DreamTickler

Chapter 173: Lots of Rewards!

As the notification hovered before Thorian, a smile spread across his face. His teammates were gradually emerging from the hallucinatory state induced by the Shadow Queen's illusionary song. Despite his warnings, it had been too late; her ability was insidiously effective, nearly impossible to counter without acute mana control. Even with their ears covered as Thorian had advised, the faintest sound had sufficed to ensnare them within her illusion.

In the aftermath of their battle, the ...

Chapter 172: Shadow Queen

Seeing the notification, Thorian smiled. "The other two groups should have cleared their respective chasms by now."

While Thorian contemplated his next moves, Nox and William were still astonished by the display of power he had just shown. Nox walked toward Thorian, surprise evident in his eyes. "What was that move just now? I've never seen anything like it!"

"Every time I think I've gotten a grasp of your powers, you show me something even more absurd," William admitted as he app...

Chapter 171: Royal Guard Arachnid

As Thorian and his team followed Alacritas, they finally reached a part of the forest where the dirt had turned black. Enraged Rabarians and Thri-keens rushed at them, but their powers made these monsters no issue.

Delving deeper into the forest, Thorian and his company found the three chasms specified in the quest.

"Good luck to all of you," Thorian announced as he prepared to enter the largest one.

"This will be no trouble," Zogarth laughed. "We'll finish our work quickly ...

Chapter 170: Queen of Shadows

Hearing these words, Thorian was thoroughly confused. A timed quest this urgent? I haven't heard about anything like that from William in my past life.

Deciding to shake off these thoughts, Thorian responded, "Show me the quest. Let's see just how problematic it is."

Nodding at Thorian's words, Melina handed him the quest parchment.

Queen of Shadows

Quest Requirements:

The leader of the party must possess the Lord Attribute.

Team Limit:

Only ...

Major edit for chapter 169

As pointed out by some readers, the chapter was pretty boring. So I cut down some parts that were repetitive and added a whole section at the end. Please tell me if you like it more.

Chapter 169: Shadowy Display

Thorian and Nox traversed the portal into the Verdant Labyrinth, making their descent into its fourth layer. Initially, their journey through the dungeon unfolded without incident. They navigated past the monsters lurking within with swift precision, propelling themselves towards the Golden Grotto. There, the armored Gilded Spiketail awaited, nestled in its lair.

With Nox's newly acquired powers at their disposal, the confrontation with the Spiketail concluded almost as swiftly as it be...

Chapter 168: Preparations for the Abyss

"So, what is your plan for today, my lord?" Forlune asked after seeing Thorian look back at the forest thoughtfully.

"Well, dealing with the humans is certainly a major part of it," Thorian smiled as he looked back at Forlune. "But it's not the only matter we have to think about. Due to Nalia, we had to postpone our work on rock gathering, but now it's time we got back to it."

"But we need those carts for this project, right?" Forlune asked. "Have the carpenters finished that job ...

Chapter 167: Deliberations

There was a deep silence for a few moments as the two looked at each other.

“By vassals, you mean you wish to rule over Locksley?” William took a deep breath.

“That is indeed what I mean,” Thorian nodded. “However, you would still hold authority, second only to me within Locksley, and for most of the day-to-day affairs, you would be in charge.”

“This is a difficult request,” William admitted with a sigh. “What you’re asking of me is to betray the royal fa...

Chapter 166: Mana Heart

As the first rays of sunlight awoke Thorian, he rose from his bed and dressed in clean clothes. Exiting his bedroom, he discovered Nox asleep on one of the living room couches. Smiling, Thorian roused his friend, "Nox, it's time to wake up."

With a grunt, Nox stretched and opened his eyes. "Is it morning already?"

"It is," Thorian chuckled. "Now, quickly get dressed so we can head out. We have quite a few tasks ahead."

"Okay, okay," Nox yawned, standing up.

Realizing N...

Interlude 20

Tristan Ravenwood POV

As William escorted Thorian and his team to the abyss, Tristan, alongside Robert, Oswald, and the two children, made their way to the heart of Locksley. They navigated through blocks of buildings until Robert halted.

"Your grace, I believe it's best if I take the boys to the mansion," he suggested, glancing at the children. "They need to change their clothes and shower."

"No, wait!" James protested, shaking his head. "I want to go to th...

Chapter 165: New Beginning

As Thorian looked at the deluge of notifications that appeared in front of him, he smiled contentedly. However, before he could check his status panel, a new notification appeared:

[Congratulations, you were the second fastest team in the kingdom to clear the twentieth floor of the abyss.]

[All team members shall gain 10 additional Free Points as a reward.]

‘Again, the second team?’ Thorian furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and frustration. ‘Just who could be faster t...

Chapter 164: Ice Arena

As they entered the twentieth floor, Thorian's group found themselves inside of a giant icy arena. The vast expanse of the arena was enclosed by towering walls of ice, shimmering under the dim light that seemed to emanate from the very ice itself. The cold was more intense here, biting into the skin, but for Thorian and his team, it was just another challenge to overcome.

[Welcome to the twentieth floor of the abyss.]

[To clear this floor, complete the floor quest]

[Floor Qu...

Chapter 163: Back to the Abyss

As William made his way out of the chamber, Forlune nudged Thorian. "Was it a good idea to show him the entrance to the abyss?"

"It was a gesture of goodwill," Thorian sighed. "By revealing the abyss to him, I made it clear that if they become our vassals, we will treat them no differently than our own people."

"I understand," Forlune nodded, before glancing back at the door through which William had exited. "I just hope they're not ungrateful."

With that, Thorian's attentio...

Chapter 162: Festivities

As Thorian awoke from his slumber, the first thing he saw were the dim golden lights of the setting suns through his window. Standing up from his bed, Thorian felt revitalized. The quick nap he had taken swept away all his fatigue and completely refilled his mana pool.

The Ether Line Nexus is truly a magical Territory Attribute. Even though my mana pool is so large, it can still be completely refilled with just a simple nap.

As he made his way out of his house, he found t...

Chapter 161: Much Needed Rest

After Nalia had escaped with Soren's assistance, Harald gathered Thorian and the other weakened members before hurrying after her. However, despite Harald’s exceptional speed, they were unable to find Soren, who had vanished into the fiery wilderness.

Nonetheless, Thorian wasn't out of options. He knew that Nalia's only chance of survival was through awakening the soulmire. Yet, since they had already freed William and the other sacrifices, that plan was no longer viable.

Nalia,...

Chapter 160: The Undead Shall Finally Die

While Forlune was rushing at Nalia, Harald was not standing still. Alongside his direwolf pack, he dashed toward Nalia’s cohort of grunt soldiers. Then, using their elemental abilities, they showered Nalia’s group with attacks. Each attack took out a dozen of Nalia’s weaker men, killing them instantly.

After Nalia had dealt with Forlune and the warriors who had attacked her, she looked up at Thorian and made her declaration. "Why don't you come down here and face me, Thorian? Or d...

Chapter 159: The Start of the Battle

With Nox finally gone, Thorian sighed before leaping back onto the ledge of the gate. Seeing his main party members below, he made his way toward them.

"Aqua, I need you to contact your direwolf and inform me of Nalia's current position," Thorian said as he approached Aqua, who was sitting with Forlune, Zogarth, and Vigil.

"Right away, my lord," Aqua nodded, beginning his telepathic communication. After a few seconds, he looked back at Thorian and replied, "It seems she is almost ...

Chapter 158: Patricide

Nox’s POV

As William made his declaration, Oswald turned back toward his father with a look of betrayal in his eyes. "Father, did you truly commit such heinous crimes? How could you?"

Johannes's complexion turned ashen as he stammered, "No… this is impossible."

However, just as Oswald was about to take action, William faltered and dropped to his knees, coughing. "Lord William, are you alright?"

Oswald immediately shifted his focus to William, looki...

Chapter 157: Cleaning up Loose Ends

As Thorian settled on the outskirts of the forest, awaiting Nox's return, he gazed upwards. The twin suns neared their zenith, and time was slipping away.

We've allowed Oswald ample time for his preparations. To wait any longer would jeopardize our plans, Thorian thought.

Determined, Thorian signaled for Magnus to come closer. "Contact Nox. Tell him it's time to return."

Magnus nodded, initiating his telepathic communication, then smiled. "That won't be necessary. H...

Interlude 19

Oswald Strongheart’s POV

As Oswald left the alleyway where he had encountered Nox and Alacritas, he shuddered. Running on pure adrenaline during the conversation, he felt the full weight of the situation only after departing. He yearned to understand more, but that luxury remained elusive.

How can I even trust you people? You've shown me nothing, neither Tristan nor my friends.

Frustration led him to bite his lower lip and clench his fist. He felt...

Interlude 18

Nox’s POV

As Nox lay down on a couch in Thorian’s living room, his new partner joined him and sat next to him.

“So you said that you’ve defeated 500 humans in that attack,” Magnus, Nox’s direwolf partner, asked with incredulity. “That is a truly hard number to comprehend. I’ve seen those humans; they were certainly not weak.”

“I was just much faster than them,” Nox replied nonchalantly. “Yeah, they were a bit powerful, but they were u...

Interlude 17

Nalia’s POV

Nalia stood in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief, as she witnessed her fellow cult members being struck down one by one by the knights. Her entire world was crumbling right in front of her eyes. Just as they were on the cusp of realizing their dream, it had morphed into a nightmarish reality.

She turned back and gazed upon their ultimate creation: an amalgamation of souls, its surface writhing with thousands of faces. It stood mightily behind her, ...

Chapter 156: Even More Skills!

[Congratulations, you have acquired the skill: "Elemental Domain I"]

Upon receiving the notification, Thorian was overjoyed. From my interactions with that brat Aiden, I've gleaned a rough understanding of this skill's nature. Yet, witnessing it firsthand is a completely different experience, he mused.

Motivated to explore the specifics of his newly acquired ability, Thorian navigated to his status window.

Display Panel.

Elemental Domain I

Descr...

Chapter 155: A Lot More Skills!

As they reached the village, Thorian turned to address his two comrades. "Nox, I need you to meet Harald by my house. He'll introduce you to your new partner. After that, wait for my instructions. We can't afford to be hasty with this mission."

"Roger that," Nox replied, a chuckle softening his response. "You're always so serious, Thorian. It's just a reconnaissance mission."

"This is precisely when seriousness is paramount," Thorian retorted, his tone underscored with gravity. He...

Chapter 154: The Beginning of the End

After dispatching the gilded spiketail, the group swiftly divided the spoils before hastening into the third layer. In this realm, Thorian assumed a supportive role, letting Tristan and Nox lead the charge. It wasn't until they confronted the guardian, an armored spiketail, that Thorian began to unleash his offensive spells.

"That was certainly more challenging than the previous layer," Tristan remarked, securing his newly acquired armor. "However, the rewards more than make up for the ...

Chapter 153: Unrusting After a Long Rest

After retrieving Aqua from his vigil at the outer defenses, Thorian led the ensemble towards the Verdant Labyrinth with deliberate haste. Upon nearing the portal, he paused, casting a backward glance at his companions. "Given our numerous ventures into this dungeon, I shall be succinct. Exercise caution and resist the urge to hasten unduly. A lapse in vigilance might see one of the boys ensnared by the quicksand."

At his words, Little Roo and James visibly tensed, whereas Robert offered...