The spirits are trapped within this space.
I can see nothing without any skills, but this chill must be because the spirits are suffering in pain.
Speaking of which.
The guild staff mentioned that there’s a dwelling for spirits in this area.
Perhaps, like us, the spirits have also been caught up in this.
“Almoa. For now, let’s focus on escaping this place. If we can find an exit, we might be able to free the spirits as well.”
“…Yes, that sounds good.”
Almoa placed her hand on her chest as if to calm herself. Suddenly, she looked up as if she remembered something.
“By the way, Ist. What you were about to say earlier…”
“Oh, that was—”
Again, an interruption occurred.
An anomaly happened on the wall.
A disturbing sound of metal scraping against metal echoed from various directions, reverberating in the space.
The tremendous sound pressure made us instinctively press our ears and tense our bodies.
Eventually, as the noise subsided, figures of humans adorned in armor emerged from the walls and floor.
Some had gauntlets hanging from their elbows.
Others were wearing two pieces of contorted armor awkwardly stuck to their torsos.
It was as if a young child had haphazardly stuck parts onto a clay figure.
They clearly had no understanding of what it meant to “wear” armor.
It was unnatural.
Seeing the man leading the group, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ah!”
It’s him. The adventurer who had provoked us relentlessly!
“Hey! Can you hear me?!”
I shouted towards the Citrine-ranked adventurer.
It was a slim hope, but as expected, there was no response.
The face of the adventurer peeking out from the helmet was devoid of color, completely pale. Only the eyes glimmered unnaturally like glasswork.
This sense of discomfort—
A manufactured doll? No, that’s not it.
It was a chilling feeling, as if I were looking at a human who had been transformed while still alive.
“Could it be that this is…”
The truth behind the adventurer disappearances. The root cause…!
Upon closer inspection, all the armored figures were wearing adventurer tags.
Despite the gruesome scene, not a drop of blood flowed from their bodies.
They were no longer alive.
They captured adventurers, killed them, and then further toyed with them. An act that showed no regard for human life.
Almoa seemed to share the same sentiment.
“To defile not only the spirits but also the dignity of adventurers is unforgivable.”
She turned to me.
“Ist. Stay back. I will fight.”
“Almoa?!”
“I saw your fighting style at the fortress. You have no combat ability.”
It was frustrating, but that was true.
“I owe you a debt of gratitude. Therefore, I will help you, even at the cost of my life. My father and mother would surely do the same.”
Ah, I believe that’s true.
Seeing Almoa, I can imagine the nobility of the parents who raised her.
However, that doesn’t settle my feelings.
We should survive together.
Both of us—Almoa and I.
To do that…
“Almoa, just stay still for a moment.”
“W-What are you doing!? At a time like this…!”
Almoa flustered as I drew close. Due to the height difference, I could see her head bobbing around.
I brought my hand to her ear.
“Gifted Skill: [Awakening Appraisal]”
Light burst forth, enveloping Almoa’s [Tears of Fate].
I heard a clicking sound, as if something fell into place.
Almoa’s skill information emerged in my vision.
[Heart of Life]: Allows communication with all plants, animals, and spirits at will. Permanent skill.
[Staff Mastery]: Mastery of staff techniques. Permanent skill.
[Spirit Manipulator]: Enables the use of all spirit magic. The denser the spirit, the exponentially greater the power.
《[Awakening Appraisal] complete. Skills have been unlocked. At the same time, [Heart of Life], [Staff Mastery], and [Spirit Manipulator] have been copied from ‘Sample.’ Each can be used two more times.》
“What just happened?”
Almoa turned around, confused.
I asked her, “What kind of spirit magic did your father use?”
“Huh?”
“If it were your father, what magic would he use to get through this situation?”
Seeing my serious expression, Almoa closed her mouth and fell deep in thought.
At that moment, the adventurers in broken armor began to move. The sound of iron boots clattering on the floor approached us with a clank.
“Spirit Magic: [Holy Light Shockwave: Astral Blitz]”
Almoa said quietly.
“It’s a magic that purifies everything with the holy light held by the spirits. The stronger the monster’s malice, the more effective it is, and the spirits become activated in return.”
“I see. Just like your father.”
“Stop joking. What do you mean by that at a time like this?”
Almoa looked skeptical.
I bowed my head in my heart to her father.
I will borrow your magic.
“Activate ‘Sample.’ Gifted Skill: [Spirit Manipulator]”
It was dramatic.
The world I was observing changed entirely.
The vibrancy of colors became visible.
Different colors looked on in fear at the adventurers, now trapped as mindless suits of armor, confined by the cold metallic floor and walls.
So, this is what the spirits see…
This is the world that Almoa and the spirit mages see…!
I raised my voice and cast the magic.
“Spirit Magic: [Holy Light Shockwave: Astral Blitz]!”
In response to my voice, the spirits reacted sharply.
Seven colors filled the room, swelling.
“W-What is this? No way!”
Almoa stepped back in astonishment.
I shouted,
“Return to the light!”
A silent explosion.
The brilliance activated and produced by the spirits pierced through every armored adventurer without exception.
For an instant, my vision was blinded by the light.
Like a sand mound swept by a gust of wind, all the armored adventurers turned to dust and vanished.
Almoa, who collapsed at the spot, muttered one word.
“Awesome…”
