Chapter 77: The Third Ordeal Of The Midnight

The fight against the Ordeal of the Dusk went smoother than I could have ever expected. seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

From Kuzunoha's attentiveness and proactiveness in ensuring the utmost survival for both me and Verina, to Verina's major development in her ohrtending prowess as a whole.

If not for the threat of the Eternal Refrain phenomenon where time would often loop at any given time and any given place, I would had probably be enjoying my first time ever in this world being protected by these two wonderful allies of mine.

It was to the point where I began thinking of the long term.

In my best possible interest, I want to ensure that both of them would still be at my side after we manage to reach Torie Citadel.

I also began thinking about how to bind Kuzunoha even more, since there was a chance that she would lose interest in me after she uncovered the secret of my soul and vessel.

There was a reason why I showed my interest to be her test subject for the Xenogene Injector and gain this Valtherion's Blood

As for Verina.

She seemed to be infatuated with me since the first day, and we also have the deal of reviving Lupina. Our relationship won't end anytime soon.

As I mulled over the future, time passed quite diligently.

The Ordeal of the Midnight had arrived.

[The Ordeal of the Midnight will be approaching in 1 second_]

[This message will appear invisible to every instances of entities in this world, if you received this sequence of notification, please notify any of the Arbiters to prevent further complications in your immersive playing experience]

Sometimes, I miss the time of harrowing midnight in a horrifying world.

Because it was the only instance of an event where this annoying notification didn't appear inside my mind.

[Quī mē ex v!ersicu!līs meīs put?āstis, quod!? su?nt molliculī, par!?um pudīc?um!!]

Though, I also hoped that this midnight won't give us anything troublesome like the first day.

After all, the Veil of Night that appeared on yesterday's Ordeal of the Midnight was nothing but a blessing since we didn't have any intention to leave the proximity of the bastion.

It would be nice if we get another one of that kind of special type Calamity Object.

[A Qliphoth Object have been manifesting within the vicinity of your bastion_]

[Attempting to analyze its property and identity_] Exclusive content from m,v lem|p,yr

Nevermind, I said things too soon.

"A Qliphoth Object will be manifested," I warned Kuzunoha and Verina. "The moment I get my sight on it, I will utter my judgment on what we must do."

I said that because with Kuzunoha around, we might have the chance to suppress the Qliphoth Object instead of running away from it.

Kuzunoha understood the implication behind my words as she smirked.

Of course, this all depends on the kind of Qliphoth Object that we will be facing.

In case that the result of our luck with the Qliphoth Object manifestation came for the worst, I already ordered Kuzunoha to store all of our resources and food in with her arcane deconstruction power.

She had also stored the entirety of the workshop per my command. Kuzunoha complained at first because it was a great hassle to deconstruct and reconstruct such a complex and massive object, so I promised her one chance to freely do anything with me after this night.

I also mentioned that even though I allow her to do anything to me, it doesn't mean that I would stand still if she decided to abuse this chance.

Kuzunoha grinned sinisterly after that, which made me a little bit uncomfortable on what kind of shenanigans that she would get me into.

Though, I had already prepared for the worst case scenario, and maintaining her overall engagement with me should always be positive regardless of the intent.

Verina glared at me intensely after that, so I suppose that I could also expect Verina to step in if I were in trouble.

Because of this, we could leave this bastion at any time we want.

"The Qliphoth Object has arrived…"

On the east, a towering figure loomed just beyond the bastion's perimeter, its form an unsettling silhouette against the twilight sky of spiraling moonlight.

It seemed to emerge from the earth itself. Its body was dark and shifting, like sludge mixed with rotting vegetation. Thorns spiraled into what could only be a crown, embedded deep into its mass, though no face could be discerned beneath.

I feel dread all over my existence.

—

[The Molded King]

[Description: A towering figure of regality, its body crafted entirely from sludge, moss, and rot. Its face is an indistinct mass, a crown of thorny vines embedded deep into its "flesh." Wherever it steps, vegetation rots instantly, flowers wilt, and the ground cracks with disease.

The King carries a scepter, from which spores and fungus bloom, releasing toxic clouds of decay that spread faster than wildfire. He never speaks, only pointing with his scepter, and wherever he gestures, the land itself decays as though cursed by some ancient plague. The Molded King does not pursue; he commands nature itself to deteriorate, collapsing civilizations without lifting a finger]

[Mythos Reference: Manifested by Slavic forest spirit myths such as Leshy and the elements of the biblical Plagues of Egypt, reimagined as a lord of rot and corruption]

[Hint: The Molded King can rot anything organic within seconds, and his presence spreads a blight across the land. The only way to oppose him is by cleansing the cursed soil he walks upon with something untouched by the world—virgin soil from a forgotten era or places where death has never occurred. But such objects are nearly impossible to find in the decaying world he leaves behind]

—

"... We shall leave this bastion."

"Agree," Verina nodded.

Kuzunoha shook her head as she shrugged. "Your words are my promise, darling~"

Even if Kuzunoha were able to somehow find a way to survive and defeat the Molded King once and for all, there was too much risk for little to no return.

The thought of something akin to the Molded King arriving on the front door of a generic city in the real world gave me a slight sliver of contemplation.