Chapter Thirty-Five: Little One, Now That I’ve Seen You, Don’t Even Think of Running

Once again, the Lamp Phase has been triggered!

[Yes or No.]

At this moment, the options were simply Yes or No, yet Morningstar’s heart surged with turmoil!

According to the Lamp Phase’s description, that book was indeed extraordinary!

But…

The activation of the Lamp Phase also signified danger.

This was a deadly question that begged to be chosen!

But since he’d come this far, even if he didn’t proceed, he had to take a look!

Just one glance—truly, only one…

After an intense internal struggle, Morningstar finally chose Yes!

[The human heart cannot remain in darkness forever.]

[You move slowly toward the place indicated by the Lamp Phase. As you go, you can feel the ominous things on the walls stripping away your senses, making your limbs tremble.]

Come on…

Morningstar felt as if he had one foot in the grave already.

The next line of highlighted text nearly made his heart leap out of his chest.

[The Morningstar Appraisal is triggered.]

[You are now within the calamity "Abyss of No Light".]

The Morningstar Appraisal!

This was one of the effects of his “Lord of the Morning Star” talent.

Ever since encountering the Shadow Beast, he hadn’t come across other calamities, so this talent had faded in his mind.

Morningstar felt both joy and terror—the description of the calamity before him was truly horrifying.

[Calamity—Abyss of No Light.]

[Calamity Type: Spatial.]

[Calamity Attribute: Phantom.]

[Calamity Level: ??? (This calamity is extremely terrifying, do not violate its taboos.)]

[Description: They whisper in the darkness, devouring every spark of light.

Within the Abyss of No Light, the dreadful calamity known as Abyssal Shadows launches terrifying attacks on any illumination, until all light is extinguished.

It swallows all visible radiance, and if you linger too long in the Abyss without seeing light,

You will fall into extreme terror, your senses diminish, you desperately long for light, and eventually lose all five senses, losing all light.]

This description…

Morningstar’s breathing grew rapid.

Any light would be swallowed, and if you stayed too long without seeing light, your senses would fade.

In other words, lingering here too long meant inevitable sensory deprivation, a terrifying fate!

[Lamp Phase triggered. You pinch your collarbone in pain, using the sensation to barely keep your sanity stable.]

[You stand your ground, fear relentlessly invading your fragile body. You know well that without an oil lamp, you cannot possibly advance in this dreadful abyss!]

[At this dead end, make your choice.]

[Advance or retreat, Wanderer?]

Without an oil lamp, Morningstar gritted his teeth. Was retreat his only option?

This was troublesome…

Had he reached the end of the road?

Wait, was that really the case?

He patted his own head, suddenly recalling that the Morningstar itself emitted light.

Within the Abyss of No Light, any visible light would be targeted by the Abyssal Shadow, but in total darkness, one would lose their senses and descend into madness.

But what about light that couldn’t be observed?

The description of [Morningstar’s Search] was that only he could see it; outsiders could not.

So far, everyone he’d encountered—including the Witch of Flowers with blossoms sprouting from her head—had failed to notice any sign of the Morningstar.

It was worth a try!

Morningstar opened the talent panel and immediately locked the Morningstar onto the game's Shadow Dagger.

My reflection, I hope you understand me.

[You carefully stand at the boundary of the Abyss of No Light.]

[The Morningstar leaps from your heart, makes a small turn, and settles into your palm, transforming into a tiny lantern star.]

Beautiful!

Morningstar couldn’t help but rejoice.

[Under the Morningstar’s glow, you lift the lantern star, gradually seeing the abyss before you, while the Abyssal Shadow fails to notice the light in your hand.]

It works.

Excited, Morningstar shook his leg and chose to advance.

[You carefully observe the road ahead.]

[It is a path where a single misstep could lead to disaster. Above lies the sleeping abyssal shadow; below is a bottomless pit.

Even a minor mistake would plunge you into the endless abyss below.]

[With the help of the Morningstar lantern and the Black Rain Boots, every step is steady, free from any risk of falling.]

[Advancing…]

[Lamp Phase triggered. As you move forward, you discover an unusual spot. Do you wish to investigate?]

Investigate.

[You bring your lantern star close, carefully examining the area.

On the unusual ground, white powder scrawls the warning “Trap ahead,” and beside the trap lie five mangled skeletons.

You are chilled; this must be a warning left by a predecessor before their death.]

A trap!

This wasn’t one of those misleading hints like in Elden Ring—Morningstar decisively had the game character leave the area.

[You continue advancing deeper.]

[As you move forward, you sense the abyssal shadows gradually thinning out.]

[Morningstar prompt: You have exited the calamity “Abyss of No Light.”]

He was out already!?

Morningstar exhaled long and hard, finally freed from that cursed place.

Just then, a line of text appeared.

[You gaze into the distance—an expansive underground plain. Far off, you see a wooden cabin illuminated by light, with a black tree beside it.]

There’s a cabin in this eerie place? And a tree.

How utterly charming—Morningstar mused, and as expected, this must be the residence of the Decaying Elder mentioned by the Debt Collector.

At that moment, a new choice appeared.

[Faced with the mysterious cabin in the distance, make your choice.]

[One: Go yourself to investigate.

Two: Use the White Dove to investigate.

Three: Flee, flee.]

First option ruled out, and the third as well.

The second option clearly appeared because of his newly acquired item, the White Dove’s Eye.

Second option—use the White Dove to investigate.

[A nimble white dove leaps from your eye, fluttering its pure white wings toward the distant cabin.]

[What the dove sees, you see.]

[You focus your vision through the dove.]

[The dove crosses the plain, quietly approaching the cabin window to peer inside.]

[The cabin is cluttered, piled with strange potions and countless books.]

[You see an elder entwined in black wood, carefully crafting a new book using a pitch-black tome as a template.]

[You see the “Ancient Book.”]

[Important information obtained: The Decaying Elder’s peculiar bookmaking.]

Is he forging false books?

What is he up to? Morningstar couldn’t yet guess.

[Beside the Decaying Elder crouched a terrifying figure clad in black, moving like a beast, mouth filled with fangs. He has no eyes; his eye sockets are a chilling abyss.]

[You suspect this is the “Eyeless One” mentioned by the Debt Collector.]

Eyeless One?

Morningstar recalled that this creature could also traverse the Abyss of No Light.

As he pondered, his phone suddenly trembled! The entire text was stained crimson!

[The Eyeless One has noticed your White Dove!]

[Prey, what are you looking at?]

[Your White Dove is dead!]

[Danger!]

“???”

My dove!

Such terrifying speed in killing the dove!

Before Morningstar could hesitate, another line of text flashed instantly.

[The Eyeless One has launched a hunt against you!]

[You have been locked onto. He intends to tear you to shreds.]

[The Eyeless One rushes at you at great speed, his fanged mouth roaring, eager to devour the peeping intruder bit by bit!]

[Make your choice!]

The series of texts sent Morningstar’s adrenaline surging, his whole body shuddering!

“Run!”

Morningstar could feel the horror gripping the game character, instantly making his selection. Even if he could defeat the Eyeless One, he was no match for the Decaying Elder.

[The Eyeless One’s devouring face grows ever clearer.]

Attribute points, all into Agility!

[Agility increased—current base Agility is 23.]

[You start to sprint! You return to the Abyss of No Light!]

[The Eyeless One’s speed far surpasses yours! He is relentlessly closing in!]

[“I sense a frail presence weaker than a rabbit! Perhaps I should give you a cute name, little one.”]

[You pick up the pace, hearing the Eyeless One’s voice behind you. Luckily, within the Abyss of No Light, his speed drops significantly.]

The Eyeless One’s level couldn’t be checked—meaning it exceeded his by at least five levels!

Without hesitation, Morningstar had the game character unleash “Call of the Crow Flock” three times to block the Eyeless One’s advance!

[“Little one! These birds cannot stop my hunt! My mind is filled only with your reckless eyes, and that delicious heart!”]

[The Eyeless One ignores the shadow crows and speeds up!]

What to do!

A scarlet option appeared once more.

[A fork appears ahead! Make your choice!]

[One: Try to escape the Abyss of No Light.

Two: Use the Black Rain Boots to descend into the abyss below.

Three: Head for the “trap” location.]

Morningstar’s brain raced.

Option one was out—the Abyss of No Light slowed him, but leaving would mean certain death.

Option two wouldn’t work; clearly, the Eyeless One could move freely in the Abyss.

I choose the third option! Head for the trap!

[In this life-and-death moment, you dash toward the trap!]

[“You seem unfamiliar with this place, my prey. You’ve run into a dead end. Let me taste your neck first.”]

[You sense the Eyeless One right behind you. He sticks out his tongue and licks your nape…]

Pervert!

Morningstar felt a chill down his neck.

[At the critical moment, you suddenly halt, release the “Shadow Soul,” and send it toward the trap.]

[“Oh ho, little one, you know substitution techniques, but you cannot escape my claws.”]

[The Eyeless One cannot distinguish between shadow and person in the Abyss of No Light; he quickly rushes toward the shadow!]

[“Goodnight, little one. I think I’ll start with your head!” The Eyeless One’s icy voice echoed.]

What kind of monster is this?

Morningstar shrank back as a blood-red text appeared.

[The moment the Eyeless One licked the shadow’s head, a massive abyssal shadow fell from above, enveloping both shadow and Eyeless One.]

Two red texts followed!

[Your shadow is dead!]

[The Eyeless One’s head struggled for a moment!]

[“I produced no light! Abyss! I cannot die at this moment…”]

The Eyeless One wailed in agony, killed by the “trap,” his body collapsing, black blood splattering onto your night-traveling garments.

[You quickly retreat.]

“……”

Is the hunt over?

That creature is dead? Dead!

“Good riddance!”

Everything happened so fast—Morningstar sat in his chair, took deep breaths, still somewhat dazed.

After three more breaths, he saw the next line of text and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.