Carnage's Triumph: A Conqueror's Return. (92)

[All curses and spells have been deactivated.]

"Give up," the monstrous creature descended the steep hill with massive leaps.

Snatching up a thigh bone from the "ground", I drove its sharp end into the creature's stomach.

"GHA-A." Warm blood sprayed across my face.

"Grab him!" the others shouted, activating every skill at their disposal.

I weaved between the magic circles that appeared, sprinting towards the spellcaster.

BANG

An explosion rocked the chase, turning mountains of corpses into flattened sections of the floor.

"BASTARD, YOU'RE HITTING US!" someone screamed in despair. The shockwave seemed to have affected many.

A magic circle materialized right before me.

Lashing chains around the undead creature's ankle, I hauled the dwarf alongside me.

"NAH!" the creature managed to scream just before scarlet flames engulfed us both.

[Participant 137′s regeneration has increased by two levels. The right arm has been restored. Remaining health points: 21,900.]

[Participant 137 is attacked by an enemy, the damage is 300 points out of 8,300.]

The dwarf dangled in my left hand, his torso rent asunder in the moment of resistance. Purple lumps cascaded to the ground in a long string of intestines.

I angled the katana's hilt downward and impaled it into the remains, the tip pointing upward. Gripping Rick's head, I smiled warmly and gradually impaled the diminutive creature onto the blade.

"GRLH... AAAAH..." His face contorted, but now in agony.

Under my gaze, the rusted blade sank dozens of meters beneath the remains.

The ragged breathing was interrupted by the belligerent howl of the creature, from which bone fragments flew in my direction.

Evading them, I seized the last remaining shard, the one that had nearly claimed the dwarf's life. Clenching my fingers, I obliterated the weapon and closed in on my adversary.

Clamping my fingers around its narrow muzzle, I drove my knee beneath its ribcage and began the grim task of finishing off the enemy with a dead man's skull.

Someone grasped me by the neck. Swiftly releasing another Poisonous Arrow, I twisted around, a squishing sound accompanying the arrow's plunge into the creature's deep eye socket.

"GRAAAH, son of a bitch."

Summoning another arrow, I promptly blinded my foe for the remainder of its short life.

A shadow, pitch-black, descended upon me from above. Kicking the beast, which screamed in pain, I saw a gigantic silhouette bearing a spear in its hand.

A maw filled with jagged fangs curved into a malicious grin.

"Ah, it's time to continue the fun."

Uncorking a vial of poison, I dipped the tips of my arrows into the viscous mixture and, flapping my wings, took flight.

Seven creatures ascended with me while the others hurled debris and weapon shards.

Snapping the chains in two, I fastened the arrows together, fashioning a long-range weapon.

Though I managed to hit several adversaries, I couldn't quite finish them off. Ripping the wings from one abomination, I allowed another to get fatally close.

It struck me from behind and hurled me to the ground.

[Participant 137 is attacked by an enemy; the damage is 170 points.]

I plummeted right into the rotting morass, the lifeless forms of creatures and animals staring at me in silent agonizing screams.

Clutching the remains, I began to ascend.

[Endurance Window:

4,120.]

*During recovery, 10 minutes ago*

[Participant 137, release the Lamp of a Thousand Dreams.

You can conceal an artifact.]

Ah, I had completely forgotten about it.

[Aren't there Caretakers and spectators watching me?]

[You have already become the rightful owner; you just need to activate a protective spell around it.]

[This is an artifact, I do not know how to use magic on items.]

Initially irritated, I didn't immediately grasp the system's idea. After contemplating it further, I noted all the nuances and aspects that could compensate for the shortcomings of the plan.

Greeted by the dwarf's displeased expression with a grin, I did everything in my power to leave him no choice.

Activate the protection, restore yourself from damage caused by scorpion venom.

And most importantly, became the guardian of a rare artifact buried right beneath you.

Haha. Rick. An undead dwarf.

---

Absorbing the souls of departed beings, the lamp functioned as an endless source of energy.

With every breath of dark energy bestowed by the artifact, I grew stronger.

"DIE!"

Someone grabbed me by the shoulders.

[Participant 137 restores parameter points by consuming the energy of assimilated souls.

The Thousand Dreams Lamp is activated.]

Raising my lowered head, I studied the speaker's defiant grin.

Gripping his wrists, I ripped off a limb with a crunch and flung him to the far end of the cell with a blunt strike to the stomach.

The steel beneath him buckled with a crash.

The creatures, unnerved by such a surge of strength, gaped at me in disbelief.

"Y... YOU."

[Endurance Window:

16,700.]

[Power Window:

32,100.]

[Regeneration Window:

29,800.]

[Health Window:

12,900.]

...

Releasing my grip, I lowered the last body into the living mound.

"AHHH..."

Some were devoured alive by Vulture Insects, while others fell prey to Carnivorous Larvae, slowed by the Sleep Elixir.

The dwarf still clung to life, gritting his teeth, awaiting the worst at the end of his ordeal.

[1 hour and 12 minutes until the end of the test.]

"Isn't it time to discuss your mission?" I grasped the dying critter by the chin and plucked out its eyes.

The purple blood mixed with the burst whites of the eyes looked exceedingly repulsive.

"How could you... heal?" The hybrid creature, now with severed limbs, squinted at me.

Taking a thin bone from the floor, I approached him without responding, thrusting the shard into the base of his shoulder.

Listening to his screams and pleas for death, I gripped his sinewy head and ripped it from his broad neck with a crunch.

You at least didn't attempt to devour me, which earned you a few moments of respite in my tormented mind.

So, I shall grant you a swift release.

---

I left the dwarf for last, ensuring that with each creature I dispatched, he would not only endure endless agony from the fangs of insects and larvae but also die slowly in his mind, awaiting death.

He succumbed, tortured by me in the slowest and most intricate manner of all. His heart ceased to beat when I whispered to a bare skull, upon which glistening insects crawled:

"Don't worry; I won't divulge your failed plan to him."

"Kai Theron's victory, congratulations."

"In a minute, you will be redirected to the residential areas of the Fourth Level."

The inventory absorbed the hidden artifact, and I turned away from the tortured carcasses lying in a pile, their twisted limbs even in death continuing to move, torn apart by voracious insects and larvae.

Stepping into the opened portal, I found myself in the center of my castle. I gazed up at the iron ceiling. I was home. Those five hours had felt like an entire year.

I leaned against the burgundy wallpaper.

Biting my lip, I endured the consequences of the berserker mode. My entire body went limp, and my limbs felt like jelly, making it difficult to stand.

Just a little more.

I headed for the office, purple marks still visible on my back. The wounds had healed, but the stench of corpse decomposition clung to my skin.

Before me was an open doorway leading to a massive study lined with towering bookshelves.

The filth was driving out the remnants of stranger magic, and just as I tried to stop myself from vomiting, I doubled over, retching onto the carpet.

Wiping my lips with the back of my hand, I pressed forward. I could sense the familiar aura, and I involuntarily dropped to my knees. Without much thought, I called out to the empty room, "Yuna."

I lowered myself to my stomach, deciding to spend the night in this position and then attend to urgent matters.

Where was she? Eh.

No response. We're back... again...

I closed my eyes, drained of the strength and desire to play the role of the almighty...

"General," a voice echoed.

Looking up, I saw a fleeting vision of a tigress.

"If you're listening to this, then I'm probably already dead. I'm so sorry for leaving this message without any explanation. But my selfishness allows me to savor our connection... My Lord, I can't deceive you any longer. I never meant to harm you, so if you hear anything about me..." A fragile smile quivered on her pale face, but she didn't finish her sentence, her scarlet eyes filled with sadness. "Be happy."

Huh?

I stretched out my fingers toward the ephemeral figure.

Why are you saying these words now?

Propping myself up on my elbows, I inched closer to the frozen silhouette and shouted, "YUNA..."

Please, don't joke. Not now. Please don't.

Overwhelmed by emotions and exhaustion, I lost consciousness.

---

[Participant 137, your emotional parameters are fluctuating excessively fast. Would you like to try a new elixir...]

Opening my eyes, I saw a blue system window. Darkness still filled the room, and for a moment, I thought that what happened after I came to the castle was just a figment of my imagination. But then I noticed the characteristic dust of a destroyed recording stone.

I could no longer deny reality.

Yuna had left a brief message, confident of her own death. I, who was certain of my abilities, found myself among the defeated. But to the very end, she never gave a hint that she was a spy. She wasn't telling the truth, but she wasn't lying either. By withholding the details, she had built a wall between us, one that had become taller and stronger with time. We had never defined the boundaries of our truths, and now she had made an attempt to sever everything between us.

Although, I believed she had her reasons. Sitting down, I clutched my head. The recent ordeal had left its mark on my memory, but the devastation I felt upon returning to my territory shattered my spirit momentarily. Everything I had painstakingly built over the years was crumbling before my eyes. I had no choice but to acknowledge my own helplessness in the face of fate's games. But even with the firm knowledge of my own strength, wasn't it still possible to dream of something seemingly unattainable?

After dispatching ghostly familiars in all directions in search of her native aura, I chuckled. I had assumed something similar, which is why I had given Yuna the spatial ring. Even amidst hundreds of foes, she could have escaped using its contents. I shouldn't exaggerate the forthcoming changes. Yes, everything was fine. As long as Shorty Joe needed her, her life was secure.

I got up, my legs unsteady.

I gritted my teeth as I gazed at Shorty Joe's looming Dark Palace.

I will thwart all your futile attempts to kill me. I will crush your vile and avaricious schemes. I will become a nightmare for your designs.

Shorty. Joe.

Clutching my jaw, I waved my hand, gathering the ashes into an urn and placing it prominently in the Inventory.

[Participant 137, the familiars have located 7 members of the Infernal Legion; they are heading your way.]

Just in time.