Chapter 526 Demon
Sunny presses his relentless hunt for power, delving into the desolate ruins of a neighboring island. He confronts a wrathful specter, a terrifying foe that phases through reality and possesses maddening speed, proving an elusive and dangerous opponent. “So annoying…” he mutters, narrowly dodging spectral claws. His Undying Chain armor proves its worth, absorbing blows as he maneuvers through the shattered hall, a testament to its formidable protection.
The chamber reveals the brutal history of its destruction, with scattered human remains hinting at the origins of these vengeful spirits. These specters, born from corrupted souls, are fueled by an insatiable hatred. Sunny, anticipating their unreasoning fury, uses his honed reflexes and the incredible reach of his incandescent Cruel Sight. The divine flames scorch the specter’s very essence, and as the weapon retracts, he delivers a decisive blow, slicing through the incorporeal form.
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With the specter vanquished, Sunny breathes a shaky sigh, summoning Saint to cover him while he wields the Cruel Sight as a short sword. This hard-won victory brings him closer to his goal, fueling his determination to saturate his cores as the cohort continues its arduous journey towards Sanctuary.
Chapter 527 The New Guy
With the specter vanquished, Sunny clarifies the distinction between ascending a Rank and a Class. While a new Rank signifies a monumental leap in power, unlocking new abilities and deeper Aspect access, reaching a new Class primarily bolsters the quantity of shadow essence, resulting in a more gradual, but still potent, increase in strength. This nuanced understanding stems from his acquisition of a third shadow core, a significant development that amplifies his essence capacity far beyond that of most Awakened.
Sunny introduces himself to his newly manifested third shadow, observing the distinct personalities of his three shadow companions: one appears distressed, another jubilant, and the third unnervingly stoic. The cheerful shadow attempts to welcome the newcomer but recoils, prompting a silent, disdainful glare from its gloomy sibling. The new shadow, exhibiting an unsettling fascination with a nearby skeleton, appears momentarily flustered by the established dynamic, a detail not lost on Sunny.
Immediately experimenting, Sunny wraps all three shadows around himself, experiencing an “explosive might” that dramatically enhances his physical attributes. Feeling like a “demon,” he tests his newfound speed and strength by dashing across the chamber, pulverizing rubble with a single punch, and effortlessly leaping to the ruin’s ceiling. This surge of power leaves him with a triumphant grin, exhilarated by his progress.
Chapter 528 Personal Style
A few days have passed since Sunny’s ascension. He observes Rain’s relentless training, her practice sword slicing through the air with unwavering dedication. The absence of Effie, currently en route between Citadels, leaves their home feeling unusually quiet for Sunny, despite his initial appreciation for the solitude. He ponders the approaching Nightmare journey, a daunting prospect that weighs heavily on his mind, highlighting the limited time he has to accelerate Rain’s combat proficiency. He discards the idea of teaching her his own Shadow Dance style, deeming her physically and mentally unsuited. Nephis’s battle art is also dismissed due to its origins and potential entanglements. Ultimately, Sunny decides that Saint’s grounded and methodical style, with its emphasis on defense, is the most fitting choice for Rain, especially given her admiration for the demon.
Rain, noticing Sunny’s intense gaze, pauses her drills and asks if she’s made a mistake. Sunny reassures her, praising her perfect form over the past hundred strikes. A radiant smile breaks across her face as she exclaims, “Aha! See! I practiced every day while you were gone on your trip. All my classmates think that I lost my mind. What do those fools even know!” Sunny can only twitch his lips at her spirited declaration.
With his decision made, Sunny prepares to guide Rain through Saint’s techniques, a path that promises to forge her into a formidable warrior, but also raises questions about the potential connection she shares with the legendary demon. The impending journey into the Nightmare looms, a stark reminder of the precariousness of their situation and the urgency of her training.
Chapter 529 Secret Lair
Sunny leads Rain into his subterranean training facility, a stark, armored dojo where the lingering damage from his own brutal sparring sessions with Saint is still evident. He retrieves specialized, costly training weapons, noting that the real weapons are far more effective, a sentiment Rain, awestruck by the dark, mysterious space, seems to grasp. She curiously inquires about his frequent visits to this “lair,” to which Sunny wryly replies it’s where he sleeps. Rain’s attention is immediately captured by a Dreamscape pod, a state-of-the-art sarcophagus that she finds far more fascinating than his own luxurious sleeping pod.
Rain expresses envy for classmates with similar, albeit mundane, Dreamscape pods, but dismisses an offer to play, stating, “It’s only fun with friends.” This prompts Sunny to question her friendships, leading Rain to reveal her isolation after transferring to her current school, describing her classmates as “not… very friendly.” Sunny, ever pragmatic, dismisses the importance of friends, boasting of his own self-sufficiency, but Rain, unconvinced, probes further, asking if he has a girlfriend.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Rain reveals Effie told her Sunny already has a girlfriend, a fact that visibly surprises Sunny and leads to an amusing misunderstanding. This revelation adds another layer to the burgeoning dynamic between Sunny and Rain, hinting at further complexities in their relationships as the urgency of her training for the impending Nightmare journey presses on.
Chapter 530 Something Better
Sunny probes Rain’s understanding of the Dream Realm, pushing her beyond mere survival. He declares, “The essence of combat is murder,” a statement that causes Rain to shiver but also sparks a realization within Sunny about his own motivations. He elaborates that while survival is important, a singular focus on it leads to weakness, and that true strength lies in striving for something greater. This self-reflection leaves Sunny contemplating his own aspirations compared to Neph’s intense drive. He then divides combat mastery into body and mind, suggesting the latter is achieved through grasping the true essence of fighting.
Sunny attempts to impart his knowledge of combat’s fundamental laws, though he’s unsure if Rain truly comprehends them without direct experience. Recalling his own harsh lessons, he recognizes the difficulty of learning battle through mere instruction, especially without facing real threats. He demonstrates basic stances and katas from Saint’s style, observing Rain’s struggle to replicate them. Her physical limitations are apparent, but Sunny acknowledges her potential and the possibility of training her body, mirroring his own approach to overcoming his physical disadvantages.
The conversation subtly shifts as Sunny muses on the nature of strength, acknowledging that Rain, like himself, may not possess inherent physical might but can compensate through other means. This hints at future challenges and development for Rain, suggesting her path will involve more than just physical training. The underlying tension of the impending Nightmare journey remains, with Sunny’s tutelage aimed at equipping her for the brutal realities she is about to face, and the chapter concludes with the unspoken question of whether Rain can truly embody the killer’s mindset he espouses.
Chapter 531 Dream Tournamet
After Rain departs, Sunny’s calm demeanor shatters as he discovers the Dream Tournament. “What the hell! How come I didn’t know about this?!” he exclaims, scrambling to access information. The revelation that Great Clans sponsor the tournament, offering Ascended Rank Memories and Echoes as prizes, ignites a fierce avarice within him. He calculates the benefits of “free goodies,” his previous reservations about his notoriety fading in the face of such opulent rewards.
Sunny’s immediate goal of absorbing diverse combat styles to refine Shadow Dance is suddenly amplified. While he has diligently practiced in various arenas, the quality of opponents has been subpar, hindering his progress in discerning the essence of more complex fighting arts. His current method relies on building a foundation with simpler styles to improve his sensitivity and speed in understanding nuanced techniques, a process he finds hampered by the limited caliber of his adversaries.
The prospect of facing elite talent in the Dream Tournament represents a paradigm shift for Sunny’s training. He recognizes that “True talents had better things to do than play games,” and that the high-stakes environment of the tournament offers an unparalleled opportunity to encounter and internalize the intricate patterns of advanced combat. This newfound focus on the tournament overshadows his earlier mentorship of Rain, signaling a pivotal moment where his own ambitions take center stage.
Chapter 532 Ancient Forest
Sunny finds himself presented with a choice: “Dream of Glory” or “Dream of Camaraderie,” visually represented by a lone knight or a knight accompanied by a warrior and huntress. He unhesitatingly selects the solitary path, opting for the individual competition of the Dream Tournament. The tournament’s structure, featuring separate events for solo participants and cohorts, caters to a broader range of Awakened, though Sunny’s focus remains singular. He prepares for the first qualifier, an anticipation building within him as the tournament’s promise of high-caliber opponents and substantial rewards solidifies his ambition.
The scene abruptly shifts as Sunny is thrust into a lush forest surrounding a breathtaking, ancient castle known as Bastion, the sponsored arena for Clan Valor. This visually stunning, yet scarred, landscape is the backdrop for the tournament’s opening round. The pleasant voice announces, “Challenger, select your dream,” before Sunny is deposited into a vast battle royale. He recognizes the setting from his research, a testament to the grandeur of the Dream Realm’s Citadels, and understands the brutal necessity of this thousand-challenger free-for-all.
The Dream Tournament’s initial phase is a grand battle royale, designed to swiftly eliminate weaker participants and provide compelling entertainment. Only the last one standing is guaranteed advancement, though exceptional performances might earn a few others entry. Sunny, having prepared for this very scenario, is ready to prove his mettle against a thousand rivals. The “Lake of Bones” and the surrounding cursed forest, now a depiction of Bastion’s scarred history, serve as a stark reminder of the stakes involved, as he stands alone amidst the ancient trees, awaiting the brutal contest.
Chapter 533 Battle Royale
As the Dream Tournament commences, the commentators introduce the enigmatic fighter known only as Mongrel, a figure cloaked in black armor whose menacing presence and formidable odachi immediately capture the audience’s attention. The chat explodes with speculation about his identity and prowess, with experts like Dimi discussing the unpredictable nature of newcomers versus established “Dreamscape elites” in the tournament’s later stages. Dimi muses, “If anyone has a chance against the newcomers, it should be her,” referencing Queen Bee, while Syclus presses him for his own theories on Mongrel’s true identity, to which Dimi hints, “Actually, I do have a theory…”
Meanwhile, Sunny, under the guise of Mongrel, swiftly dispatches a trio of Awakened attackers, his ingrained habit of cleaning his blade a subtle display of his meticulous nature. He consciously refrains from using his shadows, prioritizing the refinement of his combat techniques over sheer power, even as his hair glows, courtesy of the Autumn Leaf Memory. Sunny acknowledges the growing threat of coordinated assaults from weaker participants as powerhouses like himself emerge, noting, “This battle royale is going to be much more intense than I have expected…”
Driven by a desire to eliminate as many rivals as possible before the first leaderboard update, Sunny presses onward. The early elimination of fighters like Lord Corvus, Fry, and Erax underscores the brutal efficiency of the opening round and Sunny’s own deadly skill. The scarred landscape of Bastion serves as a grim reminder of the stakes as Sunny navigates the thousand-challenger free-for-all, his solitary path through the carnage fueled by ambition and a drive to prove his mettle against the Dream Realm’s finest.
Chapter 534 Demonic Swordsman
The confined arena forces Sunny, still operating as Mongrel, into a dangerous confrontation. Unable to utilize his shadow abilities due to the broadcast’s clarity, and pursued by an unnerving archer, he’s thrust into a clearing where he swiftly dispatches an Awakened boasting brass armor, then his surprised partner, Wynne. The announcer’s voice then booms, revealing the leaderboard: “Dar of the Maharana clan, seventy-eight kills; Fireshing, thirty-three kills; Mongrel, twenty-seven kills.” This stark revelation fuels Sunny’s determination, especially the sheer number of kills attributed to Dar, whom he suspects is a “Legacy prince.”
Despite his own successful eliminations, Sunny laments the time spent hunting opponents. As he contemplates his next move, a calculated ambush unfolds. A dozen Awakened surround him, openly admitting their intention to claim the valuable “Valor weapons.” One of the ambushers states, “All of us here really respect you, especially after you risked your life to hold that Gate. But those Valor weapons are just too sweet, and we need to think about ourselves. No hard feelings…”
Beneath Mongrel’s mask, Sunny seethes internally, his calm facade a stark contrast to his fury. He outwardly responds with a chilling, “…None whatsoever,” preparing for the inevitable onslaught. The presence of such a coordinated attack so early, coupled with the specific knowledge of his location, strongly suggests the presence of a clairvoyant or similarly gifted individual within the ambushers’ ranks, forcing Sunny to acknowledge the escalating intensity of the tournament and the need to adapt his strategies.
Chapter 535 No Hard Feelings
Trumpets announce that only three challengers remain: Mongrel, Fireshing, and Kim Saitoh. Sunny, as Mongrel, emerges from the forest, exhausted but alive. The titan’s awakening destabilizes the arena, forcing him towards a narrow strip of sand by a lake. Fireshing, an athletic woman with auburn hair and a spear, and Kim Saitoh, a heavily armored man with a runic greatsword, appear, both clearly battle-worn. Sunny deduces the archer did not survive, likely falling victim to an ambush similar to those he faced, and acknowledges Dar’s earlier demise as a consequence of his prominence.
The three remaining Awakened face each other, tension palpable in the serene lakeside setting with the magnificent castle in the distance. Saitoh proposes an alliance to eliminate Fireshing first, then duel Mongrel. Fireshing rejects this outright, displaying a surprising disdain for such a tactic. Saitoh then turns to Sunny, offering the same deal: eliminate Fireshing together and then settle their own score. Sunny, despite his internal frustration, feels compelled to agree, setting the stage for an unpredictable confrontation.
Sunny grits his teeth, forced into accepting Saitoh’s proposal to deal with Fireshing first. He grips the Soul Serpent, preparing for what promises to be a brutal fight against the skilled warrior. The offer from Saitoh highlights the volatile alliances and betrayals inherent in this deadly tournament, leaving Sunny with few options and the chilling realization that even with fewer opponents, the path to victory remains fraught with peril.
Chapter 536 Lcon Of Chivalry
Emerging from the mental exhaustion of the qualifier, Sunny, as Mongrel, finds himself under the spotlight of widespread public attention. Clips of his brutal fight against the twelve ambushers, and even his less-than-heroic alliance with Saitoh against Fireshing, are already viral sensations. The public’s interpretation of his actions wildly diverges, with some hailing him as an “icon of chivalry” and others a “wild beast.” Despite his annoyance at the unwanted fame, Sunny confirms his qualification for the main tournament, alongside a surprisingly resilient Fireshing and the previously presumed-dead Dar.
With the qualifying rounds concluded, the real tournament looms, a grand battle royale of a thousand Awakened. Before the true competition begins, Sunny prioritizes his duty, dedicating his morning to training Rain. Her diligence impresses him, a flicker of pride in his otherwise grim demeanor. His mood lifts further when he receives confirmation that the rare Transcendent soul shards he acquired have been sold, significantly bolstering his wealth.
However, the potential profit from a specific, potent soul shard from a human Saint is sacrificed, given to Kai to strengthen their cohort. This decision, while a strategic investment, leaves Sunny with a pang of regret for the lost personal gain. The stage is now set for the main tournament, with Sunny balancing his personal ambitions and his responsibilities, ready for the arduous battles ahead.
Chapter 537 Learning Curve
The grand opening ceremony for the main tournament, a colossal battle royale of a thousand Awakened, unfolds within the illusory Bastion. Clan Valor and the eccentric Saint of the Dreamscape offer their greetings, but Sunny, as Mongrel, disregards the pomp and circumstance. His focus remains singular: combat. He enters the Dreamscape only after the tournament bracket is finalized, his imposing presence immediately drawing hushed whispers and grudging awe. He finds himself in the legendary courtyard, a place steeped in history as a former human stronghold and daemon stronghold, a fact that momentarily sparks his curiosity before simmering anger takes over.
Finally presented with his opponent, a young man clad in bloodred armor named Paradise in Red, Sunny’s impatience boils over. The young man recognizes Mongrel with dread, exclaiming, “I knew this would happen! Crap, not agai…” Sunny wastes no time, a brutal, swift assault ending the duel in mere moments. A human head flies through the air as the crowd roars its approval, the announcer confirming “Challenger Paradise in Red was eliminated!” This lightning-fast victory marks a first, catching even the broadcast producers off guard, as Syclus is forced to interrupt his conversation with Dimi to acknowledge the premature end.
Syclus, mid-conversation, is informed of the immediate win, forcing him to acknowledge the speed of the duel. The broadcast shifts to a replay of Sunny’s brutal efficiency, a fight concluded before the Dreamscape announcer could even introduce the participants. This unprecedented swiftness sets a grim tone for the tournament, highlighting Mongrel’s brutal prowess and his unwavering intent to conquer. The stage is set for a tournament where survival is paramount, and Sunny’s thirst for battle leaves no room for pleasantries.
Chapter 538 Devouring Styles
Sunny navigates his fifth and final duel of the day, a grueling gauntlet of increasingly skilled opponents. He learns valuable lessons from the fluid swordsmanship of Straw Hat and the unpredictable essence expenditure of The Other Fool. However, it is Blue Vash, with his perfect, mistake-punishing rapier style, who truly pushes Sunny to his limits, forcing him to overwhelm and kill the masterful fencer to survive, a brutal lesson that further hones his mastery of Shadow Dance.
He eagerly awaits his next opponent, Dar of the Maharana clan, viewing Legacies as opportunities for significant gains, albeit with inherent risks. Dar, a formidable warrior who has traded his bow for a spiked great mace, possesses a keen sight that unnerves Sunny. Dar notices Sunny’s Ascended armor and Dormant Echo weapon, querying the origin of the Weaver’s Mask. Sunny dismisses the inquiry, remarking, “Took it off a random corpse.”
Dar’s response, a chilling grin and “maybe I’ll take it off your corpse one day, too…”, ignites their clash. Dar’s immense strength, even against Sunny’s three soul cores and reinforced defenses, is staggering. Sunny’s initial attempt to exploit Dar’s exposed areas with the Soul Serpent proves futile as his blade slides harmlessly off the Legacy’s cuirass, revealing the potent advantages of Dar’s Legacy.
Chapter 539 Out Of Reach
Sunny emerges from his Dreamscape capsule, the lingering fatigue of his duels a dull ache. Driven by a desire to cement the day’s hard-won lessons, he immediately takes to the dojo, his Soul Serpent coiling and transforming as he fluidly transitions between combat styles. His movements, a stark contrast to the graceful dance of a slave girl from his past, are sharp and deadly, his three shadows mirroring his every swift, intricate step. Despite his ferocity, he senses a missing element, a second step of Shadow Dance just beyond his grasp, a frustrating gap that fuels his determination to push further.
The next morning, Sunny immerses himself in research, reviewing the remaining thirty-two duelists’ past fights. He scrolls past comments on his own matches, particularly those fixated on his “Mongrel” alias and the supposed demonic nature of his prowess. His objective is clear: find an opponent who can help him unlock the next level of Shadow Dance. He also casts an eye over the cohort competition, noting the dominance of a peculiar two-person team named “Librarians” with aliases Unorganized Laundry and Iza.
This brief respite solidifies a growing unease within Sunny. He recognizes the tournament’s escalating difficulty and the humbling reality of facing increasingly formidable Awakened. The specter of opponents like Dar, whose power he barely survived, serves as a potent reminder against complacency. While he acknowledges his own strength and hidden capabilities, Sunny understands that these public displays represent only a fraction of the true powerhouses within the Awakened world, a truth he intimately knows as a hidden tiger himself.
Chapter 540 Blood Feud
Sunny faces an opponent whose polished, yet unoriginal, technique is overshadowed by what seems to be blind rage. After several minutes of observation, Sunny grasps the essence of his enemy’s style, recognizing it as predictable and inflexible despite its high ranking in the tournament. Upon landing a shallow wound with the Soul Serpent, Sunny witnesses the opponent’s true power: an Aspect that ignites his blood, granting him increased speed and strength with every injury. The Mantle of the Underworld barely withstands the resulting explosions, and Sunny is thrown back, forced to adapt to the sudden, overwhelming surge of power.
Sunny quickly categorizes his opponent as a Type 2 challenger, one who relies heavily on a powerful Aspect rather than refined skill or potent Memories. He realizes the straightforward counter: a decisive, one-strike finish before the enemy’s blood-fueled enhancements become insurmountable. Manipulating the fight, Sunny predicts his opponent’s move and shifts the direction of his attack. His Soul Serpent, guided by Sunny’s understanding, slides effortlessly through the enemy’s visor, leading to a violent, explosive end for the warrior in rusted armor and a narrow escape for Sunny.
The brutal aftermath leaves Sunny reflecting on the unpredictable and often bizarre nature of the Awakened world and their unique Aspects. He narrowly avoids being caught in his opponent’s final, self-destructive blast, a testament to the ever-present danger in the tournament. This encounter further solidifies his understanding of the varied threats he faces, driving his determination to unlock the next stage of Shadow Dance and prepare for the even more formidable powers that surely await him.
