“?!”
Somnu had no time to panic or question his situation.
[Crow’s Clone!]
He immediately had Fala split into two and quickly held on to each crow’s feet to slow his descent into the void.
That was close… The floor just completely disappeared. Was the entire crypt some kind of trap?! He finally had a moment to think things through. I barely reacted in time, but…
“Caaw…”
“Caaw…”
Both Fala and her clone seemed to be flapping their wings as fast as they could just to slow their master’s fall, but not enough to prevent it. The companion had grown both in size and strength in the Forgotten Realm of Nirvia, but had lost some of that upon reaching this layer again. Even with her clone now, they wouldn’t be able to simply carry Somnu for long.
The inevitable was clear.
“...”
Looking up, Somnu could not even see the open floor he had fallen through. Whether that meant he had fallen too far, or the floor simply closed again after he fell, he couldn’t know.
All he was sure of about his situation now is that he was surrounded by complete cold darkness, giving off a strong musty, earthy scent that felt like a mix of damp stones and a light animal musk.
Below him, in the distance, there was a faint light coming into view. Sooner than later, he was going to reach it, but for now, he decided to support his life line the best he could.
[Dream Catcher Level: Lvl 71.] {With 8 more cores to the next level up.}
Seems like they ended up eating quite a lot… by my estimate, at least 7 Slowing Bunnies and 42 Lurker insects based on previous fears. Somnu thought, forcing himself to forget the fact his stomach was now full. Were the two crypts connected somehow too? Is that why we only saw the same Nightmare Creatures there?
Nevertheless, Somnu put everything else aside and decided to continue leveling up Grudgekeeper to strengthen Fala now. It seemed that despite her constant growth, she was struggling more to carry him now that he had also grown slightly muscular and heavier with his recent 14 levels after defeating the Leshen creature.
For now, he ignored his own current number of Terror Cores in inventory. He didn’t want to make things more difficult on his crow companion.
[Ego Particles Available: 375.]
[2 Mementos and 1 Dream Catcher detected.]
[Would you like to consume available Ego Particles?]
Yes, have Grudgekeeper consume 288 Ego Particles.
He chose the number based on a quick calculation. His aim was to get to…
[Processing…]
[Grudgekeeper has consumed 288 Ego Particles.]
[Your Dream Catcher has leveled up!]
[Your Dream Catcher has leveled up!]
[...]
[Dream Catcher Level: Lvl 100.]
Somnu was curious to know what would happen at level 100, he was yet to confirm his theory about the System reaching that level.
[Congratulations!]
[You have enough grudge for a rank up!]
[Your Dream Catcher has ranked up!]
[Dream Catcher New Grade: Honed.]
[Grudgekeeper has grown much stronger.]
[Additional Skills obtained.]
As curious as Somnu was to find out the rest, he quickly ignored the new pop-up messages when he didn’t notice anything that could help his current predicament further.
All except one thing…
“CAAW!!”
“CAAW!!”
Both Fala and her clone had grown much bigger in size again after receiving close to 30 levels at a time, along with a rank up.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Thankfully, that also meant…
“CAAW!!”
“CAAW!!”
Two more crows had appeared from the other two, all covered in black smoke. For a second, Somnu didn’t like the idea of constantly hearing more caws, but he was glad he would be able to slowly descend into the coming light without panic anymore.
The four crows seemed to be flying him down slowly now, instead of desperately trying to keep him in the air.
However, it wasn’t just them that had received an upgrade. Grudgekeeper seemed to have undergone a slight evolution, fitting much tighter on his body with some new straps, as well as seemingly improving on the fashion size with some nice leather additions here and there.
Not just that, but it was even reaching out through Somnu’s sleeves, traveling over his fingers, and even providing the four crows he was holding onto with some cover and strength.
That… looks kind of funny. Somnu would have never considered clothing a crow before, and he didn’t know if he could have a piece of Grudgekeeper detach and stay on Fala permanently as the crow was still technically connected to it, but he was nevertheless glad to have the extra boost and upgrade for now.
Before he knew it, Somnu had approached the hole beneath him as it grew bigger and clearer.
“!”
Is that an underground lake?!
Just as Somnu was about to cross through the wide opening, he glimpsed an otherworldly green hue far in the distance. Soon, the ripples shimmering on the surface of the subterranean lake became clearer. A large body of water was stretching as long as he could see from his current height, which quickly reminded Somnu of something far too pressing and crucial to not address.
He could not swim.
He never had the opportunity to properly learn how to. There was a small lake and a pool in Duskville, but both of those were always crowded during the swimming season. Although his mother had dragged him a couple of times to teach him, he never got the hang of it.
Whether that was because of his nerves or because of the simple fact his mother used to just throw him in the water to face his fear and learn, he couldn’t tell.
Okay, calm down! Just because the lake is wide, doesn’t mean there is no hard ground! He pointed out to himself. Fala can just continue carrying me to safety! Fala is great! Praise Fala!
As soon as he finished his inner praise for his crow companion, he finally passed through the opening and found himself surrounded by long and thin protrusions of stone pointing downwards out of the ceiling.
Still seeing no possible ground, he shouted.
“Fala, oh greatest crow ever! Don’t drop me no matter what!”
“Caaw!”
However…
“?!”
Somnu felt the sudden shift in the atmosphere immediately. His body was quickly beginning to shiver beneath the heavy breaths he was involuntarily taking.
That could have only meant one thing…
Enhanced active fears?! Now of all times?! Come on, let me rest! He lampooned as he quickly darted his head left and right. Where could the Nightmare Creatures be now?!
“SKREEEEE!!!”
“?!”
Before he could even figure out who his enemy was, he was suddenly blinded by a rush of flying creatures coming out of the cracks between the stalactites.
[Hollow Gaze!] [Straw Strike!]
Immediately, he activated two of his skills to help defend himself, and although he seemed to have managed to push some back, the enemies continued their charge without showing any sign of retreating.
They were dead set on going through their prey, after having eaten their fill.
Wait… Somnu quickly realized something as his vision wasn’t returning. I’m not just being blinded by enemies, my eyesight is completely gone!
“Caaw!!”
Just as he was figuring out the new Nightmare Creature’s potential powers over him, he felt himself descending slightly faster again.
Crow-shit! Fala had to give up two of her clones to hold them back! He assessed. I need to help somehow… Dammit! I need better skills!
He seemed to repeatedly find himself in situations where his skills are at a disadvantage. Even now, most of his skills were completely useless.
Somnu felt Grudgekeeper trying to block most of the enemies’ bites and attacks, while trying to consume them whole. However, for some reason, it wasn’t getting lucky. And when it came to the two Mementos he possessed, he couldn’t use his hands even if he summoned the sickles, and the crown on his head was too high level to use, and its ability too vague to know if it could have helped him in this situation.
“Caaw! Caaw!”
“Ah!”
Then, before he could even figure out a way to fight back, he felt himself falling through the air again.
This time, it was far more terrifying of a flight downwards.
Not only was he falling much faster, but his eyes were still completely blinded by darkness.
Dammit! There is nothing I can do!
He racked his brain over and over, but nothing at his disposal could help him stop his fall now.
Somnu naturally considered canceling and resummoning [Crow’s Call] to rely on Fala again, but he knew even that wouldn’t help since he could hear her and the monsters flying after him.
And then…
SPLASHH!!!
“?!”
Immediately feeling his entire body submerged with cold water, panic surged through his entire being as his heart instantly threatened to break through his ribcage.
His ears were quickly overwhelmed by the pressure of water, a low, eerie hum filling his head.
Following those senses, as if finally being allowed to, he opened his eyes, feeling his vision returning now that there was more distance between him and the Nightmare Creatures.
As open as they were, however, they quickly widened further as his pupils constricted.
No way…!
He was surrounded by floating skeletons on all sides.
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