Chapter 256 True Reason
The golden armor worn by Gunlaug is revealed to be an Echo, a copy of a bizarre Corrupted Nightmare Creature composed of liquid metal. Nephis attributes this knowledge to a spy within the castle, an individual whose loyalty Sunny questions. Nephis, however, asserts they can trust the information, stating, “I am the only chance anyone here has of ever getting out of this cursed place. And Gunlaug is not.” This implies an opportunistic ally, perhaps swayed by Nephis’s promises or possessing knowledge Sunny lacks, is betraying the Bright Lord. Kai, amidst this discussion, voices the cohort’s confusion, questioning if their objective is complete now that the First Lord’s remains are secured and the Memory is in Nephis’s possession. Sunny, however, dispels this notion, declaring their true mission is far from over.
Chapter 257 Nightmare Champion
Sunny grapples with the true nature of Shard Memories, realizing they aren’t simply drops from powerful creatures but are intrinsically linked to specific “Nightmare Champions” tied to ancient statues. This realization clarifies why he only received the Midnight Shard once, despite numerous monster kills. The Carapace Demon was bound to the Knight’s statue, while the Iron Matriarch connected to the Hunter’s. This understanding deepens the mystery surrounding other Shards, like the Dawn Shard, and raises questions about how many champions remain and how many Shards Changing Star, Nephis, and others might already possess.
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The cohort prepares to confront another abominable horror for a potential fourth Shard. Sunny confronts Nephis about the implications of him acquiring a Memory, fearing it will disrupt her meticulously laid plans. To his surprise, Nephis dismisses his concern, casually stating, “Keep it, if you want.” Her nonchalance about him possessing the Midnight Shard, and now potentially another, unnerves Sunny, forcing him to consider unsettling possibilities.
Sunny suspects Nephis’s indifference stems from a belief that the Shards are destined to end up in human hands, or perhaps that fate will ultimately align their individual paths. This philosophical uncertainty hangs heavy as they face the immediate threat, with Sunny questioning Nephis’s true motivations and her seemingly unshakeable confidence in controlling the chaotic flow of power. The chapter leaves the reader contemplating the enigmatic nature of the Shards and the hidden agendas at play.
Chapter 258 Herald Of The Crimson Terror
The cohort faces a resurrected Spire Messenger, a creature Sunny knows to be lethally dangerous. Though Sunny has grown significantly stronger, his previous encounters with similar abominations ended in failure. The key difference now, he believes, lies in the Crown of Dawn’s ability to augment his Memories, potentially allowing him to finally wound the Fallen Beast. As the Messenger assaults the group, Sunny dives to avoid its initial strike, allowing Effie and the Stone Saint to intercept. Their reinforced defenses miraculously hold, buying the cohort a crucial moment to regroup.
Nephis and Caster launch a coordinated attack, their blades flashing with light, but the Messenger’s sheer power and speed prove overwhelming. It deflects their blows and forces them to retreat, its predatory gaze then locking onto Kai. The abomination unleashes a powerful wing buffet, sending Nephis and Caster flying, and then lunges at the fleeing archer. Just as the Messenger seems poised to strike Kai, a sudden triangular blade severs an arc around one of its legs, anchoring it with an invisible tether.
The Spire Messenger, a terrifying foe previously encountered, proves a formidable challenge for the strengthened cohort. Sunny recognizes his own growth but still fears the creature’s raw power. The presence of the Crown of Dawn offers a glimmer of hope, allowing Sunny to envision augmenting his Midnight Shard for a chance to inflict damage. The ensuing battle is fierce, with the Messenger’s brutal attacks forcing evasive maneuvers and valiant defenses from Effie and the Stone Saint. Nephis and Caster’s magical assaults are swiftly countered, highlighting the vast power disparity. The looming threat to Kai escalates the tension, and a desperate intervention dramatically alters the immediate confrontation, hinting at a shift in the tide of battle.
Chapter 259 Bloody Mayhem
Sunny races towards the ancient statue, understanding that killing the Spire Messenger hinges on someone touching it. His Shadow, detached from his blade, observes the abomination’s continued ferocity despite its injuries. Backing his companions, Sunny acknowledges their precarious situation; Effie’s shield, already cracked, finally shatters under the Messenger’s onslaught, severely injuring her arm. The Stone Saint intervenes, protecting the wounded huntress, while Nephis manages to land a deep gash on the creature’s side. Sunny retrieves his Shadow, its presence doubling his speed as he closes in on the statue.
As Sunny approaches the statue, Caster suddenly appears, sliding to a halt before it. The proud Legacy is visibly injured, his armor torn and his chest bleeding. He clutches a crystal hourglass amulet, a charm Memory Sunny hadn’t seen before. Caster touches the statue, his expression darkening as he opens his eyes, then immediately turns to rejoin the fray, leaving Sunny to wonder about his condition and the nature of the new amulet.
The Messenger unleashes a blood-curdling shriek and lunges with renewed fury. The cohort’s valiant defense falters, Effie’s shield shattering and breaking her arm. Despite Nephis wounding the abomination, the creature’s overwhelming power is evident. Caster’s sudden intervention at the statue, and his subsequent return to battle, introduces an unknown element, potentially shifting the balance of this desperate struggle.
Chapter 260 How To Be A Hero
Sunny’s decisive strike against the Spire Messenger pierces its abdomen, a wound that, while horrific, doesn’t immediately kill the monstrous abomination. Instead, the creature, seemingly impervious to pain, turns its renewed fury upon a momentarily defenseless Sunny. Just as the Messenger’s terrifying beak lunges, Nephis, despite her own severe injuries, intervenes, her katana deflecting the fatal blow but costing her left arm its immediate attachment. Before Caster can land a finishing strike, Sunny seizes the opportunity, his Prowling Thorn tearing through the creature’s brain, finally slaying the Cursed Herald.
The battle’s aftermath leaves the cohort in dire straits. Effie’s arm is shattered, Caster bleeds from multiple gashes, Kai is on the verge of collapse from blood loss, and Nephis’s arm hangs by a thread, a gruesome testament to her sacrifice. Despite the immense cost and their battered state, Sunny secures the victory, his Shadow strengthening and a crucial Memory gained.
The chapter ends with the cohort acknowledging their pyrrhic victory. The Messenger is slain, but the overwhelming power of the Fallen Monster and the heavy toll it exacts on the survivors paints a grim picture. Sunny’s acquisition of the Memory promises new insights or abilities, a small flicker of hope amidst the devastating injuries, leaving the reader to ponder the true cost of their triumph and what the future holds for the battered heroes.
Chapter 261 Moon Shard
Fresh from their brutal victory, Sunny delves into the Soul Sea to examine his spoils: a new Ascended Tier II Memory, the [Dusk Shard]. This heavy, dark steel shield, forged from a fallen star, possesses a unique enchantment, “Indomitable,” allowing it to change its weight. Sunny initially marvels at its potential, envisioning its use as both an impenetrable defense and a devastating offensive weapon, capable of delivering crushing blows. He recalls Effie and Stone Saint’s mastery of shields, realizing their true destructive power.
However, upon summoning the Dusk Shard, Sunny is immediately overwhelmed by its immense, unyielding weight. “This… is so heavy!” he exclaims, staggering under its burden. He struggles to even lift it, discovering that the “Indomitable” enchantment, while present, remains inaccessible. The shield’s weight is tied to his “shadow essence,” and he cannot manipulate it as he expected.
The cohort observes Sunny’s futile efforts, their expressions a mixture of confusion and concern. Despite the shield’s daunting nature, Sunny’s determination flickers. He acknowledges its overwhelming heaviness, muttering, “Alright, I admit it. It’s too damn heavy! Let’s reduce the weight a little…” but his attempt to access the enchantment fails, leaving him bewildered: “…This can’t be. No way!” The Dusk Shard’s true nature, and Sunny’s ability to wield it, remains an uncertain, heavy burden.
Chapter 262 Path To Damnation
Sunny’s attention shifts from the unwieldy Dusk Shard to a new discovery: the Ascended Tier I Memory, the [Moon Shard]. This subtle blade, forged from moonlight, possesses the “Unseen” enchantment, allowing it to manifest instantly in his hand. Unlike other summoned Memories, there are no tell-tale sparks or a discernible summoning process; the dagger simply *is*. This instantaneous, untelegraphed appearance is a revelation, offering Sunny a terrifyingly efficient means of assassination, allowing him to bypass the usual anticipation a skilled opponent might have.
The Moon Shard, a slender, needle-pointed dagger crafted from what appears to be misty glass as strong as steel, is perfectly suited to Sunny’s preference for silent, deadly strikes. Its ethereal nature makes it almost invisible in the darkness of the cavern, and Sunny realizes its true power lies not just in its aesthetics or rank, but in its flawless execution. This weapon offers a chance to finally contend with Fallen creatures, even without the aid of the Crown of Dawn, by allowing him to get dangerously close and deliver a killing blow.
Questioning Nephis about its origin, Sunny learns the Moon Shard was found north of the Dark City, near a skull symbol on her map. This acquisition brings the total accounted for Shard Memories to five: Dawn, Zenith, Dusk, Midnight, and now Moon. With only two remaining, Sunny ponders their locations and potential wielders, hinting at a larger, unfolding narrative of these powerful artifacts.
Chapter 263 The Beginning of the End
Three months later, Sunny and the surviving cohort emerge from the crimson coral sea, battle-worn but alive, reaching the magnificent white archway leading back to the Dark City. The arduous journey has transformed them all; Changing Star’s armor is scarred, Caster sports a grim beard and hints of grey hair, Kai’s elegance is buried under dirt and blood, Effie is leaner and wields two powerful Shard Memories, and Cassie, no longer childlike, moves with newfound prowess thanks to her Echoes. Sunny, too, is visibly weathered, his Puppeteer’s Shroud tattered. He notes his Shadow Fragments have grown to 938, a testament to the brutal trials endured.
The sight of the distant grey wall triggers a complex mix of exhaustion, triumph, and dark apprehension in Sunny. He reflects on the “endless bloody nightmare” of the past three months, recognizing how these horrors forged him into something stronger. While his pale complexion and inability to grow a beard remain unchanged, the physical and mental toll of their journey is evident in every member of the cohort. The newly acquired horn bow wielded by the archer, a fifth-tier Memory, speaks volumes of the dangers they’ve overcome.
As they ascend, Sunny’s gaze fixes on the familiar grey wall, a symbol of their return but also a reminder of the battles yet to come. The group’s survival against all odds, a feat that barely seems possible, sets a grim tone for what lies ahead. The chapter closes with Sunny glancing at his runes, the stark number of Shadow Fragments a silent testament to the brutal cost of their survival, hinting at the immense challenges that still await them within the Dark City and beyond.
Chapter 264 First Things First
The cohort’s strength and synergy against the Labyrinth’s myriad horrors are undeniably impressive. Nephis, Effie, and Caster form a formidable vanguard, their combat styles complementing each other perfectly, amplified by the Crown of Dawn’s power. Kai, from his aerial vantage point, acts as a deadly sniper, his new horn bow extending his lethal reach and preempting threats before they even close in. Even Night, utilizing the Blood Arrow’s supply, proves a surprisingly effective ranged threat, picking off enemies from afar.
Kai’s aerial support, however, is a precarious dance with danger. The grey skies teem with their own abominations, and his separation from the group leaves him vulnerable to aerial predators. Yet, his superior maneuverability often allows him to draw aggro and evade attacks, buying precious time for his arrows to find their mark or for his comrades to join the fray. Sunny and Cassie, safeguarding the rear, protect the cohort from flanking assaults, their combined prowess with the Stone Saint and the Quiet Dancer, later joined by two other Echoes, crucial in holding the line until the main force can reinforce them.
Sunny, now capable of controlling his shadow nearly a kilometer ahead, scouts for threats, granting the group ample warning to engage or evade. This scouting ability, coupled with the cohort’s balanced offensive and defensive capabilities, allows them to navigate the Labyrinth’s dangers with a resilience that astounds even Sunny. He realizes their true protection lies not just in facing immediate threats, but in anticipating the Labyrinth’s insidious traps and the ancient evils lurking beneath the surface.
Chapter 265 Hateful Shadow
The cohort finds a momentary respite on a weathered marble arch, the spoils of their Labyrinthine journey a welcome, if simple, meal. Nephis, her culinary skills surprisingly honed, serves a dish crafted from monstrous flesh, a testament to their resourcefulness. Sunny, while savoring the rare moment of peace, grapples with the looming confrontation ahead, the blood debt he owes a specific Fallen Devil weighing heavily on his mind. His determination to face this particular adversary is absolute, despite the immense danger it represents.
As they prepare to re-enter the Dark City, the question of Gunlaug’s awareness of their return surfaces. Nephis confirms that their enemy, through the aid of a skilled Artisan, is undoubtedly aware of their approach. The discussion turns to the likelihood of a “welcoming party,” with Nephis positing that Gunlaug, driven by a desire to destroy the ideas she embodies rather than merely her, will likely wait for them to come to him, confident in his eventual victory without the need for immediate confrontation.
The cohort’s collective unease is palpable as Sunny directly asks Nephis about her confidence in defeating Gunlaug. Her simple, resolute “Yes” offers a sliver of hope, but Sunny’s stark admission – “Well, good for you, but I am not” – underscores the peril ahead. He urges the completion of their prior agreement, a desperate measure to secure their future before the cohort potentially faces annihilation at the hands of the formidable Gunlaug.
Chapter 266 The Devil You Know
Sunny, driven by a burning desire for retribution, reveals his extensive research on the Black Knight, a Fallen Devil dwelling in a cathedral. He details its formidable strengths: immense speed, durability, and a terrifying power amplified by an encroaching darkness that renders the creature effectively immortal and invisible. Sunny explains that damage is instantly repaired within this darkness, making the Black Knight an “unstoppable engine of slaughter.” Effie questions his grim assessment, but Sunny emphasizes the true danger lies not just in its might, but its regenerative capabilities within the oppressive gloom.
Sunny then outlines the cohort’s strategy, highlighting Nephis’s radiant light as the key to dispelling the Black Knight’s dark advantage. He posits that without this power, the Devil is reduced to a formidable, but ultimately manageable, threat. However, the group remains apprehensive, as Sunny admits their weapons, even enhanced, will struggle against the creature’s heavy armor. He reveals the singular vulnerability: the visor of its helmet, a difficult target given the Knight’s speed.
Just as Kai voices the collective doubt about striking such a small weak point on a moving target, Sunny smiles. He pauses, revealing that their approach bypasses the need for such precision, hinting at a deeper understanding of the Black Knight’s exploitable nature that has been painstakingly uncovered.
Chapter 267 Let There Be Light
The cohort re-enters the Dark City, finding it eerily quiet as Gunlaug’s forces remain absent, allowing them to scale the familiar grey walls and take shelter before proceeding to the ruined cathedral. The desolate, dust-choked streets, a stark contrast to their recent Labyrinth ordeal, evoke a strange sense of homecoming for Sunny and his companions, particularly Effie, who once called this “paradise.” Despite the city’s cursed nature, a peculiar comfort settles within them as they navigate the rubble, a testament to their adaptability and the shared experience of survival.
Upon reaching the cathedral, the weight of their objective presses down. Sunny, having spent the preceding days meticulously schooling the group on the Black Knight’s combat style and weaknesses, reiterates his crucial role in delivering the final blow. Kai, questioning Sunny’s intense fixation, is met with a raw, visceral explanation: “Have you ever been gutted, Kai? And I don’t mean emotionally. I mean literally, with a sharp piece of metal?” Sunny recounts his near-fatal encounter with the Devil, framing his pursuit as a necessary act of retribution rooted in the harsh survivalist code of the outskirts.
Sunny’s unwavering determination to personally face and destroy the Black Knight, fueled by a brutal past encounter, solidifies the cohort’s understanding of the stakes. The chilling revelation of his own near-death experience at the creature’s hands underscores the immense personal vendetta driving their approach. This shared understanding, coupled with the strategic groundwork laid by Sunny, prepares them for the confrontation, hinting at a carefully constructed plan to overcome the seemingly invincible Fallen Devil, with Nephis’s light and Sunny’s vengeful resolve at its core.
Chapter 268 Clash
The Stone Saint, effulgent and cloaked in spectral fog, faces the Black Knight with a chilling indifference. Their forms, though disparate in execution—the Saint’s armor intricately crafted, the Knight’s crude yet formidable—share an eerie symmetry, hinting at a deep, unspoken connection. As the Saint defiantly strikes her shield, Sunny observes a flicker of disdain, a contempt that transcends the vast disparity in their power. The Fallen Devil, a being of immense might, seems almost a pale imitation before the Saint’s perfected, shadowy form. “Have you ever been gutted, Kai? And I don’t mean emotionally. I mean literally, with a sharp piece of metal?” Sunny’s brutal past fuels his present resolve.
The battle erupts in a tempest of steel, the Saint’s shadowy augmentation nearing the power of a Fallen abomination. Sunny, recognizing the profound synergy between the Saint and his own Aspect, believes she is empowered beyond his own augmentation. He muses on her past victories, her own death in slaying two Fallen Beasts, and wonders what she can achieve now, reborn and amplified. Despite her undeniable prowess, the sheer gap in raw power between the Saint and the Black Knight is evident, a stark imbalance even with the shadow’s embrace.
However, the humans are not mere spectators. As the monstrous figures clash, the cohort of survivors surges forward, launching their own desperate assault to support their monstrous ally. They recognize that while the Saint may be outmatched in brute force, she is not alone in this desperate gambit against the Black Knight, their collective survival now inextricably linked to this cataclysmic duel.
Chapter 269 Incarnation Of Death
The Black Knight’s colossal blade narrowly misses Nephis as she evades with impossible grace, retaliating with a strike that leaves a deep scratch on his vambrace. Despite her skill, the Knight’s speed is overwhelming, his immense power evident as he presses his assault. Other allies struggle to join the fray; Effie is still closing the distance, Kai hesitates to fire his enchanted Blood Arrow lest it strike a comrade, and Cassie’s Echoes are too fragile for this brutal confrontation. It falls to Sunny and Caster to stall the monstrous foe. Sunny attacks the Black Knight’s elbow joint, slightly altering the trajectory of the greatsword’s sweep, while Caster thrusts his blade at the helmet, only for it to slide off harmlessly. The Knight, undeterred, throws an elbow back at Sunny, forcing him to dodge, even as he continues his deadly strike against Nephis, who intercepts the blow on her sword, the impact sending her crashing to the ground.
However, this brief respite is crucial. Effie finally re-enters the fray, and in that critical moment, Kai seizes the opportunity. “The Black Knight just turned his head slightly,” his thoughts are of a desperate gamble, not true aim, yet a black arrow streaks through the air, finding its mark with shocking precision. The arrow plunges directly into the sole chink in the devil’s armor – its visor. Both Sunny and Kai are stunned; no one, least of all Kai himself, anticipated such a direct hit against the nigh-invincible foe.
This unexpected success injects a sliver of hope into the desperate battle, demonstrating that even against such overwhelming power, coordinated effort and sheer luck can create an opening. The Black Knight, momentarily hampered by Kai’s miraculous shot, presents a new, albeit fleeting, vulnerability. The fate of the survivors hinges on whether this single hit can be exploited before the infernal warrior recovers from the surprise attack, proving that even the most formidable power can be challenged.
Chapter 270 Runaway
Following Kai’s impossible shot that momentarily blinds the Black Knight, Nephis unleashes a blinding white light from her Starlight Legion Armor, a desperate gambit that momentarily pushes back the encroaching darkness. The knight, recovering with terrifying speed, renews his assault, and with no other allies able to support her, Nephis makes a move no one expects; she turns her back and flees. Sunny, witnessing this tactical retreat, curses and races after her, the Black Knight in hot pursuit.
As Nephis sprints halfway across the grand hall, the Black Knight relentlessly closes the distance, his colossal blade poised to strike. Just as it seems she has no escape, Nephis abruptly stops, summoning her silver sword once more. Her sudden halt and apparent suicidal intent to face the oncoming onslaught fools both the enemy and Sunny, who, with a slight smile, recognizes this as the execution of “Plan C.”
Nephis’s daring maneuver, a feigned last stand, perfectly sets the stage for the next phase of their desperate plan. With Effie and Caster still recovering and Cassie and Kai sidelined, Sunny races to catch up, his mind set on exploiting the vulnerability Nephis has created. The chapter ends with the fate of the survivors hanging precariously in the balance as Sunny prepares to act on the opportunity Nephis has so bravely engineered.
