Chapter 75 – The Outer Ones

I need to get used to fighting using the 3D map, but if I just want to raise the skill, the town is still the best.

So, in order to raise «Spatial Awareness Ability Expansion», I head to the Starting Town, where there are many people.

I’ll pose in front of the statue of Stellura-sama, as if praying, and work to improve the skill.

I don’t plan to spend the whole Sunday doing this, so I’ll have to think about what to do.
I think I can reach the minimum level I wanted sooner than I expected, so I should spend my time on «Ancient Divine Linguistics» ….Language is likely to be the one that will only be ready right before the event.

I think I should spend the first half of the morning on «Spatial Awareness Ability Expansion», and the second half on «Ancient Divine Linguistics».
Then in the afternoon I can do something else…

Okay, let’s do that.

In the afternoon, I log back in.

I leave the palace and head north, up the hill.
Yes, I was wondering if I could proceed with the event yet.

I came to the first gate again.
The voice that sounds like a man and a woman speaking at the same time echoes directly in my head.

『You came.
Beyond is the abyss.
A place where the common sense of the outside world does not exist.
Will you still go?』
“Yes.”
『Even if it means ceasing to be a living creature, or losing your place in the world?』
“Even if so, that is not everything.”
『Good.
You may go.
Let the Silver Key lead you to the Ultimate Gate.』

The ancient one points to the huge gate opposite the one I entered through.
It seems that I have fulfilled the requirements, so I avoid the hexagonal pedestal in the centre as instructed and head for the gate.
As I approach the gate, it gravely opens by itself, but….I don’t see anything ahead?
I don’t know if I should say he….but the ancient one has fallen asleep again on the pedestal.

….Let’s go then.
From here onward…..The game has taken control…..
Oh, I am falling.
From the first step, there is no floor and I am falling.
Both the 3D map and my eyes seem to be useless.
Control of my body is not being returned, so it is clearly an event.
I simply fall.
This is likely to become a trauma for people who hate bungee, right?

I don’t know how long it is, but it feels like I have been falling for a very long time….Before dropping into water.
Apparently I can float with this weight….
But it’s a wonderful sea, anyway, with a scent of roses.
Yes, the sea smells like roses.
Control of my body was returned to me once I began to float.

Yeah, it’s just the ocean.
Not just with the 3D map, but even in range of sight for my eyes.
The Silver Key hanging on my waist shines faintly, the light pointing in a certain direction.
I was told to let the Silver Key guide me, so I should follow it.

I might consider learning a swimming skill, but immortals don’t need to breathe, so the benefits aren’t worth mentioning.
It seems that there is no underwater combat, so I can skip it.
If there are underwater dungeons, I may change my mind.
Oh, wait.
Can I call #1 … As a wyvern ….
I see.
Fine.
I will swim.

Oh, «Spatial Awareness Ability Expansion» finally reached 30, and now I can see colour and quality on my 3D map.
I don’t need to use my eyes so much.
It seems that battles and towns are much more efficient than the palace.
The only thing left to do is to increase the skill level and extend my range, but I wonder if it will increase any further.
Maybe getting to this point, where you can see colour….is like a tutorial.

It’s been a while since I started swimming, following the Silver Key….Or rather, it has been almost an hour instead of a few minutes.
It’s too big.
It’s definitely an event map, so you won’t come back once you’ve been here…..
Finally, I found land, and can see a huge stone arch, similar to Stonehenge.
At last, the Ultimate Gate.

I head for land and go towards the centre of the arch.
I think there was a spell in the original lore, but I haven’t heard of it here….
Is it not necessary in this game?
When I reach the arch the Silver Key floats up to the centre.
The Silver Key has started to rotate, while shining, and some of the surrounding stonework also begins to shine.
There, the ancient divine language appears in great detail.
The light grows stronger as the key and arch resonate…..and, I’ve moved, haven’t I? The scenery on the 3D map has changed in an instant.
The Silver Key is…returning to my belt.

Hey, I’m surrounded by Hounds of Tindalos.
Am I being enthusiastically welcomed? Their tails….probably, are wagging.
I say probably because they’re not dogs in the first place.

“You’re here…..
You guys, we have things to do first.
Later.”

Oh, it’s King Woofwoof.
Thanks for the help, but does that mean I’ll be surrounded again later?

“Follow me, qualified one.”

Well, you’re different from usual.
Let’s follow quietly for now.

The 3D map only shows a field of flowers.
I’ll use my eyes.
The flowers seem to be a new material, but I will take a look at them properly later.
…..”A place where the common sense of the outside world does not exist”, I see.
It’s certainly outrageous.
It may be in the same place, but not in the same place.
There is a very spiky place so far in the distance I can barely see the silhouette.
Maybe that is Tindalos.
And there is a huge ship floating in a certain direction.
I think it’s a Moon-Beast galley.
There are also buildings….
that look more developed than real ones.
What race do they belong to? I’m curious.

In other words, the Abyss is a place where many different races live.
Oh, there’s an ocean….? Some do come to mind, but…..
I think it’s Cthulhu.
Isn’t that building R’lyeh?

“Don’t trust your eyes here.
The distance is not accurate.”

Is it possible that space and dimension have been tampered with for each race? I can see it, but it’s not there, and even if I can’t see it, it might be there…..
It’s good because it’s interesting.

I follow the King of Tindalos along a single path in the field of flowers.
The destination is probably….that huge, old castle.
Oh, there’s a Moon-Beast.
Hm? That one….looks like….

“Are they Mi-go and Yith, by any chance?”
“Yes, they are.
Perverted engineers.
Basically, you’re allowed to go to other races’ lands, but you shouldn’t go to theirs.
You never know what you might find.”

The King of Tindalos indicated a building that had been developed to the level of science fiction.
So it is their work.
They’re talking happily, so I guess they’re on friendly terms with each other.

“Incidentally, they’re the ones who created the people called Machinery on the surface.”
“…..What? You’ve just said something outrageous.”
“No, perhaps not the Machinery, exactly, but the original Armoured they are descended from.
A civilization from long ago, from their time.”

So the great races of Mi-Go and Yith created the Armoured race? Well, maybe they were meant to be for factories and assistants.
They were like cleaning robots in real life.
But now they have minds and became Machinery?
Maybe the part used in Sophie-san’s broom too.
The core thing? But dungeons are naturally occurring, aren’t they….
Hmmm…..?
Well, it doesn’t matter.
It’s not like there’s anything special about it…..

Before I noticed there is a big, old castle in front of me.
I don’t think I walked that far, though.
It is an old castle with gothic architecture in black, white and gray.
It has a really nice atmosphere! I can’t help taking pictures.
I like it very much.
It’s much bigger than Evernight Castle, and gives off an impression of age.
Oops, I have to follow you.

The inside also matches its appearance.
It’s much bigger than the Evernight Castle, but the number of people is much smaller, so it’s a bit lonely.
The Nether is a royal capital, isn’t it.
A castle and a castle town.
The Abyss is a castle and a flower garden.
Since the land is surrounded by different tribes, is the castle itself of little use?

Hmm, an old woman, a woman and a girl.

“Hm, Mh’ithrha.
That’s the girl?”
“Yes.
She could be one of us.”
“I am Tenebrarum.
And Suspiriorum and Lachrymarum.”

…..Our Ladies of Sorrow.
The beautiful girl with black hair and gold eyes who spoke to me is Tenebrarum.
The adult woman with grey hair and gold eyes is Suspiriorum.
And the wrinkled, white-haired, gold-eyed old woman is Lachrymarum.

“I am Anastasia Atropos Nemeseia.”
“You did well to come.
Nemeseia.
Do you have the same eyes as me?”

Mater Tenebrarum was blind.
Mater Lachrymarum was deaf and Mater Suspiriorum was mute.

“No, I’m still in training.
I can see.”
“Yes.
If you’re going to give, it’s better to give your eyes.
Unless, of course, you have a replacement like us.”

With that said, Our Ladies of Sorrow begin to walk away.

“Is it….that I have to sacrifice my eyes?”
“It’s a kind of training.
Well, only if you have eyes.”

Well, I suppose so.
There are many races without eyes.

It has been a while since we started walking again, but we’ve come farther and farther down.

“I didn’t think the Outsiders would actually come.”

Suddenly, a person appeared beside me….Someone with inhuman beauty, with a neutral face, that could be either male or female, maybe in the late 20s, wearing something like a priests robe.
No, it’s definitely not a human, so it’s natural to look inhuman.

“Take care of this one.”
“Very well.”
“Don’t play too much, Nyarlathotep.”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a regular visitor.
I know.”
“If we let her go, even you’ll have trouble finding someone else.”

The Crawling Chaos has come……
The King of Tindalos has left me behind.
I’m alone with the Crawling Chaos.
Oh, scary scary.
Well, I guess in this game I don’t need to be too wary.

“Nyarlathotep.
I’m the keeper of this castle.
I am also the mediator of the gods.”
“Anastasia Atropos Nemeseia.”
“Good.
Then follow me.”

There’s nothing much going on, until we arrive in front of a large door.

“Oh, my God (Ahe dea).
Moa pia she les.
Goddess Stellura (Ia Ia Stellura).”

Is Nyarlathotep praying towards the door? Or should I say it’s a call….
Anyway, it’s in the ancient divine language.
Unfortunately, I still don’t understand the meaning of the middle part.

After finishing, the door ponderously swings open.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine here, but please don’t be rude.”

Continuing on is a little unsettling, but it is also true that I have no choice but to go.

As I pass through the big door, I lose control of my body again, and an event occurs.
The feeling of the ground under my feet has changed from hard to soft.
I proceed a little further, but nothing appears on the 3D map.
After a few more steps, the map suddenly changes.
I think I’ve been transferred but….uh….What’s this?

Rather than being attached to the wall….The walls themselves are iridescent spheres.
They completely surround me, and continue to separate from and attach to each other, while expanding and shrinking.
Exactly like the Cthulhu mythos describes.
An indescribable, intangible creature.

The space in front of me blurred, and an iridescent sphere appeared in the air, emitting an intense light.
This sphere is changing shape more rapidly than the others in the surroundings.
The sphere stops its erratic movement and begins to form a meaningful shape.

The form is a woman looking about 18 years old, with grey hair and iridescent eyes.
Her features are exactly as described in the book.
Oh, I’ve regained control of my body.

“Welcome.
Qualified Outsider.”
“It is an honour to meet you.
Stellura-sama.”

When I raised my head after my greeting I found a table and chairs had been prepared.
The ones here are making full use of transferral….best get used to it.
I follow Stellura-sama’s instructions and sit down quietly.

“Now that you are here, are you ready?”
“Yes, I am.
I’m just worried about the Nether….”

“Hmm…..I don’t want to leave it alone either, but it will depend on your evolution.”

When Stellura-sama lightly waves her hand my UI appears.

“Choose as you wish.
It will affect how you evolve.
Decide before the time comes.”

What…

The three pillars are displayed.
Creall-sama is missing.
Well, this one is Stellura-sama…..

These are…Stellura-sama’s ‘faces’.
Hmm….
That’s a difficult one.
Let’s think about it for a moment.
“Before the time comes” should mean before the level 40 evolution.
Maybe.
Even if you were to choose someone other than Stellura-sama, you would still have to choose from one of the ‘faces’.
Back to Stellura-sama….This is on hold.

“They may not look like it, but they’re good kids.
If you’re going to be one of them, make sure you get along.
You’ll be friends with them for a long time.”
“You get used to their appearance.
I think it will be okay.”

Rather, I find it quite exciting.
It’s a three-dimensional mythical creature.
Regardless of the setting, the appearance is mostly based on the original work.

“But that equipment is not enough to come here.
Sit down so that you don’t touch the floor.”

I don’t know why, but I’ll do as instructed.
As soon as Stellura-sama turns her hand towards me, all the rarity Go equipment is removed, becoming a ball of light gathered in Stellura-sama’s palm.

“Don’t put your feet on my true body.
Your cells will die.”
“Oh, yes.”

So that’s it? Speaking of which, corrosion, atrophy, swelling, exposed bones and the like would be caused just by touching it.
I could walk normally because of the protection of my equipment.
It’s a game of death, and you have to escape without dying.
I’d say don’t get involved in the first place, but if you don’t then the game won’t start

After a little while the ball of light returns to me and my equipment is restored to its original state.

“That’s fine.
I’m counting on you.”

With that said Stellura-sama stood up, so I stood too, and bowed to her.
And then I was outside the gate.

<“Title: Stellura’s Blessing” has been enhanced.>

Nyar-sama’s not here.
Oh, they’re transferring.

“Huh? It seems she likes you.
But you’re still an outsider.
You’re welcome to join us.
Become strong.”

After saying so they just started walking, so I will follow.
If I get left behind, I’ll be lost.
Unfortunately, Nyarlathotep is the type who will leave you behind if you don’t follow.
In the source lore, they are the type of being who would rather drive people crazy and mock them than kill them.

“At the very least, you should be strong enough to defend yourself.
Not outside, of course, but in here.”

And then, Nyar-sama kicked something that had just moved beside me.
The aftermath of the kick nearly killed me.
Don’t die, don’t die.
Hang in there, auto-heal.

“It’s all well and good to be curious, but don’t be in such a hurry.”

Thinking about it, Nyar-sama was also a guardian of Dreamland…..If I ever come here, I’ll call King Woofwoof right away.
It’s not a life-threatening thing, but I’m probably going to be surrounded by the other dogs.
I’d rather die than get involved in a fight.
The thing that was kicked away was left alone, and we proceeded on for a while longer.
King Woofwoof was waiting.

“You’re back.
Looks like you made it through safely.”
“Then, King of Tindalos, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Got it.”

Just like when I arrived, I will follow the King of Tindalos again.
Farewell, Nyar-sama.

It has occurred to me that, basically, people here don’t ‘walk’ …Or maybe not people as such…..but still, I don’t see them doing so.
I see people standing around talking, but I don’t see them moving around busily.
They transfer around…or fly.

But Stellura-sama’s question is bugging me.
There’s more than one good choice.
Should I arrange them by what seems strongest? But that feels like a trap to me….
It would be better to have a reason to choose one.
You can never know what the management here will do.

“What are you worried about?”
“I was asked…’Who do you believe in and what do you value?’ “
“I see.
But it’s Stellura-sama, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.
That part is fine, but….”
“Oh, the ‘face’ you believe in? You’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Otherwise it’s meaningless.
Choose what you think is really important.”

Hmmm…..I think it’s all important to be honest…..
Life, Death, Space-Time, Fate, Contract, Condemnation.
In fact, it’s like a Japanese question.
Can you write a sentence using the above words….?

While I am walking and thinking, we have exited the old castle.
And now I am surrounded by dogs.
What happened to the dignity of a hound? At the moment they’re just acting like ugly looking dogs.
All right, all right.
Mmm, that feels strange to touch….
Why are you guys lining up?
The one I was petting smoothly moved away, and the next one in line smoothly moved forward.
…They’re waiting to be petted?

“Good grief….We’re not even compatriots yet.”

The king is a grandfather figure….
Well, there aren’t many of them, so it’s okay……

I pet each one of them moderately.
It was a strange feeling, like slime.
They broke up as if they were satisfied.
Oh, here’s one coming from behind…..

“Tekeli li.
Li li….”

A slightly different iridescence from Stellura-sama’s.
A much darker iridescent sphere.
It’s a bit like slime, but it’s definitely different from the image that comes to mind.
The surface is bubbling, closing and opening as if countless eyes were blinking.
It’s quite a gross slime.
Stellura-sama is a collection of innumerable spheres, with a beautiful iridescent colour.
This slime is a blackish iridescent sphere.

One of its tentacles extends and stops in front of me.
Specifically, it is at waist height.
When I grasp it, it shakes my hand lightly, and the tentacle retracts.
Well, it’s a handshake.

“Tekeli-li~”

It seems to be in such a good mood that there is almost a musical note to it.
It’s gone now, though.

“….Shoggoth?”
“That’s right.
Don’t worry too much about it.”

Aside from it’s outside appearance, it seems pretty cute.
Aside from the appearance.
By the way, it’s about five meters in size, so it’s pretty big.
Well, it’s not something you would want to see on the surface.
It would make children cry.

“Then King, I’ll leave for now.
Please teach me more of the ancient language later.”
“Yes.
Don’t forget we’re looking forward to it.”
“I’ll try to meet your expectations as soon as possible.”
“We’ll see you soon, qualified one.”

Using the Silver Key I fly back to the central square of the Starting Town.

I have come to the statue in the central square…..
Yes, there are people walking around!
Now, let’s check some things.
First of all, my equipment is…..unchanged.
The Abyss has been added as a destination for the Silver Key.
The blessing is still a blessing, but improved.
If I want to strengthen it further, I might have to evolve.
And the rest would be the titles.

Encounter with the Goddess.
　A commemorative title given to those who meet the Goddess.
　While a commemorative title, there are hidden effects, so be careful.

Stellura’s Blessing
　Increases resistance to light and dark magic.
Reduces the cost of light and dark magic.
　Enhances spatial magic.
Provides a bonus to spatial magic experience.
Reduces cost of spatial magic.
　Increases healing effect.
Increases resistance to instant death.

The blessing has been strengthened considerably, from just cost reduction.
I don’t know the value, but it seems to be an enhancement of the ability corresponding to each face.
From top to bottom, I think they are light and dark, space-time and fate, life and death.
Contracts and condemnations are probably not possible in terms of status…..

Now, it seems that I can evolve by raising my base level by 4 more, but….for some reason, I think it will be after the official event after all.

“Oh! There’s a really cute girl!”
“Seriously, we should invite her!”

That’s right, now that I’m in the Starting Town, shall I ask Ertz-san to process the magic iron?

“Hmm.
Miss, would you like to play with us?”

I can sell the lytium, which is apparently light iron, that came from the dungeon.
I’m sure Ske-san and Alf-san brought it in yesterday.
I can make attribute metal during the magic iron processing and sell it when I come to receive the iron.

The number of summons for the official event is limited to one, but it’s not enough when considering wyverns and lizardines.
Even if you send them out, they’ll be a target due to their size.
As a result, the wolf is better.
Then the capacity is enough.

“You’re being ignored.”
“That’s not true, senorita!”

In the end I’ll just have to strengthen myself.
«Spatial Awareness Ability Expansion», which is definitely needed in my daily activities and free-for-all.
And there is the «Ancient Divine Linguistics», which will have some effect for the Book of Eibon.
The latter should be maxed out before the event.
The former I want to get as high as I can before the event.

“Wait, you’re being too persistent!”

I’ll sell attribute metal and hunt once I receive the magic iron.
On weekdays, it is going to take time to raise «Ancient Divine Linguistics», so it’s best to hunt on weekends.
If that’s the case, I’ll go to sell it immediately.

“Oh, Princess is being picked up, degozaru!”
“Good day, Musasabi-san.
You were doing pickup?”
“….Huh?”

Musasabi-san is looking at a man who is squirming about with pity, what happened?

“Oh, by the way, congratulations on getting south.
How was it?”
“Hmm…..we haven’t left the port town yet, degozaruna.”
“Oh, you haven’t explored yet?”
“The town itself didn’t look much different, degozaruna.
You were in a dungeon, weren’t you? Was it fun, degozaru?”
“Yes, it was quite hard.”
“Muu.
I’m torn between the south and the dungeon, degozaruka.”
“I’ve already got a pretty good idea of what I’m going to do until the official event….”
“Well planned, degozaruna.
Then I’ll stop disturbing you, degozaru.”

I part with Musasabi-san, sell lytium for 500 per unit at Ertz-san’s shop, leave the magic iron with him and then fly back to the palace.
I make 11 pieces of metal of all attributes, and go to Ertz-san’s shop again.
He buys them at the usual price, and then it is off to replenish magic stones at the Merchant Union.
My savings have increased to 9 million.
That’s good.

Now, time for some hunting and then have dinner.
After that, I will craft until bed.
I’ll have to think about Stellura-sama’s question, but I’ll be realistic about that.
I wish I could use all of them in one sentence.

Well, I’ve done what I had to do, so off to go level up.