Chapter 862: Nevermore: Floor Eighty

Chapter 862: Nevermore: Floor Eighty

Jake and company appeared on what would more likely than not be the final floor of Nevermore. Their spawning location was on top of a large ruined tower, giving them a clear view of the surrounding area. However, before Jake had a good chance to look around, he noticed the mana in the air and how it was filled with death.

Luckily, he didnt have to speculate long why this was as the floor description popped up right then.

Welcome to the Eightieth floor of Nevermore: Plateau of the Twin Emperors

In a vast land ruled by two tyrants in constant conflict, you are tasked with ending it. These two tyrants are at constant war, with their armies clashing in war zones between the two empires of the land known simply as the Vast Plateau.

You find yourself standing in a long-abandoned war zone where remnants of battle still remain. Due to the nature of these wars, cursed lands and vast areas have appeared that are considered inaccessible due to the accumulation of death-affinity mana, resulting in the appearance of many undead. This is one such land you now find yourself in.

To end the deterioration of the Vast Plateau, the war must come to an end. Decide your next course of action. Will you join either side of the conflict? Will you attempt to negotiate peace by making them realize the doomed Path they are walking down? Or will you be the enemy of both, as you become a danger so significant you force the two warring emperors to come together? Another option altogether?

The choice is yours.

Main objective: End the conflict.Diiscover new stories at nove/lbin(.)c/om

Bonus objectives: Join either side of the conflict or choose to remain as a third party.

Current progress: Conflict ended (0/1)

Note: More hidden events, achievements, or objectives may be hidden on the floor.

Current Nevermore Points: 1,953,950

Jake and the others read the long description of the floor as they got a general gist of the place. It was a pretty basic setup, basically just giving them an excuse to fight in a war if they wanted. There was probably more to it, but their goal wasnt to figure out who was right or wrong but what decision would give them the most excuses to fight and gain levels while unlocking the event boss.

Addressing the Nevermore Points, Jake did feel pretty fucking good about how many he had racked up in the last ten years or so after the Challenge Dungeons. It was just about seven hundred thousand, with every floor giving more than the last except for floor seventy-five being a bit of an outlier due to the event boss.

For reference, floor seventy-nine had rewarded just under a hundred thousand Nevermore Points, which was a bit less than double what floor seventy-one had rewarded. It was a big increase, but not that out of pocket, especially not when one considered how much the difficulty also spiked. Jake and his party, straight out of the Challenge Dungeons, would have gotten their asses handed to them against the event boss on floor seventy-five and also had serious trouble with the floors after that.

Jake sure as hell doubted many, if any, of the Leaderboard groups were capable of challenging anything above the lower floors in the eighties, assuming they even had the time. That still was a lot of potential Nevermore Points one could earn. He knew EllHakan had been ahead of him time-wise with all the Challenge Dungeons, with approximately a full year extra to do floors, so assuming they matched Jake and companys speed, they would end up doing one more floor than them. It wasnt a lot, but it was something.

All of this is to say that things could get a bit hairy here toward the end. Alas, the only thing Jake should focus on was himself and clearing this floor. He would disappoint himself if he didnt at least beat that orange fucker, but beating him still wasnt Jakes primary objective.

You notice anything? Outside of the environmental mana clearly communicating that we are in undead territory, the Sword Saint asked. Asking Jake about his thoughts at the beginning of every floor was pretty much standard by now, as he often could either see something with his adequate Perception stat or had some gut feeling. In other cases, primarily in worlds filled with nature, they also asked Dina for some insight from the local fauna. Not that there was any living thing for her to ask on this tower or anywhere nearby.

Jake looked around and saw dead land spreading in all directions. The ground was gray and dry, with some movement here and there from undead. Skeleton creatures, ghosts, zombies, large abominations all the good stuff. Their levels were also all around level 290, with some of the larger undead just around 300.

Looking beyond the undead lands, Jake saw a few watchpoints established, likely to contain the undead. Further back than those, Jake saw plains, wilderness, some forests, and even some cities. It was very much the same in both directions, though he did also spot another contained land, and even from this distance, Jake felt the power of a powerful curse lingering there.

One might wonder how Jake could see this many things. It wasnt because all these locations were bunched up or anything, but due to the peculiar layout of this world because they sure as fuck werent on a planet. There was absolutely zero curvature anywhere, and the land was surprisingly flat, with not a single mountain of any kind in sight. Even with massive planets Jake could usually notice the ever-so-slightest curvature if he went far enough up, but here, there truly was none at all. A fact he shared with the party.

Hm, so its a bit like the land the Endless Empire knows as the Great Plains. Massive landmasses just floating in space. The largest of which nearly matches the overall surface of a Great Planet, with the Heartlands of the Endless Empire placed primarily on these Great Plains. I have only seen some pictures from Grandpa, as getting to visit the Great Plains is quite difficult though I dont think Jake would have any problems, Dina said, gladly sharing some more great multiversal knowledge.

Let us hope this place is not that big, the Fallen King commented with displeasure.

Doesnt look like it is based on what Ive seen so far, Jake shook his head. Anyway, whats the plan?

At least a few billion had died within a single century, all concentrated on big battlefields. Battlefields that both emperors had made it illegal to enter, much less hunt undead within. Instead, they were treated more like conservations.

After listening to everything, Jake couldnt help but reach a conclusion.

They are cultivating these areas of curse energy and death. Working together to do so, Jake said as the others looked at him.

Why? Dina questioned. What would the purpose of that even be?

I know, like at least seven rituals that use curse energy in an area. I reckon that at least one of these Twin Emperors has something similar for the undead areas. As for why, Im just gonna take a shot in the dark here and guess its about trying to gain more power, Jake shrugged.

The endless folly of those too untalented to progress without cheap shortcuts, the Fallen King scoffed.

Yeah, not a fan of it either, assuming Im correct, Jake sighed.

Arent alchemists from the Order of the Malefic Viper known to sometimes wipe out entire civilizations during their experiments just to try and get a level or two? the Sword Saint said, being very judgemental towards poor alchemists just trying their best. He was entirely correct, sure, but still a bit judgemental.

I wouldnt know anything about acting haphazardly, my actions ultimately ending in the destruction of a planet, Jake defended himself.

Ree? Sylphie asked with a tilted head.

We arent talking about that one, Jake quickly shut the bird up. Why had he decided to share all the things about Temlat with her again?

Anyway, going by Jakes theory, how would it function if we joined either faction when they are working together? the Sword Saint got the discussion back on track.

Even if they are in symbiosis right now, it doesnt mean either isnt trying to reap all the rewards, Dina said with a frown. It may be that they are both benefitting from the creation of these death and curse-filled domains and that our interference can tip the balance of power, resulting in the death of one Twin Emperor.

Ree, Sylphie also added, making a good point.

The name Twin Emperors does indeed communicate they are connected to one another and not merely competitors. That they appeared at the same time is also highly suspicious, the Fallen King agreed.

So what youre saying is Jake hinted.

We already discussed not choosing a side, so let us indeed not, the Fallen King spoke. They attacked us first. We are now merely retaliating and defending ourselves as we march toward the Twin Emperor.

Ree?

I am pretty sure using disproportionate force to pretty much slaughter an entire country or two would be considered a war crime, Jake commented. Actually, never mind, lets not think about that.

To summarize, were all in agreement we will be a third force who just fights everyone? the Sword Saint asked clarifyingly.

That is indeed the way to get the most experience, Jake agreed.

In that case, lets not dally, the old man nodded. Rather than ravage more cities, how about we check out one of the active battlefields instead?

You want us to just show up to an ongoing battle and put ourselves right in the middle to fight everyone at once? the Fallen King asked.

Precisely.

See, were all in agreement! Jake grinned. Now lets go to war.