[Judgment]
[Judgment]
[Judgment]
I've been using [Judgment] for I don't know how many hours.
The fish and shellfish gradually dissolve into the sand, and time passes. For the bigger ones, usually of higher levels, I have to reach the Whirlpool or other suitable places for the burial.
I work quickly with the consent and under the watchful eye of the [Emperor].
No trace of Gron.
[Judgment]
The starfish in my arms dissolves and the long appendages detach themselves, fraying before pulverizing.
I stop for a moment to look at the horizon.
Even so, the shadow of the large fin is cast.
The sea of fish continues to be lost endlessly and, to make the situation worse, new arrivals are added.
Poor people from various parts of the cosmos who, instead of waking up and being welcomed by me, find themselves navigating the corpses of this sea.
How much longer will I need?
How much time will have passed?
Luckily, I have a working watch.
“Open.”
The grimoire appears and I open it to the usual notice page.
WARNING!
A deceased being of [lv] equal to or greater than [50] entered the Underwasteland dungeon without the supervision of the [Empress].
Identified as [Kirlh'iau] [lv: 67].
Intentions: hostile.
Elapsed time: 76,087.53 hours.
AH!
Its level rose while my [Judgment] remained at [mastery: 6]!
I don't like any of this news.
Patience. If I can judge the [Emperor], Kirlh'iau will look like an insect in comparison.
Huh!?
A squid has wrapped itself around my ankle and is reaching out towards me with its slimy, ash-stained tentacles!
“WAH!”
The being retreats. “Do not be afraid, my goddess. Do not fear!”
Taking me back and seeing that the squid has crouched among other gasping fish, I realize that I was scared for nothing. It doesn't look threatening at all.
“You speak?”
“I am arch-lamar, I use telekinesis to move the air and simulate the speech of other species.”
“Ooh, that's remarkable!”
The ‘arch-lamar’ barely drags itself out of the pile.
I take a glance over my shoulder to see if the [Emperor] is still watching us.
Yes!!!
“Do not be afraid. Our lord is like you, only elder.”
“Yes-yes, well, it's also a little beyond my current capabilities, he-he.”
“You know, as its emissary, I can guarantee you that it too started as a small primordial barracuda. Its job Emperor is just a product of Eldritch nature, just like yours.”
I scratch behind my ear.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“What do you mean exactly? I'm new, there are many things I don't know. Does it also judge the dead?”
“You should talk to it about the job, but it's too proud. Your low level and inexperience upset its majesty, so it's making you do this very long, pointless task. To get you leveled. Afterward, it will talk to you.”
A very long task?
Pointless?
“Wait, what do you mean? I mean, you fish are judged, right!?”
“Yes, it could do it. Having its job has the same skills as you. But the difference in xp is not just numerical. Although it doesn't admit your weakness, it asked me to talk to you. There are others here who can, but no one does it by order.”
Oh, I think I understand…
…even if I am disturbed by being put to the test by this being.
“Hm… anyway, even if it has my skill, I am the Bakenekro of the Underwasteland. It's my duty.”
“Nothing stops you from getting help. In any case, it is also the Leviathan of the Underwasteland. It is the only one who can live in the Ocean.”
What?
There has always been a monster lurking in the Ocean!?
So, my ancestors…
“Do not fear, goddess of this land. Just because it can live there doesn't mean it lives there. Our lord has always been among us, only healthily it visited the dark Ocean. The System created it as a safety measure, a backup in case of your disappearance.”
A security measure?
Like my [emergency skill]?
The mystery deepens.
Hmm…
“Agree. I'll talk to Emperor as soon as I'm allowed, thank you very much—hm…”
“I don't need a name. Imagine my goddess. Now please judge me.”
Ci-cin.
Sigh.
[Judgment]
♦
As I continue my cleanup work, I have a lot to think about. Time passes very slowly and I feel tired, very tired.
At least I don't have time to be bored. I keep using [Judgment] over and over and the sea wanes and wanes… I need to rest!!!
[Dungeon path]
I appear in my room. The umbrella and the sword are leaning against the wardrobe, the sheets are rumpled. I need sleep, [Emperor] or not.
That hasn't stopped me from resting, as usual, I'm the one who gets caught up in a hurry and…
Ci-cin.
I throw myself face down on the bed, kicking up a cloud of dust. I bury my face in the pillow and think about the situation.
I have to find Gron.
I have to find Kirlh'iau.
I have to find out something about the System. I lack some fundamental knowledge…
…but I have to clean first.
“Awhaw…” my yawn stirs up some dust from the pillow. I watch it flutter slowly, reflecting the light that enters from the cracks between the boards.
And then I would like to play something. Maybe with Sylviette or someone else. Or play with Lajal…
I would also like to continue to that quarry named [Sanctuary], where my powers cease. And the desert? Will it be infinite? Will there be any fish dropped just beyond my maximum limit? Or Gron will have passed it.
I feel a tightness in my chest. A nostalgia that is difficult to identify. I am alone.
Alone and surrounded by bodies.
But bodies don't heal loneliness. For that, I would need my father, or a friend, or a lover.
My eyes feel heavy, but I don't want to sleep yet.
I raise my arm feebly.
Ci-cin.
“Open.”
[lv: 46] [xp: 42594]
[name: N]
[type: Eldritch Entity]
[class: Bakenekro]
[priority: Magic]
[job: Empress]
[hp: 2476]
[s: 2][c: 4]―[d: 7][i: 6]
[ap: 4672]
[c: 4][i: 6]―[d: 7][s: 2]
[ip: 7246]
[d: 7][s: 2]―[c: 4][i: 6]
I've gained a few levels since becoming immortal.
I've learned [Shadow wall], and some [skills] like [Necromancy] and [Poison cloud] have grown but my stats are the same.
Apparently ‘pure leveling’ only unlocks new possibilities. The individual [skills] and individual statistics must then be mastered individually, using them.
That crow has grown too…
Who knows if I can beat it this time…
I am sleepy…
…who knows how long it's been since I slept?
I flip through the grimoire to the danger page.
WARNING!
A deceased being of [lv] equal to or greater than [50] entered the Underwasteland dungeon without the supervision of the [Empress].
Identified as [Kirlh'iau] [lv: 68].
Intentions: hostile.
Elapsed time: 81,007.50 hours.
Despite being at a higher [lv], it has a higher growth rate…
The God of Wisdom revealed something to it to cheat the System—or perhaps it found something.
Ci-cin.
“Awhaha”
I close my eyes.
After my nap, I'll go check it out.
♦
WRANN!
WRANN!
WRANN!
Ci-cin, Ci-cin, Ci-cin…
I wake up and jump on the bed. The heart beats very fast and the eyes widen in fear.
WRANN!
WRANN!
The dark sound of a siren spreads, making the walls tremble.
I jump out of bed and run to the window.
The sky outside is full of lightning and bodies and I turn and…
…my grimoire floats in the middle of the room.
I don't have to stall, what is happening!?
“Open.”
WARNING!
A deceased being of [lv] equal to or greater than [50] entered the dungeon [core] without the supervision of the [Empress].
Identified as [Kirlh'iau] [lv: 69].
Intentions: hostile.
Elapsed time: 0.01 hours.
What!?
It’s impossible!!!
This is the worst that could happen!
How did it already get to be in the [core]!? How could it have leveled again!? I just took a nap, how can…
…what is this sky then?
Did I underestimate something?
This can't be a new extinction event! No, not yet!
The panic.
Panic everywhere.
My gaze quickly goes to the swords.
“N! N! Hurry!”
A familiar voice.
“I don't have time now, Gron.”
I reach for the blades and take the handles. It doesn't matter about the [obliteration] and the burning hilt, the important thing is to touch them.
[Dungeon…
“Wait, N, wait for me!”
…path]