Raven's POV.
I sat alone on a wooden bench in the garden. A towel rested over my head, covering most of my face. My clothes were completely soaked with sweat, clinging to my skin after hours of training.
My breathing was still heavy. But even as my body tried to recover, my mind refused to rest. I kept my head lowered, staring at the ground between my boots.
The sun had already risen. The orphanage was beginning to wake. Soon, the others would be eating breakfast, talking, laughing, and starting another ordinary day.
But I had been here since the night before. Training. Thinking. Trying to convince myself that what Morrivayne had told me was impossible. Yet one sentence continued to repeat itself inside my head.
"Your dreams aren't really dreams."
Again. And again.
I closed my eyes. Two days ago…I remembered that conversation perfectly.
__
"What do you mean my dreams aren't dreams?"
I had stared at Morrivayne in confusion. She had been unusually serious. she finally spoke.
" I'll explain everything from the beginning." Morrivayne had crossed her arms and looked at me. "Do you remember your last conversation with the Goddess of Final Judgment?"
My jaw tightened. Of course I remembered. There were some things I could never forget.
"To punish you, she placed a system on you. A system specifically designed to make you suffer."
"It gives you a life. You live for a short period of time… and then you die. Usually violently. Usually painfully. And after that, it begins again like circle."
My fingers had curled into fists. I knew that much already. Too many lives. Too many deaths.
Morrivayne continued. "However, this life is different. You survived." Her eyes narrowed.
"You were supposed to die. Instead, you continued living. You grew older. You lived far longer than the system expected. So the system couldn't allow that. It needed another way to continue its function."
Morrivayne's voice became quieter. "And it found one…Through sleep. When you sleep, you're at your weakest. Your body becomes defenseless. Your consciousness retreats."
She paused. "…And that is when the system forces your soul out of your body. Your soul leaves this world and travels to another."
My eyes had widened. "Another world?"
She nodded. " Another world. Another body. Another life. And Another death, you live in misery and die a gruesome death."
She sighed.
"In short, the system will always find a loophole. No matter how long you resist it. No matter how strong you become. It will find another way to continue what the Goddess intended."
I had been silent for a long time. Trying to process it. Then something didn't make sense.
"No. That's impossible." I shook my head. "The dream I had two nights ago…I felt like I lived there for years." I looked at her. "Years, Morrivayne. I remember things that happened. People I met. Places I went. Things I felt."
My hands tightened. "But when I woke up, only a few hours had passed."
Morrivayne didn't look surprised. "Because time doesn't mean much when you're dealing with a goddess."
She leaned against the wall. "Your soul can spend decades outside your body. Centuries, even. And when you return? Only minutes or hours may have passed here."
I stared at her. " Are you sure about what you're saying?"
Morrivayne hesitated. "I wasn't at first." Her expression darkened. "Do you remember some time ago when you woke up and said your body was burning from the inside?"
I remembered. I hadn't understood it then.
"At that moment, I started to suspect something." She looked at me seriously. "But after what happened recently… I'm certain."
I laughed. the kind of laugh that escaped when reality became too absurd to accept. "So let me understand this. Every time I sleep…My soul will leaves my body. It will travels to another world. I live another life." My fingers tightened. "And then I suffer. And die."
I leaned back and stared at the sky. "That's great." My smile was bitter. "That's really fucking great." I rubbed my face. "Now even sleeping is torture."
Then another thought occurred to me. I looked at Morrivayne. "What about you?"
She tilted her head.
"What about me?"
"What happens to you when I sleep and my soul leaves my body?"
Her expression became slightly softer. "My soul is connected to yours." She paused. "So I go with you."
I stared at her. "Meaning…When I sleep, my soul leaves this body…And my body stays here. alone and defenseless." I slowly clenched my fist.
Morrivayne nodded. "without any protection."
—
I opened my eyes. The garden returned. The morning sun was already high enough to warm my skin. I sat motionless on the bench. The towel was still over my head. My breathing had finally slowed. But my thoughts had not.
If Morrivayne was right, then every time I slept, I was leaving my body behind. That was the part that bothered me most.
Anyone could find me. Anyone could attack me. Anyone could kill me. And I wouldn't even be there to defend myself.
I had survived monsters. Dungeons. Black Gates. Dreadmaw. Malvias. Things that should have killed me countless times.
Yet now…Apparently, the most dangerous thing I could do was close my eyes. I exhaled slowly.
"Wonderful."
I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. Soft. Careful. I didn't raise my head. I already knew who it was. A gentle voice came from behind me. Sister Celestia.
"Good morning, Raven. I'm sorry to interrupt your training, but breakfast is ready. Everyone is eating already, so… I thought we could go together."
I didn't move I didn't even looked at her. I kept the towel over my head. "I'm not hungry." My voice came out cold. "You can go."
I knew sister Celestia had nothing to do with any of this. She hadn't done anything wrong. She was simply trying to be kind. But right now, I was angry. Angry at the Goddess. Angry at the system. And, most of all, angry because there was nothing I could do about it.
I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want to talk. I just wanted to be alone.
But sister Celestia didn't leave. I heard her take several more steps toward me. Her voice became worried.
"Mother Mary said you've been training here since last night. Are you alright?" A brief pause. "I know I'm new here, and we don't really know each other very well yet…" Her voice was gentle. "But you can talk to me if something is bothering you."
I clenched my teeth. I just want to be alone. I reached up and pulled the towel from my head. Then I stood. I didn't look at sister Celestia.
"Thank you." I walked past her. "But I'm fine."
I could feel her watching me. Probably confused. Probably worried. But I didn't stop. I don't have the energy to deal with anyone right now.
I walked back toward the orphanage without looking behind me. And there was one thought I couldn't escape.
then every time I closed my eyes…I will wake up somewhere else. In another body. In another world. Living another life. Only to die again. And the worst part? I had no idea when the system would decide to take me next.
I couldn't stay in the orphanage for another minute. The sound of children laughing should have been comforting. But today…I couldn't stand it. I felt as if something inside me was about to explode.
So I left. I didn't say goodbye to anyone. I simply walked out of the orphanage as quickly as I could.
I wandered through the streets of Aurelia without any destination. I didn't know how long I had been walking. An hour? Perhaps longer.
I wasn't paying attention. Normally, I would notice everything. Today, it was nothing but noise. My head remained lowered as I walked. My thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
How long until it happens again? Tonight? Tomorrow? Weeks from now? I didn't know. And not knowing was driving me insane.
I turned down another street without even realizing where I was going. Then—I collided with someone. I barely reacted.
"I'm sorry."
I didn't even raise my head. I simply continued walking. But a hand suddenly caught my wrist. I stopped. Slowly, I turned around. Elise. She was staring at me with concern.
"Raven?" I said nothing. Her brows furrowed. " are you okay. What wrong? You don't look well."
I stared at her. I didn't have the energy to answer.
"Raven?" She stepped closer. "Are you listening to me?"
I continued staring at her without saying a word. All I wanted was somewhere quiet. Somewhere without people. Somewhere I could think.
Elise seemed to understand that I wasn't going to explain anything here. She gently took my hand. "Come with me. Let's go somewhere quiet."
I didn't resist. We were standing in the middle of a busy street. People were moving around us, and several were already looking at us strangely. I followed Elise.
We walked for several minutes without speaking. Eventually, the noise of the city faded behind us. We reached the river that ran along the outskirts of Aurelia. The water moved slowly beneath the sunlight, reflecting the sky in broken pieces. It was peaceful. Exactly what I needed.
Elise pointed toward a wooden bench near the riverbank. "Sit down for a moment."
I sat without arguing. My eyes settled on the water. she finally broke the silence. "What's going on with you, Raven?"
"Nothing."
She stared at me.
"Nothing?"
"I'm just little bit tired." That was the easiest answer. And the least convincing one.
Elise crossed her arms. "If you're tired, why didn't you stay home and rest? You've been walking around the city looking half-dead, with your head lowered the entire time." She tilted her head. "Where were you even going?"
"To see my master."
Her eyebrow rose. "Your master's house is behind you."
I finally looked at her. A small smile appeared on my face. It didn't reach my eyes. "I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize I'd lost my way."
Elise stared at me for several seconds. Then she sighed. "You're really strange."
I looked back at the river. She sat beside me. her expression became serious. She reached over and took my hand.
"Raven. We've been friends for a long time, haven't we? You know you can talk to me." Her grip tightened slightly. "I'll always stand by you. Whatever happens."
She looked directly into my eyes. "If something is troubling you, I'll listen." Her voice softened. "And if you need help, I'll help you."
I stared at her hand around mine. There was no suspicion in her expression. No hidden demand. Just genuine concern. That somehow made me feel worse.
I gently pulled my hand away. "I'm sorry for making you worry." I stood. "And thank you for being kind. But I have to go."
Elise looked up at me. "Wait. There was actually something else I wanted to talk to you about. I was planning to visit the orphanage one of these days to look for you." She smiled faintly. "But I guess we happened to meet by accident."
"What did you want to talk about?"
"I heard something a few days ago at the Hunter's Guild." She paused. "Apparently, your master Elyra, has been looking for powerful dungeons that aren't registered under any guild. Is that true?"
My eyes narrowed slightly. So Master Elyra had already started searching. I nodded. "I told my master that I wanted to train in stronger dungeons."
Elise smiled. "Then you're in luck." She leaned slightly closer. "There are some powerful dungeons outside the guilds' territory. During a joint mission with hunters from the Silver Fang Guild, they mentioned several Red Gates."
"Red Gates?"
"Yes." She nodded. "They aren't controlled by any guild because they're too far from the city." She paused. "And apparently, the guilds don't consider them much of a threat to their territories."
Strong monsters. Unregistered dungeons. Far from the city. Exactly what I needed.
"How far?"
Elise considered it. "If we travel by horse…" She looked toward the distant horizon. "It would take an entire day."
I calculated the distance in my head. One day to get there. One day to return. And however long I spent inside the dungeon. three days at minimum.
I turned toward her. "Do you know exactly where they are?"
Elise smiled. "Of course." She looked rather pleased with herself. "I knew you were searching for strong dungeons, so I asked the hunters about their locations." She leaned back. "So?"
"So what?"
"Are you going?"
"Yes." My answer came immediately. "But not right away. I'm busy for the next few days."
"And who will you take with you?"
I looked at her. "I'll go alone."
"Alone?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Can you give me the location?"
Elise stared at me as if I had just said something ridiculous. Then she crossed her arms. "Did you forget one of the most important rules of the Hunter's Guild?"
I sighed. " I haven't forgotten. Never enter a dungeon alone."
"Exactly."
"I still want to go alone." I spoke calmly. "I'll be fine."
Elise stared at me. Then, without saying anything, she crossed one leg over the other. "No."
I blinked.
"No?"
"I won't tell you where the gates are."
I looked at her in disbelief.
"Elise."
"You're strong. I know that." Her expression became serious. "But being strong doesn't make entering an unknown dungeon alone safe." She pointed toward me. "Anything can happen inside."
I remained silent. I wanted to enter alone for a simple reason. If I was alone, I wouldn't need to hold back. I could use my abilities without worrying about someone seeing too much. I could fight however I wanted.
But Elise clearly wasn't going to give me the location. She suddenly smiled. "I'll tell you on one condition."
"What condition?"
"Take me with you."
I stared at her. She continued before I could answer. "I know I'm not strong." She shrugged. "I'm not exactly the type who can stand on the front lines against powerful monsters."
Her expression became more serious. "I am just a healer. But I still want to go with you." She looked directly at me. "I'll feel safer knowing you are not alone."
Then her smile faded slightly. "And if something happens to you inside…" She paused. "I can at least come back and tell the others."
I stared at her. She was serious. There was no joking in her expression. I looked back at the river.
What should I do? I really wanted to go alone. But if I refused, I'd lose the opportunity. And I needed stronger monsters. The monsters around the city's borders were too weak. I needed something stronger. Something capable of pushing me. Something that could actually make me fight seriously.
I sighed. "Fine. I'll take you with me. Now will you tell me where the gates are?"
"No." She stood up. "I'm not telling you yet."
"Elise."
"What if you go alone behind my back? I know you." She dusted off her clothes. "Tell me when you're free and ready to leave. Then I'll take you there myself."
I sighed. "You really don't trust me."
"I trust you." She smiled. "That's exactly why I'm worried." Elise turned toward the city. "I have to return to the guild." She waved. "See you later, Raven." She walked away.
I remained seated. The sound of her footsteps gradually disappeared. The river continued flowing in front of me. The city was distant now. I stared at the water.
If my soul was being forced into other worlds…If the system was going to keep finding ways to torture me…Then I needed to become stronger.
And there was something else I needed. The manuscripts. I had to find them before the system—or whatever else was waiting for me—could take another step.
I lowered my gaze. My fingers slowly tightened. "I need to find the manuscripts…" My voice was barely a whisper. "…quickly."
The river gave me no answer. Only the sound of flowing water remained. I left the riverbank and headed toward the city gates. Kara and Princess Lyria were already waiting for me there.
Yesterday, I had obtained the king's permission for Princess to accompany me into a dungeon. It hadn't been difficult to convince him. After everything that had happened recently, he already knew I wasn't going to throw his daughter into danger without a reason.
Morrivayne had been unusually quiet throughout the entire day. Until now.
"Riven." Her voice suddenly broke the silence inside my mind. "You know that no matter howmuch you train, it won't be enough. Because the thing becoming stronger is your body. Not your soul. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
Of course I did. I understood perfectly. all the strength I had accumulated in this life would remain behind whenever the system dragged my soul into another world.
None of it would matter if I woke up in another body. I would once again be nothing more than an ordinary human. Weak. Vulnerable. Easy to kill.
"Yes." My voice was calm. "I know."
"Without the abilities of this body, you'd be as weak as any ordinary human when your soul is transferred."
"Yes." I looked toward the distant city gates. "But there has to be a way.A way to strengthen my soul too. And if such a method exists…" My eyes hardened. "I'll find it. No matter what it cost."
Morrivayne remained silent for a while. Long enough that I knew she was thinking carefully about what to say next. Finally—
"Riven…" Her voice was more serious than before. "I'm going to tell you something, but don't get your hopes up."
"What is it?"
"There are several ways to strengthen a soul."
I stopped walking. "What did you say?"
Morrivayne sighed. "As I said, don't get your hopes up…In my world, there were forbidden books that spoke about strengthening the soul. I don't know whether those books exist in this world. But I know the subject wasn't merely theoretical."
I slowly resumed walking. "You know a method , or the spell."
"I know one." Her answer came quietly. "I used one myself."
"What did you do?"
"I was trying to preserve my power and save my soul." She paused. I used almost all of my strength during the process. But I didn't lose my power. I'm simply recovering it very slowly."
I looked down at my hand. "So you do know how to strengthen a soul."
"Yes."
"Then tell me."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I won't let you do what I did. My way was dangerous." She spoke slowly. "And wrong."
"And yet you did it. If it was so dangerous, why did you use it?"
Her answer came coldly. "Because I was dying. I was on the edge of death." Her voice became darker. "It was the last spell I could think of using. I had no other choice."
"What did you do? What was the spell?"
For several seconds, Morrivayne didn't answer. "I made a pact with a demon. I offered it a portion of my soul…" She paused. "In exchange for a portion of its own."
I stared at the road ahead. "So you fused your soul with a demon's?"
"Something like that." Her voice was bitter. "It saved my soul. It preserved my power. Saved my soul from perishing." She sighed. "But I would never recommend doing it yourself."
I said quietly, "I don't mind. If selling my soul to a devil would makes me one step closer to defeating that damned goddess…" I clenched my fist. "Then I don't fucking care."
"Yeah, no." Her response came instantly. "Absolutely not I'm not letting you do that."
"Why?"
"Because it would hurt me too. Our souls are connected, remember? She sounded irritated. "Whatever happens to your soul can affect mine. So we're finding another way."
I resumed walking. "You're a powerful witch. Don't you know another spell?"
"No. I never thought I'd need soul magic. I knew there were many methods, but I never studied them deeply." She sighed. "Most of them aren't dangerous. There are safer methods."
I remained silent. A thought kept circling in my mind. So a demon pact really could make me stronger. It was dangerous. Morrivayne had made that very clear. But dangerous had never exactly been a reason for me to stop.
I finally spoke. "Tell me more about the soul spell you used."
Morrivayne immediately became suspicious. "Why do you want to know?"
I shrugged. "No particular reason." I smiled faintly. "Curiosity."
"Curiosity?…Do you think I'm stupid? I know what's going through your head." Her voice became sharper. "I know You're looking for power. But that method is dangerous."
She paused. "It doesn't just make you stronger." Her voice lowered. "It kills a part of your humanity. It changes you. Completely…. We'll find another way."
I didn't respond. I wasn't convinced. After a few moments, she spoke again.
"Now…" Her voice became lighter. "Put that fake smile on your face like you always do. We've arrived."
I looked ahead. The city gates were just a short distance away. Kara and princess were waiting there.
I sighed. "You're annoying."
"And you're predictable."
I ignored her. I took a deep breath. Then I forced my expression to soften. A small smile appeared on my face. I approached the two of them.
"I'm really sorry I'm late."
Princess Lyria immediately smiled. "It's alright. You weren't late by much."
Kara crossed her arms. "You were very late." She grinned. "We thought you weren't coming."
Princess Lyria immediately hit her shoulder.
"Kara."
"What?"
"I'm really sorry." I glanced between them. "I ran into Elise on the way here. We talked for a while, and I didn't realize how much time had passed."
Princess Lyria smiled gently. "As I said, it's alright." She gestured toward the road. "Stop apologizing. and We're ready to leave."
I looked at her. She was practically glowing with excitement. "You seem very excited about today's training."
Princess's eyes brightened. "Very!" She immediately drew the sword I had given her. "For the first time, I'm going to fight real monsters. And I'm finally entering a dungeon."
She looked down at the sword in her hand. "And I can't wait to use the sword you gave me."
I reached toward it. "No." I gently took the sword from her hand. "You won't use this sword today." I handed her an ordinary sword instead. "Use this one."
Her eyes widened. "What?" She stared at the weapon in confusion. "But why?"
I rested her enchanted sword against my waist. "Because your sword doubles the force of your strikes. If you use it during training, you won't know how strong you actually are. And I don't want you becoming too dependent on its power."
Princess Lyria pouted. "I know You have a point…" She looked disappointed. "But I really wanted to fight with that sword."
I smiled. "You can use it after you've completed your training in real combat."
Her expression immediately brightened.
I looked toward the road leading away from the city. "Alright." I adjusted my sword at my waist. "Let's go."
The journey to the dungeon wasn't particularly long. Only fifteen minutes. Soon, the trees thinned, and the landscape opened into a rocky clearing. At the far end stood the entrance to the dungeon.
A yellow Gate shimmered in the air, its surface rippling like liquid gold. I stopped a few steps away from it and turned toward the two girls.
"Are you ready to go in?"
Kara nodded immediately. Princess Lyria took a breath. "Yes. I'm ready."
She was nervous. It was subtle, but I could see it. Her fingers were wrapped tightly around the sword at her waist.
She had been excited when we left the city. Now that we were standing in front of an actual Gate, the reality was finally sinking in.
This wasn't a training yard. There would be no wooden swords. No stopping the fight when someone made a mistake. Inside that Gate were monsters that would actually try to kill her.
"Then let's go."
The three of us stepped through together. The moment we crossed the Gate, the world changed. The warm sunlight disappeared. We found ourselves inside a massive cavern.
Dark stone walls stretched high above us, disappearing into shadows. The ground was uneven, covered with rocks and patches of damp moss and mana stones. At the far end of the cavern was a narrow entrance leading deeper into the dungeon.
Princess Lyria slowly turned in place. Her eyes widened. "So…" She looked around in amazement. "This is what a dungeon looks like from the inside."
"Most of them." I looked toward the tunnel. "They usually take the form of caves, caverns, or underground labyrinths. There are also dungeons that resemble open worlds. Forests, plains, even entire environments."
Princess's eyes sparkled. "That's incredible." She turned toward Kara. "Hey, Kara. Have you ever entered a dungeon before, or is this your first time too?"
Kara laughed. "I've been inside plenty. I was a hunter before becoming a knight." Kara shrugged. "I didn't stay in the profession for very long, though. It was only a short period of my life."
Princess Lyria stared at her. "I never knew you used to be a hunter."
Kara smiled. "I never told anyone." She glanced toward me. "And apparently, some secrets survive longer than others."
I ignored her.
"Let's move."
We entered the tunnel. The passage stretched far into darkness. Our footsteps echoed against the stone. For several minutes, we walked without encountering anything.
Then the tunnel suddenly opened. A massive chamber spread before us. There were several entrances leading into it from different directions.
I stopped in the center. Kara noticed immediately. "What is it?"
"They're coming."
A few seconds later—Footsteps echoed through the tunnels. Then another. And another. Figures began emerging from several entrances. Large creatures with muscular bodies, greenish skin, crude armor, and heavy weapons.
Orcs.
Several of them stepped into the chamber. I turned toward princess Lyria. "Are you ready to fight?"
I pointed toward the approaching creatures. "Those are orcs. They're strong, but they're not particularly fast. Use that to your advantage."
Princess Lyria slowly drew her sword. She looked at the group of monsters. Then at me. "Am I supposed to fight all of them…alone?"
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"But not all at once." I raised my hand. "I'm going to separate them."
A transparent barrier suddenly spread across the chamber, forming a large circular wall around us. The orcs outside immediately began shouting.
One of them charged toward the barrier and slammed its weapon against it. The shield didn't even move.
I looked at princess . "You'll fight them one at a time. We won't interfere." My voice became serious. "This is your fight. And remember—this isn't practice anymore."
Lyria's expression hardened.
I looked at the orc inside the barrier. "Watch its movements carefully before attacking. And don't give it an opportunity to attack you."
Princess Lyria nodded. "Understood." She began walking toward the monster. Slowly. Carefully.
Kara moved closer to me. "Are you really going to let her fight alone?"
I didn't look away from princess . "She'll be fine. They aren't strong enough to seriously threaten her." I paused. "But if anything goes wrong…I'll intervene immediately."
Kara nodded reluctantly.
"Alright."
Inside the barrier, the orc suddenly let out a deafening roar. It charged. Its weapon—a large curved blade resembling a sickle—was raised above its head.
Princess's eyes widened. The orc swung directly toward her head. She blocked. The impact forced her backward several steps. The orc immediately attacked again.
Princess raised her sword. Again. And again. She couldn't find an opening. Every time she tried to attack, the orc immediately pressured her. She was defending. Nothing more.
The battle continued. The orc was stronger than her physically. But princess Lyria was faster. She simply wasn't using that advantage.
Then—The blade caught her arm. A shallow cut appeared. Kara tried to intervene, but I stopped her.
I spoke calmly. "Don't rush . Watch its movements."
Princess Lyria stepped back. She looked toward me.
I continued. "Learn its fighting style. Then find an opening and attack."
She nodded. She took a deep breath. Her grip tightened around the sword. Her expression changed. The nervousness disappeared. Her eyes became focused.
The orc charged again. This time, princess Lyria moved. She stepped aside. The blade passed beside her. The orc turned. It attacked again. She blocked. Then dodged.
For several minutes, she didn't attack once. She simply watched. Learned. Adapted.
I could see it happening. She was beginning to understand the creature's rhythm. Then the orc made a mistake. It raised both arms above its head. The weapon was positioned for a powerful downward strike.
Princess Lyria moved. She gripped her sword with both hands and rushed forward. She ducked beneath the raised arms. Her sword swept across the monster's side.
SLASH.
A long but shallow wound opened across its body.
Princess landed behind it. For a moment, she simply stared. A huge smile appeared on her face.
"I did it!"
"Don't celebrate yet. and Don't think you've won just because you wounded it once.."
The orc turned. And immediately charged at her from behind.
I pointed behind her and said. " Princess Do not let your attention wander from the battle until one of you dies and the fighting ends."
She spun around at the last possible moment.
CLANG!
She blocked the attack. The force sent her backward. But she recovered quickly. The orc attacked. She blocked again, And then—She attacked. Her sword flashed toward its side again.
The orc reacted and raised its weapon. At the last second, she changed the direction of her blade. Instead of striking its body…She aimed for its neck. The orc was too slow. Its head flew into the air. The body collapsed.
Princess Lyria stood frozen for a second. Then Kara shouted from behind me. "Well done, Lyria!. I'm proud of you!"
Princess's face immediately lit up. "I did it!" She ran toward Kara. "I actually did it!" She threw her arms around Kara. Kara laughed and hugged her back.
Then Princess Lyria turned toward me. She ran over. I immediately stopped her.
"Don't come closer."
She stopped. Her eyes widened. Then she laughed. "Don't worry! I'm not going to do anything…At least not right now." She smiled innocently. "I just wanted to hug you."
I stared at her. "I don't trust those words."
Kara burst out laughing. Princess Lyria pouted.
"Still…" I looked at the dead orc. "Congratulations. You've killed your first monster." I paused. "But we're not finished. You'll kill every monster in this dungeon."
Her eyes widened. "Every monster?" She looked toward the dark tunnels. "Alone?"
I nodded.
She stared at me for several seconds. Then sighed. "I have a feeling we're going to spend the entire day inside this dungeon."
And we did.
The second fight was easier. Princess Lyria had learned from the first battle. She dodged faster. Blocked more efficiently. And, most importantly, she stopped wasting energy.
After every fight, I gave her ten minutes to rest. Each time, she improved. At first, she needed several minutes to understand each monster. Later, she needed only seconds.
Her movements became cleaner. Her footwork improved. Her sword strikes became more precise.
And when she reached her limit, I transferred a small amount of mana into her. Enough to restore her strength. When she was injured, I healed her wounds. Then I sent her back.
Again. And again. Hours passed. The dungeon gradually became quieter. One monster after another fell.
Princess's arms trembled. Her breathing became heavier. Her clothes were covered in dirt and small traces of blood. But she never asked to stop. Even when she could barely lift her sword, she kept moving.
Eventually, we reached the deepest chamber. The boss was waiting there. I looked at princess. She was exhausted. The boss was also far stronger than the monsters she had fought.
"This one isn't yours. You've done enough today." I turned toward Kara. She understood immediately.
"Got it." Kara stepped forward. The battle didn't last long. The boss was strong, but Kara was far beyond princess's current level. Soon, the Boss fell. With that, we left the dungeon.
When we stepped through the Gate again, night had already fallen.
Princess Lyria stopped outside. She looked up at the stars. Then at the dark entrance behind us.
"I can't believe it. We spent the entire day inside the dungeon."
Kara laughed. "You were the one who wanted real training."
Princess Lyria groaned. "I know. But I didn't know it would be this exhausting."
We returned to the city. I walked with them all the way to the palace.
By then, princess could barely hide her exhaustion. Her steps were slower. Her shoulders had dropped. But there was something else in her eyes. Pride. She had fought real monsters. And she had won.
When we reached the palace gates, I stopped. "You fought better than I expected."
Princess miled tiredly.
"You'll rest tomorrow. The day after tomorrow… We're going back into a another dungeon."
I knew how cruel this training was. I knew how exhausted she was. But if I wanted her to become stronger, I couldn't keep protecting her from every hardship. She had to learn how to survive them.
"Rest well, and I will see you in two days."
I watched her disappear into the palace with Kara. Only after they were gone did I turn away. The night air was cold against my skin.
I started walking. I took the long way home. I didn't want to meet anyone.
The streets of Aurelia were quiet, with most of the shops already closed and the mana stones casting pale pools of light across the roads.
I walked slowly, my hands tucked into my pockets, my thoughts wandering somewhere far beyond the streets beneath my feet. I didn't know how long it took me to reach the orphanage.
I pushed open the front door and stepped inside.
The living room was still occupied, though most of the younger children had already fallen asleep.
Mother Mary sat on the sofa, talking quietly with Sister Celestia. Rin and Lira were there too, along with a few older children who were doing their best to stay awake.
Mother Mary noticed me first. "Oh, Raven! You're back! Why are you so late? We finished dinner ages ago. I'll ask Polly to prepare something for you."
I offered her a tired smile. "There's no need. I'm not hungry."
"Not hungry?" Mother Mary frowned. "You must have eaten something today, surely?"
I didn't answer. She sighed and gestured toward the empty seat beside her. "Come and sit with us for a little while."
I said with a small smile, "I'm sorry, but I'm a little tired. I'm going to my room and get some rest. Good night, everyone."
Before anyone could say anything,I disappeared. I could hear nother Mary calling something after me, but I pretended not to hear.
I didn't want to answer questions. And I certainly didn't want anyone looking at me with concern. When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and went straight to the wardrobe. I pulled out a dark cloak and put it on.
Morrivayne's voice immediately sounded inside my head. "What are you doing? Don't tell me you're going out again."
I fastened the cloak. "Yes." There was a brief silence.
"Raven..."
I ignored her and raised my hand. Black mana gathered between my fingers, twisting and hardening until it formed a mask. I shaped it to cover my entire face, leaving only my eyes exposed.
The room vanished. A moment later, I appeared near the city's outer boundary. The night air brushed against my face. I stood still for a moment, looking toward the dark landscape beyond the walls.
This had become part of my daily routine.
After spending the day dealing with people, training, I would come here at night. I would hunt the monsters wandering near the city's borders. For hours.
By the time I finally returned to the orphanage, the streets were completely deserted. I slipped inside quietly. Everyone was asleep.
I went straight to my room, removed my bloodstained clothes, and took a quick bath. The warm water washed away the dirt, sweat, and blood, but it did nothing to ease the exhaustion weighing on my mind.
When I finished, I climbed the stairs to the roof. I sat near the edge, leaning back against the wall. For a while, I simply listened to the wind.
Morrivayne spoke. "What are you doing up here in this weather?"
I stared at the distant city lights. "Staying in my room makes me feel suffocated."
She sighed. "Raven, you need to rest. You haven't slept in three days." She continued, her voice growing sterner. "You've barely eaten anything, and you've been training like a madwoman. You need to give your body a chance to recover."
I lowered my eyes. "As if I could sleep." I clenched my hands. "The moment I close my eyes, I will wake up in another world."
The wind swept across the rooftop. "I don't even know when it's going to happen. Tonight? Tomorrow? A week from now?" My voice grew quieter. "So, no. I don't feel like sleeping."
Morrivayne remained silent for a moment. Then she spoke. "I understand how you feel. But you can't stay awake forever. Your body needs sleep. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll eventually collapse."
"Then I'll collapse." My answer was indifferent. " I don't care."
She sighed so deeply that I could almost imagine her rubbing her temples. "You're unbelievably stubborn. Would it kill you to listen to me just once?"
I ignored her. The sky was still dark, but the first hints of dawn were beginning to appear. I leaned my head against the wall. Then I remembered something.
I straightened. My hand moved toward empty space. I activated the Black Hole ability. A black book appeared out of nowhere.
"I completely forgot about this thing."
Morrivayne's voice sounded immediately. "Is that the book Malvias had?"
"Yes."
I turned the book over in my hands. The cover was old, its edges worn. Strange symbols had been carved into the black material, but I couldn't identify them.
"I'd been so occupied with everything that had happened that I'd completely forgotten to examine it."
I opened the book. The moment I did, a heavy, oppressive aura seeped from its pages. Dark mana curled around my fingers.
I began turning the pages. The book contained dozens of spells. Some were simple enough to understand at a glance. Others were far more complicated.
Concealment. A spell that concealed the user's presence, making them difficult to detect.
Heat Resistance. A spell that allowed the user to endure extreme temperatures.
Water Manipulation. The ability to control water, alter its flow, and transform it into ice or vapor.
There were also spells for manipulating waves, controlling air currents, generating storms, and altering atmospheric pressure. One even described how to use compressed air to achieve flight.
I raised an eyebrow. "This book has quite a collection."
Morrivayne sounded impressed. "It certainly does."
I continued reading. Then I found something far more disturbing.
Mental Domination. A spell that allowed the caster to invade another person's mind and compel them to obey commands.
I remembered what Malvias had done to princess Lyria. How he'd taken control of her body and forced her to turn her sword against me. "So this was how he did it."
I read the description carefully. The spell wasn't merely an illusion or a suggestion. It could suppress a person's will and force their body to obey the caster.
I turned another page. And stopped. Transformation. A spell that could alter the shape of a living creature.
This was the spell Malvias had used to transform humans into monsters. I turned the page. I wasn't going to waste time dwelling on him.
He was dead. But the knowledge he'd left behind could still be useful.
And then I found something that caught my attention far more than the other spells. The title was written in dark lettering.
Conceptual Erasure: Decay.
I began reading. The more I read, the wider my eyes became. The spell didn't simply destroy physical matter. It caused whatever it touched to decay into dust, including armor and other forms of protection.
Worse, it could erode magical effects, making ordinary defensive magic ineffective against it. The consequences were particularly terrifying when the spell affected living creatures. Wounds inflicted by it wouldn't bleed normally.
Instead, the affected tissue would begin to decay.
Ordinary healing magic couldn't simply restore what had been destroyed.
I slowly leaned back. "That's..." I looked at the page again with grin. "That's dangerous."
Morrivayne gave a quiet laugh. "You sound delighted."
"I'm evaluating its usefulness."
"Of course you are, little puppy."
I ignored her. This spell could be extremely useful against enemies who relied on powerful armor, magical barriers, or rapid regeneration.
Of course, a spell capable of eroding matter and magic would likely have serious limitations. I would need to understand its conditions and mana requirements before attempting to use it.
Still, it was worth studying.
I turned another page. And found something even more interesting. The title alone made me pause.
Retroactive Death-Curse Field.
I frowned. "What kind of ridiculous name is that?"
Morrivayne sounded curious. "Read it."
I did. According to the text, the spell transformed an opponent's strength into a potential weakness. Any damage the target inflicted upon the caster would trigger a retaliatory effect, causing part of that damage to be reflected back upon the attacker. The more aggressively the opponent fought, the greater the danger they faced.
But the spell came with a warning. Defeating its caster could require an enormous sacrifice. Depending on the difference in power between the combatants, the attempt could even result in the attacker's death.
I stared at the page. A slow grin spread across my face. "Now that's interesting."
She was floating around me. "You're enjoying this far too much."
"I've found two spells that could turn a losing battle into a winning one." I closed the book halfway. "And a few others that might save me considerable trouble."
I could already imagine how useful some of these abilities would be. With the right preparation, I could expand my arsenal considerably. I might even be able to accelerate my progress without relying entirely on dungeon battles.
Morrivayne let out a low whistle. "This is quite remarkable. Anyone with sufficient mana can apparently use these spells, provided they can understand and perform the required techniques."
She sounded genuinely intrigued. "That explains how Malvias was able to use so many different kinds of magic."
I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that normal?"
"No." Her response was immediate. "In my world, not everyone could use magic. And spells of this complexity were generally restricted to witches and those who had spent years studying them."
She paused. "A book that allows ordinary mana users to learn such techniques is unusual."
I looked down at the pages. "Then I suppose I was lucky to find it."
I turned another page. Then my smile disappeared. I frowned. The page was missing. It had been ripped out almost completely, leaving only a narrow strip of paper attached to the binding. I leaned closer. There were still a few words visible near the top.
Dimensional Magic: Opening Gates to Parallel Worlds.
For several seconds, I didn't move. Then I slowly read the title again. "Dimensional magic..." My fingers tightened around the book. "Opening gates to parallel worlds."
I looked at the torn page. "Why is this missing?" I turned the book over, checking the binding. There was no sign that the page had simply fallen out through age or wear.
Someone had deliberately removed it. And judging by the ragged edges, they hadn't been particularly careful. I flipped through the surrounding pages.
I clenched my teeth. "Why this one?" My voice came out colder than I'd intended. "Out of every spell in this book, why tear out the dimensional magic?"
I searched the remaining pages, hoping to find a reference or a description elsewhere. Nothing. I looked at the binding again.
"Was it Malvias?"
Perhaps he had removed it before I acquired the book. But why? Had he used it? Had he been afraid someone else would discover it?
Or had someone taken the page before the book reached his hands?
I had no answers. Only questions. And every question seemed to lead to another. I gripped the book so tightly that the leather creaked beneath my fingers.
"Damn it."
If the spell really could open gates to parallel worlds, it might have saved me an enormous amount of time.
just when I had found a possible lead... Someone had already taken it away. I exhaled through clenched teeth.
"Who tore it out?"
I continued reading beneath the faint light of the moon. The pages had grown thinner toward the end, and only a handful remained.
I turned another page. Then I froze. My eyes widened as I stared at the title written across the parchment. For several seconds, I didn't move. Then I abruptly rose to my feet.
Morrivayne, who had been floating beside me, turned toward me. "What happened? Why do you look so shocked?"
I stared at the page, unable to suppress the smile slowly spreading across my face. "I found it." I turned toward her, my voice carrying an excitement. "Morrivayne, I finally found it!"
She drifted closer, curiosity replacing her confusion. and she began reading the title aloud. "The Spiritual Forge. Transmute physical strength and reshape it within the soul." Morrivayne went completely silent. Then she slowly looked at me. "Raven..."
I grinned. "Yes. This is exactly what we've been talking about for the past two days."
She moved closer to inspect the words, her expression growing increasingly serious. "This is Exactly the spell you were searching for."
I looked back at the page. The words seemed almost unreal, as though someone had written them specifically to answer the question that had been tormenting me.
A method to strengthen my soul. A way to preserve my power even if I lost my body. A way to escape the endless cycle of starting from nothing. But as I stared at the spell, another thought gradually crept into my mind. Was this really a coincidence?
I glanced at Morrivayne. "Do you think this is merely a coincidence? Or am I finally getting lucky for once?"
Her expression changed immediately. cold seriousness that made the atmosphere around us feel heavier. "There is no such thing as coincidence," she said quietly.
I raised an eyebrow. "That's a rather dramatic thing to say."
"I'm serious, Raven." She looked at the book again. "I don't know how to explain it, but something about this is strange."
"First, you discover a book containing spells powerful enough to change the course of your life. Then you find a spell that addresses the exact problem we've been discussing."
"And someone deliberately removed the page about dimensional magic." Her eyes narrowed. "It's almost as if someone arranged everything in advance."
I didn't answer. I lowered my gaze to the page. Someone had removed the dimensional magic spell.Someone had known I would need this book. And now, hidden among its final pages, I had discovered the very spell I needed most.
I folded my arms. "Hey, Morrivayne. Do you remember The mysterious woman I told you about in Velmora?,
"Of course I remember her. What about her?"
"There is something I forgot to tell you."
Morrivayne turned toward me.
I took a breath before continuing. "She told me that she was the one who gave Malvias this book. Apparently, she wanted to make him stronger."
Morrivayne's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you neglected to mention this important detail?"
"I wasn't finished." I ignored her displeased expression and continued.
"I asked her why she hadn't helped Malvias when I fought him. After all, if she wanted him to become stronger, you would think she might have intervened when he was about to die."
"And what did she say?"
"She told me she didn't care about him. Malvias was nothing more than a tool. She said she wanted me to grow stronger, and that Malvias was merely a means to that end."
Morrivayne said nothing. I continued. "Then she told me something even stranger. According to her, this book was never meant for Malvias."
I lifted the book slightly. "It was meant for me. She claimed she gave it to Malvias because she knew I would take it after defeating him. She even said I would need it in the future."
Morrivayne simply stared at me. Then she slowly drifted closer Until she was right in front of my face. "Why didn't you tell me this from the beginning?" Her voice was sharper now. "Raven, do you have any idea how important that information is?."
"Someone gave an enemy a book specifically because they expected you to defeat him and take it. And that same person apparently knew you would need something contained within it." She paused, her eyes fixed on mine. "Why did you keep this from me?"
I gave her a calm look. "I didn't keep it from you."
"Then why am I only hearing about it now?"
"Because I thought she was lying. At the time, I had no reason to believe her. She was a mysterious witch who seemed to know far more about me than she should. Naturally, I assumed she was trying to manipulate me."
"And now?"
I looked down at the open book. "Now I'm not so sure. How could she have known I'd need this particular spell? The Spiritual Forge is exactly what I've been searching for. It's not merely useful. It could solve the problem that's been preventing me from moving forward."
I fell silent. The possibility was becoming increasingly. difficult to ignore. Perhaps Morrivayne was right. Perhaps someone really was arranging things behind the scenes.
But who? And why?
I had enough enemies without adding another mysterious person to the list of people who apparently knew my future better than I did.
With a tired sigh, I lowered myself onto the roof and sat. "Whatever. We'll think about that later."
Morrivayne looked at me as if I had just said something incomprehensible. "Later?"
"Yes. Later." I tapped the page with one finger. "Right now, there's something more important."
She stared at me for another moment before letting out a long, exasperated sigh. "Of course there is."
There would be time to investigate the witch's intentions later. For now, I needed to understand exactly what this spell could do.
I leaned forward and began reading the instructions beneath the title. My voice was little more than a whisper as I read aloud.
"The Spiritual Forge is an advanced transmutation spell designed to refine the soul.It transfers and condenses the entirety of the caster's physical and magical strength, converting it into ethereal energy and infusing it into the soul."
"Through this process, the soul is elevated to a higher state of spiritual refinement, allowing it to retain a portion—or potentially all—of the power previously dependent upon the physical vessel."
I stopped reading. I simply stared at the words. "This is perfect."
Morrivayne remained silent.
"If this works, I can transfer my strength and abilities into my soul. That means even if I die and wake up in another body, I won't necessarily lose everything I've worked for."
I looked at my hands. "Think about it. No more starting from scratch. No more spending years rebuilding my strength every time that damned goddess and system decides to throw me into another life. I could carry my power with me."
My lips curved into a genuine smile. "For once, something might actually go my way."
"Don't get too excited." Morrivayne's voice immediately cut through my enthusiasm. "you haven't read the entire spell yet."
She pointed toward the remaining instructions.
"You found a method capable of altering the very structure of your soul. That doesn't mean it's safe. Read everything before you celebrating."
I sighed. "You really know how to ruin a moment."
"And you have a remarkable talent for celebrating before discovering whether something will kill you."
"That's called optimism."
"That's called stupidity."
I gave her a flat stare. She smiled sweetly. I returned my attention to the book. I turned the page. The next section contained detailed instructions for performing the ritual. I leaned closer and began reading carefully.
"The first stage: Isolation and Physical Stasis.
The caster must enter a state of complete isolation, free from external interference. Absolute mental concentration is required throughout the entire process."
"The caster must remain seated in an unwavering meditative posture. During this stage, the physical body becomes a silent vessel, a temporary shell whose sole purpose is to contain and stabilize the transformation."
"The spell must be activated by reciting the incantation mentally or in a barely audible whisper. Once activated, the caster will begin drawing the accumulated physical and magical energy inward, preparing it for transmutation."
I stopped. The instructions were surprisingly straightforward so far. Isolation. Meditation. Concentration. Nothing particularly difficult.
Morrivayne hovered beside me, listening as I continued reading. When I finished the first stage, she spoke. "I don't know, Riven. This spell sounds… dangerous."
I closed the book halfway. "Let's finish reading the instructions first. Then we'll decide what to do."
Morrivayne looked dissatisfied, but she didn't argue. I turned the page.
"The second stage: Invocation of the Spiritual Flame. Once the caster has achieved complete physical and mental stillness, the Spiritual Flame must be invoked. This flame does not burn ordinary matter. Instead, it acts upon the fundamental essence of the caster's power."
"Physical strength and magical energy will begin to dissolve within the body's spiritual channels, transforming into a liquid state of concentrated ethereal energy. During this process, the soul becomes a furnace at the center of the body, drawing in the molten essence and absorbing it into its core."
I stopped reading. I frowned. "Wait. Physical and magical energy will begin to dissolve.' What exactly does that mean?"
"It means precisely what it says."
I gave her an unimpressed look. "Thank you. Your explanation has been extraordinarily helpful."
She said with a grin "You're welcome."
"Morrivayne."
She sighed. "Your physical strength and magical energy will literally melt under the influence of the Spiritual Flame. Their original forms will be broken down and converted into a concentrated form of ethereal energy. That energy will then be transferred into your soul."
I stared at her. "So… my strength will melt."
"Essentially."
"And my magic will melt. And all of it will be poured into my soul."
"That is what the instructions say."
I looked back at the book. For some reason, imagining my strength melting inside my body was considerably less appealing than the idea of simply transferring it.
"Will I lose my abilities?"
"Not necessarily. If the spell succeeds, your power will be refined and preserved within your soul rather than remaining entirely dependent on your physical vessel."
"That sounds reassuring."
"But your body will temporarily become extremely weak."
I glanced at her. "How weak?"
"That depends on how much energy you possess, how efficiently the spell converts it, and how well your soul withstands the process."
"So you don't know."
"I know enough to tell you that you shouldn't underestimate it."
I considered that for a moment. Then I shrugged. "If I won't permanently lose my strength, I don't see a problem."
Morrivayne stared at me. "Of course you don't."
"What?"
"You hear the words extremely weak and immediately decide that everything is fine because the weakness is temporary."
"Isn't it?"
"Raven, your body will be vulnerable while the spell is in progress. If something attacks you, you may not have enough strength to defend yourself."
"Then I'll choose somewhere safe."
"And if someone discovers you?"
"I'll deal with that problem when it happens."
Morrivayne pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You're impossible."
I turned another page. "The third stage: Compression and Stabilization. This is the most difficult stage of the ritual. The caster must compress the vast quantity of ethereal energy accumulated during the previous stage and force it into the limited space occupied by the soul."
"The energy must be condensed repeatedly until the soul develops sufficient density and resilience to contain it. The caster must maintain absolute control throughout the process, gradually expanding the soul's capacity while reinforcing its spiritual structure."
I read the final lines twice.
"Any loss of concentration during compression may destabilize the energy, causing the soul to fracture or collapse under the accumulated pressure."
The smile slowly disappeared from my face. I stared at the paragraph. Then I looked at Morrivayne. "Well, that's..."
She didn't smile. "Those instructions are clear enough. But you need to understand something, Raven. A soul isn't a container you can simply stretch until it becomes large enough to hold whatever you throw into it."
"The soul has its own structure, its own limits. This spell attempts to change those limits by forcing an enormous amount of energy into it. If the process succeeds, your soul may become stronger and more resilient. But if the pressure exceeds what it can endure..."
Morrivayne paused and she met my eyes. "It could crack."
I remained silent.
She continued, her voice quieter now. "And if your soul cracks during the process, the damage may be irreversible. If it collapses completely, there may be nothing left to return to your body."
The wind moved across the roof, stirring the edges of the book's ancient pages. For the first time since discovering the spell, I felt the weight of what I was considering.
This wasn't a simple enhancement spell.
It wasn't a new ability I could test on a monster and abandon if it proved useless. It was my soul. The one thing that followed me from one life to another. The one thing that had endured every death, every rebirth, every punishment the Goddess had inflicted upon me. And now I was considering using a spell that could destroy it.
I lowered my gaze. Then, after a moment, I turned toward Morrivayne. "Have you seen this spell before?"
She was quiet for a moment.
"Yes…I encountered it once, a long time ago. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. Because it was considered an exceptionally dangerous technique. The consequences of failure were too severe, and I had no reason to attempt it."
She looked at me pointedly. "And I wouldn't recommend that you attempt it, either."
I leaned back, resting my hands on the roof tiles. "So you knew about this spell and you never mentioned it."
" Naturally, I wouldn't tell you about a dangerous spell like this, because I know you're reckless and wouldn't hesitate to use it." She folded her arms. "Besides, I never imagined you would find a book containing it."
I looked at the black book again. Another strange coincidence. Another piece falling into place. I couldn't shake the feeling that someone had deliberately placed this opportunity in front of me.
The witch in Velmora had known I would take the book. She had known I would need it. And now I had found a spell that might allow me to carry my strength through every death the goddess had planned for me.
Someone wanted me to become stronger.
The question was whether they wanted me to become strong enough to survive... Or strong enough to become useful to them?.
I pushed the thought aside. I didn't have enough information to draw a conclusion yet.
What I did know was that I couldn't afford to remain as I was. Every time I fell asleep, I risked losing everything. Every day I delayed finding a solution was another day the system could take control of my fate.
I closed the book halfway and looked at Morrivayne. "I don't care how dangerous it is."
Her expression hardened.
"Raven—"
"This is the only solution I've found so far. The only method that might allow me to preserve my power when my soul is transferred to another body."
I met her gaze without hesitation. "I've spent enough time starting over. I'm not going to let the goddess keep taking everything away from me."
Morrivayne said nothing.
I looked down at the book, my fingers resting against its worn black cover. "If this spell can give me even a chance of keeping my abilities, then I'm going to use it."
"You're deciding too quickly."
"Maybe." I gave her a faint smile. "But I'm tired of waiting for someone else to decide what happens to me."
she sighed and floated closer, her expression becoming serious. "Before you make any decision, let me explain the risks of the Spiritual Forge."
I raised an eyebrow. "More risks? I thought you had already covered the part where my soul could crack."
"That is only one of them." Her voice was unusually firm. "Raven, listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you may change whether you choose to use this spell at all."
I closed the book and gave her my full attention.
Morrivayne held my gaze. "Because if you attempt the Spiritual Forge without understanding what it can do to you, the consequences may be far worse than you imagine."
Morrivayne floated in front of me, her expression serious. "there are a few things you need to understand about the risks of the Spiritual Forge. The first thing you may experience is something called Phantom Pain."
"Acute phantom pain," she clarified. "Your body may remain completely still throughout the process, but your mind will experience pain so intense that it may feel as though every bone in your body is breaking apart and melting in a furnace."
She paused, allowing her words to settle. "Your soul will be reforged through an extremely violent process. Although the damage isn't necessarily physical, your mind may struggle to distinguish between the two. You will feel everything."
I tilted my head. "... Is that all?"
Morrivayne's eyes narrowed. "Is that all?"
"Wha?… Pain is hardly new to me." I shrugged. "I've been stabbed, burned alive , poisoned, crushed, and torn apart by monsters. I think I can endure a little more."
"Raven." Her voice carried a warning. "Do not underestimate the dangers of this spell."
"Fine. Fine. I wan't undersetimate it . What's next?"
Instead of answering , Morrivayne drifted behind me. she wrapped her arms around my waist from behind.
A sharp, burning sensation spread across my body where her hands touched me. It felt as though someone had pressed heated metal against my skin. but I said nothing.
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper beside my ear. "No, my little puppy. That isn't all."
Her arms tightened slightly around my waist. "There is something far worse."
I glanced sideways. "What could possibly be worse than feeling your entire body melt"
"Something called Soul Scorching." Morrivayne continued, her voice devoid of its usual humor.
"During the final stage, you'll have to compress an enormous amount of power into your soul. That power will be transformed into an extremely concentrated form of ethereal energy. If you lose concentration—even for a single second—the energy could burn your soul instead of refining it."
She held me a little more tightly. "And if that happens, the consequences will be catastrophic. You could lose your mind. Your soul could become irreparably damaged." She paused. "Or your entire existence could disappear."
Her expression remained grave. "If your soul is destroyed beyond recovery, you won't simply die in this world. You won't wake up in another body. There won't be another reincarnation, another life, or another chance to begin again…. You will cease to exist."
The wind swept across the rooftop. For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Her gaze held mine. "If yours is completely destroyed, mine will disappear with it.I will cease to exist alongside you."
The silence that followed felt heavier than the book in my hands. I looked down at the page. Complete erasure. No more goddess. No more system. No more forced reincarnations…No more suffering.
I considered the possibility without immediately dismissing it. Perhaps disappearing wouldn't be so terrible. I wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore. The thought was strangely peaceful.
Then my gaze drifted toward the arms wrapped around me. Morrivayne was still holding me. Her expression remained serious, but I could feel the tension in her embrace.
What about her? If I disappeared, she would disappear with me. She had survived for an unimaginable length of time. She had endured the destruction of her mortal body, spent ages without a vessel, and struggled to recover the power she had lost.
And now she was bound to me. Whether she liked it or not, her existence had become entangled with mine.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Morrivayne didn't release me. "You're still going to use the spell?"
"Yes."
"Even after everything I've just told you?"
"Yes."
She stared at me. I offered her a small smile.
"Look, I understand the risks. I'm not pretending they're insignificant. But I can't keep living like this. I need a way to preserve my power, or I'll be forced to start over every time the system drags me into another life."
I lowered my gaze to the book. "This is the only solution I've found. And right now, it's the only hope I have."
Morrivayne remained silent. I leaned back against her arms.
It was an unfamiliar gesture, even to me. I rarely sought comfort from anyone, and I certainly wasn't accustomed to relying on others. But I was tired. Tired of pretending that none of this was getting to me.
I reached up and gently held one of her arms.
Then, without looking at her, I murmured, "I don't have another choice."
"I knew you wouldn't change your mind." She rested her chin near my shoulder. "You're the most stubborn creature I've ever met."
She gave me a light squeeze. "Fine. If you're determined to do this, I'll help you through every step. I'll watch your mana, monitor the spell, and guide you through the process as best I can."
Her voice grew quieter. "Because whether you like it or not, my life is on the line too."
I finally turned toward her. "That almost sounded like you care about me."
"Don't flatter yourself, little puppy." Then she asked, "So, when do you intend to begin?"
I lifted my eyes toward the sky. The sun had risen.The light had begun to spread across the horizon. I had spent another night without sleep. In fact, I hadn't slept for three nights. The realization made me grimace.
"I want to begin immediately," I admitted. "But I need somewhere quiet and safe. Somewhere I can concentrate without anyone interrupting me." I glanced toward the distant city. "I think I know the perfect place."
I pushed myself to my feet and closed the book. The moment I stood upright, the world tilted. My vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness swept through me. I reached for the nearest support, but my knees nearly buckled before I could steady myself.
A hand caught my arm. "Easy, little puppy." Morrivayne had moved beside me. "You're exhausted."
I straightened, pulling my arm free. "I'm fine. I just lost my balance."
"Of course you did." She folded her arms. "Tell me, Raven, when was the last time you slept properly? And when was the last time you ate a proper meal?"
I said nothing.
She gestured toward me with obvious disapproval. "Look at yourself. You can barely walk in a straight line. Do you honestly believe you'll be able to perform a spell that requires an enormous amount of mana, an unwavering mind, and a body strong enough to endure the process?"
"You need to recover first. The Spiritual Forge is already dangerous under ideal conditions. Attempting it while you're this exhausted would be madness."
I hated that she was right. my mind was barely holding itself together. If I tried to perform the ritual in this condition, I might not even make it through the first stage.
Still, there was one problem. I looked at Morrivayne. "Are you seriously telling me to go to sleep?"
"Yes."
I stared at her. She stared back. her voice firm. "Because I won't let you attempt the Spiritual Forge in this condition."
She moved closer. "You need rest, Raven. If you can't complete the ritual because your body is too weak or your mind too exhausted, then all this preparation will be pointless."
I looked away. The thought of sleeping filled me with a cold, familiar dread. And yet, refusing to sleep wouldn't protect me forever.
Eventually, exhaustion would win. I would collapse whether I wanted to or not. I knew that. Morrivayne knew it too.
After a long silence, I exhaled. "Fine. Fine. I'll rest tonight."
Morrivayne studied me suspiciously. "You're agreeing rather easily."
"No matter how hard I fight to stay awake, I will eventually pass out; I have no other choice. For now, I have something else to do. I need to speak with my master."
I started toward the stairs leading down from the roof. "Her house is outside the city's busiest districts. It's quiet, and she leaves in the morning to attend to her work. That means I'll have several hours alone without anyone bothering me."
I glanced back at Morrivayne. "It's the perfect place to study the spell and prepare everything I'll need."
Morrivayne considered that for a moment. "Provided you don't collapse halfway there."
"Your confidence in me is deeply touching."
By the time I reached my room, the orphanage was beginning to stir. Soft footsteps echoed through the corridors, and the smell of freshly prepared breakfast drifted up from downstairs.
As I approached my door, I noticed mother Mary standing outside it. She turned at the sound of my footsteps.
"Oh! Raven, there you are." She looked genuinely surprised. "For a moment, I thought you'd already left."
I gave her a small smile. "Good morning, mother Mary. Is something wrong? Why are you waiting outside my room?"
"Good morning, dear. Nothing is wrong. I came to call you for breakfast." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and I was beginning to worry. But when I came to look for you, you weren't in your room." She glanced at me. "Where have you been?"
I smiled innocently. "I woke up early and decided to get some fresh air on the roof."
Mother Mary stared at me. "Well, come along. Breakfast is ready, and you must be hungry."
I opened my mouth. She immediately raised a finger. "And don't you dare tell me you're not hungry. If you do, I'll drag you to the dining room by your ear and make you eat every bite myself."
I couldn't help laughing. "Actually, I was going to say that I'm starving."
Her expression brightened. "Good! At least you still have some sense left." She caught my hand and began leading me toward the dining room. "Come on. The food is getting cold."
I didn't resist. I allowed her to pull me along, listening to her complain about how I never took proper care of myself and how she would have to start keeping track of my meals if I continued behaving this way.
I didn't tell her that my problems went far beyond skipping breakfast. Some things were better left unsaid.
I let myself enjoy a warm meal, the familiar sounds of the orphanage, and the simple comfort of being surrounded by people who cared about me. Even if I didn't know how long I would be allowed to keep it.
After breakfast, I helped mother Mary with a few chores around the orphanage. By midmorning, I finally made my way toward master Elyra's house. Her home stood in a quieter district, surrounded by trees and open space and a river near by . It was exactly the kind of place I needed.
Unfortunately, my master was waiting for me. And she was furious. The moment master opened the door and saw me standing outside, her expression darkened. And she greeted me with a punch to the face.
I landed on the ground, rubbed my cheek, and said with a smile, "Good morning, master."
"Don't good morning me." She stepped aside, allowing me to enter.
"You disappear for weeks, travel to Velmora, get involved in a dangerous incident, and then return without even bothering to visit me!"
I winced. "When you put it like that, it sounds bad."
She crossed her arms. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to come back? I was worried about you."
I lowered my head. "Sorry."
Master stared at me for another moment before letting out a frustrated sigh. "You are going to give me gray hair before I'm old enough to deserve it."
I couldn't help smiling. "That would be unfortunate."
"Raven."
"Sorry."
She shook her head, though some of the anger had already faded from her expression.
After a while, I explained that I needed somewhere quiet to stay for several days. I didn't tell her everything. I simply explained that I had found something important in an old book and needed time to study it without interruptions.
Master listened carefully before finally nodding.
"You can stay here as long as you need. I already told you, you can Consider this your home."
She gave me a pointed look. "Though I expect you to tell me before disappearing again."
I said with a small smile, "I cannot promise you that."
She sighed, then she gathered her things and prepared to leave for work. "I'll be gone for several hours," she said. "Make yourself comfortable. There's food in the kitchen, and don't hesitate to use anything you need."
She paused at the doorway. "And Raven? Don't overwork yourself."
I said with a weary smile. " Okay."
Master studied me, apparently unconvinced, but eventually left. The door closed behind her. Silence settled over the house. I stood still for a few seconds, listening to her footsteps fade into the distance.
I settled onto the sofa in the living room, placed the black book on my lap, and opened it to the section I had marked earlier.
The Spiritual Forge would have to wait until I had recovered enough to perform it safely. But there were other spells worth studying in the meantime.
I turned back several pages and found the section describing Conceptual Erasure: Decay. A faint smile appeared on my lips. A terrifying ability.
I wanted to learn more about it. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I began reading the instructions. I read each paragraph carefully. I absorb every detail, and work out how the spell might fit into my existing abilities. Minutes passed.
I barely noticed the sunlight shifting across the floor. My eyes moved steadily over the text, following each line until the words began to blur at their edges.
I blinked. Then blinked again. Strange. My eyelids felt unusually heavy. I forcing myself to focus on the page. I lowered my head and continued.
But the words were becoming increasingly difficult to understand. The letters seemed to drift across the page, slipping in and out of focus no matter how hard I tried to concentrate.
I clenched my jaw. Not yet. I tried to lift my head. My eyelids sank again. A familiar uneasiness crawled up my spine.
"Raven?" Her voice reached me from somewhere far away. I tried to answer, but my tongue felt heavy. My head tilted forward. Morrivayne's voice grew sharper. as if she were calling to me from the bottom of a deep well.
The room blurred. The sunlight disappeared behind a veil of darkness, I heard Morrivayne call my name one last time. Then the sound vanished.
The darkness swallowed everything. And, despite every desperate effort to remain awake, I finally fell into a deep sleep.