Chapter 141
Translator: uly
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Narcissus Dungeon (1)
Safe Dungeon, 7.5 kilometers east, A-rank dungeon. 'Sand Island.'
In the center of the dungeon sprawled a vast desert. The Heavenly Demon stood tall on the scorching sandbar, breathing heavily.
"Hoo. Hoo."
At his feet lay massive, pitch-black forms scattered everywhere.
Upon closer inspection, they were insect-type monsters covered in countless dagger-like protrusions. They traveled in packs, and the entire group only vanished once every last one was eliminated—swarm-type monsters known as 'Sand Thumpers.'
[That was really pushing it this time, Heavenly Demon.]
Nameless spoke in a regretful tone as it watched the Heavenly Demon regulate his breathing.
[Your condition hasn't been great since yesterday. Yet you insisted on taking on every monster that charged at you.]
The Heavenly Demon said nothing, so Nameless raised its voice.
[If the quicksand hadn't luckily stopped for a moment, you would've been the one lying here instead of the Sand Thumpers.]
Nameless shook its head, recalling what had just happened.
The floor sand in the center of the Sand Island Dungeon was quicksand with powerful suction.
To avoid sinking into it, one had to keep moving nonstop or float in midair entirely. But for some reason, the Heavenly Demon stood firm, drawing up his inner energy.
He planned to wipe out the Sand Thumpers with a single strike and escape the quicksand.
"Urgh."
But the quicksand's suction exceeded his expectations.
In the split second he inhaled, it rose up to his chin.
[Heavenly Demon!]
As Nameless panicked on his shoulder,
-Kaang!
The gathered Sand Thumpers launched a total assault.
In that state, even the Heavenly Demon would be defenseless, his life in peril.
Wooong.
But then, a strange ripple spread out, and the quicksand suddenly halted.
Pang!
Seizing the chance, the Heavenly Demon burst through the quicksand into the air.
"Fist Demon Seven Forms, Thousand Hands Wave Palm!"
As the Heavenly Demon unleashed his supreme ability at its limit, his fist force blanketed the desert. The clustered Sand Thumpers burst into bloody pulp and collapsed.
That was how the Heavenly Demon narrowly escaped the crisis—by sheer luck.
[I've told you so many times: Dungeons rated A-rank are as dangerous as Variable Dungeons. And those Sand Thumpers were high-risk monsters pushing hazard level 3!]
Resentment filled Nameless's voice.
The Heavenly Demon was strong, but not invincible.
The dungeon zones teemed with even more perilous S-rank dungeons and Variable Dungeons beyond this one, along with monsters he couldn't handle alone.
If he kept attempting reckless feats like this, he would eventually face grave danger.
"I'll keep it in mind from now on."
The Heavenly Demon dusted himself off with an expressionless face.
His tone and demeanor were the same as always, but today Nameless found them frustrating.
[Heavenly Demon. I rack my circuits every day to ensure you return safely from the dungeons to the estate...]
"I get it. Enough nagging."
The Heavenly Demon straightened his back nonchalantly and walked forward.
'Ah.'
Nameless, whose sensor eyes had dimmed in disappointment, suddenly noticed something.
'...So you were pushing yourself.'
The Heavenly Demon walked on steadily, but his fingertips trembled faintly.
Heavenly Demon Supreme Ability.
This ancient martial secret that broke the limits of the body was a double-edged sword.
The power drawn forth inevitably returned as a ferocious backlash.
If the Heavenly Demon hadn't reached Diamond Body, his flesh would have shattered to pieces by now.
'Are you okay?' Nameless nearly asked, but held back.
It knew without scanning vitals. The Heavenly Demon was utterly exhausted.
Yet the more fatigued he was, the more he squared his shoulders as he walked. The wearier he grew, the straighter he held his back, maintaining dignity in his gaze and stride.
That was the bearing of the supreme master of transcendent martial arts, the unrivaled pinnacle of the demonic path.
Whiiing.
Then a fierce gale swept through the heart of the desert—a wind as intense and wild as a storm.
Thud. Thud.
A sand-laden whirlwind swirled around the Heavenly Demon's body, but he paid it no mind, advancing slowly like a pilgrim traversing the sands.
[Oh?]
Nameless, scanning ahead, perked up its sensors.
Far off, beneath a dune, a tiny palace shimmered like a mirage.
For a moment, Nameless cheered as if spotting an oasis.
[Heavenly Demon. We've found the hidden map in the Sand Island Dungeon: Narcissus Palace.]
"What's that?"
[A hidden map is a concealed area within a dungeon or a secret space that appears with slim probability. That Narcissus Palace is the hidden map of this Sand Island Dungeon.]
The Heavenly Demon peered closely at the distant palace.
Beneath it, as if a fairy on a magic carpet might flit about, the sand rippled like waves.
It resembled a single lonely skiff adrift on the boundless ocean of desert.
"A desolate castle."
As the Heavenly Demon murmured lowly, Nameless shook its head.
[It might look that way due to the scenery, but that's not the reality. That palace grants dreams and hope to its visitors.]
"What do you mean?"
[At the center of that dungeon is a small pond. Staring into it supposedly shows joyful, beautiful memories from one's life.]
Having found something to explain for once, Nameless chattered on.
[That's why mentally exhausted Awakeners or those with painful pasts would come to gaze into it endlessly. Like Narcissus from myth, falling in love with his reflection in the pool. That's how the palace got its name.]
"Pointless."
Nameless interpreted the Heavenly Demon's words freely.
[I suppose so. Beautiful memories are always in your head anyway—no need to enter a dungeon to see them.]
"Hmph."
The Heavenly Demon snorted softly and walked on without replying.
Realizing he was heading not for the palace but the dungeon exit, Nameless spoke up.
[Aren't you going into the palace?]
"No."
The unexpected answer made Nameless urgent.
[But Heavenly Demon. My body is extremely vulnerable to fine dust.]
A blatant lie, of course.
Nameless's body was dust-proof and so perfectly waterproof it could stay submerged for 24 hours without issue.
[If we force our way out like this, I might suffer a critical error. How about resting until the wind dies down?]
"Hmm."
As the Heavenly Demon grumbled in dissatisfaction, Nameless clasped its hands.
[Heavenly Demon.]
After a moment of silence, the Heavenly Demon reluctantly turned toward where the Narcissus Palace was visible.
Hidden map, Narcissus Palace.
Inside the palace unfolded a beautiful forest utterly unlike the outer scenery.
Warm sunlight poured through the leaves under a blue sky, with soft birdsong echoing here and there.
Nameless's sensors sparkled as it looked around, then spoke in a sly tone.
[Heavenly Demon. Since we're here, why not check out the forest depths a bit?]
The Heavenly Demon snorted, seeing right through Nameless's intentions.
"Not interested."
[No, I want to see.]
Nameless said in an excited voice.
[Aren't you curious if that pond shows illusions only to humans, or if machines like me can see them too?]
The surprising response made the Heavenly Demon stroke his chin thoughtfully.
Even he, whose curiosity had dried up, found the topic intriguing.
"Hmm."
In the end, with Nameless on his shoulder, the Heavenly Demon followed the forest path.
Vibrant flowers and plants bloomed abundantly along the way, accompanied by the clear song of birds from somewhere.
It was a fresh, invigorating scene hard to believe existed inside a barren desert dungeon.
[Heavenly Demon. There it is.]
Nameless spotted a crystal-clear pond nestled between dense trees, like a mirror.
[Oh?]
But someone was already there, casting a shadow over the pond.
Perhaps in his late twenties?
A young man with long hair, wearing a customized Nano Suit like casual clothes rather than combat gear.
He stared vacantly into the pond, as if he'd dropped something precious inside.
[Hello?]
As Nameless greeted him, the young man slowly turned from the pond.
Long locks fell aside, revealing a sharp nose and lake-like eyes steeped in sorrow.
[Ah.]
He was a youth of statue-like beauty, yet an eerie aura clung to him.
Meeting his gaze, Nameless realized he wasn't an ordinary human.
"A yokai."
The words Nameless hesitated to say slipped from the Heavenly Demon's lips.
Spotting it instantly, the young man's eyes flicked briefly to the Heavenly Demon.
"An estate employee?"
Surprisingly, he recognized at once that the Heavenly Demon worked at the estate.
But that was it.
Like a patient with delusions eyeing poisoned wine, he scowled and fixed his gaze back on the pond.
[Um, are you okay?]
Unable to stand the sight, Nameless cautiously spoke up.
The young man's eyes were downcast. Above all, a gloomy, dark pallor emanated from his entire body.
He seemed ready to hurl himself into the pond any second.
"......"
Had he not heard Nameless?
The young man didn't stir, staring solely at the pond.
[Um......]
As Nameless tried again,
Crack.
The pond's surface suddenly froze over, as if refusing to let him peer in any longer.
Then the young man thrust out one hand.
Wooong.
An unknown, powerful ripple shot out, spreading in all directions.
The ripple smoothed the pond's surface, which had turned to dull ice.
At the same time, the drifting motion of the Narcissus Palace over the sands ceased.
[This is......]
With the palace's rocking halted, Nameless realized one thing.
When the Heavenly Demon had been surrounded by Sand Thumpers, the quicksand had stopped because of this young man.
[You were the one who stopped the quicksand earlier!]
As Nameless cried out gladly, the young man shook his head without looking away from the pond.
"Don't get the wrong idea."
[Huh?]
"I only stop the quicksand flow to reset the pond's state."
'Even ponds need resetting?'
As Nameless scratched its round head, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
"Getting tiresome."
[Ah, yes.]
Descending from the Heavenly Demon's shoulder, Nameless awkwardly addressed the young man.
[Sorry, but could I take a peek at the pond too?]
"No."
The young man replied coldly, eyes locked on the pond.
"I'm looking."
The insolent response made the Heavenly Demon's eyebrow twitch.
Nameless was his subordinate, after all. Ignoring a subordinate was the same as ignoring him.
[Heavenly Demon.]
Sensing his discomfort, Nameless spoke carefully.
[He did help you out, after all.]
Whispering near the Heavenly Demon's ear, Nameless added,
[Yokai tend to be old and cranky in general.]
"Then let's head back."
As the Heavenly Demon turned, Nameless pleaded regretfully.
[We've come this far—can't we wait just a bit longer? No guarantee you'll find Narcissus Palace again.]
The Heavenly Demon glanced back at the pond.
But the young man showed no sign of budging.
He just kept staring, using his power to restore the surface when it clouded, repeating the process.
"Step aside already."
Unable to bear it, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
"You've seen enough."
From his perspective, this was generous leeway.
As Nameless said, he'd received help, after all.
But the young man ignored him, still gazing at the pond.
"Insolent brat."
Receiving not even a glance, the ropes of the Heavenly Demon's patience snapped entirely.
Drawing up his inner energy, he lightly extended his hand.
Shuuu.
Gentle yet overwhelming Reverse Extreme True Energy pushed the young man's body aside effortlessly.
Wooong.
The young man stood firm, unleashing a powerful energy wave to block the Heavenly Demon's qi.
"Ho."
A smile played on the Heavenly Demon's lips as the young man countered with formless force.
He favored the strong and enjoyed dismantling their techniques.
Though fatigued and in poor condition lately, the sight of this youth wielding strange power invigorated him.
"Try blocking this too. Thunderclap Human Annihilation!"
In high spirits, the Heavenly Demon unleashed a bolt-like strike.
Five sharp streams of fist force poured forth, and the young man thrust out his left arm with all his might.
Ping!
With a shrill slicing sound, the Thunderclap Human Annihilation fist force whirled back toward the Heavenly Demon.
"Hoo, a Borrowing Force Whirl technique."
As the Heavenly Demon lightly evaded the fist force and flicked his finger,