Chapter 47: MASK

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With a bone-jarring thud, I slammed onto the stone floor of Radiant Temple. Groaning, I pushed myself on my elbows, blinking to clear my vision.

MISSION COMPLETE: MONK MINER RESCUE

Rescue the Monk mining team from the Emperor faction.

Master Xiang and others tended to the six surviving Monks. Aside from some bruises, they appeared relatively unscathed—except for the expressions of shock frozen on their faces. Before I could fully process the scene, Cragmarr knelt beside me.

I was glad to see him.

The room shook violently as if gripped by an earthquake. The tremors coursed through my body, rattling my teeth. Raining down from the cracking ceiling, dust and chunks of debris peppered the floor.

Cragmarr instinctively stretched over me, his body forming a protective shield. I could hear the clatter of falling stones against his back. Just as quickly as it had begun, the trembling ceased.

I allowed myself a grim smile.

FEAT ACHIEVED: JINGOZI DEATH

You have killed a Jingozi in PVE.

NEW TITLE AWARDED: JUDGMENT DEALER

Level 5 Jingozi access and privileges granted.

LEVEL UPDATE

Name: Ember [Judgment Dealer]*

Tier: 2 [Citrine] Rank 2

Along with the new level, a star formed next to my name.

"Ember!" Cragmarr exclaimed, scooping me up.

I caught sight of Kaito's worried face as he crouched, with Kitty floating above him like a silver canopy.

"I'm fine," I mumbled, even as the room spun lazily around me. My limbs felt like lead, a dull ache pulsing behind my eyes.

Master Xiang approached, his brow furrowed with concern. I swallowed hard, trying to focus.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice gentle but urgent.

"It was a trap," I explained, slurring slightly. "The Emperor faction... and cursed elves. We barely made it out."

"Cursed elves?"

"Yeah. Hundreds of them. And a Jingozi…"

"Did you find the miners?" I asked Cragmarr.

"Yes, they were unguarded," he nodded.

"Sora?"

"Yes, she succeeded as well."

As I spoke, I realized I was still clutching the octranite shard from the caves. I stowed it in my inventory along with my sword. And that's when I saw it and realized I'd missed the notification.

YOU HAVE RECEIVED A JINGOZI MASK

Jingozi Mask [Legendary]

I summoned the Jingozi mask from my inventory, which materialized in my hand. It looked like a pterodactyl skull with rows of jagged teeth and dozens of long horns flaring backward. I stared at it, my heart pounding in my chest.

The room fell silent.

Master Xiang's eyes widened as he took a cautious step back. Cragmarr's orange marble eyes swirled faster, his usually stoic expression betraying a flicker of surprise.

Kaito's mouth hung open.

"Is that...?" Kaito began but trailed off, unable to find the words.

Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. It felt like an eternity stretched out in the space between breaths.

The silence grew awkward, almost suffocating. The Monks, silently watching from the side, exchanged bewildered glances. Even Sora, who had just entered the room unnoticed, stopped dead in her tracks.

I could feel everyone's eyes boring into me like I was some alien creature that had just landed among them. The mask felt heavy in my hand, its jagged teeth glinting menacingly.

"Ember," Master Xiang finally said, his voice barely above a whisper, "Where did you get that?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice amidst the cacophony of thoughts racing through my mind.

"In the caves," I managed to say. "After I killed the Jingozi."

Cragmarr's gaze shifted from the mask to my face and back again.

"This is... unprecedented."

After storing the mask, I looked around at the faces staring back at me—faces filled with confusion, fear, and perhaps even awe.

"We need to understand what this means," Master Xiang said cautiously.

I nodded slowly.

A sharp sting radiated from my forearm. Rolling up my sleeve revealed the bite marks from the cursed elf. The puncture wounds bubbled with black ichor.

"She has been bitten," Cragmarr said.

"If it was a cursed elf," Master Xiang whispered, "she has been poisoned."

"Poisoned?" I said, standing up. "I told you, I'm—"

The world tilted sharply. My legs buckled beneath me, and I felt myself falling again…

* * *

I hadn't dreamed once since coming to this world. This fact felt inexplicably significant, though I couldn't pinpoint why. Back home, I always dreamed. Vivid, colorful dreams each night. I'd even kept a dream journal, its pages filled with descriptions and sketches. I pored over books on dream interpretation, fascinated by the hidden meanings lurking in our subconscious.

But here? Nothing. Just an endless dreamless void—when I slept, that is.

Here, I had visions. These weren't the hazy, illogical narratives of dreams. No, the visions were always sharp, visceral, and shockingly real.

I was drowning in a sea of vibrant, pulsating colors. It wasn't the Jingozi arena. Figures emerged from the darkness, their forms shifting and morphing in a kaleidoscope of hues—cursed elves.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

They reached for me, their elongated fingers grasping and clawing. I didn't bother screaming because, somehow, I knew no sound would escape my lips. The elves snapped their jaws, gnashing razor-sharp teeth as they attempted to drag me into a bottomless pit.

I tried to load my Jingozi cards, but it was as if my brain disconnected from my body. I looked down into the abyss. The giant Jingozi mask from my inventory, now the size of a swimming pool, emerged from the mound of rainbow crystal shards. It stared back at me with empty eye sockets swirling in infinite darkness. But I wasn't afraid. Instead, the sight filled me with a primal, overwhelming rage.

"You will never go home… Ember… never…" the mask bellowed.

I bolted upright, releasing a guttural roar. My eyes darted around wildly, taking in my surroundings. I was in my bed at Radiant Temple, drenched in sweat. A red wisp of smoke trailed from a gash in the wall where I'd thrown a Jingozi card.

"Breathe, my child," a familiar voice soothed.

I stared in awe as Katorro sat beside my bed, his ancient, wrinkled hands gently but firmly grasping my forearm. A soft, mesmerizing red glow emanated from his palms. I watched, transfixed, as the angry black punctures knit together before my eyes. The throbbing ebbed away, replaced by a warm, tingling sensation. Only a semicircle of round scars remained, and even those would be gone by the next time I leveled up.

Kitty hovered nearby, her long snout twitching with concern. I patted her head, and she purred, settling onto my lap.

"What... what happened?" I croaked, my throat dry and raw.

"Poisoned by cursed elf blood," Katorro explained. "You should be dead, but the nexus spared you."

I checked my notifications log.

FEAT REWARD: CRYSTALMANCY

You have unlocked the Crystalmancer technique.

Cyrstalmancy? I'd have to look into that later. I also checked my inventory.

INVENTORY [NINJA KIMONO]:

* Ninja sword

* Small knife [1]

* Flint set [3]

* Small rope [11 feet]

* Rations [18]

* Fish [8]

* Waterskin [1] [Empty]

* Ninja scarf [1]

* Sapphire spell stone [3]

* Large octranite shard [1]

* Jingozi mask

CURRENCY:

* Jingozi token [267]

* Ninja faction token [1]

267 Jingozi tokens? Did I kill that many cursed elves?

"The crystals in the mine," I said. "They spoke to me… of horrible things."

"It was the nexus speaking," he replied. "It, too, has been poisoned."

"What is a nexus?"

"Places where dimensions connect, where the Zii is most potent."

"Why does it give me abilities?"

"A nexus is not a thing. It is an entity. It feels and flows like us. And it does what it needs. Gives what it wants."

I didn't respond, still in a daze, trying to gather my thoughts.

"You have done well. I sense more power in you. But the journey is far from complete."

"What do you mean—"

After a brief knock, the door creaked open. A Monk entered with an apologetic bow.

"Master Katorro, forgive me for disturbing you," he said. "Miss Ember, you have a guest."

* * *

I meandered through the temple's lotus gardens with Jon Deerfoot, the fragrant blossoms filling the air with perfume. As we wandered, our footsteps led us to a secluded spot on an ornate wooden bridge arching over a serene pond. Jon paused to take in the view.

"Now I know what all the fuss is about," he smiled and turned to lean on the railing.

Jon stood before me in a simple ensemble—a rich purple leather jacket draped over a crisp white shirt paired with sleek black pants. His wand, as always, hung at his side. His long, platinum hair, tied back in a neat ponytail, emphasized his elongated, pointy ears. There was something different about him, though. He looked... softer, more at peace.

"How did you find me?" I asked, scrutinizing every inch of him, searching for any hint of deception or hidden agenda.

"Your friend, the Golem, found me. Lovely fellow. A little rough around the edges, wouldn't you say?" he winked and paused for my response.

I crossed my arms as he smirked at his joke.

"Your ward followed us to Emperia and then threatened to grind me to dust if I didn't divulge your plan. He told me I should seek him here if I received any word."

"And did you?"

"Did I what?" he smiled.

"Receive any word?" I groaned.

"The word is that you fell to your death with the old man. Nobody survives that fall."

"Katorro."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The old man, his name's Katorro," I said, perturbed. "That was him in my room."

"Of course he is, my dear," he chuckled. "But I must say, you risked having your head put on a spike, or worse, for that relic?"

I glared at the elf.

"Alright," Jon conceded. "I'm confident you had your reasons. Whatever they were, it was a morbid curiosity that beckoned me here. Something told me you'd escape the clutches of death."

I gave him a wry smile.

"I know you're not from this dimension," he continued. "You're from a place called Earth, and you're trapped here until you win a Jingozi tournament."

"Then you know what I have to do."

"Very well, what is your plan?" he asked.

"We stop Overlord Edric first," my tone darkened. "He's kidnapping children for some reason."

Jon's face turned grim.

"Necrolords," he whispered.

"What?"

"We Emperors have a class, long believed forgotten… Necrolords. Rulers obsessed with arcane magic and harnessing death itself."

"What does he do with them?"

Jon shook his head solemnly.

"Why?" I stiffened.

"The innocent blood of my enemies," Jon said. “The more powerful the enemy, the more innocent the blood, and the more powerful the sacrifice. There are mercenaries in our faction that specialize in the horrid trade… like Valen."

“I’ll defeat him then.”

"You can't beat him," Jon called. "If he has begun his descent, killing him only seals the pact and completes the transformation."

Before I could process the implications, I heard rapid footsteps approaching.

"Ember!"

Kaito came running towards me, his face flushed with exertion. He skidded to a stop, his eyes darting suspiciously between Jon and me. His brow furrowed as he took in the elf's presence.

"Ember," Kaito panted. "You need to come quick."

* * *

"As an emissary of the Emperor Overlord Edric, we demand you surrender the one named Ember!"

Hiding behind the wall on the rampart, I didn't need to see him to recognize that voice again—Lance the Lightslayer.

I blinked into the Jingozi arena to scan the scene before the temple gates. Lance the Lightslayer stood alone in the road, a short distance from the front gate. Three stripped and blindfolded Monks knelt at his feet, their heads bowed in silent prayer.

I blinked back and loaded my Jingozi hand, staying out of sight. Cragmarr nodded at me and loaded his hand as well.

"Who is that?" Kaito asked.

"I do not know," Master Xiang replied.

"I've seen him at a Jingozi exhibition before," Sora said. "A Jingozi grandmaster."

"That, my friends, is Lance the Lightslayer," Jon's voice came from behind us. "He is a religious zealot, insane if I may add, but one of the most feared henchmen for the Emperor faction." Everybody turned as Jon climbed up the steps to join us.

"And you are?" Kaito asked, stepping in front of me.

"Everybody, this is my… friend, Jon Deerfoot," I said. "He helped me rescue Katorro."

Jon bowed slightly and then waved to Cragmarr, who grunted in return.

"There is nobody here by that name." Master Xiang yelled, stepping up to present himself. "The Emperor faction has no business here."

"It is a sin to deceive me, Monk," Lance's voice boomed. "By Jingozi decree, I am here to collect this contract."

"What is that?" Kaito asked.

"Haven't you seen a Jingozi contract before, my young Ninja?" Jon said.

Kaito stiffened and glared. But before he could respond to the elf, I blinked back into the Jingozi arena, my stomach dropping—that damned contract I signed to kill Jon. Lance held it high with a grin like a winning lottery ticket. That's how they tracked me.

"Valen…" I blinked back and interrupted Kaito's words. "He must've given it to them."

"Sold it more likely," Jon said. "I warned you about this."

"Taking the miners hostage was a trap to lure Ember out," Sora remarked.

"Indeed," Cragmar nodded. "Do not show yourself, Em. We can find another way. We will take the tunnels like last time."

"It's too late," Jon shook his head. "That contract can track her anywhere in this dimension."

"Ember, we can guard you and defend the temple," Master Xiang said. "We will not bow—"

I stood up, revealing myself to Lance. His eyes locked onto me with a smile.

Lance's mace came crashing down on the first Monk's head with a sickening crunch. I felt my stomach lurch, bile rising in my throat as the Monk fell forward, scattering pieces of his skull like a jar of jam shattering on the floor. The sheer violence of the act left me paralyzed.

"No…" Master Xiang whispered, his eyes wide in shock.

"For every moment you delay," Lance snarled, "another heathen receives judgment." He raised his weapon again, poised to strike the second monk.

"Lightslayer," a voice called.

Lance's mace stopped mid-swing, inches from the Monk's head, as he spotted Katorro hobbling toward him from the gate.

"Master Katorro," Lance's voice changed to a respectful tone. "I was pleased to hear of your escape. The one who nearly slayed the Emperor Overlord. Finally, a worthy adversary."

Katorro didn't respond. Instead, he shuffled up to the remaining two kneeling Monks, removed their blindfolds, and helped them to their feet. Terrified, the Monks cringed, looking back at their captor and would-be executioner. Lance stood motionless, his eyes locked on Katorro. After a nod from the old man, they bolted through the gate into the temple.

Katorro put his hands on his back with an exaggerated stretch. Lance remained still with no reaction.

"As you can see, I am no longer the challenge I once was," Katorro spread his hands.

"We both know that is untrue," Lance said.

"Perhaps."

"Give me the girl. She has already done enough damage to my men. Or I will have no choice but to bring an army. By the time I am done, in the name of Zebelma, I will—"

"I agree to your terms," Katorro interrupted. "I will convince her that it is best to surrender to you in exchange for the lives within these temple walls and anybody else in your path."

"What?" I exclaimed from the top of the wall. Cragmarr and Kaito frowned as well.

Lance stepped back to contemplate Katorro's words suspiciously. He glanced up at me, studying my reaction.

"How can I be assured you will keep your word?" he asked.

"We are both men of honor, Lightslayer. You are also devout beyond measure and would pursue Ember to the ends of the dimension."

"You are wise, Master Katorro."

"I am but an old man, my friend. It seems wisdom is all that remains."

"Very well," Lance turned to walk away, "I will return by nightfall." Without looking back, he shouted for the rest of us, "I will also bring my army, and if I am betrayed, not a single soul in your temple shall be spared."

Katorro watched Lance stroll away.

What the hell are you thinking, Katorro?