I finally made it out of the dungeon after defeating Vaelgorath. I was quite surprised to see how much EXP I had gained from defeating both Vaelgorath and Vorx. In fact, I had leveled up a staggering 14 levels.
Now, I was at level 85. I decided to focus on increasing my STR and AGI, as I needed stronger and faster attacks. This would also enhance the power of my aura-based attacks. As for magic, I felt that [Kagegiri] and [Grimoire of Darkness], which boosted my Dark Magic, were already sufficient.
Checking my notifications, I realized that I had obtained both dropped items and new skills. I decided to check the dropped items first. I received a [Ti-Turning Amulet] and a [Ring of Sacrifice].
The [Ti-Turning Amulet] was a legendary-rank item that could only be used once. It allowed its user to rewind ti by 10 minutes. It was almost identical to the skill Vaelgorath had used to heal his wounds.
"This item is amazing, Nao! We can save soone who’s dying right in front of us... especially our loved ones... No one else has to suffer the sa fate as Rosan." Envi spoke in my mind. He still sounded sad as he recalled Rosan.
"You’re right, Envi. I won’t let my loved ones die in front of ever again!" I declared with conviction.
Next, I examined the [Ring of Sacrifice], another legendary-rank item. When equipped, it granted a 15% bonus to Vitality, increasing maximum HP, and a 10% bonus to Defense, reducing incoming damage.
The ring also had two passive skills: [Last Stand]—when HP falls below 20%, all damage dealt increases by 30%, while damage received is reduced by 20% for 10 seconds. The second skill, [Sacrificial Revival], allowed the user to revive with 50% HP upon death without losing their soul, but the ring would be destroyed after activation.
I was truly astonished. This was by far the best defensive item I owned. Even though [Sacrificial Revival] could only be used once before destroying the ring, it would be invaluable in situations where I faced an unavoidable, instant-kill attack. This would be my trump card.
Smiling, I slipped the ring onto my finger. Instantly, I could feel my stats rising, especially my defense. Envi sounded delighted in my mind, remarking that we finally had a solid defensive item.
I then checked the new trait I had obtained—[The Godkiller Hour]. It granted several powerful effects when battling divine or unique monsters. While inside my magic domain, it boosted my AGI by 20% and my VIT by 30%. Additionally, when fighting a divine or unique monster, the trait granted the skill [Temporal Rift]—a powerful ability that allowed to stop ti for five seconds.
"This will be incredibly useful when we face another Unique Monster like Vaelgorath, Nao! You also gained the skill [Future Sight]! We won’t struggle as much as before. Though... we still don’t know just how strong the other Unique Monsters might be," Envi said in my mind.
I nodded in agreent. "You’re right, Envi. We need to organize our status points first."
With that, I opened my status window again and started allocating the points I had gained from leveling up.
---
Na: Naoki von Blackmore
Level: 85
Title: Hero Candidate of the Blackmore Family
Trait: Shadow Conqueror, Phantom Executioner, The Godkiller Hour
Condition: Exhausted.
HP (Hit Points): 1,300 / 5,750
MP (Mana Points): 800 / 9,300
Strength (STR): 140 ( 10%)
Vitality (VIT): 50 ( 15% from Sacrificial Ring)
Agility (AGL): 180
Intelligence (INT): 60 ( 25 from Grimoire, 10% from Bonehowl Ring)
Status Points that can be used: 0
Skills:
1. Swordsmanship Lvl 6:
Blackmore Katana Style:
Kazekiri | Inazuma | Yanagi Uke | Nisshou Giri | Kasoseki | Tsurugi no Mai | Tenshō Kōsen | Kuroi Tsuba | Dark Aura Katana | Judgent.
2. Resonance Lvl 3:
Karyuu no Issen | Suiryuu no Issen | Rairyuu no Issen.
3. Power of Incarnation Lvl 3
Yami Kiri no Seikatsu | Yami Gui no Giri | Akutsu.
4. Dark Magic Lvl 3:
Shadow Katana | Phantom Slash | Veil of the Phantom | Shadow Steps | Nightmare Tempest, Hundred Shadows |Abyssal Wrath Mode | Eternal Nightfall (Secret Magic) | Black Fla | Yami no Shogun | Shogun Dominion.
5. Eclipse Eyes Lvl 2.
6. Future Sight Lvl 1.
7. Grimoire of the Darkness Lvl 2.
Goddess Points: 185
---
Once I finished distributing my stats, I felt a surge of power course through my body. Updating my stats made even stronger!
I also checked another item I had obtained—the [Doomspire Blueprint Map]. The mont I opened it, both Envi and I were utterly shocked. It was a complete map of the Demon Kingdom, Doomspire, detailing the locations of every labyrinth, demon army base, and even the Demon King’s Tower where he was sealed.
"This is insane... Vorx actually left us sothing incredibly useful. This will make our assault on Doomspire much easier. But... do you trust this, Nao? What if Vorx was deceiving us?" Envi asked, his voice laced with doubt.
"I trust him, Envi. His eyes didn’t show any lies when he said he wanted to help . Deep down, he had a good heart... but that damn Demon King tainted him! I swear, I’ll make good use of this, Vorx... Rest in peace with Zorx on the other side." I held the map close to my chest, paying my final respects.
Envi fell silent, watching before letting out a small chuckle, as if he had expected to say that.
Afterward, I deactivated [Yami no Shogun] and [Abyssal Wrath Mode], causing my black samurai armor to disappear and my hair to return to its natural black color. My clothes were in tatters, and my body was covered in wounds and bruises.
"Ugh! Damn it! So I still took damage... Well, at least I’m not collapsing and waking up in a recovery room this ti."
Even though I had leveled up, my exhaustion and injuries hadn’t healed. I still needed rest.
Looking around the area outside the dungeon, I didn’t notice anything unusual at first. But as I walked farther, checking for any lingering enemy forces, I hoped to find Braveheart Kingdom’s troops or perhaps a professor from Braveheart Knight Academy.
The more we explored, the more uneasy Envi and I beca. Sothing was wrong. The aftermath of Zorx’s battle against Cain and his team, along with Arsene, should still be fresh. Yet, the battlefield looked old. The ground had already begun to nd itself.
Zorx’s and Cain’s attacks should have left behind a massive lava crater, but now, there was only a regular crater. That ant the battle had ended a long ti ago.
"This is strange, Envi... How long were we trapped in that dungeon fighting Vaelgorath? We should have only been there for a day... but this..." I muttered, seeking an answer from Envi, but he seed just as lost.
"Nao... Since Vaelgorath controlled ti, it’s possible we were trapped there for much longer than we realized. His skill [Annihilation Loops] must have distorted our perception of ti," Envi analyzed.
I clenched my fists, feeling a deep sense of dread creeping into my heart. The possibility of lost ti, of everything I knew changing while I was trapped, sent shivers down my spine.
"That’s possible... WAIT, DON’T TELL WE WERE IN THERE FOR A YEAR?! OR EVEN TEN YEARS?! THIS IS BAD!!!" I shouted in panic.
My mind raced. If ti had truly passed so differently, what had happened to my comrades? What of the kingdom? Had the war progressed without ? Had the people I swore to protect suffered in my absence?
"Calm down, Nao! We don’t know for sure yet. Let’s find so clues first," Envi urged, trying to keep from spiraling further into panic.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to think rationally. The first step was to find soone—anyone—who could tell us what had happened while we were gone. If ti had truly moved on without us, then I had a lot to catch up on... and possibly a lot to fix.
Envi also began to panic, exclaiming, "WAIT, DON’T TELL THE GIRLS HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN MARRIED?! Freya might have married Cain, Lyra, Alia, Serena—heck, even Milly might have kids by now!! NAO, THIS IS A DISASTER! YOU GOT LEFT BEHIND!!! I CAN’T ACCEPT THIS!!!" He wailed like a child, clutching his head in despair.
Hearing his words made my mind go blank.
Wait... Lyra, Freya, Alia, even Serena... No way!! My thoughts spiraled into chaos. An unbearable pressure filled my chest. My breath hitched, my fingers trembled, and my legs suddenly felt weak. What if everything had changed? What if the people I swore to protect had moved on?
A cold sweat ran down my spine as countless worst-case scenarios played out in my mind. Had I lost them? Had I beco nothing but a ghost of the past?
"No... no... this can’t be real...!" I muttered under my breath, barely able to contain my rising panic.
As we spiraled deeper into our shared despair, a sudden sound snapped out of it—the soft rustling of footsteps on dirt. My senses sharpened in an instant. Soone was approaching.
A lone figure walked toward us, carrying a bundle of food in her arms. The golden glow of the setting sun cast a warm halo around her, making her look almost ethereal. My eyes locked onto hers, and in that mont, ti seed to freeze.
Her violet eyes widened in disbelief. Her delicate hands trembled, and in the next second, the bundle she was holding slipped from her grasp, scattering bread and wrapped fruits across the ground.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips. "It can’t be...!"
Then, she ran.
Her movents were frantic, her breaths uneven as she closed the distance between us. My mind barely had ti to register what was happening before she collided into with full force, wrapping her arms around in a desperate embrace.
A familiar warmth. A scent I had longed for.
Ahh... this sensation, this voice... I know this small fra and sweet fragrance.
"NAOKI-SAMA!! YOU’RE BACK!!!"
It was Lyra.
Her small body trembled as she clung to , her sobs muffled against my chest. I could feel her nails digging into my back as if she was afraid I would vanish again if she let go.
She was crying. Hard. The weight of all her emotions poured into —fear, relief, sorrow, and overwhelming joy.
I hesitated for only a mont before gently wrapping my arms around her, pulling her closer. The warmth of her embrace lted the last remnants of my panic, replacing it with an overwhelming sense of relief.
"I’m ho, Lyra... I’m sorry for making you wait," I whispered, my voice soft yet filled with deep emotion.
She only cried harder, gripping onto my clothes as if refusing to let go. And so, I held her, letting her cry in my arms as the golden light of the setting sun bathed us in its glow.
I had returned. And at least, one person had still been waiting for .
...
..
.
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