Daion followed Aelith through the corridors. He didn't recognize that part of the fortress—it went deeper than the rest, damp and overgrown with mold, where small devourers slipped through the cracks in the walls. At this point, Daion didn't care much about the creatures; they couldn't even pierce his skin easily, so they tended to avoid him. He also realized that with just one more rank of power, he could have defeated both the Glutton and SteelWall's Hound without much trouble. He cursed Jack for abandoning him back then and kept walking.
Aelith led the way, glancing back at him now and then, clearly unsure if bringing him here had been a good idea. They descended into what looked like an abandoned storeroom—filled with blackened crates and the stench of rotten food so pungent it might've been toxic to breathe. Luckily, Daion's gauntlet shielded him from environmental damage. Inside, a couple of demihumans were eating on the floor, but as soon as they noticed the intruders, they darted away and vanished among the crates.
Aelith turned to him again.
"It's probably not a great idea to bring an Invoked into a demihuman zone… but we don't really have a choice," she said, her voice heavy with hesitation.
"Demihuman zone?" Daion asked, careful not to touch anything that looked soft. "Like… a nest of rodents?"
"I guess you could call it that," Aelith replied. "They're not that common, but when there's enough of them in one place, they build shelters like these—to stay hidden from Invoked when they can."
Daion wondered when she'd had time to visit places like this. She was usually near him, concealing her identity as a high-ranked demihuman. It was a small miracle Ken hadn't noticed her yet.
Aelith pushed one of the crates aside with effort, revealing a narrow crack in the wall—barely wide enough for a person to squeeze through.
"You can't bring weapons," Aelith warned.
Daion narrowed his eyes, unsure about following that order. Aelith lowered her head, her ears folding down like a scolded animal.
"I'm sorry… but it's the only way. Otherwise, you'll scare them," she said softly.
Seeing her like that caught Daion off guard. He sighed and complied, setting his sword down on one of the crates—it wasn't like he could use it properly until it finished reconstructing anyway. He removed his armor too, then looked at Aelith, who nodded before slipping through the crack with ease, her small frame fitting perfectly.
Daion, on the other hand, had to practically contort himself to fit—tightening his stomach, twisting sideways, and crawling through nearly twenty meters of solid rock before finally feeling the passage open up beneath him. He stumbled forward and landed awkwardly on damp ground.
He took a slow breath. Only darkness surrounded them—thick, absolute blackness. He let out a sharp whistle; the echo bounced off distant walls, deep and hollow.
"Nice clubhouse," he muttered, half-mocking.
Aelith's disapproving growl came from the shadows. Then he felt a tug on his clothes—she could see perfectly well thanks to her demihuman eyes. Daion activated the light on his gauntlet, not wanting to bash his head on some low-hanging rock or jagged spike.
The place seemed like nothing more than a cave—until he heard Aelith knock against a hollow section of wall in a rhythmic pattern, like a coded signal.
A response came from the other side, and a hidden door slid open just slightly. A demihuman peeked out—more beast than man, with boar-like tusks, rough pinkish skin covering most of his body, and small, suspicious eyes that darted toward Daion.
"Is that him?" the boy asked. He looked about sixteen, though his hoarse voice stirred unpleasant memories in Daion.
"No, I'm an idiot and brought the wrong one," Aelith shot back, dripping with sarcasm. Daion narrowed his eyes, tempted to scold her, but now wasn't the time. "Just let us through, Roi."
Roi sighed and pushed the door open. Daion was momentarily blinded by the light pouring from within. Aelith grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside—and once his eyes adjusted, his jaw fell open.
It looked nothing like the corrupted surface above. Yes, it was still a cave, but it brimmed with life. Crystals embedded in the stone walls shone with dazzling, almost solar light. Grass sprouted from the cracks, and a few trees had taken root between the rocks, where demihumans gathered fruit and ate in peace. Daion stared, thinking we didn't need to spend that much on food after all.
Strange creatures roamed among the greenery—long-horned rabbits, white-furred wolves that seemed nothing like their savage surface kin, and dragons the size of horses, their folded wings trailing faint smoke. Occasionally, a demihuman would toss them chunks of coal to eat and play with.
There were hundreds of them—far more than anyone would've imagined. Some lived in homes carved directly into the rock; others walked along natural paths, talking and smiling. Children played without fear. It was surreal to see so much life after weeks surrounded by ruin.
Even adult demihumans were there—something Daion had never seen before. They usually died within months of being sold. Aelith, in comparison, was already considered an exceptional case.
Still, many watched him cautiously. They pretended to ignore him, but the whispers followed wherever he went. When he finally looked up, he recognized one of the demihumans he'd seen amputated days ago—now whole again, laughing among friends. When he noticed Daion's gaze, he raised his hand and waved at him cheerfully.
"They must've brought him in while we were talking to Loryn. The lady's probably already seen him," said Aelith.
Daion looked at her, confused, but figured he'd understand later.
"Just to confirm," she added, "according to the records, he's dead. Keep that in mind."
Daion nodded.
They walked deeper into the settlement. Daion couldn't help but stare—everything was surprisingly functional. There was even a small trading area. Eventually, they reached a section marked off by a crude wooden wall. A massive demihuman stopped them at the entrance.
He had thick horns jutting from both sides of his head and such an intense expression that even Daion found it overdone. His chest was bare, save for tufts of fur along his arms and sides, which he displayed proudly. Daion let out a small laugh; the demihuman raised an eyebrow. The boy coughed and straightened up again.
"Aelith, is this the human the lady asked to see?" the guard asked. Daion narrowed his eyes.
"Why does everyone ask the same stupid question? Do I look blind—or just dumb to you?" Aelith snapped, glaring around. The onlookers immediately averted their eyes, visibly uncomfortable.
"Just making sure. No human's ever come down here before… much less an Invoked," the demihuman replied, giving Daion a suspicious glance before sighing and stepping aside.
Aelith rolled her eyes and walked forward. They passed through the gate—and Daion froze.
That couldn't possibly be a cave. The space before them was a vast, open field of grass up to their knees, teeming with life. The white-furred foxes he'd seen outside were resting peacefully on the ground. He turned his head just in time to see a fish-like creature glide past him through the air, its sharp fins cutting through the light, small vents along its sides puffing out air to keep it afloat.
"You said no human had ever come here? How the hell is that possible? This place is enormous," Daion asked, astonished.
"Well… it's complicated," Aelith replied with a faint smile. "Technically, we're not inside the fortress anymore."
Daion gave her a look demanding further explanation. Aelith chuckled—she actually looked relaxed, almost happy.
Noticing the change, Daion smiled too. She realized it, turned away, and scratched her ears, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
They walked toward a small tree in the center of the clearing. On a rock beneath it sat a woman waiting for them.
Daion noticed her graceful figure and the white dress flowing down to her ankles. A wide-brimmed hat with a pink ribbon crowned her head, and her clothes were easily the cleanest, most refined he had seen since arriving in that world.
Then the woman turned—and Daion's mind went blank.
An icy void spread through his chest, like dying all over again. Every instinct screamed for him to run.
She had no face—at least, not one a human could recognize. From beneath her hat poured twisted roots, and between them shone two bright green eyes, deep as emeralds.
His gauntlet flared violently. A surge of electricity shot through Daion's body, knocking his breath away. He lowered his head, dizzy, and when he looked up again… the horror was gone.
In its place stood the most flawless face he had ever seen—perfectly balanced features, soft cheeks that emphasized her large greenish eyes, and hair—no, roots—braided delicately and falling over her shoulder to her chest. A tiny beauty mark sat beside lips trembling with guilt.
The woman sprang up at once and bowed repeatedly.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" she cried, frantic, while Daion struggled to recover from the mental shock. "I forgot that the gauntlets can reveal a spirit's true form!"
Daion had no idea what she was talking about. He couldn't stop staring at her, trying to catch a glimpse of something—a crack, a vine, anything—to explain what he'd just seen. But there was nothing. Only that perfect, haunting face… one he knew would visit him in nightmares.
The woman finally raised her head, her expression trembling. Daion sighed.
"It's fine…" he managed to say—the only reasonable thing that came to mind. The gem on his gauntlet pulsed with painful light, his body still adjusting to the repeated surges of energy. Whatever he'd seen before… had nearly shattered his mind. "Though seriously—what the hell was that?"
The woman flinched, embarrassment flooding her features.
"Well, it's just that…" she began, looking away as if searching for the right words. "Humans aren't built to perceive my true form. That's why I have to wear this… 'appearance,' so your minds can handle it. But those gauntlets adapt you to your surroundings—including my powers."
"Your true form?" Daion echoed.
"Oh, right!" she said suddenly, her voice brightening. "I haven't introduced myself yet! I'm Tero—the Spirit of Life in this galaxy. A pleasure to meet you, Invoked of the Primordial Ra—uh, Daion!" she corrected quickly, smacking her forehead with both hands. "Ugh, I always mess that up!"
Daion just stared, speechless. She's… what?
"Was that... my name?" he asked, bewildered.
"Please, forget it!" Tero pleaded, almost in tears. "I still don't understand the whims of the Primordial, but if I don't follow them, I'll be scolded."
"I see… and," he glanced at Aelith, unsure if it was appropriate to ask, "why are you protecting the demihumans?"
"Because even if they're corrupted, they're still part of my world. As living beings, it's my duty to look after them. And besides… they've suffered enough," Tero replied.
Daion shivered. It was unsettling knowing someone could read his mind.
"Any other questions? Just think them," she added.
"No, not really," he said, though in truth he wanted to ask about his own past. Tero shook her head; the Primordial's rules seemed absolute.
"Why would you need my help?"
"Because I know your past. I know you might be the only one who actually knows what to do," she said, slowly rising to her feet. Her legs trembled slightly. "It's not too different from the plan you have for the border, but I need you to pull it off against all the Corrupted."
"What do you mean?"
"There are many ways to do it. The decision will be yours. But I need you to do one specific thing: once you defeat the Corrupted, channel part of the Omega energy into this."
From the ground, a moss-covered clay vessel emerged, accompanied by a small crystal gauge.
"If you set it on the ground and bombard it with Omega energy, the land will start to heal. That way, you can begin reclaiming territory."
"You mean you could've always done this?" Daion asked.
"It's not that simple," she answered. "This kind of device takes a long time to make, since normally the gods themselves return Omega energy when they defeat the Corrupted. But, as you know…"
She began to explain, but Daion raised a hand and nodded. The gods couldn't intervene.
"It's honestly insane to give this to a rookie Invoked—no offense—but if we don't start reclaiming territory now, I won't make it. That much is certain."
"Why not give it to someone more capable? Like Loryn…" Daion said.
The entity arched a brow at him with a look that clearly said, Are you serious?
"Sure, and if you don't like idiots, there's always Thaloren. He's always at the border."
"To be honest, he was my first choice," she said, thoughtfully touching her chin.
"But right now he's a mess. He has to focus on the noble. We can't afford to let the battle advance without this device, and handing it to him in his current state would be a disaster."
Daion sighed and held his head, resigned. Shit. Why do I always end up in crap like this?
"Do you really think I'm the right person for this? I don't even know if this world's worth saving," he said bluntly. She can read my mind anyway, no point in holding back.
Aelith flinched, staring at him wide-eyed.
"Well, I don't blame you," the spirit replied, amused. "Being a hero usually sounds like some kind of personal redemption arc." She smirked faintly. "Besides, you've only seen the worst this world has to offer. You've never taken the time to appreciate it."
Daion frowned. The woman sighed gently and snapped her fingers. In an instant, the surroundings shifted: they were standing in the middle of a lake, atop the water, as if its surface were solid.
"An illusion?" Daion asked.
"No. This place lies between dimensions. Space doesn't behave normally here—it's real, even if we're not physically present."
Daion looked around. Night had fallen, and green mountains rose majestically beneath a star-filled sky. He didn't fully understand what she wanted to show him, but he stood and began walking on the surface.
Then he heard a low murmur beneath his feet. From the water, tiny luminous fish emerged. As they broke the surface, translucent wings unfurled from their backs, fluttering softly as they dried. Within seconds, they began to rise into the night sky.
He turned in awe. There weren't just a few—hundreds of glowing creatures ascended above the lake, their serene light bathing the night in a gentle, ethereal glow. Along the shores, Daion spotted several families rising to watch, their faces lit with wonder and quiet joy.
A faint warmth spread through his chest. Then the creatures trembled and shot off in all directions, leaving behind luminous trails that painted shifting figures in the sky. Soon, they soared even higher, scattering like a meteor shower in the distance.
People laughed, embraced each other, sharing the quiet beauty of the moment. It was simple, yet breathtaking—a way to forget their struggles, if only for a while.
Daion swallowed. That feeling… it was familiar, though he couldn't place why. Around him, people stepped to the water's edge, smiling as they dipped their feet into the shallows.
Then the ground beneath him rumbled. From the depths of the lake, a massive shadow surged upward. Daion tried to retreat, but it was too late.
A monstrous wave rose, and from it emerged a creature like a whale—though twenty times larger—with a square head and long tusks that gleamed with a silver sheen.
A whale? In a lake? What the hell does it even eat? he thought, stunned.
The "meteors" in the sky dove toward the creature. It opened its enormous maw with a deafening roar—
And then everything vanished, snapping back to the initial void.
Daion lowered his gaze, disoriented by the abrupt shift, and saw Tero breathing heavily. A thin stream of greenish fluid—her blood—trickled from the corner of her lips. She was still smiling, but her eyes betrayed a deep, exhausting fatigue.
"I won't deny this world is... problematic," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But you can't judge it solely by the pain you've seen. Still… this is all I can show you for now—my strength is nearly gone." She took a slow breath and smiled gently. "Even so, I prefer a messenger who questions things. Heroes who believe in absolute morals tend to chain themselves to ideals no one can live up to."
Daion approached cautiously. He still wasn't sure he wanted to accept. He already had a suicidal mission against a mid-ranked Corrupted, and this sounded even bigger.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Of course. You want the location of one of the Primordial's relics," Tero answered before he could finish.
Daion closed his eyes and gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry, but yes," she added before he could reply. "They're easy to find. I could tell you where the Primordial's Book is."
End of chapter 32.