Chapter 391: Syllablights

Chapter 391: Syllablights

Aquilo

Species: Storm Eel

Class: Water

Statistics: 100% HP

Skills:

- Combat Splitting

- Frost touch

- Storm

- Ice scales

- Water manipulation

- ???

It had become second nature for Dallion to split into a dozen instances each time he was about to do something important. However, it was quite rare for a guardian to do the same. Even stranger, the guardian didnt make any attempts to attack, but rather positioned itself in front of each of Dallions instances, indicating that it would take a lot more effort for someone to get past it.

Fighting the guardian was going to be tough. Fortunately for Dallion, his music skill told him that the creature had no intention of fighting him, at least not yet. Rather, the eel was more curious to see him. However, the creatures that composed the labyrinth were a different matter. From his current position Dallion wasnt able to spot any of them, but he could still see the spots of bloodthirst went on as far as the eye could see, like thousands of blue droplets on a white napkin.

So youre the human empath the eel asked. You look a lot smaller than I imagined.

Summon me, sounds merged in Dallions realm, forming words.

Without hesitation, Dallion summoned his harpsisword. Instead of the weapon, however, the nymph within it emerged, dressed in combat armor. Seen her, the eel violently recoiled; its scales fanned out, making them look like razor blades all over its body.

This wasnt the first time Dallion had seen others have such a reaction upon seeing Harp, making him believe that she had been a force to be reckoned with while in the real world. There was every indication that she could be as strong as Vihrogon, or even stronger.

Behave. The nymphs skin vibrated to form the word. That didnt make it sound any less threatening.

Im not here to fight, Dallion quickly added, seeing the terror within the eel. I just want to decipher the scroll.

The eels scales lowered halfway, although it still kept its distance.

Harps my guardian and friend, Dallion went on. Shes only here to make sure nothing happens to me. She wont hurt you unless you try to harm me.

That was supposed to reassure the guardian, but for some reason it didnt. Dallion watched as spheres of fear appeared throughout the eels body.

Its fine, Dallion whispers. Forward, Lux, he ordered.

Harp tried to block his path, but Dallion gestured for her to let him through. Normally, this would have been a huge risk on his part, but this wasnt the real worldhere, the only punishment Dallion could suffer was to have to try and enter the real world again.

Can you order the creatures to decipher the text? Dallion asked.

The eel remained silent.

Harp, you can go back, Dallion said.

Syllablights are parasitic creatures that can be found in underground veins or certain metal ores. Highly aggressive and territorial, they spend most of their existence moving ore fragments between parts of the vein, multiplying in the process.

Discovered and domesticated by dwarves, syllablights were used to cypher important text information due to their ability to constantly change their location within the mending labyrinth of the item in question (as long as the item is composed of metal). They are trained to return to their original location upon hearing orders from the echo that originally placed them there, or anyone else, the echo approves of.

While in the awakened realm, Syllablights cannot be destroyed, since they have become integrated with the labyrinth itself.

The information was a lot more than Dallion expected. From this point on, the creature was an open book to him: he knew everything about it, from the way it behaved to every part of its anatomy.

Taking a short break, so that the pain in his chest could loosen a bit, Dallion then went to the nearest blue creature and repeated the process. Alas, there was no new message or skill increase. Apparently, the species were considered too close to one another, for Dallion to be granted a reward.

Well done, dear boy, Nil congratulated him. Youre finally making proper use of your hidden skill.

Dallion didnt say a word, returning to standard combat instead. The whip blade spun like crazy, slicing syllablights by the dozens, while Dallion kept evading them and blocking them with his shield.

Lux, heal the walls, Dallion ordered.

Blue flames extended from Dallion, covering the walls. For the most part, nothing happened. Healing flames covered the gaps caused by the syllablights, incapable of filling them in. After a while, though, Dallions efforts paid off. A single block appeared in a space of the wall, filling in a single square hole. Considering the mass of holes nearby and the miles of labyrinth Dallion hadnt even gone through, the success was minuscule. In truth, it was astonishingDallion had just found a way to restore the original state of the labyrinth, and by extension, the message on the scroll. This meant that Dallion could decipher the message without using an unlock item. It was going to be long and difficult, but it was possible. Unsurprisngly, Dallion continued doing just that.

Hours became days. Fighting the constantly increasing hunger, Dallion kept at it. Once he had gone through half of the labyrinth, the syllablights started filling up the holes at an increasing rate. Even the scroll guardianstill a bit timid due to the harpsiswords presencewould give Dallion some encouragement while roaming the skies above, watching him engaged in battle with the creatures.

On the eighth day since he had entered the item, the labyrinth was finally in order.

BRUTE FORCE DECIPHERING

(Mind +5)

Brute force is the least efficient way of deciphering a message, but it works. Just make sure you have the strength to read what youve deciphered.

An achievement rectangle appeared in front of Dallion. It had been a while since she hed received an achievement, and a five point one at that. Exhausted, he leaned against the silver wall, breathing heavily.

That was fun, Gleam said as she assembled the fragments of the whip blade. Monotonous, but fun.

Speak for yourself, Dallion said between breaths. He wanted to rest, maybe even sleep, but knew he couldnt take the chance. For all he knew, that pause might cause the syllablights to change position again.

Dallion closed his eyes and concentrated. Then, upon opening them again, he left the realm. Reality around him shifted. Once more he was with the hunters party, Euryale next to him, holding the other scroll. Largo was still walking away, as he had been over a week ago.

Youre back, Euryale said, able to tell that Dallion had returned even after a mere second.

Largo, Dallion shouted. Take a look now.

The words were magic, causing the large hunter to combat split and get back to Dallion at extreme speed. Dallion was able to see several of his instances reading different parts of the scroll at the same time.

Sea currents, Largo said. The chart is nothing but sea currents.

Sea currentsthe most valuable information for a maritime power, and also an explanation why there were next to none nymph cities remaining. Everyone had assumed that the cities had been destroyed, but they were never on land to begin with.

Trade routes to nine cities, Large kept reading. Some on land, others in water. Can you decipher the other one?

Not a chance, Dallion almost snapped. He wasnt willing to go through what he just had. Not without getting a week of rest before that.

Then we have one location with enough information to find more. We really hit the jackpot for once. The man patted Dallion on the shoulder. Are you fine with that, princess?

After the Glass Mounts, the fury replied. Depending on what we learn, well see.

Ill hold you to that. Largo pointed at her. I hope you dont change your mind.