Alysia wanted to remain in the safe room for a longer period of time so she could get a grasp on her abilities. We practiced a bit, and then I allowed her to contemplate on her own. One of the best parts of the slave bond between us was that she didn’t go into sleep mode anymore. While this might mean she spent a lot of time alone, it also gave her the time to think and contemplate. This was something none of the other soul weapons in this dungeon could do.
While she was taking a breather to think about things, I surveyed this mural. It showed the little girl. At first, she was hopeful and bright-eyed. Then, it slowly showed her facial expression changing. She grew less and less enthused, and in the final image, her expression was downright hateful. That was it, that was the clue. I wasn’t able to grasp anything from it.
“Deek.” Alysia contacted me through the Slave Communication I left open for her.
“Yeah?”
“I’m a sword made out of a soul, right?”
“I guess so.”
“And this is a soul dungeon, which is created our of a world of souls, right?”
“I mean, I don’t know what a world of souls is, but that sounds about right.”
“Then, shouldn’t I have the ability to cut a soul?”
I stopped, only coming to realize what she meant. Soul-reaving weapons were rare magical items that could damage a soul. Even rarer were the malacrum weapons, which were capable of not just hurting a soul, but poisoning it with a soul-destroying miasmic infection. Other than certain spells, magic, fairy fire, and jobs like the Spiritualist, I didn’t know how else to attack a soul directly. However, she might very well be right. She might be able to chop through someone’s soul. That meant she could kill someone permanently. She’d be better than a soul-reaving weapon because she’d be able to choose if she wanted to damage their soul or not.
“You… might be on to something there.” I agreed.
“I think I’m ready to start.”
“Okay.”
I grabbed Alysia, and her form returned to the sword I had grown used to.
“I’m going to try to cut their souls, destroying them completely.”
“Then, I’ll follow your lead!”
The pair of us headed the 7th trial and the last of the battles. As I waited, five Alysia’s appeared. That was two more than the last level. I took a step back, feeling a bit worried.
“It just occurred to me… if this is the final match, then these Alysia’s… are probably at your level.”
The women immediately began to circle me. Their eyes seemed to contain cunning and knowledge. This battle would be like fighting Alysia, the powerful S class adventurer, five times at once! Furthermore, every bit of damage I did to them would be reflected onto me. I suddenly felt like I could have taken another few days break.
The girls began their advance. I lifted my sword. I had to give it my all.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om