HideousGrain
patreon
Forgotten Lands - Chapter 51 (Book 2)
🕑 Added 2024-07-03 10:00:06 +0000 UTCIt was just like everyone had expected. Zayn’s root network inflicted more damage to the surroundings than the Demon Horde. Fortunately, nobody complained about the damages. Earth Mages, the Dwarven Artisans, and others could fix the damage caused to the volcano’s insides and Spyro’s walls. It would be a bit pricey, but the money was well invested.
At the end of the day, it was always better to destroy some things to protect lives than leave others to die. The volcano and Spyro’s walls could be repaired. Dead people couldn’t be brought back to live just like that.
His root network changed the tide on the battlefield. The Demons were restrained and slowed down, creating openings for the defenders to strike and kill. That was what everyone reported to the City Lord, who thanked Zayn personally for saving the city, saying he would reward him and Golden Age generously.
That was an obvious matter in Zayn’s opinion, just like the fortune he and his people should receive from the 7th Princess for completing her mission. He didn’t remember how many Demons he had killed, but since his root network created a major change on the battlefield, Zayn was considered to have contributed to more than 70% of all kills.
The notifications also clearly showed this. His root network contributed to most kills, while his Spirit Souls did an excellent job finishing countless weakened and restrained enemies.
Once again, Zayn was overjoyed with his Class Path. It had been the correct decision not to rush anything and to research carefully before picking his Class Path.
He looked at his Foundation Orbit sheet with a bright smile.
[Foundation Orbit]
[Star of Vitality – Novice 370/1000] [+25%] [+32%]
[Star of Strength– Novice 380/1000] [+25%] [+32%]
[Star of Agility – Basic 500/1000] [+25%] [+32%]
[Star of Dexterity – Novice 325/1000] [+25%] [+32%]
[Star of Spirit– Basic 2500/10,000] [+25%]
Mind Power and Enhanced Existence of the Extraordinary Physique Card Set had leveled up, increasing the Card Set’s Level to 32. The change to his Foundation’s potency and the percentage increase of Physique Boon were obvious, but so was the increase of all Foundation Stars.
His Star of Spirit was the highest, as it should be, but even his physical attributes were much stronger than before. It was only obvious, but Zayn managed to procure a mountain of Soul Essences from fighting the Demon horde.
‘Contributing to almost every Demon slain on the battlefield was helpful.’ He chuckled inwardly but noticed something else.
“Wait a moment…”
Zayn checked the interface of his Heart Deck.
Heart Deck – Soul Lord
Tier-3
Connected Cards: 29
Card Limit: 29
Card Slots: 20
Class Card Slots: 3
Spirit Card Slots: 6
Stored Soul Essences: 31
“So, I actually managed to reach Tier-3 without having to complete a mission?” Zayn asked, checking the Heart Deck multiple times to confirm that it said Tier-3.
He had somehow expected this, but for him to cross another threshold as simple as that felt weird. He remembered struggling to advance to Tier-2 and Tier-3 in the last cycle and how amazing he’d felt upon meeting the requirements to advance.
Still, advancing to Tier-3 just like that was amazing. It was probably not within the Primordial Pantheon’s calculations as well.
‘I don’t remember anyone advancing to Tier-3 in the Forgotten Lands’ period. There are still two months left before the six-month mark.’ Zayn’s smile grew wider and wider.
‘Once I’m done with the Demon King, I could…’
He shuddered in excitement, goosebumps covering his entire body.
**
Everyone was busy repairing Spyro, thoroughly cleansing the battlefield from drops and Demon corpses, and approaching the City Lord’s attendants and the 7th Princess, opening their pouches and pockets as wide as possible to claim the mission rewards.
Nobody noticed Zayn’s disappearance.
He wasn’t hiding and didn’t flee to avoid other people’s attention. It was just that the window of opportunity wasn’t big.
Zayn blinked to the spires, one after another, and pressed the Blood Seal into their designated spot, only to remove it a second later. He spread a trace of the Blood Seal’s power into all spires before blinking behind the camouflaged entrance leading deeper inside the sentient volcano.
The surrounding was dimly lit by azure wisps swirling everywhere around him. Zayn could have used them to strengthen his energy control, absorbing the wisps to gain more power. However, the azure wisps, which were particles of highly concentrated energy, were needed to supply the Blood Seal and keep the Demon King’s chamber open for a while.
Zayn wasn’t sure how much time he would spend in the Demon King’s chamber, but having more time than needed was always better. It would be a hassle to run out of time.
‘Let’s hurry.’ He told himself before accelerating. He rushed down to the deepest parts of the tunnel. Zayn was drenched in sweat from the unbearable heat bombarding him from all directions.
He tried ignoring the heat and focusing on the massive black gate with countless intricate enchantments, only to realize that the double door was open. It was only a narrow slit, but that was enough to shake Zayn thoroughly. He was ready to engage in combat as he pressed his hand holding the Blood Seal against the gate. The Blood Seal cracked and shattered like Zayn had expected, and the massive doors swung open, revealing the Demon King’s chamber.
‘What the’ Zayn nearly blurted aloud when the dark, imposing, and majestic space of the Demon King’s chamber unraveled before him. It would have evoked fear and awe within Zayn’s heart if not for the Demon King sitting on the throne. He was chained to the throne, to be precise.
The Demon King’s chamber was a vast, cavernous hall, dimly lit by flickering torches on the rough obsidian walls. Zayn had no idea how the torches survived hundreds of years, but he ignored that for the safety of his sanity. He had seen more miraculous things in the last decades.
The air was thick with an ominous, sulfurous scent. Zayn sneezed once and cursed quietly, but his attention remained at the center of the chamber where the massive throne-like seat carved from onyx was located. The throne was adorned with intricate runes that glowed with malevolent red light. Fortunately, the malevolent red light was on his side. It kept the Demon King glued to the throne. The chains restraining the Demon King were azure blue, a big contrast to the malevolent red of the onyx throne.
However, Zayn paid more attention to the Demon King, who eyed him through his violet eyes. He flashed a very human-like smile at him but didn’t say anything.
Instead, he looked deep into Zayn’s eyes, appraising him. But that was not all. Zayn felt that there was more to the Demon King’s eyes. He felt a chill and went into a combat stance.
However, before Zayn realized what was happening, he found himself nowhere. No. The scenery around him changed again.
It wasn't easy to breathe all of a sudden. His body was heavy, and pain flooded him.
His chest heaved up and down heavily, and he found himself unable to see from his right eye. His sight in the left eye was hazy as well. Zayn couldn’t even muster enough strength to get up from the ground.
‘Why am I on the ground in the first place?’ Zayn wondered, but he could not continue the train of thought.
He looked down and saw his legs shredded into bits of flesh and muscles. That was all he could see.
‘I’m missing my right leg.’ Zayn barely registered while feeling his blood and internals gushing out from several gaping wounds in his chest, draining the last bits of his life rapidly.
It was weird. Despite dying, Zayn wasn’t sad. Not really, at least. He somehow expected to die. Even though he survived countless adversaries, Zayn was certain he would die sooner or later.
The only satisfaction was the heart resting in his hands. It was engraved with countless miniature runes and glowed brightly. Silver blood gushed from the heart, spreading across his fingers and mixing with his crimson blood.
Zayn realized something, but the realization was wiped from his memories when a flood of regret filled his heart. His body stiffened, and a single tear trickled down his cheeks.
Darkness embraced him.
Zayn died.
Zayn’s eyes shot open. He gasped for air and stared at the human-like Demon King, who flashed his teeth at him.
A moment later, the world around him changed again, pulling Zayn back to when his family had died.
“Noo!!!” Zayn screamed at the top of his lungs, his subconscious tapping into his Heart Deck.
[Clear Mind has been activated. Anomaly has been detected.]
[Anomaly has been removed. Mind has been cleared.]
[Proficiency of Clear Mind reached 100%. Level 4 → Level 5]
Zayn was back in the Demon King’s chamber, his mind cleared from the illusion.
“Stop that!” He growled at the Demon King, who chuckled in amusement.
“It took you long enough to reach this place. You are almost out of time,” He said, his voice oddly sonorous and pleasant to listen to.
Zayn frowned. The urge to kill the Demon King immediately and transform him into a Spirit Soul overcame him, but he held back. He needed the Demon King alive for a few more minutes, at least.
“I have more than enough time. The Demon Horde has been eliminated, and you are no longer a threat to me. Your mind games won’t help you escape.”
“Escape?” The Demon King chuckled. I don’t wish to escape. Even if I could escape this prison, it would be useless.”
The chains tingled as the Demon King used the bits of strength left in his body to shrug.
“Everything is fake, either way,” He said.
These few words were enough to attract Zayn’s interest.
“Fortunately, someone like you arrived at last. I can sense the power of the Soul Lord within you. That’s good. It is much better than I expected. I guess it was worth waiting so long for someone like you.”
Zayn’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits.
“You know what is going on here, don’t you?” He guessed, resulting in a vibrant smile from the Demon King.
“You are a fast one,” The Demon King nodded, “I know that I’m merely a perfect replication of my true body.”
