After a quick descent, I started summoning [Death Trap] to attract the Nightmare creatures coming from the breached gate.
I made my way toward the breach while cutting down a few faster ones.
The number of abominations grew quickly, and they all seemed to be drawn to me.
"Hahaha, just like always. Come at me, insects!" I shouted as I was quickly surrounded.
The monsters were strange, tall insect-like humanoids with six arms and brimming black eyes.
I was holding my ground well. The only issue was the limited space around me, which made movement difficult. However, it also meant that the Nightmare creatures were just as restricted, forcing them into tight clusters.
It was a good old-fashioned hack-and-slash—no fancy battle arts, just simple, short, and quick steps. I made wide arcs with each sword swing, taking out as many as possible with each motion.
At some point, a black knight began cutting through the abominations at incredible speed. Not long after, I heard Awakened and soldiers shouting that Lord Mongrel had arrived.
Hearing this, I chuckled slightly and thought to myself:
"I'm definitely making fun of him after this."
The monsters finally thinned out, and the Devouring Cloud started retreating. After about half an hour, the last Nightmare creature was slain.
"Haaah, they're finally gone," I sighed.
"Hey, Sunny, you're alive," I said while approaching him, summoning [Veil of the Sovereign's Sight] at the same time.
"Yeah, that was one hell of a ride," he said tiredly. "How are you not exhausted? You've been taking the brunt of this for hours."
"Oh, ever since becoming a Master and gaining my aspect abilities, I don't really get physically tired anymore," I said dismissively.
"If you say so… weirdo."
Before I could respond, a wave of agonizing pain suddenly hit me, accompanied by several notifications.
[You have been acknowledged by a human...]
[You have been granted a tribute.]
[You have been acknowledged by an Awakened human...]
[You have been granted a tribute.]
[Your soul is full]
[Your soul takes shape]
Name: Christopher
True Name: King of Men
Rank: Ascended
Soul Core: Titan
Soul Fragments: [4/7000]
Memories:[Veil of the Sovereign's Sight], [Casket of Forgotten Threads], [Death Trap], [Almighty Spaulders], [Fissure Fang], [Locket of the Northern Wind], [Enchanted Sleeping Bag], [Carver's Reverie]
Echoes: -
Attributes:[Mind-Body Mastery], [Enhanced Senses], [Master of the Chi-You], [Burning Anger], [Soul Essence Regeneration]
Aspect: [Sovereign's Edict]
Aspect Rank: Divine
Innate Ability: [Sovereign's Tribute]
Aspect Abilities: [Heavenly Gaze], [Undying Conviction], [Imperial Stature]
Flaw: [Mirror Touch Synesthesia]
"Ughhh," I groaned, clutching my chest.
Sunny was staring at me, clearly astonished.
"You are also..." he started to say, but I slowly raised my index finger to my lips, silencing him.
"Ahhhh, lucky me this didn't happen in the middle of the fight. That would've been troublesome."
"Troublesome? You would have been dead," he said seriously.
"Ah, don't worry about me. I can't die," I smirked.
"...What?"
"Nothing. Come on, let's find Jet. I saw her fall with the debris."
Sunny still seemed shaken but started looking around.
After a few minutes of searching, we found Jet hanging from some alloy rods. We got her down and walked over to where Winter and Dale were sitting.
"I see you're both alive. Sorry for ditching you—I had to rush to contain the gate," I said apologetically.
"No problem, you did great," Dale said.
"Anyway, come here. I'll give it back," Winter said, stretching her hand out.
"Don't worry about it. I can't use it anyway, and I heard you're a collector of some sort."
"But this is a—" she started to protest.
"You know what?" I cut in. "I wager that, that I can change the future you've seen."
"...How do you—?" she was baffled.
"I heard it from somewhere." I dismissed the topic and turned to Jet. "Anyway, Jet, get me a meeting with Sky Tide. I think I have an idea."
"An idea about what?" she asked, surprised.
"How to make sure she can hold out for three weeks."
"You came up with an idea while fighting Nightmare creatures?" she asked suspiciously.
"Oh no, I already had the idea, but I wasn't confident enough before. But things won't get much better than this, so the sooner, the better."
She took out her communicator, and after a few minutes, she turned to me and said:
"Well, they're interested. They told us to come immediately."