Chapter 871
As Sunny rests aboard the Rhino, his subordinates – Luster, Kimmy, and Belle – engage in hushed, speculative gossip about his past. Their wild imaginings range from undefeated duels and containing manifesting Gates to being a bastard son of a Saint or even a government experiment gone rogue. Belle’s peculiar fixation on his appearance leads to Sunny’s own discomfort and a direct question, “Anything you want to ask?” The conversation culminates with Luster’s hesitant query, “Yeah… Captain, are you Mongrel?” a question met with horror by Kimmy and Luster, and a snarled retort from Sunny, “… Who are you calling a mongrel, bastard?”
Sunny, already awake and privy to their outlandish theories, finds their rampant speculation a mixed bag of amusement and irritation. He observes their sudden silence and their furtive glances as he prepares coffee, noting Kimmy’s flustered denial and Luster’s awkward compliment. His focus, however, returns to his newly acquired black bodysuit, a marvel of smart fabric that self-repairs and earns his deep satisfaction. This practical concern for his gear offers a stark contrast to the fantastical rumors swirling around him, highlighting Sunny’s pragmatic nature amidst the escalating mysteries of his identity.
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The direct confrontation with the “Mongrel” accusation marks a significant shift. Sunny’s sharp denial and aggressive counter-question reveal his impatience with their assumptions and his protective nature over his past. The revelation that his cohort is aware, or at least suspects, his true designation sets a new dynamic for their interactions. The chapter ends on this charged note, leaving the reader to ponder Sunny’s true origins and the future ramifications of this partial disclosure within his team.
Chapter 872
The initial weeks of the Antarctica campaign are a brutal baptism by fire for the First Irregular Company. As the First Army pushes south, establishing crucial evacuation transit points, new Gates continuously disgorge abominations. While other soldiers fortify cities, the Irregulars are relentlessly deployed to various flashpoints, dousing flames and never truly resting. This constant, grueling combat begins to forge Sunny and his cohort into a cohesive unit, their individual powers and arsenals growing with each hard-won victory. Quentin acquires a durable white plate armor, Luster obtains a luck-boosting charm, and Samara dons a chameleon cape, all while racking up kills and contribution points.
Despite their growing effectiveness and the cohort’s survival without casualties, their formidable reputation is overshadowed by the emerging legend of “Mongrel.” This figure, shrouded in mystery and whispered about among the First Army, is slowly becoming an urban myth, a testament to the growing dread and speculation surrounding certain individuals. The relentless onslaught of Nightmare Creatures and the escalating campaign underscore the dire situation humanity faces, demanding ever-greater sacrifices and fostering an atmosphere where extraordinary abilities and terrifying designations are increasingly revealed.
The stark reality of the Chain of Nightmares forces Sunny and his team to temper their abilities and adapt to each other under fire. Their shared ordeal, filled with “battle after battle,” “day after day,” is hardening them, improving their coordination and individual might. However, the growing notoriety of “Mongrel” hints at a deeper, more personal connection to the escalating chaos, a name that has already earned horrified reactions from Sunny’s own subordinates, promising further unraveling of his guarded past amidst the spreading darkness.
Chapter 873
The Antarctic night descends, cloaking the continent in a darkness pregnant with unseen horrors, a stark contrast to the star-dusted, auroral beauty above. Sunny and his Irregulars, still bearing the grime and blood of recent battles, return to the First Evacuation army encampment. Their arrival brings a measure of relief to the tense soldiers, a palpable sign that order and survival might yet prevail. Yet, this comfort is tinged with dread as the reality of their prolonged campaign sinks in; Dorn, a key member of Sunny’s cohort, is severely wounded, leaving them a man short.
The lengthening night amplifies the pervasive fear throughout the camp. Nightmare Creatures press in from all sides, and even artificial light offers little solace, as spotlights falter and fail, leaving vast swathes of territory vulnerable to ambush. The encroaching darkness mirrors the spread of a chilling “Spell” that threatens to turn even mundane humans into monstrous threats, making every shadow a potential death trap. Sunny reflects on the grim progression of the campaign, questioning their ability to endure the full year ahead.
Despite the growing desperation, the First Army pushes relentlessly southward, establishing vital evacuation transit points and securing corridors for civilian relocation. While other divisions reach their destinations to fortify, Sunny’s cohort continues to be deployed to the front lines. Their effectiveness is undeniable, turning the tide in countless skirmishes, but the ever-present legend of “Mongrel” continues to cast a long, unsettling shadow, hinting at deeper, personal stakes in this unfolding struggle against an encroaching abyss.
Chapter 874
Master Jet contacts Sunny, appearing unusually vibrant and refreshed despite the grim Antarctic campaign. Their shared experiences on the front lines have deepened their camaraderie, solidifying their bond as unlikely leaders from the fringes guiding the elite. Sunny, however, harbors growing suspicions about Master Jet’s Flaw, recalling past whispers of her being a “psychopathic killer.” He now theorizes her fractured core requires constant essence absorption, making killing a necessity for survival, which might explain her dedication to a role rife with targets and her presence in Antarctica.
This burgeoning unease about Jet’s true nature is heightened by her cryptic possession: a golden circular charm adorned with four stars and a purple ribbon, which she waves before the camera. Sunny contemplates the implications of his deduction – if his suspicions are correct, the constant need for bloodshed could place him, or anyone else nearby, in grave danger should her essence run low. The question of whether he can truly trust her hangs heavy in the oppressive Antarctic air.
Despite the personal doubts, the overarching mission presses on. While Dorn is confirmed wounded and recovering, the First Irregulars continue their pivotal role. The chilling legend of “Mongrel” still looms, a persistent undercurrent of a deeper, more personal connection to the unfolding conflict, fueling Sunny’s resolve even as he grapples with the unsettling truths he’s beginning to uncover about his allies.
Chapter 875
Master Jet’s unsettling charm, a golden disc with four stars, is a constant visual reminder of Sunny’s deepening suspicions. His theory that her fractured core necessitates constant essence absorption, making killing a survival imperative, gains traction. This grim possibility, coupled with her uncharacteristic vibrancy, amplifies his unease about her true nature and the potential danger she represents. The First Irregulars, meanwhile, continue their vital role, with Dorn recovering, but the shadow of “Mongrel” remains, a personal anchor to the conflict that strengthens Sunny’s resolve amidst his growing distrust.
Sunny and his cohort then detach from the main division, their path diverging as the larger force heads east toward a city behind the mountains. Their objective, a research installation, lies south, across formidable terrain. Luster, piloting their APC, estimates the journey will take several days, warning of the danger posed by Nightmare Creatures lurking in the treacherous, poorly maintained “old roads” and tunnels that pierce the mountainous landscape.
The inherent difficulties of Antarctic travel become starkly clear, with air travel rendered impossible due to the Gates’ interference and the creatures’ relentless pursuit. While a coastal highway offers a faster route, the ocean itself teems with hidden horrors. Sunny, prioritizing safety and Dorn’s recovery, instructs Luster to traverse the mountains, bypassing both the tunnels and the perilous coast, a decision that prompts a disconcerting, overly enthusiastic agreement from Luster, now a self-proclaimed sycophant after his “Mongrel” identity was revealed.
Chapter 876
Despite Master Jet’s unsettling charm, Sunny’s suspicions fester. His theory that Jet’s fractured core necessitates constant essence absorption, driving her to kill for survival, gains traction with her uncharacteristic vibrancy. The First Irregulars remain crucial, with Dorn recovering, but “Mongrel” remains a potent reminder of the conflict that fuels Sunny’s resolve.
Sunny’s detachment from the main division takes them south toward a research installation. Luster, piloting their APC, warns of the treacherous “old roads” and tunnels, teeming with Nightmare Creatures, making the journey a multi-day ordeal. Antarctic travel’s inherent dangers are highlighted; air travel is impossible due to Gate interference and creature pursuit, while the coast harbors unseen horrors. Prioritizing safety and Dorn’s recovery, Sunny directs Luster to navigate the mountains, bypassing the tunnels and coast. Luster, now a devoted sycophant after his “Mongrel” identity was revealed, readily agrees.
Upon waking, Sunny feels an inexplicable unease despite the Rhino’s smooth progress through the blizzard. He discovers that all communication lines are down, unable to reach either the research facility or Army Command. “No, it’s not that… it’s just… uh, our signal doesn’t seem to be coming through for some reason,” Kim reports, leaving Sunny to ponder their complete isolation.
Chapter 877
Upon reaching the fortified settlement, Sunny and his soldiers seek refuge from the blizzard. Master Verne, the local Ascended, leads them within, visibly stressed by the constant threat of creatures and the growing unease within the settlement due to internal Spell manifestations, stating, “Things were going fine until recently… but, as you can imagine, all of us can’t wait to get away from the ocean.” Sunny confirms the bleak situation outside, but Verne’s somber revelation that all communications have ceased for forty-three minutes mirrors Sunny’s own experience, creating a palpable sense of isolation.
Sunny’s suspicion escalates as he questions Verne about the sudden blackout, voicing his unease: “a remote research facility in the middle of nowhere, suddenly losing contact with the outside world as we approach it… it’s all a bit creepy.” Verne dismisses his concerns, assuring him the research is purely theoretical and safe, with no practical experiments to cause such an anomaly.
Despite Verne’s reassurances, the complete loss of contact with Army Command, even from a supposedly well-equipped facility like LO49, signals a grave disruption. The inability to connect with Master Jet for further instructions leaves Sunny contemplating the dire implications of their severed communication, suspecting “Something is very wrong here!”
Chapter 878
The chilling silence following the communication blackout at LO49 persists, leaving Sunny and his soldiers in a state of heightened alert. Their immediate concern shifts from the blizzard to the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the facility’s isolation. Within the settlement, an air of quiet desperation hangs heavy as scientists scramble to preserve valuable data, their hurried movements a stark contrast to the unyielding external threat. This unsettling atmosphere is punctuated by the arrival of Professor Obel, a man of immense age, whose sharp intellect belies his frail appearance.
Professor Obel, a relic from an era predating the Nightmare Spell, recognizes Sunny, acknowledging him as “Master Sunless.” His young assistant, Beth, exhibits a dismissive attitude towards Sunny, remarking, “I thought all Awakened only know how to swing a sword,” to which Sunny retorts, “I am a researcher and lecturer back in the Academy, with several academic publications under my name.” The professor, amused by Sunny’s background in Wilderness Survival and Dream Realm exploration, inquires about his former student, “Do you, perhaps, know a brat named Julius?”
The conversation reveals a surprising connection: Julius, Sunny’s mentor, was once Professor Obel’s student. Sunny assures the professor that Julius is doing well and remains passionate about his research. As the scientists continue their frantic data salvaging, Professor Obel expresses eagerness to depart LO49. Sunny, however, informs them that their departure hinges on re-establishing contact with Army Command, a process expected to take at least eight hours, leaving their immediate future shrouded in uncertainty.
Chapter 879
Professor Obel, unfazed by the lingering crisis at LO49, engages Sunny in a discussion about the fundamental principles behind their research, contrasting their work with his earlier, more practical “Obel Scale.” He explains that while the scale could predict and track manifestation events, it lacked insight into their underlying causes. Professor Obel likens their current endeavor to moving beyond a caveman’s understanding of lightning – recognizing its danger and signs but not its scientific principles, unlike their goal of harnessing electricity. This distinction highlights their pursuit of deeper causality within the Nightmare Spell system.
Sunny probes further, questioning how the Obel Scale functions, leading Professor Obel to elaborate on the pulse emitted by Nightmare Gates. He reveals that this pulse, which varies in potency and spread based on the Gate’s category, actually propagates not just through space but also through time. This concept of temporal ripples, likened to a rock dropped in a river with ripples moving both upstream and downstream, is the basis for detecting faint aftershocks of an impulse before a Gate manifests.
The professor’s analogy sparks a deep contemplation in Sunny, who begins to conceptualize time as a vast tapestry with strings of Fate that tremble with events. This abstract interpretation of temporal propagation, a key aspect of their scientific pursuit, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated and potentially reality-bending nature of their research. Sunny, eager to absorb such profound knowledge, listens intently, recognizing the immense value in conversing with such a seasoned and insightful scholar.
Chapter 880
Professor Obel guides Sunny beyond mere detection into the realm of causality, posing a fundamental question: “Which of the three came first.” He challenges the common understanding that the Spell birthed Nightmares, which in turn created the Awakened. Obel suggests alternative possibilities, hinting that the sequence of events is far more complex, and that the very nature of their existence might be intertwined in an unexpected order.
The professor elaborates on the early stages of the Spell’s impact, describing how the world was not immediately inundated by Gates and powerful creatures. Instead, disasters unfolded in stages, allowing humanity, including the first Awakened, to survive. Obel traces a progression from Sleepers and Dormant abominations to the appearance of Awakened, followed by Second Category Nightmare Gates, and then Masters and Saints, noting how each escalation brought more formidable challenges and Gates.
This historical perspective leads Obel to a critical scientific inquiry: “whether there is a correlation between the number and power of Awakened in our world and the number and power of the Nightmare Gates.” He prompts Sunny to consider the dynamic relationship between Awakened and Nightmares, urging him to explore which is the cause and which is the effect, leaving Sunny with profound questions about the very foundation of their reality.
881 Chapter 881
The blizzard outside continues its relentless assault, forcing Sunny back indoors where Verne awaits with a grim expression. Eight hours have passed, and the cohort members who entered the Dream Realm are expected to return. Verne inquires about Sunny’s meeting with Professor Obel, emphasizing the critical importance of the professor’s work in predicting and mitigating Nightmare incursions, a sentiment Sunny acknowledges after reflecting on Obel’s mundane yet life-saving contributions.
The sleeping pods activate, signaling the return of Samara, Kim, and Luster. Their somber faces betray unsettling news. Luster reports a catastrophic situation: an earthquake followed by multiple Category Three Gate manifestations and the emergence of titans. The chapter reveals that “The three Saints fought one of them above the strait between West Antarctica and the Center,” and subsequently, all communications in the Southern Quadrant collapsed. The Awakened are struggling to comprehend the scope of the disaster, suggesting a significant escalation in the Nightmare threat.
Colonel Jet has relayed orders, but the subordinates’ heavy gazes suggest the instructions are far from simple. As Samara prepares to deliver further, bleak updates, the chapter ends with Sunny steeling himself for the grim reality that Antarctica has plunged into chaos, potentially due to a qualitative shift in the Chain of Nightmares.
882 Chapter 882
Sunny, seeking solace by the shore after the blizzard subsides, feels a chilling intensification of the maddening whispers. He finds Verne in the security center, both having sensed the same alarming surge. “You felt it too?” Verne asks, his grim expression deepening as they confirm the Call has grown significantly louder. This ominous sign signifies the recent opening of one or more Nightmare Gates perilously close to their isolated facility, LO49, hinting at an imminent influx of creatures drawn by the amplified psychic resonance.
Verne broadcasts a critical update, changing the facility’s status from green to yellow. This declaration carries dire implications for the Awakened stationed at LO49, as the strengthened Call weakens the stability of their Gateway anchors. Falling asleep now poses a dangerous gamble, with the “probability of becoming pulled away by the Seed of Nightmare not high, but it was also not zero.” The Awakened must now contend with the dual threat of potentially being lost to the Dream Realm and facing the inevitable arrival of Nightmare creatures from the newly opened Gates.
Despite the daunting circumstances, Sunny, his face etched with grim resolve, assures Verne, “I’m on it.” The sudden escalation in the Nightmare threat, following the catastrophic events in the Southern Quadrant, pushes the remaining defenders of LO49 to their limits. The qualitative shift in the Chain of Nightmares demands immediate action, as the encroaching darkness from the newly manifested Gates looms larger than ever.
Chapter 883 Sortie
With Nightmare Creatures moments from reaching LO49, blaring alarms shatter the calm as spotlights illuminate the snow-swept plains. Civilians scramble for safety while soldiers man fortifications, and Sunny leads his cohort, summoning their Memories to prepare for the imminent onslaught. He instructs his team to remain awake for weeks after the engagement, advising them to get stimulants from Quentin and watch each other. The Devils grumble at the prospect of extended wakefulness, a grueling challenge after recent missions. Sunny hopes for Ariadne’s timely arrival, acknowledging their lack of alternatives. Beth, Professor Obel’s assistant, approaches Sunny, feigning ignorance of his name while visibly harboring fear beneath her irritable facade. Sunny, having grown familiar with Beth during his time with the scientists, recognizes her deliberate pettiness. He informs her of the approaching Gate and creatures, instructing her to gather the scientists and secure themselves in the safe room.
Sunny, encased in the bleak steel of the Undying Chain, watches Beth retreat before joining his team on the northern wall. The turret towers hum to life, and Samara scopes the desolate expanse, anticipating the enemy’s arrival. Verne, now armored and armed, questions Sunny’s assessment of their precarious situation, with no abominations yet visible but their approach an inevitability. The facility braces for a desperate defense against a heightened threat, the consequences of the amplified psychic resonance and newly opened Gates made starkly clear.
The chapter plunges the reader into immediate action as the defense of LO49 begins. Sunny’s leadership is tested not only by the physical threat but also by the internal challenges of his weary Devils and the unsettling presence of Beth. The stark warning about the amplified Call and the precarious state of Gateway anchors sets a tone of desperate urgency, hinting at the escalating dangers of the Chain of Nightmares and the vital importance of every survivor remaining vigilant.
Chapter 884 Sinister Blade
Four shadows streak across the snow, mirroring the advance of Nightmare Creatures, as a shining slug brutally tears through one of the monstrosities. These shadows merge with a lone figure, Sunny, who charges to meet the oncoming horde. Tracer rounds erupt, tearing into the initial wave of abominations, but the fortress’s turrets prove less effective than hoped, with bullets largely bouncing off the creatures’ tough hides. Undeterred, Sunny wraps himself in his shadows, armors his body and blade, and dispatches his last shadow to watch over Professor Obel and the civilian shelter. He lunges forward, engaging the vanguard, the Sin of Solace a blur of jade as it effortlessly cleaves through an Awakened Monster. “I need to be careful not to be shot in the back,” he mutters internally, his fighting style adapting to the lighter, nimble sword.
Sunny’s mastery of the Sin of Solace is evident as he dodges, weaves, and unleashes swift, lethal strikes. The jade jian feels impossibly light, cutting through flesh as if slicing water, perfectly suited for his devious swordplay. Even a Fallen, with its tougher flesh, succumbs with unnerving ease to the blade’s power, black blood staining the pristine snow. As the main swarm reaches him, Sunny dissolves into shadows, reappearing amidst the mass, the Sin of Solace continuing its deadly dance, reaping more lives.
The defense of LO49 is a brutal, desperate struggle. While turrets provide covering fire, the core of the defense rests on Sunny’s shoulders as he confronts the grotesque Scavengers directly. The sheer variety and unknown abilities of the abominations pose a constant risk, yet Sunny’s prowess with the Sin of Solace allows him to slow their advance, a critical delaying tactic against the overwhelming tide.
Chapter 885 Myriad Eater
Sunny leverages a fleeting opening to strike at a colossal Gate Guardian, piercing a vulnerable joint with the Sin of Solace. Though the wound is minor, the jade blade transmits the [Sinister Whisper] ability, sowing mental discord within the demon. The Guardian retaliates with blinding speed, forcing Sunny to block with his blade, a clash that sends him flying through the air. Undeterred, Sunny inflicts another shallow cut on the Guardian’s wrist, a calculated move as he continues to evade the monstrosity’s onslaught, weaving through shadows.
The whispers of the Sin of Solace intensify with each wound, gradually destabilizing the Gate Guardian’s sentience. Initially, the demon’s movements become erratic, followed by a violent self-inflicted blow to its head as it struggles against the mental assault. The accumulated damage pushes the creature over the edge, its sanity collapsing into a state of frenzied bloodlust. The Guardian lets out a deafening roar, transforming into a rampaging mountain of pure rage.
Sunny, maintaining his composure amidst the chaos, sidesteps the berserk creature’s lunge, melting into the shadows to reappear behind the now unhinged abomination. The devastating mental assault, amplified by the Sin of Solace, has turned the formidable Gate Guardian into a raving, uncontrollable threat, leaving Sunny to ponder his next move against this unleashed horror.
