Chapter 451 Bone Weave
The raw agony subsides, leaving Sunny irrevocably altered as he registers the nascent power within him: “Bone Weave.” A savage joy overwhelms him as he tests his reshaped form. His shattered arm, previously awkward and weak, is now “as good as new—more than that,” feeling stronger and more durable than ever before. His joints possess a newfound agility, and even his teeth feel capable of crushing stone, a testament to the profound transformation. The most subtle, yet potentially significant, change lies in his fingers, now imbued with a deeper tactile sensitivity, hinting at a hidden profundity he is eager to uncover.
His contemplation shifts to the origin of this power, revealing the phalanx bone was a fragment of the enigmatic Demon of Fate, the “Weaver.” The chapter unveils Weaver’s desperate self-mutilation, severing a corrupted limb and replacing it with parts scavenged from broken porcelain dolls, all sewn with diamond strings. This revelation connects directly to the mysterious footprints Sunny discovered, confirming the Demon of Fate’s presence within the Obsidian Tower’s oppressive halls. Sunny’s awe grows as he realizes the tangible artifacts he carries—the needle imbued with divine blood and the diamond string—are not mere memories but actual remnants of this powerful, ancient being.
Unlock Global Stories with Noyaku!
Tired of waiting? Instantly translate web novels, manhwa, and manhua from their original sources! Noyaku provides Smart AI and Basic translation engines, plus a custom Glossary for consistent terms.
Swallowing the divine bone, an act Sunny deems “Crazy! This is crazy!” has fundamentally rewritten his very essence, imbuing him with “steadfast temperance.” He marvels at the realization that the Demon of Fate once walked these same shadowed paths, sharing the same suffocating air. The lingering question of how Neph felt upon first meeting Kai surfaces, a poignant reflection on the magnitude of his own transformative encounter. With the Bone Weave now a part of him, Sunny is poised to unravel further secrets, his resolve to conquer the Obsidian Tower and the encroaching void of the Sky Below only strengthened.
Chapter 452 Above and Beyond
Several days pass, and Sunny finds himself in the central hall of the Obsidian Tower, his Cruel Sight alight with divine flame as he attempts to roast a piece of repulsive mimic flesh. His loyal Shadow, Saint, remains stoically by his side, a silent sentinel. Sunny, unbothered by her lack of reaction, laments his inability to share the “divine” meal with her, attributing his self-denial to the allure of his potent Memories. He notes with grim satisfaction that his enhanced teeth, a consequence of the Bone Weave, make the unpleasant task of chewing the tough meat significantly easier than before.
Suddenly, a voice breaks the oppressive silence of the tower. “You actually survived!” Sunny chokes, initially mistaking the voice for Saint’s. However, it is Mordret, the Prince of Nothing, who speaks, his surprise palpable. Sunny, relieved to no longer be alone, admits that his survival was a harrowing ordeal, his body still bearing the lasting scars of the heat from the divine flame. Mordret, filled with genuine astonishment, questions how Sunny managed to find the rift in the ocean of flames, a testament to the perilous journey Sunny has endured.
Sunny, shrugging off the near-death experience, confirms he was essentially falling towards the rift, but reaching it proved nearly fatal, with his most powerful Memories severely damaged. He downplays the full extent of his struggle, keeping certain details close to his chest. Mordret hesitates, then asks for Sunny’s current location, prompting Sunny to question the extent of the Prince of Nothing’s perception, a silent probe into the mysteries that continue to unfold within the Obsidian Tower.
Chapter 453 Shrine of Stars
Sunny, grappling with the revelation of a potential bridge between the Ebony Tower and its Ivory counterpart, shifts his focus. His recent explorations of the Ebony Tower, once brimming with promise, now largely yield only dust and rubble. However, on its uppermost level, he discovered a solitary stone archway, intricately bordered by runes eerily reminiscent of the Gateway in the Crimson Spire. He has spent days attempting to activate it, pouring shadow essence and studying the arcane symbols to no avail, convinced it’s an inactive Gateway. Mordret’s information, however, reframes the arch; it might not lead to the real world, but rather the magical bridge itself.
“If this place is really connected to the Ivory Tower… then how would one go about using that connection?” Sunny questions Mordret, frustration evident. “There is something that looks like a portal here, but it doesn’t work. I tried to open it a hundred times, to no avail.” Mordret, after a brief contemplation, suggests, “Have you tried saturating it with essence?” Sunny retorts, “Of course! What am I, a fool? That was the first thing I attempted.” He then voices a nagging concern: “Maybe… maybe it requires some sort of a key to be opened?”
Mordret dismisses the idea of a key, stating, “No, I don’t think so.” He elaborates on the master of the tower, suggesting, “The creator of the Ebony Tower was a builder of things. A genius artifex, but also of practical sort… He would have probably used whatever was at hand, and went for the simplest solution.” This cryptic advice sparks a new line of thought for Sunny as he ponders the elusive “simplest solution” to activate the enigmatic archway, leaving the path forward shrouded in mystery.
Chapter 454 Hope
Sunny faces a harrowing ordeal on the fifth level of the Ebony Tower, a stark, unadorned chamber dominated by walls inscribed with terrifying, sanity-shattering runes, similar to those marking the “Unknown” and seen in the Dark City. These vile glyphs assault his mind, forcing him to rely on Weaver’s Mask for even a tolerable glimpse. Despite the immense mental toll, Sunny perseveres, driven by the prospect of deciphering daemon-left writings. His arduous efforts are rewarded with the discovery of an etched map on the obsidian walls, depicting jagged mountains, a pagoda island amidst flames, a formidable castle, a snowy peak beside a volcano with an arched bridge, a ghostly ship, and a perfectly symmetrical pyramid.
Mordret’s cryptic suggestion to consider the “simplest solution” resonates as Sunny grapples with activating the archway, which he believes is an inactive Gateway to the magical bridge. While Mordret dismisses the notion of a key, his insight into the Ebony Tower’s creator as a practical genius fuels Sunny’s contemplation. “He would have probably used whatever was at hand, and went for the simplest solution,” Mordret muses, leaving Sunny to puzzle over the elusive activation method, a mystery that deepens the allure of this potential inter-realm connection.
The discovery of the map, etched into the very essence of the tower, offers a glimmer of hope amidst the oppressive darkness and mind-rending runes. It hints at a broader, interconnected magical geography, each location a potential piece of the puzzle in understanding the tower’s purpose and the elusive bridge. The map’s cryptic landmarks, from the misty mountains to the pyramid, beckon Sunny forward, promising further perilous exploration and the potential unveiling of ancient secrets that could reshape his understanding of the world.
Chapter 455 Doorway to Heaven
The oppressive runes of the fifth level recede, leaving Sunny in the comparative tranquility of the sixth level’s circular chamber. This final chamber is starkly simple, dominated by a colossal stone arch that appears to have grown from the floor itself. While the pressure of the inscriptions is gone, the lingering headache serves as a reminder of the mental assault. Sunny, still contemplating Mordret’s cryptic advice about a “simplest solution” and the Ebony Tower’s creator being a practical genius, focuses his attention on the dormant arch. He recognizes it as his sole hope for escape, a portal he has thus far failed to activate, despite extensive study of the surrounding runes.
The fragmented knowledge gained from the tower’s etchings, particularly those detailing the Hollow Mountains and Bastion, gnaws at Sunny. He plans to consult Teacher Julius, hoping the scholar can decipher the unfamiliar script and shed light on the inscribed map. The mysterious daemon, identified as the “Demon of Hope,” and its connection to souls and minds, along with the Sun God’s apparent extermination of its domain, remain unanswered questions. Sunny, however, trusts that by accumulating more scattered pieces of information, the truth will eventually coalesce, perhaps revealing “terrible and wondrous truths” enough to compensate for a lifetime of deception.
Reflecting on the Prince of the Underworld’s status as a divine smith, capable of feats like creating an entire race of beings like Saint and her kin, Sunny begins to understand the implication of “simplest solution.” He muses on the daemon’s ambition, wondering if creating life was a defiance of true divinity, and how the gods might have reacted. The archway, seemingly forgotten and incomplete, continues to be an enigma, its activation a puzzle Sunny is now determined to solve by considering the practical, immediate means its creator might have employed.
Chapter 456 Leaving Nothing Behind
Days blur into a monotonous routine as Sunny diligently circulates his shadow essence through the Soul Serpent, channeling it into the dormant obsidian arch. Each cycle brightens the surrounding runes, fueling an intense, almost overwhelming hope. He anticipates activating the portal soon, picturing his return to the Chained Isles and the simple luxury of a new refrigerator stocked with food, a stark contrast to the Covetous Coffer’s current emptiness. Boredom gnaws at him; even diving into the Soul Sea and rereading his Memories offers little distraction.
His attention is finally captured by an unexpected change in the runes of Weaver’s Mask. The placeholder for its third enchantment has been replaced. “Did I… did I read it right?” he murmurs, before erupting in laughter. The enchantment, now clearly labeled “Memory Enchantment: [Where is my eye?],” reads: “Helps the wielder peer into the tapestry of Fate.” The sheer absurdity of the name, coupled with the taxing process of its activation, leaves him breathless.
With his shadow essence replenished, Sunny summons the Cruel Sight. The runes around the arch blaze with white radiance, transforming the chamber. He touches the obsidian arch with his spear, and this time, only half his essence is consumed. A blinding light erupts, followed by a cool breeze carrying the scent of bark, grass, and soil. As his eyes adjust, Sunny stares, bewildered, at a rift in reality. Beyond the dark stone of the Ebony Tower, a clear blue sky and a vibrant green meadow greet him, a path of white stone leading away from the portal into a world bathed in sunlight.
Chapter 457 Ivory Tower
Sunny steps through the activated portal and finds himself on a celestial island, bathed in the unfamiliar warmth of sunlight and a gentle breeze. He relishes the simple sensory pleasures, a stark contrast to the grim monotony of the Ebony Tower. The taciturn demon, Saint, silently accompanies him, her ruby eyes betraying no emotion as they observe the serene landscape dominated by a magnificent white Ivory Tower. Sunny notes the portal’s absence, the gazebo now empty, and marvels at the pagoda, a stark, ethereal counterpoint to its somber counterpart in the Sky Below.
An unsettling feeling emanates from the Ivory Tower, a paradoxical pull and threat that resonates deep within Sunny’s soul. He discovers a disturbing detail: the tower is encircled by the weathered sections of a colossal creature’s bone, a grim testament to its past. The seemingly peaceful island is not without its dangers, as Sunny learns when a tossed rock explodes mid-fall due to the pervasive Crushing force, a hazard that inexplicably spares the immediate vicinity of the Ivory Tower.
This realization poses a significant challenge: how to descend from this heavenly perch to the Chained Isles below. As he circles the Ivory Tower, Sunny encounters a pristine lake reflecting the sunlight with golden radiance. He contemplates his reflection and the surrounding tranquil beauty, all while the mystery of the Ivory Tower and the obstacle of the Crushing loom large, leaving him to ponder his next move in this unexpected new world.
Chapter 458 Shackles Of Hope
The ethereal serenity of the celestial island shatters as Sunny finds himself drawn into the Ivory Tower, a stark departure from the calm he’d just experienced. Inside the grand hall, a pulsating mass of darkness, identified by Mordret as a “Seed of Nightmare,” exerts a potent, almost intoxicating pull on Sunny’s mind. This vile manifestation, grown in the Dream Realm and capable of opening gates for Nightmare Creatures, is the source of the unsettling draw he felt outside. Sunny expresses his ignorance of such things, prompting Mordret’s bewilderment.
Mordret, unable to comprehend Sunny’s lack of knowledge about Seeds of Nightmare, questions if his clan elders failed to teach him. This accusation ignites Sunny’s outrage, as he reveals he is not a Legacy and feels no connection to any clan. Mordret’s amusement at Sunny’s reaction, particularly his confusion about why one would seek out a Seed of Nightmare so aggressively when they are plentiful elsewhere, highlights a profound misunderstanding between them.
The conversation reveals Mordret’s long and arduous search for this specific Seed of Nightmare, implying it was the true reason for his pursuit of the Ivory Tower. Sunny struggles to reconcile this with Mordret’s actions and the inherent dangers involved. Mordret’s cryptic assertion that Sunny is “not a Legacy, indeed” leaves Sunny frustrated and confused, hinting at deeper mysteries surrounding Sunny’s origins and Mordret’s understanding of them, setting the stage for further revelations.
Chapter 459 Seed Of Nightmare
Sunny’s gaze falls upon the seven broken chains and remnants of shackles, realizing with dawning horror that the Demon of Hope, not just her kingdom, was bound here. He questions Mordret, “So the Demon of Hope was chained here?” to which the lost prince confirms his knowledge of “daemons,” albeit with surprise. This revelation introduces the concept of daemons as powerful beings, hinting that Sunny’s ruler was one, and that the very stability of the Chained Isles rests upon the fragmented “seven chains” that once held this entity.
Mordret further explains that the breakdown of these anchoring chains is the cause of the islands’ slow disintegration. The conversation then shifts back to the Seed of Nightmare, with Mordret confirming Sunny’s guess that it contains a Second Nightmare. Sunny contemplates this, acknowledging the extreme danger and the impossibility of surviving the Dream Realm alone. He presses Mordret, “Wait… will this Seed create a Gate in the real world if it’s not destroyed?”
Mordret confirms it will, but only after years of maturation. Sunny’s immediate thought turns to challenging it, despite the perils of facing a Second Nightmare without support, a direct contradiction to the wisdom that “no one survived in the Dream Realm alone.” The uncertainty of Mordret’s final response hangs in the air, leaving the true nature of the Seed and Sunny’s potential course of action shrouded in suspense.
Chapter 460 Fight Or Flight
Sunny contemplates the implications of the broken chains and the Seed of Nightmare, his thoughts returning to his arduous journey. He recalls the arduous expedition to Shipwreck Island, the defeat of devils, and the revelation of a Second Nightmare within the Seed. He revisits the abyssal descent, the black tower, and the deity’s severed hand that granted him Weaver’s lineage. His memory lands on the seven chains binding the Daemon of Hope, and the chance encounter with Mordret. Now, faced with the stark choice between confronting a deadly Nightmare or a fatal plunge, Sunny steels himself. “Let’s get this show on the road, I guess,” he mutters, a resolve hardening his features.
Sunny, refusing to face a Second Nightmare alone, devises a desperate plan. With Saint’s aid, he strains to dislodge a massive vertebra from the skeletal tail of the long-dead dragon that guards the tower. “What are you waiting for? Push!” he urges Saint, their combined strength eventually moving the ancient bone. They laboriously drag the colossal vertebra to the island’s edge. Peering into the dizzying abyss below, Sunny feels a wave of fear, but his decision is made.
Climbing into the hollowed vertebra, Sunny hesitates, the terrifying prospect of the fall weighing heavily on him. The possibility of confronting the Seed of Nightmare flickers, but the path chosen is irreversible. Taking a deep breath, he calls out, “Saint! Push it over!” The silent demon stares at the bone before complying, sending Sunny and his makeshift vessel plummeting towards the obliterating fury of the Crushing below, a gambit for survival.
Chapter 461 Welcome Home
Plummeting into the abyss within a hollowed vertebra, Sunny gambles his survival, leaving behind the choice between two deadly Nightmares. His descent is a blur of terror and determination, a stark contrast to the jarring return to normalcy. He reawakens in his technologically advanced sleeping pod, the comforting familiarity of the “real world” a welcome respite after his harrowing ordeal. Back in the Sanctuary, Sunny skillfully deflects any inquiries about his month-long absence, leaving his companions none the wiser about his near-fatal expedition. He finds solace and security within his new home, a haven from the horrors he faced.
However, the peace is shattered upon entering his underground dojo. The scene of destruction—torn elevator doors and an unnervingly lit space—screams of a powerful, unwelcome presence. A creeping dread washes over Sunny as he ascends to the main floor, his mind racing with possibilities of a Nightmare breach. The sight that greets him is not the monstrous creature he anticipated, but a mountain of dirty dishes and Effie, perched in her wheelchair, leveling a furious gaze upon him.
Effie’s accusatory glare and words, “You’re back. Way to make your friends worry, asshole…”, reveal the truth: Sunny was not as alone as he believed. While he was falling into the Sky Below, his friends Effie and Kai had been consumed with worry. Their concern escalated when they discovered his absence from the dormitory, leading to the revelation of his new home. The implication is clear: his escapades have consequences, and the people who care about him will not be easily dismissed.
Chapter 462 An Epic Quest
Sunny finds his apartment in disarray, a testament to Effie’s presence and his own absentmindedness. Effie, still recovering but surprisingly mobile in her wheelchair, confronts him not with a Nightmare, but with the mundane reality of his mess. A tense exchange reveals her deep concern during his absence, and the fact that she’s been staying at his place. “You’re back. Way to make your friends worry, asshole…” she begins, highlighting the consequences of his secret escapades. Sunny deflects her questions about a newly manifested serpentine mark on his body, a “magical serpent that helps me control and regenerate essence faster,” though he admits he has no idea why it appears as a tattoo.
Effie’s pragmatic explanation for her stay – monitoring his vitals and giving her family a break – is met with Sunny’s bewildered outrage when she hints at knowing things from his bedroom. “What stuff?! There’s no stuff! I don’t even use the bedroom! I can’t really sleep, can I?!” he exclaims, leading to a shared moment of awkwardness and a broken fridge. The chapter pivots as Sunny, embracing a semblance of normalcy, suggests they go buy a new one, a simple gesture that belies the complex world he now navigates.
The trio prepares to reconvene, with Effie scheduling a meeting with Kai at an elite shopping center. Sunny welcomes the reprieve from immediate questioning, needing time to process the Sky Below’s impact on his life. His thoughts race with new opportunities: improving his spear skills, setting up a shop for soul shards, and deciding the fate of Rain and his Shadow Dance practice. Their luxurious travel via passenger PTV underscores the continued necessity of adapting to Effie’s needs in this bustling city, a constant reminder of the intertwined lives they lead.
Chapter 463
The trio, Sunny, Effie, and Kai, convene at an upscale establishment, a stark contrast to the grim realities Sunny has recently endured. Amidst the quiet hum of the affluent, they peruse paper menus, with Sunny opting for salad, still unsettled by the mention of “steak.” Effie, ever the pragmatist, places a large order, subtly teasing Sunny and Kai about their preferences. Kai, shedding his disguise, expresses relief at Sunny’s return, confessing how worried he and Effie were. Sunny, admitting his expectation of their ignorance, finds himself recounting his month-long absence, starting with the short version: “it basically just wanted to find clues about a hidden treasure, but ended up almost being eaten by a treasure chest, falling into a bottomless abyss on top of a devil’s corpse, and being burned by divine flames.”
Sunny’s tale continues with a surreal journey through a void, involving a black tower with disturbing contents, followed by a transit to a white tower and an unexpected ride on a dragon’s tail, all capped by the unsettling admission that he “kind of killed myself, I guess. Got a very nice Memory out of it, too!” Effie and Kai react with a mixture of disbelief and concern, leading Kai to reconsider his initial request for a brief summary and opting instead for the long version. Sunny, holding back crucial details about his wealth and his true motivations, elaborates on his perilous expedition.
As Sunny finishes his more detailed account, Effie laughs, noting how his “[Fated] Attribute” has been in overdrive. Sunny acknowledges the arduous nature of his survival but emphasizes the immense gains from the expedition. Kai, after a thoughtful sip of tea, probes Sunny about the mysterious voice, Mordret, questioning his trustworthiness and hinting at the true extent of Sunny’s hidden knowledge from the past month.
Chapter 464 Passion Blossoms Hotter In TheCold Heart Of Despair
Kai reveals his intention to join Sunny and Effie in challenging the next Nightmare, a decision that surprises them, especially given his presumably safe position. He explains that a conversation with his manager, Aiko, prompted a deep introspection. Kai recounts how Aiko’s own hardships, exacerbated by the actions of the Pathfinder Andel, highlighted the pervasive compromises and self-deceptions people employed to maintain a semblance of innocence. He confesses his realization that “in this world, being weak is a sin,” and that by turning a blind eye to the suffering around them, they are all complicit. Kai declares he no longer wants to “close my eyes to anything, ever again” and, offering his unique skills, insists he needs seven months to prepare, questioning if they can navigate the upcoming challenge without someone who can fly.
Following Kai’s earnest plea, the trio enjoys a period of relaxed camaraderie, reminiscing and sharing lighter tales. Kai amusingly recounts a deliberate loss in an “Avatar Singer” competition to maintain his cover and the subsequent industry uproar caused by his unmasked identity and the impending comeback of Night&Gale. He laments needing a second publicist due to an embarrassing network scandal, a remark that causes Sunny significant shame. Effie regales them with her culinary adventures with fried chicken wings and various beers, and her evasive maneuvers against government propaganda events. Sunny shares his newfound, somewhat sentimental, appreciation for domesticity, mentioning his sturdy armored doors and a new refrigerator.
As their meal concludes and Kai must depart, he awkwardly produces two colorful brochures, presenting one to Sunny and another to Effie. Sunny receives his with a look of utter confusion, leaving the purpose and content of these unexpected handouts a mystery.
Chapter 465 Subjective Value
Sunny and Effie return to Sunny’s home just in time for the delivery of his new refrigerator. The deliverymen, impressed by Sunny’s effortless handling of the heavy appliance, depart after he signs for it, leaving Sunny and Effie to admire the sleek addition to his kitchen. “I like it… a lot,” Sunny remarks, with Effie agreeing it “really ties the whole room together.” As Effie, weary from their recent adventures, prepares to enter the Dream Realm, Sunny reveals he has an errand to run before joining her. He’s momentarily surprised to learn Effie has a sleeping pod in his guest room, a detail that sparks a brief reflection on the unlikelihood of him hosting “mundane humans.”
Sunny then heads out, his mood buoyant with anticipation. He finds himself in a brightly lit store, a stark contrast to his past struggles. He fills his shopping cart with an abundance of food and supplies, a luxury he never could have imagined. “Life had changed so much,” he reflects, savoring the freedom to buy whatever he desires without concern for cost. The realization of his ability to use the Covetous Coffer to transport items from the real world to the Chained Isles fuels his excitement for the possibilities ahead.
His errand complete, Sunny is now able to indulge his newfound desires, picturing all the items fitting perfectly into his new refrigerator. The chapter ends with Sunny relishing his ability to acquire anything he wishes, from an endless supply of spices to comfortable amenities for his explorations, a testament to his dramatically improved circumstances.
