Something had changed.
Aisling could feel it.
Not because he had bitten a girl his age without her consent — she had drained him dry first.
Seated within his half of the neck of the Headless Statue.
After biting her, Seishan had drawn a line dividing the space on the stone neck and asked him not to come near or speak to her unless she spoke first.
‘Who could understand her?’
Sensing the change, he checked his Runes to clear up his doubts.
Name: [Aisling]
True Name: [Hollow of Inevitability]
Rank: [Dreamer]
Soul Core: [Dormant]
Soul Fragments: [1000/1000]
Memories: [Insidious Tunic] [Doll of the World’s Beloved]
Echoes: —
Attributes: [Supernatural Body] [Supernatural Mind] [Supernatural Soul] [Enemy of the World]
Aspect: [Devourer]
Rank: [Inactive]
Aspect Description: [Your crime has no redemption.
You will be treated as a monster, all for going against the world.]
Aspect Abilities:
Aspect Ability: [Body Consumption]
Aspect Ability Description: [Use bodies to be whole.
Pain is the core of your strength.]
‘Still looks bad,’ Aisling thought, noticing—right at the end, just before his Flaw—some new Runes that hadn’t been there before.
Aspect Legacy: [Feast of Blasphemy]
Aspect Legacy Description: [The insignificant does not reach the divine.
Only a drop or a sea of blood is needed to do battle.
After all, Hollow of Inevitability is a cycle of suffering.]
Beast Sample: [Reclamation]
Sample of ???: not obtained.
Sample of ???: not obtained.
Sample of ???: not obtained.
Sample of ???: not obtained.
Sample of ???: not obtained.
Sample of ???: not obtained.
An Aspect Legacy!
Aisling looked at his doll, excited.
“Did you see that?!
I thought it was going down, but it was only falling upward!”
The doll nodded.
Aisling wasted no time and accepted the Beast Sample.
[You have obtained an Aspect Legacy Ability]
[Name of the Aspect Ability: No Beast]
‘If I have no Echoes, I have no hope of having a beast either.’
He paid attention to his new ability.
Aspect Legacy Ability: [No Beast]
Ability Description: [You suppress the lineage of the Beast God.]
Aisling didn’t know much about the gods, nor did he know their lineages.
He knew there were six gods, so this might correspond to one god per sample.
‘And the seventh sample — what is it of?
Another god?’
Very complicated topics for Aisling.
He moved on to the next point.
How had he obtained that?
He had a suspicion.
His Aspect Legacy hadn’t appeared until he bit a certain person.
“What do you think?”
The doll pointed at Seishan.
‘Yes, it definitely comes from a beast in addition to the lineage.
If she has the Beast God’s lineage, it could also be suppressed if something goes wrong.’
“Wait…
I didn’t tell you what this was about.
Can you read my Runes?”
Aisling looked into the dark eyes, trying to find some trace that would give her away, but the doll simply disappeared.
‘Doesn’t matter.
Being part of my Memories, she must be able to do it, right?’
Aisling decided not to make any move.
If he alerted Seishan and it didn’t have the expected effect, he’d surely be thrown to the red crab below and die.
Lost in thought, Aisling didn’t notice a pair of eyes on him.
* * *
Seishan felt more secure about her new companion’s madness.
She had seen him talking to the doll and believed he was the one controlling it himself, giving it life through his actions to keep up a conversation.
“Everyone goes through hard times…”
Seishan hoped he would recover soon.
Without warning, the statue began to tremble.
The two exchanged glances, finding no answer in each other.
Considering another possibility, they hurried to look down and found the giant red crab not moving.
They noticed it at once, despite its natural camouflage, because they already knew it was there.
“It’s not moving…
The leg!”
The statue’s leg moved, taking an enormous step, then another, and another again.
The Headless Statue had begun to walk.
Seishan watched the statue with little expression.
“That’s good.
It’ll bring us even closer to the Crimson Spire.”
“But that creature won’t let us go.”
The crab remained the only problem — it wasn’t leaving.
It had even begun to follow the Headless Statue.
They both knew it was their only way out of there.
Aisling sighed deeply.
“No choice.
We’ll have to kill it.”
Seishan tried to digest his words, believing she had misheard, until she saw his fierce eyes.
“Are you insane?
That’s a Fallen Devil.”
“That’s secondary.
Doesn’t matter.
The priority is reaching the tower.
Even if the statue gives us a ride, we’ll have to get off at some point.
And that creature will catch both of us if we’re not prepared.”
Seishan was delighted.
Not by Aisling’s words, but because he wasn’t as incompetent as she’d thought — he even had the nerve to say they should defeat a Fallen Devil as if it were nothing.
She got a little lost in that look that seemed indifferent to the enemy; she herself believed for a second that he was capable of defeating it for certain.
‘He’s not even considering it; he’s already decided to defeat that monster.
I shouldn’t confront him.’
Behind the charm, fear settled into her heart.
Last time she had caught him by surprise due to his inexperience, which was why she had been able to wound him without much trouble.
If they were to face each other with full use of their physical and mental faculties, not knowing his abilities or Flaws, the odds of finishing him off were low, even with her transformation. New chapters come out on novelping . com first.
She was sure she wouldn’t die, but she wouldn’t win either.
Besides, there was that part of him willing to even give his life to kill his enemy.
That terrible…
madness…?
No, it’s coherence.
A claim without certainty, based on the little time they had spent together.
There existed a great variety of Aspects, as mysterious as they were complex.
But it was useless to have an astonishing Aspect if its bearer was inept.
Aisling was the type who had a mysterious and complex Aspect, and a bearer who maintained a unique mindset.
His Aspect healed him even at the edge of death, but since she had pulled away without daring to kill him, she didn’t know how it worked.
Nor could she ask him how it worked.
That was a basic rule.
Setting her thoughts aside, she agreed with him with a smile.
“It’s rational; we have no choice but to hunt it.”
The danger Aisling exuded became a motivator for getting out of that place.
* * *
‘We’re going to die.’
Seishan checked Aisling’s abilities: a disappointing result.
“Aisling, when was the last time you held a sword?”
“A sword?
In my First Nightmare I held one for a few seconds, and when I got to this place I got my needle-leg.”
Aisling smiled proudly at the object, which wasn’t even a Memory.
Seishan looked at him calmly.
“During your time at the academy, didn’t you take any combat courses?”
“A little…
I only had a few weeks left until the winter solstice, so I decided to focus on learning survival methods.”
“A few weeks?”
“Yes; I had my First Nightmare a month ago, maybe more.”
Seishan’s mood turned grim.
‘It’s terrible, but smart not to have taken another course: he won’t have skill, but he’ll survive, and surviving is everything.’
“You’re very skilled with any weapon, Sei.
Would you mind teaching me?”
Seishan’s eyes opened slightly.
“What’s this ‘Sei’ about?”
“Your name is long; in the middle of combat it could be deadly.”
“You’re shameless.
And my consent?”
“Doesn’t matter; death doesn’t care about consent either.
Back to important matters: if you teach me to use a weapon, in exchange I’ll be your loyal companion and answer any question you have, just one.”
Seishan set the matter of the name aside for later, thinking seriously about his proposal.
Aisling was, in practice, offering up his weakness.
Though it could also be insignificant; at least she’d have the chance to learn his Flaw and have one less thing to investigate.
His Aspect would reveal itself sooner or later as they kept cooperating.
“I won’t question your decision; remember your words.”
“Of course, Sei.
And don’t worry about me; I’m very resilient.”
Seishan silently summoned a sword.
Her smile remained beautiful, but Aisling could sense the danger behind her appearance.
“Is this the famous wrath of women that one shouldn’t provoke?”
“You have a very loose tongue.
Relax, I’ll only use the flat side.
Raise your sword; I’m going to carve the fundamentals into your skin.”
“Does that make it better?”
Aisling was about to correct his words when Seishan’s sword traced an arc straight at his head.
* * *
Time atop the Headless Statue passed quickly, and they still hadn’t come down.
That crab had no ears or eyes, but it always anticipated them on every attempt, and they couldn’t hide.
So they gave up.
Aisling never stopped being a punching bag, and Seishan looked visibly more relaxed.
Since the statue walked on its own, they didn’t have to risk going down, drawing ever closer to their destination each day.
Food wasn’t a problem.
Aisling didn’t need to eat much; a piece of raw flesh from a certain human was enough to last him a full week, and with his reserves he could hold out for nearly a month, as long as he didn’t do anything reckless.
‘And when it runs out…
He didn’t want to think about that.’
Seishan, being a reasonably decent human, did need her daily protein.
Aisling shared his stash of Nightmare Creature remains kept in the Secret Compartment.
He was also surprised by the many Memories she possessed.
He didn’t understand how they worked or their effects, but they were very useful given his situation.
His eyes shone looking at her.
Over time, each of them learned more about the other, even without showing much of it.
“This must be what a real Dreamer is!
Not like passing your First Nightmare just by walking around and getting only two Memories.”
“Yes, something like that.”
Aisling’s ideas drifted far from reality; Seishan noticed but didn’t correct his thinking.
Seishan had a background that supported her and understood the Nightmare Spell and the Dream Realm better than most Dreamers.
Even so, that didn’t stop her from seeing Aisling as a box of surprises.
After a training session, Aisling offered her the Soul Cores he had been keeping.
“You’re going to give me these Soul Cores?”
Seishan looked at him with doubt, expecting him to ask for something in return.
The only answer she got left her even more pensive and bewildered.
“My core is already saturated.
It’s no use to me; if we want to survive, we have to be prepared.”
The more she learned about him, the more she doubted herself.
She was beginning to believe he was part of a clan and was hiding it, but several of Aisling’s actions kept proving her wrong.
‘How did he saturate his core?
Does he even have a brain in his head?
Why would he offer me a chance to find out anything about him?
Doesn’t he ever need to eat?
Is that doll really a Memory?’
Ever since Aisling had presented his Memory, she had doubted it was one.
The doll never stopped watching when they trained; she just sat there, making slight movements of her head.
“Is it normal for your Memory to act like that?”
“Mmh…
Yes; she tends to be shy and doesn’t show up around people.
Looks like she likes you.”
Seishan didn’t believe that, and Aisling’s attitude toward his doll set her hair on end.
“I’ve got it.”
Aisling announced, collapsed on the floor, his body covered in bruises.
“You don’t have the technique.”
“Not that; the name for the doll.”
‘What was Seishan supposed to do with this guy?’
She didn’t ask anything; she just waited for him to continue.
Aisling raised his hand, as if holding an invisible object, and the doll appeared above it.
“Your name will be Cian.”
Aisling checked the doll’s Runes.
Name: Cian
True Name: [Nightmare Beloved]
Memory Rank: [Inactive]
Memory Level: ??
Memory Type: ??
Memory Description: [Who can know the world better than the one who loves it?
Its enemy.
They decided never to let go; not even when death separates them.]
Memory Enchantments: [Eternal Bond] [Presentiment] [Jealousy] [Power of Love?] [Obsession] [Lover] [??]
[Eternal Bond]: An indistinguishable thread binds you together.
[Presentiment]: Warns of potential danger.
[Jealousy]: You cannot have Echoes.
[Power of Love?]: Cannot be destroyed by common methods.
If destroyed, she can be restored.
[Obsession]: She must be the best companion; she will follow your progression.
[Lover]: Curses depending on the severity around being treated by another.
Hollow of Inevitability is her only lover; he must learn to keep her.
[??]: …
union …
soul …
corrupt …
“Curious.”
He summoned the doll; she had the same appearance and the same expression.
Everything was still the same.
But closer.
Seishan didn’t know the details of that strange act.
The doll kept up her usual behavior: moving on her own, acting of her own accord, appearing whenever she wanted.
When Aisling slept, the doll never left his side.
She could still feel her watching, even though she didn’t seem to be looking at anything in particular with those eyes full of darkness.
‘A Memory doesn’t feel emotions; it’s common sense.
It’s not like she wants me dead.’
* * *
Their days weren’t very relaxed either.
“That doesn’t look good.
We’re going to die.”
“Your thinking has radical swings.”
“I’m mostly an optimist.”
On the legs of the statue, a swarm of Red Worms climbed.
For several days there had been no disturbances, until suddenly they emerged from the labyrinth: a small army of Red Worms commanded by the giant crab.
“I was wrong; it’s very likely a Fallen Tyrant.”
“Yes, unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of questioning it; we can only accept all the affection they give us.”
“We’re going to have a rough time; get ready.”
Over the following days they faced several waves of Red Worms until they killed the last of them.
Aisling came to understand several things about himself.
He had underestimated himself this whole time.
Although he lacked technique, he could handle a Red Worm with relative ease.
In Seishan’s words, his body was very strong and resilient, even among Dreamers focused on physical abilities.
His only flaw was not knowing how to apply it with skill.
Defending their position, the Red Worms invaded without giving them rest.
Seishan covered his back, and they supported each other to cover the other’s gaps.
With dozens of monsters to eliminate, Seishan even asked him to use the monsters as practice.
“The best way to learn is on the job.”
“I’d pay attention, but I’m busy surviving!”
Seishan didn’t waste time pointing out what he was doing wrong, leaving the poor guy attacked from two sides.
The Crimson Spire drew closer each day.
A week passed with ugly Red Worms assailing them during the day; only at night were they allowed to rest and breathe.
That day, the number of worms dwindled until there were none in sight, leaving them safe for the moment.
“That’ll do; at least you can throw a decent thrust.”
“I’d have liked to rest a bit before continuing training.”
“You’ll rest when you die.”
“Thanks?”
“It’s also time to keep your part of the deal.”
Aisling nodded, hesitating a little.
‘I’m going to tell her, of course; after all, I gave my word.
It’s not like I’m going to ask her about her embarrassing secrets.
Does my word mean anything?
I’m just a rat; it’s amazing she even accepted it.’
“Doesn’t matter.
It’s not serious either.”
“Is it really not that bad?”
She could ask him his Flaw and would still have to accept it; she knew the nature of Flaws.
A strong Aspect equals a terrible Flaw.
Regarding Aspect ranks, the higher the rank, the worse the Flaw granted.
In her estimation, Aisling had to have a transcendent rank Aspect or higher.
Aisling winked at her.
“I wouldn’t tell others; it’s only because it’s you that I don’t give it so much weight.”
How should Seishan react to his words?
‘A lie.
No one could be so ignorant.’
She felt frustrated for some reason, unable to hide it.
“Do you want me to swallow that story and not ask any more?
You’re not that considerate.”
Aisling shook his head.
“I’m empathetic.
You want to ask me about my Flaw; it’s obvious.
We’re too self-aware not to be.
And I’ll do it.
Why wouldn’t I?
The nature of our Flaws is similar.
Even if I tell you my Flaw, I won’t feel bad about it or vulnerable.
It’s my own therapy.
I don’t need people to see me as a monster to know how terrible my actions are.
Why couldn’t I be considerate?
I want others’ goodwill, but also their understanding that I’m not a monster.”
“You…”
Seishan tried to make sense of his words.
‘Was his Flaw really as insignificant as it was terrible?’
Some Flaws were simply ridiculous, made to mock the person.
Others were so inhuman they made one wonder if they could even have a life.
Aisling didn’t consider himself a victim, either, and didn’t lament his fate; with so many Dreamers, there had to be someone with something far worse than him.
Even so, it wasn’t right.
She felt disgusted just thinking about what he would have to do every day of his life to eat.
Aisling’s smile bordered on the tragic and remained raised by sheer force; his clumsy expression faded, giving way to a shadowy complexion.
“My Flaw is simple: I’m a cannibal.”