I released a sound of overwhelming ecstasy, several people turning their heads towards our direction.
Who cares, let them look!
This food, this water, they are majestic!
Sure, they might cost a small fortune, but the flavour, the pureness? Out of this world! Two worlds even!
I laughed, then choked. I smacked my fist against my chest harshly, once, twice.
Until finally the piece of food was dislodged.
I brushed the side of the dagger hidden in my pocket, the surroundings refreshing in my mind.
And I stopped, literally.
Rain sat in front of me, her face a mask of emotions.
Embarrassment, interest, shock, wonder. And a few more I couldn't quite place yet.
I couldn't blame her, perhaps I too would be embarrassed if I hadn't spent the last two months in multiple hells.
Either way. The food is delicious. The water is fresh and clean, with bubbles even!
And I had decent company. So, who cares if some strangers look? Who cares if I'm not being polite?
All that mattered was this peaceful moment. Eating, drinking, talking about life with a person who was less a stranger and more of a friend now.
I released a sigh, putting down the giant cup half full of sparkling water.
This is so much different from... everything.
The homelessness? Gone. Working on houses, even temporary ones every day? Gone. Stealing, betraying, and slaving away for a bit of food? Gone. All that mattered now was power. Not power for the sake of power. But the power to change things. Not political, not respectful. Forceful. A type of power that would bring people to their knees if needed.
I clenched my hand into a fist, the nails biting into the leather of the dining sofa slightly.
I would attain that power.
Before I could go on in my monologue, Rain spoke up. Her soft melodic voice was asking a question I didn't really have an answer for.
She tapped a finger against the desk a few times, the other hand supporting her soft chin.
And her dark orbs stared into my own lifeless eyes.
"So? When will you be leaving?"
I didn't answer.
I didn't know when. And I don't even know if it's worth waiting for Sunless to call me for the nightmare seed.
Maybe I will just go find one myself? Curious, far more effective, far more risky.
Finally, with another sigh filled with resignation, I answered.
"I don't know."
Then I picked up the glass of water, sipping it slowly.
I had much to ponder about, but for now. I would just enjoy myself for just a tiny while, surely I deserved that much.
***
My eyes snapped open, a yawn leaving my mouth at the same time.
Oh, it was so much better to rest now that I was in a citadel, even if not an entirely cleared-out one.
The crimson dagger materialized slowly, the world reappearing in my mind.
I was in a room, my room.
The walls were painted a dull grayish blue, the ceiling a bright white, and the floor made out of rhythmically connected tiles.
Simple, clean, and nice. The best room I've had most certainly.
But it isn't quite mine, nothing here is.
No matter how much Sunless, or even Rain told me that this place was home for me just as much as it was for them. I couldn't quite stay here permanently.
I was grateful to them, I truly was.
But it was time to return to hell, my personal hell.
So as I slowly climbed out of the bed, instead of dressing in mundane clothing, I manifested the entirety of the [Assassin's Wear] my presence dying like an ember.
Sunless had confirmed yesterday over a call that he was currently on break for a few days. And I would use that to my advantage. I would obtain my third nightmare core, as well as clear out my true and hopefully final home.
***
I warped through a creature, slicing it in two, dodged a tail full of ragged bone spikes, back-flipped to dodge a worm coming out of the ground, and sidestepped a claw.
Then I stopped dodging.
The tail came back double the speed and force. I merely warped behind the tail, the blood red dagger glowing brilliantly. I simply stabbed backwards, the creature's torso exploding outwards as if Morgan herself hit it with full force.
I ignored the kill notification like the professional I now was.
The worm came back once again, this time I merely stomped the ground, my augmented body shattering it easily. The worm flew into the air, wiggling its human-sized body uselessly.
Its head turned towards me, green sizzling goo gathering inside its round mouth. I merely warped, landing directly on top of it, the dagger already slashing downwards.
I fell with the corpse, it softening the landing, not that it mattered.
The small creature with the giant claws came back, continually spinning with its claws extended.
I scoffed, augmented the dagger, and threw it right through the creature.
I was momentarily surprised that the spell recognized it as an Awakened Monster, it was far weaker, a Beast at most.
I waited for another moment and relaxed once no attack came.
Only then did I dare to fall to the ground, my breathing growing ragged.
Why the hell were there dozens upon dozens of creatures inside a single house?!
I almost had a heart attack once I opened the door, three dozen pairs of eyes glowing a sickening red, glaring upon my form.
That had to be a setup of some sort, right? No way that's normal.
I released a breath sharply, my eyes closing. But everything had been worth it. I killed so many creatures I've lost count. I've been awake for almost 45 hours. And I smell like shit.
Oh but how worthwhile it was. My runes manifested in the air, but I only focused on two lines.
Nightmare core: Demon. [3/7].
Nightmare fragments: [20/3000].
I grinned viciously, I finally became a Demon. And finally on Sunless's level, except for the rank of course.
Surely he hadn't gained his fourth core yet, surely?
I shook my head, that did not matter right now. What mattered now was my home. My citadel.
I've cleared a few hundred creatures by this point. And it had a noticeable effect on.. everything.
It wasn't anything dramatic like life returning to the place.
No, everything still felt as dead as before.
But there was a feeling I myself felt about the place now. Not just belonging anymore. Pride.
Pride that I was able, and doing everything to return this dark bastion to its former sinister glory.
And one day, once I'm a Saint perhaps, I would open up the gates to everyone, to anyone. There would be trade, there would be stores, and there would be renovated homes.
It would not be a town, but a city, second to none!
It would be unparalleled, untouchable, Supreme!
I paused, looked around. Made sure that gossip-gathering Mirage wasn't around.
And started cackling, I fell over, grabbing my stomach, and rolled across the ground.
And I just laughed, enjoyed the moment.
That was the best monologue yet!
***
I walked through the black brick halls, the red and golden banners smudged with dirt, some torn, some burned.
This place had a story to tell, and I would find that story, sadly, not today.
Today was the day of cleaning, where I would spend most of my time.
That being, the "throne room" looked like it housed an entire battlefield and lived to tell the tale.
The kitchen, for obvious reasons.
My own room, which I'm pretty sure was previously the king's, or whoever ruled this place.
And of course, I would need to clean the hallways connecting all these places.
Do I need to clean the hallways? Not really, I could just warp between these places.
But I figured I would need to start cleaning sometime soon anyway, so I might as well get started with it.
Besides, I already returned to the waking world, and Rain did inform me that Sunless hadn't found a seed yet.
So I had plenty of time, and no way to really use it efficiently.
So Mirage and I, which was forcefully convinced to help me out, wow start cleaning.
Mirage was only really here to carry out any giant unnecessary furniture, like closets for example.
And I would do most of the actual cleaning.
***
Now, after around six hours of cleaning. Everything looked as if it wasn't cleaned for a few years, rather than centuries.
Which wasn't that great, but far better than before.
So I decided it would be good enough for now.
And now, now it was time to do something far, far more important.
It was time to figure out what's edible, what's not, and what food does what.
It was time to study and search what this region of the dream realm had to offer.
Thanks for reading and support!