Chapter 32: Chapter 32: New Skill, New Equipment, And Going Deeper Into The Nightmare Nest

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I quickly checked the new skill’s full details.

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[Living Darkness – Tier 1: Level 1/10]

Description: You have gained affinity with the Nightmare Element. You can now manipulate living darkness born from fear, nightmares, and the void between dimensions.

Effects: Allows creation and control of basic dark tendrils and shadows and grants +25% stealth and concealment in dark or low-light environments. Can infuse darkness into physical attacks, adding minor fear and corrosion damage. Drains enemy morale and Spirit when used continuously.

Synergy with Chaos Demon skills: Increases the potency of Miasma-based abilities.

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"Not bad at all," I said, smiling. "It has real potential and feels stronger than most standard spells. The greatest value, though, might come from reversing it with my Soul Ability... Could it become Living Light? I really want to see that. It might prove deadly against Nightmares."

[It certainly might. Nightmare Elemental Attacks seem to deal little damage to Nightmares themselves. But by reversing the effects, you can create an opposite element and deal proper damage.]

"Yeah... Hey Mongrel, I’ve been wondering something. If you guys don’t get hurt by the Nightmare Element yet wield only that power, how can you hurt each other or fight in your own dimension?" I asked.

"That’s because we grow beyond pure nightmare power," Mongrel explained. "We refine it through training and evolution until it becomes something far greater. To us, Nightmare is like Mana to you. And just like your Magic, our Nightmare possesses many elements. As an initiate in the Nightmare Arts, you probably won’t understand them yet. So focus on getting stronger and deepening your affinity first."

"Understood, boss!" I nodded. "Alright, just these last two pieces and we’re done."

I turned my attention to the final two pieces of equipment still floating inside the treasure chest.

First, I picked up the [Nightmare Venomous Sovereign Ring (A Grade)]. It was a beautiful yet eerie piece—black metal shaped like coiling venomous serpents with glowing purple eyes. The moment I slipped it onto my left index finger, it resized itself perfectly and sent a cold surge racing up my arm.

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[Nightmare Venomous Sovereign Ring (A Grade)]

[Item Type]: [Ring] [Nightmare Relic]

[Item Requirements]: [1,000,000 Fantasium]

[Item Parameters]: [Physical Defense]: [10%] [Magic Defense]: [30%] [Durability]: [10,000]

[Item Bonuses]: [+20% Spirit] [+20% Soul] [+20% Fantasium] [+10% Dexterity] [+10% Agility]

[Item Skill]: {Venom of Eternal Night} – Your attacks and skills have a chance to apply stacking Nightmare Venom. Affected targets suffer continuous Soul and Spirit damage plus hallucinations. Grants +30% power to all Nightmare and Chaos skills. Special Effect: Once per day, release a "Sovereign Roar of Venom" that poisons and terrifies all enemies in a large radius.

[Item Description]: A mysterious ring forged from the leftover poisonous nightmare energy of the Venomous Sovereign. It is a special ring capable of producing its own venom and injecting it into foes, weakening them or killing them from the inside out.

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"I can create venom!" I gasped. "And if I reverse it with my Soul Ability, couldn’t I use it to heal myself? This is an incredible cheat."

It was practically a ring that could produce elixirs and buffing potions on demand.

The ring felt alive, almost like it was breathing against my skin.

Next was the [Abyssal Bat Lord Cloak (A Grade)]. It was long and flowing, made of what looked like condensed shadow wings. When I draped it over my shoulders, it merged slightly with my dragon scales, creating a majestic yet intimidating contrast—deep black and purple accented by occasional silver runes that glowed across its surface.

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[Abyssal Bat Lord Cloak (A Grade)]

[Item Type]: [Cloak] [Nightmare Relic]

[Item Requirements]: [1,000,000 Agility & Dexterity]

[Item Parameters]: [Physical Defense]: [+100%] [Magic Defense]: [+100%] [Durability]: [100,000]

[Item Bonuses]: [+10% Spirit] [+10% Soul] [+10% Fantasium] [+30% Dexterity] [+30% Agility]

[Item Skill]: {Lord of the Night Sky} – Flight speed increased by 300% in dark environments. You can merge with shadows while flying for near invisibility. Reduces incoming ranged attack damage by 35%. Possesses the natural ability to hide one’s identity. When imbued with Mana, summon spectral abyssal bats composed of Nightmare Energy for attack or defense (scales with Soul stat).

[Item Description]: A beautiful cloak made from the remains of the Venomous Sovereign and his children, the Abyssal Venomous Bats. It is said to be capable of concealing one’s identity when worn and of bringing forth echoes of his children to attack and defend the wearer.

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"It’s more than I could have asked for..."

After equipping both the ring and the cloak, I felt several of my stats skyrocket. Because they also counted as Soul Gear, my Soul grew stronger and gained better protection against direct Soul Damage.

"This cloak could be perfect for sneaking out of the castle and visiting the town undetected someday..." I murmured, rubbing my chin. "What do you think?"

"And why would you ever want to do that?" Mongrel asked, completely incredulous.

"Can’t you think for a second? It’s obvious!" I said. "I’m bored stiff in the castle. I want to see my citizens, walk around the city, visit shops and restaurants, and join a Hunter Guild. I want to go on dungeon adventures with teammates!"

"...I see no reason why you would want to do something so nonsensical. It feels like a complete waste of time," Mongrel sighed. "But do as you wish. No one can stop you—until you screw up and someone has to clean up your mess."

"That won’t happen," I growled. "And if I do screw up, well, here I am doing my best to fix it. Even if we have to fight insanely powerful Nightmare Beast Lords like that bat man."

"Hmph... We should just go. Hurry!" Mongrel said.

"Right..."

We retraced our steps and took the other path, ignoring the central one. As we moved deeper, strange plants began appearing everywhere. These were not normal plants from the outside world, nor the frost plants of the Dragon Realm. They were alien, black-and-purple lifeforms covered in eyes that stared at us as we passed.

Deeper still, the cavern walls became completely covered by the plants. It was impossible not to step on them, so I flew with my wings to avoid as many as possible. When we finally reached a vast open area, I released my Dual Aura at once. With my Claw Weapons reversed into their Celestial Forms and ready, I spread my senses outward.

And then it happened.

RUMBLE!

The entire cave trembled. All around us, the plants stirred and gathered, fusing into several gigantic creatures—nightmarish amalgamations of countless nightmare plants. Some formed spheres covered in tentacles and eyes, others took humanoid shapes with long hair and eerie smiles.

They rushed at me with no time for words. I swiftly dodged the sharp vine attacks, flipped mid-air, and released a wind shockwave that sent the incoming needles flying back at my attackers.

I was finally getting the hang of using my flight to its full potential.

"I won’t go down so easily!"

I roared and swung my claws. Waves of Celestial Energy sliced through the approaching Nightmare Plant Monsters as more emerged from every side, their whip-like vine tentacles lashing toward my body.

When it seemed I had no escape, I activated Stealth, slipped from their perception, and opened my jaws. A fiery Dragon Breath I had been charging burst forth.

BOOOMMM!!!

A massive explosion of Origin Flames and Harmonious Light consumed the Nightmare Plants, disintegrating more than half of them and leaving the rest burning. The cavern was wide, yet my attack had only affected a fourth of the space at best.

"These damn Nightmare Plants! I hate them!" Mongrel complained. "Master, be careful—they’re coming from all directions!"

I sharpened my senses to their limit. Massive vines lashed at me from above, below, left, and right while sharp needles fired from every angle. I kicked off the air and flew higher, only to spot a massive eye staring down at me from within a giant black rose surrounded by enormous tentacles.

"What the...?!"

"LEAVE."

A voice thundered from the creature, slamming me with an invisible force. I tumbled downward and crashed hard into the ground, shattering stone and sending boulders flying. Before I could recover, the Nightmare Plants wrapped their vines around me and pierced my scales with hundreds of poisoned needles.

"CONSUME HER."

The voice echoed again. Invisible pressure bore down on me like thousands of tons. I groaned in agony, vomiting blood as sudden helplessness overwhelmed me.

Just what is this power? It’s invisible, yet it’s neither magic nor divine power. I couldn’t sense any Mana or Divinity in it! Above all, it felt too clean, too subtle... Wait. I’ve seen this before—from my dad!

"Telekinesis?! A type of Psychic Power?!"

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