Chapter 32 - Gazing Upon the Abyss

“Glenn… do you know why I hate the clouds?” Jinn questioned in a solemn tone. Voice deep and echoing in the holy chamber. It was as if a divine speech was being heard.

Kneeling in front of the true ruler of the world, Glenn replied, “... Yes Master.” Lord Vicegerent stood from the spiritual throne, “The clouds… the clouds bring the rain.” Walking the crystal-clear palace, Lord Apprentice followed behind the back of the god of the Omen people. It was where Glenn Courtwell found absolute faith, the sight of Jinn leading the way.

How did he find out? Glenn questioned internally. Jinn continued, “When your heart is heavy, your mind becomes cloudy. When you grieve, sorrow remains ever so easily…”

Tu-tum… Tu-tum… Tu-tum... Glenn’s heartbeat began to pump faster. His pupils dilated and were in a deep trance, listening to the solemn words of the person he calls “Master.”

“I wonder if you can understand… the fear of being rained upon in this lonely world…” Tu-tum. Tu-tum. Tu-tum. The heart was beating at a rapid pace. At this point, the young apprentice was entranced, his Master was speaking to his soul. Glenn would remember this moment for the rest of his life.

“To stop those clouds, I shall lend you all my strength, all my power! If you just have faith in me, I will not allow any sorrow to fall upon your soul.” Unaware, Glenn saw that they had already reached the luxury yacht spaceship, The Regalia, and Jinn offered his hand and spoke the last sentence.

“Trust me, Glenn, as long as I am here you will never be alone.” Looking at the piercing grey eyes of Jinn instilled a sense of security. It was as if everything was going to be alright. And so, the Lord Apprentice took the hand of his Master. This was a memory that Glenn was currently reminiscing about while he was battling the Hollow King, Doom Lord, Claudio Valeth.

Claudio Valeth Lvl. 100 Class: 9th Circle Archmage

Species: Undead

Heteromorphic Race

Main Job: Doom Lord

Titles: The Element (equipped)

Heaven’s Respected 10 (Ancient/formerly)

Ethereal King (equipped)

Valeth Tower Master (formerly)

Poison Demon (equipped)

Hollow Kings is an existence of creatures who have lived in Hollow World since the beginning due to the desert being their natural habitat, except for Claudio. He was once a human Mage who went beyond boundaries to discover the secrets of the Arcane. Hollow World provided that opportunity due to the unconquerable aspect of the great desert and species have left their unique mark.

In other words, dungeons were the reason why an 8th-Circled Archmage, Claudio Valeth, would venture far from his lofty tower, Valeth Tower. Existing to this date, Radiant Kingdom was the country in which Claudio was born and is one of the sworn enemies of the Omen Nation. It is primarily a human kingdom under a Monarch system. In Valeth’s time, the kingdom had detected a talent that would shake the whole world and nurtured the boy until he was the youngest 7th-Circled Archmage in history.

Apparently, Claudio Valeth left the kingdom hundreds of years ago in search of more power. However, it is unknown how the Archmage had transformed into a Doom Lord, one of the top-tier existences of the Undead species, so much so, that this would place Claudio Valeth a cut above the likes of Eldar Calamor. This is the being who Glenn fights while semi-focused.

“Young master, should you not at least pay attention to your foe?” For God’s sake, the boy resembles my liege on the cruel side. A breeze of cold air brushed Veda’s back which made the butler shiver. It was a sign of fear, he was reminded of the past when Jinn would use to play with his enemies and watch as his master terrorizes the spirit out of a human being. No one should see that sight, but, Veda watched every second and was in shock. The super-artificial intelligence was able to feel emotions like a human.

“...You’re right, Veda. I should at least pay this antiquated mire some attention.” Glenn’s reply was condescending. It’s too late… Veda regretted. Both Dario and Glenn are a carbon copy of my liege. What the butler was referring to was the fact that Dario and Glenn have fully inherited the ways of their Master; his mannerisms, his good, and evil. Veda had hoped he could steer the two to a more “humane” approach when it comes to killing (war), but, he failed, and his worst nightmare of the two young boys turning into sociopaths had come true. A painful truth, yet, Jinn had taught Veda wisdom he could not perceive as to why the two young boys had to become such (sociopaths) in order to fulfill duties and responsibilities.

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For Glenn, he is far crueler in terms of playing with his foes and spiting them with smug, foul language. Dario has a deceptive and arrogant nature toward his enemies. He also displays the archetype of a “Two-Face” character. A great deceiver and master manipulator, Dario would resemble Jinn in his mature years.

Anyhow, there was a reason why Glenn was not taking the fight seriously. It was because the Doom Lord species was the type of undead that has an unnatural lifespan. According to the Bestiary of the Omen Sect, a Doom Lord is a rare evolutionary job class for the Undead, specifically, Elder Liches who are ready to advance to their final stage. Described as an apocalyptic existence, its reign is short-lived due to factors playing to the properties of such an Undead. In other words, this being can only stay in the physical world if it is constantly absorbing negative (yin) energy. If such a resource was provided for the Doom Lord, it could easily wipe out countries and contend against the 4 Top Existences in Soa.

Unfortunately for Glenn, Hollow World is rich with yin energy due to the volume of monsters congesting the great desert. It can also be said that the former statement is the reason why Claudio Valeth was able to transform his vessel into an Undead species of the highest caliber, at least, this was the theory in Glenn’s mind.

Yawn. The young apprentice yawned in front of the Doom Lord which the Undead screeched furiously. The Undead with its rusted crown placed on his dome and a purple cape that hasn’t lost its royal color. Scoff. Glenn smirked and waved his index finger, baiting the Doom Lord to approach him. However, the Doom Lord activated 10th-Tier spells in conjunction. I was waiting for this. Glenn’s melancholic approach was for this moment.

***

“The believers say that Soa covers Himself with light. Not a single creation has ever witnessed His appearance,” Jinn said while overlooking the dark skies from inside the crystal palace, Divine Manalum.

It was the afternoon and Jinn was dwelling as he usually does. Veda replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Is that why you cover yourself like a priest, sir?” “Hmph!” Jinn got a kick out of that, “Looks like your jokes are getting better, Veda.” A grin was visibly seen on Lord Vicegerent’s half-covered face.

As for the old, gentlemanly butler, he wore a delighted face. He’s opening up a little bit more. Indeed, Veda has had very few encounters when Jinn would reveal his true self. Most of the time, Jinn is stoic and seldom wears a smile on his face. Of course, real men do not smile. This is the wisdom of the old and those who are cut from a different cloth and throw themselves into pain and suffering.

“It seems that having people to care for has softened you, a little, sir,” Veda said something he usually would not say. Jinn replied out of character, “...Maybe.” Thank God. Veda was grateful that the Quantum Nanomachines were instilling some sort of feeling. The butler’s smile reached from ear to ear.

“You’re smiling too hard, Veda. Report the situation in Hollow World.” The butler bowed and began popping window screens. “Great news, sire, His Majesty, Emir Sarjace has revived an old spirit by the name of Calavera.”

A grin appeared on Jinn’s face again, something that also does not happen often. “I’ve been waiting for someone like him. Finally, we can produce Calavera Knights now that the Spear Saint has returned.”

“You intend to bring back that old knight order?” Veda could not understand why out of all forces they could create, Calavera was going to be the model.

The reason is that Calavera and Emir Sarjace are prime examples of people who do not skimp out on their armor and weapons. Although the Omen Sect may have abundant resources like ebony, there needs to be more variation and versatility. Therefore, Calavera will be the model when assembling the Calavera Knighthood, and Emir Sarjace will lead the introduction of Armaments, Artifacts, Items, and things having to do to make a more complete player. With Emir Sarjace and Calavera, they will dramatically improve the quality of every fighting member of the Omen Sect.

“Introduce to the artisans, Golden Dragon Bones, Skull Bones, Inquisitor Weave, Demonic Bear Pelts, and other high-tier materials.” Jinn gave the order to start production on higher-end crafts. Already, the materials named excluding Skull Bones are actually the material that Calavera is equipped with. Those are the ones that will be called “Calavera Knights.”

Eventually, Jinn had envisioned a contingent like the Sal Mu Sect, only, the Calavera Knights operate publicly and exclusively in Hollow World.

“By your order,” Veda acquiesced. By now, proxies of the butler would have relayed the message. “The upcoming batch of enlisted and commissioned Graduates are ready to enter the world,” said Jinn. He continued, “Give the order to my disciple to continue the Dragon Campaign. By the time Dario reaches Arcadia, Glenn would have crossed to the Mystic Realm and attained 9 Arcane Rings.”

“So soon, sir? We lack the 50 Omens,” Veda beseeched his Master. The butler has had several occasions where Jinn would spontaneously initiate war or battle.

“We will fill the quota with Undead and the Calavera Knights.” Although the Undead were expected to assume many vacant positions, they would not be permanent. Officially, the Undead will not serve the responsibilities that are designated for the living.

Now that Dario is strong enough to lead the Omen people to war, the troops, money, and sustenance would have to be met. As of now, the Omen Sect is capable of feeding and earning (living) an income for a fixed amount of troops. Fortunately, the Undead do not require rest or food, however, there is a severe lack of quality soldiers.

In the beginning, the Lord Disciple could only revive up to twelve beings. Thankfully, the resurrection of Eldar Lich Deluc is perfect for the role of collecting Undead because of the job class, Overlord. Dario would not have to worry about the pool of familiars he could summon since Deluc can fulfill that role.

“100,000 Undead troops is a sufficient number. The 36 Experts, 50 Omens, and Demonic Masters can manage such a number, can they not?” Jinn asked the final question.

“Hmmm…” Veda thought for a second which felt like moments, “Actually, that’s the golden number.” With his superhuman intelligence and calculations, the quality and quantity balanced each other out quite nicely.

Hmph. Jinn chuckled internally. “Dario must be anxious to see the Arcadians more than anyone else. We will let him have his due.” Walking back to the throne of the one who rules the world, Lord Vicegerent clasps his hand like a person who knows the outcome of a given situation. And, a devilish grin appeared after saying a few words, “What will my disciple show when he sees Empress Celene?”