Chapter 496 Stand And Fight
A stark headline blares from a communicator, detailing a near-catastrophe averted by an anonymous hero, the “Mongrel,” who single-handedly repelled Nightmare Creatures during a surprise Gate opening. Sunny, dripping water onto the offending device, realizes with dread that this isn’t just a rumor; it’s an official newspaper article, a stark contrast to his previous, niche viral fame. The public, now witnessing his deeds in a universally terrifying context and awestruck by his striking, menacing appearance – the Mantle of the Underworld, Soul Serpent, and Weaver’s Mask – are abuzz with speculation about his identity and power.
His prior exploits, once relegated to Dreamscape enthusiasts, are now amplified by this public display of heroism. While his physical capabilities might still appear within the realm of the extraordinary but humanly possible for an Awakened, thanks to the damage to school cameras and the absence of Saint’s direct recording, whispers begin to circulate. The similarity between his Mantle and Saint’s armor, combined with rumor’s distortion, leads to a growing consensus: Mongrel might be a woman. Sunny’s worst fears of his true abilities being exposed are not realized; the grainy footage doesn’t reveal the nature of his Shadow Ability, nor does anyone connect him to the bumbling “Changing Star’s sidekick” portrayal.
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Instead, the public fervently debates Mongrel’s true Aspect, convinced by the visual evidence of Shadow Step that his power lies in spatial sorcery, completely unaware that this prowess was *not* utilized in his earlier Dreamscape duels. The chapter ignites a firestorm of discussion, with fervent debates erupting over Mongrel’s gender and the true nature of his extraordinary abilities, leaving Sunny to grapple with his unwanted, widespread fame and the wild, inaccurate theories it spawns.
Chapter 497 Unexpected Turn
Sunny, recovering from the harrowing Gate battle, finds unexpected clarity in his newfound public notoriety. His hope for anonymity as the “Mongrel” is shattered, but he pivots, realizing that the spotlight offers its own brand of concealment. He plans to leverage the intense public fascination, redirecting attention like a magician to pursue his goals unseen. The immediate aftermath sees him nourish himself and reflect on his immense gains in Shadow Fragments and new Memories, particularly the near completion of Saint’s power. He’s satisfied with the significant progress, noting that Saint’s enhanced strength will be a crucial advantage against future threats.
Despite lingering physical pain from the brutal encounter, Sunny feels a deep sense of accomplishment. He ensured Rain’s safety, a primary concern that overshadows all else. The sheer volume of Shadow Fragments acquired—1814—is astonishing, a testament to his rapid growth since his first terrifying confrontation with a Nightmare Creature. He even obtained six new Memories, most of Awakened Rank, which he feeds to Saint, bringing her closer to her full potential. The day, marked by extreme danger and profound reward, leaves him in surprisingly good spirits as he retreats to a quiet evening at home, a stark contrast to the chaos he just navigated.
His peace is interrupted by an unfamiliar sound: a knock at his door. Confused by the late hour and the unexpected visitor, Sunny dispatches his shadow to investigate, a slight grimace of discomfort still evident as he contemplates who could possibly seek him out now. The chapter ends with this lingering mystery, hinting at new developments and potential confrontations as Sunny navigates his elevated, albeit deceptive, position in the public eye.
Chapter 498 Superficial Connection
The mysterious knock at Sunny’s door heralds an unexpected visitor: Rain. She reveals a newfound desire to be trained by him, explaining that a terrifying encounter with a Nightmare Creature near her school left her feeling utterly powerless. This request throws Sunny into a complex emotional turmoil. He’s drawn to Rain by faint memories of a happier past but also harbors resentment, particularly over her seemingly privileged life. Furthermore, his advanced attributes and his connection to Weaver and Nephis create a dangerous web, potentially implicating Rain should their connection deepen. Despite his reservations and internal conflict, Sunny grapples with the irony of their shared desire to become powerful, a wish born from vastly different circumstances but driven by the same primal need for strength and security.
Sunny finds himself in a difficult position, presented with the solution he’s long sought—training Rain—but it forces him to confront his deep-seated aversion to any entanglement with her. He acknowledges his attraction to her as a symbol of a lost, happier time, a sentiment he recognizes as both selfish and misguided. However, the raw fear Rain expresses, her desperate plea to “become strong. Really strong. So strong to never feel that way again,” resonates deeply with his own motivations. He also recognizes that her exposure to a potential First Nightmare threat is far greater than any superficial link to him, a chilling thought that forces him to re-evaluate his priorities.
Despite his internal struggle, Sunny sees the immediate practical benefits. “I have some money saved for a trip, and… well, I can also talk to my parents,” Rain offers, demonstrating her earnestness. The chapter leaves Sunny caught between his complicated feelings for Rain, the inherent dangers of his own path, and the undeniable pull of her plea for strength, hinting that his carefully constructed anonymity might be irrevocably challenged by this new, unwelcome connection.
Chapter 499 Somewhere Far Away…
Across a searing, white desert under an endless sky, Nephis pushes onward, her body ravaged by thirst and burns, clad in the remnants of shattered armor. Her destination is a solitary tree bearing scarlet leaves, beneath which she hopes to find respite. The grotesque beauty of the tree is revealed as its branches are laden not with fruit, but with tens of thousands of skulls. By a spring of water, a towering, desiccated figure in rusted armor awaits. This abomination, with six weapon-wielding hands and hollow, radiant eyes, turns to face Nephis. Consumed by her own pain, Nephis pleads for it to stop, but it lunges. As the creature’s sickle descends, a spectral blade of pure sunlight manifests from Nephis’s broken sword, deflecting the fatal blow and leaving her standing, barely, to whisper a single word.
Chapter 500 …In The Depths Of A Nightmare
Having survived the spectral guardian’s onslaught, Nephis drinks deeply from the spring, her thoughts drifting back to Sunny. She marvels at his rapid progress and the impossible truths revealed through the shimmering runes, hinting at his extraordinary lineage and hidden power. Despite the personal cost of her journey through the Dream Realm, Nephis’s focus remains fixed on the path ahead, clinging to the few constants that anchor her to reality, even as the world around her continues to warp and defy comprehension.
Her gaze falls upon two ancient skeletons nailed to the scarlet-leaved tree, weathered effigies of past suffering. One, with a macabre politeness, questions her presence and the scent of “living blood.” Nephis, her voice raspy from disuse, inquires about the language spoken in this desolate place, only for the skeleton to mock her ignorance of the local tongue.
Nephis then presses her pursuer for a way back to the waking world, but her question is met with a chillingly vacant response: “The waking world? What is that?” The other skeleton, its voice a guttural growl, identifies her as a “daemon” and one of Weaver’s, fueling the unsettling mystery of her current predicament and the true nature of this nightmarish domain.
Chapter 501 Step Two
The oppressive summer heat bakes the city into a sweltering oven, a stark contrast to the tranquil terrace neighborhood where Sunny finds himself. For the past month, his life has been a whirlwind of focused progress. His shadow fragments and Saint’s are nearing full saturation, and his return to the Dreamscape for countless duels has refined his Shadow Dance. Even the Mantle’s [Prince of the Underworld] enchantment sees steady advancement, with his counter now at [1579/6000]. This growing prowess, however, draws significant attention, especially with a yearly tournament looming. Sunny, dismissive of such contests, remains focused on training Effie and Saint, honing his spear skills, and managing the burgeoning Brilliant Emporium with Aiko’s help.
His most peculiar student, Rain, expresses her frustration with his unconventional training methods. “It has already been a month, and all you taught me were wilderness survival lessons,” she complains, yearning for combat prowess. Sunny calmly defends his approach, emphasizing the fundamental need for survival: “You need to be alive to fight a Nightmare Creature, and for that, you need to know how to find food, water, how to read tracks and move through the environment without letting it kill you.” He stresses that this foundational survival skill is merely “step one.”
Effie, lounging nearby and awaiting snacks, chimes in with gruff encouragement for Rain, asserting, “Listen to Sunny, kid. He might look like a wet weasel, but this guy knows his stuff.” Rain, accepting Sunny’s logic, then asks, “What’s step two?” His implied reply hints at further, perhaps even more unexpected, layers to his tutelage, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of strength and survival in their dangerous world.
Chapter 502 Sudden Request
Master Jet contacts Sunny with an unexpected request, offering a “generous reward” in exchange for assistance. Hesitant but recognizing the value of their connection, especially with his limited government contact, Sunny agrees to help, despite not knowing the specifics of the task. Master Jet assures him she’ll pick him up, casually revealing she knows his address, leaving Sunny momentarily flustered by her familiarity. Rain, observing Sunny’s distracted demeanor, inquires if something is wrong, prompting him to postpone their lesson due to unforeseen “business.” After Rain departs, Effie playfully teases Sunny about Rain’s obliviousness to their true identities, highlighting the stark contrast between Rain’s interest in pre-Spell history and Effie’s “famous” Awakened persona. Effie, however, softens, calling Rain a “good kid” before lamenting her perceived waste of money on Sunny’s training.
Chapter 503 Harsh Reality
Master Jet’s cryptic request takes a darker turn as Sunny learns their target is not a common criminal, but a human described by Master Jet as “an animal… a rabid one.” This unsettling description prompts Sunny to question the nature of their mission. Master Jet elaborates on the psychological toll the Nightmare Spell takes on the Awakened, revealing that many struggle to cope with the trauma, teetering on the brink of madness. She explains that when an Awakened loses control and poses a threat to the mundane world, individuals like herself are called upon to handle the situation discreetly.
Sunny’s understanding of the government’s hidden operations deepens as Master Jet explains the sensitive nature of dealing with deranged Awakened, emphasizing that such incidents are kept from public knowledge. He inquires about the process of apprehending the individual, envisioning a standard arrest. However, Master Jet’s response carries a somber weight, revealing that their approach will be far from conventional.
The conversation takes a chilling turn as Master Jet confirms that arrest is not their objective, leaving Sunny to ponder the grim fate awaiting the uncontrolled Awakened. The chapter sets a tense atmosphere, hinting at the brutal realities faced by those who wield power but succumb to its corrosive effects, and raising the stakes for Sunny’s involvement in this dangerous underbelly of their world.
Chapter 504 The Right People
Sunny grapples with Master Jet’s unsettling revelation, his gaze fixed on the city below as the weight of his own past actions settles in. Master Jet, aware of his capacity for killing stemming from their shared, cruel history, references the official records of the Forgotten Shore, a stark reminder of Sunny’s involvement in the civil war for the Bright Castle. His hands, stained with the blood of those he eliminated, including Caster, Harus, and Harper, are a testament to his brutal efficiency. The chilling truth dawns on Sunny: he possesses an innate aptitude for killing, a trait he shares with Nephis, who once taught him the art of murder, and perhaps even Master Jet herself.
This realization prompts Sunny to question Master Jet’s own path. He admits to himself that he doesn’t truly know the woman behind the fearsome “Soul Reaper” moniker, her past nightmares, hopes, or goals remaining a mystery. Driven by this curiosity, he asks her a pivotal question: “Why are you not a Saint?” Master Jet’s amused response hints at the difficulty of achieving such a rank, but Sunny presses on, citing her talent, power, and ambition, particularly her challenge of the Second Nightmare. He questions why she would stop progressing, implying a potential held back.
The conversation takes a sharp turn as Master Jet inquires what Sunny has heard about her. Hesitantly, Sunny confesses to the derogatory descriptions he’s encountered, including being called a “murderous savage and psychopathic killer.” He apologizes for the bluntness, but the admission hangs in the air, a testament to Master Jet’s reputation and the unspoken reasons behind her current status, leaving Sunny to ponder the complexities of her power and the reasons for her deliberate restraint.
Chapter 505 The Slaughterhouse
Master Jet and Sunny arrive at a grim scene, met not with the expected hostility from local law enforcement, but with palpable relief. The police officers, weary and outmatched, welcome their arrival, a stark contrast to the confrontational dynamics often depicted in fiction. This practical desperation stems from the harsh reality of the supernatural world: without Awakened intervention, ordinary humans are ill-equipped to handle the threats they face. A seasoned officer guides them towards a nondescript, heavy metal door, its entrance pulsing with an unsettling white light against the backdrop of police sirens. Sunny, ever the observer, questions the nature of their destination.
Master Jet reveals their location: a notorious establishment called the “Slaughterhouse,” a club with a dark secret. The surface level may offer typical nightlife, but beneath lies a VIP area featuring an underground arena. Here, dormant Echoes are pitted against mundane fighters for the perverse entertainment of the wealthy elite, a gruesome spectacle that fuels the club’s profits. Sunny, though familiar with the excesses of vice, finds this particular brand of depravity jarring. The true reason for their presence, however, remains a grim mystery: everyone inside the Slaughterhouse is dead, a fact Master Jet notes with a morbid sense of irony.
The officer accompanying them warns of the horrific state of the scene within, describing it as “a proper mess” and emphasizing that “a mundane human would not have been able to do” what transpired. This chilling prognosis solidifies the grim nature of the investigation, hinting at a perpetrator or force capable of overwhelming even the brutal spectacles typically hosted by the Slaughterhouse. Sunny and Master Jet are now tasked with unraveling the cause of this massacre, venturing into a place where life and death are currency and the line between entertainment and horror is irrevocably blurred.
Chapter 506 Silent Witnesses
Efforts to piece together the massacre prove frustrating. Sunny notes the killer “just used their fists,” suggesting a frenzied, not premeditated, attack, likely fueled by substances. Master Jet, however, highlights the perpetrator’s ability to obscure cameras with their Aspect, indicating a level of skill beyond a mere drunken brawl. The discovery of survivors raises a flicker of hope, but their condition is deeply disturbing. The accompanying officer describes them as unresponsive and unsettling, stating, “this is something else.” Escorted to a back office, Sunny and Master Jet find five individuals standing motionless, their faces eerily blank and peaceful.
Sunny’s recognition of their state is immediate and chilling: they are Hollow, their souls destroyed. This revelation strikes a dissonant chord; a mundane human shouldn’t possess such an Ability. The sheer unnaturalness of it sends a cold shiver down Sunny’s spine, a sentiment mirrored by Master Jet’s grim expression. The massacre itself was horrific, but the existence of these Hollow survivors escalates the situation from mere violence to something far more sinister and unsettling.
Master Jet dismisses the concerned paramedics, explaining, “Their souls are destroyed. There is nothing you can do to help them.” As the medical staff departs, a sense of profound dread settles over the scene. The perpetrator’s ability to turn victims into Hollows without apparent physical exertion raises terrifying questions about the true nature of the threat they face. The mystery deepens, pulling Sunny and Master Jet further into a darkness that blurs the lines between life, death, and the unimaginable powers that operate within the city’s underbelly.
Chapter 507 Ln The Spotlight
Master Jet expresses skepticism about Sunny’s insistence that the murderer is still on-site, but Sunny is certain of the killer’s presence underground. Before descending, Master Jet reveals a crucial detail: the killer likely possesses a rare shadow affinity Aspect, and she suspects she knows who it is. She cautions Sunny that this individual is not a novice but a seasoned “specialist” who thrives in the city’s underbelly, making the confrontation far more dangerous than initially anticipated. Sunny understands this distinction, recognizing those who embrace the Nightmare Spell rather than merely surviving it.
Sunny questions how a “specialist” could have left such a mess, but Master Jet reminds him that professionals, like themselves, are often the most compromised, and even an Ascended like her cannot afford to be careless. “Nothing is ever easy, Sunny,” she warns, emphasizing that every Aspect has a flaw and every power a counter, a lesson Sunny knows all too well from past encounters. He advises Master Jet to guard her shadow when they confront their quarry, a cryptic warning as they proceed to the underground arena.
They discover the arena is a surprisingly luxurious space, more akin to a theater than a fighting pit, sparsely lit and shrouded in deep shadows. Master Jet observes their surroundings, noting, “There’s no one here,” but the sinister atmosphere and the lingering sense of danger suggest otherwise, leaving the outcome of their impending confrontation hanging precariously in the balance.
Chapter 508 Battle Of The Shadows
Kurt, a powerful Awakened whose soul core is clearly saturated, launches an impossibly swift attack, appearing before Sunny and Master Jet in an instant. He wields a lusterless alloy knife, hidden on his forearm, and immediately targets Sunny’s shadow, forcing it to contort violently to avoid the strike. Master Jet intervenes, her defensive block turning into a lightning-fast counter, but Kurt disengages, his movements a blur as he lunges away, shattering seating in his wake. He then unleashes three more knives, not for lethal damage, but to impede their progress, one specifically aimed at Sunny’s shadow once more.
As Sunny dodges and enhances himself with his shadow, Master Jet warns of a further scheme. Kurt’s plan is revealed as a massive, vaguely humanoid creature, an Echo composed of “worn rags” with unnaturally jointed arms ending in curved claws, erupts from the floorboards to attack Master Jet. The creature is an unwelcome revelation, explaining Kurt’s presence in the Slaughterhouse and confirming Sunny’s earlier suspicions. Master Jet sidesteps the Echo’s initial assault, her shadow manipulating itself to avoid a fourth knife aimed at her, leaving Kurt muttering, “…So annoying.”
Sunny is enraged by his oversight, realizing the Echo is a crucial component of Kurt’s arsenal and a testament to his status as a “specialist” who frequents the Slaughterhouse’s underbelly. The chapter leaves the protagonists facing a formidable opponent and his summoned Echo in the opulent, yet ominously shadowed, arena, setting the stage for a brutal and unpredictable confrontation.
Chapter 509 Ghastly Reward
The lingering silence in the arena is broken by Sunny’s realization: he now possesses an Echo, a human one, a byproduct of his own kill. The discovery is morbidly fascinating, a testament to the strange nature of his Aspect that leaves soul shards intact even from fellow Awakened. As a luminescent crystal, Kurt’s soul shard, lies amongst the ash, Sunny swiftly conceals it before Master Jet can notice. Master Jet, emerging unscathed from the devastation, expresses her surprise, “Well, I’ll be damned… that was fast,” at Sunny’s solo victory against the seasoned Awakened.
She praises Sunny, noting his rapid growth and acknowledging the SS designation he earned, a far cry from his humble beginnings. Sunny dismisses his triumph as a simple matter of understanding Kurt’s shadow-based reliance, a boast Master Jet finds amusing given Kurt’s formidable reputation. The scene shifts to Master Jet’s contemplation of Kurt’s fate, remembering him as a promising youth from the Academy before life’s harsh realities twisted him into the “rabid beast” Sunny faced.
The conversation turns somber as Master Jet reflects, “Life, I guess. Not everyone is cut out for the kind of life we live.” Sunny, uncomfortable with the contemplation of his victim’s past, focuses on the grim reality of their existence. The chapter leaves Sunny and Master Jet amidst the wreckage, the immediate threat vanquished but the broader, dangerous world of Awakened and their volatile lives laid bare, hinting at future challenges and the lingering questions surrounding Kurt’s past.
Chapter 510 Human Echo
Sunny, still reeling from his victory, finds a moment of respite amidst the theater’s wreckage, observing the remnants of Kurt’s desperate struggle. He discovers the discarded stimulant packs were not for pleasure but to ward off the Dream Realm, suggesting Kurt harbored a deeper fear than Sunny initially understood. This realization, coupled with the implications of Kurt’s past as a dedicated combatant now twisted by circumstance, deepens the somber reflection on the harsh realities faced by the Awakened.
As Sunny summons his runes, the Echo of “Shadow Blade Kurt” materializes, revealing its Beast classification, a standard designation for humans by the Spell. He learns of Kurt’s Attributes: [Swift Hand], which enhances speed and accuracy, [Shadow Sworn], granting him affinity with shadows, and the enigmatic [Mark of Death], described as a weapon born from the very concept of death. The Spell’s bitter description, “[I have entrusted you with a beautiful blade, but all you created was a hideous nightmare],” sparks Sunny’s curiosity about the true nature and purpose of death’s creation.
Sunny then delves into his Soul Sea, encountering Kurt’s shadowed form before summoning the Echo into the physical realm. The resulting apparition, a gaunt, naked man, sends a shiver down Sunny’s spine, hinting at the profound and perhaps disturbing nature of the power he has absorbed. The chapter leaves Sunny with a deeper understanding of Kurt’s tragic existence and a potent new tool, but the mystery surrounding the Spell’s creator and the true purpose of death remains a tantalizing, and potentially dangerous, enigma.
