Chapter Thirty-Six: The Page of the Fiery Blade
You quickly step back under the lanterns glowing with starlight. In the flickering illumination, you clearly see the writhing shadow of the Abyss: that terrifying Eyeless One and your own Shadow Soul shatter like bubbles before its presence, and several items fall from the Eyeless One’s form.
Good riddance!
Morningstar throws a punch into the air, feeling a surge of satisfaction—this accursed Eyeless One had nearly cost him his life in the depths.
With the monster’s demise, the game’s text gradually returns to its normal white hue.
[Mental Value -5. Current Mental Value: 5/10. You are now in a state of ‘Mental Fatigue.’ Your judgment is impaired. Please rest to restore your mental value.]
[Drip, drip.]
[With the fall of the Eyeless One, some of its belongings have bounced to your feet.]
[You quickly gather up the items and leave this perilous place.]
[You obtained: Lightless Fruit x5]
[You obtained: Spirit Elixir x1]
[You obtained: Fireblade Page]
He knew the Spirit Elixir well—an ever-useful treasure. Morningstar proceeds to examine the other two items.
[Lightless Fruit
Description: A fruit unique to the Abyss. When thrown, it creates a brief spherical zone of absolute darkness. This fruit is exceedingly rare—not only as a tool but also as a prized alchemical ingredient.]
A fruit that can banish all light… Morningstar muses. The Eyeless One must have carried it to prevent anyone from lighting a fire within the Abyss, ensuring mutual destruction was impossible.
In the Lightless Abyss, this is truly a priceless artifact.
Expensive, and even if unused, it could fetch a handsome price.
Morningstar then examines the next item.
[Page of the Fireblade:
Nature: Book (Books are the recorders of history, the embodiment of thought, the link between fantasy and reality) & Blade
Description: As you gently stroke this faintly warm page, you sense a mighty warrior returning from battle appearing before your mind’s eye. He seems eager to correct your ill-formed, half-hearted combat techniques.
Effect: After consuming this page, your combat abilities will be enhanced and you will gain affinity with flames for two hours. When the two hours end, based on your insights during that time, you may gain attribute bonuses, skill progress, or ability improvement.]
Morningstar scans the description.
This… could it be the legendary skill book?
Consume it? Is this page meant to be eaten?
But judging from the description, unlike ordinary skill books in games, this page is best used in the heat of combat.
He quickly organizes his inventory, preparing to leave the Lightless Abyss. Who knows how many Eyeless Ones there are? Or if that Decaying Old Man will give chase? His mental reserves are running low.
Best to slip away now and plan later.
[You have left the Lightless Abyss, committing its paths to memory.
As you depart, you faintly hear the call of books. You sense that you will soon return to this abyss.]
[Returning…]
[You have returned to the Rat’s Nest. The Stone Blacksmith and Gem Merchant, seeing you emerge from the depths, look upon you with newfound respect and promise to always offer you their lowest prices.]
[This expedition drained your mental and physical reserves more than any before. You feel both mentally and physically exhausted. Would you like to rest?]
Rest.
[Entering guarded rest mode.]
[Resting…]
When it’s time to rest, one must rest.
Moreover, given the current situation, trying to seize the book from the Decaying Old Man by force alone is almost impossible. Careful planning is needed.
Morningstar rubs the back of his neck. As the game progresses, his connection to his in-game character grows ever stronger.
He could almost feel the faint sensation of the Eyeless One’s tongue moments ago.
At the same time, all his real-world stats are rising.
Morningstar rubs his hands together, glancing at the variety of fitness equipment in his room—quite well-equipped.
No wonder the Daywalker Society is so efficient.
Elder Yu had said, as long as their kind didn’t steal or rob, all matters could be negotiated.
Taking advantage of his character’s rest, Morningstar works out for a bit, then can’t resist scrolling through the forum and chat groups.
The Textile Apprentice and Watchdog are lively as ever, chattering away. Watchdog boasts about breaking his hundred-meter record—though he ran it with four “hands.”
The Textile Apprentice laments the terrors of her in-game teacher, swearing she’s playing a horror game.
These two are relentless. Morningstar is puzzled—surely they’ve also endured hardships in reality, but their hearts seem untroubled.
Meanwhile, the hottest post on the Daywalker Society’s forum reads: “Shocking! S-Class Player Moonwalker Returns to Earth! Finds Girlfriend Living in a Doghouse! In a Rage…”
Why is the forum doing this kind of clickbait too? Curiosity piqued, Morningstar clicks in.
It turns out Moonwalker’s girlfriend became beast-like in-game, growing dog ears, and the whole story is filled with displays of affection and melodrama.
“…”
Downvote.
After browsing, Morningstar feels drowsy, his eyelids heavy.
Just a short nap. Only for a little while.
…
After resting.
Suddenly, half-awake, Morningstar feels his phone vibrating.
Something’s happening! He jolts upright, immediately launching the New Sun game.
As expected, it’s something big!
He reads the new text.
[You awaken from guarded rest and look around the Rat’s Nest.]
[You open your eyes to find Debt Collector Li standing guard beside you.
All other merchants have vanished. Curious, you follow his gesture to your ears.]
Morningstar bites his lip. Everyone else has slipped away—who could be coming?
[You listen intently and hear footsteps, along with a cacophony of barking! A large group is approaching the Rat’s Nest.]
[Debt Collector Li stands his crimson longsword before you, assuring you that in the Underways, even the boldest must show him respect.]
Barking… Morningstar isn’t worried; rather, he’s delighted.
As he expected, the one approaching is none other than the Dogmaster.
The other’s movements are quicker than anticipated! If he’s come here, then the Rat’s Token must be ready.
[Debt Collector Li draws his crimson blade and moves toward the entrance.]
[The noise draws nearer—a group in black clothing approaches.]
[At their head is a hunched figure clad in wolf pelts, eyes blazing with fire, right hand clutching ten dog leashes—none other than the Dogmaster.]
Dogmaster—so, you’ve finally arrived.
Morningstar is elated. On his own, getting past the Decaying Old Man is nearly impossible.
Without question, the Dogmaster’s goal is the same: the book in the Decaying Old Man’s possession.
With the Dogmaster’s arrival, this has become a party quest. Even if they don’t get the most crucial tome, he can still reap the rewards by following in the wake of the “Morning Star’s Quest.”
[With a wave of the Dogmaster’s hand, each subordinate presents a Rat’s Token.]
[The Dogmaster bows slightly to Debt Collector Li, signaling goodwill—he is not loyal to Black River Prison and has no intention of harming the Underways.]
[The Dogmaster requests Debt Collector Li’s favor.]
[Debt Collector Li ponders, glancing back at you.]
[The Dogmaster notices you as well, his mouth falling open as the flames in his eyes blaze even brighter.]