The silence that followed Giaya's liberation didn't last long. The system windows began to flicker rapidly in my peripheral vision, each one accompanied by the distant, muffled sound of magical structures collapsing somewhere deep in the ocean trenches.
"[Notice: The 5th Pillar of the Array 'Undying Souls of the Abyss' has been destroyed!]"
"[Notice: The 4th Pillar of the Array 'Undying Souls of the Abyss' has been destroyed!]"
"[Notice: The 3rd Pillar of the Array 'Undying Souls of the Abyss' has been destroyed!]"
"[Notice: The 2nd Pillar of the Array 'Undying Souls of the Abyss' has been destroyed!]"
"[Notice: The Status Effects 'Berserk', 'Durability', 'Immense Strength', and 'Unyielding' has been cancelled!]"
Melchior had been busy. With Giaya Nymera's defeat, the localized pressure on the 'Array' had buckled, allowing him to systematically dismantle the anchors I had identified for him. However, the notifications stopped just short of a total collapse. Only the 1st Pillar remained, and if my guess was right, it wouldn't be found in some random coral reef.
Melchior appeared by my side a moment later, his regal attire remarkably unruffled despite the demolition work he had just performed.
"It is as you said," Mel explained, his expression tight. "The last 'Pillar' is located inside the Palace of the 'Nymera Clan'. The 'Demonic Energy' protecting the palace grounds is far too dense; it wouldn't let me through in my current level."
It was exactly as I had expected. The {Demons} had turned the 'Nymera Palace' into their base of operations, which meant a {Demon Peer} was likely lurking within those walls to maintain the final anchor. Melchior, as he was now, stood no chance against such a Higher being.
Behind us, the atmosphere was shifting. The 'Dokryong Clan' and Giaya Nymera were finally speaking, the former 'Dark Disciple' explaining the impossible choices she had faced and the shadows she had lived in. Leo and Wilong were sitting nearby, focused on their own 'Healing', while they listened to the tragic history of the sea clans. While they handled the diplomacy, I was busy cooking up a much more volatile solution.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Fusion'!]"
"[Fusing The Exclusive Skills, 'Domain of the Undead', 'Sea Dragon's Word', and 'Eclipse Sanctuary'....]"
"[Notice: The 'Status' and 'Energy' of a certain Higher Being has been detected!]"
"[Warning! The Tower's 'Restriction' and 'Probability' have been applied!]"
"[Activating 'Monopoly' Lvl 4!]"
"[Notice: You are able to reap the best possible outcome!]"
Fusing 'Exclusive Skills' was always a high-stakes gamble. It tended to brush against the fabric of higher dimensions, often drawing unwanted attention from the entities residing there. As the energies began to swirl together, I felt a presence I knew all too well.
"[Congratulations! You have successfully obtained The Exclusive Skill, 'Sanctuary of the Shadow'!]"
"[Notice: The Constellation, '{Monarch of the Shadowy Realm}' is looking at you!]"
The intense gaze of the {Monarch of the Shadowy Realm} was justified. The [Exclusive Skill, 'Sanctuary of the Shadow'] was a direct manifestation of his Authority. By fusing three powerful Exclusive Skills, I had essentially hijacked a portion of his 'Power'. Back in the VR days, the {Monarch} was a surprisingly friendly and one of the 'Absolute Being' residing in the top Floors. It felt almost nostalgic to feel his eyes on me, though I had to remind myself that now that the Tower was reality, he might not be quite so hospitable toward a thief.
"[Warning! Your 'Chaos' energy is affecting your Skills!]"
"[Notice: Due to the insufficient Level of your 'Chaos', evolution of your Skills is being put to a halt.]"
What was that? I frowned as I read the notification. Right, my essence had fundamentally changed to 'Chaos' since last time, a variable that never existed during my 104 VR accounts. In the past, my [Exclusive Passive Skill, 'Memories of the World] and [Exclusive Skill, 'Copy'] allowed me to use any ability regardless of its nature. But now, it seemed my Skills were demanding to be 'Evolved' to match the unique frequency of my 'Chaos' energy.
The brief moment of quiet was shattered as a final, oppressive status effect washed over the sea.
"[Notice: The Status Effect of the Array's 1st Pillar 'Invincibility' has been activated!]"
I looked toward the 'Nymera Palace' on the horizon. The war wasn't over with just Giaya. The {Demon Peer} and their plan. Whatever it was, we weren't running away.
"Alright," I whispered, the 'Chaos' in my veins thrumming with anticipation. "It's time for us to be on the offensive."