Two weeks later...
"So… I'm a hero now? Harus and Gunlaug are lost souls who found redemption? Kai's a coward who found courage, and Kido's a saintess?" Caster muttered with narrowed eyes as he glanced at Amon, his tone edged with exasperation.
"That's basically the gist of it," Amon replied casually, pointing his fork at Caster before continuing to eat his salad. "Now that people have a more favorable opinion of us, we just need to reinforce the idea that we're, indeed, the good guys."
"Which we're not," Caster sighed, sounding tired. "That's why we're out there butchering nightmare creatures every time a gate opens?"
"Yeah, that's it. We're like the Avengers," Amon muttered between bites.
"The what?" Caster leaned forward, genuinely curious.
"Nothing much, a billionaire genius and his goons saving the world," Amon replied offhandedly. He didn't elaborate further, though the faint smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement. He'd always liked Iron Man.
Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, he shifted the topic with his usual ease.
"Anyway. Enough about that. Isn't it time we discussed what your abilities are?"
That single question silenced the table. For a moment, only the faint clinking of cutlery could be heard as everyone exchanged looks. Then, one by one, they set their utensils down and nodded in agreement.
Kai was the first to speak. He smiled gently, rubbing the back of his neck with a hint of shyness.
"My Awakened ability isn't anything special, to be honest," he said modestly. "I can just see really well, and really far. I guess it fits me, since I'm an archer."
The others nodded thoughtfully. Aiko praised the ability, saying it had great tactical value. Even Harus, usually quiet, gave a rare word of acknowledgment, noting that such precision and range could prove vital in certain situations.
Next was Aiko's turn. She straightened slightly, her tone more confident.
"My ability lets me move myself now," she explained. "It's similar to levitation. When I was Dormant, I could move objects. Now, I can apply that same force to my own body."
Everyone stared at Aiko in silence for a moment. Then Gunlaug burst into laughter. It was a loud, uncontrollable laughter that brought tears to his eyes. The others gave her awkward, encouraging smiles. Even cold-blooded Harus looked at her with pity.
Aiko felt like crying as she lowered her gaze, her expression sad and bitter. But after some reassurance, and a handful of soul shards Amon threw into her bag, she gradually returned to her usual cheerful self.
Caster looked around the table for a moment, then sighed and took a slow sip from his glass.
"My Awakened ability is a little strange, but still understandable," he said at last. "If my Dormant ability was about speed, then my Awakened one heightens my senses to an extreme level. Now, I can actually keep up with my own movements, my perception matches my velocity."
Amon nodded, thoughtful. That was indeed useful, more than Caster probably realized.
Caster's biggest flaw had always been control. His body could move faster than his mind could react, leaving fatal openings in battle. When he fought Nephis, he lost precisely because of that gap, his senses lagging behind his speed. Even in the novel, Sunny had exploited that weakness without Caster ever realizing it, stealing the memory that kept him from aging.
But now, things were different. This time, he had overcome that limitation. He was far more dangerous, and lethal than before. It was worth noting that Caster had abandoned his old fighting style; instead of burning his life force recklessly, he now used his speed in short bursts, conserving his strength.
Not to mention, Amon had lent him a Weaver's Mask back on the Forgotten Shore, before they returned. The Memory reversed his flaw, instead of growing older when using his ability, Caster now grew younger. Amon claimed it was a gift from Mr. Error, and that, as His vessel and chosen, he was blessed to obtain it. Of course, he added, the mask would have to be sacrificed back to Mr. Error eventually.
Because his faith had not failed him and in fact, had exceeded his expectations, Caster felt overjoyed and more devoted than ever.
Perhaps, for the first time in a long while, he felt both happy and hopeful… that someone truly cared about him, that someone hadn't forsaken him like his family had.
Still, Amon knew that the Han Li Clan would have to be dealt with sooner or later. Only then could Caster truly join his cohort, and finally escape the Song Clan's grasp.
"I see…" Amon muttered, analyzing every word. "That's interesting."
Next to speak was Kido. She smiled proudly, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair.
"Well, if my Dormant ability was to influence and change the characteristics of plants," she began, "then my Awakened ability lets me nurture them. To put it simply, if a tree takes months to grow, I can make that happen in day. Of course, there are limits. For example, if the 'plant' happens to be a Nightmare creature…"
Her words trailed off, and everyone nodded in understanding. The atmosphere grew a little heavier, especially for Amon, whose expression darkened at the memory of the soul-devouring tree.
Still, excitement soon replaced the shadow in his mind. Kido's power was far more valuable than any combat ability.
The possibilities were endless. And since he had, admittedly, obliterated the Dark City, the remaining ash and organic residue would enrich the soil, a perfect place for Kido's ability to shine.
Amon allowed himself a faint smile. That will make things easier.
After a few seconds of silence, Gunlaug suddenly grinned, gulped down a wine, and slammed his glass onto the table with such force that it almost shattered. A bit of liquid splashed onto his shirt and beard, but he didn't seem to care.
"My ability is simple," he said proudly. "I can… kinda eat stuff now. Not sure what that means, though."
Amon stared at him with a pleasant, fixed smile. Oh, and do you think I know, fucker!? he thought, his expression twitching faintly.
"Describe it more," Amon muttered, rubbing his temples. "What do you mean 'kinda eat stuff'? Give me the actual ability description, at least."
Gunlaug paused, clearly thinking hard which was never a good sign. Then, with a curious look, he picked up another glass. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth.
For a brief moment, his teeth vanished and the inside of his mouth darkened. Then, like a black hole, air, light, and glass were drawn toward him. The glass shattered, its shards vanishing into his mouth, along with the liquid that had spilled onto his shirt and beard. Even the air seemed to disappear.
The entire cohort stared at him in stunned silence for a solid two minutes. Then, as if synchronized, they all tilted their heads with blank expressions.
Amon blinked. What the hell?
Then his eyes narrowed slightly. Wait... was that suction?
Yes, that was exactly what it looked like.
At first glance, it wasn't a particularly impressive ability. But Amon knew better than to underestimate something he didn't fully understand. Many abilities seemed underwhelming in their early stages, like Sunny's "Shadow Control," which had initially appeared simple, yet later became the foundation of all his power.
Perhaps this, too, is just one piece of the puzzle, Amon thought. Individually, these abilities might seem trivial. But combined… they could become something remarkable.
He leaned back, his interest piqued.
This is more interesting than I expected. Now I'm genuinely curious what his Ascended ability will look like after his second Nightmare.
Gunlaug's aspect already allowed him to breathe underwater and move with incredible speed, traits reminiscent of some deep-sea predator. Now, his Awakened ability involved absorption… or perhaps devouring.
The pattern's clear enough, Amon mused, his eyes glinting. His path of Ascension points toward something aquatic, a creature capable of moving freely through the depths and consuming everything in its way.
"Now that's a cool ability you've got there, Big G…" Amon said, a faint smile curling up on his face, but then he frowned. "Hey? Gunlaug… Oi!?"
"He's drunk," Harus said flatly, his voice calm as ever. He rested his elbows on the table, his hunched back straightening slightly. The faint crack of his spine echoed through the quiet hall, making a few passing sleepers shiver and hurry their steps after noticing him.
"Ah… so he blacked out, huh?" Amon nodded thoughtfully, unsure whether to be impressed or concerned. After a short pause, he sighed. "Aiko, take him to his bed."
Aiko blinked, then saluted with mock seriousness. "Yes, sir!" she began, humming cheerfully, but froze mid-step as she looked at Gunlaug. Even sitting slumped in his chair, he was still taller than her.
Her jaw dropped. "This is unfair! How am I supposed to move this thing!? And why do I have to carry him in the first place!?"
"You've got this, man…" Caster muttered, stifling a yawn. His bored expression didn't quite hide the grin tugging at his lips.
"Yes. No matter how heavy," Harus added with disdainful look. "As an Awakened, you should be capable of such a simple task. Stop making excuses." He shook his head in mock disappointment which, for some reason, made Aiko shiver like she'd been scolded by a strict teacher.
"I'll be cheering for you, Aiko~!" Kido laughed, leaning forward with amused smile, clearly enjoying the show.
Aiko's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at Amon, her lower lip trembling. "B-Boss! Please! I'll die!"
"You won't," Amon said flatly, not even looking up from his plate.
"Then I quit!" she declared, puffing up her cheeks in righteous indignation. "I can't work in such a stressful environment! My colleagues are drunkards, murderers, psychos, thieves, frauds, and swindlers! This place is toxic!"
She folded her arms and turned away dramatically, thinking smugly to herself, Heh, that should do it. They'll feel bad now. Maybe I can get a week off… or money... Hmm, definitely money.
Her self-satisfaction lasted exactly two seconds, until a folded piece of paper slapped against her face.
"Eh?" she mumbled, peeling it off. Her expression shifted from confusion to horror as she recognized the writing.
"Ha… ha… isn't this the… the slave contract I signed…?" she whispered weakly. "Haha… no… noooooo!"
Few minutes later, Kai took Gunlaug in his room after taking pity on Aiko who was sitting at the table, smugly.
Poor Kai... Amon didn't even knew what to say at this point. They clearly had the rule. They take turns when it comes to Gunlaug.
But eh, whatever, moving on. Amon thought as his eyes inevitably locked with Harus. His smile widened as he leaned forward, his expression eager and curious.
"So... What about you, prodigious son?"
Harus looked back at him, his chillingly bleak eyes unfocused and slightly inhuman as always.
"My dormant ability evolved. Instead of just three person which was my limit before... Now i can take sight of far more."
Amon's jaw dropped in shock. He wasn't even exaggerating it. He really was that surprised.
"Wait a second... How many?" He asked, using Decryption to analyse his every word.
Harus inclined his head, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "As many as i want... It's not about individuals anymore but range. Now, in twenty meters radius, i can blind everyone."
This... Is cool as hell and... Hahaha... Fucking powerful! Amon thought, sudden joy blooming in his heart. After all, he was glad that his subordinates were growing stronger.
"That's... Ridiculously strong ability to be honest... What about awakened one?" Amon asked after analysing how important Harus's dormant ability was. But he was still more curious about his Awakened ability. He wondered how those two would connect and create synergy.
"It's simple. I'm three times stronger while I'm unseen. Every aspect of me is enhanced: physical, mental, and spiritual. But if someone sees me, the ability deactivates. In other words, I can't fight at full strength when allies are nearby. And it won't work if the enemy spots me from more than twenty meters away. So... you could say I have to fight solo."
Amon sighed. Of course, every ability came with limitations. Perhaps when Harus became powerful enough, he would be able to extend the range or his Ascended Ability would compensate for it.
While Amon could usually guess what others' Transformation or Ascended Abilities might be, he was genuinely lost when it came to Harus. Even with the help of decryption, his theories felt hollow.
Harus's Aspect had always been about being unseen, after all. So perhaps this was fitting.
Still, Amon couldn't help but be curious. He knew his Transformation Ability would eventually become the Worm of Time, but what about his Ascended one? Would it be tied to time itself? Or perhaps to the concept of Error? He sighed. I'll see it when the time comes, I guess.
"Listen up," Amon said finally, his voice calm and deliberate. "By doing all this propaganda and nonsense, we've revealed a lot about ourselves. Originally, I planned to keep the existence of the Forgotten Shore hidden... but things have changed. We need as many capable Awakened as possible to rebuild the city. Because of that, secrecy must be sacrificed."
He tapped his finger lightly against the table, smiling faintly as everyone turned their attention toward him. His grin widened.
"The clan will be called [Rose Redemption], and its official leader will be Mr. Jacob. Some of you already know him, those who don't will meet him soon enough. Our group, [Insert Name Here], will be considered a vassal clan. But we won't be the only ones. There will be others… and together, we'll rebuild the Forgotten Shore."
Caster nodded, understanding that hierarchy was necessary. While Amon had revealed his plan before, they hadn't discussed the finer details, and to build a clan wasn't just about having a city and a few Awakened. There were far more elements required to maintain stability across an entire region.
"So, what's the plan?"
Amon's eyes turned serious for a moment before he looked at Kido. She blinked in confusion under his gaze, then grinned playfully and winked.
"So, what's my mission, boss~?"
Amon's smile twitched involuntarily. Hey, auntie… don't you have a fiancé or something? he thought, but didn't voice it. Instead, he chuckled.
"First of all, to create a functioning civilization, we need a solid foundation. I've read plenty of historical records, so I know how this stuff works-"
"Wait a minute," Harus interrupted, squinting suspiciously. "Aren't you an outskirts rat? How the hell do you know all that?"
Amon didn't miss a beat. "The academy. If you actually visit the library once in a while, you learn a lot of things."
It wasn't a lie. After Mr. Jacob had almost caught him once, Amon realized he needed reliable excuses to explain his knowledge from his previous world. Because of that, he started going to the library after almost getting caught, and continued visiting it regularly. If someone ever checked the security logs, they would find him there often, browsing records related to the history of the waking world. Even his search history would show that he had genuinely researched those topics.
Perhaps it was overkill, but Amon preferred leaving no loopholes behind. Error is a lesson, too. If you don't learn from your own mistakes, you've no one to blame when misfortune hits because of your negligence.
He coughed lightly, refocusing after drifting into thought.
"So... where was I? Ah, right, the foundation. The location where the clan will be built. And we already have it."
He leaned back slightly, his eyes glinting with confidence.
"The Dark City has massive walls protecting it from outside threats, so defense is already handled. Geography shapes everything: economy, warfare, trade, politics, and more. The climate of the Forgotten Shore isn't perfect, but it's decent enough to sustain growth. The soil is fertile, and there are remnants of old mining tunnels from ancient times. As for the natural gases..." He smirked faintly. "Sure, I blew up the city using them, but not all of it went to waste. There are still underground pockets that can be repurposed. Not now but in the future, yes."
He paused briefly, tapping the table with his finger.
"However, we also have a problem. There are no forests or rivers in the Forgotten Shore, and both are vital for farming, trade routes, and future settlements."
Amon turned toward Kido with a small, knowing smile.
"That's where you come in, Kido."
Kido was silent for a moment before sighing, already feeling the weight of what was coming.
"So, I'm responsible for growing a forest?"
Amon's grin widened as he nodded. "Exactly. As for rivers... I have a few ideas, but I'm not certain yet. We'll see how it goes."
Amon's expression turned contemplative as he gazed into the distance, his eyes unfocused. After a few moments of quiet thought, he exhaled softly and continued.
"But there's more we need to establish, the creation of a government and a power structure. Without a ruling body, no civilization can survive. And our system will be a mix of theocracy and monarchy."
He tapped his finger lightly against the table, his tone calm but authoritative.
"For now, the monarch will be Mr. Jacob, while I'll serve as the prince, the heir... Holding authority over the Citadel and its surrounding regions. Technically, that also makes me a Duke. As for religion…"
His lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as he glanced at the screen.
"I'm sure you all already know which god we'll worship. After all, the government has been talking about them quite a bit lately."
In the main hall of the academy, a large screen hung on the wall. It displayed a young woman reporting the latest news.
"Exploration reports from the Forgotten Shore have revealed information about three new gods that existed in ancient times. Their names are: the God of Deceit, the God of Calamities, and the Goddess of Creation. The God of Deceit was also known as the patron deity of tricksters, adventurers, and thieves. We don't have much information about these gods, but the God of Deceit remains the most mysterious of all. We practically know nothing about this being aside from what I've just said. From the information gathered, we can infer that He was the weakest of the gods, even when compared to the Six Main Gods we already know about."
The young woman continued speaking, describing the God of Calamities, his influence on the world's history, and the terrifying power he once wielded.
"Now, let's discuss the God of Calamities, who might be the most powerful deity. He is said to be the bringer of disasters, wars, and destruction, a merciless and crazy deity who drowned the world in endless conflict..."
Caster's eyes lit up, his grin spreading.
"Of course! Mr. Error Himself! No wonder you're His blessed one!" he said excitedly.
But as he listened to the young woman on the screen, his expression shifted, first to confusion, then bitterness, and finally, pure outrage. "What do you mean weakest!? Mr. Error was the most powerful, you stupid woman!" he shouted, making several Sleepers nearby turn to stare at him in confusion, their expressions somewhere between startled and deeply uncomfortable.
Amon shook his head, doing his best to suppress a laugh. "Caster… you're causing a scene. I appreciate your loyalty to our God, but there's no need to react to an ignorant mortal's words."
He sighed calmly, watching as Caster scratched the back of his head in embarrassment before grumpily taking a seat.
"Oh? And also, Caster…" Amon's tone became serious, even reverent. "You'll write the Holy Bible of the Lord."
Caster shot up from his seat, eyes wide in disbelief. "B-but… I'm not worthy of such an honor! I-I-"
"You're the Chosen One of the Lord," Amon interrupted smoothly, his voice calm and firm. "There's no one more qualified than you."
Caster froze for a moment before sitting back down, sinking into his chair as he rubbed the back of his neck, overwhelmed.
Amon nodded in satisfaction. Good. I'm not shameless enough to write my own holy bible. Besides, this way I can slip in some interesting stuff without doing all the work myself. It's not like I'm lazy bum...
After a short pause, he continued, shifting the topic to broader matters.
"We'll also need to define the culture, knowledge base, and identity of the region. Language, art, and education will be crucial in forming a unified civilization. While not strictly necessary, giving the region its own character will help it endure."
After that, they continued discussing the development of the region. For now, Amon decided to go with a Greek style, it was his home, and the one he was most familiar with. The architecture and art would follow that model as well. Of course, it wouldn't be only Greece; he planned to blend in elements from Italy and a few other cultures he admired.
As for education, he had to plan ahead. Sooner or later, millions of people from the Waking World would be transported into the Dream Realm… including children. Which meant he had to account for that as well.
There also needed to be a cultural value, a driving force that defined the region. The Vikings had conquest and courage. The Mongols had warfare and mastery of the steppe. Every powerful nation in history had a principle they perfected, something that made them undeniable.
In other words, they needed something to be the absolute masters of. And as the God of Deceit… Amon had a few ideas about that.
But even that wasn't enough. Amon wasn't a specialist in matters like this. He had ideas, good ones, even but ideas alone couldn't build a civilization. To create a fully functioning region, he needed people: thinkers, builders, scholars, and countless others.
That was the reason behind all the propaganda, to attract as many talented Awakened as possible to his side. The rest, he trusted Mr. Jacob to handle.
After several hours of intense discussion, everyone finally went their separate ways: drained, sleepy, and eager to return to the Dream Realm.
Amon slid into his sleeping pod and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was elsewhere.
Yawning, he climbed out of bed, the same bed he'd brought from the waking world, and stretched lazily. Then, still half-asleep, he made his way up the long spiral staircase that led to the top of the crimson spire.
Stepping onto the balcony, Amon smiled faintly as the cold wind washed over him. It was sharp and refreshing, carrying with it the familiar scent of salt... Wait, salt?
For a moment, he just blinked. Then he rubbed his eyes, squinting at the horizon.
"What the heck is this... Maybe a mind hex? Hmm... now this is a little scary..." Amon muttered, looking lost.
"Oh? Hey, Amon. How are you?" came the familiar voice of Mr. Jacob from behind.
For some reason, Mr. Jacob was able to arrive at the Forgotten Shore. From what Amon knew, Jacob's Aspect was related to space and stars. Because of that, he was able to create some kind of link which meant that Amon returning to the Forgotten Shore was equivalent to Jacob arriving as well.
Amon still didn't know how it truly worked. That was all he'd managed to decrypt from his observation. Asking someone directly about their Aspect and flaw was considered rude, after all. So, Amon didn't. He decided to wait until Mr. Jacob revealed them himself. Though, he couldn't shake the suspicion that Mr. Jacob was somehow connected to the House of the Night… and the Storm God.
"Uhmm... Mr. Jacob... what's this?" Amon asked, staring into the distance with an expressionless face.
"Didn't we discuss that we needed water? Not just for agriculture, but for travel, for building a navy, and a harbor?" Jacob asked, his voice slightly confused.
"Yes, I certainly did..." Amon muttered, sounding even more baffled than before.
Jacob nodded, letting out a quiet yawn. He lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, then turned away, walking back inside the spire as he said lazily,
"So now we have it."
Amon nodded slowly... Yes, we have it... But, Mr. Jacob... how did you manage to kill the Dark Sea?