Chapter 62
The Anchorage Castle walls that stood for many years were now covered with moss and vines, a stark contrast to its former grandeur. The once imposing structure now seemed to blend into the surrounding forest, as nature slowly reclaimed its territory. The castle had small illuminating crystal imbedded on the walls every few meters, to let those who would venture into the castle and cross the gorge in the past would not get lost, or accidentally fall of the edge in the past.
But because the place lost its upkeep and regular maintenance, the large man-made structure has surrendered to nature, throughout the years the light of the crystal, was covered, and now only had a faint glow could be seen through the overgrowth of the vegetation . The once clear path to the castle was now obscured by tangled branches and fallen debris, making it nearly impossible to navigate without a guide.
Bai Xifeng, who was raised in the city and relied mostly on her teammate when conducting a quest , was now alone in an unfamiliar place. Their foolish attempts to get the lotus plant first clouded their thinking. Overconfidence was their first mistake, and the lack of preparation was the second mistake. They assumed it was an easy mission, as they were just going to pick flowers from an edge of the gorge opening.
Seeing the lotus plant finally blossom as soon as the quest cleared was the moment they were waiting for, and they knew many guilds would also enter the area illegally. Why not be the first one to secure such a precious plant?
Jin Xifeng, 25 years old and level 25 Dao (Saber), Bai, the older brother, and the rest of the fifteen-member guild came to a unanimous decision that led to this particular situation. She walked slowly near the wall and hoped she would reach the castle entrance gate. She used her mana detection skill that consumes mana per second, walking in darkness following only the faint light from the illuminating crystals. Bai Xifeng could see creatures roaming inside the forest. The reason these creatures were not attacking her was because of the smell of poison on her body.
Bai Xifeng had coated herself in poison to deter the creatures from attacking her, a risky move that had paid off so far. She knew she had to reach the castle entrance gate quickly before the effects wore off and she became vulnerable to their attacks.
Reaching the castle gate by just the sense of her touch was nerve-wracking until she was able to feel the different wood-like texture and a small illuminating slith from what it seems to be coming from a gap from the gate of the castle.
Bai Xifeng pushed the open gap of the gate until her slender body could enter the gap. As she stepped inside, the faint glow from the gap illuminated the path ahead, guiding her through the darkness of the castle grounds. Bai Xifeng knew she had to move quickly and stealthily to avoid detection from any lurking creatures within that made the place its nest. But to her amazement, she noticed her vision was starting to clear, and the light from the crystal was getting brighter, as it was left and designed that way. The open castle ground was dim, but as she got closer to the main receiving lobby, the lightt inthe staircasee going up towardthe entrancee was betterilluminated .
The interior inside was already broken and ruined, with signs of creatures ransacking the place, but Bai Xifeng's mana detection saw no creatures inside the castle lobby. It was meant for those who wished to cross the gorge; it was more like a lodge than a castle. The eerie silence inside the lobby was unsettling, making Bai Xifeng wonder what had caused the destruction of such a once grand establishment.
The lobby of the receiving hall was spacious, with space for roughly fifty people. She was now certain that no one who worked here stayed because of the many dusty, broken, and expensive-looking couches. Suite cases and other items were strewn about, collecting dust, and there was a slight stench of decay in the air. As Bai Xifeng ventured deeper into the deserted Anchorage Castle, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Her curiosity grew as she moved forward. Whatever had happened here had obviously been abrupt and tumultuous, leaving a lingering trace of the past.
She was able to reach what appeared to be a large reinforced window frame that was ten feet by twenty feet and overlooked the large chandelier that illuminated her vision. As she looked out the window , there were remnants of what appeared to be the open pathway on both sides toward the main suspension bridge opening and the transportation walkway for those who would walk toward the other side. And above her was the main office room of the castle administrator's veranda.
Bai Xifeng saw a long, black-looking metallic tube dangling above the veranda above her; it was moving and swinging in different directions. She saw the fog was still, but the leaves from the trees on the edge of the gorge were being thrown away by the strong wind, so Bai Xifeng assumed the black dangling tube was moving because of the wind. She sat on the floor and hid behind the couches spread out under the hanging chandelier..
The place seems to be the main observation of those who were traveling toward the other side. And waited for her brother to come , she was praying that a few of her team were still alive and just got lost along the way. She was actually right, as her brother and teammate were lucky to still be alive, wounded and some paralyzed, but all ten out of the fifteen were still breathing.
For some reason, the humanoid-looking monsters were particularly delighted to capture these players, as they were intended for a different purpose. Bai Xifeng fell asleep on the cold floor as she used the old, dusty curtains hanging beside the large window, to keep her body warm. The gorge was surprisingly colder atnight.t Even without eating, shewas tooo stressed, exhausted, and emotionally drained to stay awake. The thought of her brother and teammates alreadybeinge dead was overwhelming, but she held onto hope that they were still alive somewhere. As she drifted off into a fitful sleep, Bai Xifeng's mind raced with plans for escape and rescue missions to save her brother and friends.
Meanwhile, Dane was already aware of the situation and saw how the female player maintained her composure despite the dire circumstances. The other serpents that detached from his armor had already roamed the castle and transmitted all the information they could gain, and because of the increase of his mana capacity, the serpents were about to move farther than before and retain their form and connection to Dane's mind.
The serpents and flying owls were truly a great asset to Dane, allowing him to gather intelligence and strategize effectively. These were extensions of his own body, as he constantly used these two. The formless armor has already upgraded and changed classification. Dane didn't pay much attention to its newness, as the notification kept coming based on the information lightly flashing on his newly fashioned armband that was also part of the Amorphous Metallic Armor..
Dae was busy reading the books beside the Anchorage Castle administrative head office. He was hoping to fill in the missing pieces of the map he was creating to establish an actual and correct destination to connect his teleportation gate burst spell; Dane didn't want to add this spell to be part of his skill, as he sees it as not compatible with any hunting task.
The five skills he gained were already infused into one, including the fire bullet, the lightning wide attack spell, and the healing spell, and because he created this before entering the tower, out of curiosity and a desire for efficiency, his skill tree finally grew into a tree and created many branches related to what the roots absorb. And based on the magic language, the seed will become a sprout, and the foundation of the skill tree will continue to grow and expand as he gains more experience and knowledge in the magical arts. This unique abnormal growth of his skill tree is based on his previous knowledge and assumptions that many players have already achieved this.
Dane was obviously thinking too highly of the players inside the first floor. Little did he know, his skill tree was evolving in a completely unexpected way, setting him apart from the rest. As he never actually delved deeper into the skill tree that Jewel Adkins, his former gaming system designer, had created, Dane had the information but had never actually experienced the effects and potential of his unique skill tree.
As he always tested the virtual game by going into the back door of the main server system, that was when it was still a virtual game, but living inside the tower was a totally different feeling and realization. Believing that something has already happened or is true without actually experiencing it can lead to misconceptions of the actual reality.
Dane's curiosity and desire to fully understand the landscape he and his team created covered his perception to a certain degree that was still part of his personality, having a savant syndrome tends to come out like this, causing him to immerse himself fully in one thing. This intense focus on gaining knowledge may have blurred his ability to differentiate between what was practical and what was purely theoretical. As a result, Dane may have overlooked important practical considerations in favor of delving deeper into his intellectual pursuits, potentially leading to unforeseen events.
Dane knew this and desperately tried to fix this. He saw this act and focus mindset to be the real cause he wasn't able to see his parents for a long time , until they passed away. The moment he noticed this, Dane closed the third book he was reading and made a mental note to reduce this habit of his and create a more balanced approach to his new second life.
ensuring he made time for both intellectual pursuits and practical considerations. He knew he vowed to prioritize relationships and experiences over solitary studies, recognizing the importance of a well-rounded life.
The two books he managed to finish; the first book was more of a memoir of the master of this ruined castle; it covered the Karion Empire's history and essential details he needed to create his map. Every known establishment's distance was noted, and the map in his subconscious library provided him with additional knowledge about the empire and the creation of the infamous demon's mouth at the gorge and the significance of its creation to the events that actually led to the empire's downfall, as the writer of the book was a direct witness to those events. His writing would not only be accurate but also rich in historical context, making it a valuable resource. But sadly, nobody took interest in what happened to the Anchorage Castle.
And with the help of important landmarks and places noted for further research, the map was 36% finished. He was excited for the experiences that awaited him in his new life and felt a feeling of success as he kept adding to his mental map.
As he delved deeper into his research, he found himself gaining a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between different regions within the empire. This newfound knowledge fueled his determination to create a map that not only showcased geographical features but also captured the essence of the empire's rich history and culture.
The second volume contained research studies on unsuccessful magical spells and the ensuing fallout, serving as a warning to anyone attempting to tamper with the magic language. Although many forbidden spells were described in writing, the book did not fully record the language to prevent any wizard from using the spell.
Dane placed the book down, and he stood up and saw it was already night. He took out a few pieces of equipment from his dimensional storage; Dane was delighted that Wrenla Bouldergrove gave him the portable cooking artifact that was placed neatly inside a five by 18 by 24 inch metallic box. It has every item you could ever need; the frying pan was included in this lightweight container.
The metal container was handcrafted and was adorned with intricate engravings of various mythical creatures. Dane marveled at the craftsmanship and felt grateful for Wrenla's thoughtful gift. It had a simple design and was very easy. To use it, it was like opening a suitcase.
it even had small bottles for condiments and spices. Dane smiled as he began to prepare a meal, grateful for the thoughtful gift from his friend's wife. Dane sadly still has no barrier spell to block any unwanted visitors from interrupting his peaceful cooking sessions.
He knew doing this might catch unwanted attention. And just hope the wind out of the office room he was in was enough to scatter the smell, but these were all precautions he had to take in order to enjoy his cooking in peace. As he continued to cook, Dane couldn't help but wonder if he should invest in some magical barrier protection.
The aroma of sizzling food filled the air, making him feel at peace in the tranquil night. The Amorphous Metallic Armor did its best to ensure Dane's safety to its full capability, but it was created more for strategic fighting than casual daily use.
But when Dane fused the six skills and accidentally created a replica of the formless armor that has similar capability, his skill was more autonomous and had a certain sentient inclination to learn gradually. With the help of Miko and Ward, the entity that was created from those six skills created something like a pet.
This new entity seemed to possess a unique intelligence and curiosity, making it more than just a mere tool for killing and hunting. As it interacted with Miko and Ward, the bond between them followed their command and even allowed the two to gain physical form in the shape of the serpent and the Hored Owl.
The entity sees itself as a pet watching over its master. And even without Ward and Mikos's direct influence, it can still perform any task it can learn on its own, showcasing its independent nature and ability to adapt to new situations. This unexpected development added a new layer of complexity to their relationship, blurring the lines between master and pet even further.
Another misconception Dane hasn't realized yet is that the entity's loyalty extends beyond just Ward and Mikos, as it has shown a willingness to protect others who have earned its trust. This unanticipated level of devotion has solidified the entity's place as not just a pet, but a true silent companion to Danes who are fortunate enough to have its allegiance.
Meanwhile, Ward and Miko were nearing the end of their discussion. And their casual talk turned into a large, unprecedented development in what Dane needs to gain. Miko was able to learn that souls are another form of energy. An immaterial aspect or essence of a living being, this revelation sparked a flurry of emotions: excitement at the possibilities and anxiety over the unknown implications. Miko realized that this knowledge was both a gift and a challenge, a key to unlocking new potential.
Fusing these souls into a new body could potentially solve Dane's issue with a lack of manpower.
Dane obtained the skill to create golems made of nonliving materials, mostly soil or rock , but creating a homunculus that has actual souls can provide a more effective and efficient solution.
However, the ethical implications of manipulating souls in this way weighed heavily on Miko's mind as she considered the consequences of such actions. Ultimately, she knew that the decision would require careful consideration and moral reflection before moving forward with this plan.
But Miko pointed out the orbs floating inside her subconscious room were actually numbering into the thousands and were all killed. And longed to gain some change to be reborn again in somre otheer form. Miko learned many things as she conversed with these souls and understood their suffering and untimely deaths. The orbs that glowed white were kind and gentle, while the orbs that glowed red emanated anger and resentment.
These red orbs were separated and were removed from Dane's body and remain in the underground graveyard on the hill where Dane rested. The souls that remain were the ones that entered the library , hoping to get Miko's or Ward's attention.
These souls waited as their faith in their gods promised them salvation, but after many years the only thing they saw was the greed and more death. So they remained silent until they felt a new type of energy; it was raw, powerful, and full of potential. It was then that they realized their chance for true liberation may have finally arrived. So these souls took the risk of fading away and latched onto Dane's body. Luckily, Dane's mana engine doesn't absorb energy with sentience.
Since chaos energy lacked a moral compass and objectives, many people mistakenly believed it to be wicked. Dane was able to manage it according to his needs; it was just a force of the cosmos.
Miko and Ward needed to fully understand that Dane's gained golden skill can be used to become a vessel to these souls to increase his workforce, and the only thing he needs is absolute loyalty. The souls were hopeful that the knowledge they shared would grant them the opportunity to gain physical bodies. The upgraded formless armor, or Amorphous Metallic Armor somewhat understood. The plan and wanted to convey its agreement. So without warning, it created a visual representation of itself inside the subconscious mind and outside the physical realm as a fox.
Dane saw the liquid metal move and drip from Dane's sleeves and move on its own. Dane was curious and never once felt scared as the dark liquid moved and started to take shape. Dane smiled as a small fox emerged and playfully interacted with him.
Ward and Miko also saw the formless armor upgrade capability; it was now about to relay messages by projecting holographic images. The two were amazed by the fox's ability to communicate with them through intricate movements and gestures; they had a hunch that the formless armor was different. And they were correct. Ward mentally talked to Dane.
As Dane already assumed, certain matters that were happening were because the formless armor gained an upgrade. Ward and Miko were happy that Dane understood the drastic changes. Miko requested that Dane enter the library so they could openly discuss the plan concerning the thousands of souls that latch on to his body..
Before Dane could agree , he asked the fox to guard his body. The fox's tail suddenly grew and wrapped around Dane's body like a blanket. He smiled and told the fox he shall name him Kitsune , in honor of the mythical fox like creatures from Japanese folklore.
Dane naming sense was a bit awkward , but he like simple things, making complicated things wasn't his style, so naming the formless armor to kitsune was the easiest thing he could thing off.
the fox wagged his tail in approval, clearly pleased with his new name. Dane casually stored the portable cooking tools after eating , Kitsune's long and large furry tail moved ever so gently to help his master do what he intended to do, and then after Dane returned to his seating posture and started to meditate, he entered the library, eager to learn more about the souls that had attached themselves to him.
Sadly, a certain person smelled the food Dane cooked and ate, and because Kitsune was the upgraded Amorphous Metallic Armor. It changed Dane's appearance in case it needed to ward the female player away from its master. Dane's appearance became the Netherborn, and Kitsune changed its light grey color to a darker shade.. and move ever so lightly while its tail continued to cover and protect its master.
When Bai Xifeng saw the fox walking toward her at the edge of second floor staircase that was directly facing the broken room wall were Dane was staying. she felt tangible fear and could not move a step backward, knowing how powerful the being seated a few feet from where she stood was. Kitsune felt no hostile intent toward the female player , but instead it was hungry and scared.
wall that supposed to separate the administrative room was gone, she could see what was inside the room facing the veranda, she could only swallow her saliva and hold her breath as the fox was emitting enough mana to make her body tremble.
Kitsune was aware that people can conceal their true motivations with ease, so the young, dark-furred, golden-eyed creature lunged at Bai Xifeng to frighten her. However, this action caused her to fall backward, tumble unconscious down the stairs, and land on the ground floor from where she came from.