my children. I want to stop other fires¡­ I should do that, I can¡¯t let the events of the cycle actually happen¡­ but¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Mithra, I¡¯m so sorry¡­ the fire seeds coalesced within me¡­ the memories of the cycle surged¡­ I lost control, I became a demon.¡±


    Carazo¡¯s voice was hoarse.


    Mithra looked at him and said, ¡°But you still warned me, told me to stay away from your uncontrolled self, just as you warned me to stay away from your fire seeds when we first met. And now, you too have risen, intending to stop your uncontrolled self.¡±


    Carazo shook his head, speechless for a moment.


    Mithra¡¯s right arm was fully restored; the Miracle Prosthetic had silently dissipated. She raised her staff-sword.


    ¡°I will tell your children.¡±


    Her voice remained cold, her inky black eyes showing an unfathomable stillness.


    Carazo offered a final, sorrowful smile, pointing at his frenzied self.


    She delivered a single blow.


    The countless cyclical scenes abruptly ceased, reverting to the initial burning landscape of Ember City.


    Mithra, with a detached air, briefly observed the fallen corpse before turning away.


    Her steps were still unsteady; the aftereffects of prolonged use of the Miracle Prosthetic, while suppressing the instability, were causing some discomfort.


    After the illusory cycle consumed the fire seeds and she returned to reality, how could she know if this "reality" wasn''t just the next illusion? Having experienced countless self-inflicted memory destructions, how could she possibly discern the ratio of truth to falsehood?


    Mithra didn¡¯t experience the illusions personally; she couldn¡¯t imagine, couldn¡¯t empathize.


    ¡°Aaaagh!!!¡±


    Suddenly, a scream of pain erupted.


    Mithra turned to see Liyu kneeling on the ground, clutching her head and howling.


    ¡°Liyu¡­¡±


    As Mithra was about to call to her, a sense of danger struck.


    She spun, her staff swinging, only to be blocked by a tall, powerfully built man in a long robe.


    The man¡¯s expression was calm; he was somewhat surprised by Mithra¡¯s swift reaction.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Mithra asked indifferently.


    ¡°Infeder, a Priest of the Fire Worship Sect,¡± the man replied slowly.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Mithra responded, immediately unleashing Abyssal Darkness.


    After the black smoke and white lightning wreaked havoc, Mithra looked towards Infeder, who had put distance between them. One of the man''s arms had been consumed by the Abyssal Darkness, yet his expression remained impassive.


    Immediately, numerous figures appeared beside him.


    All were members of the Fire Worship Sect.


    Flickering flames danced; Infeder¡¯s severed arm had regenerated. Gently grasping his new limb, Infeder looked at Mithra: ¡°Both target fire seeds are in your possession. I don''t want to waste too much energy. Hand them over.¡±


    Pausing, he glanced towards Liyu, not far behind Mithra: ¡°And her. Give them to us. We¡¯ll dispel the illusion, leave the Skyfall mountain range, and cause no further disturbance.¡±


    Mithra remained silent.


    Infeder continued: ¡°I¡¯ve witnessed your battle; you are incredibly strong, possessing incredible secrets. But we only pursue the flames; we have no designs on you. You are an Enchanting Land native; fighting to this extent for Ember City and its people is worthy of awe and respect. Stopping here benefits both of us.¡±


    ¡°Precisely because I''m not from here, and I''m not fighting for them, I have no reason to accept your terms on their behalf,¡± Mithra said.


    Infeder disagreed: ¡°You can be. After this, you¡¯ll be Ember City¡¯s savior. They¡¯ll praise you for rescuing them; perhaps they''ll even erect statues in your honor.¡±


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be that savior.¡±


    ¡°Then you intend to become the trigger for its destruction,¡± Infeder stated impassively.


    Mithra tilted her head, questioning. Not saving equaled destruction? Was that a bit of an overstatement?


    ¡°Because you¡¯ve battled the True Spiritfire seed, this illusion is collapsing, but ¡®collapse¡¯ isn¡¯t ¡®dispel.¡¯ This illusion, built between reality and falsehood, under our influence and your actions, will collapse towards the real world.¡±


    Mithra glanced around.


    ¡°This burning Ember City will collapse into reality,¡± Infeder¡¯s voice echoed through the surrounding flames, narrating a terrifying future.


    ¡°The two fire seeds in your possession, plus that unique Enchanting Land fire type, can shift the direction of the collapse, causing this illusion to collapse towards the illusory side. Everything that happened here would then be just a dream, a bad one.¡±


    ¡°She is meant to be the conduit for True Spiritfire; True Spiritfire is meant to burn in our hands.¡±


    ¡°Besides, you have no other choice.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Mithra replied calmly once more, raising her staff; black Ki began to emanate from her body.


    Recently depleted by the Miracle Prosthetic, she felt exhausted, the use of the Abyssal miracle having taken a significant toll. Even Mithra, usually functioning like a machine, could no longer sustain further combat.


    Without a word, The Stranger prepared to act.


    Infeder¡¯s face turned grave; all the Fire Worship Sect members seemed to sense an ominous sign and grew tense.


    Rip rip¡ª


    Suddenly, detailed cracks appeared in the illusion, mainly concentrated around Mithra, also engulfing Liyu behind her.


    Mithra froze; the Fire Worship Sect members also reacted with surprise.


    Infeder¡¯s face showed horror, realizing something: ¡°It¡¯s awake?¡±


    As the words left his mouth, the ground beneath Mithra and Liyu instantly crumbled, revealing a bottomless chasm; they fell.


    The Fire Worship Sect members rushed forward, but the illusion began to violently fluctuate, ejecting all physically present entities, including the Sect members.


    They were thrown from the illusion, back to the raging inferno; several disciples vomited blood upon their arrival, collapsing dead.


    Other disciples immediately checked them, then looked up at Infeder: ¡°Sir! The illusion controllers¡­ all dead!¡±


    Infeder frowned.


    ¡°We haven''t obtained the True Spiritfire seeds, and the illusion is completely beyond our control!¡± someone cried out.


    Infeder looked at the raging flames: ¡°There are remaining fire seeds in the illusion. The Lyre of Fire illusion¡¯s anomaly doesn¡¯t affect the fire seeds from the same origin; we still have a chance to create a third True Spiritfire.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ve lost control of the illusion; even producing a third one would make it difficult to seize!¡± his subordinate urged.


    ¡°Gather as many life flames as possible. No need for multiple awakenings; use them to try and force open the illusion.¡± Pausing, Infeder continued, ¡°If the life flames are insufficient, then burn the real Ember City directly and collect some more.¡±


    ...


    Leo Duncan and Nie Hong opened their eyes, scrambling to their feet. They found themselves no longer in the small room where they¡¯d last rested within the illusion, but back in reality, on a street.


    ¡°We¡¯re out?¡± Nie Hong said.


    ¡°Looks like we got lucky,¡± Leo Duncan replied, then checked his and Nie Hong¡¯s injuries.


    Perhaps due to the peculiar nature of the illusion, they still bore wounds, but they weren¡¯t as severe as after their previous battles. Nie Hong¡¯s injuries might leave some scarring; Leo Duncan didn''t need to worry too much.


    Before they could celebrate, however, a dazzling blaze of light from the sky captured their attention.


    They looked up, then fell momentarily silent, stunned by the sight.


    A massive fireball, large enough to encompass all of Ember City, burned above the city, like a red sky of fire. They could vaguely see the destruction of Ember City reflected within the flames.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Nie Hong whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s the illusion; what¡¯s going on? We¡¯re out of the illusion, but the illusion itself still exists above Ember City? What will happen next?¡± Leo Duncan noticed the implications, sensing something ominous.


    The surrounding sounds grew chaotic; clearly, they weren¡¯t the only ones exiting the illusion. And the massive anomaly hanging high above the city was clearly causing widespread panic.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mithra?¡± Nie Hong suddenly turned, only to find Mithra gone.


    Originally, the three of them should have been together.


    Leo Duncan looked around, also unable to find Mithra: ¡°She¡¯s not nearby. Did she leave early, or did something happen preventing her from getting out?¡±


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Nie Hong didn¡¯t panic but asked pragmatically.


    Leo Duncan thought briefly: ¡°Let¡¯s get out of Ember City first. I think, from this position, we should just leave the city directly. Trying to reach a teleportation point would probably be deadly; there¡¯ll be a lot of people heading for those.¡±


    Staying in Ember City was definitely not a good option.


    Their location wasn''t far from the city gate, making it the best escape route. Having made their decision, they immediately headed for it.


    However, upon reaching the city gate, the sight before them was terrifying.


    Ember City¡¯s gate and a large section of the walls were reduced to rubble, a scene of utter chaos.


    They weren¡¯t the only ones trying to escape through the gate; many others were also attempting to retreat, only to be stopped by this sight.


    Beyond the city gate was a wall of fire, cutting off contact with the outside world.


    In the distance, they could see intense fighting in the mountains outside the city.


    Leo Duncan looked for a moment and said, ¡°On one side are Planet Blue stationed troops and the Sanctuary forces; on the other¡­ the Fire Worship Sect¡­ Of course. Those infamous pyromaniacs from the Dreamlands are here.¡±


    The two sides were clashing around Ember City.


    The Sanctuary forces were attempting to enter Ember City, while the Planet Blue soldiers provided support and assistance.


    Within Ember City, Planet Blue soldiers were maintaining order, helping Planet Blue citizens evacuate and protecting the locals.


    Escaping directly through the city gates was hopeless; they could only wait for the teleportation.


    Even though there were numerous teleportation points, the city was now crowded with countless Planet Blue citizens. Escaping safely amidst the chaos wouldn''t be easy.


    Suddenly, a massive pillar of flame erupted from the Skyfire Fallen Lands in the mountains to the far north, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.


    The pillar of flame clashed with the illusory flames in the sky, seemingly engaged in a conflict.


    During this clash, the illusory flames in the sky fluctuated violently and began to descend!


    If these flames fell directly, the Ember City reflected in the illusory flames might become reality!


    The people of Ember City despaired at this sight.


    Planet Blue citizens could still use teleportation to escape, but those from the Dreamlands had nowhere to flee.


    ...


    An intense feeling of weightlessness; she was falling.


    Mithra glanced beside her at Liyu, also falling, and grabbed her long hair¡ªthe closest thing she could reach.


    With a tug, she pulled Liyu closer, then grasped her collar.


    The chaotic scenery around them gradually transformed into a fiery red; the Maw extended its tongue, enveloping Mithra and Liyu.


    Thump!


    Shortly after, they landed.


    The Maw retracted its tongue, quickly closing and disappearing. After its battle with Carazo, it had expended most of its energy; combined with its indulgence in the Lyre of Fire illusion, it hadn¡¯t gathered much energy and didn¡¯t want to linger outside any longer.


    Casually tossing the dazed Liyu aside, Mithra looked around.


    She was in a sea of fire; flowing magma was beneath her feet, but it was illusory, not real. Aside from the heat, Mithra felt no discomfort.


    Suddenly, the magma near Mithra surged, and a massive crimson-scaled serpent emerged.


    Its head alone cast a shadow over Mithra; its golden eyes looked down, cold reptilian gaze meeting Mithra''s.


    ¡¾¡°Serpent of Envious Sins,¡± Saluenves: The crimson serpent of sin possesses flames symbolic of original sin, feared by countless lives; it is a cursed thing. The Flame Father conquers sin, subduing the crimson serpent beneath his feet. When the ¡°Flame Father¡± pillar rises, these serpents become its ¡°burden bearers.¡±¡¿


    ...


    Burden Bearers.


    Even from the literal meaning, it was clear that these were beings intimately connected to the Pillar Gods of legend.


    Mithra had encountered a burden bearer before, the ¡°Herald of Eternal Night¡± in the Eternal Night world. Its immense size and overwhelming presence had been Mithra''s first true encounter with a glimpse of the power behind the scenes.


    Now, unexpectedly, she encountered a second one.


    Compared to the Herald, the crimson serpent, only showing its head, was more approachable, and the information it conveyed was far clearer than that of the Herald.


    Though it still exerted immense pressure, it was far more manageable than that bizarre Herald.


    ¡°What is your relationship with my master?¡± the great serpent hissed, emitting an indistinct sound.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never even received a reward from your boss; the relationship isn''t very strong.¡±


    Crimson Serpent:?


    I¡¯m asking a serious question; what are you talking about?


    Mithra replenished her Stabilize, then continued, ¡°If you have something to say, just say it.¡±


    ¡°My flames, corrupted by others, were utterly shattered; your rampage startled me awake. Compared to those others, I prefer to observe you up close,¡± the crimson serpent said.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry?¡± Mithra turned and apologized.


    ¡°It''s alright. I smell many things on you, including my master. Tsk tsk, if you had walked the earth during that age, you¡¯d have been mistaken for a primordial god incarnate.¡±


    ¡°Primordial god?¡± Mithra noted the new term.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? It seems a long time has passed. They were this world¡¯s original deities, the very pillars of creation. There''s not much to say. Even enveloped by my flames, my current strength can''t fully protect you, a mere mortal,¡± the crimson serpent said.


    Its tone was thoughtful, yet tinged with apprehension.


    ¡°The Flamescape¡­ is it yours?¡± Mithra, paying it little mind, immediately asked what she wanted to know.


    ¡°The illusory flames are a unique transformation of my master''s combined flames and myself. That humans have secretly obtained and used me¡ªhow incredible! Ha ha, considering the methods my master employed, I''m not surprised. After my master''s descent, he only lost twice. Defeated by Lebaance, my master¡¯s rebirth after death led to full awakening and the creation of ¡®The Pillar.¡¯ But his defeat by humanity resulted in his complete disappearance, leaving his creations for humanity to endlessly enjoy¡­¡±


    The crimson serpent casually revealed a significant secret.


    The previous description of the Nirvana Bloom miracle mentioned Salutisas had died and been reborn.


    So, apparently, that death was at the hands of Lebaance?


    Lebaance was powerful.


    ¡°You''re saying this in front of me; your master might hear you,¡± Mithra pointed out.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; the master isn¡¯t petty. My illusory flames are often used by the master to vent his frustrations; I don''t know how many times they''ve been torn apart¡­ Though, this seems to be my final incarnation. Ha ha.¡±


    Amidst the laughter, it mentioned something rather grim; Mithra wasn''t sure what was so funny about this being its last incarnation.


    Having said that, the serpent looked towards Liyu behind Mithra: ¡°The master¡¯s flames, combined with mine, created the illusory flames. And my illusory flames, influenced by later generations, have undergone new transformations; the blurry line between reality and illusion is a fascinating property.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which, someone said your illusion is collapsing.¡± Mithra brought up Infeder¡¯s earlier words.


    After listening, the serpent flicked its tongue: ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure, but the illusion¡¯s collapse is real. The modified illusion contains an unpredictable amount of power; after the collapse, if not deliberately controlled, that power will likely pour directly into reality.¡±


    ¡°That guy wasn¡¯t lying, then,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°But if they wanted to, they could have adjusted the illusion to collapse towards the illusory side from the beginning. It seems they deliberately decided to create this dangerous situation. Ha ha, humans are so insidious.¡± The serpent chuckled darkly.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Mithra replied impassively.


    Suddenly, the serpent paused: ¡°Ah, my illusion is being invaded; the target is the newly generated fire seed within the illusion.¡±


    ¡°What? How many redundancies did they leave?¡± Mithra exclaimed.


    She had the Maw consume a significant number of fire seeds; the unexpected events in the illusion only increased the number, ultimately yielding three fire seeds.


    Mithra possessed two; there was one more.


    Their preparations were thorough. Years of plotting couldn''t be thwarted by an outsider¡¯s sudden appearance and a few variables.


    ¡°What do you intend to do?¡± the serpent asked Mithra.


    ¡°I intend to kill them,¡± Mithra replied simply and earnestly.


    ¡°Why? As an outsider, you seem unconcerned with what¡¯s happening here. You said you didn¡¯t want to save this place.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no special reason. A kind person was killed before me, and I intend to kill them for it,¡± Mithra replied indifferently.


    ¡°Ha ha, simple and decisive; not a bad answer,¡± the serpent laughed.


    Mithra looked around: ¡°If there''s nothing else, let me go. I''m in a bit of a hurry.¡±


    ¡°Ah, alright. Just wait a little while, until I completely vanish,¡± the crimson serpent said casually.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Mithra looked at it in surprise.


    ¡°Nothing surprising; I¡¯m an old timer from ages past, after all? Finally getting to see the little master is delightful. Ha ha, though your relationship with the master doesn''t seem that close, it doesn¡¯t matter. Thank you for letting me smell my master¡¯s scent again.¡±


    Mithra remained silent.


    An unexpected meeting, then a mumbled disappearance.


    ¡°Though I don¡¯t know what your master¡¯s plans are, I wish you all the best in the future. If I¡¯d met you earlier, I could have left the illusory flames with you. As it is, if you want, you can try to collect them outside, ha ha!¡± The crimson serpent¡¯s body began to melt.


    Molten lava flowed from its scales; its body gradually dissolved.


    ¡°¡­ Farewell,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°Yes, farewell, little master.¡±


    With those words, the serpent completely transformed into lava, sinking into the magma below; there was no further movement.


    The surrounding scenery remained unchanged; it seemed she needed to wait a while.


    Only now did she have time to turn to Liyu, who remained silent and lost in thought.


    ¡°Can you stand?¡±


    ¡°¡­Kill me¡­¡± Liyu¡¯s response was a whispered sob.


    Mithra approached, stopping before her, looking down at her cowering form in the magma.


    ¡°The fire seeds¡­ all went mad¡­ they were, Carazo was, I was¡­ I¡¯ll burn everything¡­ I¡¯ve burned everything¡­ killing family, friends¡­ repeatedly, repeatedly¡­ countless times¡­¡±


    She had recovered her memories.


    Mithra realized this, perhaps due to the echoes of Carazo¡¯s True Spiritfire or some shift in the illusion.


    Even without fully gathering the fire seeds, Liyu still recovered her memories.


    ¡°I don¡¯t deserve to live. I can¡¯t guarantee when I¡¯ll become like¡­ Mr. Carazo¡­ even such a strong person became like that, and I¡­ a useless person like me¡­ can only¡­¡±


    Mithra kicked her out of her curled position, seeing her tear-streaked face.


    ¡°How many lives do you have left?¡± Mithra asked, ignoring Liyu''s rambling.


    ¡°I still have¡­ a life lock¡­¡±


    As the words left her lips, a hammer fell upon her head, shattering her skull.


    ...


    Liyu opened her eyes. The surrounding landscape was still a sea of fire and magma, but Mithra was picking up a fire seed beside her.


    ¡°As expected, even life lock can expel something like this,¡± Mithra said casually.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Liyu¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, staring at Mithra.


    Mithra held up the fire seed: ¡°Your great misfortune is over. Without this, you wouldn¡¯t be a fire seed again, and you wouldn¡¯t be the thing that caused countless cycles of destruction.¡±


    Liyu stared blankly at Mithra.


    So¡­ all her suffering, the near-collapse she experienced upon recovering her memories, was solved by simply dying once?


    ¡°Good. Go rest, dream pleasant dreams, no more need to worry about terrifying things. Be a normal girl, live a peaceful life on Planet Blue,¡± Mithra said, standing.


    Liyu, after a moment of stupor, asked, ¡°What about the illusion?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out. Even if I don¡¯t, it¡¯s fine; I don¡¯t have to save anyone. As long as I can catch the Fire Worship Sect, they must die,¡± Mithra said casually.


    ¡°What should we do? If I¡¯m no longer a fire seed¡­ that person said they needed me as a conduit.¡± After dying once and the fire seed leaving her, Liyu¡¯s spirit had somewhat stabilized.


    The collapse had been interrupted; the life lock¡¯s renewal included some degree of mental repair, though limited.


    ¡°They don¡¯t necessarily need you. They¡¯ve prepared extensively; even without you, they¡¯ll find another suitable conduit.¡±


    Having said that, Mithra had the Mouth expel the two True Spiritfire seeds it had previously collected.


    ¡°Perhaps, I can even give it a try myself.¡±


    ¡¾Event ¡ª ¡°Flame Father¡±¡¿


    ¡¾Salutisas''s Gift: Even as embers, you can become a Flame Father. Price: As embers and ash, you must burn vast quantities of matter to sustain your existence, particularly life and spirit¡­ though not necessarily your own.¡¿


    ¡¾Accept?¡¿


    Salutisas had finally appeared.


    And this activated gift directly made Mithra a Flame Father. Although the description indicated she wouldn''t reach Salutisas''s level, she''d become an ember, a remnant.


    As for the Price, understanding it as requiring sacrifice was probably accurate.


    If she became a Flame Father, Mithra felt she¡¯d likely become a more suitable conduit for these fire seeds. Once she absorbed the fire seeds and gathered true True Spiritfire, she should be able to handle the external illusion.


    She wondered what changes becoming a Flame Father and a True Spiritfire conduit would bring.


    From what she¡¯d witnessed, Salutisas¡¯s influence on the Fire Spirits made them akin to Pok¨¦mon Eevee.


    Adapting to different environments, they evolved into different forms, developing different properties and abilities.


    If her strange transformative abilities were added to the True Spiritfire¡¯s creation, further changes were likely.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to do it?!¡± Liyu suddenly cried out.


    Mithra glanced at her: ¡°Yes, though I don¡¯t particularly value my own well-being. Considering the worst-case scenario, I''m probably the only one who can solve this.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no¡­¡± Liyu, sitting on the ground, shifted closer to Mithra, grasping her pant leg: ¡°If you become a fire seed, you¡¯ll experience the same thing. It¡¯s not just about mental strength; the fire seed will burn your will¡­ weren¡¯t you scorched terribly before?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; let¡¯s try it first. Stay back; you don¡¯t have powerful miraculous flames yet, don¡¯t get burned.¡± Mithra tried to put some distance between himself and Liyu.


    She didn''t think Liyu was truly weak.


    Even someone like Carazo had their will nearly extinguished by the illusory cycle. Regardless of whether Liyu was truly weak or simply lacked willpower, she hadn¡¯t been affected by her past selves in the cycle.


    In fact, she had the courage to wander, somewhat dazed, through the Flamescape, searching for lost memories.


    As a mere student, she''d already endured much; she didn''t deserve more harsh judgment.


    Mithra appreciated kind people. Without them, she would lose faith in the world and society, potentially making unpleasant decisions or taking regrettable actions.


    Liyu had helped her when she was unconscious; even though it was insignificant to Mithra, she willingly helped her search for her memories.


    Even if those memories weren''t pleasant.


    And now, Liyu had recovered her memories and made her decision; Mithra naturally supported her.


    After all, except for the Fire Worship Sect and those, like herself, caught in this fate, she felt everyone else was merely caught in the crossfire.


    Having been freed from the fire seed, Liyu was no longer inextricably linked to the events. Though she might still suffer from her memories, have nightmares, she had a long life ahead of her.


    That was Mithra''s simple and pure belief.


    But Liyu didn''t see it that way.


    Her eyes were vacant, her voice low: ¡°It can¡¯t be like this¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Mithra turned to her.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go; let me go,¡± Liyu said, standing, looking at Mithra.


    ¡°¡­No need. You don¡¯t have any obligation to do so.¡± Mithra thought for a moment.


    ¡°But you, Mithra, you don¡¯t have any obligation to save this city unrelated to you, the people within¡­ everyone is just a victim, why make such a painful choice?¡±


    ¡°It''s not really painful, and I''ll get used to it. Besides, Nie Hong and Leo Duncan are out there; they came to Ember City with me to have fun. It would be awkward to let them spend their holiday this way.¡± Mithra said casually, her demeanor light.


    But her impassive expression only intensified Liyu¡¯s pain.


    Everyone was a victim, but she was broken. Compared to Carazo and Mithra, she was completely useless¡­


    She saw the fire seed before Mithra; the image in her vision gradually faded.


    Liyu seemed to return to the fiery ruins where she had stood countless times, witnessing the chaos she had created.


    Yes, in her memories, no matter how many times she¡¯d lost control, she could never calmly face her actions in the illusion, so real, the ¡°reality¡± she¡¯d burned with her own hands.


    Cycle after cycle, her red-haired self could only weep amidst the ruins.


    Nothing could be stopped, nothing could be changed. She could only cry, only beg for salvation.


    Then, exhausted from crying, she¡¯d drift into the next cycle, repeating endlessly.


    There was no complete destruction, no vengeful frenzy.


    No strong will to protect like Carazo, who¡¯d endured so much.


    And certainly no saintly sense of responsibility like Mithra¡¯s, who had no connection to her yet still acted as if it were her duty.


    Despite witnessing so much, she could only weep, begging Mithra, so kind to her, to kill her.


    Yet, when Mithra, because of her powerlessness, decided to shoulder the burden, she simply did nothing.


    Persuaded to return to normalcy, to treat it all as a bad dream.


    ...


    ¡°What kind of waste am I?¡± The alluring red-haired figure, kneeling amidst the fiery ruins, whispered.


    Expressing her own heart.


    Why, in the illusion born before her under the influence of the True Spiritfire seed, did that red-haired phantom only have an icy gaze when looking at her?


    In the end, did the powerless only hate their own helplessness?


    Before Liyu¡¯s eyes, the red-haired figure slowly rose from amidst countless thoughts, turning to face her.


    There was no expression, only a dull calmness, the same as Liyu''s now.


    They stood, selves facing selves, silently gazing at each other for a long time.


    ¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m coming,¡± Liyu repeated in a trembling voice.


    Mithra looked at her, no longer trying to dissuade her: ¡°Alright.¡±


    The brave deserved their rightful return.


    Finally, after the crimson serpent¡¯s illusory flames truly dissipated, Mithra and Liyu returned to the Flamescape.


    The burning Ember City within the illusion had become a sea of fire; all structures had collapsed into ruins. Extrapolating from this, the Flamescape itself seemed to be reaching a critical point.


    Mithra and Liyu quickly headed towards a place where unusually intense flames were burning.


    Liyu was unusually quiet on the way, only her slightly red eyes betraying any emotion.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; you¡¯ll hand yourself over. The Fire Worship Sect will be overjoyed, welcoming you with open arms,¡± Mithra offered some comfort, though unsure if it would be effective.


    Liyu glanced at her, saying nothing.


    ¡°As promised, after you¡¯re done, I¡¯ll kill you,¡± Mithra added, this statement likely proving more effective for Liyu.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Liyu replied.


    Finally, they saw a pillar of flame erupting into the sky. This pillar was like a drill boring through the Flamescape. Within the pillar of fire, the Fire Worship Sect members seemed to be retreating.


    Mithra and Liyu pursued them, attracting the attention of the last group.


    Upon seeing them, the members were clearly surprised.


    Before they could react, Mithra aimed her staff at them; the blade repeatedly split, rotating outwards. The whip of blades transformed into an unpredictable white blur, sweeping over them.


    The unprepared Fire Worship Sect members were sliced into pieces.


    Liyu raised her hand; Falling Fire rapidly ascended, then descended upon the remaining members.


    The Fire Worship Sect members were silenced before they could even scream.


    ...


    Infeder tossed the Fire Believer, whose limbs were broken and still groaning, into the pillar of flame.


    Immediately, though the pillar appeared unchanged externally, the True Spiritfire seed rapidly gained strength, transforming the burning life force into power to expand itself.


    Seeing the flames were sufficient, he turned to another Fire Believer pinned to the ground: ¡°A bit less than that Enchanting Land girl, but acceptable. Consider it an honor to become a conduit for a newborn flame, the path to miraculous deification. Since the Pillar Gods are gone, this is the peak of deification.¡±


    ¡°Wandering God?¡± an untimely voice interrupted.


    Infeder, surprised, looked towards the sound. Two figures suddenly leaped from the pillar of flame in the sky.


    Mithra and Liyu descended; Liyu flung her hands, a dense mass of embers instantly transforming the mountaintop into a red ¡°starscape.¡±


    A violent explosion occurred.


    The Fire Worship Sect members, relying on their familiarity with miraculous flames, barely survived this sudden, violent attack, glancing at the white ¡°lightning¡± as they fled into the darkness.


    Darkness spread!


    The ¡°white lightning,¡± a kind of Abyssal ¡°light,¡± spread rapidly through the real darkness. In terms of range and speed, this miracle was even more terrifying than ¡°Abyssal Darkness,¡± especially in dark environments.


    Countless people were quickly struck by the white lightning, consumed by the abyss; their physical forms rapidly dissolved into nothingness.


    Having thrown their opponents into disarray, Mithra and Liyu landed.


    Infeder remained calm: ¡°You escaped once, only to deliver yourselves to my door again?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Mithra said, ignoring him, addressing Liyu.


    Liyu nodded, without hesitation, rushing towards the towering pillar of flame.


    This time, Infeder was genuinely shocked.


    Should he intervene?


    Liyu was the one who had previously obtained the fire seed that best matched the planned True Spiritfire. It was a pity she was an Enchanting Land native, likely adding variables; in fact, she had added many, but was still drawn into the plan.


    However, the indirect approach had led to missed opportunities. Although the plan wasn''t completely unforeseen, many unexpected events had occurred.


    And now, the situation was taking an unexpected turn, moving from cumbersome compromises toward the best-case solution? She had even delivered herself to them?


    He was certain; Liyu carried two other True Spiritfire seeds, which were supposed to have been collected!


    Three fire seeds together, with the optimal conduit, exceeded all expectations!


    Damn it, this was like a dream come true!


    They¡¯d planned to settle for second best, and now they''d received the top prize?!


    After a brief hesitation, he decided not to intervene. His sense of duty as a Priest prevented him from interfering, even though he was bewildered. He remained silent, then looked at Mithra: ¡°What are your plans?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind her; she¡¯s doing something she doesn¡¯t want to regret. Let her handle it; we¡¯ll settle our debt with you.¡± Casually twirling the Unsheathed Staff, Mithra looked at the raging pillar of flame, then her gaze returned to Infeder.


    ¡°¡­It doesn¡¯t matter. If you were a member of the Fire Worship Sect, I would certainly recommend you become a Priest like myself. If you repent, my offer still stands,¡± Infeder said, his eyes filled with admiration.


    ¡°I appreciate the offer, but I¡¯m here to kill you,¡± Mithra said earnestly, her casual tone as if she were collecting a delivery.


    Infeder shook his head: ¡°A pity¡­ you don¡¯t realize the protection you received within the Flamescape, our concerns, and our limitations.¡±


    With that, a crimson-brown flame ignited on his body.


    ¡¾Ravenous Flame ¡¤ Fragment: A unique flame derived from the ¡°Gluttonous Sin Flame.¡± A fragment of the flame¡¯s source. It inherits the craving for consumption, evolving the ability to restore its essence through ¡®eating.¡¯ For flames, ¡®burning¡¯ is ¡®eating.¡¯¡¿


    ¡°The ¡®Illusory Sin Flame,¡¯ which created the Flamescape, made it difficult for us to fully burn the flames early on. To prevent the illusion''s master from awakening, we avoided doing so. That¡¯s why we couldn¡¯t unleash our full power within the illusion. But in reality, we have no such concerns.¡±


    Arrogance crossed Infeder¡¯s face.


    ¡°Your bestial nature, your uncontrolled divinity, can only be revealed as a joke under the flames. Our kind words don''t mean we fear you. At this moment, you absolutely cannot defeat the power of my Ravenous Flame, arrogant and foolish Enchanting Land native; you have lost.¡±


    As the words left his mouth, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew from behind Infeder towards Mithra.


    The flames burning on his body were carried by the wind towards Mithra, as if intending to reach her¡­


    Infeder¡¯s eyes widened; his arrogance and composure vanished instantly.


    It wasn¡¯t ¡°as if¡±!


    It was ¡°actually trying to go¡±!


    Scorching cracks, like burning wood, appeared on Mithra¡¯s skin; embers drifted from her body, weak flames burning stubbornly, not fiercely, yet tenaciously.


    The moment these unique flames appeared, all surrounding flames, regardless of their properties, were drawn to her.


    As if in worship¡­


    ¡¾¡°Ashes Flame Father¡±: A Flame Father born from Skyfire, a gift from the world to the flames. The Flame Father was defeated by humanity; a foolish mortal grasped the power of the flames. The Flame Father remains only in legend; the final remnants are merely a handful of ashes. Even so, the ashes still burn, whispering a sigh from those embers.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ª¡°I have been resurrected, yet I still don¡¯t know why destruction is meaningful to the world¡­¡±¡¿


    ¡°Sorry, you talked a lot just now; the flames were too intense, I didn''t hear you clearly,¡± Mithra said, her face illuminated by the flames, glorious yet terrifying.

 Chapter 82: The end of fire

    Mithra enjoyed her new form.


    The Ashes Flame Father, a gift from Salutisas, the ¡°Flame Father,¡± had two states: extinguished and burning.


    In the extinguished state, she was essentially deactivated, no different from normal, except for slightly enhanced understanding of fire miracles and increased sensitivity to temperature changes.


    Importantly, even in the extinguished state, Mithra still needed to burn life or sense; otherwise, the internal heat would consume her.


    The burning state, however, revealed the full power.


    Her physical strength increased, comparable to the Beast transformation, though still inferior to The Stranger. More importantly, she no longer used fire miracles; she could directly manipulate the power of flames.


    However, she herself was burning, potentially attracting almost all flames in the world, but not necessarily escaping the flames'' consumption.


    That was the nature of the Flame Father.


    Salutisas wasn''t powerful because he was a Flame Father; he attracted flames because of his inherent power.


    After receiving this gift, Mithra understood this.


    Though this elder seemed aloof, having been killed by Lebaance and outmaneuvered by humanity, leaving him with unresolved issues.


    But it didn''t matter; he was still the good person who had given Mithra a powerful gift.


    The burning body, combined with her regenerative abilities, plunged Mithra into agonizing torment.


    Stabilize ensured Mithra¡¯s consciousness wouldn¡¯t collapse from pain, but it also meant she wouldn''t experience the numbness that comes with extreme agony; she had to endure it constantly.


    For Mithra, this wasn''t important. What mattered was that this was another powerful form, no longer primarily focused on mental fortitude like the frantic self-imposed limitations of her previous forms.


    The priority of burning was still more physical.


    Infeder frowned, observing the changes in Mithra, utterly perplexed: ¡°You¡­ what¡­¡±


    Mithra inhaled the scorching air, her staff pointing towards the ground.


    Thump!


    Infeder reacted quickly, thrusting a palm sideways to meet the hammer blow.


    A violent shockwave spread from their collision.


    In a brief standoff, their eyes met at close range, then they simultaneously exerted force, pushing each other back.


    Infeder¡¯s flames burned erratically; the ground beneath him began to liquefy.


    His unique flames were taking effect, but for the Ashes Flame Father, Mithra, flames were just flames. She didn''t recognize any special properties; they were simply normal fire.


    After all, how could these flames burn anything significant from a handful of ashes?


    Infeder gestured; the remaining disciples mobilized, shifting their target to Mithra.


    A wave of fire miracles engulfed Mithra, who countered with Abyssal Darkness.


    Having dealt with that, she heard approaching footsteps.


    Infeder, along with several disciples, approached. His were his most trusted followers, all wielding the unique Ravenous Flame.


    This flame allowed them to consume external objects, ravenously absorbing external power to enhance themselves.


    Faced with the fierce attack, Mithra was repeatedly forced back, looking utterly battered.


    Infeder¡¯s flowing lava swept up sand and stones, forming a massive lava ball that slammed into Mithra, who was fending off the other disciples¡¯ attacks, sending her flying.


    Mithra adjusted her posture in mid-air, landing on the ground, staggering before regaining her footing.


    Before she could recover, another wave of long-range fire miracles struck. The Fire Worship Sect members gave her no respite, determined to burn her completely!


    A deafening roar.


    The ferocious assault created many small craters in the large pit.


    Crumble¡­


    Suddenly, the area where Mithra had been struck began to liquefy.


    ¡°As expected¡­¡± Infeder¡¯s eyes widened slowly.


    He had anticipated this change upon witnessing Mithra''s transformation, but seeing it firsthand was difficult for Infeder to accept.


    The legendary being, the gift of Skyfire, the Flame Father!


    Even as a mere handful of ashes, it stood before them!


    The flames burning on Mithra clearly showed the crimson Ravenous Flame, even though the intense attacks had battered her; she remained standing.


    She was absorbing their power, drawing all the flames in the area.


    The Staff had been retracted; only the hammer remained, now a conduit for vast amounts of flame.


    The highly potent flames weren''t particularly kind to a novice conduit, so Mithra was taking it easy, for now. It didn''t matter who the conduit was for the next attack.


    Taking the shape of a flame, she directly channeled the massive flame power released by the Fire Worship Sect''s previous assault.


    Mithra suddenly swung the hammer towards the ground.


    Bang!


    From the point of impact, several pillars of flame erupted, violently surging forward, scorching trails across the ground.


    As they prepared to charge again, unleashing more fire miracles, Mithra¡¯s slender form was instantly replaced by a terrifying pillar of flame.


    Infeder reacted swiftly, his Fire Protection spreading, creating a wall of fire before his disciples, blocking the attack.


    After the intense clash, Infeder stumbled back, hair disheveled, flames flickering on his chest, revealing his exhaustion.


    The surrounding disciples were stunned.


    If Infeder hadn¡¯t intervened, all those closest to her would have died.


    ¡°Good. Continue,¡± Mithra said calmly, then swung the hammer again.


    There were truly a vast number of flames surrounding them.


    While the flames dispersed, Mithra, as the Ashes Flame Father, didn''t have the same drawing power as the original; she couldn''t directly absorb the flames from the disciples¡¯ heads. However, the scattered flames remaining after the disciples'' miracles were a different matter.


    Infeder¡¯s Fire Protection wall was remarkably strong. The scale of his self-protection, combined with the fixed flame glyph on his chest, clearly indicated he was a Clarity-level strongman.


    But flames were flames; even as a handful of ashes, Mithra¡¯s current abilities transcended the realm of miracles.


    Even the flames from the Fire Protection wall were drawn to Mithra''s hammer; the flames from the previous blow were largely absorbed by her.


    A second hammer blow!


    Bang!


    With even more frightening speed, even larger pillars of flame engulfed the Fire Worship Sect members.


    Having been suppressed by firepower for so long, Mithra showed them truly terrifying "firepower."


    ¡°Give me your flames!¡± Infeder¡¯s eyes widened, shouting, jolting his dazed disciples into action.


    The disciples, without hesitation, channeled their flame power to their priest.


    Then, a massive flame erupted from Infeder¡¯s body.


    Burn it all!


    Even if one person blocked this hammer blow, they¡¯d still face the third, the fourth¡­ they would all perish! So, they had to give everything to counter her!


    The widespread incineration and the flame pillars clashed violently; the intense heat reached a critical point, triggering a terrifying explosive reaction.


    Those unlucky enough to lack Fire Protection were caught in the blast, reduced to ash.


    Black smoke billowed into the sky; the intense heat was unrelenting.


    Infeder¡¯s clothes were incinerated; he could no longer control the all-consuming miracle, his focus entirely on the offensive.


    Ahead, Mithra leaped lightly, her body briefly suspended in mid-air.


    Scattered flames, including those from Infeder''s incineration, converged on the hammer, which now blazed like a miniature sun.


    Infeder pressed forward relentlessly; Mithra¡¯s form descended rapidly, her hammer striking Infeder directly.


    BOOM!


    The mountain exploded!


    This wasn''t scattered pillars of flame; the entire peak was obliterated; aside from the towering Skyfire, nothing survived.


    Looking down from above, the flames would have carved a colossal image of fire onto the mountainside.


    All the Fire Worship Sect disciples were consumed by Mithra¡¯s flames, becoming fuel for the embers of the Ashes Flame Father.


    Amidst the chaos, Infeder lay prostrate, crawling. Half his body was incinerated, his face unrecognizable.


    He crawled a short distance; footsteps approached from behind.


    Mithra, the flames on her seemingly more intense, circled him, slowly stopping before him.


    Infeder looked up at Mithra: ¡°Truly¡­ beautiful flames¡­ ultimate flames¡­ total incineration¡­ everything¡­ You¡­ did well!¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Salutisas¡­ do you know that name? Even the true Flame Father didn¡¯t understand what the ultimate flame truly was,¡± Mithra shrugged.


    Infeder was astonished: ¡°That one¡­ didn¡¯t understand either? ¡­Impossible¡­ impossible. If it weren¡¯t to incinerate, why would that flame exist? He should understand better than anyone¡­ but¡­ from what you say, it doesn¡¯t seem false¡­ Truly¡­ ridiculous¡­¡±


    Mithra, without further explanation, raised her hammer and struck him on the head.


    Infeder¡¯s frail body was instantly reduced to charcoal, leaving behind a single spark of essence.


    Mithra picked it up, didn¡¯t look at it closely, and turned.


    Behind her, Liyu entered the massive flames, once again merging with the Flamescape in the sky.


    The Flamescape, which had already consumed parts of Ember City¡¯s towering structures, began to violently fluctuate again with the addition of this massive fire.


    However, this fluctuation didn¡¯t accelerate the descent of the illusion; instead, the illusion began to become transparent!


    ¡°Congratulations.¡±


    Seeing this, Mithra softly said, then turned towards the source of the flames.


    There, the girl awaited her.


    ...


    ¡°Damn it, what¡¯s the rush to reincarnate?! Did you go deaf when I told you to slow down? I''ll break your legs if you don¡¯t listen! Can¡¯t you see the child in front of you?! Did you rip your household registration form in half?!¡± Nie Hong was berating a Planet Blue citizen.


    With the Flamescape about to descend, the situation in Ember City was utter chaos. Planet Blue citizens were rushing towards teleportation points, and the massive crowds had already caused several trampling incidents.


    Nie Hong and Leo Duncan decided it was better to run than to stay; they tried to maintain order, but they saw a Planet Blue citizen knock over a child while fleeing, nearly stepping on it.


    Initially, Nie Hong held the child while Leo Duncan scolded the citizen. However, under the pressure, the citizen merely felt they were making a mountain out of a molehill.


    Seeing Leo Duncan failing to get through to him, Nie Hong handed the child to Leo Duncan, pulled him away, and then unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse.


    His scarred face added to his ferocious demeanor, intimidating the citizen.


    Leo Duncan shielded the child¡¯s eyes, blocking their ears. The child didn¡¯t understand Planet Blue, but Leo Duncan fell silent.


    Was he too polite? Or was Nie Hong simply better at pure personal attacks?


    At that moment, a change in the Flamescape in the sky drew everyone¡¯s attention.


    Nie Hong and Leo Duncan quickly looked up, noticing the Flamescape becoming transparent and ethereal; the intense heat from earlier began to decrease.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Nie Hong exclaimed, the man he¡¯d scolded quickly escaping in relief and embarrassment.


    Leo Duncan quickly looked at the pillar of flame causing the upheaval.


    ¡°That fire must have done something¡­ It¡¯s a miracle; we seem to be safe,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    The Flamescape completely dissipated from the sky, leaving only a few red embers dancing in the air.


    Mithra caught a few, storing them in her ashes. Though these embers were useless, she kept them as a souvenir of the talkative crimson serpent.


    With the Flamescape gone, the pillar of fire quickly retracted, forming a burning sphere.


    Then, the sphere bloomed, unfolding like a bird emerging from a cocoon.


    From the sea of fire, a red-haired figure emerged gracefully.


    Clad in fiery red robes, her beautiful long hair cascaded down; her pupils resembled a setting sun. She wore a deer skull, like a mask, on her face.


    ¡¾¡°True Spiritfire Master,¡± Liyu: The ultimate True Spiritfire conduit, giving birth to a fire spirit, a fire being. She was weak enough to be unable to struggle within the cycle, yet strong enough to cry out in each cycle. The contradictions of humanity are what True Spiritfire desires. She burned her own humanity to save a city and its people; the remaining part stood as a new Wandering God.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªThis time, I won¡¯t cry, I won¡¯t have nightmares¡­ Now, I ask for your guidance.¡¿


    Mithra slowly approached her, asking, ¡°Do you remember your name?¡±


    Liyu didn''t respond; she gently raised her hand.


    Instantly, the surrounding flames soared, and amidst the dancing flames and twisting air, the scene rapidly changed.


    Looking through it as if it were a window, flames directly struck Mithra¡¯s body.


    However, her will wasn''t burned.


    The ashes didn''t recognize the unique properties of the flames; instead, they absorbed the flames during the burning process.


    The surrounding scenery had originally transformed into a burning Planet Blue, but with a wave of Mithra''s hand, it changed into a beautiful, ethereal landscape.


    ¡°Alright, as agreed, I¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    Then, Mithra rapidly lunged forward.


    True Spiritfire erupted, transforming endlessly. However, no matter how strangely it changed, it was no match for the Ashes Mithra, who had already accumulated considerable power.


    After the battle with the Fire Worship Sect disciples, their flames had all become fuel for Mithra, intensely burning, awaiting the opportunity to erupt once more.


    And Mithra wouldn¡¯t make them wait long.


    The Ravenous Flame engulfed her; the crimson-brown flames clashed with the crimson flames.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Liyu created numerous unusual Fire Spirits. These Fire Spirits lacked a definite form, a mixture of different biological structures, baring their fangs and claws, attempting to stop Mithra''s advance.


    Mithra¡¯s hammer struck fiercely; each blow shattered numerous Fire Spirits. As she turned, those scattered spirits became part of the flames on her hammer, fueling the next attack.


    Liyu lightly moved her hands, constructing several humanoid Fire Spirits using True Spiritfire.


    The next moment, the humanoid Fire Spirits were annihilated.


    And from their ¡°corpses,¡± several ¡°Nirvana Blooms¡± bloomed.


    Mithra was slightly surprised; then, a Nirvana Bloom was flung directly into her face.


    A powerful force engulfed the surroundings; Mithra staggered out of the blast radius.


    ¡°Nirvana Bloom can be used like that? Blurring the line between reality and illusion, using illusory life to reverse into real destructive power, using hypothetical conditions as if they were real¡­¡±


    Liyu flicked her fingers; countless Nirvana Blooms bloomed around her in an instant.


    Her long hair flew wildly, her expression emotionless; lethal beauty scattered amongst the flowers of destruction.


    Mithra drew the Unsheathed Staff with her empty hand, pointing it towards the top of her head.


    Abyssal Darkness!


    Swish swish!


    Black smoke and white lightning surged, but before they could fully disperse, Mithra forcibly compressed them into spheres.


    The Abyss had feelings; they resented Mithra¡¯s restraint.


    ¡°Consume my sense and stop chattering,¡± Mithra said bluntly, then placed the Abyssal Darkness before her.


    Liyu threw the surrounding Nirvana Blooms aside; Mithra raised her flame-wreathed hammer and struck the compressed Abyssal Darkness spheres.


    Directly into it!


    Boom!


    The two destructive forces didn''t explode immediately but intertwined, flying towards each other.


    It wasn¡¯t over. The Abhorrence Staff transformed into a long whip, flinging several Abyssal Darkness spheres before Mithra; her hammer repeatedly struck them.


    Both sides unleashed maximum firepower.


    The illusion warped repeatedly under their intense clash, eventually beginning to crumble.


    Each Abyssal Darkness sphere wreaked havoc before disappearing, combined with the raging flames, gradually overwhelming Liyu.


    Finally, several spheres pierced her flames, striking her.


    Briefly suppressing the flames, Mithra swiftly extracted the essence Infeder had left behind and fed it to the Mouth, then channeled that extra Ki.


    A massive Abyssal Darkness formed before her; Mithra¡¯s speed created countless afterimages.


    Liyu was completely overwhelmed, instantly consumed by the firepower.


    ¡°Cough cough¡­¡± Liyu coughed, clear injuries appearing under the combined assault.


    Thump!


    The staff struck the ground; the dust cleared, revealing Mithra beside her.


    Seeing her clear injuries, Mithra confirmed her thoughts.


    Her body was still relatively weak; she had expended a large amount of power upon creation to reverse the Flamescape''s collapse towards reality. Even if she¡¯d reached the Wandering God level, she was still significantly deficient.


    Further, her essential flame properties were ignored by Mithra''s ash properties. In a pure power contest, Mithra had a significant advantage.


    Before Liyu could react, Mithra''s hammer struck her chest.


    Bang!


    The heavy blow knocked her to the ground. Before she could fully recover, Mithra vanished.


    A powerful force of attraction pulled her from behind; she quickly turned, her head uncontrollably falling forward, caught by Mithra, who grabbed her skull mask.


    Then, the burning hammer struck her head!


    Bang!


    Liyu fell to the ground; her skull mask was crushed by Mithra. Unable to rise, Mithra continued her assault, unleashing her full strength upon her frail body, which hadn''t entirely shed its human form.


    The ground was again upheaved; Liyu¡¯s body was blown apart, flying through the air like a ragdoll before falling heavily.


    Then, still expressionless, she struggled to her feet, swaying¡­


    Whoosh¡ª


    The Abhorrence Staff pierced her neck.


    Her pupils constricted; she tried to grasp and pull the staff free, but she couldn¡¯t escape Mithra¡¯s strength.


    Mithra raised her hammer.


    ¡°As promised.¡±


    As the words left her lips, the hammer fell upon her head; simultaneously, the staff slashed sideways.


    The beautiful head and body separated, twirling in the air, the red hair dancing, strikingly beautiful.


    ...


    Liyu opened her eyes hazily.


    She¡¯d imagined what she might see in the afterlife, but before her was a scene of smoke and fire; a brightening sky was visible in the distance; she was in a deep crater¡­


    This wasn''t the afterlife.


    She tried to get up but was too weak. However, as she regained consciousness, her heightened senses as a believer returned, and she felt undeniably alive.


    She wasn¡¯t dead?


    Why?


    Rough breathing came from beside her; she turned slightly, seeing Mithra lying nearby.


    ¡°Mithra¡­?¡±


    ¡°Mm?¡± Mithra grunted.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m alive?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Liyu asked herself, ¡°I remember enduring the burning flames, completing what I needed to do, then losing control of my body¡­ you even held my head, yet I didn¡¯t die? And¡­ it feels like I¡¯ve regained control of my body.¡±


    ¡°Life lock,¡± Mithra said concisely.


    ¡°But my life lock was previously¡­¡± Liyu suddenly froze.


    Her eyes¡­ the final Unified Sense point had been completed!


    With the full completion of Unified Sense, the life lock had been renewed, adding another life; she now possessed two extra lives!


    Whether it was the moment she became a Wandering God, her body forcibly renewed through the life lock, or the potential unleashed during her fight to the death with Mithra, Liyu had managed something unprecedented.


    Whether an Enchanting Land native becoming a Wandering God had ever happened before was unknown, but Liyu had successfully achieved it.


    Her lower body had been in "hell," but Mithra had pulled her out by her hair.


    After understanding everything, she was stunned for a long time.


    Though she didn''t want to cry, tears still welled up and trickled down her cheeks.


    "Waa¡­ I¡­ I didn''t die¡­" she sobbed.


    Mithra looked up at the sky; the aftereffects of the burning, now that the ash form had subsided, left her exhausted. Hearing Liyu''s sobs, she remained silent.


    After a while, she calmed down.


    "This time, you¡¯ll have a good dream," Mithra finally said.


    Liyu didn''t respond immediately; she gazed at the sky for a long time, then, unexpectedly, said, "Mithra¡­"


    ¡°¡­Mm?¡± Mithra, expecting her to continue, waited, then responded.


    ¡°I like you,¡± Liyu said, looking at her, a rare smile on her face.


    Mithra silently gazed at her for a moment before her gaze returned to the sky.


    ¡°I refuse.¡±


    A concise, calm response, typical of her.


    Liyu didn''t dwell on it, offering a self-deprecating chuckle: ¡°As expected¡­¡±


    She turned, continuing to watch the approaching dawn.


    Despite the rejection, tonight would still be a good dream.


    ...


    Mithra didn''t kill the True Spiritfire Master.


    The situation of a Planet Blue native becoming a Wandering God seemed more complex than anticipated; it was possible that Liyu and the True Spiritfire Master weren''t considered the same entity by the life lock.


    So, when Mithra discovered their separation, she was somewhat surprised.


    Born into a weakened state, unable to fully utilize her power, and then suppressed by Mithra, constantly attacked, the death of the conduit, if the remaining flame had feelings, would have been deeply traumatizing.


    However, the life lock didn''t seem to fully separate them.


    A portion of the True Spiritfire remained within Liyu. After separating from the conduit, the True Spiritfire Master, though not directly extinguished, could quickly expand again with a new source of fuel.


    Wandering Gods consistently defied death; even this newly born one did.


    But its only remaining fuel was the ashes within Mithra.


    Because she couldn''t truly kill this newly born Wandering God, Mithra didn¡¯t trigger the "hunt the Wandering God" three-option selection.


    Though the True Spiritfire Master wasn''t particularly powerful, it burned intensely. Mithra intended to temporarily use it as fuel for her ash form, hoping to make use of it.


    Liyu was extremely exhausted and quickly fell asleep, while Mithra waited on the ground for the combined forces of Ember City, the Sanctuary, and Planet Blue.


    They were mostly covered in dust, having just escaped an ambush by the Fire Worship Sect in the mountains.


    They had prepared for a decisive battle, only to find Mithra and Liyu.


    Mithra lay on the ground, waving at them.


    ...


    Most of the Fire Worship Sect forces outside Ember City were eliminated before dawn; some remnants might remain within the city, but with the death of their leader, Infeder, it was unlikely they could cause further trouble.


    The Fire Worship Sect had been planning this event for a long time, led by Infeder. They unearthed a unique flame from the Skyfall mountain range, a remnant from the era of the ancient Pillar Gods.


    Using this powerful and unique flame, they created a massive illusion. The illusion targeted all believers through Ember City¡¯s nightly bonfire tradition.


    They tormented the fire seeds within the illusion, creating a scenario where they slaughtered each other to gather in one place, transforming into new fire seeds.


    To help these new fire seeds quickly overcome their weakness, they targeted Planet Blue¡¯s New Year¡¯s holiday, creating the Skyfire event. This served as both a signal to summon the fire seeds and to gather the Planet Blue citizens as bait.


    While such a large-scale event would attract the attention of powerful individuals, the Fire Worship Sect deemed this risk acceptable.


    They had made preparations, using their unique flames to lay ambushes, diverting powerful individuals and others who might disrupt their plans before activating the illusion.


    A single night, neither long nor short, was enough for them to produce their target fire seeds, allowing them to retreat at any time.


    Overall, their plan was remarkably successful.


    Despite the massive variable that was Mithra, they achieved their goal; the True Spiritfire Master was born.


    Securing the True Spiritfire Master would have given them a completely new, incredibly powerful, unique flame.


    Unfortunately, despite their meticulous planning, they failed to obtain it.


    Mithra¡¯s hammer shattered everything.


    The Dreamlands, though sighing over this large-scale event, remained largely apathetic, even numb.


    The Dreamlands were vast; the manipulation of miracles, the pursuit of power, the uncovering of curses¡ªthese were commonplace. In this era, not long after the chaos of the Wandering Gods, the Dreamlands remained "chaotic."


    Such malicious events were merely recorded within the Sanctuary¡¯s sphere of influence; countless such incidents occurred annually. Successful ones weren''t uncommon.


    Yet, the Dreamlanders were almost numb; for Planet Blue, this was still a shocking event.


    Many died within the Flamescape. Such large-scale conspiracies targeting Planet Blue citizens had occurred frequently only when Planet Blue and the Dreamlands first made contact.


    Back then, the Dreamlanders viewed Planet Blue citizens as miracle-less beings whose fighting ability mostly relied on small arms. They were fascinated by the natives'' limited abilities, yet possessed life locks and could teleport¡ªa world filled with intrigue.


    But that initial "intrigue" wasn''t benevolent.


    Much of Planet Blue''s negative perception of the Dreamlands stemmed from that time.


    Only after Planet Blue rapidly leveraged its advantages, mastered miracles, and expanded its influence did the ¡°easy prey¡± become the ¡°inferior Enchanting Land natives.¡±


    The Dreamlands, unable to fully understand the mysteries of life locks and teleportation points, and prone to suffering unforeseen consequences, gradually reduced their targeting of Planet Blue.


    This recent terrifying event, however, sparked considerable debate.


    None of this concerned Mithra.


    She and Liyu received official assistance, then helped investigate the incident.


    Mithra simply recounted her actions, feigning ignorance of the larger picture. She knew nothing; she simply annihilated the Fire Worship Sect.


    The Fire Worship Sect, fire seeds, unique flames¡ªshe knew nothing.


    She killed them; that was all.


    After hearing Mithra¡¯s summary, the investigators from the three parties fell silent.


    Although Mithra¡¯s description was overly simplistic, their investigation corroborated many eyewitness accounts of her actions within the Flamescape.


    While no one witnessed her annihilation of the Fire Worship Sect, she was present at the scene, and the Sect members had indeed vanished.


    They had been busy all night dealing with the Sect¡¯s ambushes; Mithra had single-handedly ended everything.


    Truly unbelievable.


    The Ember City and Planet Blue investigators still had concerns, but the Sanctuary investigator, seemingly remembering something, left to make inquiries. Upon returning, their skeptical gaze had transformed into reverence; Mithra felt a chill run down her spine.


    The Sanctuary confirmed that Mithra possessed a divine weapon and firmly supported her, even suggesting Ember City should erect statues in her honor.


    Putting aside other matters, the divine weapon convinced the other two parties. If she was wielding a divine weapon, her actions were less surprising.


    The strength of a divine weapon wielder depended more on the weapon''s compatibility and power than on the wielder''s skill level or miracle use.


    Mithra''s performance clearly indicated exceptional compatibility with her weapon.


    Thus, with all doubts quickly dispelled, Mithra was left with somewhat awkward adoration.


    Ember City''s hero!


    As for Liyu, she was primarily investigated as a fire seed, as the true savior of Ember City; the unique flame within her body drew attention.


    Considering she was a Planet Blue citizen, the research into the flame within her was entrusted to Planet Blue.


    After the investigation of the two concluded, the remaining matters were no longer their concern.


    ...


    ¡°What?! You confessed to Mithra?!¡±


    A secluded corner of a cafe in Shui Tu University, Planet Blue.


    Nie Hong, Leo Duncan, and Liyu were sitting together, discussing the events of the New Year¡¯s holiday.


    Regardless of the event¡¯s impact on Planet Blue, the three of them, as firsthand witnesses, found it incredibly stimulating.


    Nie Hong and Leo Duncan were extremely curious about Mithra¡¯s actions during the event, as they had been completely out of contact during its most critical moments.


    Knowing Liyu had mostly followed Mithra, they immediately asked.


    Liyu recounted her experiences with Mithra, omitting the details.


    Although the school had advised them to avoid discussing this outside, the three were clearly not the kind of students who would heed such advice.


    Initially, hearing Liyu describe Mithra¡¯s exploits, Nie Hong and Leo Duncan were deeply impressed.


    Then, at the end, Liyu revealed her confession, nearly causing Nie Hong to spit out his coffee.


    Leo Duncan¡¯s expression was strange: ¡°You¡¯re really brave.¡±


    Mithra, though friendly with them, existed on a completely different plane of experience.


    But to confess to someone who had killed her twice, someone with such a terrifying aura, Nie Hong couldn''t help but admire Liyu''s courage.


    ¡°So, what happened?¡± Nie Hong eagerly asked.


    ¡°Rejected. The consideration probably took less than a few seconds. Maybe I was just wondering if my brain was broken,¡± Liyu chuckled, not seeming particularly disheartened.


    After the Ember City incident, Liyu¡¯s mental state improved significantly.


    Though not immediately energetic, her facial expressions were more varied, no longer perpetually solemn.


    ¡°Ah¡­ too bad,¡± Nie Hong sighed.


    ¡°Too bad? Wasn¡¯t it an impossible situation?¡± Leo Duncan scoffed, taking a sip of his drink.


    ¡°Yeah, someone like her; someone like me is completely unworthy¡­ It was just that I¡¯d been resurrected, my emotions were a bit heightened, so I decided to seize the moment¡­ That¡¯s it,¡± Liyu said, stirring her latte, gazing at the heart-shaped foam art.


    She gently stirred, swirling the heart design.


    ¡°True, even though she''s amazing, it would be extremely stressful to be with her,¡± Nie Hong mumbled, lowering his head, nearly spitting out his coffee.


    Leo Duncan nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Stressful, huh?¡± A familiar, emotionless voice suddenly said from beside them.


    Spurt!


    Nie Hong nearly sprayed his coffee again.


    Liyu and Leo Duncan were startled.


    Mithra placed a bag of sweets on the table and sat down.


    ¡°Um, I didn¡¯t mean it like that¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ that¡­ anyway¡­ and¡­¡± Nie Hong stammered, looking at Liyu and Leo Duncan for help.


    But one was staring at the sky, the other at the floor, pointedly ignoring him.


    The pressure was definitely intense!


    Mithra ignored him, looking at Liyu: ¡°How did things go?¡±


    It was the last day of the holiday; everyone would return to their university lives tomorrow. Coincidentally, Liyu, who¡¯d been taken by the authorities after returning from Ember City, had returned. She contacted Mithra about meeting, so Mithra came.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Liyu nodded, elaborating, ¡°A simple check-up confirmed there are no significant abnormalities. Although this flame remains, it¡¯s just a flame; it¡¯s closely linked to me, but there¡¯s no clear secondary consciousness.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I thought you wouldn¡¯t be back after seeing your senpai taken away,¡± Nie Hong said.


    ¡°Our handling has been relatively gentle, but our activities will likely be restricted for a while. The observation period won''t be short,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    Liyu nodded: ¡°I have to repeat the process of returning after going missing in the Dreamlands. This time, it¡¯ll likely take several months, and it will be far stricter.¡±


    Although all indicators might be normal, it still involved a Wandering God; even if it was killed shortly after birth, caution was needed.


    Mithra had also investigated the matter of an Enchanting Land native becoming a Wandering God; precedents existed.


    However, the records were incomplete, and mostly unreliable rumors.


    ¡°Still, it¡¯s better than dying there,¡± Mithra said, taking a mille-feuille from the sweets she''d brought, opening the box, and eating it directly.


    Leo Duncan offered Mithra the cafe menu; naturally, the richer one would pay.


    Liyu nodded with a smile: ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mithra, it seems nobody knows about you saving Ember City; my crab and I just heard about it from a senpai,¡± Nie Hong said.


    ¡°I told them not to spread it; it¡¯s too troublesome. All that fuss about the Sun City incident was already annoying enough,¡± Mithra said casually.


    Nie Hong and Leo Duncan lowered their heads: ¡°Sorry!¡±


    The Ember City incident was on a completely different scale than the Sun City incident.


    Sun City itself was far smaller than Ember City; though the incident caused a stir, its effects were limited to a single district. While it caused considerable trouble, it had little impact on Planet Blue; Sun City had minimized its effects.


    This Ember City incident, however, heavily impacted Planet Blue. A long holiday had drawn a massive number of Planet Blue citizens to a relatively small city, resulting in chaos; online discussions about it raged on.


    Becoming prominent now would bring predictable trouble.


    Even without deliberate publicity, her actions within the illusion inevitably generated online buzz. This was unavoidable and not a major concern.


    What bothered Mithra was the messages she received from Orph, Diehl, and Salomo immediately after the Ember City incident.


    The Sanctuary understood Mithra. While she avoided public announcements to minimize the impact, the Sanctuary spread the news internally.


    Gross Town, Sun City, Ember City¡­ three incidents, each with a greater impact than the last, all featuring her "heroic" figure.


    The Sanctuary had a strong tendency towards heroic narratives; perhaps their exposure to so much suffering led them to yearn for powerful heroes to save the world. The entire Dreamlands were similar; the Sanctuary was merely more pronounced in this regard.


    And Mithra was, undoubtedly, their new hero.


    Mithra tried to explain that she knew nothing, that she''d only tangled with the Fire Worship Sect out of spite.


    It was purely personal; there were no lofty ideals. Annihilating them was a necessary evil.


    But the responses from all three were:


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right, but Mithra is a brave, fearless, loyal, humble, lovable¡­¡±


    A series of goosebump-inducing messages ended with abrupt hang-ups.


    Truly remarkable.


    ¡°Are your injuries alright?¡± Mithra asked Nie Hong and Leo Duncan about their injuries.


    Seeing them upon their return from Ember City had been alarming, especially Nie Hong, who looked like he¡¯d barely survived. It highlighted the importance of having someone with restorative miracles like Leo Duncan.


    If it weren''t for Leo Duncan, even if Nie Hong had won, he probably would have died from his injuries.


    Mithra had the Sanctuary provide them with proper treatment.


    Unfortunately, Nie Hong¡¯s burns were too deep, and treatment wasn''t fast enough to prevent scarring under the circumstances.


    Nie Hong didn''t mind; he felt the scars made him look more imposing than his previous self.


    ¡°No problem. My father looked me over and wasn¡¯t worried,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°I got scolded by my grandmother for the scars. It¡¯s the kindness of a grandmother.¡±


    ¡°I offered to pay for scar removal surgery, or even a more expensive miraculous healer. You refused,¡± Leo Duncan said, leaning back.


    ¡°Heh heh, thanks, but it¡¯s not a big deal,¡± Nie Hong chuckled.


    After chatting for a while, they prepared to leave. Nie Hong and Leo Duncan, somewhat stimulated by the events, were eager to train.


    Liyu had completed Unified Sense, an incredibly fast pace for a student.


    But that didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d slack off.


    With Mithra as their protector, the three felt secure.


    Even though¡­ Mithra¡¯s Unified Sense progress was far slower than theirs.


    The holiday was ending, and she had just completed her eyes.


    She¡¯d heard that the eyes were the most difficult part of Unified Sense, but Mithra felt it was alright. Still, completing the delicate organs of the head was far more challenging than the body and limbs.


    ¡°Mithra, can we talk privately?¡±


    After everyone else left, Leo Duncan lingered, expressing his thoughts.


    Nie Hong and Liyu left first.


    With only the two of them remaining, Leo Duncan handed over a USB drive.


    Mithra accepted it, her gaze fixed on him.


    ¡°Regarding the orphanage you asked me to investigate before New Year¡¯s, potentially linked to the cocoon incident; we have some results. To put it simply, there are problems,¡± Leo Duncan said seriously.


    Mithra didn¡¯t show any surprise; it was intelligence from the Shengmeng.


    ¡°And the situation is slightly more complex than expected. The orphanage has been operating for several years. I sent people to investigate; the details are on the USB.¡±


    Pausing, Leo Duncan continued, ¡°While there¡¯s no clear connection to the Chrysalis, the whereabouts of several orphans are untraceable. Upon investigation, many had vaguely left to ¡®explore the Dreamlands.¡¯¡±


    ¡°But upon closer examination of Dreamland entry and exit records, some children didn''t have the reported entries. Occasional unauthorized entries aren''t unusual, but the number here is excessive.¡±


    Mithra nodded, looking at the USB.


    ¡°And the trouble doesn¡¯t end there; that orphanage is reportedly undergoing renovations,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    Mithra raised an eyebrow: ¡°Renovations?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been unchanged for years, but recently received a large donation for repairs. Without knowing the details, one might simply think it¡¯s the generosity of a benefactor. But knowing what you know, it feels¡­ off.¡±


    Pausing, Leo Duncan said, ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Report it to the police?¡± Mithra asked, turning.


    Leo Duncan hesitated: ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Reporting suspicious activity to the police seems perfectly reasonable,¡± Mithra questioned, looking at him.


    ¡°No, it''s just¡­ surprising to hear such a normal response from you,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°I¡¯m very law-abiding,¡± at least on Planet Blue.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you don''t seem to have any issues there,¡± Leo Duncan mused, seemingly agreeing.


    ¡°So, is there a problem with reporting it to the police?¡± Mithra asked.


    Leo Duncan stroked his chin: ¡°There might be. This information alone isn¡¯t substantial enough to warrant serious attention; we¡¯d also be suspected of having ulterior motives for investigating. And there¡¯s another issue¡­¡±


    His gaze returned to Mithra. He said, ¡°The company funding the orphanage¡¯s renovations isn''t as large as my family''s, but it''s still significant. My family¡¯s influence is considerable, but they wouldn''t let me cause trouble over unfounded rumors. Don¡¯t underestimate me; my father keeps a tight rein on me.¡±


    What? You, of all people, have strict parents?


    ¡­Upon further reflection, it does make sense. The Crab King''s origins and upbringing must have been extraordinary.


    Thinking about it made her hungry.


    Mithra spaced out for a moment.


    ¡°So, we should handle it ourselves?¡± Mithra asked.


    Leo Duncan said, ¡°If we have more conclusive evidence, then it¡¯ll be fine. Dealing with this now would be troublesome.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Leo Duncan was surprised.


    ¡°To find conclusive evidence,¡± Mithra replied casually, putting away the USB and standing up.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re not going to do anything dangerous, are you?¡± Leo Duncan asked uncertainly.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m very law-abiding,¡± Mithra answered.


    Leo Duncan considered this. In Planet Blue, Mithra probably wouldn¡¯t do anything too outrageous. Even a city-conquering expert in the Dreamlands would likely only cause street brawls in Planet Blue.


    ¡°Let me know when you plan to leave. I¡¯ll buy you a ticket; teleportation isn¡¯t possible within Planet Blue; that city is quite far.¡±


    Mithra nodded, not refusing: ¡°Okay, thanks.¡±


    ...


    After the holiday, everyone naturally resumed their daily lives.


    Mithra continued her studies.


    She was taking more fire-related courses; after all, she was now somewhat involved with flames.


    However, Mithra¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t very good lately.


    She was working on a project in her forge.


    She was upgrading the four Night Worship Swords.


    She had consulted Diehl for design ideas, planning to combine the four swords into one.


    As a non-Wandering God powered weapon, this was a way to enhance it. While incorporating Wandering God power would have been ideal, it was limited.


    Mithra had been pale and unsteady lately, her already low-pressure aura even more noticeable, causing others to keep their distance.

 Chapter 83: The others

    Only after completing the Night Worship Swords¡¯ refinement did Mithra contact Leo Duncan to book a flight, heading to the city where the orphanage was located.


    Hou City, also in the Hong''a administrative region.


    Located northwest of the Hong''a administrative region, its climate was more pleasant than Wuhu City. Wuhu had already become hot after New Year''s; Hou City remained relatively warm and comfortable.


    Mithra wasn''t there for tourism; she didn¡¯t bring much luggage, wanting to quickly resolve the matter and return.


    Although she had obtained Planet Blue¡¯s authorization, the unique nature of her authorization still required a significant amount of paperwork for her first intercity trip. Future trips would likely be simpler.


    Mithra wasn¡¯t particularly interested in modern cities unless they possessed distinctive man-made structures; she might stop to admire such architectural wonders.


    But this city clearly didn¡¯t.


    Consulting her phone¡¯s navigation, she hailed a taxi to the orphanage.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you back to your home, yet you don¡¯t give me any guidance?¡± Mithra muttered, tapping her staff.


    Because she was dealing with the Chrysalis matter, and its connection to Sheng, she carried the Abhorrence Staff.


    But the Abhorrence Staff didn¡¯t offer any particular response; it seemed indifferent.


    Soon, the orphanage Mithra had seen in her dreams appeared.


    However, the orphanage was already half-demolished; the renovations mentioned in Leo Duncan¡¯s report had begun.


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m a little late, but it hasn¡¯t been completely torn down¡­¡± Mithra mused.


    Workers were diligently working on the site; Mithra approached directly.


    No one stopped her; she easily reached the construction site.


    However, as she wasn¡¯t hiding, she was quickly noticed.


    ¡°Hey, who are you?¡± a worker called out.


    Mithra stood before the ruins, trying to discern the layout. Unfortunately, the orphanage in her dreams was a pure maze; the real-world version was unrecognizable.


    Mithra stared at the ruins; several workers approached. ¡°Keep out, buddy. We don''t want any trouble if you get hurt.¡±


    Mithra raised her staff and turned: ¡°I came to see the Hengfeng Group¡¯s large-scale charitable activities; it seems they¡¯re real.¡±


    The workers exchanged glances, their expressions strange.


    ¡°Are you a reporter? Do you have credentials and permission to interview?¡± an older worker asked.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± Mithra answered straightforwardly.


    The workers were speechless.


    But as they hesitated, they noticed Mithra was already among the ruins, moving incredibly fast; they couldn¡¯t keep up, even though she wasn¡¯t using any special movement techniques.


    ¡°Is there a basement here?¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°Get down from there; it¡¯s dangerous¡­ What basement?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a large underground room here; didn¡¯t you discover it during construction?¡± Mithra asked.


    The workers looked puzzled: ¡°Kid, whatever you¡¯re doing, it¡¯s dangerous here. If you don¡¯t come down, we¡¯ll call the police.¡±


    Mithra ignored them, continuing her search.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? It¡¯s noisy.¡± A voice rang out; three people approached.


    The speaker was a man with a broad forehead, three white hairs, and a perpetual smile.


    The other two were a man in a sturdy work uniform and a man in a suit, looking like a successful businessman.


    ¡°Sir Chen, a kid snuck in; we¡¯re trying to get him out,¡± a worker quickly said.


    The three newcomers looked at Mithra, searching, somewhat surprised.


    ¡°Kid, what are you doing? If you¡¯ve lost something, we can help you look for it,¡± the man called Sir Chen said.


    Mithra ignored him; a worker replied, ¡°He says there¡¯s a basement here¡­¡±


    ¡°Basement? What basement?¡± Sir Chen asked incredulously. ¡°I¡¯ve been the superintendent here for over ten years; I¡¯ve never heard of a basement.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t one; I, as the foreman, can attest to that,¡± the man in the work uniform said, frowning.


    The man in the suit remained silent.


    Unable to stop Mithra, after a moment, Sir Chen sent the workers home, keeping the three of them behind.


    Suddenly, while searching, Mithra¡¯s Abhorrence Staff veered, pointing towards a specific direction.


    Mithra followed its indication.


    ¡°Kid, stop looking; you must be mistaken,¡± Sir Chen¡¯s voice suddenly rang out from behind her, this time very close.


    ¡°Hard to say; I might be right,¡± Mithra replied calmly, turning to look at Sir Chen, a few steps behind her.


    ¡°Oh really? Then, might you show us? I¡¯m curious as well,¡± Sir Chen said, his smile unchanged.


    Mithra raised her staff, gently stroking it: ¡°Director Chen, you might have forgotten about the basement, but you''ve forgotten this staff too?¡±


    Sir Chen paused, seemingly unable to grasp the connection: ¡°What are you¡­¡±


    In that instant, a white figure flashed.


    A section of the nearby ruins was obliterated by a whiplash.


    Amidst the flying debris and dust, a foul stench arose.


    The remaining individuals¡¯ faces turned grim.


    They stared at Mithra and her staff.


    ¡°What the hell are you?!¡± Director Chen yelled, his smile gone, muscles tensing.


    ¡°Chen Ping! Beware of her staff! There¡¯s a Chrysalis¡­¡± The man in the suit warned, but before he could finish¡ª


    The white whip of blades lashed out.


    A series of violent impacts echoed; Chen Ping was sent flying, both arms severed, his body riddled with cuts. Fortunately, he reacted in time, avoiding being completely dismembered.


    The foreman and the man in the suit caught him, grimly watching Mithra.


    The whip retracted, pointing to the ground, transforming back into a staff.


    ¡°Ah, I remember,¡± Mithra said. ¡°No wonder it felt familiar; the first image of the Chrysalis in my dreams was you; you were responsible for the hospital massacre and took Sheng?¡±


    The Chrysalis had used two images in her dreams.


    According to Elise, the Chrysalis used images deeply ingrained in Sheng¡¯s memory when invading dreamscapes.


    Mithra hadn''t noticed the first image, the man in black, but now realized it was Director Chen.


    ¡°Sheng!¡± Chen Ping¡¯s pupils constricted, then he realized something, focusing on Mithra¡¯s staff.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± the man in the suit demanded.


    ¡°Nothing. A prodigal son returning home¡­ isn¡¯t that a bit ironic?¡± Mithra said, feeling a tightening in her arm.


    The Abhorrence Staff reacted, gripping her arm tightly, seemingly protesting.


    The three before her underwent grotesque transformations.


    Mithra¡¯s body instantly ignited.


    With abundant fuel, she could burn more intensely; flames were a highly effective weapon against these transformed believers.


    Then, a large, inky black blade suddenly protruded from her chest; she grasped it with her other hand, drawing it from her body.


    A massive, bluish-black blade, far larger than the Night Hunter Greatsword, was drawn.


    Compared to her body, the oversized blade was adorned with twisted eye patterns, even more unsettling than the original Mithril Horror swords.


    The four swords, finally forged together, had taken on a darker hue due to the addition of Erytic rock from Ember City.


    ¡¾Night Worship Greatsword: A unique mechanical weapon forged from the four Night Worship Swords. The four swords can be separated and controlled at will through Ki miracles. Although remnants of their original forms remain, they are no longer connected to their initial faith.¡¿


    One hand holding the Greatsword on her shoulder, the other wielding her staff reversed.


    The Abhorrence Staff usually resisted the ash form, but showed no resistance this time, apparently choosing to remain and fight.


    Chen Ping, his arms severed, crawled towards Mithra like an insect.


    The Abhorrence Staff lashed out again, reducing his arms to useless pieces of flesh. Simultaneously, the man in the suit and the foreman, their limbs transforming, charged.


    Flames burned on the Greatsword; Mithra suddenly swung it forward, scattering numerous embers.


    The two charged into the embers, sensing danger, but before they could react, the explosion occurred.


    Amidst the dust, Mithra swept forward. The two, blasted beyond recognition, were struck by the massive blade, like baseballs hit squarely, flying back with immense force, crashing into the construction debris, sending fragments flying.


    Chen Ping regenerated his arms, watching this unfold, cold sweat dripping.


    Damn it, why did they attract such a killer?


    Sheng had become her weapon¡­ or rather, Sheng had become the Chrysalis, then was turned into a weapon!


    God-killing weapon!


    Chen Ping thought of that concept.


    A thrill ran through him; the power and value of God-killing weapons were known even to ordinary people on Planet Blue, let alone one connected to the Chrysalis.


    But that was all he felt.


    Because Mithra, wielding a thick, broad, black and white weapon with striking visual impact, was rapidly approaching.


    Run!


    Without any thought of resistance, Chen Ping hurriedly used a Water Miracle, creating a thick curtain of water, using it as cover to retreat.


    Mithra saw this, her staff tracing the Greatsword, scattering flames, accompanied by a swish, activating Enlightened Step.


    She bypassed the water curtain, reaching Chen Ping.


    The Greatsword descended; Chen Ping was instantly enveloped and consumed by the blade¡¯s darkness.


    Bang!


    His body was pulverized; even as a transformed believer, without adjusting his transformation, he was certainly dead.


    As Mithra pulverized Chen Ping, the two previously blasted away returned to the battlefield.


    But Mithra only glanced at them; the Greatsword swung casually; mechanisms whirred, two slender blades separating from the main body, flying outwards under the red glow of Control Object.


    The Greatsword¡¯s core mechanism, using Ki-related components, enhanced the ability to transmit energy; Mithra bought some from Diehl.


    This design reduced the accuracy requirements for the wielder''s Control Object miracle, extending its range; she could easily control the separated blades within a hundred meters.


    This sudden change caught the two off guard; the blades pierced their bodies, halting their advance.


    Then, the ignited Abhorrence Staff transformed into a whip of blades, lashing out.


    The white, fiery whip enveloped them, then retracted, obliterating them.


    Mithra recalled the two blades, returning them to the Greatsword, testing her grip.


    Even with Reinforce Body, her abilities were still limited on Planet Blue; the enhancements were minimal.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    However, Mithra noticed that the beast transformation and The Stranger¡¯s influence were subtly strengthening her body.


    This wasn''t a miracle; it was purely physical growth. While she didn¡¯t know the extent, it clearly bypassed Planet Blue¡¯s limitations.


    Planet Blue didn¡¯t place much emphasis on purely physical strength. Reinforce Body solved most problems; training focused on physical health and aesthetics.


    Regarding miraculous power, even after using Abyssal Darkness extensively in the Flamescape, Mithra still had a considerable amount of Ki remaining.


    The comparison highlighted her difference from ordinary believers.


    Even limited by Unified Sense, far from achieving Clarity and fully eliminating the restrictions on miracle use, she could still perform miracles with ¡°quantity over quality.¡±


    Hearing a noise behind her, Mithra turned to see Chen Ping¡¯s mangled remains still writhing.


    He wasn¡¯t dead.


    Her own Ki miracles were already weakened on Planet Blue; the transformation was similarly affected. Chen Ping had adjusted his transformation before being pulverized, avoiding instant death.


    A flat face slowly emerged from the mass, fearfully looking at Mithra.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this¡­ If you kill us¡­ even if the matter is exposed, before we face punishment, you won¡¯t be able to leave this city¡­ no¡­ this district!¡± Chen Ping mumbled.


    The Abhorrence Staff retreated; Mithra, seemingly ignoring him, placed the staff over the mass of flesh. After a brief pause, she stabbed down.


    ¡°Aaaaagh!¡± A scream echoed.


    The power from the Transformation Miracle and the Chrysalis fragments was absorbed by the Abhorrence Staff.


    Chen Ping¡¯s remains withered and lost all activity.


    Retracting the staff, twirling it in her hand, Mithra didn¡¯t look around; she headed towards the basement she¡¯d discovered.


    Pushing aside debris, she found the basement entrance she¡¯d seen in her dreams.


    Following the stench, she entered.


    She quickly emerged.


    She sent Leo Duncan a video of the basement via her phone.


    Leo Duncan immediately replied: ¡¾?¡¿


    Mithra: ¡¾Didn¡¯t pay attention to class; replying now.¡¿


    Leo Duncan: ¡¾How did you know I have class now?¡¿


    Mithra: ¡¾I was planning to attend Professor Ruliang¡¯s class; unfortunately¡­¡¿


    Leo Duncan: ¡¾No, wrong subject! What did you send me?¡¿


    Mithra: ¡¾What¡¯s under the orphanage.¡¿


    Leo Duncan: ¡¾??? Didn¡¯t you just leave?¡¿


    Mithra: ¡¾Yes, so I finished it right away.¡¿


    ...


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Leo Duncan cursed in class.


    Fortunately, he always sat in a secluded corner, so no one noticed.


    Wasn¡¯t she supposed to be discreetly investigating, planning, and acting?


    He was still assigning personnel, ready for Mithra to call for backup. With no contact, Leo Duncan assumed Mithra was still planning, only to find out she¡¯d stormed the orphanage alone!?


    Wasn¡¯t that the enemy¡¯s lair? Was it wise to charge in alone?


    Just then, Leo Duncan received a stoic selfie from Mithra.


    There was a mass of flesh behind her; flames burned in the distance.


    Although the surrounding rubble clearly indicated a construction site, Leo Duncan initially assumed Mithra had destroyed the orphanage.


    And you¡¯ve already encountered the enemy and killed them, right? What kind of mindset takes a selfie after doing that?!


    Mithra: ¡¾Is the evidence useful?¡¿


    Oh, it was for evidence.


    Leo Duncan felt embarrassed: ¡¾I thought you were showing off! Want to post it to your friend circle?¡¿


    Mithra: ¡¾Is that necessary? Okay, I''ll post it.¡¿


    You actually will?!


    Leo Duncan checked his friend circle and found Mithra had indeed posted it.


    Leo Duncan rubbed his head: ¡¾I¡¯ll arrange it immediately. Get out of there; there are probably many of them; be careful!¡¿


    After that, Mithra didn¡¯t respond.


    She had caused a significant commotion and was surrounded by workers who had rushed over.


    ¡°Stop her!¡±


    Seeing the scene, their faces turned grim; they pointed at Mithra and shouted.


    But as soon as they shouted, Mithra raised the Greatsword and swung it down.


    Chaos erupted; flesh and blood flew.


    In a short time, Mithra stepped out of the orphanage, her boots covered in gore.


    As she considered deactivating her ash form and resting, she heard noises approaching.


    Transformed believers, seemingly alerted, rushed towards the location.


    Simultaneously, police sirens sounded. Mithra hadn¡¯t called the police; Leo Duncan hadn¡¯t explicitly mentioned calling them either. Given the Chrysalis¡¯s presence, the sirens were ambiguous.


    The Greatsword split into four whirling blades, controlled by Mithra to counter the Chrysalis members'' attacks.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let her escape alive! We¡¯re finished if she does!¡± someone shouted.


    Mithra noticed that many of these individuals, while aggressive, seemed reluctant, even hesitant to face her.


    Initially, it was assumed that the limitations on miracle use in Planet Blue would prevent even the strongest individual from easily overpowering a large group of attackers.


    Ki, stamina, and mental strength would be further depleted in battle on Planet Blue.


    However, as time passed, the only thing increasing was the number of corpses surrounding Mithra; their low-level believers were rapidly being eliminated, yet Mithra showed no signs of exhaustion.


    She was unstoppable, a true warrior.


    It wasn''t simply a matter of the believers being expendable.


    Fear began to grip them, fear of Mithra.


    After so many casualties and no hope of victory, was there any point in continuing to fight to the death?


    Even if the orphanage''s activities were exposed, fleeing and hiding would be better than dying here.


    Many began to think this.


    Most weren¡¯t core members of the Chrysalis organization; many had become involved due to various circumstances, infected with the Transformation miracle, then subjected to threats, control, and brainwashing.


    While they didn''t know why this killer was here, perhaps she was a light in their dark future?


    Once this thought took root, it grew.


    Many slowed their movements.


    Soon, no one charged at Mithra.


    Some stopped willingly; others hesitated, seeing others stop.


    ¡°What?! Afraid of death? If we let her go, our crimes will be exposed! We¡¯ll all die! You¡¯re naive¡­¡±


    Before the person trying to rally the others could finish, a blade precisely pierced their head.


    Immediately, even the remaining core members of the Chrysalis organization remained silent.


    They surrounded Mithra, facing her.


    Mithra surveyed them: ¡°Not fighting?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Fine. Stay like this; let¡¯s take a picture,¡± Mithra said, using the Abhorrence Staff to pull out a relatively young man.


    To everyone¡¯s horror, Mithra handed him her phone: ¡°You have long arms; take the photo. Just so you know, this phone is new.¡±


    The young man nodded repeatedly, his transformed arm extending.


    Mithra directed them to stand together, placing herself at the front.


    ¡°Evidence. I don¡¯t know your stories, but I doubt you want to die for no reason. So, relax,¡± Mithra said.


    Click click!


    Retrieving her phone, Mithra checked the photo.


    It wasn¡¯t bad. The transformed hand was steady; she stood at the front, the transformed individuals behind her, a bizarre and chaotic group photo.


    Peaceful and harmonious.


    As soon as the photo was taken, police cars arrived.


    The young man, noticing Mithra''s gaze, urgently said, ¡°The police in charge of this area are involved!¡±


    The ¡°police officers¡± arriving at the scene were surprised. They¡¯d heard a huge commotion; had it already been resolved?


    But seeing Mithra surrounded, their expressions turned grim.


    ¡°Everyone disperse! The criminal¡­¡±


    As the ¡°police officers¡± drew their weapons and approached, they were interrupted.


    The four blades in the air reassembled into the Greatsword, striking a ¡°police officer¡± directly.


    Bang!


    Blood splattered; the ¡°police officer¡± who had spoken first had half his face blown away; the massive blade stood on the ground beside him, crushing a mass of writhing flesh.


    The Greatsword slowly returned, reconnecting with the hilt. Mithra, wielding the Greatsword, approached the stunned ¡°officers.¡±


    They trembled, noticing the scene inside the orphanage resembled a slaughterhouse.


    They routinely handled ¡°trash,¡± but seeing the ¡°butcher¡± who¡¯d caused this chaos nearby filled them with fear.


    ¡°Go to Hengfeng Group. Can you do that?¡± Mithra tilted her head, asking the lead ¡°officer.¡±


    The officer could only nod stiffly.


    The police car¡¯s siren wailed; if possible, they probably would have silenced it as well.


    Even though they weren¡¯t real police, being arrested in a taxi was still awkward.


    Mithra sat in the back, chatting on V-Chat.


    She had just posted a rather violent photo to her friend circle; though she didn¡¯t have many friends, she still received some inquiries.


    Nie Hong and Liyu were among them.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been operating here for quite a while. Hengfeng Group is a local company, with a clean record. If it weren¡¯t for the sudden renovation of the orphanage, there would be no indication of any problems,¡±


    After answering her friends'' questions, Mithra casually asked.


    The two in the front remained silent; the one beside Mithra in the back was stiff with tension.


    ¡°Talk,¡± Mithra said. ¡°There are three of you; surely, you have driving licenses.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­¡± the passenger beside the driver finally said hesitantly.


    They needed to stall for time. This woman had attacked the ¡°police officers¡± without hesitation; who knew when she might go crazy again?


    Fortunately, she didn¡¯t seem overly perceptive; she even allowed her captives to drive, giving them ample opportunity to maneuver.


    Buy some time, drive to a safe location, then handle it slowly¡­


    ¡¾You have been flagged again; rerouting¡­¡¿


    Mithra¡¯s phone suddenly announced.


    The atmosphere in the car became subtly tense.


    ¡°Master, are we going the wrong way? I don¡¯t have enough money to pay you extra,¡± Mithra said.


    The driver silently turned the car around at an intersection.


    Damn it, there¡¯s navigation these days!


    Calculating extra ¡°fare¡± might cost him his head!


    He needed to ease the tension¡­


    ¡°By the way, how did you get these identities? Was it through internal promotion, diligent work, or direct replacement?¡± Mithra casually asked.


    Damn it, how should they answer that?!


    ¡°Speak,¡± Mithra calmly added.


    ¡°¡­Replacement¡­¡± the driver finally mumbled.


    Mithra nodded.


    Seeing Mithra¡¯s impassive expression in the rearview mirror, they couldn¡¯t guess her thoughts; the psychological pressure intensified.


    ¡°Hengfeng Group?¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ the plan had been in place for a long time¡­¡± This time, it was the passenger beside Mithra, likely realizing his companions had already spoken; if he didn¡¯t say anything, he might become ¡°fare.¡±


    From their fragmented answers, Mithra understood the Chrysalis organization¡¯s recent development.


    Previously, the Chrysalis organization hadn¡¯t been so powerful; they were suppressed by the societal order.


    The hospital incident was an accident caused by Sheng¡¯s mother, creating a vicious cycle.


    That hospital was about to lose its value; their cooperation was on the verge of exposure. The person in charge, Chen Ping, wanting to secure Sheng¡¯s future, acted ruthlessly during their retreat.


    This led to a fierce crackdown from the Federation.


    The Chrysalis was nearly eradicated; only a few core members remained.


    But like the elusive Wandering Gods, they were difficult to eliminate completely; they would revive, given the opportunity.


    Using their secret transformation abilities, they operated clandestinely, seeking opportunities to regroup.


    The orphanage was one of their key recruitment centers, a hidden base concealing countless crimes.


    After years of hiding, they finally found a chance to rise again. If successful, they would establish a firm foothold in Planet Blue.


    Controlling a large corporation, they would use it as a base to expand their network.


    If successful, they would avoid the predicament of the hospital incident.


    After careful planning, they successfully took control of Hengfeng Group early this year.


    While they spoke casually, they did encounter issues, such as Hengfeng¡¯s security and the mobilization of hidden Chrysalis personnel.


    After paying the price in casualties, they successfully seized control.


    Sheng, however, didn''t respond to the summons; he accepted an offer from the Night Hunter Church in the Dreamlands, heading to Sun City with his companions, seeking a glimmer of hope.


    Although Sheng¡¯s escape, taking a significant portion of the Chrysalis with her, was a major loss, the organization considered it acceptable given their success in Planet Blue, planning to use the Chrysalis¡¯s inherent abilities to retrieve her later.


    Their primary plan was to use the company¡¯s resources to eliminate potential threats and dispose of their old hidden bases.


    They would then consolidate their position; after that, they wouldn''t need to operate so clandestinely.


    Thus, various charitable projects were launched through Hengfeng Group.


    While not perfect, everything proceeded smoothly.


    They hadn''t anticipated that Sheng¡¯s impulsive escape would have such repercussions.


    They certainly hadn''t anticipated someone uncovering clues from their dreams and exposing them.


    ¡°Well, you were thorough. You¡¯re core members,¡± Mithra said, showing the video on her phone within their group chat.


    Mithra muted their audio, but the 99+ messages indicated their excited reactions.


    Nie Hong, in particular, typed incredibly fast, clearly an experienced internet user.


    The three ¡°officers¡± could only smile awkwardly, avoiding further discussion of their situation.


    Suddenly, the driver said, ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    The police car stopped; a building was nearby.


    ¡°Thank you. The fare¡­¡± Mithra said, exiting the vehicle.


    Before the three could speak, a white whip of blades lashed out with impossible speed.


    The car and the occupants were sliced apart before they could react; Mithra lightly tapped her staff on the ground and walked towards the building.


    Behind her were the wrecked police car, a large amount of blood, and the screams of terrified bystanders.


    Entering the building, she was immediately attacked; they had clearly anticipated her arrival.


    Mithra easily deflected the attacks with the Abhorrence Staff; the Greatsword burst from the gore, the four blades activating. Mithra simultaneously used Pursuit Form and Enlightened Step, vanishing instantly.


    After a series of sounds, the elevator doors opened.


    The four blades reformed into the Greatsword; Mithra, supporting herself with her staff, entered.


    Looking at the slaughterhouse scene in the lobby, Mithra adjusted her collar.


    The elevator doors closed.


    ...


    ¡°Damn, Mithra¡¯s too intense! She¡¯s treating Planet Blue like a Dreamlands playground!¡±


    A quiet corner of the rehabilitation center¡¯s library; this had inexplicably become Nie Hong and Leo Duncan¡¯s favorite spot. Liyu was staying nearby, essentially a neighbor of Mithra.


    The three of them were gathered; Matsuri was also present, aware of Mithra¡¯s current activities.


    Nie Hong had just exclaimed.


    Matsuri maintained her warm smile: ¡°For her, Planet Blue and the Dreamlands are practically the same.¡±


    Liyu silently scrolled through her phone, quickly finding something: ¡°News, Hou City local news.¡±


    They all looked at her phone; it showed a grainy video of Mithra exiting a police car and then slicing the car and its occupants into pieces.


    ¡°Even for our bold Planet Blue standards, cutting up a police car is¡­¡± Nie Hong said, even knowing the occupants were Chrysalis members; to outsiders, it looked like a rampage by a madman.


    ¡°Only someone like her could do that. She barely got her Planet Blue ID; even if she¡¯s hailed as a great hero, she¡¯ll likely face a long observation period,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°So cool,¡± Liyu murmured.


    ¡°Indeed. My clothes make her look even better,¡± Matsuri said, smiling.


    ¡°You two are enough; we¡¯re discussing serious matters,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t had lunch yet; she just got there an hour ago, right?¡± Nie Hong felt a pang of hunger; it was lunchtime.


    ¡°About an hour ago. Impressive efficiency,¡± Leo Duncan said, after thinking for a moment.


    ¡°What are we having for lunch?¡± Matsuri interjected.


    ¡°The rehab center¡¯s cafeteria?¡± Liyu suggested.


    ¡°Ugh, I was going to treat the crab to something nice; I¡¯m only hanging out with him because Mithra isn¡¯t here,¡± Nie Hong said bluntly.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll treat the two ladies; you¡¯re on your own!¡±


    Leo Duncan retorted, then suddenly snapped back to reality: ¡°Damn! How did we get sidetracked? You guys are actually fine with Mithra¡¯s actions? You¡¯re not worried at all?!¡±


    Matsuri nonchalantly waved her hand: ¡°That¡¯s Mithra. Everyone understands what she does; your job is providing support and a good environment for her to work.¡±


    Liyu nodded in agreement; a slight smile appeared on her usually stoic face: ¡°If I could be saved, this is nothing.¡±


    Nie Hong added, ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s been ten minutes since I last told you about Mithra¡¯s Gross Town solo mission.¡±


    Leo Duncan considered protesting, believing the situation shouldn''t be so easily dismissed.


    But then again¡­


    Damn, Mithra¡¯s back looked so cool when she saved me in Sun City.


    He couldn¡¯t muster any objections.


    ¡°Um¡­ shall we order?¡± Leo Duncan opened his phone to book a place.


    ...


    The elevator plummeted.


    Mithra climbed the elevator shaft wall, watching the elevator crash below; then she turned upwards.


    An elevator door opened; someone peered down.


    Swish!


    A blade shot up, severing the head.


    While Control Object wasn''t powerful enough to fully support Mithra¡¯s weight on Planet Blue, she could briefly exert enough force to climb.


    Seeing that Mithra hadn''t been stopped, another Chrysalis member entered the shaft, their body transforming, moving through the confined space towards Mithra.


    As a transformed believer lunged, Mithra''s Greatsword, only its main blade visible, resembled its original form.


    Calmly adjusting her position, she evaded the attack in the confined space, then thrust the Greatsword through the believer¡¯s head.


    After a brief exertion of Control Object, she kicked the believer down and leaped, briefly pausing in mid-air, confronting the next opponent.


    The cramped elevator shaft made the fight difficult; Mithra was momentarily overwhelmed by the swarm of transformed beings.


    She temporarily retracted the Abhorrence Staff; the long-unused Night Hunter Greatsword emerged from the gore.


    Instantly, a bluish-purple light filled the elevator shaft.


    A massive wave of sword energy sliced through the entire shaft.


    The Chrysalis members only saw Mithra draw a new weapon; a flash, then nothing; they didn¡¯t see what killed them.


    Mithra reached her destination floor.


    Dragging the two Greatswords on the floor, she slowly walked down the hall; the floor seemed deserted.


    As she passed a work area, several desks overturned, and a transformed female believer, her limbs distorted like a beast, attacked.


    Mithra forcefully dragged the two Greatswords, creating a harsh scraping sound.


    After activating Enlightened Step, she evaded the attack; the heavy weapons swung behind the believer.


    Bang!


    The believer was sent flying; Mithra was momentarily surprised, but upon closer inspection, she regained her composure.


    ¡°Rain, impressive; you have two extra arms,¡± Mithra stated.


    The details were irrelevant; it was a waste of time; seeing her name and the two extra Chrysalis arms was enough.


    The Chrysalis had three arms, one leg, and one heart that hadn¡¯t been recovered by the Sanctuary.


    Sheng¡¯s arm and the heart from the Eternal Night in Sun City were now with Mithra.


    The Chrysalis still possessed two arms and a leg.


    Mithra had assumed they would be more evenly distributed; she hadn¡¯t expected two arms to be on one person.


    Her previous strikes had hit several transformed believers¡¯ non-vital areas; they¡¯d been sent flying but hadn''t suffered significant injuries.


    ¡°How¡­ how do you know my name¡­?¡± Zheng Rain, sprawled on the ground, her body reforming from the Greatsword¡¯s blows, spoke in a raspy voice. A face similar to Sheng¡¯s, though even more grotesque, appeared before Mithra.


    Sheng¡¯s body was mostly obscured by a Chrysalis arm.


    Zheng Rain only had one visible eye and a vaguely defined mouth; she looked barely human.


    ¡°So, the others escaped, leaving you to stop me?¡± Mithra asked, ignoring her question.


    ¡°You¡¯ve destroyed everything! Damn it¡­ I should have been able to end this life of hiding! It¡¯s all your fault! Our plan! I will¡­¡±


    Bang!


    Mid-sentence, she lunged; Mithra¡¯s two Greatswords struck her previous location.


    ¡°Damn you!¡±


    She hadn¡¯t been allowed to finish.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not interested in ugly elite monsters,¡±


    Mithra nonchalantly said, placing the Night Hunter Greatsword on her shoulder.

 Chapter 84: Rebuild

    Boom!


    From outside, a section of the building¡¯s exterior glass wall facing the street exploded.


    Zheng Rain, almost thrown out, used her powerful transformation, even weakened by Planet Blue''s restrictions, to pull herself back.


    Her transformation was exceptionally fast; unlike most Chrysalis members, she didn''t rely on the Chrysalis¡¯s curse to extend her attacks. Most Chrysalis members used their stolen flesh to create blade-like whips.


    This was a practical tactic, but this extensive extension also meant a wider range of flesh manipulation; the believer¡¯s attention was divided, making it difficult to react effectively to counterattacks.


    Zheng Rain, however, focused on consolidating her flesh, enhancing her external structure to achieve greater destructive power.


    But this was ineffective against Mithra.


    The two Greatswords swung, not particularly fast, directly confronting Zheng Rain''s fighting style.


    Mithra, in her suit, appeared clumsy. Zheng Rain, strengthened by Reinforce Body, believed her trained physique was superior.


    But the reality exceeded her expectations.


    Each clash twisted and disrupted Zheng Rain''s bodily structure. The two Greatswords, like fatal charms, relentlessly pursued her, repeatedly knocking her to the ground.


    Then, the Night Hunter Greatsword¡¯s Hunting Blade nearly threw her from the building; even without being directly hit, she was almost severed by the invisible blade energy.


    If she had fallen, even with her transformation, she would have been severely injured, if not killed!


    Mithra dragged the two Greatswords, slowly approaching; seemingly casual, the scraping blades hinted at the ever-present possibility of Enlightened Step.


    Zheng Rain, after enhancing her eyesight, could barely react to Enlightened Step¡¯s speed.


    Yet, she had to focus completely on every movement. She had to be aware of any sounds, ready to evade the blue glow; a direct confrontation was futile against that overwhelming physical strength.


    Why¡­ were they targeted by this monster?!


    Mithra suddenly vanished, transforming into a tiny shadow; her unique movement miracle was activated!


    Zheng Rain sensed a rapidly approaching shadow; one arm¡¯s flesh swelled, then compressed; her monstrous claws swiped.


    Swish!


    But she grabbed nothing.


    Mithra¡¯s Greatsword hilt lightly grazed her claws, a gust of wind ruffling Mithra¡¯s hair.


    The blade!?


    Mithra¡¯s Greatsword was reduced to only the hilt; the blade had completely separated.


    Without giving her time to react, the Night Hunter Greatsword, its blade slightly ajar, released a bluish-purple glow, even weakened on Planet Blue.


    It came!


    Boom!


    The Hunting Blade slashed; Zheng Rain¡¯s shoulder was severed, the cut extending to her abdomen; her upper body was nearly split in two, but it remained intact, attempting to regenerate.


    But a whistling sound came from behind and above; the four blades pierced her.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword followed, striking Zheng Rain¡¯s head.


    With a thud, she fell, but remained tense, struggling to break free from the blades.


    Mithra reached out; Ki pattern flickered; she used a containment miracle, using the blades as anchors.


    After a brief struggle, Zheng Rain¡¯s writhing flesh solidified, greatly hindering her transformation.


    Having done that, Mithra retracted the Night Hunter Greatsword, drawing the Abhorrence Staff, and stabbing it into Zheng Rain¡¯s head.


    Even with two arms, the Abhorrence Staff contained a true core heart; it rapidly absorbed the power of the two Chrysalis arms.


    This would take some time; Mithra sat on a nearby chair and checked her phone.


    She saw Nie Hong''s post of their celebratory meal¡ªa lavish feast, courtesy of Leo Duncan.


    Though Mithra didn''t crave food, it looked appealing.


    After a day of looking at writhing flesh, this was a pleasant distraction.


    After a while, Zheng Rain¡¯s power faded; her rapidly-withering flesh, combined with her injuries, caused her death. The Abhorrence Staff, having fully absorbed her power, trembled slightly.


    Mithra reached out and grasped it; the trembling quickly subsided.


    Then, Mithra lowered her head, her eyes briefly turning bestial.


    A brief partial transformation; Mithra often used this method to temporarily enhance her physical abilities. Beast transformation was more controllable on Planet Blue, less restrictive than in the Dreamlands.


    Though she wasn''t really restricted; she used it whenever needed, even in the Flamescape.


    Now, she used the transformation to enhance her sense of smell.


    ¡¾Hunting: A hunter miracle. The roles of pursuit and hunting are clearly defined; pursuers possess refined tracking skills; prey rarely escapes. This miracle enhances senses, creating a unique perception, enabling one to smell ¡°scent¡± beyond the physical plane.¡¿


    Mithra rarely used this miracle; although the description sounded good, the ¡°dog" mostly smelled darkness-related scents; it was too lazy to detect other smells; excessive use could even cause olfactory fatigue.


    This made her worried about the upcoming Unified Sense for her nose.


    But after the Flamescape incident, the ¡°dog" had become more cooperative; even the self-imposed restrictions were less severe, allowing Mithra to use this miracle more frequently.


    Quickly, Mithra smelled a unique scent; standing by the shattered window, she gazed into the distance, then leaped out.


    Using the Abhorrence Staff to navigate the buildings, Mithra pursued her target.


    Shortly after Mithra¡¯s departure, federal police arrived, shocked by the scene; they quickly secured and investigated the area.


    ¡°These appear to be¡­ Transformation Miracles! Wandering God curse detected! It¡¯s the Chrysalis!¡± The investigators announced their findings, exchanging glances.


    The senior officers'' expressions darkened.


    The Chrysalis was relentless; this massive gathering in their jurisdiction was a significant failure on their part!


    ...


    A minibus drove down a pedestrian walkway.


    The occupants were mostly grim, even despondent. Some were furious.


    They had woken up that morning, laughing about their bright future; then, a sudden disaster had destroyed years of work in an instant; their months-long plan had crumbled.


    Anyone would be upset.


    ¡°Damn it! Where did that monster come from?! How did she know about us?!¡± Finally, someone slammed the car door, hurting their hand from the lack of Reinforce Body.


    ¡°¡­Sheng.¡± Someone said after a moment of reflection, naming the most likely culprit.


    The only ones who recently knew about their plans were Sheng and her group.


    The Chrysalis knew about the deal with the Night Hunter Church, but the timing was bad; they were about to take over Hengfeng Group and planned to cooperate later.


    Sheng had been quiet for years, only to suddenly take the initiative and leave with others.


    And now it seemed that she¡¯d been defeated somewhere and sold them out!


    Everyone gritted their teeth in anger.


    ¡°Before the federal police react, we need to reach the nearest teleportation point. Our best option now is to leave Planet Blue and regroup later,¡± the passenger in the front seat said calmly.


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    There was no arguing; their actions had been exposed, resurrecting past sins and subjecting them to another crackdown in Planet Blue, leaving them virtually nowhere to hide.


    Their past experiences should have taught them the importance of remaining hidden; their meticulously laid plans had crumbled in a single morning.


    The vast Dreamlands were their only refuge.


    Though the Chrysalis faith originated in the Dreamlands before fleeing to Planet Blue, they were now trapped, utterly desperate.


    What other Wandering God worshiping organization could possibly be worse off?


    Suddenly, the passenger in the front seat paled: ¡°Rain is dead.¡±


    ¡°Expected¡­ Wait, how long has it been?!¡±


    Zheng Rain had sacrificed herself; they hadn¡¯t considered it; but now they realized how short a time had passed since they¡¯d escaped.


    Zheng Rain, empowered by two Chrysalis arms, was dead?!


    Even with the weakening of miracles on Planet Blue, hers was among the least weakened, and everyone was equally weakened; what kind of power disparity could lead to such a swift and decisive death?!


    Even far from the company, it was unlikely that the killer possessed the ability to rapidly traverse the city and catch up to them.


    Despite their attempts to reassure themselves, the easy death of a top-tier member shattered their morale.


    Before them was a teleportation point in Hou City.


    A nondescript, small square.


    To avoid complications, they parked nearby and hurried towards the square.


    As they passed a narrow alley, suddenly, a person¡¯s upper body vanished.


    It was too fast; little blood spilled. Before the lower body fell, before anyone reacted, a shadow descended from the sky, grabbing another person, dragging them into the alley.


    Only then did they turn, seeing the writhing lower body on the ground, then¡­


    A figure had tackled another companion; the companion¡¯s body trembled violently, seemingly attempting to transform, but it was futile.


    A gruesome crunching sound came from the dimly lit alley; they vaguely saw crimson, tentacle-like things lashing out.


    ¡°A¡­ help¡­¡±


    Gulp.


    The weak sound was cut short; the entire body was dragged away and disappeared.


    Mithra turned slowly; her sharp, bestial eyes gradually returned to normal; a leg, the only remaining part of the victim, dangled from her chest.


    ¡°Eat faster,¡± Mithra said, walking away.


    ¡°Hungry¡­¡± The Maw responded.


    It was understandable; after consuming so many burning fire seeds, it deserved something fresh and warm. Couldn''t it be a little more careful?


    But there were still many outside; no need to rush. Eat more.


    Without hesitation, the remaining survivors raced towards the teleportation point.


    But the Maw, energized by its hunger, extended its tongue-like tentacles, quickly grabbing several stragglers, pulling them back. Mithra used the Abhorrence Staff to slice them, facilitating consumption by the Maw, then pursued the others.


    The remaining individuals had no desire to fight. While some were skilled at transformation, their abilities were limited on Planet Blue; even the strongest were no match for the two Chrysalis arms. Mithra slaughtered them efficiently; the Maw feasted.


    By the time they reached the square, only two remained.


    ¡°Help! Murder! Murder!¡± a Chrysalis member cried out, desperately seeking help. Some Planet Blue citizens might intervene.


    As soon as the cry was uttered, one was pierced from behind by the Abhorrence Staff; the chest cavity transformed into a hook that dragged them away.


    Only one remained.


    The bystanders were confused; such violent displays were rare in Planet Blue. Regardless of their motives, they were drawn to the scene.


    One, like the Chrysalis members, although unclear about the situation, was moved by the brutality; she shouted, ¡°Stop! What¡­¡±


    Mithra¡¯s gaze turned towards her.


    She said nothing, showed no expression; yet, her coldness, the unsettling emptiness in her dark eyes, chilled the onlookers.


    All words died in their throats; Mithra¡¯s gaze swept over them.


    The last survivor quickly hid amongst the onlookers, hoping to blend in. He''d done the best he could.


    He thought the crowd might deter Mithra.


    But the white whip lashed out, precisely targeting the last man''s head, piercing, hooking, and pulling him away.


    Seeing the bloody scene, some younger bystanders cried out.


    Mithra pulled the man before her, noticing he¡¯d protected his head and hadn¡¯t been instantly killed.


    Looking at his terrified eyes, Mithra asked, ¡°The final leg isn¡¯t here?¡±


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    She hadn¡¯t seen the leg amongst this group; she¡¯d hoped to collect all the Chrysalis parts, a pity.


    ¡°You¡­ damn¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you hiding in this city, in Planet Blue, or operating in the Dreamlands?¡± Mithra asked.


    The man''s eyes trembled violently; unable to answer, the Abhorrence Staff ended him instantly.


    Retracting the staff, Mithra straightened her suit; the Maw closed and vanished, having learned to do so without needing instructions. It was quite intelligent.


    Then, she sat on a bench by the roadside.


    ¡°¡­Sir, what are you doing?¡± a brave young man curiously asked. Why would someone who¡¯d just killed so many people calmly wait for the police?


    ¡°Waiting for the police.¡±


    Oh, she really was waiting for the police.


    Conveniently, Mithra called Leo Duncan.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Leo Duncan¡¯s voice was muffled; he had something in his mouth.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m done here,¡± Mithra said casually.


    ¡°Ah¡­ what? We haven¡¯t finished eating¡­¡±


    ¡°Save some for me; I¡¯ll be back this afternoon,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll treat you again when you return. This is a big deal; cooperate with the police investigation. It¡¯ll be fine; even though the impact is significant, it¡¯s not insurmountable for Planet Blue; your actions were a great service; we¡¯ll make it easier for you to return. The online backlash will be difficult to manage, though; you should be aware of that.¡±


    ¡°Ah?¡± Mithra responded blankly after his long explanation.


    ¡°¡­Sigh, sit tight; I¡¯ll handle it. You probably don¡¯t care about the other details; that¡¯s it,¡± Leo Duncan sighed.


    Hanging up, Mithra rested calmly, her staff on her lap.


    ¡°Satisfied?¡± she looked at the sky, the wind gentle, asking casually.


    The Abhorrence Staff remained unresponsive.


    ¡°I suppose not. No matter what, your fate is sealed; others'' suffering won¡¯t necessarily comfort you,¡± Mithra said.


    A breeze swept away some of the blood; police sirens grew closer.


    These were real police sirens.


    The Abhorrence Staff rolled lightly on Mithra¡¯s lap, likely coincidental.


    ...


    Mithra was taken away by the police.


    Then, she was subjected to a thorough interrogation.


    The significant negative impact of the street brawl, coupled with the recent scandal involving corrupt Hou City officers, meant the police couldn''t afford to be careless.


    Mithra cooperated fully; there was no need to antagonize these individuals already experiencing psychological distress.


    The complete picture, obtained from Mithra, corroborated the evidence from the crime scene, phone videos, and photos.


    The interrogating officer couldn''t even utter a simple "Don''t be so aggressive" seeing Mithra''s calm demeanor.


    They had been saved by Mithra.


    After the truth about the Chrysalis cult''s plan was revealed, the Hou City elite were terrified.


    The Chrysalis had been nearly annihilated once before; this time, they were even more alarmed.


    Hengfeng Group was a major player in the city; this scandal was huge and impossible to conceal.


    Whether it was considered ugly or not, if this continued, wouldn''t it eventually fall upon them?


    While the situation was troubling, they were also fortunate.


    Leo Duncan acted swiftly.


    Although the Hou City officials didn''t understand why ¡°Lobotomy Company¡± intervened, their demands weren''t unreasonable¡ªexpedite the process, release Mithra quickly, and don''t impede her.


    That evening, Mithra smoothly boarded her flight back to Wuhu City.


    Meanwhile, news spread rapidly online; the Hou City incident went viral.


    Videos of Mithra¡¯s actions circulated widely, sparking intense discussions.


    ¡¾Shocking! Woman commits multiple murders on a city street, then calmly waits for the police!¡¿


    ¡¾Prominent Hengfeng Group wiped out! The perpetrator is a woman!¡¿


    People were shocked and curious about Hengfeng Group.


    Such sensational headlines, paired with blurry videos seemingly showing a crazed killer murdering people from a large company and chasing victims down the street, drew many in.


    Without knowing the context, it seemed a city had produced a murderous maniac who annihilated a large company and chased people down the street; it was unclear what grievances she held.


    ¡¾At the scene, someone was killed before me. The weapon was extraordinary; I suspect it contained miraculous properties. The last survivor cried for help; I shouted at the killer, even intimidating her. Unfortunately, she still killed the victim. Truly heartbreaking.¡¿


    Such boastful comments could fool some.


    But clearer videos soon emerged, showing the terrified bystander who''d almost been killed.


    ¡¾Planet Blue¡¯s security needs improvement; if the Dreamlands are unmanageable, will Planet Blue ever be safe?¡¿


    ¡¾The number one requirement for a miracle studies major shouldn''t be miracle power, but mental stability! Look at what¡¯s happening now!¡¿


    ¡¾This is a can of worms.¡¿


    Some more serious comments also appeared.


    This topic, naturally, occasionally appeared on the Dreamlands forum, particularly in the university section, with Shui Tu University students noticing something.


    ¡¾Isn¡¯t this our Mithra? How did she end up so far away?¡¿


    ¡¾Damn, is this saying Mithra is a serial killer?¡¿


    ¡¾Isn''t she the one who can take multiple lives? I honestly wouldn''t want to get too close to her.¡¿


    ¡¾She''s definitely a seasoned killer; she¡¯s not just someone acting out of desperation in the Dreamlands; she''s probably killed plenty of Planet Blue citizens, hunting them down with life locks.¡¿


    ¡¾She asked me, ¡°How many lives do you have left¡­¡±¡¿


    ¡¾I heard that; those asked that question might be her next target!¡¿


    ¡¾¡­The floor master is talkative; Mithra is actually nice; she helped me when I almost fell in the cafeteria.¡¿


    ¡¾No, the Skyfire incident in Ember City hasn''t been resolved yet; Mithra saved many people during that event; she¡¯s a good person.¡¿


    ¡¾The testimonies are contradictory; someone said she took a life lock without reason.¡¿


    ¡¾What? She would leave you a life lock? She''s probably deflecting blame!¡¿


    ¡¾So she has killed, right? Life locks or not, a life is a life! What¡¯s the big deal? Someone from the Dreamlands obtaining a Planet Blue identity; that''s a remarkably easy feat!¡¿


    ¡¾You know more than the authorities?¡¿


    ¡¾Is she your mother? That''s why you''re defending her so much?¡¿


    ¡¾She saved my life in Ember City; she''s better than my father!¡¿


    ...


    The Ember City incident had largely subsided; Mithra¡¯s involvement had received little attention.


    However, combined with the Hou City incident, she was thrust into the spotlight.


    Mithra had just disembarked from her flight.


    A young man, engrossed in his phone, almost collided with her; Mithra effortlessly avoided him, making his clumsy evasion seem foolish.


    ¡°Sorry, sorry,¡± the young man quickly apologized. Seeing Mithra¡¯s face, his expression changed drastically.


    Damn! Wasn''t this the murderer from the online news?!


    Wasn''t she arrested? How could she be here?


    Her clothes confirmed it wasn¡¯t a look-alike; it was her!


    He''d almost collided with a woman who''d murdered an entire company!


    The young man paled; before he could scream, Mithra ignored him and left the airport.


    A familiar dark green car waited; Mithra got in, fastening her seatbelt.


    ¡°Impressive. You¡¯ve become quite the celebrity,¡± Leo Duncan said, starting the car.


    ¡°It was a novel experience; committing murder on a city street in modern society,¡± Mithra mused.


    After all, this was impossible on Earth; even with justification, it wouldn''t be so easily resolved.


    The influence of the Chrysalis cult and Leo Duncan¡¯s assistance were significant factors.


    But Mithra didn¡¯t dwell on it; she enjoyed acting decisively without constraint.


    ¡°Mithra, did you kill everyone?¡± Nie Hong cautiously asked from the back seat.


    Nie Hong and Liyu were also there, but Liyu was still under travel restrictions; appearing at the airport would be risky.


    ¡°I killed everyone I could smell; some escaped, but I didn''t have time; I gave the police a chance to perform. The only thing I regret is not finding one Chrysalis body part,¡± Mithra replied.


    ¡°Finishing that in less than a day is insane; give the police a break; keep a low profile,¡± Leo Duncan said.


    Nie Hong spoke again: ¡°Oh, Mr. Chen said you should see him when you get back. While the actual impact isn¡¯t massive, it¡¯s still troublesome.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± Mithra nodded. ¡°So, what¡¯s for dinner?¡±


    ¡°¡­Right, Crab, what¡¯s for dinner?¡± Nie Hong smoothly changed the subject.


    Leo Duncan wanted to say something but, under their gazes, complied: ¡°Let¡¯s try a different restaurant¡­¡±


    He¡¯d taken Nie Hong and Mithra to almost every high-end restaurant in Wuhu City.


    Returning to the rehabilitation center after dinner, it wasn¡¯t late, but it was dark.


    Mithra met Chen Shao.


    Chen Shao inquired about the events, then nodded calmly: ¡°I¡¯ve also received the details; want to hear my opinion?¡±


    ¡°Too aggressive?¡±


    ¡°Well done.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± Though surprised by Chen Shao¡¯s approval, Mithra simply responded.


    She¡¯d expected a sigh and a comment about the trouble she¡¯d caused; this was unexpected.


    Chen Shao seemed calm but surprisingly progressive.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be judged by Planet Blue''s standards. The Chrysalis cult originated in the Dreamlands; they thrived in Planet Blue due to its unique environment. This malignant tumor needed to be removed; even with casualties, I believe it was acceptable. In fact, there were already significant sacrifices. But you single-handedly accomplished this,¡±


    Chen Shao spoke at length, maintaining a calm tone while clearly expressing his perspective.


    ¡°Mm,¡± Mithra responded politely.


    ¡°The online controversy is temporary; Hou City will release a statement tomorrow. Your actions won¡¯t cause additional trouble; in fact, some difficult tasks have been simplified thanks to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°But we have something to say. I know you seem to be getting along well here, but you haven¡¯t truly integrated; this isn¡¯t your home. Your actions might differ from your intentions, but objectively, you¡¯ve saved many people. You shouldn¡¯t be slandered; many are angry about what happened to you,¡±


    Chen Shao said warmly.


    Mithra stared at Chen Shao for a moment, nodding slightly: ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Her expression didn''t change.


    Chen Shao nodded back.


    The conversation ended; Mithra took her leave.


    Glancing back at Chen Shao¡¯s office, Mithra turned and headed to her room.


    She sensed that Chen Shao had a rich history.


    ...


    The next morning, Mithra was on her way to class¡ªanother fire-related course.


    She received considerable attention and discussion along the way.


    It was somewhat bothersome.


    She suddenly thought of something.


    Being admired was far more troublesome than being disliked.


    The change in public opinion had a significant impact. And this incident involved both Hou City and Ember City, making it even larger.


    That morning, Hou City, in conjunction with the Federal government, released a statement about the incident.


    The Chrysalis cult¡¯s plan and Mithra¡¯s contribution were detailed.


    This quickly ended the online debate.


    Of course, there might still be some anti-fans from Ember City who''d had a life lock taken by Mithra.


    Despite the attention, Mithra¡¯s initial discomfort quickly faded; she continued her studies and attended classes.


    She focused on what she needed to do.


    She responded to everyone, male or female.


    Fortunately, public interest waned quickly; the incident was soon overshadowed by other news.


    The rehabilitation center helped her manage various matters; her life wasn''t disrupted.


    As time went on, Mithra¡¯s life returned to normal.


    Lately, Mithra had been spending considerable time mastering the "Nirvana Bloom" flame miracle.


    Its power was clear: Mithra¡¯s interpretation was ¡°the lower the life force, the greater the power, and the greater the life force recovery.¡±


    A powerful miracle, perfectly suited to her style.


    However, after starting her studies, she realized it was exceptionally difficult.


    She''d assumed Carazo and Liyu would know it, making it easy to learn.


    Apparently, she¡¯d underestimated the fire seed''s influence on natural talent.


    The Ashes Flame Father¡¯s enhancement of her fire miracle talent was minimal.


    While she could directly use fire miracles in her burning state, her extinguished state remained clumsy.


    Perhaps she simply lacked natural talent in this area. Even if she no longer needed catalysts for fire miracles, it wasn¡¯t innate.


    Mastering ¡°Nirvana Bloom¡± required understanding the symbolism of life; she could attempt to deduce it from Water and Wood miracles, the easiest to access.


    Water and fire were mostly incompatible; Wood enhanced fire; fire believers often supplemented their abilities with Wood miracles.


    The more she delved into miracles, the more she realized that while there weren''t significant limitations on the types of miracles people could master, comprehensive mastery was rare; most mastered basic miracles and a few specialties.


    Talent and time were always limited.


    As for Mithra, her talent was primarily in her anger and self-imposed limitations; she had learned Ki miracles quickly, but now she craved the power of Wandering Gods.


    However, the price for mastering Wandering God miracles was substantial; Mithra was already contemplating a mahjong game in her mind.


    She hoped the ¡°dog¡± and the self-imposed restrictions would enjoy it.


    She still had no idea how to visualize a mahjong table; a deck of cards would also work.


    That day, returning from her Wood magic class, she received a message from Nie Hong.


    Nie Hong: ¡¾Mithra, Sun City announced plans to recreate Xyrin; the news is out!¡¿


    ...


    Dreamlands, Sun City.


    Several months had passed¡ªnot a long time¡ªand Mithra was once again in this large Dreamlands city.


    Although the Ember City incident had temporarily reduced cross-dimensional traffic, it hadn''t significantly impacted things.


    After all, Ember City-type events were low-probability occurrences; some people were just unlucky.


    Sun City had a considerable Planet Blue population; it was one of the largest Dreamlands cities with a significant Planet Blue presence, and it was even busier now.


    However, because Sun City was large, and it wasn''t a holiday, it wasn''t as crowded as Ember City had been.


    Sun City was divided into West, East, and North districts, along with the central inner city.


    The East District was the most developed and heavily trafficked by Planet Blue citizens. The North District housed many foreign merchants. The central inner city was small but crucial, strictly controlled, with a nighttime curfew.


    Mithra and Nie Hong were in the central district; Sun City was about to hold a detailed press conference regarding the recreation of Xyrin.


    Representatives from various factions had gathered for the conference.


    ¡°Rare. I thought you and Leo Duncan had locked down your roles,¡± Mithra said, watching Nie Hong eat a Sun-shaped lollipop he¡¯d bought on the street.


    ¡°What roles? Are we in some script or something?¡± Nie Hong scoffed.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Mithra shrugged.


    ¡°The crab¡¯s been pulled away by his sister to handle family business; he¡¯s been unavailable lately. That was the price for his help; his sister seized the opportunity,¡± Nie Hong explained.


    ¡°He has a sister,¡± Mithra commented.


    ¡°Yes, and a brother. His sister, Ling Jinghan, is also a Shui Tu graduate, but unlike him, she¡¯s very low-key; many don¡¯t realize she¡¯s from Shui Tu. She¡¯s not particularly flashy, has no remarkable achievements in miracles, but she¡¯s a formidable businesswoman,¡± Nie Hong explained.


    ¡°Ah, that must be difficult,¡± Mithra nodded.


    ¡°Leo Duncan isn¡¯t keen on inheriting the family business. While he hasn''t said what he wants, his ambitions are similar to mine¡ªconquering the Dreamlands. His sister wants one of him and his brother to help after graduation, so she¡¯s been grooming them; that¡¯s why he often wears suits,¡±


    So that¡¯s it.


    No wonder Leo Duncan often wore suits; he was on call for his sister.


    ¡°Does he have a chance?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the interesting part. While he¡¯s reluctant, he¡¯s been given responsibilities he can¡¯t refuse; his abilities are clear; he¡¯s performed exceptionally well. The crab¡¯s been quite down about it; his brother¡¯s doing well; he feels his future is set,¡± Nie Hong chuckled.


    Mithra, after thinking for a moment, said, ¡°Being a Crab King is difficult.¡±


    Nie Hong hesitated, then mumbled, ¡°You always have to be well-behaved.¡±


    ...


    Central Inner City, Xyrin Square.


    This was supposedly where the first Xyrin was created, holding significant symbolic meaning. Nearby was Sun City¡¯s Grand Conference Hall, a key political location.


    Mithra and Nie Hong slowly approached; the area was cordoned off; inner city guards stood watch, intervening if crowds became too dense or anyone attempted to breach the barriers.


    Inside the barriers, many figures were seated, awaiting the conference.


    It was quite formal.


    Mithra and Nie Hong didn¡¯t try to get closer; the stage was high, and the square was spacious enough for everyone to see, especially believers.


    ¡°Ms. Mithra? You¡¯re here,¡± a familiar voice said.


    Mithra and Nie Hong turned to see Salomo.


    The Sanctuary wouldn''t miss such an important event.


    ¡°Mr. Salomo!¡± Nie Hong greeted him.


    ¡°Ah, I almost didn¡¯t recognize you, Little Nie; you¡¯ve improved significantly,¡± Salomo replied with a polite smile.


    Nie Hong chuckled awkwardly.


    ¡°You¡¯re late,¡± Mithra said abruptly.


    Salomo shrugged, smiling: ¡°While slightly behind schedule, the conference hasn¡¯t started yet; there¡¯s no need to rush.¡±


    ¡°Is that alright?¡± Nie Hong felt awkward; one shouldn''t be so casual in such a formal setting.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a press conference. If I weren¡¯t here representing the Sanctuary and a sponsor, I wouldn¡¯t bother coming. Want to join me?¡± Salomo asked.


    Nie Hong was eager, but Mithra refused: ¡°No, too crowded; we''ll just watch.¡±


    Salomo wasn''t surprised; he nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nino?¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°Retirement suits him; he seems much more relaxed. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯ll be here; if his fishing trip overlaps, I¡¯m not sure what he¡¯ll choose,¡± Salomo said.


    ¡°While fishing is a hobby, it wouldn¡¯t override this,¡± a familiar, tall figure said, appearing beside them.


    He¡¯d removed his heavy armor; dressed in casual clothes, his usual stern demeanor was softened. Nino looked peaceful, fitting the image of a retiree.


    ¡°Ah, you made it,¡± Salomo greeted him.


    Nino nodded to the three of them as he approached.


    Around that time, sounds echoed from the square. Salomo glanced that way: ¡°I should get going; I wouldn¡¯t want to represent the Sanctuary in a negative light. Enjoy your conversation.¡±


    He quickly headed towards the exit.


    Watching Salomo leave, Mithra said to Nino, ¡°You seem to have recovered well.¡±


    ¡°With Xyrin resisting the curse, these injuries are nothing,¡± Nino chuckled.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you survived.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha ha, of course, thanks to you,¡±


    Nie Hong, choosing to remain silent, quietly munched on his lollipop.


    On the stage, the seats were full; many were gathered around the stage. Mithra noticed Kim Xiaoyang, the apprentice blacksmith she¡¯d met in the West District.


    She was still an observer; her grandfather, Jin Zhenggang, was the head blacksmith.


    Besides the blacksmiths, several recognizable Sun City elites were present; they were tense, their gazes frequently drifting towards the various factions gathered below.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to create another one,¡± Mithra said.


    Nino wasn¡¯t surprised: ¡°Having met those blacksmiths, that¡¯s not surprising.¡±


    ¡°Have you heard anything about what happened before?¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to investigate, but I¡¯ve been removed from those circles; I wasn¡¯t particularly close to the Sun¡¯s Mercantile Guild; it¡¯s a pity,¡± Nino sighed, shaking his head.


    Although the Chrysalis incident in the West District was seemingly resolved, suspicious elements remained.


    A shadowy hand helped the Night Hunter Church and Sheng.


    The Night Hunter Church¡¯s hidden estate was a merchant property; the Sun¡¯s Mercantile Guild controlled much of Sun City¡¯s commerce; even Salomo, a resident representative, had to cooperate with the guild.


    Investigating merchants would require access to the Mercantile Guild.


    Unfortunately, Nino had limited connections there; there were even internal funding disputes within Sun City. After his retirement and expulsion from political circles, effective investigation was impossible.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s guess what the mastermind wants,¡± Mithra changed the subject.


    Nino remained silent; Nie Hong clearly didn''t understand what they were talking about, even muffling his lollipop.


    ¡°At this critical moment, the goal is likely this,¡± Mithra said, looking at the stage.


    Nino gravely nodded: ¡°That¡¯s why there are no leads.¡±


    Mithra said nothing; Nino continued: ¡°Everyone benefits from Sun City¡¯s revival through Xyrin¡¯s recreation. Why would someone sabotage this?¡±


    ¡°People are strange. Unclear motives make it difficult to identify targets,¡± Mithra said.


    Nino¡¯s gaze was distant.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only offer suggestions; I¡¯ll leave after the conference; this is an internal matter. Regarding the previous proposal, contact Salomo if necessary,¡± Mithra concluded.


    Mithra wasn¡¯t close to Sun City; their relationship was strained; she didn¡¯t expect the city¡¯s elite to be grateful for her assistance.


    If it weren¡¯t for Nino and her own interest in Xyrin, she wouldn¡¯t have bothered attending.


    Seeing Mithra and Nino finish their conversation, Nie Hong cautiously asked, ¡°Why recreate Xyrin? The current Xyrin is doing fine, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Mithra remained silent; Nino glanced at Nie Hong, sighing again: ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough; it¡¯s not appropriate for me to say.¡±


    Changing the subject, Nino pointed out some of the people within the barriers.


    ¡°Salomo¡­ the Sanctuary representative; no need for introduction; the Sanctuary is adept at international trade; this is how they maintain access to many independent city-states and nations.¡±


    ¡°Those in blue robes are from the Sella Kingdom. Sella and Xyrin clashed during the Wandering God era but later united against the Wandering Gods. The two countries are allies with frequent exchanges.¡±


    ¡°Those in dark gold, with the double-headed dragon crest, are the representatives from the Rakki. From the legendary dragon ruins, Vala¡¯s Fall, they raise many half-dragon creatures. You might visit their lodgings; they arrived on flying dragons.¡±


    ¡°The Gulan Sacrifice Tower¡­ those shrouded in greyish-white cloth. Honestly, I don¡¯t like them. Their tower is located on the ruins of Gulan, the last beast city. They¡¯re called the guardians of the beast people, but many are proficient in beast miracles considered taboo in many Dreamlands regions.¡±


    ¡°¡­Most influential forces from Xyrin¡¯s region have sent representatives; some were invited, others came uninvited; many more I don''t know about are secretly observing¡­ Regardless, the news of a third Xyrin has a significant impact on the Dreamlands.¡±

 Chapter 85: Its alive

    ¡°And of course, those in red and gold are the imperial historians from Rising Sun City. They wouldn¡¯t miss such an important event. Look at the leader, Kimio, one of the Empire¡¯s Four Knights; the hammer on his back is the Xyrin Great Maul; I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of it.¡±


    Having introduced the foreign forces, Nino pointed towards their own representatives.


    Following Nino¡¯s gesture, Mithra saw Kimio, a man as tall as Nino, but with a youthful face, lacking Nino¡¯s aura.


    His slightly furrowed brow conveyed seriousness and tension; his face looked like a student contemplating a math problem.


    Of course, the most important was the Xyrin Great Maul.


    ¡¾Xyrin Great Maul: Combining the power of a Light Wandering God and advanced technology, it¡¯s forged from top-tier materials, balancing power and stability. Unlike the first Xyrin, created through pure miraculous technology, the second Xyrin¡¯s core is a ¡°Heart of Light¡± Wandering God. A seed is taken from the ¡°Heart of Light,¡± transforming the protective heart into destructive power¡ªa God-killing weapon.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªListen carefully; the heartbeat is the light¡¯s ¡°voice.¡±¡¿


    Diehl, the blacksmith from the Sanctuary, had participated in the creation of three God-killing weapons. He''d assisted in creating two; one for the Sella Kingdom and one for the Xyrin Empire.


    The Xyrin Great Maul was one of them.


    The weapon''s creation had strengthened the relationship between the Xyrin Empire and the Sanctuary.


    Honestly, even though it was their national God-killing weapon, Mithra coveted it.


    Even if obtaining it was improbable, she could still dream, couldn''t she?


    The Xyrin Great Maul was massive, unlike Mithra¡¯s fragmented hammer; its thick, long handle was intimidating.


    The head was somewhat oddly shaped, a black polyhedron. Mithra suspected its true power was yet to be revealed.


    However, despite her initial covetousness, the Night¡¯s Eye information shifted her focus to something more mysterious.


    The second Xyrin contained a Light Wandering God?


    Even the Xyrin Great Maul¡¯s Wandering God power originated from this ¡°Heart of Light.¡±


    The sheer expenditure of resources was astonishing.


    ¡°Can a national treasure be casually displayed?¡± Mithra asked, snapping out of her thoughts.


    ¡°It''s still within the country; Sun City isn¡¯t some poor village; and keeping such a weapon unused as a mere relic would be wasteful,¡± Nino replied honestly.


    He continued, ¡°The Four Knights of Xyrin share the Xyrin Great Maul, distributing it according to need; they often carry it throughout the country; it¡¯s not always used, but its existence is a great source of encouragement and reassurance.¡±


    The weapon wasn''t exclusively owned? Shared by four people?


    No, the Four Knights were titles; many more might have used it?


    This was unlike Mithra¡¯s cunning and versatile God-killing weapons.


    If the wielder changed mid-way, a temperamental Wandering God might cause trouble.


    While Mithra wielded the Night Hunter Greatsword and Abhorrence Staff with ease, the ¡°dog" side effect was constantly present. The Abhorrence Staff had two sides: Sheng and the Chrysalis.


    Sheng''s side was largely pacified; she mostly interacted with Mithra; the Chrysalis had become withdrawn.


    But even in its withdrawn state, the Chrysalis was cunning; as its name suggested, a dark serpent seeking any opportunity. It was temporarily submissive under Mithra but would likely cause chaos under a different wielder.


    Compared to Mithra¡¯s experience, the Xyrin Great Maul was a simple, hardworking employee willing to accept any assignment.


    Mithra actually wanted more.


    She could use more reliable staff in her newly established company!


    Kimio awaited the conference. As the most prominent representative from the capital, deep in thought, he felt an intense gaze upon him¡­ from behind.


    The intense desire startled him; he turned, but the gaze was gone.


    An illusion?


    No, a believer of his caliber wouldn¡¯t make such a mistake.


    Someone was watching him from the shadows!


    Oh¡­ as one of the Four Knights, he must have many admirers; he needs to be careful!


    Kimio shifted slightly, positioning his attendant to obscure his back. The tall figure blocked his attendant''s view.


    Attendant:?


    Why is the master acting so strangely today?


    Mithra withdrew her gaze, no longer fixated on the Xyrin Great Maul; she was unaware that her casual glance had startled Kimio, who assumed she was a lurker.


    However, it wasn¡¯t Kimio¡¯s reaction that made her look away.


    She could look as long as she wished; she had no reason to hide her interest.


    She shifted her gaze because she, too, was being intensely observed.


    The observer showed no attempt at concealment, seemingly noticing Mithra and then directly gazing at her; Mithra met her gaze.


    Clad in greyish-white robes, she was from the ¡°Gulan Sacrifice Tower,¡± the group Nino had mentioned.


    The woman¡¯s pale hair and beautiful face were striking, though her chapped lips suggested dehydration. These details weren''t important to Mithra.


    Night Eye.


    This woman had a Night Eye.


    Only one, her right eye, scarred around the socket; her dark, empty eye trembled as it met Mithra¡¯s.


    Mithra remained calm, but the intense, underlying emotion emanating from the woman made the encounter feel protracted.


    A moment felt like an eternity; she felt a sense of disorientation.


    Only a Night Eye? What was going on?


    And she was from the Gulan Sacrifice Tower, the self-proclaimed guardians of the beast people.


    Her target was clear: Mithra.


    Then, the woman smiled wildly, said something to her companion, and left.


    Mithra said, ¡°Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Nie Hong was confused.


    On stage, the speaker was ready to begin.


    Nino was surprised but said nothing.


    Mithra quickly left.


    She headed out of the heavily guarded central inner city.


    The area outside was less crowded; most were inside watching; Mithra turned down a side street.


    The woman appeared before her, having caught up unnoticed; Mithra hadn¡¯t sensed her presence.


    ¡°Found you¡­¡± The woman removed her hood; her pale hair cascaded down; her eyes were wide, her pupil fixed on Mithra.


    ¡°Hunter!¡±


    Mithra:?


    Looking for a ¡°dog¡±?


    ¡°You¡¯ve mistaken me,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°No mistake. Even in a different body, you can¡¯t hide that unique feral scent. You wouldn¡¯t be the type to hide like a rat; seeing this eye, don¡¯t you feel the urge to hunt? Draw your weapon,¡±


    The woman, her hair slightly disheveled, brushed it back, revealing her eyes.


    Her left eye was blue; her right, a Night¡¯s Eye, identical to Mithra¡¯s.


    Mithra sniffed herself.


    Feral scent? That was an exaggeration. While Mithra didn¡¯t usually worry about getting dirty, she always cleaned herself thoroughly afterward.


    Suddenly, a strong wind hit her face. The woman, impatient, attacked.


    At close range, her right hand formed a fist; power gathered.


    ¡¾Rend: A beast miracle. Fangs and claws rend; the beast¡¯s desire is channeled into a powerful rending force; at a certain intensity, claw marks can be inflicted from a distance.¡¿


    A beast pattern appeared on her hand.


    Faith Totems manifested in two ways.


    Most commonly, they appeared on the area used to cast the miracle; these patterns were spontaneous, unrelated to the wielder.


    The second manifested directly on the skin.


    While the difference may seem insignificant, the first type is merely a general outline, while the second is a depiction of the opponent having already imprinted a pattern, leading to a certain miraculous portrayal on their body.


    That is, the believer''s path after Unified Sense: Clarity.


    Crimson flashed across the girl''s hand, then a grayish-white light rapidly bloomed. With a sweep of her arm, three claw marks instantly formed and shot towards Mithra.


    At the moment they left her hand, these claw marks were only palm-sized, but by the time they reached Mithra, they had expanded to two or three meters high!


    Their speed was also incredibly fast. Mithra quickly swung her Abhorrence staff to block in front of her.


    Bang! Tsss¡ª


    The slender staff was simply like a grasshopper against a cart compared to the three massive, ferocious claw marks. Mithra''s body was propelled backward, finally choosing to absorb the claw marks into the darkness within her palm, dissipating them.


    But the instant she dealt with this Rend, the woman had already closed the distance.


    ¡¾Feral Steps: Beast Miracle. Gathers the desires of a feral beast, utilizing hidden predatory footwork during execution to avoid external detection of oneself, while simultaneously granting a degree of physical burst.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThe wisdom within savage instinct, ready to unleash at any moment.¡¿


    No wonder the previous Ki sensing was ineffective.


    Just as Mithra thought this, the opponent lunged forward, hands already formed into claws, each hand imbued with a Rend miracle, and with further miracles already active on her body.


    ¡¾Feral Body: Beast Miracle. Gathers the desires of a feral beast throughout the entire body, greatly enhancing physical strength. Different people have different bestial natures; after this bestial nature is drawn out, the enhancement conferred by the Feral Body will vary. However, be warned: the drawn-out bestial nature may not be easily retracted.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªImmense but dangerous bestial power. Please maintain your humanity, or you will transform into a beast.¡¿


    Witnessing two Beast Miracles in succession, the woman''s movements under this enhancement were savage and fierce.


    Mithra''s Abhorrence staff only withstood two blows before her arms trembled, the heightened sensitivity causing a numbing sensation that made her hands feel useless.


    Her own body was already quite strong; with Reinforce Body active, it had been a long time since she had experienced such a situation where she was so completely outmatched.


    However, Mithra didn''t rely solely on her physical strength. As long as she had a weapon in hand, she had countless ways to deal with the situation.


    Praising Phaselos.


    The Abhorrence staff continuously blocked and redirected attacks, dodging the opponent''s strikes. In a series of deft movements, the opponent''s Rend claws left marks on the surrounding walls.


    Mithra spun, leaping out of the gap created by one of the opponent''s Rends. After a roll on the ground, she smoothly stood up, fluidly turning and transforming her staff into a bladed whip, lashing out.


    The effect of the darkness in her palm hadn''t yet fully dissipated, yet the woman suddenly kicked her leg, the immense force directly knocking the whip aside.


    But Mithra twisted her wrist, the bladed whip, like a nimble snake, rapidly coiled around the woman''s azure leg in a twisting arc, pulling hard.


    The woman tumbled to the ground.


    Despite the difference in strength, it wasn''t so vast that she couldn''t be pulled even when only one azure leg was caught.


    Mithra immediately followed up, drawing a mace from her waist, flames flickering around her body.


    Against feral beasts, flames are best.


    When the woman crawled back up, seeing the flames on Mithra, the madness in her eyes faltered, replaced by surprise and confusion.


    This hesitation was reflected in her movements. Facing Mithra''s thrusting staff, she only slightly leaned to make the most minimal evasion; the staff''s sharp point still pierced her shoulder.


    The staff merely fixed her position; the flame-imbued mace didn''t hesitate, swinging high towards her head.


    Bang!


    The woman was slammed against the nearby building''s wall by Mithra''s mace, her head embedded in the brickwork.


    Hmm?


    Mithra simultaneously extinguished the embers. Though fuel was currently abundant, she could conserve it for now.


    She assessed the mace''s impact. The feel had been undeniably powerful, but somehow she hadn''t smashed the opponent''s head. Furthermore, oddly, the opponent had seemed dazed; otherwise, Mithra had expected that blow to remove at least one arm.


    Of course, smashing the head would be ideal if the opportunity presented itself, but the opponent''s skull was tougher than anticipated.


    With a "crack," the opponent struggled free from the wall, falling to the ground and sitting there.


    Then, she lifted her head in a daze, meeting Mithra''s gaze.


    ¡°You¡­ who are you?¡± Her voice was noticeably softer. Though her face hadn''t changed, for some reason, Mithra felt her features had become much gentler.


    Her hair, previously disheveled, was now smooth.


    Most importantly, her right Night eye was gone, replaced by a blue iris identical to her left eye. The scar beneath her right eye socket had also vanished.


    What was happening?


    ¡°You just attacked me,¡± Mithra stated.


    ¡°Ah!¡± She quickly stood up, utterly flustered, looking around before her gaze returned to Mithra: ¡°Did Nina leave?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! Truly, I¡¯m so sorry!¡± She kept apologizing.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    She was completely unlike the frenzied woman she had been moments before.


    Mithra lowered her mace and looked around.


    Their brief fight had ended quickly and quietly, but the surroundings were still in disarray.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere else.¡± With that, she turned and left, the woman quickly following.


    After moving some distance and confirming no guards were pursuing, Mithra began to inquire about the woman''s situation.


    The woman''s name was Daphne, a Priestess from the Gulan Sacrifice Tower.


    Her right eye had once been implanted with a Night eye, a relic passed down within the tower, but this had resulted in an ancient consciousness residing within her eye, an entity called Nina.


    ¡°Miss Tinina is usually very kind to me. The achievements I¡¯ve made, learning so many powerful yet subtly dangerous Miracles, and being able to maintain myself¡ªall of this is thanks to her help,¡± Daphne said carefully.


    ¡°But she wasn''t very kind to me,¡± Mithra interjected.


    Daphne nodded cautiously: ¡°Miss Tinina keeps telling me she¡¯s searching for a Wandering God called the ¡®Hunter.¡¯ The full name, recorded in the Sanctuary, is apparently ¡®Night Hunter.¡¯ She wants to take revenge on that Wandering God, so she likely mistook you for him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be threatened with death because of such a simple case of mistaken identity,¡± Mithra said plainly.


    ¡°I will find a way to compensate you!¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m rather curious about your Miracles, and some things related to feral beasts,¡± Mithra said.


    Though Daphne herself was a Clarity path master, making her Miracle strength a poor standard for comparison, their brief encounter allowed Mithra to discern some of the Beast Miracles'' advantages.


    Moreover, learning about feral beasts¡ªwhether on Planet Blue or in Dreamland¡ªwas extremely difficult. Mithra''s future cohabitation with ¡°dog¡± required much greater understanding, making this a good opportunity.


    ¡°Beast Miracles¡­ that¡¯s not something we can easily share¡­¡±


    ¡°Misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll ask for permission,¡± Daphne said, bowing her head.


    Mithra shifted her gaze: ¡°If the result isn¡¯t satisfactory, I¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    For Mithra, this was simple logic, her tone utterly calm, devoid of any threat; it was merely an objective assessment of the situation.


    However, for the one involved, it was terrifying. Daphne¡¯s body stiffened; she said nothing more.


    Suddenly, a hazy figure coalesced behind Daphne. Taller and broader than Daphne, it was difficult to discern any details except for its right Night eye; the rest of its body seemed covered in a thin layer of mosaic.


    ¡°Hmph, you¡¯re really not the Hunter?¡± A low voice spoke.


    ¡°Miss Tinina!¡± Daphne exclaimed.


    Mithra also looked towards the voice: ¡°If the ringleader is willing to take responsibility, that''s fine.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Tinina fell silent for a moment, seemingly struggling to comprehend. She continued to mutter, ¡°It¡¯s impossible. You are completely saturated with the Hunter''s aura, yet you just used Flame Father¡¯s power¡­ Fire and feral beasts¡ªa forbidden combination. If it were him, he absolutely wouldn''t touch flames.¡±


    It seemed the Night eye was quite perceptive. Even a single one, while not dramatically different in function, had instantly identified the power Mithra had used.


    True, fire and feral beasts clashed, but Mithra could clearly separate the two states.


    Although she could try activating the Ashes Flame Father state while in her beast form¡ªshe was very curious about "dog"''s reaction then¡ªbut even the thought of that caused "dog" to bark several times louder, truly not something to joke about.


    Of course, if it could be done, it wouldn''t be a joke at all.


    ¡°So I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯re mistaken. The resurrected Hunter wasn¡¯t completely killed by me. Afterward, I inherited some of its power; it¡¯s that simple,¡± Mithra explained thoroughly once more.


    ¡°Your clumsy movements¡­ even if the resurrected Hunter was only half-formed, with less than half its strength, it could have beaten you hundreds of times over!¡± Tinina scoffed.


    ¡°It was so clumsy, even more so than I am now, that I completely destroyed it,¡± Mithra simply recounted.


    The Stranger:?


    "dog":?


    It was clearly the truth, but why did it feel so unsettling?


    ¡°¡­I still can¡¯t accept it. We¡¯ve been at this for years¡­ hundreds, or perhaps thousands of years? I don¡¯t remember. I chased it, and ended up like this, surviving only to take revenge and kill it. And you tell me you killed it and even inherited its power?¡± Tinina struggled to say.


    ¡°Your problems aren¡¯t my concern. Though my memories of it are also unpleasant, that¡¯s the result of what happened. Whether you can accept it or not is your own problem,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°Where¡¯s its sword? You must have its sword!¡± Tinina remembered.


    ¡°I do. So what?¡±


    Under Mithra¡¯s cold gaze, Tinina wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent, her frustration dissipating.


    Daphne didn¡¯t interrupt, only watching anxiously from the side.


    Mithra¡¯s gaze returned to her: ¡°The perpetrator escaped; you¡¯ll have to handle it yourself then.¡±


    ¡°I will do my utmost to satisfy you,¡± Daphne hurriedly replied.


    To be honest, she felt Mithra was a very just person; after all, Daphne was entirely at fault, but Mithra''s personality could be rather intimidating.


    Temporarily putting the unpleasant incident aside, Mithra and Daphne chatted casually on their way back to the inner city, the atmosphere light as if the previous death threat had never happened.


    Daphne briefly explained the Gulan Sacrifice Tower''s observations and understanding of the situation.


    A third Xyrin, if it could truly be born in this era, would undoubtedly be greatly beneficial to the southern part of Dreamland. The south hadn¡¯t seen large-scale conflict for a long time; the relationships between the major forces were quite good. Facing the threat of a Wandering God, more trump cards were always better.


    However, to be frank, even the Gulan Sacrifice Tower didn¡¯t hold high hopes for a third Xyrin.


    Whether it was the world''s state after the first Xyrin¡¯s birth, or the mysterious intricacies and chaos surrounding the second Xyrin¡¯s creation, a third Xyrin wasn¡¯t something that could be simply manufactured with current technological advancements.


    While they didn''t believe a third Xyrin was guaranteed to succeed, they also didn''t deny the current skill level of Xyrin Empire''s craftsmans.


    This time, each participating faction included many of their own craftsmen, coming to observe and learn, perhaps even having the chance to directly participate in the experiment.


    The Xyrin recreation wasn''t a strategic national event for Dreamland; it was more of a craftsman exchange and learning opportunity. At least, most other factions viewed it that way, with only a few paying closer attention.


    After listening to Daphne''s explanation, Mithra pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°Do you know the specifics of the second Xyrin''s creation?¡±


    Due to her guilt, Daphne answered Mithra''s many sensitive questions frankly. She quickly replied, ¡°The second Xyrin was unexpectedly created within the Xyrin Empire, and the details were not publicly shared. According to records, everyone was astounded that the Xyrin Empire could find a breakthrough under such dangerous circumstances.¡±


    Pausing, Daphne lowered her voice: ¡°Also, according to calculations from some interested parties, which weren¡¯t publicly released, the second Xyrin''s power stability wasn''t as good as the first. Though both were light miracles, their natures were completely different.¡±


    Completely different, indeed.


    The first Xyrin was casually created, whereas the second at least had a ¡°Heart of Light¡± Wandering God as its core.


    If Mithra wasn''t bound by his stream''s rules against directly interacting with his main sponsor, he''d have loved to ask Ringer, the lead designer of the first Xyrin, his opinion on the matter.


    When Mithra and Daphne returned to the inner city, they found many people had already left. The presentation shouldn''t have ended so quickly.


    Most of them were local residents of Sun City.


    Most of them were furious, cursing in Sun City''s local dialect.


    Mithra and Daphne curiously observed them, picking up some of their angry words.


    ¡°They¡¯re completely full of it! The Rising Sun City people look down on us!¡±


    ¡°Maybe they can create a new Xyrin, but I absolutely disagree with their assessment!¡±


    ¡°Who was that speaker just now? Kim Jeong-gang? Who is that? That name¡­ isn¡¯t he from Enchanting Land?¡±


    ¡°Whether they¡¯re from Enchanting Land or Rising Sun City, they¡¯re all stuck-up snobs who look down on us commoners. It¡¯s infuriating! They should just be kicked out!¡±


    ¡°Sun City has been declining for too long! Damn it! Anyone can come and step on us!¡±


    Mithra and Daphne glanced around before heading back to the square.


    The crowd was now quite agitated; guards were trying to maintain order amidst a barrage of curses.


    ¡°Mithra!¡± Nie Hong¡¯s voice called to Mithra. She guided him away from the agitated crowd and back to Nie Hong and Nino.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Mithra asked.


    Nie Hong and Nino first exchanged questioning glances at Daphne before answering Mithra¡¯s question.


    ¡°The old man on stage just said that Sun City¡¯s Xyrin is seriously outdated, and its lifespan is dwindling; at most a hundred years, at least ten. In terms of Xyrin¡¯s time frame, it¡¯s almost completely depleted,¡± Nie Hong explained.


    Nino¡¯s expression was grave: ¡°I¡¯ve known about this for a while. That¡¯s why we need a new Xyrin. I went through a period of severe depression, finding it hard to believe, and honestly, it''s still hard to accept now. But this is a judgment made by professional craftsmen¡ªwe can¡¯t ignore it.¡±


    ¡°Obviously, the people here still need time to accept¡­ the long years it protected them, something beyond mere faith but surpassing it, is about to be declared obsolete.¡±


    Regardless of the public''s reaction, the Xyrin''s dwindling lifespan was an established fact.


    Mithra had previously seen the description ¡°Xyrin is weary¡± through the Night eye, so he had already anticipated this.


    The intensity of the public''s reaction, however, was somewhat unexpected. Mithra remained impassive.


    Kim Jeong-gang had finished his presentation and was sitting in the audience, impassive, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding curses.


    Kim So-yang, however, anxiously watched the crowd, fearing they wouldn''t be able to leave the square once the presentation ended.


    Some radical citizens threw rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables into the audience, but this was quickly suppressed. Guards apprehended some of the instigators, but this only seemed to further inflame the crowd.


    Then, amidst the chaos, a middle-aged man named Wengerson took the stage.


    He was the chief representative of Sun City''s council; more simply, he was Sun City¡¯s current mayor.


    Some citizens hoped Wengerson would offer a more acceptable explanation, but he could only reiterate the importance of the new Xyrin, urging people to look to the future, claiming this was the prelude to a new era, and that Sun City needed to seize this opportunity to avoid falling behind.


    Few citizens could immediately accept and seriously consider the advantages and disadvantages.


    They only knew that the Xyrin that had protected them for generations was about to fail, and after its failure, it might even be replaced by something imposed from elsewhere.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange. Revealing the truth and then trying to mitigate the fallout seems natural¡­¡± Nie Hong didn¡¯t quite understand the Sun City citizens'' emotions.


    The presentation ended quickly amidst the uproar. Inner city guards immediately began clearing the square, but they recognized Nino and thus didn¡¯t evict her and Mithra.


    The ordinary citizens didn''t linger; the scene wasn''t pleasant.


    Once everyone had left, only the chaos and the guards cleaning up remained, creating an immediate sense of calm.


    Nie Hong narrowly avoided being hit by a rotten egg, only reacting quickly enough to grab it with Control Object, muttering curses under her breath.


    Representatives from various factions in the square gathered near the platform, engaging in multifaceted discussions with Sun City officials.


    Seeing this, Nino didn''t shy away, directly bringing Mithra and the others towards the group. Daphne conveniently headed back to rejoin her own team.


    Mithra''s eyes darted around, wondering if she could spot any interesting items in this gathering of major southern factions.


    Unfortunately, while some unique miracle artifacts did exist, including some linked to Wandering Gods, only one faction possessed heavy weapons like the Xyrin Great Maul.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t unauthorized personnel have been cleared out? Why are they still here?¡± At this point, a Sun City official noticed Nino''s group, frowning and speaking directly.


    But the surrounding individuals were engrossed in their own discussions and ignored him.


    Nino, though originally a border politician, moved in border circles, and aside from a few poor relationships, others didn''t harbor ill will towards him, so they didn''t bother to act spitefully.


    Mithra was about to approach Kimio to try and get acquainted, perhaps even touch the Xyrin Great Maul, when she was recognized.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ the investigator from before!¡± Kim So-yang, who had been sitting silently since her grandfather''s concluding remarks, seemed to have spotted a lifeline, having seen a familiar face.


    Mithra acknowledged her: ¡°Hello.¡±


    There was little sense of reunion.


    ¡°You¡¯re here too! You scared me half to death just now,¡± Kim So-yang patted her chest.


    ¡°Your grandfather''s choice of words was unwise; it shouldn''t have been said by him, though that''s irrelevant,¡± Mithra observed before continuing.


    Kim So-yang looked dejected: ¡°Grandfather was only focused on his work. He took this matter very seriously, hoping to contribute meaningfully. But not everyone seemed grateful.¡±


    ¡°Those who receive help aren''t obligated to express gratitude; such illogical behavior exists in this world. But your grandfather shouldn''t worry about it,¡± Mithra said.


    Elder Kim Jeong-gang was currently in frank discussion with craftsmen from other factions; he seemed in relatively good spirits.


    Those truly dedicated to their work were seldom affected by external trivialities.


    The calm temperament of those devoted to their pursuits was truly enviable.


    ¡°Grandfather will definitely succeed!¡± Kim So-yang, witnessing her grandfather''s demeanor, felt encouraged, though her own encouragement meant little.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve confirmed that you intend to create a Xyrin? Theoretically, you already have a plan?¡± Mithra casually inquired.


    The Xyrin recreation was shrouded in a strange mist, given that Rising Sun City¡¯s second Xyrin was somehow connected to a Wandering God. Mithra was now genuinely interested in the third Xyrin.


    ¡°Grandfather wouldn''t have confirmed it so readily without certainty; he''s very cautious! I don''t know his exact reasoning. A while ago, the team was somewhat apprehensive about Sun City¡¯s request. But later, Sun City seemed to add some condition, holding private meetings with Grandfather and several other key craftsmen from the team.¡±


    ¡°A few days later, they returned with complete confidence. They must have discovered something significant during their secluded research and discussions!¡± Kim So-yang¡¯s tone and gaze revealed admiration and aspiration.


    Could she one day become such a confident and professional craftsman?


    Mithra extracted the essence of her words: Sun City¡¯s added conditions had convinced Kim Jeong-gang and others of the possibility of creating a third Xyrin.


    Otherwise, given their status, knowledge, and technological standards, they should have known that their current conditions were insufficient to create a Xyrin.


    During their conversation, Kimio, standing silently in the courtyard, stared deeply into the sky.


    The Xyrin Great Maul behind him suddenly trembled slightly. Kimio seemed to sense it and turned to glance at Mithra, who was talking to Kim So-yang.


    Mithra returned his gaze.


    What was wrong with this person?


    Kimio approached Mithra. Due to his status, even if his involvement in the matter was minimal, he was still a focal point, drawing attention with his movements.


    Several gazes fell upon Mithra, assessing her from head to toe.


    Kimio also carefully examined Mithra before speaking: ¡°You are strong. Though I can''t gauge your exact strength, the Xyrin Great Maul tells me you¡¯re dangerous; I should be wary of you.¡±


    Mithra:?


    I haven''t even made an offer yet; why is the Xyrin Great Maul reacting so quickly?


    Or was it because of the two God-killing weapons she possessed?


    ¡°Thank you?¡± Mithra didn''t know how to respond.


    ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kimio, a ¡®Steady Hand¡¯ knight. It is your honor to know me,¡± Kimio said solemnly, his expression devoid of arrogance, as if truly believing what he said.


    ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Mithra. May I touch the Xyrin Great Maul?¡± Seeing the other''s friendliness, Mithra directly asked.


    The moment those words left her mouth, the onlookers were stunned.


    Who dares utter such audacious words?


    Do you think God-killing weapons are toys to be touched at will?


    It wasn''t just a question of worthiness; it was a matter of their own lives and the lives of those present.


    Some God-killing weapons could, upon losing their restraint, instantly replace insufficiently strong wielders, transforming them into Wandering Gods on the spot; their power was not to be underestimated.


    Mithra''s actions tested everyone''s nerves. Sun City''s inner city guards, along with Kimio¡¯s entourage, were on high alert.


    The Xyrin Great Maul trembled once more.


    Kimio looked surprised, but relayed: ¡°It says no. It''s adamant.¡±


    Mithra¡¯s expression remained unchanged; her emotions were stable, but she felt a vague sense of ¡°petrification¡±.


    She had been refused.


    ...


    ¡°Mithra, what¡¯s wrong? Not enjoying the banquet dinner?¡±


    As everyone headed towards an inn in the inner city, Nie Hong, though unable to read Mithra¡¯s expression, sensed a drop in her aura.


    ¡°When did you add ¡®foodie¡¯ to my character profile?¡± Mithra said with a sidelong glance.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t! If there¡¯s nothing better to do, why not eat?¡± Nie Hong chuckled awkwardly.


    ¡°So not being a foodie makes you a rice bucket?¡±


    Nie Hong remained silent; Mithra was unusually aggressive today.


    Mithra wasn¡¯t particularly comfortable with this kind of banquet; it even included a ball, which she found uninteresting.


    However, while Mithra was alone, Daphne arrived with a bearded elder.


    ¡°Greetings, Miss Mithra. I am Maikon, the senior Priestess leading this delegation from the Gulan Sacrifice Tower. I¡¯ve learned from Daphne about the disturbance she caused you.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a resolution?¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°Yes. Considering your situation, I believe your request isn¡¯t unreasonable. You possess a distinctly powerful feral aura; only deeply experienced beast miracle believers can sense this profound aura. To us, you¡¯re like a towering mountain.¡± Maikon¡¯s voice was raspy and somewhat unclear.


    However, Mithra understood through the Night eye¡¯s translation.


    The Priestess¡¯s eyes held a distinct reverence.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s agreed,¡± Mithra stated.


    ¡°If possible, we hope you¡¯ll visit the Gulan Sacrifice Tower. There, you might better understand certain aspects of yourself.¡± Having said that, Priestess Maek Kong produced a gray book from beneath her robes.


    It was quite thick, resembling a brick, and she handed it directly to Mithra.


    Mithra examined it.


    ¡¾¡¶Beast Miracle Guidebook¡· Copy: The origins of Beast Miracles, dating back to the era of the Forty-Four Pillar Gods, have always been a source of curiosity. The original manuscript''s origins are unclear; the identity of the first Beast Miracle user is difficult to ascertain. Some even suspect Beast Miracles stemmed from a conspiracy among feral beasts. However, with the Beastkin civilization now extinct, the conspiracy seems to have dissolved. Night¡¯s observation revealed a piece of information; the author of the ¡¶Beast Miracle Guidebook¡· is¡ªPhaselos.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªRecording savage taboos with wisdom; he initially chose the beasts before turning his attention to humans.¡¿


    Seeing the information provided by the Night eye, Mithra was somewhat surprised.


    It had been a long time since she''d heard from Phaselos.


    However, the revealed content was quite intriguing.


    Phaselos and Bicester had once presented Mithra with a stark choice.


    Based on her past leanings, Phaselos represented wisdom and technological expertise, while Bicester represented the feral side.


    But now, this copy of the ¡¶Beast Miracle Guidebook¡· stated that the original author was Phaselos?


    Therefore, the original Beast Miracles originated from Phaselos!


    An entity symbolized by wisdom and technological prowess was revealed to have spread the savage power of feral beasts.


    Mithra''s perception of Phaselos took a significant hit.


    However, Mithra remained outwardly calm, accepting the book.


    ¡°Only those with a strong feral aura can access the knowledge within this copy. Feral beasts are dangerous, but skillfully wielded power can yield good results. I hope this helps you. I must take my leave.¡±


    After Maek Kong finished speaking vaguely, she slowly departed.


    Daphne cautiously addressed Mithra, ¡°My head¡­ is it safe?¡±


    Mithra put the book into her pouch: ¡°Congratulations.¡±


    ¡°Whew.¡± Daphne breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°You really won¡¯t let me see the Hunter¡¯s sword?¡± Tinina¡¯s ethereal form suddenly reappeared, asking.


    ¡°No.¡± Mithra didn¡¯t even look at her, showing no surprise at her appearance.


    ¡°I have a discovery. If you let me see the sword, I can tell you.¡± Tinina pondered before giving up.


    ¡°I also have a Night eye; more than you, in fact,¡± Mithra stated.


    ¡°But you lack knowledge, and the Night eye¡¯s descriptions are mostly vague speculation; you might not fully understand the meaning¡­¡± Tinina explained, seemingly realizing her argument was weak, adding, ¡°I apologize for my previous rash actions. I¡¯ll tell you this first, then you can decide whether to accept it.¡±


    Only then did Mithra look directly at her.


    Tinina leaned closer, whispering, ¡°The Xyrin is alive.¡±


    Having said that, she retreated back into Daphne¡¯s body with incredible speed.


    Mithra, after a moment of stunned silence, suddenly reacted, tilting her head slightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little tired.¡±


    Previously, Mithra had only understood the ¡°this Xyrin¡¯s time is running out¡± aspect from the Night eye¡¯s description.


    She hadn''t paid much attention beyond that. The Night eye''s consistent use of riddles and layered metaphors had long been ignored by Mithra; she only focused on extracting useful information.


    But she had overlooked a very surface-level piece of information.


    Tired.


    That was a sensation.


    Only living things experience sensations.


    That statement wasn''t personification; it was actually alive and felt tired due to its current state!


    Such a description was hardly conducive to careful understanding.


    Mithra suspected this was Anderet playing a prank.


    But it was also entirely possible.


    As one of the early miracle technology creations, enduring generations of Sun City''s reverence, even worship, accumulating such profound longing¡­


    On Planet Blue, faith was just faith, but in Dreamland, fictional faith could become reality.


    Humanity''s accumulated longing formed a burden, transcending time, awakening now.


    With this thought, Mithra turned to the window. The Xyrin simulation of day and night had vanished, yet it still hung in the inky black sky.


    Mithra couldn''t see it, but now, knowing what she did, she felt it silently observing the people of Sun City from above.


    So, it was alive. But how active was it?


    Just then, Mithra''s thoughts were interrupted.


    She smelled something.


    She could smell unique auras even outside of hunting. Besides the aura of darkness, what else could it be?


    She didn''t know if the branch bishop she''d previously forced into the Eternal Night World had returned, but now, their aura was nearby.


    Mithra promptly turned and headed to the "restroom," leaving Daphne completely bewildered.


    ...


    ¡°This is truly desperate. At this rate, we¡¯ll likely have to retreat to our northern base.¡±


    In the dark inner city, it was past curfew; only patrolling inner city guards were visible on the streets.


    But in the shadows, beyond the guards¡¯ notice, whispers echoed.


    ¡°I smell the Eternal Night fragrance. The secrets buried within that lost world are what we crave. Burter must have been waiting for us there for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Burter was unexpectedly involved. Egov and Burter¡ªtwo of our brethren have suffered misfortunes. I don''t think this is a good omen.¡±


    Two robed priests, each wielding a staff, slipped past the patrolling guards, moving through deserted streets.


    ¡°With the Grandmaster¡¯s guidance, even Kimio won¡¯t be a problem. The strength of each faction this time is far more terrifying than imagined; there aren¡¯t many who deserve our attention.¡±


    ¡°Yes, then we¡­¡±


    Just as they were about to speak, they abruptly stopped, gripping their staffs tightly.


    At the end of the street, a figure slowly moved through the night mist.


    A staff tapped lightly on the ground, emitting a cold, echoing clang.


    Dong¡­


    Suddenly, as if an illusion, the figure abruptly closed the distance, yet its movements remained slow and deliberate.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± one priest immediately called out.


    Dong!


    Another sound resonated; the figure vanished.


    The two priests looked around, only to find the figure standing before them.


    ¡°Ah, two Eternal Night crystals.¡± Mithra said. Behind her shoulders, the Night Hunter Greatsword¡¯s hilt pierced through flesh and appeared.

 Chapter 86: From behind

    Blackness erupted. The two branch bishops, wielding their staffs, were greatly enhanced by the Darkness Miracle in the night.


    But the sudden attacking figure was incredibly elusive in the darkness; after the initial attack, they could barely see her movements.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been discovered!¡± One bishop, manipulating the Darkness Miracle to protect himself, said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like someone from Sun City¡­ that sword just now¡­¡± the other bishop anxiously pondered.


    Suddenly, the figure appeared above the two, wielding the greatsword. The white staff transformed into a bladed whip, sweeping towards them.


    The Darkness Miracle could only deflect the attacks, forcing a continuous retreat.


    One was knocked back by the greatsword; the other evaded the bladed whip but still suffered several wounds.


    ¡°It¡¯s the Hunter!¡± This time, one bishop recognized the weapon.


    ¡°Egov?!¡± They quickly remembered their colleague who had spent years pursuing the Hunter''s legacy, only to find nothing.


    Mithra remained silent, surprised to find two branch bishops together. If they fully activated their Darkness Miracles, she would need to utilize a cutting technique to effectively break through.


    However, they had other plans for infiltrating; being discovered by Mithra still filled them with apprehension.


    This was an opportunity to exploit their vulnerability.


    Mithra''s movements shifted; in the darkness, she rapidly used Hunting in conjunction with Enlightened Step, flitting and weaving to disrupt their attention.


    After a while, the dark clouds gradually dispersed.


    Moonlight suddenly bathed the battlefield, illuminating their position.


    The two bishops quickly used this opportunity to enhance their senses, relying on the moonlight to better perceive Mithra''s movements, particularly her two unique weapons. For believers, those unusual weapons were more conspicuous than Mithra herself. The Darkness Miracle swiftly targeted her.


    However, despite the moonlight, they remained cloaked in shadow.


    The two weapons, flying through the air, were enveloped by the Darkness Miracle, but Mithra¡¯s form was not captured!


    She exploited their excessive focus on her weapons.


    In the shadows, Mithra¡¯s hands suddenly conjured white lightning that struck the ground.


    Darkness dissipated!


    The white lightning spread rapidly; its speed and range were immense. This shadow-piercing lightning could even utilize the Darkness Miracle''s shadows as pathways.


    The two bishops were struck by the white lightning, screaming in pain.


    The power of the Abyss corroded all physical matter, inflicting considerable damage.


    Mithra drew the Night Worship Greatsword from her waist and swept it across the two.


    Swish!


    A slight diagonal cut grazed the two bishops'' bodies. Their strength was considerable; neither was severed in two.


    One of them managed a reaction, retreating half a step despite the Abyssal influence. He used this opportunity to be flung backward, escaping at the cost of his dignity.


    The other, however, was too slow. A severe wound from his left armpit to his right waist caused him to tremble; he didn''t fall, but was too weak to do anything more.


    Mithra raised a hand, thrusting it into the other¡¯s wound, breaking ribs and tearing flesh to grasp the palpitating heart.


    Rip!


    Blood sprayed everywhere. Mithra withdrew the heart, casually discarding it, then turned to the other bishop.


    Just as she was about to pursue, a tremendous explosion echoed from afar.


    Her movements paused slightly, but she didn¡¯t hesitate. The Night Worship Greatsword rapidly split into two flying blades, striking the struggling bishop on the ground; one pinned his staff-holding hand, the other piercing his nape, instantly ending his life.


    She tensed, feeling a slight discomfort from the sticky residue of congealed blood on her hand that had just removed the heart.


    Should she commission Matsuri to make her some gauntlets?


    Lost in thought, she finally looked towards the source of the explosion.


    A massive, swirling mass of black matter, characteristic of the Darkness Miracle, billowed and spread; this bizarre sight could likely be seen from all corners of the inner city, even beyond its borders.


    Mithra watched silently for a while, then retrieved the two staffs.


    Her actions were relatively subtle; coupled with the more significant distraction, the mess on the ground went unnoticed.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword and the Abhorrence staff, used as bait, were also retrieved by the Maw.


    If they were invincible God-killing weapons, they wouldn''t be easily damaged; minor attacks shouldn''t matter.


    As for the barking¡­ she must have misheard.


    Having finished, Mithra used the Maw¡¯s tongue to wipe away some of the blood, then strolled away from the scene.


    ¡°What happened?!¡± On her way, she encountered guards rushing towards the scene.


    ¡°The inner city Xyrin core node was attacked; the guarding forces couldn''t stop them!¡±


    ¡°How is that possible!? Most of the forces have been stationed nearby recently!¡±


    ¡°Don''t ask; Lord Kimio has gone to provide support; we need to hurry!¡±


    Several guard units gathered in the street, communicating while rushing towards the incident.


    Suddenly, Mithra saw a bat-like creature emerge from the swirling blackness.


    ¡°Eternal Night¡­¡± Mithra murmured.


    The creature wasn''t unfamiliar; she had seen one in the Eternal Night World.


    It wasn''t remarkable in itself, but its appearance here meant another two-dimensional Eternal Night rift had opened.


    Suddenly, a bright point of light flickered within the thick blackness.


    Dong!


    Then, another tremendous boom. The spreading darkness was obliterated, leaving a void. A brilliant white light flickered within the remaining Darkness Miracle, a match for it.


    Kimio wielded the Xyrin Great Maul. The previously unsightly black hammer head now shone with an intensely bright, almost blinding light; it was round and smooth, surrounded by several rings of light, exuding a divine aura.


    The Xyrin Great Maul''s power was fully revealed.


    Within the mostly shattered darkness, a stoic, black-haired woman with short hair was visible. She wore black lipstick and black nail polish; a strangely patterned headdress gave her an air of gloom, gravity, and mystery.


    However, none of this was important. Mithra¡¯s gaze was fixed on the woman¡¯s hand, which held a small, delicate circular blade.


    ¡¾Abyssal Crescent: An ordinary, crudely made weapon imbued with Abyssal power. A Wandering God once challenged the Abyss, attempting to absorb its power from the depths. But even Jungo couldn¡¯t fully comprehend the Abyss. When this Wandering God reappeared, he was already under threat from the encroaching Abyssal power, but he also brought forth a potent ¡°Nothingness¡± from the depths, transforming it into a unique power that has been passed down to this day. It is a God-killing weapon.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ªThe Abyss, the Nothingness¡­ perhaps that is the origin of the world, or its end.¡¿


    Another God-killing weapon.


    Though its appearance lacked the grandeur of other weapons, that didn''t matter; Mithra wanted any God-killing weapon.


    Especially this one; she had a good chance of obtaining it.


    ¡°Livnis, one of the Night Hunter Church¡¯s Three Grandmasters, why are you here?¡± Kimio asked, his expression serious.


    ¡°As a steadfast knight of the Xyrin Empire, you seem unaware of Sun City¡¯s situation,¡± Livnis replied in a low, cryptic tone.


    Kimio frowned.


    Beside Livnis, a gaping, jagged rift was expanding. Large chunks of damaged machinery lay scattered amidst the rubble; eerie shadows lurked within the fissure; countless Eternal Night creatures, sensing the light of the real world, were trying to break through.


    Kimio didn¡¯t bother to consider the consequences: ¡°You don¡¯t think infiltrating the inner city and causing this much commotion will allow you to escape unscathed.¡±


    Livnis remained impassive: ¡°Escape routes abound; darkness will guide our path. The new Xyrin will never be born; this is only the beginning.¡±


    As she spoke, Kimio swung his great maul, striking down at Livnis.


    Dong!


    A deep, resonant clang echoed. As Livnis heard this sound, she felt an intense light engulf her.


    The small crescent blade moved swiftly, tearing a hole in the light.


    Kimio¡¯s face slightly changed.


    If she fought him using the power of darkness, it would be within his capacity to handle. But she directly used the bizarre God-killing weapon to nullify a portion of the Xyrin Great Maul¡¯s power!


    Could it be¡­ the Abyss!?


    Other Night Hunter Church members clashed with Kimio¡¯s entourage and the Sun City guards.


    When Kimio saw the surrounding chaos, he realized something.


    So many Night Hunter members infiltrating and suddenly attacking the inner city without warning¡ªclearly, there was an inside man!


    Simultaneously, the representatives from various factions at the banquet didn''t stand idly by; they all rushed to assist.


    Livnis suddenly closed the distance to Kimio, her small crescent blade swiftly slashing, creating streaks of inky black.


    Kimio calmly blocked, but discovered that each seemingly simple attack felt incredibly heavy against the Xyrin Great Maul¡ªdisproportionate to the weapon¡¯s appearance and impact!


    The Xyrin Great Maul¡¯s light blazed, repelling Livnis and dispelling a layer of darkness that had clung to Kimio.


    Kimio¡¯s heart sank; an Abyssal curse!


    Major factions had researched Abyssal entities; their powers were largely characterized by chaos, nothingness, and corrosion.


    Power drawn from the Abyss could carry any of these traits. The small crescent blade didn¡¯t need to physically strike to inflict a curse.


    Fortunately, he was protected by the Xyrin Great Maul, preventing immediate harm.


    Livnis flung several chunks of condensed darkness, transforming them into projectiles that scattered around Kimio.


    Kimio raised his great maul; the diffused light shattered the darkness projectiles.


    However, when he looked at Livnis again, she had been carried aloft by a surge of darkness.


    A bizarre, inky black shadow appeared beside Livnis, somewhat resembling her but composed primarily of the dark, liquid substance of the Darkness Miracle. Darkness patterns flickered on the shadow and on Livnis herself.


    The two darkness patterns merged. Livnis condensed a sphere of darkness in her hand, casually flinging it downwards.


    Then, she swept her small crescent blade.


    The instant the darkness was sliced, it was actively Rent.


    ¡°Dark Rend¡±¡ª


    The terrifying power of the Darkness Miracle instantly enveloped the entire inner city. If this attack landed directly, Sun City would be branded with a profound ¡°mark,¡± and the inner city would be destroyed in an instant!


    Countless people looked up, witnessing the destructive darkness pressing down.


    Tinina instantly replaced Daphne, but even her Night eye, fixed on the attack, broke out in cold sweat.


    ¡°Illusion¡­ damn it, why would an Illusion Master suddenly attack?! What can I do using Daphne¡¯s body?!¡±


    The terror above Clarity.


    The Illusion separates from the body; one body becomes two minds.


    Many wouldn''t even approach the tip of the iceberg at the gateway to Illusion; that vague gateway to the essence of Miracles and power.


    While Clarity might be relatively common in the grand scheme of things, the number of believers reaching the level of Illusion drastically dwindles.


    Kimio¡¯s expression was resolute; a figure nearly identical to him appeared beside him, cloaked in white light, with light, fire, and other Miracles etched onto its form.


    He wielded the Xyrin Great Maul; his movements and the figure¡¯s were synchronized, fully utilizing the Xyrin Great Maul¡¯s power. The blinding light created a radiant curtain that swiftly illuminated all of Sun City.


    At that moment, the sky seemed to hold both night and day simultaneously.


    Two forces clashed violently.


    Then, they clashed again.


    The surging Miracles unleashed a sharp, shrill shriek that lingered before finally dissipating.


    After the storm, Livnis and Kimio, both maintaining their Illusion forms, faced each other, one high and one low.


    Just as everyone was still reeling, a sudden change occurred.


    The sky brightened.


    This wasn''t the gradual brightening of dawn; it was as if a light switch had been flipped in a dark room.


    In Sun City, only one entity could create such a phenomenon¡ªXyrin!


    The intense, heatless light dispelled much of the darkness; the Darkness Miracle was significantly weakened. Livnis, forced down from the sky, remained expressionless, her gaze fixed on the heavens.


    Kimio felt a slight relief; his greatly depleted senses were partially replenished.


    It was the Xyrin''s power.


    Faced with the true Xyrin, the Xyrin Great Maul''s light paled in comparison.


    The expanding Eternal Night rift was suppressed, but not completely sealed.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    This wasn''t a temporary rift; it was inherent, only now fully revealed. Having lost its crucial core node, Xyrin''s influence on this area was limited.


    ¡°Go!¡± Livnis swiftly commanded.


    All Night Hunter Church members fled towards the Eternal Night rift.


    Their infiltration route was also their escape route.


    Facing the Eternal Night rift and the monstrous figures beyond, these cultists looked eager, rushing towards it like pilgrims to a holy site.


    ¡°Stop them!¡± Kimio roared.


    Livnis stood by the Eternal Night rift, glancing back without lingering at this world bathed in cold light, before turning towards the lightless Eternal Night.


    Suddenly, everyone held their breath.


    The events were far from over; today''s chaos was far from its end.


    The Gulan Sacrifice Tower members were shocked, uttering cries of astonishment. Senior Priestess Maikon immediately began chanting prayers.


    Tinina''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Black and white mane danced in the wind; a tall, feral figure stood behind Livnis, shrouded in darkness.


    When?!


    White and black clashed. Xyrin¡¯s awakening illuminated the night; darkness receded.


    No one expected a Hunter to be lurking behind its prey, within this rift.


    Swish!


    The Night Hunter Greatsword pierced Livnis from behind, emerging from her chest, lifting her into the air.


    Livnis struggled; the small crescent blade, angled slightly, was instantly caught by the beast''s claw.


    ¡°Hunter¡­¡± Livnis turned her head with difficulty, gazing at the black and white beast.


    The account differed slightly; its power wasn''t as formidable as described, perhaps due to its recent resurrection. But its cruelty was something ancient history hadn''t fully captured.


    The Hunter legend was more like the "Hunter" herself; even if her power wasn''t fully restored, it was more terrifying than the legends, instilling greater awe and dread.


    Such precise targeting. Livnis, lacking the Xyrin''s restorative power, had unleashed such a large-scale darkness, even suppressing Kimio, who wielded both a God-killing weapon and the Xyrin Great Maul.


    Xyrin¡¯s awakening suppressed the darkness, further restricting Livnis.


    A momentary lapse in focus during her retreat.


    The beast had sensed it.


    An Illusion form swiftly appeared, turning to unleash ¡°Heavy Darkness¡± to break the beast. But the beast first swung the greatsword, slamming Livnis to the ground. Its clawed hand swung, briefly turning Livnis into its plaything.


    Heavy Darkness finally struck, hitting the rampant beast.


    The overwhelming weight smashed a gaping wound through the beast¡¯s chest, exiting through its back.


    The beast stumbled back, kneeling on one knee.


    Livnis, struggling to her feet, clutched her bleeding chest, her headdress askew. Her stunning beauty was marred only by shock. A fellow bishop rushed to her side, embracing her before leaping into the Eternal Night rift without looking back.


    Amidst this upheaval, everyone''s attention shifted to the suddenly appeared beast.


    The beast growled, a slight smirk on its ferocious face, a grotesque grin.


    The chest wound rapidly healed. It stood again, claws outstretched.


    There, the dark purple crescent blade lay quietly.


    A violet glow enveloped its body. The towering beast vanished before everyone''s eyes, its form untraceable.


    ...


    Most of the Night Hunter cultists successfully retreated into the Eternal Night World, but many were intercepted and killed by Sun City''s forces.


    However, this didn''t bring much relief; the danger was far from over.


    The Eternal Night World rift remained, constantly spewing monsters into the real world; destruction reigned.


    Sun City¡¯s guard units were fully mobilized, imposing a city-wide curfew and eliminating the monsters. They also urgently established a defensive line around the rift, eliminating any emerging monsters with overwhelming force.


    Due to Xyrin¡¯s radiance, everyone present momentarily lost track of time, unsure of the actual time.


    Only when Xyrin''s light shifted to a tangerine-hued sunset did they realize that night was approaching.


    Fortunately, as night fell, the number of Eternal Night World monsters decreased significantly, and their ferocity lessened considerably.


    Born of darkness, they were sluggish in the night, reacting to the light.


    Around this time, the delegations from other factions began leaving the front lines, offering apologies and thanks to Sun City before departing for rest.


    Meanwhile, Nie Hong was searching.


    ¡°Nie Hong, looking for Mithra?¡± Nino, beside him, noticed what he was doing.


    Nie Hong, exhausted from the day, had minor injuries, while Nino was barely sweating. Although numerous monsters emerged from the Eternal Night World, they lacked the firepower to cause significant chaos in Sun City, with so many powerful individuals present.


    But everyone ignored this; this was the legendary Eternal Night, its secrets unknown, potentially harboring even greater terrors.


    ¡°Yes, she usually takes the initiative in these situations. Not seeing her is unsettling,¡± Nie Hong said.


    ¡°Daphne said she went to the restroom during the banquet, and shortly afterward, the core node was attacked. With everything else going on, no one really paid attention,¡± Nino nodded.


    He turned to the distant front lines, where the fight against the Eternal Night monsters continued, his expression grim.


    Having learned about the Eternal Night and the Night Hunter Church from Mithra, he had reported everything thoroughly before his dismissal, hoping to gain attention, but most people had been dismissive.


    This incident, despite the devastating cost of the Xyrin core node, would force the council to take notice.


    Without thoroughly resolving internal issues, the new Xyrin couldn''t be safely created.


    Then, Nie Hong suddenly spoke, ¡°Mithra!¡±


    Nino looked in the direction of the voice, spotting Mithra moving spectrally through the crowd.


    Called, Mithra turned.


    Approaching them, Nie Hong immediately said, ¡°Where were you? Last night was incredibly dangerous! I thought you¡¯d disappeared into the restroom!¡±


    ¡°I was picking up a delivery,¡± Mithra smoothed her slightly disheveled hair.


    Nie Hong looked perplexed.


    Mithra casually showed them two Eternal Night crystals.


    Nie Hong and Nino¡¯s eyes widened; Nie Hong exclaimed, ¡°You took down two branch bishops?!¡±


    Night Hunter branch bishops weren''t exceptionally powerful, but as mid-level members of the Night Hunter Church, they certainly weren¡¯t easily dealt with. Their combined use of Eternal Night crystals and the Darkness Miracle was considerable; a full-fledged confrontation could rival a Clarity believer.


    Of course, the strength of branch bishops varied; they couldn''t be judged collectively. But Mithra had already defeated a significant number.


    Mithra pocketed the crystals, not answering, but saying, ¡°I saw a lot of people at the main incident site. Let¡¯s go take a look; what¡¯s the situation?¡±


    To be frank, she had merely passed by.


    ¡°We arrived late. We heard that one of the Night Hunter Church''s Four Grandmasters showed up and fought Kimio, only barely suppressed thanks to Xyrin. But¡­ a sword-wielding beast appeared and almost took down the Grandmaster,¡± Nie Hong said.


    Mithra looked at Nino, who nodded gravely.


    Mithra had considered explaining things to Nino.


    After all, of everyone present earlier, only Nino had witnessed her Night Hunter Greatsword at the Chrysalis incident, making it easy to deduce the beast''s identity after Livnis was stabbed.


    It was a little disappointing.


    As for revealing her identity¡­ Mithra increasingly didn¡¯t care. She could simply leave; it was just Sun City, after all.


    She only enjoyed observing Nino''s reaction to knowing some of her other sides; she didn''t really care.


    ¡°How is Sun City faring?¡± she changed the subject.


    Nino replied gravely, ¡°Not well. Sun City wasn''t entirely heedless of my previous warnings; the Xyrin core node was a weak point, heavily guarded against attacks. But¡­ the appearance of a Night Hunter Grandmaster rendered all defenses useless; the inner city guard suffered heavy casualties.¡±


    ¡°Such beings are truly excessive. Illusion, at that level, would be worthy of a TV special report on Planet Blue,¡± Nie Hong added.


    Though Nie Hong¡¯s description was abstract, it somewhat conveyed the status of an Illusion believer.


    They were at a level comparable to awakened stand users. Even Mithra vaguely understood; they were close to becoming Wandering Gods but restrained themselves.


    Their manipulation of Miracles transcended the Miracles themselves, demonstrating a unique understanding of power''s essence.


    For fellow believers, they were unattainable, objects of admiration.


    However, Mithra felt fine.


    She had witnessed many Wandering Gods, even if their appearances were incomplete or depleted; their mastery of power left a profound impression on her.


    She was constantly learning from the Hunter, in her use of Hunter Miracles.


    Her Ashes state allowed her to approach the essence of flame. Though her understanding and application were limited, her interaction with this aspect of power was arguably on par with, or even surpassed, that of an Illusion believer.


    Mithra¡¯s aspirations regarding the Illusion level were largely fantastical; she wondered what kind of ¡°stand-in¡± chairperson she would create if she reached that level.


    Hopefully one filled with an invincible aura.


    Her Abhorrence, however, was unaffected by physical wounds.


    Nino invited Mithra and Nie Hong to his home to rest. Although retired, he still lived in the inner city; Sun City wasn''t yet mad enough to evict retired officials who had contributed.


    But as they were about to leave, hurried footsteps approached.


    Before Mithra could turn, ¡°Daphne¡± grabbed her collar.


    The Night eye revealed Tinina''s possession.


    ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard to compensate; I suggest you not burden your family further.¡±


    Before Tinina could speak, Mithra didn''t resist, simply looking down from her superior height, her calm, cold gaze fixed on her.


    Nino and Nie Hong finally saw the Night eye in Tinina''s right eye, and were astonished.


    ¡°The sword¡­¡±


    ¡°You wanted to see it, didn¡¯t you? Consider this a viewing,¡± Mithra said.


    Tinina gritted her teeth in anger, but reluctantly released Mithra¡¯s collar.


    Mithra informed Nino and Nie Hong briefly; the three quickly left, leaving Tinina standing alone, bathed in the setting sun, surrounded by swaying shadows, utterly alone.


    ...


    ¡°Mithra, that wasn¡¯t Miss Daphne just now. What¡¯s going on?¡± Nie Hong asked with concern.


    ¡°Her enemy was killed by me; the relics are in my possession, and I have a relatively good relationship with them. She¡¯s currently suffering from severe mental distress; it¡¯s not directly related to me,¡± Mithra explained concisely.


    ¡°It seems to be a deep-seated grudge, extending beyond her personal vendetta,¡± Nino commented.


    His judgment of character was sharp.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Mithra readily agreed.


    Furthermore, Tinina¡¯s true motive might not be revenge. Seeking vengeance against the Hunter was a superficial goal; her true desire was clearly the Night Hunter Greatsword.


    But why did she want the Night Hunter Greatsword?


    A person consumed by hatred wouldn''t desire the sword''s power.


    Perhaps it was the eyes on the blade.


    Considering she only had one Night eye, the matching eye might be one of those on the Night Hunter Greatsword.


    Though the Night Hunter Greatsword had thirty-four eyes, they weren''t necessarily seventeen pairs; perhaps an even number were present.


    However, her troubles and hatred were irrelevant to Mithra, an "unrelated party."


    If she dared to attack her again, Mithra would crush her skull.


    ...


    Nino''s courtyard wasn''t particularly luxurious, nor was it simple; it was just right.


    Nino''s family lived there: his elderly mother, and his sister, whose back Mithra had seen once; their father, a brave Sun City border guard, had passed away in his prime.


    From his mother¡¯s words, the father''s influence on Nino and the family''s pride in him were clear.


    Even after his dismissal, Nino''s contributions to Sun City were recognized by his family.


    After enjoying a simple meal, Mithra and Nie Hong were shown to their rooms.


    The busy day finally ended.


    Mithra bathed, then put her formal attire into her pouch, planning to wear her pure regenerative coat tomorrow.


    After resting in bed, Mithra replenished Stabilize, slowly drawing the dark purple crescent blade from her waist.


    The blade had remained quiet since Mithra had taken it; she had tucked it away during her retreat, suffering from severe beast form side effects.


    The intense barking had been so loud that she hadn''t noticed something moving inside her.


    After waking, the blade seemed to have accepted its fate and quieted.


    Mithra closed the door carefully, sat cross-legged on the rug, and took out her weapons one by one, arranging them in a circle before placing the small crescent blade in the center.


    If there were animation effects, the small crescent blade would undoubtedly be sweating profusely.


    Mithra announced, ¡°Welcome to the new employee orientation! This is the Abyssal Crescent; call it the little crescent blade. Applause.¡±


    Mithra then clapped lightly by herself.


    Naturally, it was silent; the weapons didn¡¯t react.


    ¡°Though the little crescent blade¡¯s arrival is sudden, and it may not be accustomed to sudden inter-company transfers, it¡¯s fine,¡± Mithra continued to mutter. ¡°Our Mithra Directly-Established Company offers unlimited benefits, such as the M?t Kh?ng four brothers here. Though their positions have been streamlined, their ranks have been promoted.¡±


    She patted the Night Worship Greatsword.


    ¡°These are some of the company¡¯s earliest and most valuable employees. The Crushing Hammer brother; his future accomplishments are limitless, with benefits readily available.¡±


    ¡°These two will be working with you in the future¡ªthe Night Hunter Greatsword and the Abhorrence staff. Though you both have somewhat sensitive temperaments, I¡¯m tolerant of talent. Nice to meet you.¡±


    Mithra placed the little crescent blade between the Abhorrence staff and the Night Hunter Greatsword.


    Silence. The Abhorrence staff rolled away subtly, seemingly uninterested in Mithra''s game, but Mithra caught it.


    ¡°In short, perform well, and the benefits will follow,¡± Mithra said sincerely.


    The Maw licked its familiar form; it was considered an off-roster employee.


    This simple ¡°welcome party¡± was perhaps more of a threat to the small crescent blade, hinting at its potential erasure through illusions if it misbehaved.


    Mithra picked up the little crescent blade alone, quickly working on it using Phaselos''s gift.


    Though outwardly crude, resembling a garden tool, the weapon¡¯s sinister power was densely packed into its small form.


    This was a God-killing weapon attuned to the Abyss; its original Wandering God wielder had been so thoroughly corrupted by the Abyss that no specific Miracles remained, only a potent Abyssal essence.


    Primarily ¡°Reality Distortion¡± and ¡°Nothingness.¡±


    ¡°Reality Distortion¡± manifested as a bizarre amplification of the attack¡¯s force.


    The lightest strike could be as powerful as a heavy blow. When this effect was active, it would consume a random amount of senses.


    It could also consume the maximum sense limit for a stable effect.


    Inflicting heavy blows with minimal force, distorting the logic of reality¡ªthis effect could also be enhanced by added Miracles.


    Livnis¡¯s ¡°Dark Rend,¡± for example, received a significant boost.


    The ¡°Nothingness¡± aspect was even more fearsome.


    First, it could partially negate other Miracles¡¯ power. Mithra¡¯s Abyssal Miracles possessed a similar effect; she had never lost when using them against other Miracles.


    Secondly, its unique power: inflicting a ¡°Nothingness¡± curse through contact.


    This contact didn¡¯t necessarily require physical touch; indirect contact through an intermediary object could work, albeit slower.


    The Nothingness curse had two effects: Stasis¡ªas the curse accumulated, the target¡¯s movements would become progressively slower; at the curse''s peak, a significant rigidity would occur before the curse subsided and the accumulation began anew.


    The second was Drain¡ªas the curse accumulated, the target''s senses and mental control would become difficult; casting and maintaining Miracles would become increasingly costly; at the curse''s peak, senses would temporarily cease, potentially halting the target¡¯s Miracles.


    Its style differed significantly from Mithra¡¯s brutal and savage Night Hunter Greatsword, and the agile and versatile Abhorrence staff.


    The small crescent blade was more of a support tool, offering both herself and her opponent a unique combat experience.


    However, the Stasis curse was easier to activate, while the Drain curse was more difficult to build up to its full effect.


    Many believers were experienced in dealing with various Miracles and countering curse effects, as seen with Livnis¡¯s curse on Kimio being dispelled by the Xyrin Great Maul.


    Theoretically, prolonged suppression of the opponent was crucial when using the little crescent blade.


    Mithra quickly familiarized herself with the weapon; as her abilities improved, her adaptation period¡ªaided by Phaselos''s gift¡ªwas greatly shortened.


    Having become sufficiently familiar, she wiped the little crescent blade lightly with her arm before storing it internally.


    Time for sleep.


    ...


    Within the Eternal Night World, the Night Hunter Church members found a place to regroup.


    Although they had lost their sight in this lightless world, the cultists felt no unease; this was the world they yearned for.


    While many monsters were emerging from the rift, these individuals, perfectly attuned to the darkness, encountered no difficulty.


    Livnis closed her eyes, focusing, and cast Stabilize on herself.


    Stabilize was an extremely useful Miracle; even at her level, she wouldn''t readily forgo it.


    ¡°Grandmaster, your wounds are treated,¡± a voice beside her said.


    Livnis didn''t need to be told; she knew her injuries were improving. Even the spinal and pulmonary damage, lacking any additional effects, wouldn''t be fatal for an Illusion believer.


    A little treatment would bring rapid recovery.


    She opened her eyes slightly; absolute darkness reigned, but as a believer, she could easily perceive the world through other senses.


    ¡°Remu, have you compiled the casualty report?¡± Livnis asked.


    ¡°The casualties are significant, Grandmaster. Of the branch bishops under your command, only I and Keke remain; Vanhor and Hudders didn''t participate and vanished beforehand¡ªa very strange situation,¡± the clear female voice replied.


    ¡°¡­That Hunter.¡± Livnis mused.


    ¡°Highly likely. I used my Miracle to retrace events; a significant Eternal Night crystal reaction was detected from that Hunter,¡± Remu echoed.


    The disappearance of two branch bishops before the attack had created difficulties.


    Firstly, they lacked manpower; infiltrating the heavily guarded core node in Sun City was far more challenging than anticipated. Although Sun City''s masters had dwindled, its legacy remained; various Miracle artifacts and Xyrin''s power were readily available.


    Secondly, the lack of two Eternal Night crystals prolonged the rift''s opening, giving Sun City time to respond.


    Originally, Livnis wouldn''t have had to face Kimio; they would have simply opened the rift and quickly escaped to the Eternal Night, leaving Sun City with the aftermath.


    ¡°That person clearly said if we were careful, nobody would notice us,¡± Remu¡¯s voice contained resentment.


    The actual casualties far exceeded expectations; two Eternal Night crystals were lost, and even the Grandmaster was ambushed.


    Though they reached the Eternal Night, the outcome, while positive, was far from ideal; the problems were preventable.


    ¡°The Hunter was an unforeseen variable. It¡¯s not entirely their fault. When Burter was ambushed and forced into the Eternal Night World earlier, I should have taken it more seriously,¡± Livnis said.


    ¡°You were still on your way here at the time; Egov¡¯s failed plan and the Hunter¡¯s subsequent recovery significantly impacted us. You had just returned from consultations with the other Grandmasters.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. We assumed the newly resurrected Hunter would remain dormant. Unexpectedly, despite its incomplete recovery, it acted without delay.¡±


    Livnis looked at her arm.


    The God-killing weapon, held for so long, had been forcibly taken.


    It had felt odd at the time; while the Hunter clearly intended to kill her, its attention seemed fixated more on the small crescent blade than on her?


    An illusion?


    Dismissing these thoughts, Livnis slowly stood up: ¡°I¡¯m fine. We must continue our journey. Reaching the Eternal Night is only the beginning. The situation outside Xyrin is unfavorable; that person is likely hiding something from us.¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Let¡¯s find¡­ the great ¡®Darkness¡¯ pillar.¡±


    ...


    Mithra and Nie Hong rested for the night.


    Mithra, as usual, slept poorly, waking numerous times to replenish Stabilize, then groggily falling back asleep, only to cast more Stabilize.


    The little crescent blade''s side effects weren''t simple.


    During her dreams, she repeatedly saw the Abyssal images from when she had received the Abyssal Miracle.


    That wasn''t a significant concern for now; she had only briefly traversed the Abyssal border.


    However, future deep incursions were uncertain.


    The Abyssal Crescent¡¯s Abyssal effects originated from there.


    The experience of wielding the Abyssal power was quite chaotic.


    Thinking about it, her connection to the Abyss might be much closer than she realized.


    After considering this, Mithra changed into her regenerative gear only to find her room''s food rations completely empty.


    ¡°¡­the Maw?¡± Mithra murmured.


    ¡°Hungry¡­¡± the Maw extended a long, slender tentacle-tongue, swaying.


    Mithra had overslept; it had eaten her breakfast.


    She gently pinched its tongue, not severely reprimanding it, as she had been the one who had been restless.


    But this thieving habit wouldn''t change.


    Entering the courtyard, she heard the rhythmic clang of metal. A few steps later, she saw Nie Hong training.


    Mithra recalled Nie Hong mentioning recently learning several advanced Ki Miracles; control over Ki was crucial for physical conditioning.


    Nie Hong was sweating profusely, his body occasionally flashing with crimson light, indicative of his Ki control. He appeared to be in good shape.


    Mithra didn''t interrupt, observing for a while.


    Only when Nino entered the courtyard did Mithra''s attention shift.


    Nie Hong stopped, regulating his breathing before rushing over, playfully asking, ¡°Mithra, did I look cool?¡±


    ¡°Using it against an opponent always looks cool,¡± Mithra replied casually.


    Nino chuckled, ¡°It seems Nie Hong has recovered well.¡±


    Nie Hong looked good; Mithra, on the other hand, seemed perpetually gloomy.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been investigating?¡± Mithra asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nino nodded. ¡°The Eternal Night rift defense is currently stable. Kimio has reported to the Empire; reinforcements will arrive within two days; they¡¯re taking this seriously.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s manageable. Let¡¯s leave today,¡± Mithra said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Nie Hong looked surprised.


    ¡°Today¡¯s Sunday on Planet Blue. I remember you have an early meeting on Monday,¡± Mithra said impassively.


    Nie Hong¡¯s energetic demeanor instantly wilted.


    Nino nodded, ¡°You have matters to attend to in Enchanting Land; it¡¯s best not to stay long.¡±


    Mithra and Nie Hong stayed until noon, sharing another meal before preparing to leave.


    Nino saw them off; a nearby teleportation point allowed them to reach the outskirts.


    On their way, the inner city streets were almost entirely patrolled by guards. Monsters from the Eternal Night could appear at any time; ordinary citizens avoided going out.


    But shortly after, a commotion arose ahead.


    Nino frowned. As the three continued, they encountered a massive procession!


    Scattered guards struggled to control the enormous crowd, which was proving impossible to stop.


    Believers were present in the procession; the guards'' gentler Miracles were countered, and more aggressive Miracles couldn''t be used against such a large crowd without jeopardizing the civilians.


    ¡°Destroy the new Xyrin!¡±


    ¡°Protect the Xyrin! The Xyrin endures!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need a new Xyrin!¡±


    ¡°The Eternal Night monsters are divine punishment! A warning to Sun City! Stop your foolish actions!¡±


    Various shouts, all ultimately expressing opposition to the new Xyrin.


    ¡°Wow, what¡¯s going on?¡± Nie Hong, seeing such a scene for the first time, was shocked.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Mithra commented succinctly.


    Nino¡¯s expression, however, had become extremely grim.

 Chapter 87: Xyrin Shell

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 Chapter 88: Into the Night

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 Chapter 89: Miniature Eternal Night

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 Chapter 90: Possession

    The advance team arrived near the incident site. Under the pitch-black conditions, relying on non-visual senses and carefully comparing the images from their memories to the distant scene, navigation proved difficult.


    Approaching, they continued their careful search.


    After searching for a short while, Tinina''s steps became noticeably unsteady; she stumbled and fell.


    Nie Hong, having noticed Tinina''s unwell state, reacted swiftly, spinning to use stasis to stabilize her falling body, then caught her before she hit the ground.


    "Miss Tinina?!" he exclaimed in alarm.


    She hadn''t appeared injured before, yet her condition was now extremely poor.


    Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling uncontrollably.


    "I¡­" Tinina tried to say she was fine, but quickly realized that would be too strong a claim.


    Her condition deteriorated rapidly, abnormally fast.


    "How long have we been inside?" a Sanctuary reinforcement suddenly asked.


    After checking, the timekeeper responded, "Thirty-seven hours; a day and a half."


    "This¡­ is Eternal Night''s effect on beast miracle believers so severe?" Nie Hong asked anxiously.


    Everyone possesses beast nature; beast miracle believers with active beast nature being affected by Eternal Night isn''t surprising, but this sudden, rapid deterioration was excessive. By this logic, the normal humans among them should quickly display negative symptoms.


    "Mithra stayed here for three days without incident," Nie Hong recalled. "Though Mithra isn''t comparable to a normal human, her resistance offers some indication. This shouldn''t be happening¡­"


    "One, two, three¡­ four¡­" Suddenly, Tinina began to count amidst her tremors.


    Under everyone''s questioning gazes, Tinina raised her head. Of course, she couldn''t see anything; even with the Eternal Night, some semblance of sky should still exist.


    "Five¡­ six¡­ seven¡­"


    Tinina continued counting. No one understood what she was doing, whether she''d lost her mind, but no one dared to interrupt her.


    As she continued counting, her breathing became steadier, and Nie Hong could feel her trembling lessen significantly.


    Finally, Tinina rose from her prone position.


    "Whew¡­ Sorry for causing concern," Tinina said in a low voice.


    "¡­Miss Tinina, let''s find the marker and return. Your condition seems very poor," Nie Hong suggested. The other team members nodded in agreement.


    Tinina was the team''s strongest combatant, especially in this environment where many miracles were limited; beast miracles, however, were exceptionally powerful.


    If her condition was poor, they wouldn''t be able to risk Tinina losing control.


    It wasn''t good for them either.


    "¡­It''s the burden on my consciousness from Daphne''s body. Otherwise, my beast nature wouldn''t have become uncontrollable so quickly," Tinina said after a moment of silence.


    "Though I''m anxious, I can''t carelessly drag Daphne along, nor risk you all. We should find the return marker and retreat¡­"


    Her voice was filled with reluctance, but Tinina knew her special condition made further travel through Eternal Night unsuitable.


    This body wasn''t her own.


    However, as a vessel for her will, once she beast transformed, this body would still be affected and mutate.


    Then, the beast transformation of Daphne''s body would again affect Daphne''s will, creating the worst possible scenario.


    She''d already been reckless and almost caused Daphne to be killed by Mithra; now wasn''t the time for stubbornness.


    This child, whose body she''d inhabited since a young age¡­ couldn''t be subjected to unnecessary danger due to her recklessness.


    Though somewhat regretful¡ªthey seemed so close to their goal¡ªthe uncertain outcome wasn''t worth the risk. Ensuring the person''s safety was the priority.


    The entire team retreated without complaint.


    Along the way, Nie Hong looked at Tinina and curiously asked, "Miss Tinina, you counted to calm yourself just now. Is that a habit?"


    "What else? Did you think it was a miracle?" Tinina, relaxing slightly, replied teasingly.


    Though the time spent together was short, fighting side-by-side easily shortened the distance. Nie Hong''s behavior was satisfactory, so she didn''t hesitate to share some knowledge and guidance.


    Of course, casual banter had become routine.


    Nie Hong chuckled, "If only there were a miracle better than Stabilize for calming down."


    Stabilize, while versatile, has inherent limitations as a basic miracle. It can''t truly resist all factors leading to frenzy, nor can it restore consciousness to someone who''s lost control.


    "Sometimes, compared to miracles, personal habits and routines are more effective for finding one''s bearings when lost," a nearby teammate chimed in, offering a brief lesson.


    "Counting is a common technique; some people count specific things, or solve simple math problems. Another method is reciting the names of familiar people. Nie Hong, you should try that in the future."


    The overall tone was light, but the voice became serious when delivering the final sentence.


    Nie Hong nodded appreciatively, then remembered something, "My own name counts, right?"


    "Of course, anything familiar to maintain basic reasoning can be tried; names are essential. However, names are often obscured first in many situations. Without extremely strong willpower and overwhelming stimulation, reciting your name in chaos is more difficult than you think."


    Nie Hong expressed his gratitude, surprised by this knowledge.


    Planet Blue residents, besides their initial experiences during the Dreamland era, had rarely experienced uncontrolled incidents caused by miracles after the Planet Blue miracle learning system was established. Unless trapped in Dreamland with no escape, finding a teleport to return to Planet Blue solved everything. This type of knowledge was mostly precautionary, not guaranteed, and thus wasn''t systematically taught.


    Suddenly, the sounds of Eternal Night creatures moving echoed from the surrounding darkness.


    Something seemed to be causing a disturbance nearby.


    This wasn''t unusual; considering the recent commotion, it was only natural for these monsters to create a ruckus.


    They intended to quickly pass by, avoiding involvement.


    At that moment, a strange, faint purple light flashed in the chaotic darkness.


    Tinina suddenly sensed something unusual.


    After a sound of collision, something flew towards them, rolling cleanly across the ground.


    "What was that?" someone asked.


    Following the sound, Nie Hong touched a hard, crystalline object: "A crystal? Wait, that shape¡­ an Eternal Night crystal!"


    Immediately, everyone''s attention was drawn.


    "An Eternal Night crystal!?"


    "Why is there an Eternal Night crystal here?"


    "Left behind by a branch bishop?"


    "Not necessarily. Eternal Night crystals are formed from the lingering power of Eternal Night; it''s not strange to find them in a wild Eternal Night environment."


    The Sanctuary members, who were mostly intellectuals, immediately began discussing.


    Tzu¡ª


    The Eternal Night crystal emitted another faint purple glow.


    Tinina, focusing on it, used her Night Eyes to view the information.


    ¡¾Eternal Night Crystal: Fragment of darkness¡­¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ª¡¿


    The displayed information was incomplete.


    This was a normal reaction for Tinina''s eyes; how much information they could display was a matter of luck; at times, she might see nothing.


    She had seen Eternal Night crystal information before, once even seeing some description of Eternal Night, but this time, she saw nothing beyond the beginning.


    That was strange.


    Suddenly, the information before her changed.


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªThose who cannot bear the weight of darkness, who recklessly enter Eternal Night, will be crushed by it. Even the common use of an eye''s power demands a price.¡¿


    The words struck Tinina like a heavy hammer.


    Until now, the lifeless text seemed to come alive.


    Then¡­


    "Roar¡ª!"


    A deafening roar of a wild beast reached her ears.


    No¡­ that was her own voice.


    It happened so suddenly that everyone was caught off guard.


    Even Tinina herself.


    Her flesh and bones began to mutate; fur sprouted on her skin, her nails transformed into claws, and her teeth became sharper.


    Even if she''d reacted quickly to suppress the change, it was already too late.


    "Tinina?!" Nie Hong called out, turning his head.


    "Get away from me!" Tinina shouted back; her voice was becoming rough and indistinct.


    What happened?


    Why had Tinina, who had just regained control of her beast transformation, suddenly lost control?


    Claws wildly slashing, she repelled everyone around her, then collapsed to the ground.


    "The Eternal Night crystal!" A Sanctuary member suddenly realized something. The most significant variable was the crystal they''d unexpectedly found!


    Nie Hong looked at the crystal in his hand, quickly retreating: "I''ll try moving it further away!"


    But before he could move far, a great commotion echoed from the surrounding darkness, a large number of creatures rushing towards them.


    Nie Hong was directly attacked from the darkness.


    Using Ki to protect himself from the impact of several monsters, Nie Hong sensed a multitude of creatures surrounding them.


    The Eternal Night crystal in his hand pulsed with an eerie light.


    This was undoubtedly the cause of their recent misfortunes.


    After confirming this, he didn''t hesitate; he threw the Eternal Night crystal away. Now wasn''t the time to risk their lives for it!


    Unexpectedly, a condensed sense emanated from the crystal; inky black liquid seeped out, forming a long, blade-like shape.


    "What!?"


    A living Eternal Night crystal?!


    The blade hovered momentarily in mid-air, then, as if targeting him, slashed towards Nie Hong.


    Nie Hong nimbly dodged, narrowly avoiding the black blade each time.


    "Roar¡ª!"


    "Nie Hong, watch out!" A Sanctuary member shouted.


    Without needing the warning, Nie Hong noticed Tinina, in her beast transformation, charging towards him.


    The long blade, after whirling gracefully, swung down with immense force.


    Without time to think, crimson Ki surged through him, directly mixing into his protective Ki; the originally smooth protective barrier began to become somewhat "chaotic" under the infusion of this Ki.


    Dong!


    A monster that had attempted to sneak attack Nie Hong directly collided with this crimson-black Ki barrier; it was immediately repelled, the point of contact severely damaged.


    Nie Hong suddenly spread his arms, rapidly expanding his protective Ki, simultaneously blocking the blade and Tinina''s attack.


    Simultaneously confronting both attacks, Nie Hong''s Ki reaction was incredibly fierce.


    Both the blade and Tinina''s beast transformation were stronger than Nie Hong; even the specially strengthened Ki barrier couldn''t completely deflect them, merely delaying their actions slightly.


    Taking this opportunity, he quickly retreated.


    As he moved away, his protective Ki rapidly dissipated, leaving the blade and Tinina to clash.


    Tinina swung her arm, deflecting the blade, then stumbled, bracing herself against a nearby wall.


    The blade struck the ground near a shadowy pillar dweller. On the inky black blade, the Eternal Night crystal faintly pulsed again.


    The shadowy dweller, drawn to it, approached and reached out to grasp the blade.


    In the next instant, the black substance spread across its body, like cracks climbing its form.


    The shadowy dweller didn''t even utter a scream before falling silent.


    Then, its previously hunched body straightened; its posture stiff, it turned towards the struggling Tinina.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Darkness¡­ eyes¡­" It rasped, its throat seeming to be sliced by a blade.


    The Sanctuary members caught up with Nie Hong; still shaken, they struggled to understand the situation.


    "Damn it, this world is too damn bizarre!" someone involuntarily cursed.


    "Prepare for a split retreat; we need to ensure someone survives."


    "Tinina and Daphne?" Nie Hong unconsciously asked.


    But as the question left his lips, he nearly knew the answer.


    They fell silent for a moment. Amidst Tinina''s cries of pain, someone weakly said, "A beast miracle''s loss of control during beast transformation is almost irreversible."


    "This¡­"


    Nie Hong gaped.


    Tinina clutched her head, attempting to maintain her rationality, but to no avail; the savage beast within surged like a tide through her mind.


    "One, two¡­ two¡­ Roar¡­ three¡­"


    Suddenly, a blade sliced into Tinina''s back, abruptly ending her attempt at counting, transforming her voice into a mournful bestial roar.


    The "shadow pillar dweller," wielding the blade, swiftly swung down, severing her legs, causing her to fall.


    Tinina collapsed, sensing a sharp edge before her eyes.


    The blade, pointed directly at her¡­


    That Eternal Night crystal was wrong; something was inside, something that had possessed it and targeted her¡­


    Tinina''s last vestiges of rationality continued their assessment.


    If she didn''t think, it would truly be over!


    At that moment, a beam of purple light shone down, illuminating Tinina''s surroundings like a spotlight.


    The Sanctuary advance team members didn''t understand the nature of this light.


    But the shadowy pillar dweller, wielding the blade, suddenly abandoned Tinina and fled.


    However, four flying swords were faster; they surrounded and struck it, quickly embedding themselves within the creature.


    Its escape halted; as it reached for the blade, a pale blue light flashed, and both its hands, along with the Eternal Night crystal blade, were blown away.


    The moment the blade left its hand, the shadowy pillar dweller, the black substance receding, died instantly.


    The blade tumbled across the ground, about to take flight again, when the light shifted, engulfing it.


    A foot stomped on it, pinning it to the ground.


    Mithra''s light illuminated the blade, clearly forged using an Eternal Night miracle, much to her surprise.


    ¡¾¡°Possession¡±: Self miracle. Rumored to temporarily highly activate the spirit or soul, allowing for posthumous transference into another object. Upon transference, they do not experience rebirth but rather a form of spiritual transformation.¡¿


    ¡¾Ikli''s Distilled Sense: A distilled sense of a steadfast Night Hunter branch bishop. His Possession attempt should have failed, but due to the Eternal Night crystal and the Eternal Night environment, it unexpectedly crossed the rift between reality and illusion. His Distilled Sense, instead of being truly possessed, infused itself into the Eternal Night crystal, formally completing the ¡°Possession¡±.¡¿


    The branch bishop who''d been playing with the long blade was the one Mithra''s Stranger had instantly killed.


    Even within Self miracles, there were such bizarre ones.


    In the Dreamland environment, this wasn''t particularly surprising.


    Mithra raised the Night Hunter Greatsword and struck the blade.


    The inky black substance was dispelled by the Night Hunter Greatsword, leaving the Eternal Night crystal on the ground.


    But the moment it landed, it rapidly began to bounce away from Mithra, emitting a brighter light than before.


    This was real light.


    Instantly, a large number of Eternal Night creatures stirred around them.


    The chaos resumed.


    "Mithra!?" Nie Hong recognized her from the four flying swords and quickly called out.


    Mithra didn''t turn, simply stating, "Help me block anything getting close."


    "Huh?"


    The situation changed too rapidly. The advance team members hadn''t recovered from Tinina''s mutation, the living Eternal Night crystal, and the crystal targeting Tinina, before Mithra''s appearance further accelerated events.


    They also noticed the newly revealed Eternal Night crystal, shining without concealment, attracting the attention of surrounding creatures.


    Several Sanctuary members were furious; if they survived this Eternal Night ordeal, they''d have a lot to say.


    What kind of ¡°designer¡± made this map''s light-attracting monster mechanism?!


    May their whole family be cursed!


    Despite their complaints, they followed Mithra''s instructions.


    Though they intended to rescue Mithra, their actual role was more accurately described as "finding Mithra and guiding her home".


    The situation was far beyond their capabilities. With Mithra''s arrival, their task was simple: assistance and following her instructions.


    The team rapidly moved to Mithra''s side, intercepting the monsters charging towards her.


    The monsters were already numerous; now, the Eternal Night crystal excited them, making their reactions even faster.


    Mithra¡¯s two great swords swept through them, only to be instantly replaced by others.


    In moments, a bat-like creature swooped past, seizing the Eternal Night crystal and attempting to flee.


    Mithra prepared to use her flying swords to shoot it down, but a crimson swirling figure suddenly appeared beside her.


    Nie Hong!


    ¡¾Deathly Ki: Ki miracle. Renewal and decay, the cycle of life and death, a self-defined principle. It gathers blood, discarded blood, and everything ¡°old and discarded¡± within the body. In the symbolic cycle, the negative aspects are extracted, forming highly destructive killing intent.¡¿


    This was a newly learned miracle that Nie Hong had been practicing.


    In Nie Hong¡¯s hands, the deep crimson Deathly Ki, combined with normal Ki, formed a core of inky blackness surrounded by a scarlet sphere; it shot towards the bat-like creature.


    Incredibly fast, like a cannonball, it possessed high penetration; it pierced through a crowd of monsters, striking its target.


    Creatures affected by the Deathly Ki would have the negative aspects of their internal cycles amplified; simply put, "decay".


    Many monsters collapsed directly.


    As for the bat-like creature directly hit by the lethal Ki, it didn''t even wait for decay to set in before being blown to pieces.


    Nie Hong maintained steady breathing, another crimson Ki constantly flowing through him.


    ¡¾Life Ki: Ki miracle. Within the self-defined principle, the Ki symbolizing rebirth, a vibrant and flourishing tide of life that absorbs all things. In the symbolic cycle, the positive aspects of life are extracted, forming life energy.¡¿


    A Ki miracle that complements and contrasts with the Deathly Ki.


    These two Ki miracles must be learned together; neglecting one while mastering the other leads to errors in the Ki user''s internal Ki cycle.


    Deathly Ki would cause her own decay, while Life Ki would trigger a surge of blood and flesh.


    But in balance, they complemented each other, becoming stronger.


    As she passed him, Mithra patted his shoulder in affirmation, then planted her greatsword firmly on the ground, activating Enlightened Step and pursuing the Eternal Night crystal through the gap created by Nie Hong.


    But after her gaze passed through the dense net of monsters, she discovered that the Eternal Night crystal had rolled towards the half-beast-transformed Tinina!


    Her Night Eyes suddenly displayed a miracle''s information.


    ¡¾¡°Possession¡±: ¡­¡¿


    The information appeared again; theoretically, the ¡°Possession¡± should continue.


    Although the Eternal Night crystal granted immense power, a single crystal as a body was insufficient; it required a powerful physical body to support itself.


    The moment the crystal touched Tinina''s skin, it merged into her flesh.


    Tinina immediately felt excruciating pain, screaming out; her already unstable spirit experienced a severe rending sensation.


    But before she could fully react, four flying swords pierced her limbs, pinning her against the wall behind her.


    Then Mithra reached Tinina, aiming for the spot where the crystal had just entered. Her free hand transformed into a claw, directly piercing into it.


    She arrived in time; the crystal had barely entered and hadn''t moved before he grabbed it.


    Tinina struggled violently; her eyes were consumed by pain and frenzy. As Mithra wrestled with the crystal, she suddenly lowered her head and bit into Mithra''s neck.


    Rip¡ª


    A strained sound came from Mithra''s neck; blood flowed down, spattering her face.


    But Mithra''s expression remained unchanged; she merely adjusted her angle slightly, her Night Eyes close to Tinina''s beast-transformed face: "You came to save me?"


    Her question was irrelevant to the current situation.


    Of course, only Tinina''s rough, bestial breathing answered.


    "Whether I need it or not, I appreciate your good intentions, so I''ll try my best to help you. Bite harder; don''t bite your tongue. Endure the pain; it''ll be over soon¡­"


    "Mmm¡­" Mithra''s calm voice seemed to have a calming effect; a whimper escaped Tinina''s mouth.


    Mithra''s claws stirred within Tinina''s body.


    The Eternal Night crystal trembled violently.


    Crazy! It had already entered another''s body, the Possession was only seconds from success! Even this could be snatched away by this madman!


    It was trapped!


    If it continued with the Possession, the two connected entities would disrupt the casting!


    Possession was a miracle with an extremely low success rate. Its desperate final act, successfully possessing the Eternal Night crystal, was something to be thanked for countless times¡ª"Bless Anderet".


    Using it on Tinina, who was on the verge of collapse, was already risky due to the immense threat Mithra posed; now, there was also Mithra herself?


    A gamble!


    But Ikli had to risk it.


    If it didn''t, being captured by Mithra meant certain death; it had no other choice!


    Possession!


    Three participants were involved in the Possession, with the Eternal Night crystal serving as a crucial, specialized material.


    This was a miracle operation that even those obsessed with miracle mysteries wouldn''t dare attempt.


    At that moment, a white light from the Self miracle rapidly spread from Tinina''s body.


    Mithra and Tinina''s figures were enveloped.


    Mithra had mentally prepared for this type of "possession" miracle, the Manic autistic preparing herself again.


    But suddenly, everything before her began to blur uncontrollably.


    Her spirit wasn''t affected, but¡­ why the blur?


    Suddenly, Mithra remembered the description of Ikli''s Possession from Night Eyes.


    It was a failed Possession attempt, but due to the environment and the special nature of the material, it had crossed the rift between reality and illusion.


    The rift between reality and illusion¡­ Mithra recalled a similar description¡ª


    The Dreamscape Gap?


    ...


    Mithra opened her eyes.


    Before her was not the pitch-black Eternal Night world, shrouded in darkness without light.


    She was in a classical-style manor; birds sang, flowers bloomed. Only when looking towards the distance did she see the familiar white swirling mist.


    After glancing around, Mithra reached into her hip pouch and took out her sleeping bird bell.


    A gentle chime rang; she listened quietly as the clear sound spread.


    White feathers drifted from behind her to before her eyes; light footsteps approached slowly.


    "¡­¡­I didn''t expect to see you again. Your fate seems intertwined with many things, impolite passerby," a familiar voice echoed. Mithra turned and saw Elise standing elegantly behind her.


    Those uncanny eyes stared at Mithra without concern.


    "Though I wanted to try again, I didn''t expect it to be so sudden," Mithra replied.


    "So I must say again, there''s nothing particularly memorable in the Dreamscape Gap¡­ but it''s pointless to say it now. Your reappearance means my role is the same as before," Elise said with a faint sigh.


    Having said that, Mithra didn''t look at her again, but continued observing the surrounding architecture: "Again, I need to find the Dreamscape master, then find a way to deal with them to leave?"


    "As you said." Elise followed behind Mithra, like a solemn lady-in-waiting.


    Mithra thought Elise would have excellent presence in a classical lady-in-waiting outfit.


    "Please focus more on leaving this Dreamscape; you have things to attend to outside, passerby," Elise''s gaze remained fixed on Mithra.


    "Don''t bother me; I''m thinking, noisy Elise," Mithra replied.


    Only then did she begin to walk through the manor with Elise.


    "Hopefully, this Dreamscape''s master isn''t as hostile to you as the last one," Elise said along the way.


    Mithra pondered, "Hard to say."


    It could be related to Tinina, Daphne, or Ikli, the branch bishop. A less likely possibility was a connection to Eternal Night, or even Anderet.


    That last possibility was highly improbable.


    Would she get to see the boss''s privacy?


    That wasn''t good. But she did want to see it.


    Mithra and Elise strolled through the tranquil manor; this Dreamscape''s attacks seemed less intense. They hadn''t encountered any aggressively attacking Dream-born creatures for hours.


    Suddenly, hurried footsteps rushed past Mithra and Elise; a figure resembling a classical maid ran past quickly.


    "A birth! The child is born! But¡­ the eye color is very strange!"


    The shout alerted Mithra and Elise.


    "Well then, it seems we know who the dreamer is," Mithra said.


    Strange eye color¡ªprobably Night Eyes, therefore, Tinina was a strong possibility.


    Mithra and Elise spent some time following the Dreamscape''s changes before locating the newborn child.


    Numerous people surrounded the house.


    But these people weren''t the stitched-face Dream-born creatures from the previous Sheng Dreamscape; their movements were natural, blending seamlessly with the Dreamscape setting.


    "If we approach, will we be captured by suspicious individuals?" Mithra crouched in the nearby bushes, observing.


    Elise crouched behind her, her movements graceful even in that position.


    "Actually, we don''t need to hide; the Dreamscape isn''t yet aggressive. In a peaceful scenario, as long as we don''t actively disrupt the Dreamscape, our actions and the Dreamscape''s changes run on parallel tracks, without influencing each other," Elise''s clear, cool voice rang out.


    "There''s such a setting?" Mithra looked at Elise in surprise.


    "Didn''t you notice that we''ve passed many people without them paying attention to us?"


    "I thought it was just a Dreamscape leading us through background animation¡­"


    "Sometimes, it''s hard to tell if you''re too perceptive or just lack common sense, passerby,"


    "The last Dreamscape was...?"


    Despite her sharp tongue, Elise always fulfilled Mithra''s requests: "The last dreamer was severely affected; entry was immediately aggressive. Outsiders and the Dreamscape directly interacted, even collided. If it weren''t that kind of Dreamscape, this one might be much easier."


    "Not necessarily," Mithra stood up and approached the manor.


    Last time, Sheng''s dream contained the variable of Chrysalis; this time, another high-probability variable existed¡ªIkli, the cause of all this.


    Honestly, while Ikli was arguably the strongest Night Hunter branch bishop Mithra had faced, he still hadn''t surpassed her in beast transformation form, only to be casually killed by her Stranger. But killing him led to this troublesome aftermath.


    This ¡°Possession¡± was far more potent than some simple life lock?


    But this miracle seemed rare; moreover, its success rate, side effects, and practicality seemed unrelated, so Mithra planned to research it after resolving the Sun City issue.


    Mithra and Elise bypassed the crowd and entered the manor.


    Inside a room, they found a couple conversing.


    The young woman was sweating and weak, clearly having just given birth, her face filled with worry.


    "Our child¡­ what''s wrong with him? His eyes¡­ they¡¯ll be alright, it''s just a bit dark¡­"


    "It''s alright, my dear; it''s excellent news!" The tall man sat by the bed, holding his wife''s hand, gently stroking it. "I know. That pair of dark eyes¡­ they''re the legendary Night Eyes!"


    "Night Eyes?"


    "Yes, a gift from the night sprites, eyes kissed by a higher being. Those who possess them are destined for greatness; this is a blessing for our land!"


    Listening to the couple, Mithra and Elise quickly approached the infant''s crib.


    Mithra felt something was amiss.


    After the couple''s conversation was translated by Night Eyes, she noticed a problem.


    With this in mind, she and Elise approached the crib, peering inside.


    A delicate, lovely infant lay quietly in the bed, emitting faint whimpers.


    He wasn''t asleep; his tiny, inky black eyes, reflecting no light, curiously stared at Mithra and Elise.


    "Night Eyes¡­ like this. Speaking of which, passerby, you also have such eyes."


    "A gift from others; I don''t know," Mithra gently reached out to touch the infant.


    "So this baby is the dreamer we''re looking for¡­ no, that''s not right; I don''t sense any concentrated Ki on him," Elise frowned slightly.


    Mithra clicked her tongue, "Precisely not."


    She lifted the cloth covering the newborn, revealing what lay beneath the infant.


    The typical male genitalia were present.


    But to Mithra, this was entirely abnormal.


    No wonder the couple''s conversation, after translation, consistently referred to the child using masculine terms.


    This was a boy!


    Where was Tinina?!


    Suddenly, a side door was violently smashed open.


    This brutal act shattered the Dreamscape''s harmony; standing in the doorway was Ikli, the branch bishop. He still carried his long blade; his appearance in the dream was almost identical to his real-life self.


    Upon entering, he saw Mithra and Elise by the crib.


    "You''re here, after all," Ikli said, looking at Mithra.


    The Abhorrence staff protruded from Mithra''s wrist; she held it in her hand: "Knowing I''m here, you still dare approach?"


    Ikli didn''t speak further; he wasn''t one for words. In the cramped room, he wildly swung his blade.


    His entire body glowed purple.


    The power of the Eternal Night crystal.


    In an instant, a powerful downward slash swept towards Mithra and Elise, completely disregarding the potential collateral damage.


    Mithra and Elise raised their weapons simultaneously, blocking the blow.


    With a resounding clang, neither faltered. Elise, using the force, counter-attacked Ikli.


    Feathery light flickered on her twin blades; Ikli''s swift blade was easily avoided; several wounds quickly appeared on his body.


    Ikli''s blade skills were excellent, but unfortunately, Mithra had witnessed the best in Elise.


    Ikli''s fight against Mithra was somewhat strained; against Elise, the difference was stark.


    Elise fought Ikli up close; his long blade was rendered ineffective, and soon, he was bleeding profusely from multiple wounds.


    Her twin blades locked onto his shoulders; Elise lightly leaped, avoiding his struggling counterattack. In mid-air, she adjusted her position, her feet striking the ceiling before she delivered a swift downward slash towards Ikli.


    Bang!


    Ikli had no time to react; his head separated from his body.


    Splash!


    But, the moment he died, his body crystallized, turning purple before shattering and dissipating.


    Elise landed, sheathing her blades, her brow furrowed.


    "What happened?" Mithra asked, leaning on her staff.


    "He used something to withstand my fatal blow; his core escaped; he didn''t succumb to my strike," Elise said, looking at Mithra.


    Mithra considered, "The Eternal Night crystal?"


    Though Ikli was in the dream, his previous Possession, the Eternal Night crystal, remained tightly bound to him.


    He could directly utilize the powerful residual energy within the Eternal Night crystal; temporarily acquiring a physical body beyond his original one, he could demonstrate his full capabilities.


    Even in a dream, his power was undoubtedly several levels higher than his original strength.


    He could even use the Eternal Night crystal to teleport within this Dreamscape.


    "Eternal Night? Wasn''t it a failure? But the lingering power isn''t strange," Elise remarked.


    Her expression remained impassive.


    Mithra shrugged, "In short, eliminating him in this dream might be difficult?"


    Elise shook her head, "That was unexpected, but I''ve seen it once; next time, I''ll ensure he''s dead before he escapes."


    "Confident after just failing, are we, Miss Elise?"


    "Don''t be sarcastic, lazy passerby,"


    "I trust you," Mithra tapped her staff.


    As she spoke, the Dreamscape shifted; what they''d seen quickly blurred and vanished before reappearing in a manor hallway.


    "The balance hasn''t been broken¡­" Elise observed.


    A nearby door opened; a boy with Night Eyes emerged.


    Behind him, a figure with an obscured face said, "Young Master, your talent is exceptional; you truly possess the legendary Night Eyes. You''ve excelled in all your cultural and academic studies."


    "Thank you, Master Macallan," the boy politely bowed.


    "Brother!" A girl''s voice called out.


    The boy glanced towards the sound but remained polite, "My sister is calling; I''ll take my leave."


    "Rest well, Young Master; in half an hour, it''s time for your swordsmanship lesson."


    "I know."


    The boy closed the door.


    A dirty little girl ran down the hallway, "Alarcus brother! Save me! Grandma Eileen wants to beat me!"


    "What is Tinina doing?" the boy sighed.


    "I just wanted to borrow the kitchen to bake some cakes, and I accidentally spilled some things! Grandma Eileen is so fierce!" The girl clung to the boy''s arm.


    The boy, despite his sister''s disheveled appearance, said seriously, "That''s not right. Even with good intentions, mistakes require apologies and responsibility."


    "Oh¡­"


    "It''s okay, Tinina. I''ll apologize with you, and then we''ll bake a cake together," the boy''s tone softened.


    "Okay!" The little girl''s mood changed quickly.


    "Hurry up; we need to finish before my next swordsmanship lesson."


    "Sigh, brother, you have so many lessons! It feels like there''s no time left to play," Tinina complained.


    "It''s necessary. I''m blessed; these eyes are proof. I''ll have many responsibilities in the future, so I must study hard! It''s to protect Mom and Dad, and you, Tinina."


    "¡­Okay, since you say so¡­"


    The two children ran further away, their voices fading.


    Elise watched silently, "Children growing up¡­ this is a more subtle, layered Dreamscape."


    Mithra tilted her head, "Tinina is the sister of the Night Eyes possessor? So, like Daphne, she isn''t the original possessor of Night Eyes¡­"


    "Could Tinina be the dreamer you mentioned?"


    "For now, this Dreamscape seems built around Tinina''s memories, but the Tinina who just appeared isn''t the dreamer?" Mithra was puzzled.


    Elise responded, "Perhaps it''s deeper within the dream; with these layered Dreamscapes, a brief glimpse doesn''t reveal the full picture."


    Mithra and Elise followed the children.


    As they walked down the hallway, it seemed to stretch endlessly before them.


    The children were no longer visible, but their voices occasionally reached Mithra and Elise, conveying the memories contained within this Dreamscape.

 Chapter 91: Useless

    Though this was likely Tinina''s Dreamscape, Mithra and Elise, as they progressed, saw more about Alarcus, the Night Eyes possessor.


    Tinina and Alarcus came from a noble family in the era of the Wandering God''s chaos, ruling a distant, small territory.


    Alarcus was exceptionally talented.


    Because of the Night Eyes, he was highly valued from a young age, receiving elite training beyond the typical standards.


    He wasn''t affected by external pressure, meeting all expectations and rapidly maturing.


    Those who possessed Night Eyes were extraordinarily gifted; even without them, their talent would have left its mark on history.


    The Night Eyes merely amplified their advantages.


    By the age of eighteen, Alarcus had reached the Clarity level in miracles.


    During that era, the Wandering God''s curse ravaged the wilderness, threatening human survival.


    Young Alarcus tirelessly joined the ranks defending his home.


    His reputation as a young hero spread beyond his territory.


    Tinina, at that time, was a young lady who''d recently begun learning miracles, often distracted.


    She was, however, fiercely protective of her brother.


    Though people often used Alarcus to pressure her, urging her to learn from him, she remained unfazed.


    Pressure didn''t exist in her worldview.


    As long as Alarcus was home, she would cling to him, eager to hear his tales of adventure and exciting stories.


    Alarcus doted on his younger sister, leaving the family helpless.


    ...


    "Darkness chooses its people¡­ I''ve met several before; they were indeed exceptional. Anderet''s judgment wasn''t bad,"


    "Ah," Mithra watched the unfolding scene intently, her response perfunctory.


    Elise sighed slightly, "You also possess Night Eyes, passerby. No feelings about it?"


    "Mine came from the exchange," Mithra replied casually.


    Elise didn''t quite understand Mithra''s "exchange," but she knew Mithra didn''t care about such things.


    "Sibling affection¡­ a warm thing," Elise''s gaze returned to the brother and sister.


    Mithra nodded without comment.


    Though this dream was currently idyllic, it was merely a dream; the real historical outcome had been decided.


    Only one would remain with the Night Eyes¡ªTinina.


    Many more future events awaited.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Alarcus returned from another expedition. His activities had expanded beyond his territory; he''d begun to fight for the nation, his reputation soaring in the small country.


    After returning, he sought Tinina.


    "Tinina, how are your swordsmanship lessons going? Need some guidance?" Alarcus asked gently; his features had matured, appearing more handsome and possessing an unexpected level of sophistication for his age.


    "Um¡­" Tinina, initially cheerful, was caught off guard.


    "Master Macallan mentioned you seem uninterested in traditional swordsmanship."


    "Straight swords are too heavy; I prefer lighter, shorter ones," Tinina mumbled.


    "But those are necessary for self-defense; short swords require more consideration and aren''t suitable as primary weapons," Alarcus patiently instructed.


    "After learning miracles, isn''t it all the same? I''d rather punch people directly!" Tinina waved her small hands.


    "What about your miracle lessons?" Alarcus smoothly shifted the conversation.


    Tinina remained silent.


    "Master Macallan said you haven''t completed Unified Sense."


    "Do you think everyone is like you? Completing Unified Sense below the head at my age is incredible! I''m a year younger than you! Besides, learning miracles can''t be rushed; Master Macallan always says that!" Tinina quickly explained.


    "That''s true, Tinina. But trust me, your talent is as good as mine; you just aren''t studying seriously," Alarcus stated seriously.


    Tinina lowered her head; her voice softened, "You have those eyes; it''s fine with you there. Didn''t you say you''d always protect me? Everyone says you''re blessed by the Night Elf."


    Alarcus placed his hands on Tinina''s shoulders, "I will always protect you and this land. It''s my duty and responsibility, bestowed by the night''s blessing; I mean what I say. But I hope you become stronger, too. A single person''s strength is limited; protecting this world isn''t just the job of individual heroes; it''s the responsibility of everyone in this land."


    Tinina and Alarcus stared at each other for a moment, lost in thought.


    "¡­Okay, alright, I''ll try¡­" Tinina shyly looked away, murmuring.


    Alarcus''s face brightened; he took Tinina''s hand.


    "Alright, let''s go stargazing."


    "Huh? Isn''t the sky cloudy tonight?" Tinina questioned.


    Alarcus seized the opportunity, secretly pulling Tinina away from the manor into the garden.


    Then, Alarcus brought his hands together, condensing a multicolored star-shaped pattern.


    ¡¾¡°Starlight¡±: Star miracle. Calls upon spiritual light from the cosmos, using their illumination as a miracle. It can also condense a faintly luminous spiritual light above the head; the light isn''t bright, but its reach is considerable¡­¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ª¡°May the star guide our path.¡±¡¿


    Mithra saw the miracle information.


    A star miracle, belonging to a rare type of natural miracle. Its symbolism was profound; Mithra had only seen a summary, never studied it in detail.


    With Alarcus''s use, the originally dark, lightless sky suddenly began to twinkle with stars.


    Tinina was captivated, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the heavens.


    "Wow! Brother, you''re amazing! Is there such a miracle?"


    "It''s called a star miracle. I learned it from someone after my last expedition. I unexpectedly had the intuition for it. But more than its function, I thought you''d like it," Alarcus said.


    "Hee hee, brother, how many stars can your miracle light up?"


    "Ha ha, I haven''t actually counted. Let''s count them together?"


    "Okay!"


    The two stood under the not-so-bright, not-particularly-beautiful starry sky, counting together.


    "One, two, three, four, five¡­"


    Their counting blended, their voices gradually fading into the distance.


    ¡­


    The Dreamscape atmosphere abruptly changed.


    As a white mist enveloped everything, the image didn''t continue to progress.


    Scritch scritch¡ª


    The sound of hard objects moving echoed.


    Within the white fog, several purple, crystalline humanoids moved stiffly, emerging.


    Each held a long blade condensed from dark matter, surrounding Mithra and Elise.


    Mithra''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Ikli was hidden amongst these crystalline figures; his eyes also glowed purple.


    Elise said, "The Dreamscape''s progress has been forcibly interfered with by a higher power; it''s temporarily lagging¡­ but it won''t last long. It might transition into an aggressive state due to this disruption."


    Before she finished, the Abhorrence staff transformed into a bladed whip, spinning violently. Dark energy clung to it; the seemingly tough crystalline humanoids were effortlessly shattered into fragments.


    Ikli was stunned; he hadn''t expected his painstakingly constructed efforts to assist Mithra to be so easily broken by her sudden display of abyssal miracle power.


    Then, a fierce wind roared past, Mithra''s Night Worship Greatsword descending.


    He didn''t block, dodging to find an opportunity to counterattack.


    But the bladed whip was incredibly agile, catching up to him, piercing his chest and embedding thorny tendrils that pulled him back.


    Bang!


    The Worship Greatsword struck squarely; Ikli instantly shattered into fragments of crystalline dust.


    "We are watching a movie, what are you fidgeting about?" Mithra casually crushed the crystalline remnants underfoot.


    Elise arrived leisurely, sighing, "You should''ve let me kill him; now he''s escaped. Brave but reckless, passerby."


    "Slow and deliberate Miss Elise criticizes others for being too fast?" Mithra countered.


    Elise couldn''t argue; she''d focused on the Dreamscape''s changes.


    After their first encounter, even though Ikli escaped, she hadn''t taken him seriously.


    He wouldn''t last three moves against her.


    After Ikli''s defeat, the white mist shifted.


    But this time, it was more intense.


    Suddenly, a loud uproar preceded the image''s appearance.


    Something flashed in the white fog.


    Mithra glanced; a rough-skinned beastman charged towards her. Before it got close, Elise intercepted and killed it.


    But this was only the beginning.


    The white mist dissipated completely; Mithra and Elise found themselves in a desolate field.


    Two factions were clashing.


    One was human; the other¡­ beastmen!


    The beastmen weren''t numerous, but they were incredibly powerful. Without miracles, unorganized soldiers couldn''t withstand their attacks.


    Though the beastmen had rejected the alliance with humans at the end of the Forty-Four Pillar Gods era, ultimately losing the war,


    But until the Wandering God''s chaotic era, all large and small beastmen settlements existed in the corners of Dreamland, secretly thriving amidst the chaos.


    A beastman knight in armor, wielding a rusty greatsword, noticed Mithra and Elise, charging forward. His seemingly powerful thrust abruptly veered off, revealing his deceptive tactics.


    Elise ignored his feints; wielding her twin blades, she moved like a bird, intercepting his attack. Her blades sliced through his damaged armor, severing his head.


    "The Dreamscape has become aggressive; we''re caught in this Impetus," Elise said after the quick kill.


    Several small beastmen surrounding Mithra were whipped away by the Abhorrence staff, their bodies dissolving into fragments.


    "Find Alarcus," she said.


    They began searching the field.


    With inferior equipment and few believers, the human side struggled against the frenzied beastmen; some were killed and immediately devoured.


    Mithra and Elise didn''t attract the humans'' attention, but they drew the beastmen''s.


    Eventually, they found Alarcus, surprisingly with Tinina.


    Alarcus faced two beastman knights, his swordsmanship precise, repelling their attacks.


    Both knights were believers, using miracles¡ªone fire, one ice. Instead of conflict, the combined power formed a formidable force, even hindering Alarcus''s movements.


    But then, Tinina, somehow, inserted herself between the two beastmen, her short sword slashing, interrupting the fire beastman''s attack.


    The two beastmen''s coordinated assault was broken; Alarcus counterattacked, instantly killing the ice beastman.


    As Tinina had said before, she preferred enhancing herself for direct combat over swordsmanship and miracles.


    Her Reinforce Body miracle was masterful; with various transformations, she quickly overwhelmed the fire beastman, disarming and ultimately killing him with a short-sword thrust to the eye.


    "That young lady has grown remarkably," Elise stepped on a beastman corpse, forcefully pulling a blade from its flesh.


    Mithra nodded.


    While their age hadn''t changed significantly, Tinina had transformed from a truant child to a warrior keeping pace with her brother.


    Her growth was astonishing; Alarcus''s words about Tinina''s talent weren''t just empty encouragement.


    Alarcus and Tinina swept through the battlefield; the demoralized beastmen fled in panic.


    The battle was won.


    Tinina rose to prominence from that day forward.


    She''d realized that her brother, with his responsibilities, often went on expeditions, leaving for extended periods.


    If she could match his strength, couldn''t she accompany him on his adventures?


    Just as her family began seeking a husband for her, causing her distress, this problem was easily resolved.


    Alarcus, overjoyed, didn''t try to prevent Tinina from facing danger; he''d seen too much on his travels, knowing that in this era, there were no truly safe places.


    If Tinina''s strength matched his, they''d be a better team.


    Thus, over the next few years, the brother and sister, both in their twenties, rose to fame.


    This small nation, this distant territory, produced two prodigies¡ªthough the younger, Alarcus, still dominated the headlines, Tinina¡¯s brilliance was celebrated.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Mithra watched Alarcus and Tinina win countless battles, then return surrounded by people; this cycle repeated for a long time.


    Suddenly¡­


    Roar¡ª


    A roar echoed in Mithra''s mind.


    A contrast.


    Mithra turned, her gaze fixed on the distant hillside beyond the city walls; a figure, large for a human, was clearly visible within the vast landscape.


    A beast with emerald fur, wearing rough armor, carrying a greatsword that pulsed with pale blue light.


    The Night Hunter.


    It had arrived.


    The Hunter leaped high, landing with a wolf-like bound, aiming its Night Hunter Greatsword at the territory¡ª


    When Mithra and Elise regained their senses, they were surrounded by fire.


    Around them, the cursed beings, familiar foes from the Gross mines, rampaged.


    Destruction descended; the suddenly appearing Wandering God shattered the fragile beauty, revealing the true nightmare, the true face of the Wandering God''s chaos to the ignorant.


    "That sword¡­" Elise''s expression remained unchanged, but her gaze on the Hunter''s blade triggered a memory; she looked at Mithra.


    "Yes, it''s in my possession now," Mithra''s expression was equally impassive; she walked towards the most intense sounds.


    Elise followed without question.


    They fought their way through a horde of cursed beings, finally reaching the scene.


    Amidst the carnage, the survivors fought desperately to protect their home, only to become corpses with a single swing of the Hunter''s sword.


    Tinina, covered in blood, lay panting, struggling to rise.


    Everyone around her had fallen, leaving Alarcus facing the Wandering God.


    "You goddamn want my eyes!? Come on!" Alarcus shouted angrily at the Wandering God.


    "Brother! Alarcus!" Willpower propelled Tinina to her feet; she tried to reach her brother.


    Alarcus launched a desperate attack, using the Star miracle. The destructive starlight, like mournful eyes, granted him ultimate power.


    His beautiful blue Illusion body changed violently; his form almost lost control; Starlight filled everything.


    Starlight''s blade clashed with the Hunter''s Hunting Blade.


    With a deafening roar¡­


    The Hunter cried out in pain, severely wounded; it stumbled back, using its sword to support itself.


    As Tinina stumbled towards them, Alarcus''s body lay shattered; his severed head rolled before her, his Night Eyes wide open.


    Stunned, Tinina quickly picked up Alarcus''s head, cradling it.


    But a clawed hand snatched the head, attempting to take it away.


    "Give me back my brother! Don''t take him!" Tinina screamed.


    She forgot to enhance herself, being flung away by the Hunter.


    Scritch scritch¡ª


    The sound of shattering bones echoed.


    Tinina collapsed, curling up, enduring the intense pain, looking at her hand; only half of Alarcus''s head remained.


    The Hunter glanced at the half-head in its hand, breathing heavily, advancing to take the other half.


    Tinina struggled to her feet, fully activating Reinforce Body, fleeing.


    She had to escape; even with her brother mortally wounded, the Wandering God was beyond her capabilities. She couldn''t let her brother''s eyes fall into the beast''s hands.


    The Hunter attempted to pursue, but suddenly its legs buckled, collapsing to the ground.


    Starlight, forming chains, bound its legs.


    ¡¾Star Chains: Star miracle. The star constellations hold endless mysteries; merely utilizing the symbolic structure revealed by their form, under sufficient impact, can create immensely powerful Star Chains, achieving a direct, simple effect.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªHe knew he couldn''t kill it; thus, he bought time for his sister and the others¡­¡¿


    "Roar¡ª!" With a furious roar, the Hunter forcefully tore at the Starlight chains on its legs; the chains, borrowing immense spiritual power at the cost of life, held firm.


    A minute¡ªapproximately a minute of confinement.


    By the time the Hunter broke free, Tinina had escaped a considerable distance.


    She ran continuously, her wounds tearing further, never stopping.


    She dared not look back; she couldn''t even breathe; the Hunter excelled at pursuing prey.


    Fortunately, luck favored her.


    She encountered reinforcements; they rescued her.


    When the Hunter arrived, it attacked, but its injured state and the prepared Wandering God counterattack force repelled it.


    Tinina survived.


    Her family''s territory, ravaged by the cursed beings spawned by the Hunter, was destroyed in an instant; surviving relatives and friends were scattered.


    Most importantly, she had lost her brother.


    Night Eyes were a blessing from the Night Elf.


    But the cruel price followed slowly.


    Ultimately, whether it was a blessing or a curse was debatable.


    ...


    "Even well-intentioned blessings can attract malicious attention; that''s not unusual in Dreamland," Elise said calmly.


    "It''s not the fault of the blessed, but the malice itself," Mithra stated casually, continuing forward.


    "Yes, objectively speaking, perhaps that''s true. But I''ve seen this too many times; in the brutal chaos of the world, misfortune and tragedy are expected," Elise said coldly.


    "I didn''t realize you were a pessimist, Miss Elise," Mithra said without turning.


    "Perhaps I am, passerby. Aren''t you?" Elise retorted.


    "I''m a true optimist," Mithra raised her hand, gesturing.


    Elise was slightly puzzled.


    She couldn''t see any optimism in Mithra.


    Seeing Mithra walk away, she quickly followed.


    ¡­


    Tinina, carrying half of Alarcus''s head, returned to her ravaged homeland, then, rejecting offers of comfort, continued her journey.


    She had witnessed the power of the beasts; a long-held belief that she could gain strength beyond human capabilities.


    She cast aside all inhibitions, approaching forbidden creatures, the beasts, seeking their power.


    Alarcus''s head quickly rotted; the flesh, devoid of miraculous preservation, turned to mush.


    Only the Night Eyes remained fresh.


    A cycle of seeking beasts, seeking their guidance, clashing with malicious beasts, killing or escaping¡ªit repeated endlessly.


    After countless years, Tinina found an unexpected community of humans and beasts.


    This was beyond common imagination; this settlement was called "Gulanslova" by its inhabitants.


    It was undoubtedly the site of the Gulan Sacrifice Tower''s predecessor.


    The community welcomed Tinina, offering the help she sought.


    Upon learning her intentions, they tried to dissuade her from seeking revenge on the Hunter.


    It was a beast-origin creature that was only superficially similar to beasts.


    Mere beast strength couldn''t defeat it.


    Furthermore, as a Wandering God manifestation, the Hunter had continued its hunts, growing stronger. Humans couldn''t realistically contend with such a creature.


    These arguments failed to sway Tinina''s resolve.


    Desperate, the Gulanslova inhabitants taught Tinina beast miracles.


    At Tinina''s request, they performed Night Eyes transplantation surgery.


    This would aid her revenge; if the Hunter hunted for Night Eyes, she could use them as bait.


    After several years of training in Gulanslova, Tinina heard news of a kingdom destroyed by the Hunter.


    Unable to restrain herself, she began her pursuit.


    For the rest of her long life, she chased that frenzied beast.


    Unfortunately, the beast seemed uninterested in her single eye; perhaps her relentless pursuit, remaining unknown, hadn''t attracted its attention.


    In the chaotic past, even knowing the Night Eyes'' location and laying an ambush was difficult due to limited information.


    She was more like a grieving dog chasing an unattainable goal.


    Each ambiguous clue spurred her on, like a puppet on strings.


    Uncontrolled beast miracle usage led to deeper, uncontrollable mutations, yet her ultimate goal remained elusive.


    Then, she received further help from Gulanslova.


    They discovered information on the next Night Eyes possessor. Information from Gulanslova was reliable, but another piece of news came with it.


    That Night Eyes possessor was collaborating with other beasts; they planned to use themselves as bait to eliminate the Hunter, the looming threat over generations of Night Eyes possessors.


    The Hunter''s secondary targets, when Night Eyes were unavailable, were often other beasts.


    This was a shared grievance.


    She set off immediately; meanwhile, the Hunter''s location had been confirmed; a decisive battle between humans and beasts was imminent.


    Her time was short.


    ¡­


    "She''s coming," Elise said, watching the rapidly approaching figure.


    "No," Mithra replied flatly.


    Tinina had only encountered the Hunter once¡ªthat desperate first encounter was her last; it filled her with lifelong despair.


    She spent her life seeking revenge, but even at her physical limit, she missed her chance by a hair''s breadth.


    Her frenzy found no outlet; her pain found no closure.


    Just as Mithra and Elise were thinking this, the Dreamscape violently changed.


    As Tinina ran, her body twisted, her flesh and bones mutating; her left eye transformed into wood, fur sprouting on her body.


    She transitioned from bipedal to quadrupedal locomotion.


    Her speed in this dream reached impossible limits.


    All scenery was left behind; before her was the brutal battlefield.


    Human and beast roars echoed; the emerald beast was larger and more imposing; thirty-four eyes on its greatsword blinked, surveying the surroundings.


    Mithra and Elise were pulled into this scene.


    "She caught up?" Mithra questioned.


    "It seems so. She couldn''t in reality, but she did in the dream. I can sense the Dreamscape''s focus on her. She''s the dreamer now!" Elise said seriously.


    "¡­Should we help her resolve this dream?" Mithra tilted her head, asking Elise.


    "Unfortunately, we can''t," Elise sighed, "Don''t you see how her intense obsession has altered the Dreamscape, and how she''s transformed within the dream?"


    Tinina''s current form was even more severe than her real-world beast transformation.


    "Miracles have a price, but sometimes the gain and price are disproportionate. She''s blinded by the dream, paying the real price to fulfill a false dream''s promise."


    "If we let her achieve her wish here, she''ll fully submerge in the dream, and the outside world will also spiral out of control."


    Mithra raised her weapon, "Even in a dream, we have to maintain clarity."


    Elise drew her twin blades, "Precisely. In Dreamland, even dreams are cruel, passerby."


    They charged towards Tinina.


    At that moment, a clear crystalline sound echoed from somewhere on the dream battlefield.


    A figure suddenly appeared before Mithra and Elise.


    Without a doubt, it was Ikli.


    Mithra and Elise ignored him; exchanging a glance, they continued their advance without hesitation or avoidance.


    Ikli''s tightly shut eyes snapped open, his eyes transforming into Night Eyes!


    Mithra was startled, but her actions didn''t falter; the Ashes Flame Father ignited on her, her flaming mace smashing towards him.


    Elise''s twin blades, flashing purple and white, followed.


    Ikli''s long blade swung, unleashing "Black Rend," a black wave crashing towards them. But before impact, he refined his technique, maximizing the miracle''s power.


    Bang!


    This time, he successfully halted Mithra and Elise.


    "What is this? Night Eyes are now commodities?" Mithra steadied herself.


    "He''s borrowing power in the dream through the Eternal Night crystal, similar to Miss Tinina''s situation," Elise explained.


    "Dreams are convenient sources of power."


    "Higher power interference is convenient, but there''s a price."


    "But his price doesn''t concern us, does it?"


    "Yes, leave this to me, passerby. Let me see just how optimistic you are," Elise said coldly.


    "No, splitting our strength is pointless; we''ll attack together," Mithra rejected Elise''s plan; the Night Hunter Greatsword''s hilt pierced her flesh, then was drawn out.


    Even though the "dog" disliked the connection to the ash form, Mithra ignored it; as long as the greatsword wasn''t consumed by flames, it was fine.


    Night Eyes didn''t provide much true power enhancement; combining them with an Eternal Night crystal to unleash more Eternal Night power was possible.


    But it didn''t matter; Ikli''s limit was probably that; he''d never seen¡ªor imagined¡ªthis.


    "Fools¡­ I possess unparalleled Eternal Night power! You rabble can''t defeat me!" The surge of power disrupted Ikli''s usually calm demeanor.


    But as he finished shouting, he narrowly dodged a Hunting Blade.


    Having dodged, the fiery mace followed.


    He raised his blade to block, but the explosive force sent him flying.


    Before he hit the ground, Elise, moving like a bird, appeared; crimson stained her white feathers.


    Ikli''s head flew off.


    Scritch scritch¡ª


    Crystallization appeared again; teleporting to continue his assault.


    This time, Ikli''s escape was even faster; his strength aside, his evasive maneuvers in this dream were exceptionally refined.


    But even with his skill, Mithra and Elise wouldn''t give him another chance.


    Before they could pursue, several bright stars fell from the dark sky, connecting to form Star Chains, ensnaring Ikli''s crystalline fragments, halting his escape.


    Elise was startled, but didn''t stop; her twin blades whirled, completely obliterating Ikli''s consciousness.


    Pausing briefly, she looked back at the dissipating starlight with a strange expression.


    Mithra, however, gasped slightly; a living Alarcus stood before her.


    Was this a resurrection match?


    The moment Alarcus appeared, the Dreamscape''s movement slowed significantly.


    "Sorry to trouble you," Alarcus said with a warm smile.


    Mithra''s Night Eyes showed slight strain, but Alarcus''s Night Eyes were like pearls¡ªdark yet luminous; they met.


    "Is this the residual power from your eyes?"


    "It''s barely more than a trace, but as that young lady said, the dream''s power is convenient given the conditions," Alarcus shrugged.


    "Then why didn''t you save your sister?" Mithra asked.


    "If I interfered, Tinina would never wake up; she''d be lost forever. She''s strong, but also fragile," Alarcus glanced away slightly.


    Mithra remained silent.


    "Night Eyes weren''t meant to be transplanted or merged casually. The Night Elf wouldn''t allow their gifts to be misused¡ªthe Hunter''s case was an exception."


    "You mean¡­?"


    "Tinina, during her transformation, forged a pact with the Night Elf. She could borrow the Night Eyes'' power, suppress her lifelong beast transformation, and even leave her will in her eyes after death. This was her intended power."


    "And the price?"


    "The price is that the Night Elf must fulfill her wish¡ªkilling the Hunter."


    She failed.


    Mithra could prevent the Hunter''s resurrection; unless Mithra lost control, allowing the Hunter to possess her, it was impossible.


    "The main reason for Tinina''s deterioration wasn''t external forces or even the Dreamscape. The root cause was paying the price for her past life. She suppressed her beast transformation, continuing to suppress the effects for Daphne; now, the price must be paid."


    Alarcus spoke calmly, but the underlying restraint was palpable.


    She hadn''t done anything wrong; she lived an ordinary life, using everything yet failing to achieve her final goal.


    But the goddess, Anderet, wouldn''t forgive her.


    Or perhaps, when Anderet allowed the Night Eyes transplantation, not rejecting her, agreeing to the bargain, was the greatest forgiveness.


    Now, she had to pay the price.


    Mithra looked towards the distance, where Tinina now faced the Hunter in the dream.


    Would she awaken?


    Even if she knew this was a false dream, she likely hoped to achieve something.


    Witnessing her brother''s death, desperately retrieving only half his head, chasing the Wandering God, yet missing her chance before the Hunter''s defeat.


    "I understand," Mithra''s expression remained unchanged; her tone was flat, calm.


    Alarcus, about to speak, was stunned for a moment before chuckling and nodding.


    He bowed deeply to Mithra.


    "Tinina and I offer our deepest respect and gratitude."


    Mithra didn''t respond, walking past the bowing Alarcus.


    Alarcus vanished; the Dreamscape resumed its normal speed.


    Elise quietly approached Mithra.


    "Wait here," Mithra said.


    Elise watched her, silent.


    Then, Mithra charged into the battlefield.


    Tinina stood before the Hunter.


    But before she could attack, a Night Hunter Greatsword pierced the Hunter''s chest; Mithra landed swiftly, her fiery mace smashing the Hunter''s head, bringing it crashing to the ground.


    Rising, gathering strength, the dream''s fire was drawn into Mithra''s hand, then slammed into the dream Hunter.


    Dong!


    The dream''s logic shattered; the false Wandering God lost its power, easily falling to Mithra.


    Tinina stood frozen, watching Mithra withdraw the real Night Hunter Greatsword, still dripping with fresh flesh.


    Mithra turned, calmly regarding Tinina.


    "The illusion isn''t enough."


    She raised the sword, partially covering her face with the blade.


    "Powerless Tinina, prove your worth."


    The indifferent voice echoed across the dream battlefield.


    Tinina clutched her head; tears streamed down her face, her choked sobs blurring, finally dissolving into a frenzied roar.


    ¡¾Dream Tinina: A noble family''s young lady, a clingy younger sister, a warrior following her brother''s footsteps, a survivor of a ravaged village, a puppet-like avenger, ultimately a powerless, ordinary individual.¡¿


    Tinina lunged at Mithra, various beast miracle patterns flashing across her body.


    Powerful, paralyzing claws swung wildly; Mithra swung her mace, the flames dispelling the beast''s power; the Ashes Flame Father''s suppression of beasts remained potent.


    Tinina roared, her claws striking at Mithra.


    But in her frenzy, she didn''t notice the pale blue light flash.


    A deep gash appeared on her outstretched arm, nearly severing it; only the reinforced muscles from her extensive beast transformation prevented complete amputation.


    Before a scream escaped her distorted mouth, Mithra dodged, breaking one of her legs.


    Tinina fell to her knees, supporting herself with her remaining leg.


    Mithra swiftly climbed onto Tinina''s massive form, leaping onto her back, then thrusting her sword downward.


    Phut phut!


    The greatsword plunged deep into Tinina''s back; she screamed in agony, her claws reaching for Mithra, her body shaking violently.


    Mithra stirred the greatsword, withdrawing it before being grasped, leaping off her.


    Tinina''s leg swiftly regenerated; she lunged forward, claws extended, striking at Mithra.


    Mithra''s feet planted firmly; she subtly bent, her body fluid; facing Tinina, she countered.


    They rapidly closed the distance; Mithra suddenly unleashed her hammer, scattering a large spray of sparks.


    Tinina charged into the sparks; a series of explosions erupted.


    Dust scattered; the battered beast, ignoring the destruction, burst through the dust, only to be met by a powerful downward swing of the Night Hunter Greatsword.


    Dong!


    The beast was pinned to the ground; Mithra was sent stumbling back, but she attacked again before it could recover.


    The beast, engulfed in flames, struggled; its strength waning, its claws being torn off.


    The burns on Mithra deepened, spreading across her body, even reaching her eyes.


    Elise watched silently, her eyes reflecting the flames swirling around Mithra.


    Bang!


    The beast was knocked back again; blood splattered the ground, some drying from the burns.


    Normally, it should have fallen; as a frenzied beast under the Ashes Flame Father''s flames, its performance was no better¡ªeven worse¡ªthan Infeder, the Ember City Priest.


    It was exceptionally resilient, even for a punching bag.


    Because this was a dream.


    Its obsession determined its endurance.


    But it was nearing its limit.


    The beast lunged at Mithra, its frenzied, clouded eyes reflecting only the Night Hunter Greatsword in Mithra''s hand.


    Thud¡ª


    Its body suddenly went limp, collapsing to the ground.


    It struggled to move, crawling.


    "Roar¡­ growl¡­ roar¡­ roar¡­ Ugh¡­ whimper¡­" The roars weakened, gradually blurring into human sobs.


    Seeing this, the flames on Mithra slowly died down; she approached Tinina.


    Amidst the burning flames, she watched Tinina cry.


    When the sobs grew hoarse and weakened, she spoke, "Awake?"


    "¡­It''s too much¡­ even the end¡­ ah¡­ even a beautiful dream won''t let me be¡­" Tinina''s voice was weak, still tinged with bestial breathing, but she spoke in human words.


    "I¡­ couldn''t save¡­ let me¡­ sleep¡­"


    "You couldn''t save. What about Daphne?" Mithra asked.


    Tinina froze.


    Right, there was another, an innocent person dragged into her affairs.


    "I¡­ I¡­"


    But what did others matter? She''d given her all, only making things worse; barely able to sustain herself, what right did she have to consider others¡­?


    Bang!


    A nearby sound caught her attention.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword lay before her, silently on the ground.


    Mithra relaxed, sitting down, "You wanted to see the Hunter''s sword."


    Tinina''s pact with Anderet was to kill the Hunter; even if Anderet had given her extraordinary convenience, only the price of killing a Wandering God was worthy of her intervention.


    Just looking at the Night Hunter Greatsword¡ªsuch a simple price couldn''t be the full payment.


    Clearly, after realizing Mithra wasn''t the Hunter, and that the Hunter was dead, Tinina''s desire to see the sword stemmed from her acknowledgment of failure, a final wish.


    Of course, now she might not care anymore.


    Tinina, captivated by the greatsword, moved, trying to get closer.


    "You want to find your brother''s eyes?" Mithra spoke again.


    Tinina inched closer, "Yes¡­ yes¡­ Thank you¡­"


    "Don''t rush. I''ll help you; let''s count them slowly."


    "Count?"


    "Yes, count."


    Mithra grasped the hilt, activating some of the sword''s power, causing its eyes to open one by one.


    Then, extending a finger, she slowly pointed at each one.


    "If you see it, say it. One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ four¡­"


    Mithra began counting; her voice was slow, giving Tinina time to react.


    Gradually, Tinina''s voice joined Mithra''s.


    She began counting with Mithra.


    Their voices blended.


    Like when she counted stars with her brother.


    As she counted, Tinina''s voice became clearer; the faint bestial sounds dissipated, returning to her slightly hoarse, low female voice.


    As her vision cleared, tears flowed silently down her cheeks.


    She wished this moment of comfort could last forever.


    Though Mithra''s voice was cold and indifferent, far from her brother''s warmth, the figure with Night Eyes counting alongside her blurred with Alarcus''s image through her tear-filled eyes.


    "Thirty-two¡­ thirty-three¡­ thirty-four¡­"


    This brief moment of peace ended.


    Mithra and Tinina had counted all the eyes on both sides of the sword.


    A shared silence followed, broken by Mithra, "Did you find your brother''s eyes?"


    Tinina nodded slightly, "No."


    Indeed, they weren''t there.


    Alarcus''s remaining eye had been destroyed during his fight with the Hunter; Tinina hadn''t noticed.


    The Hunter had taken the other half of his head; the Night Eyes were gone.


    In the end, she hadn''t seen what she wanted.


    Yet, Tinina was finally at peace.


    "Ah¡­ so¡­ it wasn''t taken¡­ I didn''t let them take my brother''s remaining eye¡­ It''s good¡­ so good¡­"


    "I¡­ I did it¡­"


    Mithra stood, raising the Night Hunter Greatsword.


    "¡­Thank you, Mithra¡­ brother," Tinina smiled faintly.


    "Yes, sleep well, Tinina."


    With a single swing of the sword.


    ...


    Daphne suddenly opened her eyes, feeling wetness on her face; she instinctively covered her right eye.


    But there was nothing there, only an empty socket.


    The Night Eyes were gone.


    She quickly sat up, examining her body.


    She was wearing a Sanctuary uniform; the clothes torn during her beast transformation had been replaced. Her skin was smooth, with no trace of fur.


    Her claws and teeth were also normal.


    Purple light illuminated the surroundings; Mithra''s light shone nearby; others were resting.


    "Awake?"


    The voice startled Daphne; she looked towards the sound and saw Mithra leaning against the wall beside her, half-hidden in the shadows, her expression unchanging.


    "Miss Tinina¡­" Daphne began, wanting to ask something.


    Mithra extended a hand, palm open.


    An unusual Night Eye rested there.


    Instead of the usual inky blackness, two star-shaped lights flickered within the eye....

 Chapter 92: Died

    ¡¾Event ¡ª¡ª "Gemini Stars"¡¿


    ¡¾LosHeath''s Gift: Overwriting the Night Eyes yielded the Gemini Star Eyes; using them allows one to glimpse the mysteries of the cosmos. The price: Gemini Eyes require a bloodline and fate-linked twin to use effectively; solo use requires a significantly higher cost.¡¿


    At the moment of her salvation, Tinina bore the full cost of her beast transformations.


    The mutations in Daphne''s body were transferred to the right-eye Night Eye, which was then expelled.


    When Mithra picked up the eye, a long-awaited reward appeared.


    The source of this reward was familiar.


    LosHeath.


    That name, Anderet mentioned when she secretly sought Mithra, referring to them as the two pillar gods who had been alerted when it stirred Eternal Night previously.


    One was the invincible Lebaance.


    The other was LosHeath.


    Mithra had made a mental note, and now, this powerful being''s reward had arrived.


    As for the eye in Mithra''s hand:


    ¡¾Gemini Star Eyes: An originally lost Night Eye, containing the past of a brother and sister; overwritten by cosmic power, it became an eye that peers into the cosmos. Alarcus encountered them while on an expedition; they were spiritual practitioners who taught him the Star miracle. Closely bound to the body, it merges with the flesh; from then on, you become a stargazer.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªI have no objections.¡¿


    I think you have plenty.


    Her unique gift, passed down through generations of humans, was snatched away and became someone else''s eye; Anderet''s mood wasn''t great.


    However, it might reveal a hint of LosHeath''s nature.


    The character who elicited Anderet''s "no objections" was worth noting.


    This reward was merely a tool for Mithra; it wasn''t directly imposed upon her.


    Giving her another chance to hesitate.


    But Mithra wasn''t worried; she was curious about the Star miracle.


    She placed the eye on her forehead.


    She never thought she''d have a third eye.


    After a gentle sensation, a sharp pain pierced Mithra''s brow; the eye sank into her flesh, seamlessly merging.


    Mithra felt her head swim; it felt heavier.


    The Star Eyes didn''t grant extraordinary vision; her sight remained normal; but when the Star Eyes activated, everything around her shimmered like starlight.


    Without the Auxiliary Light Lantern, she could see beyond the physical form in the lightless Eternal Night World.


    The dark sky above transformed into a beautiful cosmos.


    Mithra gazed into the cosmos for a long time; then, a murmuring voice, indistinct yet piercing like a drill, echoed in her ears.


    She furrowed her brow, quickly closing her eyes, nearly fainting.


    Regaining her senses, Mithra discovered a significant depletion of her primal sense.


    Since absorbing the Night Hunter''s Distilled Sense, she''d become accustomed to abundant sense; she rarely depleted her primal sense.


    But the Gemini Star Eyes bypassed her surplus sense, directly consuming her primal sense.


    And the consumption was substantial.


    This caused a massive depletion, resulting in sense deficiency.


    Her desire to investigate the Gemini Star Eyes'' nature was momentarily postponed.


    Despite this brief glimpse, she directly obtained two miracles from the cosmos.


    Perhaps due to the dream''s influence.


    ¡¾Starlight¡¿ and ¡¾Star Chains¡¿ were directly imprinted onto her eyes.


    Mithra lacked Star type sense, but the eye served as a conduit; despite being an external implant, it felt like a Unified Sense organ, remarkably.


    Meanwhile, Daphne, learning of Tinina''s departure, fell into despair.


    Tinina had been her companion for a long time, like a sister.


    Her sudden disappearance was difficult for Daphne to accept.


    Those around them didn''t know what to say.


    They only saw Mithra charging towards the beast-transformed Tinina, a white light flashing, before both collapsed.


    Moments later, Tinina''s beast transformation symptoms eased, then surged again.


    Just as the group considered forcibly interrupting her transformation before she awoke, Tinina suddenly shrunk, rapidly returning to her normal form; the Night Eyes and Eternal Night crystal were expelled.


    The unruly Eternal Night crystal lay still, inert.


    Shortly after, Mithra awoke, brushing herself off and assuring everyone that they were fine, telling them to rest until Daphne awoke.


    After Daphne awoke, they learned from Mithra and Daphne that Tinina had left.


    The advance team had spent considerable time with Tinina.


    They had grown fond of the eccentric "senior."


    Nie Hong, in particular, had shared many things and valuable knowledge with Tinina.


    Her sudden disappearance weighed heavily on the team.


    "Damn Night Hunter!" Nie Hong slammed his fist on the ground angrily.


    Mithra held the Eternal Night crystal possessed by Ikli; with Ikli dead, it posed no further threat.


    Tinina''s situation wasn''t directly related to the Night Hunter; Ikli was, at most, a detonator.


    But it didn''t matter; they''d done so much; assigning blame wasn''t necessary.


    Besides, Ikli''s actions in the dream were despicable; he deserved the blame.


    "Take Daphne back," Mithra said, putting away the Eternal Night crystal.


    "What? But¡­"


    "I''ve obtained your return markers from Sanctuary contacts; I can return on my own. You can''t stay here long."


    Mithra then looked at the distraught Daphne, "The main issue is her. Daphne was protected by Tinina, allowing her to navigate Eternal Night easily as a beast miracle believer. Now, despite her considerable strength, her resistance to Eternal Night is the same as other beast miracle believers."


    Nie Hong immediately grew anxious.


    "Don''t worry; her current state is stable; there''s no immediate problem. However, to prevent a repeat of Tinina''s situation, and for your own safety, given your prolonged stay in Eternal Night, return quickly."


    Mithra''s voice was steady, her speech rapid yet clear; they had no grounds to object.


    "Understood. Although we came to investigate your situation, we were ultimately saved by you. Thank you, Ms. Mithra," a Sanctuary member expressed their gratitude.


    "No, your help was crucial," Mithra replied.


    She was serious; even though she knew how to leave Eternal Night, she wouldn''t leave without a definite exit point.


    But relying on a marker to find her way out was naive; finding her way back without one would take a considerable amount of time.


    Her first entry into Eternal Night, even with a clear objective, took three days.


    She couldn''t imagine how long this chaotic situation would take.


    Thus, she genuinely thanked the team.


    Though her tone remained impassive and cold.


    The Sanctuary members felt awkward, "You don''t need to reassure us."


    "I''m serious."


    "Really, no need!"


    "I¡­"


    "Alright, you don''t need to say anything. We won''t stay long; you have your plans, and we need to take Miss Daphne back immediately and report to Salomo," the Sanctuary member waved, smiling.


    Mithra said nothing.


    Sigh, those Sanctuary people.


    ...


    "Mithra, do you have anything else to do here?"


    As the Sanctuary members prepared to leave, Nie Hong, lacking their formality, approached Mithra directly.


    "I''m curious what the Night Hunter Church is looking for," Mithra replied casually, shining her light into the distance.


    "So it''s about them; be careful!" Nie Hong unsurprisingly said.


    "I''ll be fine. Oh, I almost forgot to ask; did Nino figure it out?"


    Nie Hong realized he hadn''t yet told Mithra about the Sun City events, quickly relaying the clues he''d given Nino, and the subsequent deductions.


    Mithra nodded, "Yes, that''s about right. I didn''t expect you to be the one to awaken Nino."


    "Ah, ha ha," Nie Hong chuckled awkwardly, "I thought about what if that was your last message, so I took it seriously and thought it over thoroughly."


    So you said you trusted me and I''d be safe, but secretly thought I was going to die, huh.


    Mithra glanced at Nie Hong; she didn''t dwell on it, asking, "How long has it been?"


    "Huh? Let me see¡­" Nie Hong checked his specialized Dreamland timer showing the common Dreamland time.


    "More than two days," Nie Hong said; his composure, regained after seeing Mithra, was again disrupted.


    He''d spent two days searching for Mithra; it was early morning on the third day. Midday today was the predicted time of Xyrin''s transition in Sun City!


    "That time already, huh," Mithra nodded.


    Nie Hong unconsciously looked at Mithra.


    The situation was dire; he didn''t know the outcome, instinctively seeking Mithra''s guidance.


    But Mithra seemed unconcerned, "That''s Sun City''s problem. Though I''m interested in Xyrin, the potential Wandering God, if they worship it as a protector, I won''t mindlessly destroy it."


    Nie Hong hesitated.


    Wouldn''t you?


    Logic told him Mithra wasn''t invincible; Dreamland was vast, experts were everywhere, and powerful beings lurked in every corner.


    But his experience led him to believe Mithra could "eliminate" all problems.


    "It depends on Nino''s decision," Mithra said.


    "Nino?"


    "Nino is from Sun City; he''s the main reason I came here. If he has any objections¡­ we''ll see. Be careful on your way back; Sun City will likely be chaotic," Mithra''s tone was both reflective and sarcastic, yet emotionless.


    With Mithra''s instructions, Nie Hong and the advance team left.


    Though they¡¯d lost their way in the chaos, they weren''t lost; they could retrace their steps using their markers; eventually, they would find the exit.


    Daphne thanked Mithra.


    Despite Tinina''s protection, this girl from the Gulan Sacrifice Tower wasn''t weak.


    She would carry on, strengthened by Tinina''s blessing.


    After all, Tinina had entrusted her with all hope of survival.


    Watching Daphne''s back, Mithra opened her Star Eyes, gazing at her.


    In Mithra''s vision, they departed under the stars'' protection, their journey blessed.


    Moments later, closing her eyes, rubbing her slightly dizzy head, Mithra turned, resuming her task.


    Hunting.


    The "dog" was unusually compliant this time; perhaps witnessing Mithra casually slaughtering the Hunter in Tinina''s dream had frightened it.


    A case of killing dogs to respect dogs.


    Mithra sped through the darkness.


    Both the physical scents and the subtle Ki were readily detected.


    The previous battle was near the Eternal Night Sun City border; the scent now led outside the city.


    Mithra had entered through another section of the wall.


    But she couldn''t distinguish which was which, thanks to her pouch.


    The Matsuri''s effectiveness outweighed its side effects.


    As Mithra reached the city gate, the surrounding air shifted.


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A purplish-black pillar of light suddenly erupted from somewhere, piercing the sky!


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Mithra recognized this scene.


    When she''d fed The Maw and absorbed a fragment of the Herald of Eternal Night, she¡¯d seen the image of Eternal Night''s descent; the pillar behind Anderet was similar.


    This one was smaller and less bright.


    They''d found something.


    ...


    They''d found it.


    "The Night Elf Anderet¡ªone of the Forty-Four Pillar Gods! All doubts and suspicions will be confirmed! Darkness! The supreme deity! This fragment of the pillar is the ultimate proof!"


    Livnis gazed at the pillar, its power erupting after she''d found and activated it; even her usually calm demeanor couldn''t conceal her frenzy.


    The era of the Forty-Four Pillar Gods was practically mythical for Dreamland.


    Even now, the identities of many remain uncertain.


    Confirming even one was a major historical breakthrough.


    Of course, the Night Hunter Church wasn''t excited for historical reasons.


    They were ecstatic because their deity was among the forty-four strongest beings; a fraction of that power was now before them!


    Just as their excitement peaked, unseen sword energy swept through them.


    The followers, their attention elsewhere, were instantly slaughtered.


    Reality hit them hard.


    Livnis frowned, turning; a chill touched her neck; she used a miracle to block several unseen strikes.


    Mithra, wielding the Night Hunter Greatsword, stood atop a tall rock on the hillside.


    ¡¾¡°Darkness¡± Pillar Fragment: When Eternal Night is shattered, the symbol of darkness perishes; the pillar fragments until complete collapse; the unbound sprites perish. This is a tiny remnant; even so, it''s immensely powerful, usable as a special material.¡¿


    "Persistent, aren''t you, Hunter," Livnis said, looking at Mithra, devoid of her previous apprehension.


    Even with her weakened state, as a follower of darkness, manipulating the ¡°Darkness¡± Pillar Fragment was easy. With this pseudo-divine artifact, she wouldn''t fear a mere darkness-hunting beast.


    "Seems a bit forced for a self-imposed challenge," Mithra observed the immense power of the purplish-black pillar, understanding Livnis''s confidence wasn''t unfounded.


    But¡­


    "You followed the Herald of Eternal Night''s previous location, right?" Mithra suddenly asked.


    Livnis was initially stunned, then her eyes widened, "You intend¡­?"


    Mithra raised her hip light, switching it to a beam mode, firing upwards.


    The purple light spread, quickly reaching the colossal creature silently watching below.


    Even the pillar fragment, forming the towering light, was like a weak twig before it.


    After all, this was merely a fragment, far smaller than the pillar Anderet had summoned, taller than three Heralds of Eternal Night combined.


    They were near a Herald of Eternal Night.


    Its massive, tentacled head lowered slowly, regarding these insignificant beings.


    "When taking others'' things, it''s polite to ask," Mithra said calmly.


    Her words echoed; colossal tentacles lashed down from the sky without warning.


    Unpredictable evolution and decay.


    ...


    The Herald of Eternal Night''s tentacles enveloped the area.


    It was a scene of utter destruction; the field transformed into a rugged landscape of chasms; no human cries were heard; against such overwhelming power, the three humans were insignificant.


    The pillar was shattered by the tentacles; after the light dispersed, a long, inky black fragment fell from the sky, embedding itself in the ground.


    In the distance, Remu struggled free from the debris, coughing violently.


    "Cough cough¡­ Grand Priest!" she frantically searched her surroundings.


    After the initial tentacle attack, they retracted, leaving a few larger tentacles seemingly searching the ground.


    Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine; she swiftly dodged.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword sliced through her side, tearing away flesh, but she avoided the fate of her Grand Priest.


    She''d sensed the ambush even in the chaos.


    As a branch bishop who¡¯d followed Livnis to the end, like Ikli, she possessed considerable skill.


    But as Remu dodged the Night Hunter Greatsword, Mithra''s crescent blade followed, swiftly slashing repeatedly.


    Knowing the crescent blade''s power, Remu dared not confront it, focusing solely on evasion.


    Mithra wielded both weapons; The Maw on her chest stuck out its tongue; under these circumstances, it once again took on the task of illuminating the Herald of Eternal Night for Mithra to target.


    Then, a Herald of Eternal Night tentacle swept in from afar.


    The movement was massive; Mithra and Remu saw it.


    Mithra quickly retreated, putting distance between herself and Remu, using Enlightened Step.


    Boom boom!


    Like a speeding train, the tentacle created a powerful wind pressure; rocks flew everywhere like rain.


    Remu remained vigilant, knowing that she couldn''t underestimate the Hunter; after all, even the Grand Priest had been ambushed¡­


    As she thought this, the dust and debris shifted.


    Remu drew her sword, holding it before her.


    Clang!


    An invisible sword strike!


    Invisible sword strikes were difficult to predict; but Remu''s refined senses allowed her to perceive the effects of the sword''s passage, enabling her to react.


    The opponent''s intention was thwarted!


    Suddenly, Remu sensed starlight in the dust!


    Stars¡­ a Star miracle!


    Dark purple spirits appeared before Remu; interlinking, they formed a net, far more than simple chains!


    Star Chains!


    But it wasn''t just Star Chains; a dark, unclear power, clearly from the crescent blade''s enhancement, was present!


    Remu tried to escape the Star Chains'' range, but it was too late.


    The instant the dark purple net touched her, it shifted, clinging to her body, trapping her.


    Losing her balance, Remu fell.


    Reacting instantly, she used a dark miracle, ignoring the cost, to shroud herself, buying Mithra an opening.


    Swish!


    The Night Hunter Greatsword pierced the darkness, the crescent blade''s tip following, forcing the darkness aside.


    The crescent blade''s abyssal power briefly ignored the darkness, allowing Mithra to reach Remu.


    Remu struggled; the Star Chains loosened slightly.


    But it was too late.


    Mithra''s foot came down, crushing Remu''s head into the mud.


    The greatsword rose, then fell.


    Remu''s body stiffened.


    She''d tried to escape to the very end, but Mithra didn''t release her grip; after adjusting the Night Hunter Greatsword, she pulled it through Remu''s neck, severing it.


    With some internal organs trailing, Remu was dead; Mithra sheathed the sword.


    Retrieving the crescent blade, Mithra casually picked up Remu''s fallen sword.


    Remu''s Eternal Night crystal was inlaid in her sword; it seemed even powerful branch bishops preferred not to be restricted by staves.


    The dark matter dissipated with its master''s death.


    Mithra looked up, not bothering to use Starlight to illuminate the area.


    With the Herald of Eternal Night present, there were no other Eternal Night creatures nearby; the large pillar of light created by the Night Hunters hadn''t attracted others.


    Or perhaps any who approached were simply crushed by the Herald of Eternal Night.


    The scattered stars illuminated the darkness; though not bright, their range was vast.


    Then, Mithra heard heavy footsteps.


    She looked towards the sound, seeing the disheveled, battered Livnis slowly approaching.


    Livnis was in poor condition; her proximity to the pillar meant she couldn''t completely avoid the Herald of Eternal Night''s initial attack; she was severely injured.


    The wound Mithra inflicted on her chest was still open, blood dripping onto the ground.


    Despite her condition, she held the long, inky black pillar fragment.


    Close up, the fragment appeared rough, irregular, barely usable as a spear.


    The starlight revealed Mithra to her.


    Her gaze swept over Mithra, lingering on the still-warm corpse behind her and the sword in Mithra''s hand.


    "Ah¡­ Remu¡­ finally¡­ gone?" Her voice was calm, her expression unchanged, but a tremor betrayed her sorrow.


    Livnis coughed up clots of blood, then straightened, "The first Night Hunter¡­ the one who founded our Church¡­ he combined human and beast strength to defeat the Hunter of that time."


    Mithra was taken aback.


    The one who''d used themselves as bait to kill the Hunter was¡­ the previous Night Eyes possessor.


    "He left much advice for future generations; unfortunately, much of it was forgotten. Even now, I don''t know if our path aligns with his intentions¡­ but his warnings about the Hunter were emphasized."


    The Herald of Eternal Night''s tentacles continued their destructive rampage; thankfully, they hadn''t approached.


    Livnis''s voice weakened, but Mithra heard clearly.


    "The Wandering God is immortal; past victories were temporary; the Hunter will one day awaken and hunt again. He said that; we forgot; those who followed his path became factors in the Hunter''s rebirth; only¡­"


    Livnis paused, seemingly reflective.


    Then, she approached Mithra.


    "You¡­ aren''t the Hunter."


    Mithra remained silent.


    "Initially, I was disoriented; but our second encounter confirmed my suspicions; you aren''t the Hunter. But you killed it, gaining its power. You''re not here for knowledge or power, but¡­ for your own reasons."


    Livnis raised the pillar fragment; the wind whipped her tattered clothes; red and black mingled, forming a bizarre beauty.


    "Your source is more terrifying than that beast. Now, my life is fleeting; I''ll use my remaining strength to kill you¡­ for our ¡®Darkness¡¯¡­"


    The pillar fragment glowed, resonating with Livnis.


    ¡¾¡°A Corner of Darkness,¡± Livnis: The Night Hunter Church''s Grand Priest; not for power or knowledge, but for the darkness itself. Her followers are gone; she resonates with the ¡°Darkness¡± fragment, her resolve fixed.¡¿


    Mithra''s expression didn''t change; she crouched slightly, adopting a fighting stance.


    Clang!


    A resounding clash echoed amidst the starlight.


    Mithra and Livnis moved rapidly across the uneven terrain; the Herald of Eternal Night''s tentacles lashed out occasionally; perhaps due to the pillar fragment, its actions were hesitant, but it still attacked; the frequency was lower.


    Livnis used the pillar fragment as a spear, surprisingly effectively.


    Despite her weakened state, she held her own against Mithra.


    If she were at full strength, wielding this spear, Mithra might only be able to use The Stranger.


    Livnis didn''t even use her Illusion body, unable to use large-scale earth manipulation miracles; she relied almost entirely on the pillar fragment''s power.


    Her body, shattered, would collapse at any moment.


    Mithra activated the Hunter miracle; the Hunting Blade slashed towards Livnis.


    Livnis easily deflected it with the pillar fragment, then aimed the spear at Mithra, unleashing a barrage of "Heavy Darkness," like machine-gun fire.


    Mithra dodged, leaving a long trench in her wake.


    Swish¡ª


    Gaining a moment, Mithra activated several miracles.


    Reinforce Body, Rock Impetus, Feral Steps, and Enlightened Step!


    Mithra suddenly changed direction, instantly reaching Livnis, her powerful assault bringing the greatsword down.


    Livnis quickly adjusted, subtle magical enhancements rippling across her body; she met Mithra''s attack, her purple spear aimed forward.


    Clang¡ª


    A clash of immense power; Mithra felt her hands tremble; her greatsword almost slipped.


    Livnis merely swayed slightly, stabilizing herself; her spear continued its assault.


    The Maw, its tongue fully enhanced, tried to block for Mithra, but was easily severed.


    Still, it bought Mithra time; she recovered, deflecting the blow.


    They both spun; Mithra, seizing the opportunity, drew her crescent blade, aiming for Livnis''s neck.


    But as the blade touched her delicate skin, Livnis grabbed Mithra''s wrist, preventing further penetration.


    The Maw''s tongue lashed out.


    Dark matter enveloped Livnis, blocking the tongue.


    They stood locked in a tense standoff.


    Suddenly, a Herald of Eternal Night tentacle descended.


    Both withdrew.


    Boom!


    As the earth trembled, Livnis climbed onto the tentacle; before she could breathe, footsteps approached; Mithra was also on the tentacle, giving the already exhausted Livnis no respite.


    The Night Hunter Greatsword and crescent blade worked together seamlessly, trapping Livnis.


    Looking at the crescent blade, Livnis felt the curse accumulating; God-killing weapons showed no mercy; they often killed their former wielders with great satisfaction.


    Livnis blocked another attack.


    At the moment of impact, she staggered; her power faltered.


    The accumulated curse erupted; Mithra seized the moment, thrusting the crescent blade into Livnis''s temple.


    Slash!


    But it wasn''t Livnis who was pierced first; it was Mithra.


    The dark matter in Livnis''s clothing formed sharp spikes, which she launched at Mithra as soon as the curse took effect.


    Her precise control over dark miracles allowed her to set this trap; even though the crescent blade had briefly disrupted her miracle, the already cast spell didn''t immediately dissipate.


    She''d anticipated this, knowing the crescent blade''s nature.


    But despite being pierced, Mithra''s expression remained unchanged; her body only stiffened momentarily before the attack continued.


    The crescent blade pierced Livnis''s temple, entering her brain.


    Livnis didn''t die immediately; her eyes fixed on Mithra; her body, convulsing from the curse''s eruption, shifted the pillar fragment''s point.


    Thick black matter condensed, then erupted, blasting Mithra away.


    Mithra fell; the Night Hunter Greatsword slipped from her grasp, sliding down the tentacle.


    Livnis''s body trembled; she used the fragment as support, remaining upright even on the moving tentacle; her head pierced, blood and other fluids flowing out.


    Was this the end? No, she could move again, use one last miracle, for that person¡­


    Suddenly, she felt a familiar sensation.


    She swung the spear behind her.


    Clang!


    The Night Hunter Greatsword, which had slipped from her grasp, was enveloped in a red glow; somehow, it was behind her.


    But she wasn''t ambushed again.


    Then, the purple light approached.


    She turned; it wasn''t Mithra, just a discarded light.


    A simple distraction tactic, effective against her weakened state.


    The white Abhorrence staff pierced her back; even realizing it was a feint, she couldn''t react.


    This second strike, though not as lethal as the Night Hunter Greatsword, was the final straw.


    Mithra pressed her to the ground; the intense flames, brighter than the Auxiliary Light Lantern, illuminated the surroundings.


    Burning Livnis.


    She struggled to open her eyes, seeing Mithra engulfed in intense flames.


    Incineration.


    This powerful, destructive flame miracle wasn''t hard to learn; the difficult part was avoiding self-harm.


    Mithra had no such worries.


    The flames illuminated Livnis''s face; Mithra slowly raised her broken hammer.


    "Not bad."


    As she spoke, she smashed the hammer into Livnis''s head, simultaneously detonating the Incineration.


    Boom!


    They fell from the tentacle; a burst of flames accompanied Mithra''s descent; The Maw frantically retrieved her sword and light.


    As Mithra landed, the black abyssal hand emerged, cushioning her fall.


    The Incineration explosion ravaged Mithra''s body, severing her left arm.


    Mithra stood for a long time, her body regenerating in the flames.


    The abyssal hand curiously explored, spreading outwards, then curiously examined Mithra, touching her burns, clashing with The Maw.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind blew from behind Mithra.


    Even the sluggish Herald of Eternal Night reacted; massive tentacles lashed out.


    Just as they were about to strike¡­


    Mithra casually extinguished the Auxiliary Light Lantern.


    The Herald of Eternal Night vanished, leaving only the chaotic landscape, the flames raging, and Mithra standing silently.


    The Night Hunter followers¡ªfrom common members to branch bishops and the Grand Priest¡ªwere all dead.


    The pillar fragment fell, landing near Mithra.


    Mithra ignored it, focusing on what she held.


    ¡¾¡°A Corner of Darkness¡± Distilled Sense: The Distilled Sense of Livnis after death. Her sense, amplified by the pillar fragment, condensed and separated upon death. Absorption enhances extra-normal sense, increasing understanding of night miracles and potentially providing deeper insights into Eternal Night.¡¿


    ¡¾¡ª¡ªThe deeper the darkness, the closer to Eternal Night.¡¿


    After a moment''s pause, the abyssal hand, with the left arm fully regenerated, reluctantly departed; one, seemingly friendly, even gestured to Mithra with a small hand-like appendage.


    From their initial frenzy to their more defined emotions, the abyss seemed to be influenced by its interaction with reality.


    The flames on Mithra finally subsided; her body regenerated enough for movement.


    She approached the pillar fragment and picked it up.


    Though aware it wasn''t a weapon, seeing Livnis wield it so effectively, she felt a strange urge.


    Since Anderet herself called it a material, forging it into a weapon shouldn''t be a problem, right?


    But Mithra didn''t have time for that.


    In the distance, within Sun City''s Eternal Night, the two-way Eternal Night rift, usually attracting monsters to a small white pillar of light, suddenly shone brightly, illuminating the entire inner city.


    That intense light was no ordinary glow.


    "Hungry¡­?" The Maw, snacking on scraps, was also captivated.


    "If I were an actor, my schedule would be fully booked," Mithra commented, watching the scene.


    "Hungry¡­"


    "Let''s go. Hopefully, this is the last one, and it resolves itself without my intervention."


    Mithra, carrying the pillar fragment, ran towards the inner city rift.


    ...


    Within Sun City.


    Shortly after Nie Hong''s departure, Nino returned to the Guardhouse, seeking Navida.


    Logically, with the inside contact secured, his temporary position should have ended; he shouldn''t have free access.


    But the guards knew Nino, so they turned a blind eye.


    However, guards were stationed outside Navida''s confinement.


    "Nino-sama, what brings you back?" a guard greeted him.


    "Excuse me, I have some questions for Navida; could I speak with him briefly?" Nino said dejectedly.


    The guard hesitated, "But Lord Mayor Wengerson ordered no one to approach Navida; we must be wary of these scholars'' antics."


    "Yes, he told me that. But I brought him in; could you¡­ help me?" Nino stammered.


    Despite the urgency, this was difficult for Nino, who rarely socialized; asking for a favor was humiliating.


    The guards exchanged glances, hesitant.


    They might have let Nino in if it were a normal prisoner.


    But this was a direct order from Mayor Wengerson, and the prisoner was crucial to Sun City''s current turmoil; they couldn''t afford to take responsibility if anything happened.


    "Please, it''s urgent! Just a moment! Five minutes!" Nino pleaded; he hadn''t expected this, but he wasn''t skilled at persuasion.


    Seeing Nino''s urgency, his usually stern face now etched with anxiety, the guards felt considerable pressure.


    The guards hurriedly reassured him, "Alright, alright. Go in and speak quickly; be quick about it."


    They unlocked the door.


    Nino thanked them profusely, pushing the door open and rushing inside.


    The two guards exchanged another helpless look before following.


    But upon entering, they were shocked.


    "Navida, I need to ask you something!" Nino shouted, suppressing his voice.


    But Navida was silent in the corner of the cell.


    Nino frowned, sensing something wrong; his expression changed drastically.


    "Navida!?" He rushed to the cell, seeing Navida through the darkness.


    Pale, cold, eyes closed, lifeless.


    The guards realized something was wrong, approaching.


    "This¡­ how is this possible?!" a guard exclaimed.


    A high-profile prisoner found dead!?


    "Didn''t anyone monitor him?" Nino asked, turning.


    "Lord Mayor Wengerson ordered us to guard from outside¡­" the guard stammered.


    "What¡­ did anyone enter or leave the cell before?"


    "No, Lord Mayor Wengerson ordered us to guard closely; we only changed shifts; we know nothing else," the guard said, trembling.


    Confirming Navida''s death, Nino asked the guards to open the cell; he examined Navida''s body.


    No external injuries; the cause of death was unclear.


    "Inform the others¡­" Nino said calmly.


    The guards ran to report.


    Nino remained, examining the surroundings.


    He found a transparent orb in Navida''s chest.


    A Distilled Sense?


    Nino was stunned; he gently picked it up.


    Distilled Senses left after a believer''s death weren''t uncommon; it was just a matter of probability.


    But this was Navida''s Distilled Sense¡­


    Nino pocketed it.


    For the first time in his life, he felt a clandestine thrill; but the truth behind this matter outweighed any concern.


    Footsteps approached.


    Navida''s death didn''t cause much commotion.


    Nino, who''d inadvertently discovered it, faced minimal investigation and experienced no difficulties; everyone he encountered corroborated his innocence.


    Later, Navida''s cause of death was determined as sense depletion, ruled a suicide from fear.


    Sense depletion usually resulted in death; however, sense manipulation was difficult; spontaneous death from depletion primarily occurred in believers who had depleted their own sense to the limit.


    With Xyrin''s transition imminent, this wasn''t a priority.


    For others in Sun City, it remained so.


    But Nino received a message from Mayor Wengerson.


    The Mayor, upon hearing the news, inquired about the details, then dismissed it, focusing on Nino''s sudden visit to Navida.


    However, Wengerson was preoccupied with Xyrin''s impending transition and didn''t meet Nino personally.


    Nino understood Wengerson''s message¡ªthe matter could wait until after Xyrin''s transition.


    After reading, Nino looked up.


    The Guard Captain stood before him, nodding slightly, "Thank you for your service to Sun City, Nino, but you cannot enter the Guardhouse now; we''re short-staffed."


    Clearly, Wengerson had informed him.


    Nino nodded calmly, accepting the letter and leaving the Guardhouse.


    At the gate, he looked back at the imposing building, gazing for a long time before walking away.


    ...


    At the Sanctuary headquarters.


    Salomo waited seriously for Nino at the entrance.


    "I heard; the clues are gone?" Salomo asked directly.


    Nino nodded, "Let''s talk inside."


    They returned to the living room.


    Nino produced Navida''s Distilled Sense.


    "You say this is Navida''s Distilled Sense?"


    "At least it came from him. I hope you can examine it; it might be our only lead," Nino said.


    Salomo tapped the table, taking the orb, "Sense depletion resulting in death, leaving a Distilled Sense¡­ suspicious. I''ll investigate, but don''t expect much."


    Nino nodded; Salomo left.


    Nino sat alone, gazing at the ceiling light.


    He felt an unprecedented sense of confusion.


    He thought of his deceased father, his aging mother, and his unmarried younger sister.


    Where will Sun City heading?


    Amidst his chaotic thoughts, he thought of Mithra.


    Mithra''s joking suggestion resurfaced.


    He quickly dismissed it.


    He was overthinking.


    Standing, he decided to go home and rest.