Niko and Fumito strode into the main hall of the castle, their faces set in grim determination. The soft flicker of torches cast long shadows across the ancient stone walls, making the atmosphere even more somber as small spiritual orbs floated around Niko like small moons around a planet. The weight of their discovery pressed heavily on them, and it was clear from their expressions that what they had found below the castle was not to be taken lightly.
Zheng and Ivanic were already waiting, seated around the long wooden table in the center of the hall. The room, usually filled with the crackling of the fire and the occasional banter, was eerily silent. The air felt heavy, laden with the unspoken fears that everyone shared but hadn’t yet voiced.
Niko wasted no time, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “Underneath the castle, there’s a spawn point,” he began, pacing slowly. “But that’s not the worst of it. That spawn point is feeding something—a monster. And this isn’t your run-of-the-mill creature. It has to be at least an ‘E-’ grade, maybe higher. It could probably contend with a level 20. Even with the four of us working together, we’d struggle to match its power.”
Ivanic leaned back, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. “Are you sure it’s that strong?” he questioned, his tone laced with doubt. “I mean, we’ve dealt with powerful creatures before.”
Fumito, still feeling the lingering dread from their encounter, shook his head. “I felt it,” he said, his voice quieter but firm. “The pressure, the malice—it was overwhelming. Even the minions down there were formidable.” He paused, his mind flashing back to the Motherless Spiders. “We faced these things... they’re called Motherless Skinners. They weren’t just strong; they were relentless, they fought with brutality I haven’t seen before and they looked hideous.”
Niko then walked and stood in the hall's center, the firelight and his rankless spirits casting flickering shadows across his face. With a deep breath, he extended his hand, the familiar green aura of his [Spirit King’s Order] swirling around him. The energy pulsed, gathering strength as it coalesced into two distinct forms. Slowly, the ghastly figures of the Motherless Skinners began to materialize before the group, their spectral forms still dripping with the eerie remnants of the prison’s darkness.
The spirits stood tall, their grotesque, hairy bodies illuminated in the dim light. Their faint red, soulless eyes glowed faintly under the green ghastly hue, and the twin crab-like claws clicked in a strange periodical pattern. The sinewy, curling hairs that covered their bodies bristled, giving off an aura of predatory malice. The room grew colder as the presence of these spectral monstrosities filled the space.
Zheng’s eyes widened in shock, his hand unconsciously tightening on his weapon. Ivanic took a step back, his usually composed demeanor faltering as he stared at the horrific creatures. Even Fumito, who had faced them in battle, couldn’t help but grimace at their grotesque appearance. The unsettling combination of arachnid and crustacean features made the spirits seem like nightmares given form, their twisted existence a chilling reminder of the horrors lurking beneath the castle.
“These are the Motherless Skinners,” Niko said, his voice low and steady, the weight of the creatures’ presence pressing down on everyone. “Their levels ranged from 11 to 13, but whatever lies deeper is far worse.”
The group stood in silence, the grim reality of their situation sinking in as they continued to gaze at the abominations before them.
Zheng furrowed his brow, leaning forward with a concerned expression. “Why would a monster like that be beneath our castle?” he asked, the unease in his voice clear. “What’s the purpose of keeping something like that imprisoned?”
Niko stopped pacing and turned to face them, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “I think it was contained there for a reason,” he said. “But there’s more to it. I’ve been piecing together a theory. I believe the layers in this world are fragments of other worlds, stolen and placed here, much like how we were summoned.”
The group fell silent, each of them processing the implications of Niko’s words. The thought of entire worlds being torn apart and reshaped into the layers they now inhabited was unsettling.
Ivanic broke the silence, his skepticism giving way to curiosity. “What makes you think that?” he asked.
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Niko took a deep breath, gesturing toward the library. “The books,” he explained. “The library has volumes that describe a world unlike anything we’ve seen here or on Earth. Real events, real creatures—things we’ve encountered or heard about in our territory. Some of the items we’ve found even have descriptions that match these accounts. It’s like each layer carries clues about the world it was taken from.”
Fumito nodded slowly, the pieces starting to fit together. “So, you’re saying the drops and creatures give us hints about their origins?” he asked.
“Exactly,” Niko confirmed. “If we can decipher the clues, we might find a way to survive better, maybe even thrive. But more importantly, we might find out what’s down there.”
Ivanic stood, the resolve in his eyes matching Niko’s. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll help you comb through the library. We need every advantage we can get.”
Before they could continue, Niko raised a hand, his expression sharpening. “Wait,” he said, his tone alert. “We have a visitor.”
The group tensed, readying themselves for a confrontation. Ivanic gripped the hilt of his knife, Zheng’s claws flexed in anticipation, and Fumito’s massive sword gleamed in the firelight.
“It’s just one person,” Niko added, his voice steady but cautious. “Their movements are sluggish, not like an attack force.”
The tension eased slightly, but the air remained thick with anticipation. They exchanged wary glances, each of them prepared for whatever—or whoever—might be approaching.
THUD!
The heavy thud against the castle’s main door echoed through the hall, silencing the group as they exchanged wary glances. Fumito was the first to move, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he approached the door. Niko followed close behind, his senses on high alert. With a swift motion, Fumito pulled the door open, revealing a sight that made everyone freeze.
Dharma Kyidtodpa, the monk who had once fought alongside them to claim the castle, lay crumpled on the doorstep. His bald head was slick with blood, trickling down onto his stained new orange robe. The vibrant garment was now smeared with dirt and darkened by dried blood, his breathing shallow and labored.
“Dharma...” Niko whispered, his eyes narrowing as he took in the monk’s battered form.
Kneeling beside the fallen man, Niko activated [Celestial Probe], and a stream of information flooded into his mind.
[Celestial Probe]
Name: Dharma Kyidtodpa
Level: 17
Skills:
- [Demonic Whirlwind Palm]
- [Wind Daemon Transformation]
- [Gust of Despair]
Niko’s eyes widened in shock. “Level 17... with three skills?” he muttered, disbelief lacing his voice. “What the hell happened to you?”
The group stood in stunned silence, processing the revelation. Ivanic broke the tension, kneeling beside Dharma and checking his pulse. “He’s alive, but barely. We need to get him inside,” Ivanic said firmly.
Niko nodded. “Do it. Get him treated.”
As Ivanic and Zheng lifted Dharma’s limp form, Niko’s gaze turned toward the mountain path. His expression hardened, his mind racing with questions. “Why did you come back, Dharma?” he murmured. “Did you know we would protect you? Or is the problem you’re running from bigger than we can handle?”
Ivanic carried the monk inside while Niko remained at the doorway, staring into the descending darkness. The cold wind carried with it a sense of foreboding, rustling the leaves and whispering through the trees.
Suddenly, Niko felt it—a familiar presence approaching. His connection with his spirits confirmed it. Eight figures were making their way up the mountain, following the same path Dharma had taken. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the entities approaching.
“There are eight of them,” Niko said aloud, his voice cold and calculating. “They’re coming from the opposite side of the mountain, not the usual path the Tera Protectors take.”
Fumito stepped beside him, his hand still on his sword. “Could it be another group from the neighboring territory?” he asked.
Niko’s curiosity peaked. “Maybe. That side of the mountain leads to a forested area, not officially claimed by any clan. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t rogue groups or something else lurking there.”
Ivanic returned, his hands stained with Dharma’s blood. “We’ve got a bigger problem. If they’re following Dharma, they might be the reason he’s in this state. We can’t afford to let them reach the castle.”
Niko’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Whatever they are, they’re about to learn what happens when they step onto my territory.”
Fumito grinned, tightening his grip on his sword. “Good. I’ve been itching for another fight, and more exp.”
The group stood in tense anticipation, the eerie silence of the night broken only by the distant sound of footsteps ascending the mountain. Shadows loomed larger, and the air grew heavier with the promise of conflict.
Niko felt the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. This wasn’t just about protecting the castle or his territory—it was about proving that they could survive whatever this world threw at them.