Shadow Slave

As it turned out, Nephis had not found a Gateway to escape the Dream Realm and Awaken.

Instead, after two long years of solitude and relentless battles for survival, she had found a Seed of Nightmare and conquered the Second Trial of the Spell as a Sleeper.

She had done it alone.

At least that was the only way Sunny could explain the runes he was staring at.

Ascended.

'That is impossible.'

Surviving the Second Nightmare was already not easy for a cohort of prepared Awakened. More people perished while trying than returned victorious. How could a lone Sleeper accomplish the same?

No one had done it before.

However… no Sleeper had been a Tyrant before.

No Sleeper had escaped alive from a battle with a Corrupted horror of the depths before.

No Sleeper had slain a Fallen Terror before.

Nephis had long established her penchant for accomplishing the impossible. Why was Sunny so surprised that she had done it again?

No, he wasn't surprised. He was… dismayed.

A deep, unsettling emotion nestled in his chest, making his face grow dark and his eyes grow dim. The shadows around him seemed to become deeper.

important part is that she is back. Who cares how

simple vanity or empty pride. Someone else might have been tempted to chase power just for the sweetness of it, but to Sunny, being anything else than the strongest

near him. Looking up, Sunny saw Effie pushing her way through the crowd. She was not shy about using her prodigious strength, so people did not really have any choice except to let her pass. Even Instructor Rock, who had appeared ten

been the person to send Nephis into the Dream Realm. It was no wonder that he dropped everything to come and

finally reached them and froze for a

Is it true? Princess

looked at her for a bit, then

passed her to the healers

move for several seconds. Then, a wide grin split her face. It looked as if she was on the verge of starting

had a doubt! No Nightmare Creature exists that

a little, infected

long, Kai arrived, as well. Usually, his appearance would have caused a stir, but right now, no one paid the former idol

young man's beautiful face. Kai swayed a little, and then leaned on the wall to keep himself

"Gods… thank the gods…"

for leaving Nephis behind all that time. He was truly too decent of a person for this vile world, and infected by a misguided

Sunny silently observed the faces of his friends, seeing sincere happiness and relief written all over them. Some… Kai especially…

no reason to feel a

them, Sunny decided to ignore the darker part of his

a slave, he would. If he had to kill in order to remain free… that was not out

now, he chose to just share this rare moment of joy

cohort was back, after

the armored doors finally opened, and one of the Awakened healers in the employ of

the waiting area held their breaths. Even Morgan of Valor looked up from her communicator, strange sparks igniting in her vermillion

government agents couldn't

how is she? Lady Changing Star is