CHAPTER 882: VENE

"A level 2 upgrade? So this is the second zone I presume." Alyss muttered as she tightened her fingers around the embryo.

Like a spider web, butterfly trails began to appear.

Unfortunately for Alyss, with the location she’s in, these trails didn’t help her at all. Especially since her paths are linear thus far. There had only been a few twists and turns along the way but nothing that really allowed her to explore the location.

And... with what’s beyond the edge of the barriers obscured by fog, Alyss would rather not jump down to find out.

Regardless, she continued down her path as there was nothing else to do. Eventually, she will reach her destination. Nothing more, nothing less.

Observing Alyss from a spire rather far away, a woman could be seen holding a pair of opera binoculars.

She dressed herself up in full steampunk fashion. A high collared blouse, a brown corset with copper accessories. Gears that clicked and whirled with every breath that she took.

On her head sat a brown top hat with a metal ribbon and a pair of goggles.

Flicking her wrist, the opera binoculars disassemble themselves and reattached onto her arm as a pair of copper rimmed glasses could be seen.

Taking a deep drag of her metal pipe, she puffed out a small cloud of smoke.

"She’s already reached the second zone." She muttered. Her expression was neutral but her eyes were focused on Alyss like a hawk.

Reaching down with her right hand, her fingers brushed against the rifle resting on her hip. The mechanisms inside humming as it awaited the next orders.

A moment of silence passed but she eventually decided against it.

Alyss’s presence was an anomaly in itself.

She didn’t have a ’body’.

Those who come to the nightmare, an invisible tether is formed between the soul and body. But her? She didn’t have such a thing. All she had was a tether to another soul.

Even if the Nightmare was to coil its fingers around her, she wouldn’t have anything it could ’take’.

But despite not having a body, her physical control was abnormally high. Her martial prowess made it so that the beasts wouldn’t pose a challenge to her, even if three of them were to attack at once.

And as for the level 2 beast that showed up, it was dispatched with ease.

Unless the odds were truly stacked against her in the form of a boss, she would remain unharmed.

"Hmm..." Shaking her head, she let out a sigh.

The Cathedral of the Blood Moon was her zone. Even as the Zone representative, there were certain lines she must not cross at all.

Tampering with a ’player’s’ progress was one of those. Unless certain requirements are fulfilled, she cannot increase the difficulty even if Alyss was abnormally strong.

If she did...

The woman shivered at the thought.

Then again, she should’ve expected this. After all, when she first saw Alyss in the tutorial camp, she noticed how composed and calm she is.

Even in this strange realm, Alyss managed to handle herself, avoiding deaths that would kill most people.

She slaughtered the wandering beasts as though they were nought but a slight hassle.

"My position is going to drop. Why did I have to end up with this freak of nature of all people." She grumbled.

Furrowing her brows, she leaned back and glanced at the butterfly landing next to her.

The Witch of Nightmares. The only exception within the Zone representatives.

The one who can do whatever she wanted without punishment and despite that, she still adheres to the rules.

Somewhat.

"Hi~ This is our first meeting I believe. And... This is your area right?" Monika stepped out of the fog while adjusting her hat.

Vene massaged her temples, holding back the urge to sigh.

After all, they say with each sigh a bit of your happiness escapes.

Monika glanced at the magnificent cathedral before her and gasped in awe.

Her eyes sparkling with delight as she took in the full view of Vene’s domain.

"Wah! You should’ve invited me over much sooner if your place looks this pretty! Just imagine the tea parties we can hold!" Monika pouted, stomping her leg in annoyance.

Suspended in the air around them was the colossal Cathedral of the Blood Moon, a marvel of architecture glistening with radiance. A pristine maze of white adorned with the splendour of gold.

Tall pillars held the structure above the sea of mist below, while above, the sky was split between two moons.

One large white moon, cracked and shedding shimmering fragments, bleeding stellar light into the night sky.

And over it, almost as though consuming the white moon, hung a crimson moon, absorbing the white fragments and turning them into a shade of crimson.

The horizon itself flickered between blood red and midnight blue, a clash of two moons.

Vene opened one eye half way, glaring at Monika.

"You weren’t invited." She grumbled.

"Gasp! Vene! How could you! Oh deary me my poor heart." Monika shed a tear in dramatic fashion before smiling and summoning her staff.

Snapping her finger, she had it float horizontally as she sat down and crossed her legs elegantly.

"Then again, I suppose that’s very true to your name. Vene, the wanderer, the scout. You who is one with the wind. It’s a solitary name I suppose." Monika chuckled as Vene clicked her tongue.

"How did you even come to this place. Or is it because of her?" Vene gestured with her chin towards Alyss who was smashing apart beasts using her flaming fists.

Even though three were charging at her, she vaulted over their shoulders while landing hits against their skulls.

The timing of her parries, her dodges, no movement was wasted and whenever there was a gap for a counter, her fists would snap forward like a viper.

Fast and lethal.

"I was simply tracking down the connections a certain little flame had. She seemed rather worried about the allies she had in this realm. But to my surprise, I am to find someone who looks like a mirror reflection of her." Monika chuckled.

Snapping her finger, a table floated next to her with two sets of teacups filled with tea.

"Would you care for a drink? Some snacks?" Monika offered as a plate with some biscuits appeared on the table.

"I’ll pass." Vene shook her head.

Partaking in her ’tea party’ was advised against. No matter how beneficial it may seem at first.

"Scared are we? Are rumours really so frightening?" Monika sighed.

"I’d rather err on the side of caution. Especially when the rumours involve the Witch of all people." Vene replied instantly.

"It wouldn’t kill yo-"

"Yes but it’ll expose my fate." Vene narrowed her eyes, cutting Monika off.

Monka paused. Her smile widening to a crescent arc that sent chills down Vene’s spine.

"Shame. And here I was rather curious about what kind of life you’ll live." Monika dismissed the tea set.

"Being a wanderer and someone who goes along with the wind means not knowing what is in store for the future. Even if you don’t tell me, I’d rather not have someone know my fate." Vene rolled her eyes.

"It’s not like I know everything." Monika shrugged her shoulders.

"But enough where you can make adjustments to the smaller cogs, right?"

Monika didn’t reply and simply stuck out her tongue.

"If you’re just here to have a look at this girl then you can leave now." Vene dismissed with a wave of her hand but Monika remained.

"I’m here for two things. First, as you said it was to take a look at the girl. And as for the second... I’m actually here for you."

Hearing this, Vene glanced back with a frown but there was surprise in her eyes.

"Me?"

What did the Witch of Nightmares want with her?

But the moment Vene made eye contact with Monika, her entire body froze.

That moment when you stare at the face of death. The moment when a blade is inches away from cutting you in half...

When you see an attack falling towards you yet you can’t run away...

The fear that roots you in your place as death approaches.

The guillotine that falls...

The air that escapes your lungs as you drown...

That final moment, Vene had just felt it.

Gritting her teeth, she ignored the rules. She ignored everything she had learned up till now.

Self preservation came first!

The mechanical holster snapped into place as Vene grabbed her rifle and fired without hesitation.

*BANG!!!

The bullet tore through Monika’s forehead, blood splattered into the air as she stumbled backwards and collapsed onto the roof.

Vene panted, cold sweat dripping down her back.

The feeling hasn’t disappeared.

Gritting her teeth, her glasses shifted as a gear cog appeared in her right eye.

Flicking her wrist, the rifle transformed into a pistol as she fired behind her without looking.

Slamming her left hand down, lightning sparked in an area around her as machinery and weapons were crafted from the very material they were standing on.

Cogs spinning with power as she summoned an array of guns around her, facing all directions.

*BANG!!!

Firing all of them without exception, Vene transformed the area into a deadly zone of bullets and lightning.

Yet the feeling remained.

Where? Where is she?! Where is the Witch who came here for her?!

"Shh~ Your rifle is rather loud don’t you think. Wouldn’t want the mirror gal over there to notice now do we?"

"!!!"

Vene didn’t dare turn around.

But she could sense the fog converging and transforming into the silhouette of Monika.

There was a barrier of butterflies around them, concealing their location and sound from outsiders.

Gritting her teeth, Vene loaded a special bullet and fired through her own stomach.

*BANG!!!

Ripping a hole through her own body, Vene collapsed on her knee.

It was just a normal bullet when hitting someone like her.

But if it was to hit Monika...

"Even I would be harmed?" Monika finished Vene’s thought with an amused smile.

"Let’s not make this difficult. I just need you to do a little favour for me~ No need for you to die." She giggled softly.

Reaching out with her hand, she slowly but firmly dug her fingers into Vene’s chest.