Ch. 74 The Formless One
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 74 – The Formless One
Just because Nightmare had developed new patterns didn’t mean it could cheat death.
Once its HP hit zero, it collapsed like any other monster dropping loot before vanishing.
No unique equipment. Just gold and a trophy worth 500 gold at shops. The real reward was the skill we’d earned for clearing the dungeon.
“We did it…”
Isolin and Gladie slumped to the ground, staring at Nightmare’s remains. The grotesque design and oppressive darkness had clearly shaken them.
I wasn’t immune either—my legs gave out, and I sat hard.
Only Rain remained standing.
“Haa…”
Relief washed over me. We’d won. No casualties.
We laughed. All four of us, exchanging tired but triumphant smiles.
Then—a system message.
[Spiral Labyrinth cleared!]
[Endless Nightmare conquered!]
[First Clear Bonus: Special Skill granted.]
[New Skill Acquired: Self-Suggestion]
[Self-Suggestion]
You can control your emotions in any situation.
“Woo! New skill!”
“I got one too!”
Isolin and Gladie shot up, bouncing around like excited puppies. Their reactions suggested they’d gotten something incredible.
Mine?
Self-Suggestion.
Not exactly survival-oriented.
After all that effort, this was my reward?
I tested it.
[Self-Suggestion]
The mechanics were simple. Vivid imagery. Strong imagination. I recalled the joy of getting rare loot, the thrill of a successful upgrade, the euphoria of a miracle raid clear.
And—
I smiled.
My slumped shoulders straightened. My weak legs regained strength.
“Yahoo!”
I cheered, arms wide. The emotion didn’t fade. I could sustain this indefinitely.
The addictive rush of dopamine was terrifying.
I severed it.
The emotional high vanished. My smile dropped.
And I realized—this skill was broken.
Isolin and Gladie circled me.
“You got something good too, right?”
“I got ‘Target Lock’! It adds aim assist—see that red dot? Projectiles home in on it!”
“I got ‘Dual Cast’! Lets me use two spells at once!”
I nodded absently.
Rain: Reincarnation (a second chance).
Isolin: Dual Cast (fixing her biggest frustration).
Gladie: Target Lock (her accuracy anxiety solved).
And me?
(Emotional control)
Why?
The system gave us what we needed.
So what did that say about me?
“Hey, Supreme? What’d you get?”
Isolin’s voice snapped me back. All three were staring.
What to say?
Admit I could manipulate my emotions?
Bad idea.
“What if Supreme’s smiles are fake?”
“What if she’s actually upset?”
Doubt breeds doubt.
So I lied.
[Deceit]
[Self-Suggestion]
My heartbeat steadied. A small smile curled my lips.
“(Calm) Lets me stay composed under pressure.”
“Ooh!”
“Makes sense for a priest!”
Isolin and Gladie bought it instantly.
Rain?
“I believe you!”
Of course. She’d believe anything I said.
The celebration ended as the exit portal shimmered.
“Let’s go.”
The Aftermath
Our first priority after escaping? Warning others.
At first, no one believed us.
“Monsters gaining sentience? Yeah, right.”
Outside the labyrinth, mobs were still dumb. But as more players returned with similar stories, the truth spread.
Then—the big guilds proposed an alliance.
Three Days Later
A rare day off. Morning stroll.
With our levels and guild rep rising, strangers now greeted me warmly.
“Supreme! Hunting today?”
“Nope. Day off.”
“Next time, then! Healers are always in demand—”
I smiled absently.
Then—a crowd.
Murmurs. Tension.
And the coppery tang of blood.
I pushed through.
“Let me through!”
The scene: limbs.
Severed. Strewn across a crimson puddle. No torso.
“What the…”
Not my first corpse. But in the safe zone?
Unprecedented.
Then—a pulse.
A dormant power stirred.
[Hidden Aspect]
Thump.
The world grayed out.
Black miasma coiled over the blood—footprints.
Leading away.
[Discovered.]
Discovered what?
[Track.]
The Seeker of Knowledge didn’t answer.
It just yanked my right arm forward.
Vrslop_translator
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