Chapter 961 Sand Castles
The reunion with Belle and the weary survivors offers little respite as Sunny beholds the utter devastation of Erebus Field. The once-thriving metropolis is a ruin of lava and fire, Mount Erebus spewing molten rock into the ash-choked skies. He struggles to comprehend how such a heavily fortified city, designed to withstand even catastrophic volcanic failure, could fall so completely to the rampaging hordes of Nightmare Creatures.
His original mission to guide refugees and rendezvous with Davis’s Irregulars is in shambles, the weight of the civilians now feeling even heavier. As Sunny confesses his own despair to Belle and Quentin, admitting that “Siege capitals seem to be crumbling like sand castles these days,” the somber mood among the survivors reflects his own bleak outlook.
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Despite the pervasive despair, Sunny, with a heavy sigh, decides on a desperate course of action. He directs the convoy towards Falcon Scott, clinging to the belief that its unparalleled fortifications and the presence of Saint Tyris will offer their only hope of survival, even as he privately acknowledges the terrifying implication: if even a Saint falls, their chances are non-existent.
Chapter 962 Reaper’s Crow
As the survivors navigate the desolate landscape, a peculiar black crow descends, its chirps surprisingly coalescing into Sunny’s name. Initial suspicion gives way to astonishment as Sunny realizes the creature is an Awakened Monster, not a Nightmare Creature, and more importantly, bears the markings of an Echo sent by Master Jet. The crow’s confirmation, “Jet! Send!” ignites a fragile spark of hope in Sunny, a reminder that he has not been entirely forgotten amidst the ruin.
The crow, identifying itself as “Crow! Help!” confirms it is meant to assist Sunny, but when questioned about locating Davis’s Irregulars, it delivers a devastating blow: “Da-vees! Dead…” This revelation crushes Sunny’s hopes of reinforcing his meager group, but also hints at a larger, more intricate plan for the crow’s involvement beyond mere messenger duties.
A somber acceptance settles over Sunny as he grapples with the loss of Davis and likely his entire cohort, a grim testament to the horrors unleashed upon Erebus Field. With his original plan shattered and the crow’s precise role still shrouded in mystery, Sunny, ever the pragmatist, faces another daunting question: “How are you supposed to help me, then?”
Chapter 963 Supply Depot
Sunny, processing the crow’s devastating news of Davis’s demise, directs Sergeant Gere to lead the convoy into the tunnel. As the blast doors seal, shutting out the polar night, the crow, its cryptic messages now silent caws, lands on Sunny’s shoulder, a quiet affirmation of its purpose. Inside the brightly lit, subterranean depot, the survivors find a vast trove of untouched military supplies. Sergeant Gere, awestruck, identifies it as a divisional field resupply station, boasting enough resources to support thousands, including a dozen formidable MWRs, a significant upgrade for facing Awakened threats. “It’s nothing short of amazing, sir,” Gere declares, his smile a rare sight. This unexpected windfall, however, comes with a lingering, unspoken complication, as Sunny shares a dubious glance with the sergeant.
Chapter 964 Proof Of Competence
Surprisingly, the underground resupply depot remains secure, with no emergent threats disturbing the fragile peace. Sunny awakens to the comforting aroma of cooking food, a stark contrast to the grim reality outside. He finds Professor Obel in the common area, masterfully transforming salvaged rations into a surprisingly delectable meal, much to Luster’s delight. The return of hot showers, a luxury long since abandoned, brings an unexpected surge of morale, allowing Sunny a moment of respite. As he savors the unique dish, playfully dubbed “potslop” by the professor, Sunny learns about the fictional “Frankenstein,” a tale that resonates with his own experiences facing reanimated horrors.
The conversation between Sunny and Professor Obel takes a more personal turn as the old man inquires about Sunny’s well-being. He acknowledges the immense pressure Sunny bears as the leader of the surviving cohort, responsible for hundreds of lives. Sunny, initially guarded, admits to feeling “fine,” but the professor’s genuine concern creates a subtle opening for deeper introspection, hinting at the emotional toll of his command. With the first shift returning from the Dream Realm yet to arrive, the immediate urgency subsides, leaving Sunny to process the professor’s probing question amidst the newfound abundance.
The unexpected windfall of supplies, from sustenance to operational showers, paints a picture of hope amidst despair. Professor Obel’s culinary skills and the replenishment of essential resources underscore the resilience of humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity. This brief period of normalcy, however, feels precarious, a quiet interlude before the inevitable return of the Irregulars and the ongoing struggle for survival. The chapter leaves Sunny contemplating the weight of his responsibilities and the unseen burdens he carries, setting the stage for future emotional exploration.
Chapter 965 New Plan
The intelligence gathered from the Dream Realm is grim, revealing Army Command’s ignorance of Erebus Field’s destruction. This revelation forces Sunny to doubt the reliability of all incoming information, especially with the compromised communication network. The dire situation necessitates a rapid shift in strategy; incoming naval convoys will now ferry civilians and the army over to the eastern landmass. Falcon Scott is designated humanity’s final stronghold and staging ground for this massive relocation, signifying the First Army’s complete abandonment of the Antarctic Center. Sunny, though resigned to the drastic measure, notes that the leadership isn’t entirely out of touch, referencing Master Jet’s awareness of Erebus Field.
Amidst the chaos, Sunny observes the frantic but purposeful activity within the resupply station, with even refugees aiding in loading commandeered vehicles. An Echo, a black bird, lands near him, and after a brief, inquisitive exchange where Sunny names it “Crow,” the creature departs. Sunny then shifts his focus to the external view, where his shadows maintain watch. The desolate landscape, still scarred by falling ash and the infernal glow of lava, mirrors the internal turmoil. He reflects on the unsettling familiarity of this continent’s strangeness, feeling as though he hasn’t truly left the Dream Realm.
Suddenly, a distant flicker of light appears, quickly growing into a stream of lights descending a mountain road, all converging on the supply depot’s entrance. This visual spectacle, stark against the ash-choked sky, marks the arrival of reinforcements or perhaps something far more significant, leaving Sunny to anticipate the unfolding events with a mixture of dread and grim resolve.
Chapter 966 Reinforcements
The flicker of light heralds the arrival of a splinter group from Erebus Field, a welcome influx of survivors that significantly bolsters Sunny’s numbers. Despite the increased headcount, the most senior officer among them is Lieutenant Carin, leaving Sunny, ironically, in command of a force now numbering over four thousand civilians, five hundred mundane soldiers, and three and a half Awakened cohorts. This newfound strength is further amplified by twelve powerful MRWs and numerous powered armor suits, dramatically enhancing their defensive capabilities. However, this expansion presents a new strategic challenge; with such a large caravan, meticulously avoiding combat is no longer feasible. Sunny acknowledges the increased offensive power, capable of overcoming many threats, but the mental adjustment and the strain on his shadows are immense.
As Sunny surveys the crowded resupply station, he grimaces, already anticipating the headache of re-evaluating his entire strategy for the two-thousand-kilometer journey to Falcon Scott. The sheer size of the group necessitates a direct approach to many obstacles, a stark contrast to his previous stealth-focused tactics. He overhears the newly arrived survivors discussing their situation, with one remarking, “I don’t think any of us can survive,” only to be countered with, “Cheer up, man. The Devil himself is with us, so who can be against us?” This sentiment, referencing “Master Sunless,” highlights the growing legend of Sunny’s abilities, with tales of him felling hundreds of Nightmare Creatures with a single arrow and even stalemating a titan.
The influx of manpower and weaponry offers a stark increase in potential, but the logistical and strategic hurdles are equally daunting. Sunny, with an exasperated sigh, heads towards the Rhino, resigned to a sleepless night as he prepares to update his maps and devise new plans to navigate the treacherous path ahead. The chapter leaves Sunny contemplating the immense task of moving such a large group, acutely aware that his capabilities have grown, but so too has the scale of the problem he must solve.
Chapter 967 Smooth Ride
Two days after the influx of survivors, the massive caravan abandons the resupply station, stripped bare of all usable resources. Nightmare, Abomination, and Blackie lead the way, establishing a formidable vanguard, with the Rhino now flanked by two powerful MRWs scanning the desolate polar landscape. The kilometer-long procession is a bristling testament to their newfound strength, reinforced by ten more MRWs and two dozen Awakened strategically positioned along its length, along with mechanized infantry units. The caravan, a tempting target for any Nightmare Creature, also presents an almost insurmountable challenge, a sentiment echoed by Sunny, surveying the scene from atop the Rhino, clad in his military coat and Mantle of the Underworld, his elemental resistance a comfort against the biting cold and irritating ash.
Sunny’s updated maps and meticulously planned routes, combined with the constant surveillance of his shadows and the sharp eyes of his crow, provide him with a crucial intelligence advantage. This information is vital as they move away from the most severely earthquake-damaged regions, encountering increasingly well-maintained roads and less rugged terrain. Despite the immense logistical challenge of guiding such a large group, Sunny is confident in his ability to navigate the treacherous Antarctic Center and reach Falcon Scott, leveraging the improved infrastructure and the wind’s advantage in obscuring their scent from olfactory-dependent creatures.
The chapter highlights Sunny’s strategic adaptation to the dramatically increased scale of his operation. While the task of safeguarding thousands is daunting, the caravan’s formidable armament and Sunny’s unparalleled scouting capabilities offer a significant deterrent. The journey north promises to be arduous, but with Sunny at the helm, a palpable sense of determined resilience permeates the massive force, eager to face whatever threats lie ahead.
Chapter 968 Shifting Scales
The caravan pushes onward, the landscape a blur of dark terrain under the flickering aurora, soon obscured by renewed snow. Sunny grapples with the worsening conditions, the blizzard hinting at the presence of another titan. Their once confident pace has dissolved, replaced by relentless skirmishes with sea abominations that threaten to overwhelm them. The constant bombardment from the multitude of Gates corrodes their technology, a stark contrast to the Rhino’s specialized defenses.
Casualties are mounting, a grim reality that weighs heavily on Sunny. He finds himself unexpectedly affected by the loss of each soldier, the indignity of witnessing ordinary people sacrifice their lives while the truly powerful remain absent fueling his bitter anger. “Damned bastards…” he mutters, questioning his suitability for leadership as he feels the weight of command in this alien role, longing for the solitude of his past.
Despite the losses, the caravan’s numbers are inexplicably growing. Stragglers, lost soldiers, and stranded convoys are drawn to their organized force and Sunny’s leadership, swelling their ranks from thousands to tens of thousands. Sunny, unable to turn away those in need, finds his charge expanding exponentially with each passing day.
Chapter 969 Gifts Of The Shore
The escalating threat of a massive Nightmare Creature horde looms, its sheer scale stretching as far as Sunny’s enhanced vision can perceive. He grapples with the impossible choice: attempt a costly breach through the main body of the abominations, guaranteeing casualties, or risk a perilous race along the coastal highway, where a miscalculation could trap the entire caravan between the monster tide and the unforgiving ocean. The weight of command presses down as he weighs the odds, haunted by the lives entrusted to him.
“There’s a horde of Nightmare Creatures ahead. Full forward, and we will be taking a detour via the highway,” Sunny instructs Gere, his voice grim. “Inform everyone to prepare for a tough battle.” The decision is made, a desperate gamble to evade the immediate slaughter. The caravan, now a colossal entity, surges forward, the Rhino leading the charge as military vehicles and escorts push their engines to the limit, praying for a miraculous escape from the overwhelming monstrosity.
As they descend toward the highway, the narrow window of opportunity to outrun the horde begins to close. Sunny’s anxious gaze scans the colossal river of abominations, calculating the increasingly slim chances of success. The caravan’s very survival hinges on this desperate flight, each moment a tick closer to either salvation or utter annihilation against the encroaching darkness.
Chapter 970 Hellfire
Sunny braces for the inevitable, his mind a whirlwind of strategy as the Nightmare Creature horde looms. His desperate gamble to detour via the highway, hoping to outmaneuver the encroaching tide, appears to be failing. He knows casualties are unavoidable; his priority now is to shield the refugees, accepting that soldiers and vehicles will likely be sacrificed to create a path through the abomination’s mass. Resentment simmers as the reality of his miscalculation sinks in, and he prepares to join the fray, summoning his gear and Morgan’s Warbow.
Just as despair threatens to engulf him, a series of crimson lights pierce the blizzard, originating from the dark expanse of the ocean. A deafening roar follows, and the Nightmare Creatures ahead are ripped apart by earth-shattering explosions and blooming flames. The very ground trembles as the blizzard wall is unmade, revealing the source of this unexpected carnage: a massive, battered battleship adrift on the waves. Its hull is grotesquely scarred, yet its cannons unleash hell, tearing into the monster horde.
Sunny stares in disbelief, recognizing the mangled alloy of the vessel. This ghostly battleship, impossibly afloat despite its devastation, fires another devastating salvo, deliberately carving a path for the caravan by isolating a portion of the horde on the highway and obliterating others on the mountain slopes. “Did they really receive… reinforcements?” Sunny mutters, seizing this unforeseen opportunity. The intentions of the unknown captain are clear, offering a sliver of hope in the face of overwhelming odds, a chance to break free from the encroaching darkness.
Chapter 971 Strategic Retreat
The battered battleship’s artillery ceases, its final salvo spent. Sunny and his remaining forces, bolstered by the unexpected naval support, maintain a desperate defense as the horde surges. The corridor created by the ship’s bombardment allows most of the caravan to escape the mountain pass. As the last vehicles disappear, Sunny unleashes Shadow Manifestation, raising obsidian spikes to slow the pursuing abominations, buying precious moments for his soldiers to disengage. The MWPs lay down a carpet of remote-controlled mines, detonated in a cataclysmic blast that covers the retreat. Sunny watches the troops fall back, a cold smile touching his lips as he prepares to face the unleashed fury of the horde, joined by a bloodthirsty Nightmare.
“Hold! We are not done yet!” Sunny’s command echoes as Awakened soldiers expend their essence and mundane fighters empty their ammunition, grimly holding the line. The towering spikes, though temporary, break the horde’s momentum, allowing the MWPs to erect a wall of fire. Even as burning monsters erupt from the inferno, they are met with desperate steel and gunfire. The collective effort, a symphony of roaring engines, exploding ordnance, and bestial shrieks, pushes back the tide just long enough.
Finally, the last of the refugee transports vanishes into the swirling snow. Sunny signals the infantry to retreat, their withdrawal staged as personnel carriers ferry the depleted ranks away. The MWPs provide covering fire, laying a minefield in their wake. The Awakened mount the fleeing vehicles, and the mechanical behemoths themselves turn to continue their barrage. Left alone on the ravaged battlefield, Sunny feels the immense pressure of the horde closing in, but Nightmare emerges from the shadows, a formidable ally for the grim task ahead.
Chapter 972 Soulbound
As the surviving refugees escape, Sunny finds himself momentarily zoning out, the distant pops of Samara and the MWPs’ weapons a fading testament to the horde’s dwindling pursuit. His focus drifts to the [Prince of the Underworld] enchantment on his onyx armor, a long-held burden now finally fulfilled with a counter of six thousand vanquished foes. He’d hoped for a Rank increase, but the Mantle of the Underworld has only ascended to Tier VII, a modest upgrade that leaves him feeling a flicker of disappointment. Yet, a new enchantment, [Soulbound Relic], appears, posing a cryptic question: “[Bind the relic?]”
Hesitation gnaws at Sunny. Binding the Mantle to his soul is an unknown, a potentially double-edged sword offered as a reward for his monumental feat. He recalls how the Spell’s definition of “beneficial” doesn’t always align with his own understanding, referencing his troublesome Aspect and its innate [Shadow Bond]. The Mantle itself is a Memory of an artifact crafted by Nether, the Demon of Destiny, and Sunny suspects it once belonged to the Stranger, a hero of the Forgotten Shore. The unknown implications of this binding weigh heavily as he contemplates the implications of such a profound connection.
“I can’t believe I’ve finally done it,” he murmurs, the weight of past struggles echoing in his voice. He examines the runes again, the unyielding power of his inheritance now tinged with the mystery of this new connection. The [Soulbound Relic] enchantment offers no explanation, only the stark choice. The choice between the known limitations of his current power and the potentially perilous but rewarding path of binding this ancient artifact to his very essence, a decision that could redefine his connection to the Mantle and his own burgeoning power.
Chapter 973 Mutual Rescue
Naeve finds Sunny in charge of a vast refugee caravan, a significant shift from his previous understanding of Sunny’s role. “You are the commanding officer?” Naeve asks in bewilderment, “I just thought that you were supposed to be in charge of a single cohort of elite Awakened.” Sunny explains the dire situation has escalated, placing him in command of a battalion and thousands of refugees, and expresses his gratitude for Naeve’s timely rescue. He recognizes Naeve’s beached warship, the very vessel that transported his cohort to Antarctica, as being in a sorry state.
Naeve reveals their predicament, confessing, “it is us who need to be rescued.” His ship is crippled, and the surviving crew are ill-equipped for a land journey. He proposes a deal: “do you maybe have space in these vehicles for a few thousand shipwrecked sailors?” Sunny readily agrees, seeing potential in the salvaged cargo and inviting Naeve to discuss the details, curious about how his ship ended up so far from its intended route.
The truth emerges that Naeve’s ship, like others, was reassigned to patrol duties amidst escalating threats in the Antarctic Center. Their mission to secure the coastal highway for an upcoming army exodus was cut short when their battleship, despite a hard-won victory against a monstrous jellyfish, sustained catastrophic damage. Sunny, in turn, shares his own near-fatal experience of being stranded after his evacuation vessel was destroyed, questioning Army Command’s decision to separate naval assets. Naeve attributes their misfortune to underestimating the “Chain of Nightmare’s” influence on the oceans, a sentiment Sunny acknowledges as logical given the circumstances and the need for naval support in a communications blackout.
Chapter 974 Shadow In The Shell
Sunny successfully brokers a trade with Naeve, exchanging his surplus of Memories for much-needed land combat gear for Naeve’s few remaining Awakened. The desperate need for weapons and armor for Naeve’s depleted House of Night warriors is evident, with only four surviving from their battleship’s cohort. In return for equipping these warriors who will soon defend the caravan alongside others, Sunny secures two new aquatic Memories: the [Essence Pearl], a charm granting underwater breathing and enhanced vision, and the [Nimble Catch], a harness that significantly boosts swimming speed at the cost of all other armor protection.
The salvaged battleship’s thousands of sailors are integrated into the refugee caravan, bolstering its numbers and potential combat strength. Naeve’s dramatic arrival, saving the convoy with artillery fire, significantly boosts morale, solidifying his status as an admired Ascended. Sunny, reflecting on Naeve’s effective strategy, ponders its applicability to his own endeavors. With the caravan safe and moving inland, Sunny finally allows himself a moment of respite.
Seeking privacy, Sunny contemplates a risky move: binding the Mantle of the Underworld to his soul. Despite the unsettling prospect of losing his current armor, the Puppeteer’s Shroud, his intense curiosity drives him to proceed. He hesitates, then confirms the binding, eager to discover the consequences of this pivotal decision, leaving the reader to wonder what new abilities or transformations await him.
Chapter 975 Marble Shell
Sunny’s attention fixes on the runes for “Marble Shell,” a newly acquired attribute tied to the Mantle of the Underworld. He learns this is one of seven such armors forged by Nether, the ruler of the Underworld, for his favored creations. This revelation sparks Sunny’s contemplation of Saint and her kind, noting the resemblance between her armor and the Mantle, and realizing Saint, a mere foot soldier in Nether’s army, possessed a lesser version of such formidable power. The description details traits like [Living Stone], [Feather of Truth], [Stalwart], and [Underworld Armament], highlighting a significant boost in protection, particularly against mind and soul attacks. He also discovers [Mantle] and [Shell] represent mutually exclusive forms: the dormant “Shell” existing beneath his skin, offering muted benefits, and the active “Mantle.” Upon dismissing his Puppeteer’s Shroud, Sunny notices his skin appears paler and smoother, and to his surprise, it becomes as hard as stone when struck, a rigidity he can consciously control.
The Marble Shell’s attributes require direct essence circulation through his body, a peculiar but instinctively understood process. The chapter reveals the “Shell” form as dormant, offering the benefits of the Mantle of the Underworld, albeit in a weakened state. Sunny dismisses his Puppeteer’s Shroud, observing his skin now possesses a pale, smooth appearance and a peculiar hardness when pressure is applied, a trait he finds he can control consciously. This transformation leaves him to ponder the implications of this new defensive layer.
The attribute’s description further details its connection to Nether’s creations, prompting Sunny to recall Saint and her armored kin, whom he now understands to be lesser imitations of the Underworld Prince’s elite legions. The sheer scale of Nether’s army, capable of challenging gods, deeply unnerves him. He notes the elevation of the “Stalwart” trait, providing high protection against physical, elemental, mind, and soul attacks. “They had to have been pretty terrifying,” Sunny muses, considering the power of the beings who once warred with the gods.
