Kurose Akira stared in disbelief at the state he and Natasha were now in.
He had become a soul completely detached from his physical body, while Natasha was kneeling on the floor, her body leaning backward as she lay unconscious. From deep within her soul, an unopened white rose had quietly emerged—silent, still, patiently awaiting the moment the key would be turned.
And the white rose in Akira's hand was precisely that key.
The key to unlocking the secret buried within Natasha's soul.
Once opened, the treasure hidden inside her would be revealed.
"Natasha?" Akira tried calling out to her.
There was no response.
She remained there, kneeling quietly, like someone lost in deep slumber—still, serene, waiting to be claimed.
Gulp.
Akira's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. Holding the key tightly, he slowly extended his hand toward Natasha.
At that instant, it was as though some unseen force seized control of him. His arm moved on its own, swiftly guiding the small white rose toward the unopened soul-rose.
The moment the two merged—
Ripples of brilliant white light spread across the soul-rose, blooming outward in dazzling, dreamlike waves.
Suddenly, the world around him shifted.
Akira stared in shock as he found himself standing atop the gigantic white rose that bloomed at the heart of Sunset City.
"How did I end up here…?"
Filled with confusion, he raised his head—and saw Natasha's soul standing above the white rose, smiling gently down at him.
At the same time, a single petal drifted down and landed before him, like an unspoken invitation.
Akira stepped onto the petal. Guided by it, he ascended smoothly until he reached the top of the colossal rose.
When he arrived, Natasha's soul offered him a smile soft as silk. From between her snowy-white form, she took out an object and extended it toward him.
"This… is for me?" Akira asked, puzzled.
Natasha's soul nodded lightly, as if to say yes.
Akira reached out and grasped the item.
It was a staff, its tip shaped like a blooming rose.
[White Rose Staff (Epic): A staff imbued with the power of the White Rose, capable of dealing terrifying soul-based magic damage. (One-time use)]
The moment Akira read its description, understanding struck him like lightning.
He instantly grasped the direction of the game's narrative.
This was clearly meant for him to use the power of this staff—
To slay the evil entity buried deep beneath Sunset City.
And just as Akira accepted the staff, an ethereal voice echoed beside his ear.
"Please… I'm counting on you~"
In the next instant, everything snapped back into place.
Akira found himself once more in the attic of the Guardian Family.
"…I'm back."
He stared at the White Rose Staff in his hand and murmured softly.
Raising his head, he saw Natasha smiling at him—just like the Natasha whose soul had stood atop the giant white rose.
Before he could savor the moment, Natasha suddenly collapsed into his arms.
"Natasha?"
Akira anxiously checked her condition. Her information was still unreadable, but a new status had appeared in her status panel.
[Hollow Shell: Soul Lost]
"Natasha's soul… has left?"Akira frowned slightly as he gently lifted her up from the seat.
His gaze grew deep and distant as he looked out the window—toward the giant rose blooming in Sunset City.
The rose glowed with a beautiful blue light.
And standing quietly atop it was a familiar figure.
In that moment, understanding washed over him.
The Natasha beside him had only ever been a guide.
Her existence was meant to lead him toward resolving Sunset City's crisis.
"I'll take you home."
Holding Natasha in his arms, Akira picked up the Soul Magic Mirror and returned to the Yerman Family's castle.
When he arrived, Roxia and Loserine were sitting together, speaking quietly.
Their conversation felt stiff—neither aunt nor niece was particularly eloquent, and the atmosphere lacked the warmth one might expect.
The moment they saw Akira carrying an unconscious Natasha, they hurriedly asked,"What happened to Natasha?"
"Don't worry," Akira replied calmly. "She's just asleep. But she might be sleeping for a long time."
He knew it well—once the crisis in Sunset City was resolved, Natasha would naturally awaken, ushering in the perfect ending.
"I'll take her back to her room."
"Mm."
Roxia accepted Natasha from Akira's arms and carried her away.
"We should go too," Akira said, turning to Loserine.
He planned to make thorough preparations—tomorrow, he had to successfully eliminate the evil lurking beneath the city.
"Alright."
"What were you two talking about earlier?" Akira asked.
"I told her she needs to train harder with her sword," Loserine replied. "Roxia doesn't yet have the strength to protect Sunset City."
"..."
...
The next day, when Akira arrived at the guild, he happened to see Ivsha carrying a pile of iron chains and shackles.
"Ivsha… what are those?" he asked, confused.
"Mr. Akira~ You're here~"Ivsha stopped and smiled sweetly. "Didn't you mention something about a prayer room before? I thought I'd bring over some things that might be needed inside. They could come in handy~"
"So that's what it is."
Akira nodded in understanding—though he still couldn't quite grasp why a prayer room would need chains and shackles.
…Was this prayer room actually legitimate?
"Hehe~"
Ivsha hummed cheerfully as she carried the tools into an empty room in the guild. Akira casually glanced at her status.
[Mana Overflowing: Mana potency increased by 50%!]
Nice. Very nice.
So yesterday's effort hadn't been wasted.
Turning his head, Akira saw Alice carefully sweeping the guild floor. Thanks to her diligence, the floor gleamed so cleanly it reflected people like a mirror.
Nearby, Loserine was meticulously wiping down her Oathbound Sword. That blade was clearly precious to her—she had even purchased maintenance tools specifically for it, carefully applying polish along its length.
…Wait.
Where did Loserine get the money?
Did she have her own little stash? Or did it come from Roxia?
"Are we heading out?" Loserine asked, noticing Akira's gaze.
Her eyes were filled with anticipation and resolve. She was clearly ready—waiting only for this moment to eliminate the hidden danger beneath Sunset City.
"Yeah." Akira nodded. "Everything's ready."
"Mr. Akira~ I'm done too~"
Ivsha had finished storing the chains and shackles.
"Then let's move."
"As you command~"
...
Soon, under Akira's lead, the group arrived deep beneath Sunset City.
This time, the entire guild was mobilized. Although Alice remained behind at the guild, her soul weapon could be remotely controlled—effectively allowing her to participate in battle as well.
In addition, Akira had deliberately brought along the Demonic Flame Silver Phoenix Butterfly.
Its level wasn't particularly high, but it might prove crucial at a key moment.
Upon reaching their destination, Akira surveyed the surroundings, then fixed his gaze on the shattered Flame Cocoon.
He issued a quiet command to Loserine."Begin."
"Mm."
Loserine stepped forward, gripping her Oathbound Sword as she stood before the broken cocoon.
She raised the blade high, preparing to cleave open the fissure and expose the evil lurking beneath.
Just as her sword was about to fall—
A piercing scream erupted from deep underground.
Like a tidal wave, it swept across the area, crashing directly into everyone's minds.
Though the sound caused no direct physical harm, it drastically slowed their movements. Akira noticed the Demonic Flame Silver Phoenix Butterfly becoming extremely agitated, its wings beating wildly.
"Calm down."
Akira reached out and gently stroked it. Only then did the little creature settle.
As the ear-splitting scream echoed, the magical beasts lurking around Sunset City instantly went berserk, surging toward the city in a ferocious tide.
Faced with the sudden beast wave, Sunset City immediately sounded its highest-level alarm!
"It's the alarm bell!"
At that moment, Roxia was seated by Natasha's bedside, carefully tending to her unconscious form. Hearing the bell, she immediately stood.
She cast one last look at Natasha—then rushed out of the room.
"All knights—follow me to the battlefield!"
"Yes!"
Not only the Yerman Family, but the other knightly families mobilized as well, rushing to the four city gates. Sunset City's army had already taken positions atop the walls.
At the same time, more than twenty players who had received notice of the early beast wave quickly teleported to Sunset City, joining the defense.
While everyone carried out their roles with precision, the Lord of Sunset City sat calmly within the city lord's manor, a confident smile curling at his lips—as though everything were under his control.
He murmured softly,"Don't worry. Although there were a few hiccups… everything is still proceeding according to plan."
...
As the shrill scream finally faded, Akira and the others gradually regained their composure.
"Loserine!"
Akira shouted.
Loserine's Oathbound Sword came crashing down!
The ground split open in an instant, a deep chasm tearing through the earth as blue luminescent light burst forth like a fountain, illuminating the entire underground city.
"Fall back!"
As the fissure expanded, the surrounding ground rapidly collapsed. Akira immediately ordered everyone to retreat.
The moment they reached a safe distance, the area within a hundred meters of the Flame Cocoon completely caved in—revealing the evil entity that had been sealed beneath the city.
It resembled a grotesque human brain—but enormous, towering dozens of meters high.
From its surface grew bizarre human-like hands, radiating an indescribable sense of malevolence as it released terrifying mental pressure. True to its name, it exuded a mind-corrupting aura that sent chills down the spine.
[Heart-Ensnaring Demon (Epic)]
Level: 39 (0 / 11700)Race: Evil FiendStrength: 0 / Agility: 0 / Mana: 1000 / Constitution: 1000Growth: 10 (Gains +10 to all attributes per level)Skills: (Expand)
(Defeating the Heart-Ensnaring Demon will grant the additional trait [Extreme Greed]!)
"…Extreme Greed?"
..
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