Lumian had always thought Wanak, who could draw power from 0-01, was more dangerous than Albus and Julie. This lightning-filled area was perfect for Wanak to unleash his potential.
No matter if Wanak could only change the weather slightly or if he was on par with Julie and Celeste, who could become vessels for a deityâs descent, in this forest of lightning, he was as powerful as a true demigod.
Together, Albus and I would get beaten up by the thunderstormâŚ
Lumianâs first instinct was to exit this area and find another path to 0-01.
That way, even if Wanak pursued him, outside his optimal environment, he wouldnât be invincible.
In a flash, Lumian remembered the nightmares he had.
After the forest of lightning, there were mountains of corpses and bones, with 0-01 possibly at the peak.
This meant this was the only way to the core sealing area-there was no way around it!
This fact was hinted at in âExamples of Mausoleum Construction,â even if it wasnât clearly marked.
Or, I could pretend to retreat, draw Wanak out, and avoid fighting him in the lightning forestâŚ
Wait a minuteâŚ
Lumian suddenly had a bold idea.
Since previous dangers saw him as one of their own, would Wanak, a puppet of 0-01, make the same judgment?
Wanak wasnât a fully intelligent human but more like a sentient puppet.
Such a target could likely be deceived!
When I first arrived in Morora, I had little corruption from 0-01, with a mix of other influences, so it made sense for Wanak to see me as an enemy. But now, after much learning, the corruption is approaching a critical point.
! should try.
If it fails, Iâll use Shadow Animation to withstand the lightning attack and seize the chance to teleport out of the forest, avoiding a direct fight with WanakâŚ
Lumian made his decision and stepped forward.
As he walked, he recalled the nightmares he had since arriving in Morora, listening to the brass earplugs recounting knowledge to align himself with the corruption. At the same time, he thought aimlessly about various significant and insignificant questions to relax and prevent his body from being too tense.
This could prevent Wanak from noticing anything unusual!
Why did I end up in the forest of lightning?
According to the nightmare, there should be burning palaces and waterfall-like downpours ahead.
Are they on a different route?
âŚ
Lumian endured the increasing prickling sensation, mentally calculating his distance.
Three or four more steps to meet WanakâŚ
As soon as this thought crossed Lumianâs mind, he heard slow but steady breathing, masked by the rolling thunder, just a few meters away.
Lumianâs back tensed involuntarily, and his right hand reached into the Travelerâs Bag, ready to pull out the headless corpse of the Abscessed Hand.
After its previous writhing approach, they had fused together but were temporarily unable to break through the Travelerâs Bagâs seal and reunite with the head.
As he got closer to Wanak, Lumian, unable to see his expression, instinctively wanted to hold his breath.
He quickly adjusted, forcing himself to remain calm.
The next second, he felt a gaze fall upon him, making the skin on his face break out in barely noticeable bumps.
It was Wanakâs gaze.
At this moment, Lumian wished he were a Hypnotist, but he could only keep telling himself, I am an experimental subject, I am an experimental subjectâŚ
He maintained the same pace as the black-robed experimental subjects, walking straight ahead.
Two steps⌠one step⌠Lumian tried to clear his mind.
He walked past the imagined figure of Wanak.
One step⌠two steps⌠three steps⌠Lumian didnât dare relax, feeling cold sweat on his back.
Outside the lightning forest, Albus Medici, through a guardian puppetâs eyes, watched Lumian holding the carbide lamp and the ragged head, step by step, approaching Wanak, who had unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt.
He saw Wanakâs gaze fall on Lumian, follow him for seven or eight seconds, then slowly shift away, watching Lumian pass the most dangerous person in Morora and head towards the end of the lightning forest.
Wh- Albus squinted his eyes, then laughed. So thatâs how he gets through dangerous areas, no wonder heâs been reading and studying these past weeks⌠When we reach the destination, Iâll have to guard against him using this trickâŚ
Lumian walked a bit further, feeling the prickling sensation fade as faint echoes of sound from the brass earplugs leaked out, indicating he had left the lightning forest and entered a narrow corridor.
After this corridor, I should reach the area around the mountain of corpsesâŚ
Should I wait for Albus to catch up, or go face Julie and the others alone?
Heh heh, I wonder how Albus will get past WanakâŚ
Lumian stopped and listened for sounds from the direction of the lightning forest.
Thud, thud, thud. He heard slow, steady footsteps.
âWhy did you stop?â Wanakâs sharp voice suddenly rang in his ears.
A chill ran up Lumianâs spine to the back of his head, making him almost pull out the headless corpse of the Abscessed Hand.
He stiffly wanted to âexplain,â but after a momentâs thought, he chose to remain silent and continued walking.
In the nearly frozen air, Lumian heard the thudding footsteps pass him and head towards the end of the corridor.
Phew⌠He quietly exhaled.
He didnât stop again but slowed his pace, moving like a snail.
Soon, he felt countless eyes on him.
Seeing Wanak rush towards 0-01, Albus Medici laughed at Lumianâs pointless risk-taking as he leisurely passed through the lightning forest.
Using the guardian puppets in the corridor, Albus saw the walls made of square iron plates, with surfaces as smooth as mirrors.
At this moment, twisted, pale faces appeared in these âmirrors.â
These faces belonged to the residents of Morora, silently staring at Lumian. Occasionally, someone would cautiously extend a hand from the metal surface, quietly reaching for Lumianâs body.
Lumian merely swung a fireball in that direction, not making any aggressive moves.
Seeing the pale hand retract into the iron wall, Albus made a puppet speak: âI see Wanak didnât blindfold himself. Do you want to try it too?â
In the underground mausoleum, puppets of Wanakâs level donât need to blindfold themselves, not fearing replacement by a Mirror Person.
Theoretically, I should be able to do the same, given Iâm almost like him now⌠Albus must have noticed Wanak didnât attack me and is suspecting my condition⌠Lumian calmly responded to Albus, â! donât want to die yet.â
He then asked, âShould we wait here for a while, let Wanak and the two Demonesses fight it out, and then take advantage?â
Wanak rushing to the mountain of corpses must be to stop Julie and Celeste from doing something to 0-01!
Albus replied through a puppet: âI havenât seen the two Demonesses ahead.â
Julie and Celeste havenât arrived yet? Did you two Demonesses get lost?
You were the first to enter the underground mausoleum! Or have you arrived but are hiding, waiting for the right moment? Lumianâs thoughts raced, and he resumed his normal pace.
As he walked, he smiled at Albus. âYou must have noticed Wanak wonât attack me. So, will you let me go ahead unimpeded, join me, or rush ahead of me?â
Lumian worried Albus might lag behind, letting him face any unexpected dangers around the mountain of corpses alone. So he pointed out his unusual condition, making Albus cautious.
The next dangers, of course, should be faced together. No one should think of hanging back to reap the benefits after the fact!
Albusâs laugh came from Lumianâs side.
âSince weâve agreed to cooperate, weâll go in together.â
âThat colors you in a different light,â Lumian responded insincerely.
After several more steps, Lumian suddenly stopped, feeling he was about to reach the mountain of corpses.
âWhy did you stop?â Albus asked through a puppet at the entrance.
âWhy did you stop?â Lumian retorted.
âYou still donât trust me,â Albus sighed.
Lumian chuckled in amusement and replied, âArenât you the same?â
Suddenly, he sped up, as if trying to leave Albus behind and rush to the foot of the mountain of corpses.
Moments later, he heard a swooshing sound, the noise of a flaming spear piercing the air.
Lumian scoffed and left the corridor completely.
The next second, he felt an intense sense of danger.
This wasnât a premonition but a Hunterâs instinct to dodge an attack aimed at his head.
âAre you here to die too?â Julieâs cold, indifferent voice echoed in Lumianâs ears.
Lumian quickly activated the black mark on his right shoulder and withdrew his hand from the Travelerâs Bag.
He pulled out a bluish-black, swollen, headless corpse!
âŚ
Trier, in the apartment Franca and Jenna rented.
Jenna said to Franca, âYour suggestion worked. Iâve digested the Witch potion. Turns out, getting close to mystical dangers was the key.â
Francaâs face lit up with joy.
âAre you going to take a couple of days to adjust before going to the sacrificial square in the underground catacombs for the advancement, or do it now?â
Jenna pursed her lips and said, âMy spiritual intuition tells me itâs best to do it now.â