Nephis opened her mouth comically wide, completely dumbfounded. How was this possible? Wasn't Mongrel supposed to be a girl? And if Mongrel wasn't, then everything made sense—it had to be Sunny. Though, now that she thought about it, it was probably better not to share that last part with him.
Since meeting Kai on the Forgotten Shore, she hadn't been this disoriented. She felt like the protagonist in one of those absurd romance webtoons, like The Famous Idol's Wife or some other ridiculous story. Although, to be fair, she wasn't Sunny's wife just yet... for now.
She had no idea what to say.
Before she could process her thoughts, Sunny's harmonious and melodic laughter filled the room. He had thrown himself onto the bed, laughing uncontrollably like a complete fool.
"What the hell is so funny?" she thought, utterly mortified. She glanced at the nearest mirror, hoping for some clarity, and saw her own reflection.
Oh no.
To avoid dying of embarrassment, she did the only thing that came to mind: retaliate. Without hesitation, she pounced on Sunny, determined not to be the only one humiliated in this situation.
She straddled him, leaning forward with an intense, predatory glare. For a moment, she thought her move might work, but her frustration grew when she realized it didn't faze him at all. In fact, his laughter only intensified.
Sunny looked up at her with that same carefree expression, his smile shining brighter than ever. It was the kind of smile Nephis secretly thought was the most beautiful in the entire world, though she would never admit it.
And then, just when she thought the "humiliation" was over, Sunny caught her off guard again. He gently cupped her head and guided it down to rest against his chest.
His warmth was overwhelming. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a sound that both soothed and unnerved her. Despite being taller than him, their positions made her feel small and safe, which only flustered her more.
The only real problem was how close they were. Not that she was about to complain, of course.
As she tried to make sense of everything, Sunny leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. The simple gesture sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. Then, it happened.
[You have received a memory.]
Nephis blinked, confused. A memory?
What a curious way to receive one, she thought, trying to make sense of the moment. But deep down, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Sunny always had a way of surprising her.
They were seated in a meeting with Morgan and the three Saints of the Valor clan. The topic of discussion was how to set up an ambush for the awakened soldiers that the Song clan had sent to Antarctica. While the idea itself wasn't shocking, it left Nephis deeply irritated.
Once, her own mindset had been frighteningly similar. Back on the Forgotten Shore, she had believed that no matter the cost, no matter how many sacrifices were necessary, achieving her objective was the only thing that mattered. If she saw her goal as a greater good, then the rivers of blood required to reach it seemed inconsequential.
How wrong she had been...
The day they toppled Gulang on the Forgotten Shore was burned into her memory. She had freed the oppressed and even the privileged under his tyrannical rule. She had won the rebellion against him, but the cost had been staggering.
Her plan had been to rally every sleeper in the Brilliance Castle and use them to clear the Crimson Tower, where the portal to the waking world lay. She had sparked a rebellion against Gulang and emerged victorious.
But the aftermath had been horrifying. Out of the thousand elite sleepers she had rallied, fewer than 400 survived the fall of Gulang. And during the invasion of the Crimson Tower, that number had dwindled to fewer than 100.
It was then that she realized her error. The path to achieving a goal mattered. The decisions and sacrifices made along the way couldn't simply be ignored. That mistake became a bitter lesson she carried with her to this day.
And yet, despite learning that lesson, she had made another mistake: enslaving Sunny.
But thanks to him—thanks to his patience and resilience—she had made it here. Their relationship, though far from perfect, was something she treasured deeply. She wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Though she knew they still had unresolved issues, especially with Cassie, that was a topic for another day.
For now, this meeting demanded her full attention.
Sunny sat beside her, as expected. Not only was he a Knight of Valor, entitled to participate in these discussions, but his presence always brought her a strange sense of calm. Even if he hadn't been invited, he had his own methods of listening in, likely through one of his four shadows.
The situation was deteriorating rapidly. The Song clan had launched an attack on one of Antarctica's fortresses, where a dozen Valor soldiers were stationed.
Morgan explained the details with her usual commanding tone, while the Saints debated potential strategies. Nephis listened intently, but she couldn't stop her memories of past failures from creeping into her thoughts.
She had sworn never to repeat her mistakes. Whatever happened during this mission, she would ensure that no one else paid the price for her stubbornness.
Glancing at Sunny, who remained calm and focused beside her, she felt her determination solidify. If anything was going to change, it would be because of the two of them. Now, it was just a matter of deciding their next move.
Nephis settled into her bed, her eyes fixed on the dark Antarctic sky visible through the window. The meeting had ended, and although everyone was trying to rest and prepare for another day in this frozen hell, her mind remained restless. She knew she needed to relax, but the words from the meeting, the looming threats, and the dangers ahead swirled in her thoughts like a relentless storm.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and decided to retreat into her soul sea. This place always offered her a peculiar sense of peace, a space where she could reflect on what she had gathered and achieved throughout her adventures and battles.
Among the memories she possessed, one, in particular, caught her attention. It was the memory Sunny had gifted her:
Memory Name: [I Miss You]
Memory Rank: Transcendent
Memory Tier: III
Memory Type: Cosmetic
Memory Description: [It's a gift, silly. When you arrive, I hope you like it.]
Nephis smiled softly as she gazed at the beautiful silver bracelet. The delicacy of the object contrasted with the brutal world surrounding them. It had the ability to change the color of her hair, eyes, and even nails. It was purely a cosmetic memory, with no use in combat, but that didn't diminish its value. On the contrary, it made it even more special. It was a gift that showed Sunny had thought of her in a different, more intimate way.
Though many saw her as cold and unreachable, she secretly appreciated such gestures. Sometimes she thought back to her past, to moments when she could still enjoy music, read romance novels, and dream of a simpler, less chaotic future. While those days felt like a lifetime ago, this gift awakened a small part of the girl she used to be.
Beside the bracelet rested another memory. It was a mirror that emanated a peculiar aura.
Memory Rank: Ascended
Memory Tier: VII
Memory Type: Tool
Memory Description:
Nephis studied the mirror in silence, her fingers tracing the invisible details of its frame in her mind. She didn't fully understand its purpose or the secrets it might hold, but the story behind its description was both unsettling and beautiful. It made her reflect on the concept of truth—how much pain it could bring, how cruel it could be to know too much, and the things one might wish to bury deep within their soul to find peace.
With a deep breath, Nephis let the soul sea fade away, bringing her back to the dark room.
The cold of the Antarctic night lingered, but somehow, the thought of Sunny's gift and the sight of the starry sky provided her with a moment of warmth. It was enough to bring a small sense of comfort amid the chaos.
Tomorrow would be another day, filled with challenges and dangers. But for now, at least for this one night, she could close her eyes and allow herself to rest.
—
The atmosphere in Antarctica was thick with tension. The icy wind carried snow in violent gusts, but Nephis couldn't have cared less. Her focus was entirely on the monstrous Corrupted Tyrant standing on the other side of the horde. The wolf, with ash-and-shadow-colored fur streaked with black, towered over ten meters tall. It was surrounded by a pack of smaller nightmare creatures, equally terrifying. Every step it took shook the ground, and its malicious gaze seemed to pierce through to her very soul.
The guardian of the category 3 gate had to be eliminated if they wanted to survive. Nephis knew this, and she could feel the white flames of her Aspect intensifying around her, their heat a stark contrast to the frigid air. Sunny, ever perceptive, had realized her intent before she could even speak.
[Go for it. I'll cover your side with Kai.]
Sunny's voice echoed in her mind. Before she could reply, the familiar presence of Happy enveloped her. Sunny's shadow wrapped around her, bolstering her movements and amplifying her resilience.
Surging forward with explosive speed, Nephis left a trail of flames in her wake, consuming the Fallen creatures that dared to get too close. Her movements were fluid and precise, a deadly dance of elegance and efficiency. Each step brought her closer to the massive wolf, but the path was fraught with obstacles.
Behind her, Sunny and Kai fought side by side. Sunny, cloaked in almost tangible shadows, moved with ruthless precision. His jade sword carved through enemies with deadly efficiency, while Kai, having abandoned his bow for a short sword, worked in tandem to keep the horde at bay. Their synchronized efforts ensured that Nephis could focus entirely on her target.
As Nephis pushed forward, she gracefully dodged the lunge of a nightmare serpent, countering with a swift strike that cleaved it in two. The advance, however, was more challenging than expected. The creatures seemed endless, spilling out from the category 2 gates like a tide.
Then, she felt it. Something was forming beside her. From the shadows, a figure began to coalesce—a horse, its body made of darkness, with twisted horns and glowing eyes. Nightmare, Sunny's shadowy steed, had come to assist her. Without hesitation, Nephis leaped onto the creature's back. In an instant, her speed increased dramatically.
The world blurred into a whirlwind of fire and shadow as Nightmare weaved through the swarm of enemies. Nephis slashed at anything that came close, her sword cutting through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. The flames surrounding her burned so brightly that they left scorched remains in her wake.
At last, she reached her target.
The colossal wolf let out a deafening roar, its sheer ferocity making the air vibrate. Its eyes, twin abysses of pure darkness, locked onto her with a predatory focus. Dismounting Nightmare with a graceful leap, Nephis landed in front of the beast, ready to face it.
The smaller wolves surrounding the Corrupted Tyrant didn't wait. They lunged at her in a coordinated attack, their silver pelts gleaming in the firelight. Their sharp teeth and claws sought her flesh, but Nephis was undeterred.
Concentrating her essence into her legs, she surged forward, her blade cutting through the first wave of attackers. With a single swing, she decapitated three of the creatures. Her white flames roared, incinerating their remains before they could hit the ground. The pain caused by her Aspect began to creep through her body, but Nephis pushed it aside.
More wolves charged, their snarls echoing in her ears. Increasing the intensity of her flames, she enveloped her sword in fire. A normal weapon would have melted under such heat, but Happy's presence seemed to reinforce the blade, keeping it intact.
The Corrupted Tyrant watched her from a distance, as if assessing her strength. Nephis knew she couldn't allow it to simply observe. With a fierce cry, she unleashed a wave of flames at the surrounding creatures and charged directly at the giant wolf.
The beast reacted instantly. Letting out an earth-shaking roar, it swiped at her with a massive claw. Nephis barely avoided the attack, rolling to the side as the force of the strike created a crater where she had stood.
Seizing the opening, she slashed at one of its forelegs. Her blade sank into its corrupted flesh, and black, tar-like blood oozed from the wound. The Tyrant growled in pain, retreating a few steps, but the injury didn't seem to hinder it much.
The battle became a brutal exchange. The wolf attacked with terrifying speed and strength, its claws and teeth a blur of lethal motion. Nephis countered with precision, her flames leaving smoldering wounds across its massive body. Each strike she landed came at a cost, as the strain of her Aspect sent waves of agony coursing through her.
Her breathing grew heavier, and her movements began to slow. But even as her body screamed for relief, Nephis refused to yield. The lives of her friends, her cohort, and everyone fighting alongside them depended on her victory.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an opportunity presented itself. The Corrupted Tyrant, weakened by her relentless assault, made a mistake. During an overextended swipe, it exposed its vulnerable flank. Summoning the last reserves of her strength, Nephis poured every ounce of her essence into her sword.
With a battle cry that echoed across the battlefield, she leapt forward. Her blade, engulfed in blinding white flames, plunged into the beast's side. The sword pierced deep, cutting through muscle and bone until it reached the creature's corrupted heart.
The Tyrant let out a final, ear-splitting howl. Its massive body convulsed as it struggled to rise one last time, but the effort was futile. With a thunderous crash, the beast collapsed to the ground, sending a cloud of snow and debris into the air.
Nephis fell to her knees, her entire body trembling from exhaustion. Her flames flickered and died out, leaving her shivering in the icy wind. She stared at the fallen Tyrant, its lifeless form sprawled before her, and allowed herself a brief moment of relief.
Then, she heard it.
[You have received a Memory.]
The Nightmare Spell's familiar voice echoed in her mind. But Nephis was too drained to focus on the reward. For now, she was just grateful that the battle was over.
In the distance, the echoes of fighting were fading. Her friends, aided by Saint Tyris, had successfully cleared the other gates. They had won, but the price had been steep.
Nephis exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as the adrenaline faded. There would be more battles, more challenges ahead. But for tonight, she allowed herself to rest, even if only for a moment.
After taking a deep, steadying breath, Nephis dropped to her knees in the freezing snow. Her body trembled, not just from physical exhaustion but from the sheer intensity of the battle she had just endured. Around her, the battlefield began to quiet, the chaos ebbing away. The corpse of the corrupted tyrant lay motionless before her, its monstrous form surrounded by pools of dark blood that starkly contrasted against the pristine white snow.
With her chest heaving from the effort, Nephis decided to check her new Memory. A precious reward, earned from a corrupted tyrant, it had to hold something significant. Despite her exhaustion, a surge of curiosity and anticipation coursed through her as she wondered what it might reveal.
Closing her eyes briefly, she focused on her new memory
Memory: [Sin of Guilt]
Memory rank: Transcendent
Memory tier: V
Memory type: Weapon
Memory description:
Once, a naive servant pledged loyalty to a queen, believing herself special, above all others. She arrived with a peculiar gift, laden with forgotten knowledge...