Vol. 2 Chapter 37: The Aftermath of a Fairy Tale

Chapter 37: The Aftermath of a Fairy Tale

The notification for completing the quest arrived promptly:

[Penalty mission completed; the dungeon is now being settled.]

[Congratulations Temporary ID: Z0001 for clearing the dungeon!]

[Dungeon Type: Multiplayer; Cooperative.]

[Penalty mission completion reward doubled: Six random modules, 1000 game points!]

[Side quest 'The Mermaid Princess's Request' completion reward

: Nine Masks (obtained).]

[Additional Harvest Check: None]

[Highlight Bonus: Annihilation of Ghouls, earning 200 game points and the Rule Module · Absorb]

[Dungeon complete, one draw from the dungeon available. Use now? Yes/No]

[You have five minutes to organize your rewards. After five minutes, participants will be transported out. You can choose to leave early.]

The prompt for completing the dungeon appeared on time. The active information in Lu Li's mind dimmed and retreated deeper into his consciousness, along with his memories of these events. These awakened details were too dangerous; even just knowing them could have dire consequences.

With a hint of confusion, Lu Li walked toward Black Tide Beach. The witch was in a critical state due to the ritual's backlash. She couldn't even take anyone down with her as she lay dying. Despite her perfection, she was still just human.

Xu Haoran crawled out of the now decomposed remains of the Shoggoth, desperately scrambling to the witch's side. He held her, crying out in despair, "I was willing to die as a sacrifice for you, why did you leave me behind?"

Xu Haoran was much like the witch, tormented by his own weakness and seeking power through any means. This similarity made it easy for the witch to enchant him as she walked her own path of transformation.

"We are all ordinary stones. Only through chiseling, burning, and endless tempering can we achieve perfection. Even if by then I am no longer myself, marked by scars…" the witch recalled the words of the previous generation's witch as she reached out, placing a final glowing dot on Xu Haoran's forehead.

The Merfolk King silently destroyed the altar and led his wounded people away. The race's crisis was averted, but his most beloved daughter could not be brought back. Hu Wenxu and Gao Xiaowen exchanged glances and rushed towards the witch's hut, driven by mutual understanding.

Lu Li found a spot to bury the old woman's head and the mermaid princess's dress. He then took in the surrounding scenery and, feeling a sudden impulse, moved towards the Shoggoth's remains. Little did he know, this place would later be known as Devil's Reef, and the city of Ihathl from the Deep Ones would relocate below it. The nearby fishing village would also develop into a new port town, eventually gaining the name Innsmouth.

Meanwhile, in another part of the world, a scene of joy was unfolding. Prince William reached out to help the neighboring Princess Sally off the ship. His face beamed with happiness at the thought of spending his life with her.

However, Prince William occasionally recalled the image of the mermaid princess committing suicide before him. He felt guilt, unease, and a curiosity about why she took her own life.

Princess Sally, who also wore a happy smile, suddenly looked towards the sea with a change of expression. She knew what this meant—the witch was dead, and the spell was about to lose its effect. Her body began to change, and the features she had lost would return, including the grotesque appearance of a Deep One. [TL: Karma (?)]

Initially, she had saved William as part of a plan. The ritual required numerous sacrifices and materials, which her people could not gather alone. They needed the support of the prince's nation. Her actions had secured that support, but she had genuinely fallen in love with the prince. Now, to prevent him from seeing her true, hideous form, she had only one choice left. [TL: Another suicide]

Determined, Sally drew a sword from a nearby guard and slit her throat, using her life to solidify the spell's effects. She wanted William to remember her as she was now, in her most beautiful form. Blood splattered across the prince, who stood in shock, still holding her hand. Chaos erupted around them as people cried out and called for healers.

That night, Prince William stood before two crystal coffins. One held the body of the mermaid princess, the other, Princess Sally. Despite the scene, the prince maintained a gentle smile.

"Look how peaceful they are now. If they were alive, they would be arguing by now," he mused, smiling warmly at the two corpses. "They seem more adorable like this, able to coexist without conflict, without worries... and without sudden deaths." He began laughing manically, "Because they're dead. Only in death are they perfect." [TL: Death ... is Perfection]

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. The old sorcerer Alan entered and sighed, "Prince, I apologize for the interruption, but the king has sent an urgent message. A nearby nation is in turmoil. This is an opportunity for our kingdom to expand, and the king wishes for you to investigate."

"What caused the turmoil?" the prince asked, his smiling face unsettling the old sorcerer, who had watched him grow up. Believing the prince was grieving, Alan suggested this mission to distract him.

"The queen of that nation persecuted the princess and bewitched the king. The nobles are in turmoil. Our spies report that the princess is still alive. If handled well, we could gain the support of their nobles and annex their kingdom," Alan explained, relieved to see the prince engaged.

"The kingdom known for having the most beautiful princess? What was her name?" the prince inquired.

"Snow White," Alan replied, heartened that the prince's attention had shifted from his grief. [TL: Poor Snow White XD]

"Snow White... what a lovely name. Let's go see her," the prince said, smiling warmly, while wondering if the dead Snow White might be even more beautiful...