’I did it!’
Rey was breathing heavily as he stared at the Chaos Dweller’s corpse.
At least, what remained of it.
His heart was still pounding in his chest, but he could feel the surge of excitement fizzling out.
His mind became clearer and clearer.
Until he grew solemn.
Silent.
Completely emotionless.
With a stoic demeanor on his cute face, he assessed the beast with detachment, analyzing every component and how he had triumphed in the end.
He also went over his mistakes and how he could improve on it the next time.
There was no doubt in his mind.
’The next time I face a Tier 7 Chaos Dweller... I will not lose!’
After thinking this, something strange began to happen inside him. It was strange because he had never felt anything like it before.
An unknown emptiness formed within his soul, and a voice echoed from within it.
It told him:
"Hollow Technique."
The moment Rey whispered those words, he felt a noticeable change in the surroundings.
It felt like an oppressive air had arrived.
Then, he looked at the remains of the Chaos Dweller and noticed a kind of perverse energy rising from it.
It felt familiar, yet foreign.
Rey was drawn to it.
Despite the miasma-like aura growing from the Chaos Dweller seeming incorporeal, they had a semi-solid form that he could interact with.
Like threads he could control.
Webs he could manipulate.
’I... feel drawn towards this. This power.’
But Rey had to stop.
He did not allow himself to be consumed by the sensation he was feeling or the new sight he was seeing.
Instead, he focused on the voice.
The one that rang from within the hollow.
It was whispering certain things to him.
The murmurs were growing louder.
They sounded like grumbles.
Harsh whispers.
Primal.
Raw.
He closed his eyes and hearkened to the voice that called out for him in the darkness.
And there, he found it.
The source.
’This is Ater’s voice!’
Rey immediately recognized the sound.
He nearly gasped as he did so.
But he controlled his countenance and continued to swim deeper into the darkness, plunging his senses into the endless deep.
"Sequence 9... Corpse Stir."
The murmurs grew.
"Sequence 8... Dead Command."
It clawed at his ears, spiraling down his throat until he swallowed it all.
"Sequence 7... Rot Continuance."
And finally.
The last whisper.
"Sequence 6... Soulless."
After that, the whispers ceased.
Rey’s eyes opened wide and he found himself right where he was—in front of the Tier 7 Chaos Dweller.
He hadn’t moved an inch.
He was about to let out a deep sigh when the announcer’s voice echoed in the room.
"Participant, Delicate Blade, has been eliminated. Exactly one hour and thirty minutes remaining."
Even though he was suddenly bombarded with the sudden passage of time, Rey showed no sign of panic or anxiety.
Instead, his positive feelings soared.
’It looks like I gained one more advantage: a new Technique!’
It was one final gift from Ater upon his resurrection. Though Rey couldn’t confirm this was directly from the friend of his past life, he couldn’t help but attribute it to him after hearing his voice.
’Not only did I hear the names of each Sequence, up to #6, but I also know details about them and how they operate.’
All of those things were whispered into his consciousness by the voice.
He was forcefully fed the information.
He swallowed it all in the void.
Now he felt bloated.
Rey knew...
’I have hit my current limit.’ He sughed in admittance of his weakness.
Both his body and soul simply couldn’t handle the full might of the Hollow Technique.
’I need to digest the meaning of this profound Technique and its corresponding Sequences. Only then will I be able to gain more insights into the higher Sequences.’
Once again, Rey began to feel a hunger.
Hollow Technique!
’I want to master it! I can tell it is much stronger and far more refined than anything I currently have in my possession.’
Unfortunately, he could not reveal it at the moment.
Not unless he wanted to attract suspicion on himself and expose his recent boost in abilities as well as the reduction of the Curse Imprint.
’I need to be patient...’
Rey took back his sword and gave one final look at the Chaos Dweller.
Even now, he felt drawn towards it.
But he had to abandon the urge.
Instead, he looked towards the exit and walked forward. His task of climbing all floors of the Dungeon was still not complete.
’If I assume that Ater gave me this Technique, and it’s clear he is the enemy of the people of the True Realm, I have to be careful about how I use it.’ He nodded silently while quickening his pace.
’Nobody must know I have this power!’
******
The nameless slave continued to advance.
He had no name.
In the Coliseum, however, he had been labelled by the title ’Cursed Boy’ due to his mixed heritage.
The spectators had grown entertained of him.
But they also desired to see him fall.
So when the Tier 7 Chaos Dweller caught up to him and took his life, there was great rejoicing in the Coliseum.
Augustus felt great loss at that moment.
That, and deep regret.
’I pushed my luck too far! Damnit! I should have known he wasn’t ready...’
He told himself this silently.
Now that his dark horse had been slain, he was back where he started. Sure, he had managed to pay off all his debts, but he was only slowly building his status in high society.
He had no real savings of his own.
He still needed his nameless slave to rake in as much money as possible.
’My sister is after him. She always gets what she wants, so it’s only a matter of time before she gets her clutches on him.’ He sighed, feeling complex emotions deep within. ’I just wanted to maximize my profits before that time arrived. But now...’
Not only would he lose his bet, but the prize money wasn’t going to him as well.
However—
"H-he’s alive!"
"My goodness, how did he survive that?!"
"It must have been the Potion he drank right before the Chaos Dweller struck him!"
"Maybe he used a Technique at the last minute!"
"He only pretended to die, so the Chaos Dweller would lose interest in him!"
There were all sorts of theories floating around. But did they matter? Not to Augustus!
What mattered was that the slave was alive!
Although time was passing, he still had a chance at victory.
And this nameless slave—Rey—had never let down his expectations.
’Win!’ He begged deep down. ’Please win!’
Augustus was satisfied with any position.
Even if it wasn’t first place.
He already resolved within himself.
"If you win, I will surely reward you greatly. I need the reward money!"
And, just as he prayed, Rey won.
First place, even!
Once again, the slave had not let down the expectations of the Master.
Everyone was shocked in the Coliseum.
Rey was absolutely unstoppable.
They had no doubt in their hearts.
"This is the birth of a legend! This slave, Cursed Boy, will undoubtedly be placed in the rankings this time!"