Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Ordinarily, not everyone is capable of perceiving the bizarre entities that linger between dreams and reality.

Unless one possesses an exceptionally high level of inspiration at a particular moment, these entities and humans seem like parallel lines that never converge, eternally separated.

However, Soren's ritual has disrupted this parallelism. As human inspiration increases, these once-separated lines now intersect.

When the assembled individuals' inspiration heightens, enabling them to hear the bizarre and see it with their eyes, the barrier between reality and dreams shatters. The existence of these entities becomes anchored, granting them the ability to harm humans.

This was the information gleaned from the on-duty teacher after Black Cat's inquiry. Thus, he conceived a unconventional strategy.

What if humans were forcibly made unable to see the anomalies?

Now, he knew the answer.

Once someone within the area lost consciousness, the anomalous entity ceased its actions, seemingly at a loss for how to proceed. Eventually, its focus shifted to the other individuals present.

The anomaly would prioritize attacking those who could see it!

Observing the situation unfold, Black Cat, who was monitoring the scene through the school's drones, heaved a massive sigh of relief. Fortunately, his gamble had paid off, and now the plan could proceed smoothly under these circumstances.

"Team B, it's your turn."

In the university's square, Solomon watched expressionlessly as believers and volunteers collapsed around him. An invisible shield had formed above his head, protecting him from the airborne liquid, but the scent emanating from it clearly identified it as a soporific potion.

The person who employed this tactic was somewhat clever.

But to be so blatant, was that not a blatant disregard for him?

A sardonic smile tugged at Sauron's lips as he raised both hands to cast his spell, causing everyone around him to fall into a deep sleep. A rare moment of solitude unfolded around him, and it would be foolish not to seize this opportunity.

However, the Black Cat had clearly anticipated this scenario. As Sauron focused on casting, dozens of players charged out from the mist!

They had been waiting on the periphery, and at Black Cat's signal, Team B dashed forth from the fog!

Their eyes were all covered with black cloth, their objectives clear. Half of them aimed to rescue the fallen players, while the other half targeted the Dream Inducing Traceries scattered around the square.

Sauron's instinct was naturally to intervene, but the moment he moved, the strange creatures that had been lurking set their sights on him.

The abnormalities would target anyone they could see in an instant. In a situation where everyone around was either unconscious or had their eyes covered with black cloth, Soren became their prime focus.

"…Not bad, you all," Soren remarked expressionlessly.

It was at this moment that Soren first acknowledged the players before him and the entities behind them, though that was the extent of his interest.

Uttering an obscure incantation that no one could comprehend, Soren trapped the surrounding abnormalities within an invisible constraint, freezing them in place.

As he chanted, the immobilized creatures began to exhibit peculiar behavior. They writhed in frenzied, violent struggles. Eventually, all the abnormalities let out piercing screams that were inaudible to ordinary humans. Starting from the lowest-ranked D-class anomalies, their bodies started to bloat and congest, ultimately bursting one after another.

The black cat was utterly stunned by the unfolding events, but the astonishment didn't end there. As the bizarre deaths occurred, the fog in the central square grew thicker and thicker. The undamaged Dream Induction Rites, one after another, began to emit light.

Could it be that...

Peering through the window of the campus broadcasting room at the sky outside, the black cat noticed a faint shadow creeping along the rim of the once-bright moon.

A lunar eclipse was about to begin!

Terrible, he intends to use these anomalies as fuel!

The Black Cat never expected such a turn of events. His plan was to take advantage of everyone's unconscious state and the fact that the abnormalities couldn't attack humans. He intended to have the players rescue the cultists and other players while the abnormalities were attacking Soren, thus removing them from the square. That way, even if Soren managed to free himself, he would be devoid of power. However, he never imagined that abnormalities could serve as "fuel," nor did he anticipate Soren's current strength!

In the previous main storyline, Soren hadn't appeared overly powerful; he had mostly relied on summoned abnormalities and his army of undead to do the fighting. Yet now, with a single move, he was crushing the very abnormalities that the players had struggled against!

Something was seriously amiss! The Black Cat was beside himself; he had never heard of a boss's strength being adjusted based on the version!

As the lunar eclipse was about to commence, Soren smiled in satisfaction. To him, it didn't matter who was sacrificed as long as the door could be opened.

At last, the alien's wish was coming true.

After years of wandering in foreign lands, he wondered if his hometown still bore the same hues as before.

The thought of his years of wandering brought tears to Soren's eyes, and he was about to chant the incantation to welcome his homeland eagerly.

But at that moment, a deadly threat came from the empty doorway behind him.

Soren spun around abruptly, reaching out without hesitation to grasp Albert Aiken's fatal stab. He sneered, "Did you think I would overlook you, Albert?"

It was Albert Aiken who had struck from behind. His once sky-blue eyes were now dark and gloomy, like the impending storm before a tempest.

But Soren wasn't intimidated; instead, he added salt to Albert's wound, "You've done quite a job. Without your help, I wouldn't know when my plan would have succeeded."

"…Shut up!"

"You provided a significant portion of flawed information, yet I still managed to obtain what I needed. Care to guess where the leak came from?"

"Shut up!" Albert growled, twisting his body despite the knife stuck in his chest. He lifted his right leg to kick at Soren. Seeing this, Soren's expression changed slightly as he released the knife. As soon as it was free, Albert activated his Origin Ability without hesitation. Golden flames engulfed the blade, and the scorching heat burned his palm. Despite the pain, Albert threw the dagger with all his might, hitting Soren's shoulder.

The golden flames inflicted a searing agony into Soren's bones. His gaze darkened as he raised his hand, palm facing Albert.

"Unbind," ( Shackles)

Sorren spoke in a cadence incomprehensible to the ordinary, and it seemed to issue a command. Albert sensed the air around him freeze, his body immobilized.

That single second was enough. Albert witnessed Sorren's hand clenching gradually, followed by an immense oppressive force that threatened to crush him flat.

"Charge, brothers!"

"F*ck, don't think we're just here to watch!"

At that very moment, the players surrounding Soren and Albert suddenly swarmed forward! After the abnormality was sacrificed to Soren, the Black Cat issued its second command in the player channel. All players removed their blindfolds and charged directly into the area where Albert and Soren were fighting.

With the interference of the abnormality gone, the cultists, still under the effect of the potion, had yet to awaken. In that instant, Soren found himself isolated, his sacrifice of the abnormality proving to be a misstep.

No, if not for Albert's sudden attack, Soren would have likely chanted the spell for a portal within the few seconds of the crowd's stunned silence. It seemed that luck was not on his side.

Soren had no choice but to abandon the opportunity to crush Albert, instead casting a spell in the direction from which the players were approaching. Those rushing over were suddenly met with an invisible barrier.

With no constraints around him, Albert didn't hesitate to lunge forward once more, his fist wrapped in golden flames. Burns instantly appeared on his skin. Soren lifted his arm to block the powerful punch, feeling the searing pain of the flames. However, he gritted his teeth and bore it, lifting his knee for a fierce knee strike that pushed Albert back a short distance.

Yet, at that very moment, Soren felt a searing pain in his leg, half of his body instantly going numb. Looking down, his previously expressionless face twisted in agony.

Biting him was a dog that Albert found eerily familiar, for he had once seen it in the library!

It was the University of Michigan's dog, which had vanished after the disaster and Albert had assumed Soren had somehow gotten rid of it. But now, he realized that the dog had been lurking by Soren's side all along, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike!

In that instant, as Soren bent down, Albert experienced an intense premonition. Right here, right now, there was a chance to slay Soren!

If he could eliminate him, there might still be a way to rectify all previous mistakes.

Albert's young body was once again engulfed in golden flames, their intensity scorching him, the pain searing down to his very marrow. Yet, in this moment, Albert could not afford to concern himself with the agony. Given Soren's previous dread of these flames, this was now the sole surefire method to defeat his adversary.

Seizing the opportunity as Soren was tightly entangled by Midas's hound, Albert rushed forward to embrace him. This scene unfolded before the eyes of all the surrounding players and the Black Cat observing the battle through a drone. Every player couldn't help but clench their fists in anticipation.

It was as if the main storyline was replaying. In the previous main quest, Albert had risked his life in a battle with the boss that nearly ended in mutual destruction, and all players had yearned for a perfect conclusion. This time, Sauron didn't even have the chance to cast a spell. They had won!

The corners of the black cat's mouth couldn't help but curve up, but in the next moment, its joyful smile froze on its face.

A colossal, terrifying figure suddenly materialized between Soren and Albert, silent as a whisper. A hand the size of a room swept through the air, sending Albert flying with a single swat.

It stood nearly five meters tall, a monumental figure silently erect amidst the mist. None of the players were aware of its arrival; it was only when it made its presence felt with an action that they realized it had been there all along.

As it emerged from the thick fog, the terrifying figure reflected in all players' eyes. Its ashen-gray skin covered a body that was human-like in its limbs and torso but disproportionately muscular. The oddest feature, however, was the multitude of eyeballs densely scattered across its body.

A-Rank abnormality, the Hundred-Eyed Giant.

At this moment, Lane suddenly recalled what the Sphinx had said when they entered Albert's Dream Fracture earlier.

"The longer Albert remains in the trial, the higher the likelihood of attracting powerful anomalies. Given such an extended period, it's possible that even an A-grade anomaly might appear."

Up until this point, Lane had encountered no more than D-rank, and perhaps C-rank anomalies; not once had he come across a B-ranker. Thus, he had initially assumed that the creature had miscalculated.

But who could have foreseen this moment...

No, it would be more accurate to say that the A-rank anomaly's intelligence allowed it to determine that this was the opportune time?

The emergence of the A-rank anomaly plunged the initially favorable situation into despair. Soren laughed heartily, "I never imagined that even fate would favor me so!"

He lifted the leg that the dog had bitten and slammed it down onto the ground. Simultaneously, he utilized his newfound power to grip the dog's body, forcing it to release its grip. The dog's body creaked with the sound of cracking bones, and a mournful howl escaped its throat.

Next came the ill-fated players who had rashly charged forward.

Albert, after being slapped by the giant, soared through the air for several meters before crashing into a tree trunk, fracturing several bones. He lowered his head and spat out blood mixed with shattered organs.

The A-rank abnormality's blow had left Albert on the verge of death, his vision blurred by dark spots. The hundred-eyed giant, with its heavy steps, approached Albert, its multitude of eyes fixated on him with ravenous greed.

It aimed to deliver the final blow and, through Albert's body, return to the real world.

Half-conscious, Albert gazed at the giant's looming figure.

In the end... nothing really changes, does it?

"Indeed, you'd like to say that fate is predetermined, don't you?"

Another familiar voice sounded beside him, and with effort, Albert managed to turn his head to see a red-haired youth standing quietly by his side.

“……”

"Don't play dumb, Albert," Lane whispered. "After the ceremony, you didn't vanish; you merged with the 'you' in your memories, didn't you?"

When Albert first appeared, he repeatedly emphasized that the young Albert in the memory was merely an effect of the Qimen, and that he himself was the true entity. However, in Lan En's view, this explanation may not necessarily be correct. Undoubtedly, the other party is concealing something.

The evidence lay in the fact that during the second juncture, the University of Magic's dog, who shouldn't have been there, appeared and shielded young Albert from the initial assault.

At that time, Lane had already sensed that young Albert was also a key component of the dream. Thus, under his intense will to survive, the University of Magic's dog materialized to aid him. The mechanism behind this mysterious creature likely wasn't just to create a decoy to divert the anomalies' attention but rather to temporarily split the soul or store a segment of memory within an empty persona.

In reality, this persona was still Albert himself, which is why the anomaly targeted the young version. As this alternate persona drew the anomalies' attention, Albert's original "self-shark" plan fell through. Hence, like Lane, he traveled through the junctures, attempting to eliminate his own existence.

Now, Lane inferred that Albert and young Albert had rejoined because during the battle with Soren, scars from burns reappeared on Albert's body when he used his Origin Ability, "The Judge."

Theoretically, Albert's Origin Ability judged those burdened with guilt. At that time, Albert had burned himself because he believed he was responsible for the deaths of the University of Magic's faculty and students.

Yet now, the students and faculty of Michigan University were still alive.

This meant that in this memory, Albert should have been able to use his powers more smoothly. Yet, there were still burn marks on him, coupled with his familiar act of self-immolation at the end. This immediately made Lane realize that the current Albert had merged with the young Albert of the past.

In other words, if the current Albert were killed, the trial would truly come to an end.

But why did Albert choose this particular moment to merge?

The man's actions just now didn't resemble those of someone about to meet his death...

Then, a spark of inspiration flashed across Lane's mind. "Perhaps, you might actually be able to pass the test now."

Albert leaned silently against the tree trunk, his silence speaking volumes more than any words could have at that moment.

"Please, I'm nearly at the end of my days. Satisfy my curiosity as a final request."

Lan's words were indeed correct.

To any observer, the situation seemed hopeless. Soren was swiftly dispatching players who dared to interfere, leaving him moments away from casting the spell to unlock the door. The Master Mage stood powerless on the edge of the square, and the A-rank anomaly, a creature far beyond the current game's strength, was steadily advancing toward Albert.

In any case, it seemed like an end was in sight.

Albert finally spoke up, "Yes, back in the auditorium, I realized that the pursuit of an ephemeral justice wasn't what I truly sought."

It was a simple and pure reason, though easier said than done.

Whether it was joining the Inspectorate or agreeing to infiltrate the Foreigners as a spy, Albert's motivation for these actions had remained constant from the start.

It was merely to protect those around him.

Ironically, after years of undercover work, he had somehow forgotten this objective, clinging to the slogan of justice as a last lifeline to numb himself into persevering.

Yet in the auditorium, as he witnessed players and Miskatonic faculty alike supporting one another through the adversity, something shifted.

In them, Albert saw something he had always strived for and wished to protect: the pure, luminous essence of humanity.

He had rediscovered himself.

It was at this moment that Albert and the memory of his younger self merged once more, for the Oddity's mission had been accomplished, allowing Albert to withdraw from the trial at any time.

Yet he didn't. This time, it wasn't self-destruction that was at play, but an intense longing had arisen in Albert's heart for the first time.

He wanted to alter his fate, to have another chance.

But the outcome remained...

Albert let out a bitter smile. "Apologies, but I no longer have the strength to back out before this juncture concludes. Please leave this place and destroy my body the moment 'I' awaken. For when I open my eyes again, it won't be me anymore."

"Would you be willing to pay any price to save all of this?" Lane asked.

Albert was taken aback. "What?"

"Well, literally. There's no time to elaborate now."

The Hundred-Eyed Giant loomed ominously close, its colossal frame once more extending a fist toward Albert. The shadow of the mammoth punch cast over both the red-haired youth and Albert, blotting out the sky above them. If this blow were to land, there would be no alternative outcome; the two would be crushed into pulp without a second chance.

But Lane showed no intention of leaving. The red-haired youth's eyes, at some point, had turned green, and he fixed Albert with an intense gaze. "Albert, if I could alter the fate of the deaths among the Mithra students and staff, what would you be willing to offer in return?"

What are you willing to offer?

Albert's mind was flooded with images of the professors, students, and volunteers in the auditorium, alternating with his present reality as he wandered through the ruins of the University of Michigan, glimpsing through a shattered window the carnage inside the hall, a floor littered with blood and flesh.

The boundary between reality and memory blurred, and Albert whispered, "I am willing to pay any price."

Originally, he had intended to die in this trial. Soren was already dead in reality, but the doomed fate of the University of Michigan remained unchanged. After revenge, only emptiness and nothingness would remain.

But it might be too late now, he thought.

"Perhaps not," Lane murmured softly.

In the meantime, all eyes turned skyward as the moon began to be consumed by shadows, marking the onset of an eclipse.

Sorren laughed heartily, casting spells to dispel nearby players while reciting an incantation to open a portal. However, his expression changed soon after, for he realized that the ambient magic was, at some point, converging in another direction.

It was heading towards the crowd of Mages and students gathered at the edge of the square. When the black cat had dropped its potion on the plaza, Alexis had promptly instructed everyone to close their eyes and cast a defensive spell, creating a small shield that enveloped the students present.

As there had been no activity from that group during the player assault, Sorren hadn't paid them any attention.

Now, the Mages and students of Mystic College successfully pulled off a surprise attack.

Under Aldrins guidance, all the Mages and students chanted the same incantation in unison.

The original Incantation of Summoning.

Aldrich closed his eyes, yet the scene from before replayed in his mind. As the potion descended and all the Mysteriarchs and students shut their eyes, a voice whispered in his ear.

"Professor Alders, I have a favor to ask of you."

Aldous pressed his lips together, his mind conjuring the image of a red-haired youth. "I hadn't realized I possessed such capability to be of assistance to you."

"You really do know," the voice said with a chuckle.

"It was only a speculation."

"Well, now that we've established that, things become much simpler. I can rectify the situation, but I'll need you to perform the Godsummoning Rite once more."

Godsummoning Rite... Aldrich's breath hitched, and he instinctively wanted to refuse.

"By the way, if you don't, once the door opens, Miskatonic University will be destroyed."

Aldrich couldn't help but ask, "Will you save Midgard?"

"I've come for that very purpose."