When I opened my eyes, it was already morning. The Dark Sea had receded, revealing the towering walls of the Dark City in the distance. Today, I will reach it.
"I hope I'm not too late," I muttered before pushing forward with renewed urgency.
On the way, I encountered a group of Carapace Scavengers, their chitinous shells leaving deep marks on the mud as they moved. The battle was short but satisfying, and for the first time in this cursed place, I finally obtained a weapon Memory. Not that I desperately needed one, but it was still frustrating how terrible my luck was when it came to Memories and Echoes.
Seriously, I'm already more than halfway through forming my second core, and this is only the fourth Memory I've obtained. And don't even get me started on Echoes—I haven't seen a single trace of one.
Memory Name: [Azure Sword]
Rank: Awakened
Type: Weapon
Description: [On the Forgotten Shores only steel remembers.]
I barely paid it any attention. Instead, I focused on my goal. After a few more hours of wandering, I finally reached the wall of the Dark City.
Within ten minutes, I had climbed it, taking a moment at the top to survey the city below. The sprawling ruins stretched before me, a labyrinth of danger and opportunity. I traced a path through the crumbling streets and set off without hesitation.
Meanwhile...
"It's already been 19 days. I'm telling you, we have to go. Gunlaug and his men are starting to get restless," Caster said, his voice tight with frustration.
"Cassie said three weeks," Nephis replied, though a flicker of doubt crossed her face.
The room they gathered in resembled a strategy chamber, with a large table at the center covered in a map littered with various markings. Around it, several chairs sat in disarray—one slightly larger than the rest, positioned directly in front of the map.
"Today, we finalize our preparations. Tomorrow, we leave," Nephis declared with finality. "If we delay any longer, we might miss our chance."
Cassie fidgeted anxiously, visibly uneasy. Sunny, who had been leaning against the wall in the corner, straightened up and strode forward.
"Finally. I thought you called me here just to listen to your bickering," he said sarcastically.
Caster clenched his jaw in irritation but quickly schooled his expression.
"So, what's this meeting about?" Sunny asked.
"We have to leave for something important. It will help us defeat Gunlaug," Nephis answered.
"And you need me for...?" Sunny raised an eyebrow. "Just reminding you—I'm not part of your cohort." He paused, then smirked. "But I can be hired."
Nephis narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing too much," Sunny said with a casual shrug. "I just have a really annoying roommate who nearly killed me, and I want to return the favor."
"What is it?"
"Some kind of knight of darkness," Sunny said before muttering under his breath, "probably a Fallen Demon or something even worse."
A heavy silence filled the room as everyone stared at him like he had lost his mind. Effie and Nephis both looked like they were about to object when a sudden commotion outside made them pause.
The noise grew louder, an irritating mix of shouting and hurried footsteps.
"Don't tell me Gunlaug's men are causing trouble again," Effie muttered.
Caster moved toward the door to check, but before he could open it—it was kicked in with such force that it sent him flying.
Everyone reacted instantly, summoning their weapons as they prepared for a fight. But before any of them could strike, a figure stepped into the doorway.
He was tall—over six feet—with a powerful, muscular frame clad in what looked like armor made of some sticky, dark material. A white blindfold with red markings covered his eyes, giving him a weirdly oppressive presence.
The man stood there for a moment, then grinned.
"Hahaha, I finally found you, my little Star."