Chapter 112:

“Holy crap! What the hell is this? A nightmare revisited?” Having just crawled out of the half-collapsed Blood Vulture Halls, Meow King was in a miserable state, covered in dirt and grime, looking nearly dead. His Four Heavenly Kings and old buddy Little Hand had already perished in the previous battle. Shamefully, four out of these five were SC failures that had gone berserk and were personally killed by the Meow King. But just as he surfaced and was about to catch his breath, he looked up and froze in his tracks, letting out a rather player-like exclamation of surprise. However, there was no one left by his side to echo his shock. Of the 60 little players who had entered the Halls instance dungeon, only he remained alive. This was far beyond the depths of misery. “Damn! Did the sky leak again?” The same stylized exclamation came from behind the Meow King, causing him to whip his head around. There he saw Precipitation Niuniu, looking like a mud monkey, crawling out from the collapsed spiral staircase while carrying the nearly unconscious Invincible Tyrannosaurus Cheche on his back. Alright then. The good news was that after completing this instance dungeon, there were still 3 players left. The bad news was that this did not change their rather miserable reality. This was essentially the most wretched battle and trial the players had experienced since joining《Reality Realm》. But the most, most, most important good news was that they had won! The once invincible Salrokdar was dead! The Blood Vulture Halls had been conquered! However, before celebrating their victory, the three divinely lucky survivors had to first figure out what was happening before their eyes. Above them, in the night sky over Kadman City’s desolate inner district, the starry river had once again been “torn apart.” Just like the previously inflicted spiritual invasion caused by the Astral Realm Breach ritual. The torn sky looked like cracks in glass, with a long narrow “Astral Wound” stretching between the stars, flickering with dark purple starry dots in the dark background. “We’ve expelled such an immense amount of sub-dimension spiritual energy into the Astral Realm, it’s bound to have a significant impact on the mapping between the Astral Realm and the material world. Indeed, the previously healed Astral Realm rift has been reopened. And this time, I estimate it won’t be so easy for it to heal again.” Speaking in an oddly accented Mandarin, the pale but otherwise uninjured Lady Tris limped out from the spiritual transmission portal she had arduously opened behind her. She explained to the three little players the reasons behind everything happening before their eyes. Behind her, Miriam and Lieutenant Frayzer, having brushed against true death and completely experienced such an intense situation, could only lean on each other weakly as they set foot on solid ground once more. Now was not the time to talk about the enemy’s identity, they just wanted to be still! And don’t ask who Still is! “Will this have any impact on Kadman City?” The Meow King caught his breath and approached Lady Tris to ask: “We’ve only just taken back our territory, do we really have to abandon this place now?” “Speak slower, warrior! Show some consideration for my pitiful state of mind, I’ve only just learned your overly complex language.” Lady Tris rebuked him unhappily. But then she sighed and pointed at the familiar black smoke-like spiritual energy emanating from the “Astral Wound” overhead, saying to the Meow King, Niuniu, and the panting Cheche who was repeatedly slapping himself: “There won’t be any further impact, because this isn’t a tear originating from within the Astral Realm itself. So its manifestation and destructive force in the material world is far less severe than before, and its range will only be limited to parts of the inner district. But the bad news is that this area will be covered in Astral Realm shadows like the previous outer district, along with some crossover Astral Realm beasts and bizarre creatures. As for how long it will take to heal... If I really have to give you a specific timeframe, I’d guess this sub-dimension phenomenon will maintain this form for at least ten years before slowly starting to heal, and that’s only if it doesn’t get further agitated from outside forces.” “Huh?” The Meow King and Niuniu exchanged a glance. Cheche, lying on the ground gasping for breath, exclaimed: “So doesn’t that mean the hunting ground we were previously given will reappear, but this time it’s even bigger and lasts longer? Damn, the devs really have some crazy ideas, using this as a way to add an upgraded wilderness area to the newbie village.” “What are you talking about?” Lady Tris turned to Cheche with a puzzled look. “Devs? Newbie village? Wilderness area? What do those mean?” “It’s nothing, just slang from the Realm.” Before the three little players could answer, Murphy’s weary voice came from the darkness behind them. Lady Tris turned in surprise to see her progeny slowly descending, his massive Blood Wings folding as he landed. His Elder’s armor was tattered, and an eerily familiar magic sword now hung at his waist. But aside from that, Murphy seemed to have no further injuries. Tris stepped forward anxiously, reaching out to feel Murphy’s body, trying to see if he had any hidden wounds. No one understood the danger of Salrokdar and the sub-dimension demonic forces better than Tris. She was terrified that Murphy might be left with a life-altering affliction because of this. In nature-favored environments, the Watcher Sacred Blade can unleash various White Knight sacred arts, amplifying its might to the bearer’s limits. Activating this power requires attunement with the Sacred Blade! Specific abilities limited to【Avalon Faithful】. Maker: Nature’s Avalon – Astral Realm Forged Item Description: 【The interpretation of the Three Sacred Blades differs greatly between human and elven cultures. Foolish humans are more inclined to view them as divine greatness, but to elves, the Three Blades represent different facets of the natural Avalon. The Watcher represents the nurturing authority of the Forest Mother Avalon. The other two Blades symbolize the stern Storm Queen Avalon and the pure Maiden Moon Avalon respectively. Indeed, in elven belief, their god has three distinct personalities of severe multiple personality disorder! If counting the Spider Lady Avalon revered by the outcast dark elves, this Astral Realm Great Spirit before you has four completely different personalities. Hmm, the absurdities of the new world really do open one’s eyes, don’t they? Of course, this also raises another issue! When befriending an elf, don’t fuss over where they’re from, just ask which Avalon they follow and be done with it.】 “...” The information on the Great Oak Sacred Blade before him made Murphy realize how little he truly understood of this otherworld. But he indeed had no plans to keep this Sacred Blade for himself. Not just because of Old Finoch’s final sacrifice to protect Murphy’s territory, but also because he couldn’t actually use this thing unless he pledged faith to one of the four Avalons. Yet he was an eternal Sin Descendant vampire, a piece of crap in the gods’ eyes. Even if he wanted to suck up, no one would have him! Who would want relations with a piece of crap? Sigh. Murphy let out a long breath. He was about to discuss their next steps with Tris when, just as he started to stand, his vision blurred and a new prompt popped up in his achievements system: 【Blood Vulture Halls destroyed, achievement list closed! You have obtained all achievements for this area, hidden achievement【Blood Vulture Grand Slam】unlocked! Achievement rewards issued! Tester Exclusive – Sleep Link function enabled! Note! This function requires manual activation by test admin. Advanced Function – Title System activated!】 “?!” Murphy’s eyes went wide. He thought that after completing the Newbie Guide quests, there wouldn’t be this process of completing tasks to get rewards and unlock new functions anymore. But every step of this test admin system’s design was beyond his expectations. So to unlock further new functions, he didn’t need to do quests now, but instead had to pursue achievements? Why didn’t you just say you wanted to work me to death? You’re really going to force me to be an achievement hunter in this new world? Murphy rolled his eyes and opened the explanation for the Sleep Link function. He initially thought it would just allow little players to keep dreaming and playing the game while asleep. But in the next instant, Murphy clenched his fists. Because this thing was not nearly as simple as he imagined: 【Sleep Link Function Explanation: With this function activated, testers can maintain mental link and spiritual projection activity while entering sleep state, with each sleep link lasting up to 8 hours! Note! Game time gained from Sleep Link does not count towards a tester’s daily allowed game time! But at the end of each Sleep Link, forced logout for 30 minutes is required to recalibrate the tester’s grasp on the real world they belong to. Note! This is a reward function that can effectively treat insomnia, recurring dreams, and mental fatigue, while also providing an emergency wake-up function to prevent danger during sleep. Go share this good news with your cute and capable little players!】 “???Eight hours of sleep doesn’t count as game time? This insane reward! Good! Very good! Excellent! Lavishly reward my cute and capable little players! This is how their heroic journey should be rewarded!” Joy welled up in Murphy’s heart as he immediately calculated with elementary math: “So does this mean my little players can now achieve 8+6=14 hours of continuous operation? Hmm, my dear Patriarch Salrokdar, farewell, I will remember and appreciate your sacrifice. If I had known eliminating you would unlock such an awesome function, why would I have waited until now?”