The second month passed with the almost infinite accumulation of treasures. Alm and Bruno’s spatial inventory was already two-thirds full, crammed with an immense amount of wealth. However, neither of them was particularly excited about it.
At this moment, the whale walked extremely close to the clan members, while Ruri displayed a sulky expression ahead of them. Since the fateful day when Bruno played a prank, he quickly regretted it bitterly.
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Ruri seemed to have flipped a switch, becoming assertive. Whenever the two were away from others, she found a way to cling to them; she used to do this before, but now... clearly had hidden intentions. Alm and Bruno had to constantly move their hands, which were intentionally aimed at concealed places.
’She has become a predator...’ Bruno sighed, watching the girl’s back ahead.
’WHO IS TO BLAME, YOU BASTARD!’ Alm roared. He took some time reflecting deeply on everything that happened and, for obvious reasons, realized that the only one who could have done something was Bruno.
Bruno then smiled bitterly and replied, ’Don’t get so worked up. We just need to be more alert to her tricks; she has become bolder, but she is still shy and inexperienced... for now...’
Bruno interrupted his words, feeling a headache. For them, Ruri was still like a child, despite everything. Her actions were only troublesome at the moment, but in the future... things could get even more complicated, or perhaps she would achieve something before then.
The two argued mentally for a while; Alm was upset with the problem they now had to face. But less than an hour later, they fell silent and looked ahead. Finally, they were entering the third sector of the realm of ashes.
Everyone felt the pressure of the change in spatial laws. None of the three clans had records of this innermost area of the realm. No demon who had been so far had returned alive to tell the tale. Only by sheer luck did a demon find the other two remaining treasures in the second sector.
The whale, leading the way for everyone, walked with light steps. The first few minutes passed, and as they felt the new environment, Alm and Bruno carefully checked the spatial laws. Soon, they sighed in relief and spoke:
"The fourth concept is not present. However, spatial distortion seems to completely seal off this place from the rest. There’s no possibility of turning back after entering. And the other two concepts are much more intense there."
Everyone felt a cold shiver run down their spines. They dealt with the two deadly concepts separately; in the first, they were saved by the whale, in the second, they had to handle it on their own. But now, the two were together and much more intense.
"It’s not just that, unfortunately. A few meters ahead, a frightening amount of the remaining two treasures is present. This place is a trap designed to be deadly," the whale added.
Everyone listened and understood with bated breath. The last treasures were known as Shadow of Pain and Shadow of Relief.
They were strange and ethereal treasures, and the name "shadow" defined them well. They were like small clusters of dark runes, no more than a meter, floating freely in the wind like sinister shadows.
Shadow of Relief had a soft bluish tone, while Shadow of Pain was dark red. With just a touch on either of them, it seemed to merge with the user’s soul and disappear immediately. Reading about their effects, Alm and Bruno knew that the law of these shadows slightly affected the soul, either enhancing it or tarnishing it. But it was something very small, like a drop in the ocean, practically irrelevant.
However, in this place where space was extremely chaotic, a slight alteration in the soul would affect the senses, bringing swift death.
About five hours of walking later, everyone was extremely tired, and most had injuries of varying degrees. They had barely entered, and although no one had died, they were walking on the brink of death every second. The spatial laws were infinitely more furious.
But quickly, everyone looked a little ahead and saw there, practically a sea of shadows between blue and red. It was impossible to advance without being affected by it, and the already difficult journey would take the lives of most present if they were influenced by it.
In the midst of the majority’s desperate thoughts, the whale simply continued forward, relaxed. Everyone clenched their fists and followed; despite everything, that giant and round back brought endless security and courage to all of them... or almost all.
Deryu quickly flew, leaving Runula alone with a strange look, and approached Ruri, entering directly into their exclusive space. Ruri frowned severely; this little bastard abandoned Runula to stay safe. It seems she would have to educate him a bit more harshly, she thought.
Soon, when the first reddish shadow was in front of the whale, a spatial rune glowed on its forehead.
Whoooooosh!
Suddenly, everyone halted their steps, wide-eyed. It all lasted for five seconds, and... the entire sea of shadows disappeared, literally entering the void.
’Great, within the inventory, these shadows become just runes and occupy minimal space. Let’s take them all.’ Bruno said lightly, and the whale continued moving forward without turning around.
Everyone followed closely, but soon, they all sighed mentally. What was the sacred being worried about? Everyone thought in unison.
Thus, everyone focused on the deadly training with the laws without worries, and the whale sucked everything in front of it. Until Alm thought of something. ’This law is very close to the power of the soul. Maybe we can expedite things.’
Bruno nodded, and both activated their souls together. Soon, the entire space within that third sector vibrated. The three clans saw the horizon covered by changing-colored ashes, leaving them terrified. It was a tsunami of shadows falling upon them.
Whoooooosh!
It only took a minute, though. Everything was gone, and the whale smiled sinisterly; it was quick and efficient. The Soul Eater clan’s Manifestation of Gluttony was used by them at a level even the clan members didn’t notice its use.
With everything finished, Alm and Bruno then focused on the law within the shadows, intrigued, and studied them. They quickly absorbed the Shadow of Relief into their souls and jumped excitedly; it had a very similar effect to the soul-restoring method they and Ruri practiced while sleeping.
Alm and Bruno quickly realized they could study it thoroughly and significantly improve their soul-restoration method.
Then, they turned to the Shadow of Pain. This time, Alm was excited; he felt a great inspiration to develop an offensive soul technique. It was disturbing and efficient. Soon, the Soul Eaters’ technique would be greatly enhanced with them altering it again.
Everyone moved forward slowly, and Alm and Bruno were extremely satisfied with the gains. All eight treasures from the realm of ashes were harvested in large quantities, and everything seemed to be going well.
It was after fifteen days, when they reached the exact center of the third sector, that the whale took a step forward and quickly grabbed Ruri’s hand.
Everyone behind saw that abrupt movement, and their alertness was triggered. Suddenly, the space around them distorted, but it wasn’t something natural from the laws of this place.
Then, from all directions, space rifts appeared. At the same time, the sound of thousands of demons emerged from within them. They were all demons that should have died, and now, they completely surrounded them with malicious, red-eyed stares.