According to Delia, there was no need to do anything further, with the Elf’s ship rendered useless—the Drow will eventually surge and beat back the Elven force.

  Suna's eyes were lost in the machinery. It looked like a beating heart, pumped by something alien and mysterious to him. It spanned over three galleries, and a dim pulse of matter whispered inside the sound of a whirring machine.

  Eden, Delia called it.

  “How far was this time to the intelligence takeover?”

  “I'm not sure, maybe in the same century? We don't exactly map it fully. We already know what we need to know.” Delia said her hand was caressing Eden’s red, almost crimson, because of the shimmering energy flowing into it from countless glass pipes attached to it.

  “So we just wait?”

  “Precisely. Although for the next stage of Drowfication. That is something I can't help you with. No one else is allowed to accompany you inside the dream. The best I could tell you is what you can expect.”

  “Next stage?”

  Delia continued. “Only one of our Undead managed to break through. He used to be a human like you…”

  Suna stared at the [Undead Witch], not bothering to hide his displeasure.

  “Don’t make it so obvious now,” She smiled slyly, “Not to convince you on what to feel. But I was born with an order to protect the depth, and help My Lord to create more Undead.”

  “That will change, right?”

  “Yes, it will, otherwise there’s no point in this.” Delia shrugged and motioned for him to walk with her. They went up a staircase leading to the second and third galleries, and they stopped at a window overlooking the ongoing battlefield.

  The ship they were on still held its cloaking capabilities, proven by the veil of energy shimmering at every gust of wind.

  “The next stage perhaps shouldn't be awakened,” Delia said, her back against the window.

  “Why–”

  “On the first stage, your body accepted the encroaching virus like armor. They will die off first when your mana empties or halted. But the second stage of Drowfication will feed on your body, turning you into one of them.”

  “Fed on body…” Suna recalled the [Cleric]. The poor had been tortured and begged not to be given the potion, as it would speed up his transformation.

  “Yes, it will slowly turn your cell into one of them. But there's a way to control it, which you may consider, but I still wouldn't recommend it.”

  Delia continued. “The second stage of Drowfication sought a master. A leader, or someone in a position of superiority. In exchange for incredible power, you need to serve someone who is preferably a Drow or on a further stage in Drowfication.”

  “But…” Delia paused. “If you're your own master, your own king… then you can harness deeper power.”

  “And if I'm not? If, let's say, there's a government system I'm a part of?” Suna asked.

  “You will lose your mind then. The virus will overtake your brain and attempt to find followers by infecting others.”

  “Is that what happens to Matriarch above?”

  “Those Drows were merely a representation of real Drows. But yes, the tower war—capturing others' race to turn into them—these are very real indeed. It was still ongoing on different planets; you should hope never to encounter one of them,” She explained.

  That would mean the Undead were very real, too. And they probably might not have any level limit like they do now.

  Suddenly, the very thought of leaving was a bit scarier to Suna.

  “Gateway to other worlds wouldn't open until sometimes, it's in humanity's best interest—well, your world’s human best interest to unite and prepare”

  Suna hummed in understanding that it would probably not become his problem. He brought the topic back to Drowfication. “So, do you recommend I go into the dream again?”

  “No, of course not. There won't be any dream, Suna; there will only be the invitation of the Drow factor that will enter you. If you still stubbornly insist… then get back to your world and carve yourself a kingdom.”

  –

  Suna woke up with a tongueful of sand; he spat it out and groaned.

  His head was aching, not exactly hurt, but it was uncomfortable. He stood and shook off his cloak.

  Delia had also awakened, and she knelt to push Uzu's hair off her face. The [Reaper] was still not awakened, and so was Jack.

  The [Undead Witch] coughed, and blood marred her dark sleeves as she wiped it off her mouth.

  “It appears my time is coming,” Delia said, her voice was very soft, it almost escaped Suna’s ear.

  She reached up and adjusted her veil. A bundle of silver hair escaped, and it cascaded down her shoulder.

  Delia gave him a grin with her bloodied mouth, and she looked down on Uzu again.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Here,” she handed something to Suna.

  It looked like a pocket watch, with a complete black and a bulge of grey steel shaped like a lion's mouth.

  Suna took it and opened it. A dark flame hung above it, and it formed into an arrow, pointing toward a location different from the mainland, where the gate leading to the second depth lay.

  “It's not that far from here, be warned, though. You will be attacked by a gatekeeper, but not the one you had faced before, no… it will be an Undead Chimera. A mix between Lion and Serpent.”

  Delia coughed, and blood jumped out from the [Undead Witch]’s mouth. Suna went down, stabilizing her.

  She gasped, her breathing shaky, and a tear trailed down her face. “You will find an altar…”

  “Altar?”

  “Yes, are you familiar with the Sun Altar?”

  “I am”

  “Good, good. Its called the Moon Altar, and will work the same way. Offer something in exchange for an item… Luckily, you shall have my corpse. And Uzu's. Ah, you can go straight to the second depth from there.”

  “Thank you,” Suna said earnestly. The [Undead Witch]'s hair tickled his shoulder as he let her use him as a headrest.

  Suna could feel how life was fading away from the Undead. The scales slowly crept over her neck.

  Who even did this?

  “This will be helpful.”

  Delia let out a thin wry smile. “I still wish for my Lord to live. So please, consider a way for all parties to survive.”

  “I can't promise that.”

  “I know, all I can ask you is to try.”

  “That I can do.”

  “Good, Suna, was it? I will remember your name. Make sure you remember mine. because I shall be going with the same name… Also, don't waste our corpses on Pyreflame, with our runes gone--you wouldn't get much flame, so be careful with that pendant.” Delia weakly nodded toward the pendant. Suna quickly grasped it and tucked it inside his chainmail. “Can you kill me? I would rather give the experience to you rather than that wretched witch…”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, please do,” she said, her voice no longer louder than a whisper. “Also, for Uzu, please do it as fast as possible.”

  “Of course.”

  Suna drew Umbralline with his left hand, angling it to Delia’s throat.

  The [Undead Witch] closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. “I will see you then, in the next world.”

  “The next world,” Suna nodded, and pierced her throat.

  Delia's body came to a sudden stop, her breath halted, and the [Undead Witch] died.

  [You Have Slain Undead Gatekeeper Witch Mistress. Delia. Lvl 57]

  [Level Up]

  [Level Up]

  [Level Up]

  [Level Up]

  On Delia’s chest, Suna could see the glow of her runes; it was dark and fading. The Rune slowly lost its shimmer, fading like submerging stone. He wondered if this would affect the sacrifice. The moon altar. Who knew another one actually exists? He shook his head, steeling himself for another kill.

  Suna gently laid Delia's body down and proceeded to stab Uzu’s throat, ignoring her Runes that were fading too.

  [You Have Slain Undead Reaper. Uzu. Lvl 55]

  [Level Up]

  [Level Up]

  [Level Up]

  [Feat Earned]

  [Slayer of Undead Gatekeeper Witch Mistress. Delia.]—You have slain the Undead Witch! Such a foe who had delivered a myriad of deaths and trapped many souls for the sake of her lord, the [Necromancer]. Such a blow to Undead was striking and surely will be a deep dagger in their hearts. All Stat + 100

  [Slayer of Undead Reaper. Uzu]—You have slain the Undead Reaper. A foe who had caused so many deaths and doomed countless souls. Such evil was eradicated by your hand. Vitality + 120

  Name: Suna Amor

  Level: 41 → 48

  Class: [Flintwind Archer]

  Rune: 126

  Feat: 23

  Mana: 7555/20500

  Pyre Flame: 92287.

  Pact: 2

  Class Skill (13/35)

  - Archer Instinct [Uncommon]

  - Gale Backstep [Uncommon]

  - Moving Shot [Uncommon]

  - Flint Draw [Uncommon]

  - Arcane String [Uncommon]

  - Gale Bow [Rare]

  - Spell String Mastery [Rare]

  - Hissing Volley [Rare]

  - Drill Arrow [Uncommon]

  - Still Form [Uncommon]

  - Saproot Arrow [Rare]

  - Emberwind Arrow [Rare]

  - Ashen Brand [Uncommon]

  General Skill (12/35)

  - Swift Draw [Uncommon]

  - Drowfication [Rare] → Drowfication I [Rare]

  - Rune Seeker [Uncommon]

  - Gale Step [Uncommon]

  - Wind Veil [Uncommon]

  - Thermal instinct [Uncommon]

  - Enchanced Sense [Uncommon]

  - Enduring Body [Uncommon]

  - Battle Focus [Common]

  - Eagle Eyes [Uncommon]

  - Pyre Shield [Rare]

  - Pyre Flame Starter [Uncommon]

  Strength: 2010 → 2145

  Dexterity: 1387 → 1529

  Vitality: 1208 → 1455

  Arcanery: 2555 → 2783

  Sense: 865 → 1012

  Suna had both sisters next to each other and proceeded to carry them onto a boat that was thankfully big enough for four people.

  He sat by the beach, glancing at Jack, who was still not awake. And strangely, Suna felt thankful for that. He wanted a brief rest from all of this. Delia had quite literally opened his world further. The sight he had seen—the unclaimed double castle, and the incredible wonder awaited him. He wanted to make it back and to experience it all.

  [Drowfication I]—Every power comes from a source; regardless of what it is, it should be harnessed properly. Drowfication offers a takeover of the Drow’s virus, enhancing your physical and magic capabilities in exchange for intense mana drain. Drowfication shall stop when mana reaches zero or when you wish it. Drowfication shall offer All Stat +50%, including spell effectiveness and conjuring.

  No wonder this spell had caused him so much trouble. Suna shook his head, his arm still holding the boat that held Delia and Uzu, he made sure it wouldn't drift away by mistake.

  Suna’s feet slid toward the water, and he let out a soft sigh—closing his eyes as he did. He released his arm and floated into sleep, using his cloak and brim hat to shield his head from the sand. This was not the time to test Drowfication; he should wait until he had more mana.

  So he drifted into sleep.

  Dream came and went, until he was shaken awake by something.

  Suna opened his eyes to see Jack standing atop him, blocking the now comfortable shimmering light of the cave.

  “Jack? Good, you’re finally awake,” Suna yawned and stretched his body, earning himself a satisfying pop of bones. “There’s a lot I have to tell—”

  Suna stopped talking when he saw Jack doing something absurd. The Tiefling knelt on one knee, holding his spear just beyond his fingertip.

  “What is it?” Suna asked, eyeing the Tiefling with confusion.

  “My friend… You slew them, Uzu and Delia, the latter by yourself; such a feat was incredible.” His body shook. “You have lifted an incredible burden that has been weighing on the Tieflings’ shoulders—I…” He sniffled. “I—”

  “Stop, you’re sounding like the system. Besides, I did not--”

  “How can I thank you? Oh! That’s right! I can ask Floundea to take you as her—”

  “No, please don’t.” Suna shot down the idea quickly, almost spitting. “Just listen, all right? We will take a slight detour for something… Well, actually, not a detour; we can go straight to the second depth.”

  “My friend, I think it's better if you start all over.”

  “Yes, right. Let's talk on the boat, you will offer Uzu corpses to an altar…”

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