Chapter 1094: Level 9 (12)
Beyond the cold, transparent corridor, a gigantic praying mantis wandered.
Its discolored forelegs hung limply as it stared blankly into the void, taking steps.
Its gait, with its insectoid abdomen swaying from side to side, lacked even a shred of vitality.
It merely wandered a fixed route repeatedly, like a machine operating on an algorithm.
Hiss, hiss…!
Empty air leaked from the praying mantis’s slowly breathing mouth.
Its internal organs were broken, preventing actual respiration; it was merely mimicking the act.
[Erosion Rate 35%]
Rumble!!!
Instantly, with a heavy impact sound, the bulkhead sealing the sector slowly began to open.
Outside the bulkhead, Lennok stood with an expressionless face, staring at the praying mantis.
In his hand was a powerful Ruyi Orb, radiating a brilliant glow.
…!
The Ruyi Orb’s brilliance flashed at the edge of the bulkhead.
But the praying mantis did not miss the movement of photons scattered at the particle level.
Screech!!
As it stopped walking and turned, its tattered wings spread wide on both sides.
Inorganic mana jetted from beneath the torn wing membranes, adding propulsion.
Whoosh!!
The gigantic, tens-of-meters-long praying mantis accelerated at an imperceptible speed.
With a single flap of its wings, it reached the end of the immeasurably long, distant glass-walled corridor.
As it twisted its body to brake and raised its forelegs, mana imbued with keen edge rose like a blade.
A diagonal slash soared up, grazing the ceiling and floor, cleaving everything in half.
Slice!!
Scattered shelves. Unknown ores. Dust-covered, ancient relics were cleanly bisected.
But not a trace of the light the praying mantis had perceived remained within.
“Over here.”
…!!!
A clear voice came from behind the praying mantis.
Before it knew it, Lennok stood before the bulkhead leading to the next sector, holding the Ruyi Orb.
Vwoom…!
Simultaneously, the presence of an immense energy was felt from the opposite direction of the voice.
The praying mantis, sensing it, momentarily faltered in its judgment, stopping in its tracks.
[Birth Star]
Boom!!!
From within the praying mantis’s head, a strange resonant sound accompanied a powerful silver light that began to emanate.
Inside its head. A heat source boiled up from the nervous system, which governed thought, rapidly concentrating.
The moment the praying mantis, feeling it, screamed and thrashed its forelegs convulsively.
Bang!!
The praying mantis’s head exploded on the spot, scattering into fragments.
The headless praying mantis’s forelegs continued to unleash dozens of slashes in all directions.
Clatter!!!
The brilliance of the slashes flashed, madly scraping the glass-walled corridor, as if to cut through the outer wall.
Lennok, standing before the bulkhead to the next sector, reached out his hand toward the slashes falling above his head.
The moment Lennok’s hand touched the slashes, the praying mantis’s remaining attacks shifted direction and speed.
Whiz!!
With a strange tearing sound, they curved behind Lennok, struck the firmly closed bulkhead, and vanished.
[It seems you’ve mastered a curious new technique in my absence.]
Olivera, sweeping aside her veil, emerged from behind and asked.
[Is that a trick to mimic those Conjunction Spell Masters?]
“I got a feel for how to use Severing Magic. I used it in Nives’s domain, but you probably didn’t see it.”
Only then did Lennok let out a low sigh and withdraw his hand.
“We’ve only just begun to enter the Ninth Tribulation, and it’s already not easy. Do we have to keep facing things like this?”
After retrieving the remains and Ruyi Orb from the vault located in the outer region of the Ninth Tribulation, which they received from Maleon.
The group, led by Maleon, officially began their deep entry into the Ninth Tribulation.
Lennok, holding the Ruyi Orb, opened bulkheads and facility doors, while Maleon dealt with the wandering Founders.
In this Spacetime of the Ninth Tribulation, filled with all sorts of variables and singularities, complex strategies were a luxury.
Until now, simple agreement had been enough, but the problem was the increasingly dangerous remains of the Founders themselves.
Even the praying mantis they had just fought possessed a strength on a different level from other Long-lived Beings encountered in the outer regions.
“This praying mantis. It imbues its forelegs with mana and swings them, creating slashes that surpass most spellcraft.”
Lennok said, looking down at the fallen praying mantis.
“It’s just using its physical characteristics, yet it becomes a technique comparable to spellcraft.”
“Mandros. It seems that was its name in life.”
Thud!!
Maleon, who had walked out with a heavy roar, replied.
“It was one of Kundara’s Founders, and a Long-lived Being known as the ‘Mantis Cleaver’ [螳削].”
Even after exploding the praying mantis’s head, starlight rotated fiercely in his hand.
Maleon, clenching his fist to extinguish the starlight, silently looked down at the praying mantis.
“Among those who founded Kundara, he was the most prideful warrior. They say a sanctuary honoring him still remains in the outer regions of the Eighth Tribulation.”
“…”
“It is an unfortunate truth, but this was the only solace that could be granted to them.”
Maleon slowly bowed his head, his hands clasped in a formal salute.
“This, too, must be the karma I bear.”
“You seem to know more about the deceased Founders in the Ninth Tribulation than I expected.”
Lennok, glancing aside, asked.
“Is that possible because of the unknown spiritual entity currently being absorbed into your body?”
Whoosh…!!!
The spiritual entity flowing from the praying mantis’s corpse was being absorbed into Maleon’s body.
Maleon was calmly accepting it, neither pushing it away nor refusing it.
“You, too, must be new to the Ninth Tribulation, yet you’ve known an unusual amount about its environment and secrets.”
“…”
“It wasn’t merely information acquired through texts. Are you reading the memories of the Long-lived Beings you’ve annihilated?”
“I absorb their Dead Thoughts, read their names and memories, and gather the meaning of the death they left behind.”
Maleon calmly conceded.
“It is the only solace that I, having gained qualification and entered the Ninth Tribulation, can offer them.”
“…”
“We were able to deal with the Long-lived Beings wandering the outer regions with ease, but as we go deeper, even stronger entities will appear.”
Maleon slowly rose, his gaze turning grave.
“Those who guard the deepest part of the Ninth Tribulation might have preserved their full power and appearance from life, even after death.”
“Didn’t this Long-lived Being we just met largely preserve its appearance from life?”
Lennok said with a calm gaze.
“Considering the wear on its wing membranes, its vital activities must have ceased decades ago. Yet, it was still moving perfectly, ‘wandering’ this place.”
“…”
“Is this what you meant by the ‘wandering ones,’ Maleon? The corpses of the Founders, wandering the Ninth Tribulation, neither dead nor alive?”
Immediately after entering the Ninth Tribulation, Lennok was moving with Maleon to find their way.
The Tenth Coffer, where Kaiser’s body is said to be stored.
Given its significance, they would undoubtedly have to penetrate to the deepest part of the Ninth Tribulation to find it.
The problem was that the Spacetime of the Ninth Tribulation, resembling a transparent space station, was more vast than expected.
The entire Ninth Tribulation was affected by spatial distortion, making it difficult to gauge its scale and direction through mana perception.
They had no choice but to find their way and confirm directions visually as they advanced.
The problem was the corpses of the Founder Long-lived Beings they encountered along the way, still moving even after death.
“It’s been a long time since it died, but it hasn’t decayed.”
Lennok’s gaze deepened as he ran his hand over the crumbling praying mantis corpse.
“It effectively remained preserved in a low-temperature, low-moisture environment, as if embalmed.”
“…”
“This is virtually a mummy, crafted from the corpse of a Long-lived Being.”
Each one was not only a powerful, high-tier Long-lived Being but also retained their combat abilities from life.
Not only did they boast monstrous martial prowess through pure physical ability, but some even used spellcraft after death.
They barely took damage from ordinary physical blows, and even when crushed and shattered, they continued to move stubbornly.
Currently, the easiest way to deal with them was for Maleon to use his Primitive Magic to instantly explode their heads, giving them no chance to react.
“As we delve deeper, the Erosion Rate continues to climb.”
[Erosion Rate 47%]
Lennok pointed to the Erosion Rate written on the bulkhead.
“The Erosion Rate will probably reach 100% the moment we reach the very end of the Ninth Tribulation.”
“…”
“This very rate must also be connected to the phenomenon that turned Kundara’s Founders into mummies, right?”
“Someone had to complete the Ninth Tribulation, remain within, and close the door.”
Maleon’s gaze sank immeasurably deep.
“It’s not that they didn’t yearn for life. But as non-Ascendants, they wouldn’t have found a way to open the Ninth Tribulation, nor a means to leave…”
“…”
“They simply withered away slowly in this place.”
A chilling silence.
Olivera sneered.
[In summary, this is the fate that awaits us if we cannot leave the Ninth Tribulation.]
Hiss…!!
His breath grew shorter, and his throat became parched.
He felt his bodily fluids rapidly draining, along with his mana and will-thought.
The terrifying sensation of all Lennok’s resources rapidly eroding, merely by standing still.
It wasn’t that Targeted Resistance or spellcraft immunity weren’t working properly.
It was simply that the environment of the Ninth Tribulation was so harsh that even Long-lived Beings couldn’t endure it, making it difficult for Lennok to last long.
‘If I hadn’t practiced beforehand in Alohan’s Deep Sea Domain, I would have struggled to maintain balance.’
An oppressive sensation, as if the crushing water pressure and oxygen depletion in the middle of the deep sea were amplified tenfold.
Every atmospheric particle in the Ninth Tribulation became a lethal toxin, gnawing at Lennok.
For now, he was enduring by wrapping himself in mana and generating oxygen with breathing magic, but this wouldn’t be the end.
The deeper they went into the Ninth Tribulation, the harder it was likely to become to endure.
Knowing that the luxury of conversation might soon disappear, they were rapidly exchanging information.
“Olivera?”
[… .]
Indeed, Olivera’s presence had been growing noticeably fainter for some time.
She, too, had used her Mystic Eye to assist Lennok in helping him pass the Promotion Ritual.
The burden Olivera felt was also by no means negligible.
“I’ll cast an enhancement spell for you, so withdraw your mana.”
Lennok raised his hand and drew forth mana.
“It can’t improve your condition, but it might help a little in letting you move freely.”
[Enough. Don’t waste mana on trivialities.]
At that moment, Olivera retorted with a chilling telepathic transmission.
[We cannot even fathom the end of this journey. We will lack power even if we conserve all our remaining strength.]
“…”
[Focus on preserving your own body. I will take care of mine.]
“You’re right. Focus on protecting your own body and enduring.”
Maleon, who had absorbed all the Dead Thoughts from the praying mantis’s corpse, opened his eyes and turned around.
“From now on, I will handle all engagements. Follow me carefully.”
“Are you… going to fight alone to clear a path?”
Although Maleon had reached Level 9, he was not in normal condition.
To pass the ritual, he had already expended all his remaining power, scraping the bottom of his reserves.
Normally, he should be in absolute rest, dedicating himself to recuperation immediately after the ritual.
Moreover, the Long-lived Beings they would face from now on were the Founders of Kundara, high-ranking Long-lived Beings.
Among them, there would undoubtedly be Level 8 Transcendents.
But Maleon calmly stated, as if it had been decided from the start.
“The further we go from here, the harder it will be for you to even remain conscious and endure. Even if I wanted to help, I wouldn’t have the luxury.”
“…”
“As I said, I am with you precisely to be of help in this situation—”
At that moment, a chilling, eerie howl echoed from further down the corridor.
Growl…!!!
The Outer Sea’s darkness, reflected in the transparent glass-walled corridor.
The moment four eyes rotated sharply and glowed within that shadow.
Boom!!!
Maleon and a gigantic, four-eyed black panther collided, their bodies slamming into each other.
A powerful circular shockwave erupted, pushing away all the surrounding objects.
The praying mantis’s corpse scattered like ashes, vanishing into a dust cloud.
“…!!”
Maleon’s body received the black panther, which had charged like a dump truck, without retreating a single step.
But Lennok did not miss Maleon’s body swaying ever so slightly for an instant.
Seeing that, Lennok gritted his teeth and immediately retreated.
“Distance…!”
It wasn’t that Maleon was being pushed back in the power struggle with the black panther mummy.
He was merely hesitant to use his spellcraft lest Lennok and Olivera be caught in the crossfire.
The Primitive Magic, Star-Linking Eight Extremes Style, was, quite literally, a bombardment akin to a tactical weapon that wielded exploding stars.
For that reason, Maleon had been using his spellcraft with extreme restraint since entering the Ninth Tribulation.
“It’s fine. Stay still.”
Immediately after Lennok quickly distanced himself, Maleon’s hand plunged beneath the black panther’s jaw with immense speed.
Thwack!!
Piercing through the tattered hide, it penetrated its tongue and palate at supersonic speed.
Maleon, pushing his muscular arm all the way to the black panther’s brow, incanted a spell.
[Unveiling Star]
Boom!!!
The moment silver starlight flashed within Maleon’s fist, the black panther’s head exploded and vanished.
As the headless mummy collapsed, Maleon turned around.
“Excellent judgment. But from now on, do not stray from my side.”
“…”
“The deeper we venture into the Ninth Tribulation, the less long you, who lack the proper qualifications, will be able to endure.”
Maleon, composing his expression, said.
“Only by protecting you with my will-thought can we go all the way.”
“Neither of us is in a position to be so relaxed.”
Lennok said with a cold expression.
“To say that, you’ve also given up too much to get this far, haven’t you?”
Not only had he borne the physical burden of bringing Lennok and Olivera into the Ninth Tribulation.
He had also significantly consumed his own life force by creating the Ruyi Orb.
“It was something I was prepared for from the beginning. Even without you, I would have come to the Ninth Tribulation alone.”
Maleon shook his head.
“On the contrary, having companions on this difficult journey means it’s not lonely, which is good. Don’t you think so?”
“It seems you still want to joke even at this point.”
“Hmm, did it sound like a joke?”
Maleon stroked his chin, laughed heartily, and turned to walk away.
“I’ll go ahead and scout the path, then return. You two rest here for a bit.”
“…”
Lennok also believed that the path where the black panther appeared was likely the direction leading to the deepest part of the Ninth Tribulation.
Because, until now, Long-lived Being mummies had never appeared in such quick succession throughout their journey through the Ninth Tribulation.
In this spacetime where no change existed, any significant environmental shift was a signal.
Maleon probably had a similar thought.
Thinking that, Lennok leaned back against the cold glass outer wall.
“Hoo…”
When Maleon returned, they might not have even this much respite.
He needed to rest as much as possible here and finish his preparations.
Lennok pulled an ampoule from his pocket and began injecting it into his forearm and collarbone.
“Olivera.”
Lennok tossed a few elixirs to Olivera, who stood silently with her arms crossed.
“These are from the War-Mage Tower’s Elixir Vault. You know when to use them, right?”
[I wonder who is considerate of whom.]
Olivera sneered.
[Did you think I, who leads the Cartel, wouldn’t even have such consumables stocked?]
“You must have expended quite a bit purifying yourself with poisons in Nives’s domain and maintaining your body, haven’t you?”
[… .]
“Just take them. As Maleon said, there might not even be time for that soon.”
Lennok, his face tired, massaged his neck as he spoke.
“I think I know why Kaiser’s body was interred here. This place is like a colossal tomb filled with mummies.”
[… .]
“It would have been a very suitable environment for hiding and preserving a body without decay. Of course—”
Lennok swallowed the words he was about to say, that Kaiser’s body might also have changed in that way.
There was a strong possibility Olivera wouldn’t react favorably to such a comment.
But Olivera, even guessing what Lennok was about to say, simply stared at him silently.
[How long do you believe you can trust Maleon Gnosis?]
“What?”
[It’s clear that he has acquired power and rank befitting the grand epithet of “Silver Star” [은성(銀星)].]
In the quiet expanse of space, Olivera whispered with a chilling telepathic transmission.
[But if he has truly become a perfected Ascendant, then precisely for that reason, there is something we must doubt.]
“What are you trying to say?”
[Why did Maleon Gnosis not release his disguise even at the moment of his rebirth as an Ascendant?]
Beyond her veil, Olivera’s Mystic Eye flashed.
[It is undeniable that his true form, born of Dragon-kind, would be far grander. Yet, he maintained an awkward disguise that was neither human nor dragon until the moment he reached Level 9.]
“…”
That was something he had heard from Olivera once before, right after the Trial of the Eighth Tribulation.
Words that questioned Maleon’s appearance, even while highly evaluating his birth, blessing, and talent.
The sense of incongruity regarding Maleon’s appearance, where he had adopted a human guise but retained a dragon’s head.
Olivera was pointing this out once again now.
[A Long-lived Being’s disguise is meant to mimic a human form. Yet, he chose an awkward appearance: a human with a dragon’s head.]
“There are beast-kin with animal heads. If he disguised himself as a beast-kin, it wouldn’t be impossible.”
[Among the beast-kin you’ve seen, have you ever encountered a beast-kin with a dragon’s head?]
“…”
[Maleon undeniably maintains a dragon’s head even while in a human disguise. And he maintained that appearance even after becoming an Ascendant.]
Olivera’s gaze sharpened further.
[Even at the moment he dismantled and reconstructed his entire being, he tried to maintain that awkward disguised form until the very end.]
“That is…”
[If that strange, inexplicable obsession is the origin the Silver Star left behind even as he became an Ascendant.]
Olivera said coldly, leaving Lennok speechless.
[I don’t think I can fully trust Maleon Gnosis on this journey.]