Essence Of The Void: Part 4
The mansion door slammed shut with a deafening finality, the sound echoing like a judge's gavel sealing their fate. The silence that followed felt alive, slithering into Tang-Ji's ears and tightening its hold. She exchanged anxious glances back and forth at Kazami, but the pallor of his face told her all she needed to know.
The impact resonated in their bones as panic surged through their virtual veins before they realised that they were trapped, cut off from the safety of the outside world. Desperation etched itself upon their faces.
But the unsettling changes were not done. The ground beneath their feet started to ripple as the walls surrounding them began to morph. Dark, gnarled woods transformed into ancient, weathered cobblestones; their once sturdy appearance was now worn and crumbling.
A number of faint lights began to flicker to life under their feet, generating unsettling shadows that danced around the walls as if they were orchestrated by some unseen force. Their sensation of loneliness and dread was heightened by the ethereal illumination, which gave the already eerie ambience an alienated vibe.
The house seemed to pulse, like they were trapped inside a living thing, playing with their anxieties and carrying out its twisted game. The area around them seamlessly throbbed with a slow, deliberate rhythm that echoed through the walls like the rise and fall of unseen lungs. It was as though the house had swallowed them whole, sealing them into its endless, dark belly, and somewhere deep within, something waited, watching, unblinking.
The once-glass windows shattered into rainbow-coloured fragments and were replaced with dark, glossy stones, almost like obsidian. It felt disturbingly familiar—like the rush of blood in Tang-Ji's ears on a rollercoaster, the kind she usually relished, when speed and motion made the world blur. But here, the pounding wasn't thrilling; it thrummed heavy and unyielding, like the relentless hooves of the Erinyes, echoing into the void with no end.
The group remains rooted to the spot, their eyes scanning their transformed surroundings, searching for any sign of escape. Dread hung heavy in the air, mingling with a sense of anticipation for the trials that await them within the labyrinthine corridors of the mansion.
Kazami muttered under his breath, "I should have known... This... This is a trap room."
'To be able to defeat any boss in this game, a large-scale party composed of tanks, damage dealers, and supporters is needed to clear any boss room,' Kazami thought to himself.
He knew from the beta version of the game that it was nearly impossible to fight solo in this game, and now the odds were stacked against them. Travelling with a party of two and an NPC was bound to get them onto some sort of death road; however, it was too late to rethink his foolish decision.
"Dammit, fuck!" He grunted.
Before they could react, the ceiling above began to crack, and a chilling realisation dawned upon them. Blood started to pour from the ceiling, cascading down a grotesque waterfall. The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of the blood splattering onto the floor. The Clicker Husks, sensing the impending danger, retreat to the edges of the room, their malevolent gazes fixed upon the pool of blood.
"What... what is that?" Tang-Ji's lips trembled as she could almost feel the smell of blood clinging to her skin.
As the blood began to merge and coalesce, it took on a monstrous form. The amalgamation of blood solidified, revealing a colossal, nightmarish creature that almost resembled an Arachne. Its massive spider-like body loomed above them, dripping with blood and malice. Multiple bright red dots suddenly emerged from the shadows, revealing the boss' hideous form.
"It's... it's the queen of this nest, a high-level boss. We walked right into its lair." Ukiyo muttered as she grabbed onto Tang-Ji's arm. The intensity of the boss's appearance caused Tang-Ji to murmur something before shuffling back behind Ukiyo.
"WAIT, DON'T MOVE!" Tang-Ji, heeding Kazami's warning, hesitated at the edge of her track, but it was already too late.
The Arachne sprinted towards them at breakneck speed as soon as it detected the presence of fresh prey. It moves with a calculated rhythm, each of its eight legs carrying a lethal purpose. Its speed belied its girth, as it quickly dove towards the players. With a sudden burst of speed, the spider-like boss lunged forward, its massive frame hurtling towards Ukiyo, Tang-Ji, and Kazami.
Its razor-sharp legs extended, ready to strike with a wide swipe attack that threatened to overwhelm them. In a split second, the players found themselves sprawling backwards, the impact of the Arachne attack reverberating through their bodies. With a single attack from its leg, it drained a significant percentage of everyone's health.
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As Tang-Ji slowly regained consciousness, she blinked her eyes open, her vision blurred and disoriented. The pain from the impact throbbed through her body as she attempted to sit up. However, before she could fully gather herself, she felt a weight upon her body, shielding her from further harm. It was Ukiyo, who was directly on top of her with her back facing danger.
"Are you alright, Tang-Ji?" Ukiyo weakly whispered. Ukiyo had taken the brunt of the attack, mitigating the damage that would have befallen Tang-Ji.
"I'm fine. Thank you, but... your health." Tang-Ji quickly brought out a healing potion for Ukiyo, but she refused it.
"You can thank me after we walk out of this place alive. I can heal quicker than you can. Save it for yourself and him." Ukiyo's health bar flashed in the red zone, indicating her critical condition, and Tang-Ji's heart sank. She's unable to bear the thought of losing anyone else—she had already lost so much, and the idea of losing another person she had now was unbearable.
Ukiyo's trembling hand reached out, gently brushing a strand of Tang-Ji's hair behind her ear. "Tang-Ji," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute, "you have to do this. I can't unlock the full power of your Leere. Only you can." Despite the strain, her touch was steady, urging Tang-Ji forward.
With a trembling voice, Ukiyo continued to explain that Tang-Ji's. "The Leere system in this game responds very uniquely; it's unlike any other game. Whatever feelings you feel, whether it's your desire for hatred, love, fear, or happiness throughout your life, this can impact the scaling and power of your weapon. You are suppressing your true self, which is hindering the connection with your weapon. The power of a Leere could only be harnessed through intense desire or emotions. By isolating yourself from others and keeping your feelings hidden away, you are unintentionally hindering not only your own growth but also limiting the extent of your abilities in this game."
Tang-Ji listened intently. She always knew the truth in them, understanding that she needed to confront her fears and embrace her emotions to truly unlock her potential to protect Kazami. Something in Ukiyo's voice stirred deep within her, unravelling the weight of her self-imposed shackles and awakening the void within her heart.
Kazami stood up and swiftly activated an item that had an elongated tube appearance; a large healing area of effect suddenly appeared, and he bathed the three of them in a radiant glow of rejuvenation. The wounds they had suffered began to close, and their strength returned, though only slightly.
The monster let out a deafening scream that almost sounded like bird chirps, only with way higher intensity. It began to rotate its lower body around in circles before slamming one of its legs against one of the pillars of the mansion, sending out shockwaves of area attack, which caused the deaths of multiple Clicker Husks that were spectating the fight.
Startled by this, Tang-Ji covered her eyes and squinted them; however, upon reopening them, she noticed that Kazami was right before her, standing with his first clench.
"Hey, Tang-Ji," Kazami said sternly over the howling of the beast.
"Let's beat this game together," his voice now softened before titling half his face back to look at Tang-Ji.
"I know I've said before that we aren't heroes and that we can't save everyone in this world. But still, getting my friends out of this game safely is still my objective. So, if I accidentally save everyone along with it, then so be it; I'll take on the role of a hero." Kazami's voice softened as he continued, his eyes lowering for a moment. "What I said earlier... it was wrong. I was scared—hell, I've always been scared—but that doesn't excuse it. It was cruel of me, so I'll make up for it another time. But right now, I need your help, Tang-Ji." He stretched his arm out with open palms in front of her.
Tang-Ji felt a wave of relief wash over her as she nodded, a soft smile touching her lips. She took Kazami's hand, surprised by its warmth. 'It's soft,' she thought, her fingers curling around his. 'It's warm.' For a moment, the chill of her surroundings faded, replaced by the quiet comfort of his touch.
This made Kazami flinch a little before muttering under his breath, "You finally gave me a real smile. Your smile is very beautiful; you should always keep smiling." He reassured her with a smile as well.
"No matter how dangerous the situation is, I promise I will not let you die. Trust me, we will escape out of this cruel world together."
Her face went slightly red. Tang-Ji felt the urge to reply to his kind gesture, but it was as if the words were stuck in her throat, so instead, she held onto Kazami's hand tighter. Kazami couldn't help but keep smiling before turning around to confront the beast that was still on a rampage in the background.
Taking charge of the situation, Kazami knew what needed to be done. With a surge of adrenaline, he sprinted towards the towering spider-like boss, drawing its attention away from Ukiyo and Tang-ji. His roar echoed through the chamber, a declaration that he would bear the brunt of the boss's aggression.
"COME, GET ME, YOU BASTARD!" He yelled out, trying to provoke the beast.
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Kazami skilfully manoeuvred through the six-legged beast, trying his best to draw the boss's attention with his relentless attacks, while Ukiyo focused her efforts on guiding Tang-Ji to activate her Leere. With a silent scream, Kazami struck the giant spider's flank. It was only a standard swing with a little more force behind it, yet the point was able to break through the dull purple exoskeleton, releasing a stream of green liquid.
"AAAHHH!!"
The Dread Stalker bellowed in rage as he pulled his blade out along with a string of green blood. He leapt back and raced for Ukiyo and Tang-Ji, not bothering to check if the spider boss was following. However, when Kazami turned over his shoulder, the spider beast had just finished a ninety-degree turn. His gaze met her many glowing eyes, and he noticed that the first of her two hit-point bars had slightly decreased.
"Hurry up, guys; I don't think I can hold out much longer." Kazami panted and gasped desperately.
"Close your eyes, Tang-Ji," Ukiyo urged gently, her voice carrying the weight of both fear and conviction.
"Think about it. Recall any memory from your past—a memory that held deep meaning for you. We all have something or someone that gives us the strength to overcome any obstacle. Find that within yourself; find your true desire."
Tang-Ji hesitated for a moment, uncertainty lingering in her expression. But when she glanced past Ukiyo, it was enough—Kazami was there, locked in a desperate dance with the Arachne. His movements were sharp and deliberate, like a blade slicing through a storm, but each step seemed heavier, his form wavering as if the world itself was pressing down on him. Sweat dripped from his brow, his virtual muscles strained, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
The simulated world around him blurred as the battle raged on, but the mental exhaustion weighed heavily on him, threatening to drag him down. Kazami had been battling constantly for days, and the toll it was taking on him was evident. Despite being inside the game, the mental strain was very real, and it was wearing him thin. The game's healing potions are only effective on physical injuries; to recuperate from mental stress, players must either rest or get some sleep. Since the beginning of the death game, Kazami has not slept through the night once. He had to remain alert at all times, since danger might be lurking around any corner.
Tang-Ji quickly closed her eyes, knowing that she was running out of time, allowing herself to be enveloped in darkness. Her surroundings began to disperse as she was lunged into a dream world.
Once again, she entered my world.
As she slowly opened her eyes, Tang-Ji found herself standing on a cliff, the setting sun casting a warm golden glow. There, she saw a young boy with a familiar aura.
"I want this dream to come true. To be able to experience a world from our memories that is almost indistinguishable from reality." His words resonated with a sense of familiarity within her.
Though his face was still blurry, something in his remarks reminded her of Kazami. The little boy spoke of his ambitious goals: to create a device that could capture the spirit of the surroundings and submerge the user in a virtual world that was an exact replica of the real thing. He wanted to see the world from the perspective of virtual reality.
Suddenly, a mysterious girl with similarly hidden characteristics emerged besides the boy. She noticed that the little girl was sobbing; however, she was too preoccupied with the boy at the moment to give another thought about the weeping girl. Tang-Ji was unable to help but notice parallels between the boy and Kazami. Their shared aspirations to comprehend and enjoy the world seemed strangely familiar.
Tang-Ji's mind flickered to her first encounter with Kazami and the awkwardness and difficulty in understanding him. But despite the challenges, she realised that he had always been there for her, protecting her, even without her knowledge of her past. He had kept her memories a secret, unwilling to burden her with changes or headaches that may arise from uncovering her forgotten history.
'He truly is a strong person,' she thought. Kazami's quiet strength had shown Tang-Ji what she'd been missing; his unwavering support made her realise that strength wasn't about never showing weakness—it was about facing it. Watching him fight for her, for both of them, gave her the courage to confront her own self.
She felt like he was trying to teach her that even with a forgotten past, an uncertain present, and an unknown future, she could still be strong. She didn't need to hide behind doubt anymore. It felt like Kazami's resolve had become her own.
"When I get out of here, I'll dedicate myself to learning my language—I promise, mum, dad. As for right now, I'll trust in your words, Kazami Lynn." Tang-Ji murmured before her eyes snapped open, gleaming with intense resolve as she stepped forward.
As she raised her hand, the surrounding atmosphere seemed to shift. Invisible energy pulsed through the space, creating a mesmerising display of shimmering particles. The ground beneath her feet trembled slightly, as if acknowledging the weight of the impending transformation. Wisps of energy coiled and swirled, forming intricate patterns that danced with a rhythm only the universe could comprehend. Tang-Ji slowly extended a hand, trembling slightly with a mixture of anticipation.
Allow your desires to ignite and dissolve your path to the future.
A magnificent surge of energy erupted from the depths, enveloping her in a swirling vortex of power. The force of the awakening Leere resonated with the very fabric of the chamber, causing dust to spiral in a mesmerising dance. Beams of radiant light shot out in every direction, illuminating the surroundings with a celestial glow. The massive Jade shear materialised in her hand, along with a pop-up window that appeared in her vision, displaying the name and translation of her Leere, Jade of Abolition.
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Kazami's eyes darted from one spindly leg to another as each punctured the ground, his mind racing to calculate the attack pattern of the legs. He moved with impeccable timing, barely evading each strike as the Arachne's eight legs lunged at him with almost deadly precision, barely giving him a moment to breathe. Kazami's movements were getting slower, and his reactions were delayed by his growing exhaustion.
As if sensing his weakness, the Dread Stalker leapt forward at incredible speed, and one of its many legs crashed into Kazami's virtual body.
"UGHAAA!" Kazami grunted while trying his best to keep moving, knowing full well that once his legs stopped working, he would surely become mincemeat. It was surprising to him that he was still able to run around.
"Hey! Over here, ugly!" Waving his dull blade around, he provoked the beast even further.
Suddenly, the pain began searing through his torso and legs as his health bar plummeted, causing it to lose a substantial chunk of his remaining hit points. Kazami gritted his teeth as he struggled to stay on his feet; he could feel his strength waning.
Just as despair threatened to consume him, Tang-Ji behind him began to grip her jade shears tightly with both hands. The space around her crackled with energy as four tiny black holes materialised besides her, swirling with dark energy. A surge of confidence rippled through her as she swung her weapon forward, unleashing a devastating strike towards the Arachne, the edges of her mouth subconsciously forming a thin smile of anticipation.
The jade shears cleaved through the air, its sharp edge colliding with the Arachne's frontal legs. Two of the creature's legs were severed, and not before long, sending it staggering back in pain. The boss let out a guttural screech, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack.
Gearing into action, Tang-Ji charged towards the boss, her jade shears radiating an immense purple aura as its tip dragged across the ground as a result of its sheer weight. It would have been practically impossible for her to run with the weapon in both arms, so instead she leveraged her dashing skill to gain speed before soaring into the air just above Kazami. She nodded to him midair, and Kazami took off, running in the direction of the boss as if they were communicating telepathically.
Kazami took a breath before activating his Leere, recreating his damaged sword. He positioned himself in preparation for his next attack, twisting his left hip and leaning forward until he was almost to the point of falling over. From his position so close to the floor, he could feel his virtual flesh scraping against the cold stone underneath him. In an instant, he propelled himself forward using his right leg's full might, his body now wrapped in a pale blue light. He instantly closed the ten-metre gap between himself and the Dread Stalker, moving so quickly that he almost appeared as if he teleported.
His palm shone intensely, producing a blue rapier that was infused with the frigid essence of winter within its steel. Gripping it tightly, he charged forward with unwavering resolve, his feet now leaving a trail of frosted footsteps in his wake. The giant Arachne boss loomed above him, still paralysed from Tang-Ji's previous attack. With a swift motion, Kazami activated one of the rapier's most potent skills, "level 3 deployment, Rush Technique: Snow Tomb!!", pointing the weapon's tip towards the boss. On command, a wall of thick ice rose from the stones around the creature, encircling it.
As the ice wall reached its peak, a huge lid of snow formed over the Arachne, casting an enormous shadow above the icy prison. The lid plummeted down with a thunderous crash as it engulfed the boss in its wintry embrace. The labyrinth trembled as the collision sent ripples across the atmosphere, flinging chunks of ice and snow around the room.
A moment of silence followed, broken only by the sound of cracking ice. When the dust finally settled, Kazami's eyes were filled with hope for a brief moment. The boss' health bar was now visible, revealing a massive portion of its hit points lost as a result of Kazami's Snow Tomb skill. The Arachne struggled futilely within the icy container, immobilised and vulnerable.
Their assault on the boss did not end there. Tang-Ji, having leapt into the air earlier, hovered over the Arachne with grace. Her jade shears glinted with a newfound radiance as she channelled her energy in between the curved edges. She let out a resolute cry: "Level 2 deployment, Rush Technique: Imperial Comet!"
A surge of power erupted from Tang-Ji's being, manifesting as a swirling vortex of black energy coalescing before her at the tip of her shears. With unyielding focus, she pointed her pair of jade shears towards the trapped boss, locking on with unwavering precision. The vortex grew in size and intensity with each passing moment, pulsating with a dangerous aura.
In a single decisive motion, Tang-Ji unleashed the ball of energy from her weapon. It hurtled towards the ensnared Arachne, leaving a trail of dark energy in its wake. The impact was cataclysmic as the ball collided with the boss, engulfing it in an incredible, purplish explosion of magical energy. The sheer magnitude of the attack caused the very pillars that were well rooted into the earth of the domain to tremble as if nature itself had quivered in awe.
The combination attack proved devastating as the creature writhed and struggled within its icy prison, unable to break free from the weight of the snow and the power of the dark energy.
The boss's health bar had reached 50%, but rather than advancing forward to unleash another round of attacks, Kazami paused. Remembering his time during the game's beta testing, he vividly recalled nearly dying during his first boss raid. Despite being well equipped with high-level gear at the time, a single attack from the boss was enough to bring his health bar into the red zone. 'Wait,' he thought to himself. 'The spider boss will activate a massive area of effect skill that will damage all surrounding players at some point in the fight.' However, his thoughts did not form into words in time; it was already too late to warn the others.
Kazami's eyes widened; he could feel his heart practically pounding out from his chest as the boss took a few skittering steps, breaking free of the icy prison; its enormous form preparing for a devastating leap. Panic welled up within him as he desperately tried to warn Tang-Ji, who was still hovering in the air, unaware of the impending danger.
"It's going to jump!" Kazami yelled out, his voice laced with urgency. But before he could finish his warning, a swift movement caught his eye.
Ukiyo leapt into action as if she had already anticipated the boss' next attack. Sliding gracefully under Kazami's icy trail that was created earlier, her movements were fluid and precise. Within seconds, she had positioned herself directly beneath the boss. She threw herself against one of the boss's colossal legs, using the full weight of her body, causing it to lose balance.
The Arachne wobbled as its eight legs were momentarily thrown into disarray. The jumping attack was interrupted, preventing it from spreading its poisonous webs around the entirety of the room, giving the team a vital moment of respite.
The labyrinth echoed with the resounding thud of the boss's unsteady steps, its movements erratic as it struggled to regain its balance. It was a temporary advantage, but it provided the trio with a precious opportunity.
Kazami lunged forward at the Arachne with speed comparable to his earlier technique, using his momentum to drive the tip of his ice rapier deep into the Boss' right flank. The enemy's hit point gauge dropped closer to the red zone, with only a marginal amount remaining in the orange zone.
Sparks burst from the wound, followed by a shrill metallic sound. The boss monster shook Kazami off from its side, flinging him more than two metres across the arena. At the same time, Tang-Ji landed firmly on the ground, her heavy weapon following suit, creating a small nick in the already worn-out concrete.
A charging attack was already in progress as Tang-Ji attempted to balance the weight of the shears on her shoulders. Just before she could unload another barrage, the boss began to raise its body high, leaning its hideous, somewhat human form backwards a few inches from its lower body.
Kazami knew exactly what was going to come next. The spider boss was about to unleash its venomous assault. Urgency consumed him as he shouted a warning to everyone: "Watch out! It's going to spit poison!"
The Arachne's mouth gaped wide open, and from within its depths, a sickly red venom gathered. In an instant, the monster forcefully expelled the poisonous substance in a concentrated stream, which hurtled towards Kazami, sizzling in the air.
Kazami's pupils dilated as he swerved to the side, barely escaping the venomous stream. Yet, the attack was too swift for Kazami to evade entirely. The venom struck his arm, seeping through his armour gear and beginning to burn his virtual flesh. The pain was immense, causing him to fall to his knees.
"AHHHH!! FUCK!!" He grunted violently, clutching his arm tightly. The arm gear he had equipped was melted and disfigured by the attack, along with a portion of cloth from his body armour.
"Tang-Ji... don't get hit no matter what." Kazami warned her through gritted teeth as he huddled his body tighter against the wall while trying his best to suppress the pain.
Tang-Ji's heart pounded in terror as the Dread Stalker let out another thundering shriek, signalling that it was ready to spit another deadly onslaught of venom. Its many eyes began to spaz out vilely before making its hideous gaze present to Tang-Ji.
Her hands began to tremble as doubt clouded her mind. In that moment of vulnerability, Ukiyo's voice rang out from below the broken staircase, cutting through the haze of uncertainty. With no option left, she used her body as a weapon to prevent the earlier attack.
"Don't be scared, Tang-Ji! You already possess enough strength to overcome this," her voice echoed, reaching Tang-Ji's ears even amidst the chaos. "Your Leere is a defensive Leere! When I first borrowed your weapon, I knew right away. You have specialised defensive skills! Don't try to force an attack; let the Leere guide you as if it were an extension of your body! As if it's your very own soul!"
Tang-Ji knew what she had to do; she wanted to change no matter what, and this was going to be the first step to achieving it. Fear of abandonment, fear of confrontation, fear of losing, and the anxiety of revealing her true self—those things now meant nothing to her. All she wanted to do was protect her friends.
She took a deep breath, steadying her trembling hands. She positioned her shears in a defensive stance, holding them firmly across her body. The radiant energy of the Leere pulsed through her, reinforcing her determination.
As the boss released another venomous attack, Tang-Ji screamed, her voice filled with unshakable resolve. "Level 1 deployment, counter technique: Abyssal Haze!"
In an instant, a black barrier materialised before Tang-Ji, shimmering with raw defensive power. The venomous spray crashed against the barrier, but rather than melting straight through, the barrier absorbed the poison, as if it were hungry for it.
Energy crackled within the Abyssal Haze, swirling and building in intensity. As a cloud of black mist began enveloping Tang-Ji's entire body, the barrier unleashed the absorbed venom back at the boss, hurling the toxic mass back in retaliation.
The boss recoiled, its monstrous form writhing in agony as the venom coated and burned its body. The sudden release of energy sent shockwaves rippling through the domain and sprayed droplets of poisonous chemicals across the walls. The boss's health bar above its head receded significantly down into the red zone.
Kazami howled, ignoring the poor state of his health bar, and sprinted forward along the wall. Positioning his ice rapier at a low angle next to his knee, his left foot kicked off the floor at full force.
"Now! Everyone, attack!!" Kazami cried out.
Both Ukiyo and Kazami leapt from different angles, slipping past Tang-Ji, who was still recovering from her previous counterattack.
Each swing of their weapons sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the ground beneath them. The once overwhelming spider boss now found itself on the receiving end of a relentless, synchronised assault, unable to withstand the combined might of Kazami and Ukiyo's attacks.
Tang-Ji, now standing, leapt into the fray with the other two, combining the strength of Ukiyo, Kazami, and herself, unleashing their attacks as a united force. Their individual strengths blended seamlessly together to produce an unstoppable force. The individual attacks transformed into a flurry of unified slashes, strikes, and electrifying energy, with the three players working in perfect harmony to dismantle their formidable opponent.
As the boss's health dwindled, its movements grew sluggish and desperate. It prepared one final attack in an act of desperation; however, Kazami, who had been skilfully evading its assaults, intercepted it with his rapier, freezing its remaining limbs. He then delivered a devastating attack, striking the monster with unparalleled precision and power.
The boss's life gauge was left with just a sliver of health.
"Finish it, Tang-Ji!" Kazami screamed as Tang-Ji began charging up another massive burst of energy. Her Leere pulsated with energy, the crackling energy yearning to be released. With her whole body and soul, Tang-Ji used all the remaining stamina to fire her ultimate skill.
Tang-Ji called upon the power of the "Level 8 deployment, Ultimate Technique: Eden's Pulsar!!" Unleashing the full force of her Leere with unwavering conviction.
The air crackled with dark, purplish energy as a vortex of shadow formed around Tang-Ji's body. Gripping her shears firmly with both hands, her eyes glowed with an otherworldly radiance as she raised her weapon, pointing its tip directly at the boss' core. Gradually, black matter began to develop at the very tip of the jade shears as a shadowy mass began creeping down the edges of the blades before slowly condensing into a miniscule sphere at the very edge of the weapon.
Suddenly, a massive beam of concentrated gravity erupted from the Leere, tearing through space with an unstoppable force. The beam pulsed with an aura of darkness, its sheer magnitude eclipsing everything around it.
The Dread Stalker, caught off guard by the onslaught, could only watch in confusion as the all-encompassing darkness consumed it. The immense power of an Eden Star incinerated and crushed the boss into nothingness, reducing its grotesque form to mere particles. After obliterating its target, the beam proceeded forward, crashing against the wall of the chamber before creating a wide hole in the sphere of the domain.
Silence settled in as the dust cleared, revealing the absence of the monsters. The weight of its defeat hung heavy in the air before the door to the dungeon behind it swung open.
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As the blizzard storm began to subside and sunlight began seeping through the gaping hole that Tang-Ji had opened up, the three players knelt down, exhausted from what felt like an endless abyss of fighting.
"Hey, Kazami." She asked with a tired voice, "Is it really over?"
Kazami was only a few steps away from the broken stairway leading up to the once-enclosed arena. He heard Tang-Ji's query but did not respond for a few seconds. Then he slowly got to his feet and muttered, "Yeah, it's all over now, and we won." His voice was barely audible from exhaustion.
Tang-Ji slowly rose to her feet, and she paced over to Kazami. She was aware that she needed to apologise for the grief that she had given him, since it was her own narrow-mindedness that had hurt him. Yet before she could utter a word of regret, Kazami turned around and limped towards her, pulling her into his arms and embracing her warmly. Tang-Ji was taken aback by this show of appreciation, her cheeks turning a pale shade of red before reluctantly returning the hug. "I'm sorry for saying those things earlier." Kazami murmured gently.
In that tender moment, just as the two were coming to terms with their emotions, Kazami's demeanour changed abruptly. He turned to face Ukiyo, the NPC girl who had been their guide throughout his and Tang-Ji's journey. Something was off, and Kazami could feel it. Interrupting Tang-Ji's attempt to apologise, his instincts dragged his attention away, inviting him to confront the truth that had been lurking beneath the surface of Ukiyo's fairy-like demeanour.
Kazami loosened his grip on Tang-Ji while maintaining a fixed gaze on Ukiyo, who was now kneeling down on the ground, displaying an expression that was both apathetic and frigid, as if a mask had been drawn over her true intentions. Kazami could not surmise that Ukiyo was simply an advanced NPC. His curiosity began to mix with a hint of frustration, which drove him to demand answers: "Tell us who you are, Ukiyo. I know for a fact that you are not just an NPC."
"You just called her Tang-Ji earlier during the battle. An NPC is programmed to call a player by their gamer tag, the name displayed just above our heads." Kazami continued, glaring intently at Ukiyo.
"Wait, Kazami, what are you saying?" Tang-Ji interjected, the unexpected hostility perplexing her.
"I've been paying careful attention to you during the whole trip, and I've noticed that something about your actions and the way you talk is unusual compared to the other NPCs I've encountered." Kazami said, choosing his words carefully, certain that he was onto something.
Tang-Ji was confused, her loyalties torn between her friends. She wanted to stop Kazami from pushing Ukiyo any further, but nagging curiosity tugged at her. Ukiyo had indeed never acted like a typical NPC. Her way of speaking and her emotions had been far too lifelike to be mere computer programmes.
"It was thanks to Ukiyo that I'm alive and that I was able to protect Kazami and finally let go of my fears," Tang-Ji thought to herself. She could never see Ukiyo as an enemy. "But the fact that she was able to hit the nail straight on the head when discussing human emotions... Not only was she able to comprehend the feeling of grief to such an extent, but she was able to empathise with me." Her thoughts continued to linger in the back of her mind before Kazami finally broke the silence.
"Are you going to tell us or not? Who are you, and how are you able to get a blue cursor? Those are exclusive to only NPCs." Kazami asked, now losing his patience.
Pulling her right sleeve down, Ukiyo rose slowly from her place on the floor. Her eyes flickered with a hint of vulnerability before shifting back into a stern expression. Before Kazami could continue, she finally answered, "You're right. I am not a computer-generated programme." She admitted it; her voice was steady but tinged with sadness. "I didn't mean to deceive you, but I had my reasons to not speak up about my identity."
Kazami's anger gave way to confusion as he demanded, "Who are you? Tell me!"
Taking a deep breath, Ukiyo unveiled the secret she had been hiding. "My name is Mai," she revealed, her voice carrying a mix of emotions. "I am a Japanese idol and Cubetuber. I wasn't supposed to reveal my identity, but I couldn't bear to deceive you two any longer."