【 PRAYER, AWAKENING FROM THE DREAM 】

—

A total of thirteen terrifying figures, each possessing strength at the rank of a demigod, appeared along the shoreline.

Sensing the terrifying pressure they emanated, the players abruptly ceased their pursuit.

The piercing sea wind howled even more fiercely.

Struggling to keep their eyes open, the players in the vicinity stared at the terrifying figures before them, unable to suppress a nervous swallow.

“Abyssal Myth… are each of them really an Abyssal Myth?”

“What the hell! All of them!? Have the devs completely lost their minds?!”

“Seriously… why is everyone targeting the Elven Forest?!”

Meanwhile, Demacia, who already arrived in Mirovia and held the bone whistle obtained from Li Mu, stood frozen with his mouth agape:

“Good grief… this… which one of these monsters am I supposed to use the Divine Punishment of Death on?”

Gando likewise gazed at the group of terrifying figures, his throat dry.

As a wanderer who had spent a long time in the Abyss, he could vaguely guess why the demons had concentrated their main forces on the Elven Forest.

The Elven Forest was the region with the densest concentration of mana in the entire world of Seigües. Once it becomes tainted by the power of the Abyss, it would likewise become the place where that power was most concentrated.

Such a location was the most suitable site for establishing an Abyssal brood nest.

It was evident that the Demons was fully determined to conquer the world of Seigües this time.

High in the sky, demigod Aurora’s expression turned grave.

“All of you, retreat into the city. Do not come out.”

Her voice was stern.

Hearing her gentle yet unquestionable command, the players swallowed nervously and obediently withdrew, returning to Mirovia.

After glancing at the elven believers and Chosen Ones who had retreated behind the defensive barrier, Aurora withdrew her gaze.

She then took out a golden leaf from her robes and crushed it gently.

A brilliant golden radiance burst forth from her body, her aura rising continuously until it approached the rank of a true god.

That radiance was divine favor.

As a divine envoy of a true god, Aurora was naturally one who was blessed by the Goddess.

And as a demigod, when she invoked the power of divine favor, she could directly connect to their patron deity’s network of faith, thereby drawing upon a vast power of that god’s faith.

Golden flames ignited around her as her strength surged instantly.

Aurora once again prepared to fight with all her might.

With a soft shout, a suit of silver armor materialized around her body. Wielding a divine sword, she charged toward the group of Abyssal Myth.

At the same time, accompanied by three resounding dragon roars, the golden dragon Mars, the silver dragon Mercury, and Venus appeared in the sky.

Behind them followed four death envoys clad in black robes.

Seven demigods, following Aurora’s lead, charged toward the Abyssal Myths.

The battle of mythical beings had officially begun.

A chaotic clash involving twenty-one mythical-rank beings erupted above the ocean, transforming the entire sky into a scene resembling the end of the world.

Down on the ground, the players stared blankly at the indistinct battle unfolding above them, able only to feel their own insignificance and profound helplessness.

Meanwhile, on another battlefield a thousand miles away, in Maple Moon Free State, Meryer, who had become the Black Dragon God, faced new enemies.

A total of nineteen Abyssal Myths descended upon the battlefield. Each possessed at least demigod-rank strength, with two even reaching true mythical status.

Meryer gazed proudly at the nineteen Abyssal Myths before him. A trace of battle intent flashed in his massive draconic eyes:

“You think the likes of you are worthy of fighting me?”

With that, he let out a roar and unleashed a torrent of dragon breath.

→⟐←

With the formal arrival of the Abyssal Myths, the intensity of the war in the world of Seigües reached a new peak.

Unknowingly, the battles on the ground came to a complete stop.

Demons, elves, and players alike all ceased fighting, raising their heads to watch the mythical battle unfolding in the sky.

Yet, as they observed the battle above, the expressions of both elves and players grew increasingly grave.

There were simply too many new Abyssal Myths that arrived this time.

Whether in the Elven Forest or Maple Moon State, the Demon’s side was gradually gaining the upper hand.

If this continued, the defeat of the elves would only be a matter of time.

Watching as Lady Aurora’s injuries worsened in the sky, a trace of anxiety flashed across Gando’s face.

At the same time, a hint of confusion arose in his heart.

The Abyssal Myths had already advanced as far as the Elven Forest…

Why has Her Grace the Goddess not appeared yet?

Could it be…?

A troubling thought, drawn from recent rumors circulating in the human lands, arose in Gando’s mind.

However, he quickly shook his head, casting aside the absurd notion.

Impossible.

There was no way anything had happened to the Goddess.

He took a deep breath, tracing the symbol of the Scepter of Life across his chest, and began to pray silently.

With mythical-rank beings now entering the battlefield, this war was no longer something he could partake on.

Thus, all he could do now was transform his conviction into the power of faith and call upon the great Goddess to intervene.

The old elf closed his eyes and prayed devoutly.

Seeing his actions, the frost elves of Mirovia also began tracing the symbol of the Scepter of Life upon their chests, joining in the prayer.

Gradually, waves of prayer rose throughout the city. Even many players found themselves compelled to join.

It was a call to the Goddess, asking for her blessing to aid the demigods fighting in the sky.

The devout prayers merged into a unified chorus as numerous faint points of light, the glow of faith, began to appear throughout the city.

The lights drifted and gathered, eventually converging upon the holy statue enshrined within the temple of Mirovia.

In the next moment, as if triggering a chain reaction, the various holy statues of the Goddess across the Elven Forest, Maple Moon State, and every place where the Goddess was worshipped began to emit a soft radiance.

Soft, indistinct prayers echoed, carrying a power that stirred the hearts of all who heard them, drawing more and more followers of life into prayer.

As they joined altogether, the prayers spread further, rising in cities, villages, and towns alike.

Their ethereal calls echoed across the land, through forests, mountains, and fields, invoking the divine name of the Goddess of Life.

→⟐←

Evé dreamed once more.

It was the same mysterious dream, where she had become the World Tree.

Yet this time, the content of the dream was different.

Now, dark clouds blanketed the world as endless hordes of demons surged toward forests and cities, clashing with the elves in brutal combat.

In the sky, terrifying figures pressed forward, while the elves and dragons fighting them were covered in wounds.

Then, a faint, indistinct call echoed in her ears.

Hearing it caused Eve’s heart to tremble. She tried to listen closely, to discern its meaning, but could not make it out.

The dream suddenly ended at that point.

Evé sat upright in bed, drenched in cold sweat without realizing it.

Before her eyes was the same old familiar bedroom.

Looking around, she let out a breath of relief.

Warm sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a gentle glow.

For some reason, as she looked at the bright sunlight, a strange sense of unrealism washed over her, as if everything were part of a dream.

Shaking her head slightly, she glanced at the alarm clock beside her bed.

It was just seven in the morning.

Climbing out of bed, she yawned and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

It was the weekend.

She had plans to go hiking and visit a temple fair with her childhood friend.

After finishing breakfast and changing into suitable sportswear, Evé left the house. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

By the time she met up with her friend and the two of them chatted and laughed their way up the mountain on the outskirts, it was already one in the afternoon.

Standing at the summit, Evé looked down toward the foot of the mountain.

Below her stretched a bustling city, arranged like building blocks, with cars resembling tiny insects, a magnificent sight.

A winding river ran through the city like a silver ribbon, flowing into the distance.

Above, the deep blue sky resembled a mirror, adorned with drifting clouds.

Evé took a deep breath, faintly sensing a peculiar familiarity in the scene before her.

Oddly enough, she felt as though gazing down upon the world like this was something she often did.

And yet, her memory told her that she rarely went hiking. In fact, this trip had only happened because her friend kept persuading her.

So why then did she feel such an inexplicable sense of familiarity?

No…

That was not quite right.

The city she seemed to remember was not like this one. Though it lacked the towering buildings before her, the city in her mind was far more refined and beautiful.

And behind that city, there were no endless wheat fields, but rather a vast expanse of lush forest.

…Hmm?

Speaking of which

Where was it that she had seen this city in the first place?

Right… it was in a dream.

Hm…?

A dream?

What did I dream about last night again…?

A trace of confusion flickered across Eve’s eyes.

After that moment of bewilderment, the bustling city before her seemed to blur slightly as it vaguely began to overlap with that fantastical in her mind…

“The Chosen… City.”

Evé murmured unconsciously.

She only snapped back to her senses when her childhood friend tapped her on the shoulder:

“What are you spacing out for? Aren’t you going to take a picture of such an amazing view?”

Evé came to herself and withdrew her gaze. A faint sense of unease flashed through her heart.

She shook her head and forced a smile.

“I’ll pass. You go ahead instead.”

After taking photos and finishing the snacks they had brought, Evé followed her friend into the temple atop the mountain, accompanied by her friend’s lively chatter.

The temple was thriving with incense offerings and was dedicated to a deity.

It was said to be a mountain god who protected the land and the people living below.

Pulled into the main hall by her friend, Evé saw that the statue enshrined there depicted a benevolent-looking Bodhisattva.

“Come on, let’s pay our respects. They say the mountain god here is very effective and if you make a wish, it will definitely come true.”

Her friend excitedly led Evé to the prayer cushions before the statue.

However, Evé remained completely still as she looked at the compassionate Bodhisattva figure.

“Hey aren’t you going to pray?”

Her friend tilted her head.

Eve’s gaze grew distant, and she spoke without thinking:

“…Why would I worship the statue of another deity?”

The moment the words left her mouth, even Evé herself was startled.

That sounded… as though she believed that she was a deity of some sort.

But…

If she truly believed in a god, why did she feel no sense of reverence at all?

Even her tone just now had carried a faint hint of disdain.

With that thought, Evé found herself looking at the Bodhisattva statue once more.

“This seems nothing more than an ordinary statue. It has never contained any power of faith.”

The words slipped out again almost instinctively.

And once more, she froze.

“What are you talking about?”

Her friend looked at her in confusion.

Not far away, several monks in the temple cast unfriendly glances in their direction.

In an awkward turn of events, Evé and her friend were soon driven out of the mountain temple.

“There’s something off about you today.”

Leaning against an ancient tree and catching her breath, her friend shook her head.

Evé said nothing.

Something was off about her?

Well honestly, she felt it too.

Ever since she had reached the mountaintop, that sense of dissonance had been growing stronger.

It even began to irritate her.

She had a vague feeling that she had forgotten something.

Yet no matter how hard she tried, she could not recall it.

“I think you’re just tired. How about we just take the cable car down this afternoon, then go to your favorite restaurant. My treat.”

Her friend patted her chest confidently.

Evé remained silent.

At that moment, faint, indistinct sounds of prayer drifted from afar, drawing her attention.

She looked around, but could not find the source of the sound.

“Did you hear something?”

She asked.

“No.”

Her childhood friend shook her head.

Evé hesitated for a moment before saying,

“It sounded like… someone was praying.”

Her friend laughed and replied,

“That must be your imagination. I didn’t hear anything except the wind and the birds.”

However, Evé frowned.

No.

It was definitely not an illusion.

She had indeed heard the sound of prayers.

Though indistinct, it carried unmistakable sincerity, and beneath that sincerity lay a faint sense of hope and urgency.

Those emotions unsettled her mind, stirring a growing restlessness within her.

“No…I’m sure that wasn’t an illusion.”

She shook her head.

After speaking, Evé could not help but step forward, walking once again toward the distance.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

Her friend called out from behind.

“To the summit.”

Evé replied without turning back.

Returning to the peak, Evé gazed down upon the land.

The sound of prayer seemed to grow much clearer.

Faintly, she began to feel a strange sense of familiarity within it.

In her daze, the city below the mountains gradually overlapped with another city, and fragments of familiar memories surfaced in her mind.

They were scenes from the dreams she had been having these past days.

The images became clearer, and more memories emerged.

The so-called Chosen Ones constructing a city, elves offering devout prayers…

A city growing ever more magnificent, the Elven Forest becoming increasingly vibrant…

Those vivid scenes gradually brought clarity to Eve’s eyes.

At this moment, she finally recalled the things she had slowly forgotten amidst this warm, ordinary life.

“What’s wrong? You seem troubled. Didn’t you say you were quite satisfied with your current life?”

Her friend approached from behind and asked with concern.

Evé paused slightly.

She looked toward the distant, bustling modern city, a trace of complexity flashing in her gaze.

“Satisfied?”

Then she let out a soft sigh.

“Yes… this is the life I once pursued.”

“Simple, warm, free of pressure. Having a job, yet still having time for myself and my interests…”

“This is indeed the life I wanted… but that was only in the past.”

As she spoke, Evé exhaled gently.

“Thank you for letting me experience this kind of peaceful, everyday life once more. Alas… there are more important things waiting for me.”

“More important things?”

Her friend’s voice came from behind.

A gentle smile appeared on Eve’s face.

“Yes.”

“This dream is truly wondrous. However… there are still many who are waiting for me to return.”

“From the moment I inherited certain things, I was no longer living solely for myself. Compared to this peaceful dream life, I now have far greater responsibilities.”

“Is this your choice?”

The familiar voice sounded again from behind her.

“Yes. This is my choice.”

Evé nodded softly.

“You should understand that once you take this step, you will never be able to return to the past.”

The voice continued.

“And if I don’t take it, can I return?”

Evé smiled faintly.

“At least here, you can.”

The voice answered.

“But… this is only a dream.”

Evé sighed quietly.

As she spoke, she slowly turned around, only to see that her friend’s appearance had changed, becoming identical to her own in her memories.

The other self looked at her with a complicated expression.

Evé then lowered her gaze and realized that, at some point, her clothes had changed into a sacred divine gown.

She raised her hand.

It was pale and delicate, no longer like that of a mortal.

“Farewell… to the part of myself that still clings to the past.”

Lifting her head, she looked at the version of herself before her and sighed softly.

The moment her words fell, the world before her suddenly brightened, then shattered completely.

〘 PREVIOUS 〙

〘 NEXT 〙

— —