When Zang Wilong's eyes fluttered open, the fierce "Demon Spear" was nowhere to be found. Instead, he found himself stripped of his imperial robes, shivering naked in a realm of eternal frost. Standing over him was Cero, the massive white beast of the Ice Heart, staring down with eyes like frozen moons.
"Ple-Please don't eat me! Please!" Wilong scrambled backward, but his legs refused to obey. He collapsed into the snow, weeping in pure terror.
I watched from the corners of the subspace, surprised. The man we had fought eariler was a cold-blooded killing machine. This version was.... pitiful.
"[Notice: The effects of 'Blood Spear' have removed the 'Mind Control' Status Effect placed on the individual Zang Wilong.]"
That explained it. The 'Demon Spear' had been nothing more than a hallow shell piloted by a Vampire's will. I stepped forward, my black mask still firmly in place, my voice echoing through the frozen quiet.
"Do you remember your name?"
"Who—who the heck are you!?" Wilong snapped, though his voice trembled. "I'm Zang Wilong, this country's 7th S-Rank! Release me this instant and get me some damn clothes!!"
His pride had returned, but his memory was clearly full of holes.
"[Activating 'Glacial Dominion' Lvl 2!]"
I didn't argue. I simply tightened the air, making the cold so sharp it felt like needles pricking his skin. Wilong gasped, his bravado vanishing as he realized he was at the mercy of a monster even scarier than the one staring at him.
"It will be in your best interest to answer cooperatively," I said, stepping closer. "My friend here is a bit hungry." Cero let out a low huff. He was a herbivore, technically, but Wilong didn't need to know that.
I pulled the gothic black book from my inventory and held it before his face. "Where did you get this Item?"
"That? I've never seen that in my life! What's with those creepy designs?" Wilong's confusion was genuine. He looked at the [Abyssal Tome] with pure disgust.
"What is the last thing you remember, Mr. S-Rank?"
Wilong clutched his head, his face twisting with the effort of remembering. "The last thing... I think... yes... I was in a meeting with the Guild Masters of 'Black Serpent' and 'Reaper.' They were introducing a new partner. A guy who... huh? I don't remember. Why don't I remember? What happened to me!?"
It was clear now. That "new partner" was likely a high-ranking subordinate of the 'Abyssal' Bloodline. They had turned a top-tier S-Rank into a puppet for their ritual. But why?
"Your memories will return in time," I said, leaning in. "But tell me, Mr. Wilong, have you ever heard the phrase: 'Blood is the way, the nourishment, the life of the Abyss'?"
Wilong jumped as if I had burned him. "Ho—how did you... I heard the Guild Master say that when he introduced the new guy. What does it even mean?"
My blood ran colder than the subspace. That wasn't just a Vampire phrase; it was a code used by both the Vampire Bloodlines and the Nebula [Pandemonium]. If the Vampires and Demons were working together this early, it meant the invasion of the outside world had already begun.
"Nothing important right now," I said, my tone turning deadly serious. "One last question. If you answer truthfully, my friend won't have a snack. Are you after the Item called the 'Cursed Crown'?"
Wilong nodded frantically. "I heard that was the goal for the raid. The Guild Masters said it was just a rare item to get an audience with the gods. Is it not?"
I almost laughed. The 'Cursed Crown' was an L-Rank Item hidden deep within the 3rd Floor. It wasn't for "talking" to gods, it was a beacon used to summon high-tier 'Demons' directly into the Tower without triggering any 'Restrictions' or 'Probability' checks. If they got their hands on it, this Floor would become a graveyard.
"[Congratulations! You have fulfilled the Copy Condition 'Figure out the thing he is looking for'.]"
"[Notice: You have successfully copied the Exclusive Skill, 'Dance of the Red Hare'!]"
"[Notice: The Copied Skill has been successfully added to the 'Memories of the World'.]"
A surge of new power settled into my mind. I had the spearman's Ultimate Skill, and more importantly, I finally had the truth.