Chapter 882 God-like Perspective <TOC> Chapter 884 Dirge of the Undertaker
Translator: SumTLMan
As the aura of the Nightmare Plane grew increasingly potent, Angel finally reached its origin.
However, when he clearly saw the source, his complexion abruptly shifted.
The origin seemed like an undulating expanse, but that was merely from the perspective of others. In Angel’s vision, the origin was a membrane so thin it was virtually a sieve.
“It truly is the membrane of the Nightmare Plane!”
The rich aura of the Nightmare Plane was continuously seeping inward from the holes in the membrane. This familiar sensation allowed Angel to almost instantly discern that it was indeed a thin membrane of the Nightmare Plane, or rather, a protective layer of a semi-passage.
This meant that the Wilderness of Dreams was indeed a interstitial space situated between the Nightmare Plane and the Dream Realm.
In other words, if it were severed in a special way, it could become a Nightmare Domain!
However, unlike the interstitial spaces Angel had encountered before, its essence was not the real world, but was rooted in the Dream Realm.
Angel’s face paled somewhat, the perilous situation of encountering the Nightmare Plane during the Twilight Auction still fresh in his mind. Frog Chanter Frogg, fox harpist Foxx, and the jester card along with the Colorful dragonflies, all emerged from the semi-passages of the interstitial spaces.
Though these creatures of the Nightmare Plane seemed to bear him no malice, mistaking him for a person named Shava, Angel was well aware of the damage they had inflicted on the Wizarding World of the Southern Region. The aftershocks they caused are still ongoing, continuing to gnaw and spread throughout the continent.
If the semi-passage here also resulted in aftershocks like last time, Angel dared not contemplate further.
Although he often boasted to Sanders that he could destroy the world, after learning of the consequences of the Abyss Demon God’s invasion of the Wizarding World, he never dared to actually act on his words. The Abyss Demon God alone could overturn the entire Southern Region, not to mention the far more terrifying Nightmare Plane!
It’s worth noting that in the Nightmare Plane, legendary creatures are numerous even in the outermost region — the Nightfall City!
Without even considering the future consequences, just the thought of his family and friends possibly being affected was something Angel didn’t want to see.
But now, this special interstitial space known as the Wilderness of Dreams was laid out before him, and Angel had to consider how to respond?
After a long period of contemplation, Angel was truly unwilling to abandon the Wilderness of Dreams just like that.
“Even though it’s separated from the Nightmare Plane by just a thin membrane, it should have no connection with the Wizarding World since it’s a special area of the Dream Realm. As long as I don’t use Nightmare Illusion to enter dreams, I shouldn’t be affected. And as of now, in the Southern Region, I should be the only one who can use Nightmare Illusion.” Angel muttered to himself in an attempt to self-soothe.
As Angel started to make sense of his own situation, his tumultuous emotions gradually settled into a semblance of calm.
For the time being, at least, he didn’t notice any effects that might spill over into reality.
However, to be on the safe side, Angel decided to visit the edge of the semi-permeable membrane leading to the Dream Realm, to sense if, like the last time, there was an army of Nightmare Plane creatures behind it. If there were, he would immediately retreat, forever sealing off the Wilderness of Dreams, never to meddle with it again.
Approaching the boundary of the Nightmare Plane with extreme caution, Angel peered through the thin opening into the darkness beyond.
It was pitch black.
He didn’t sense any life forms.
With a sense of relief washing over him, Angel let out a sigh.
Perhaps this area of the Dream Realm, devoid of resources and life, was beneath the notice of the creatures of the Nightmare Plane?
Regardless of the answer, the temporary absence of the Nightmare Plane creatures from this semi-permeable passage was good news.
Given the absence of lurking creatures from the Nightmare Plane, Angel, who had initially thought of withdrawing, involuntarily felt his ambition reignite, even growing more profound.
Originally, he had been contemplating how to control this dreamscape. But now, discovering that it was a special interstitial space, the method of control naturally revealed itself… to sever it, just like Sanders did before, turning it into a Nightmare Domain. If given the chance, he would merge with it!
Angel withdrew his gaze from the semi-permeable passage, planning to scout the nearby area to ensure no creatures from the Nightmare Plane had crossed over.
However, unbeknownst to him, as soon as his gaze left the passage, in the pitch-black space behind the membrane, an entity slowly opened its eyes.
The crimson irises, carrying an ageless apathy, glowed ominously.
…
Upon exiting the Wilderness of Dreams, the moment Angel opened his eyes, he saw Toby fluttering his wings and nuzzling against his cheek.
Once Toby had his fill of affection, he fluttered his wings at Angel, indicating: Freud had left a while ago and returned with someone who was waiting outside.
Freud brought someone over? Perplexed, Angel pushed the door open to investigate.
To his surprise, Freud was seated by the candlelight, rapidly scribbling something down. On the ground lay an unconscious man. His white, ragged shirt was covered in dust, and he was shackled at the wrists and ankles with black iron chains.
The clanging of the door ajar drew Freud’s attention to Angel. Out of breath, Freud asked, “Lord Angel, you’re finally awake! After the Dream Initiation, it’s still the Wilderness of Dreams, right? Any other noteworthy findings?”
“It is the Wilderness of Dreams indeed, but it’s a bit complicated,” Angel deflected, momentarily steering the conversation away. Pointing to the unconscious man on the floor, he asked, “Who is he?”
Freud glanced at the unconscious man and explained, “This is a condemned man I brought from the cells of the town of Borel. Lord, you’ve experimented with death in dreams before, why not try it on him using the Dream Initiation spell? Let’s see if he can exist in the Wilderness of Dreams after his physical death.”
Angel was well aware of Freud’s proposition. Were he truly in control of the Wilderness of Dreams, he might consider such an experiment, but not now.
“No need for now. Until I’ve ascertained the risks of the Wilderness of Dreams, I won’t allow anyone with the ability to act to enter.”
“Including me?” Freud inquired, furrowing his brow.
“Indeed, including you,” Angel confirmed, unwavering in his stance.
“Why? What dangers lurk within the Wilderness of Dreams? Did you encounter formidable dream creatures?” Freud asked, astonished and puzzled.
“I didn’t encounter anything, but I’m aware of what that place is and how perilous it can be.”
“Isn’t it just an enclosed area of the Dream Realm?” Freud questioned, looking at Angel’s stern expression. “Is there something fishy going on?”
“There certainly is something fishy, but I can’t reveal it to you.”
Freud fell silent for a moment, his face etched with inner struggle and hesitation, before finally mustering the courage to ask, “What about if I make an Oath of Luo?”
Angel responded, “If you make the Oath of Luo, I can reveal the truth of that place to you. However, until I’ve ruled out the dangers, I still won’t allow you to enter.”
“How dangerous could it be?” Freud challenged, frustration creeping into his voice. “I’m not afraid of danger. Even if I were to die there, it would have nothing to do with you!”
“The danger there is comparable to the descent of the Demon God.” Hence, even if Freud were willing to face death, Angel had no intention of allowing him access.
Freud could sense that Angel was likely telling the truth. Yet, how could he believe that a catastrophe rivaling the Demon God’s descent could occur in the vast expanse of the Wilderness of Dreams?
He wanted to argue further with Angel but knew he lacked the grounds to do so.
Freud even began to suspect that Angel might be trying to deceive him into making the Oath of Luo. Upon further thought, however, whether Freud served Angel loyally or not made no difference to Angel. Freud also realized he had little to offer in terms of leverage, making it unnecessary for Angel to deceive him.
Overwhelmed by curiosity about the enigma of the Wilderness of Dreams, Freud hesitated. He wondered, what intel had Angel gathered? Should he invoke the Oath of Luo now?
Before Freud could clear his thoughts, Angel reassured him, “Rest easy. If the dangers of the Wilderness of Dreams can indeed be negated, I will let you enter. Until then, all you need to do is wait.”
With that, Angel returned to his room, leaving Freud to his musings.
Presently, Angel found himself urgently needing information on the interstitial space and how to sever its connection to the Nightmare Plane.
Retrieving his copy of —Mystery of the Nightmare Domain—, Angel skimmed it from cover to cover. He had previously glossed over the details about severing the interstitial space, never imagining he would encounter a new interstitial space so soon.
Angel began by reviewing information about the fusion of the Nightmare Domain.
Sanders had made it clear at the very start of his book: the risk of merging with the Nightmare Domain is colossal. Even a full-fledged wizard might show signs of degeneration.
Angel recalled that when he was merging with the Opulent Nightmare Domain, Sanders warned him of becoming entrapped in a myriad of illusory dreamscapes. These fantasies could represent his deepest desires. He must not indulge in them, lest he never wake up.
However, this never happened to him. According to Sanders’ hypothesis, this might be due to his Nightmare Soul being of a higher level.
Taking note of this, Angel continued reading.
Having almost finished the chapter on merging with the Nightmare Domain, Angel lapsed into deep thought.
Setting aside the inherent risk of merging with the Nightmare Domain, Sanders had warned him not to merge with a second Nightmare Domain until he had reached the level of a full-fledged wizard.
The book also mentioned that merging with each Nightmare Domain required more Nightmare Plane aura, necessitating an ample supply to nurture the Nightmare Plane.
Sanders usually replenished the Nightmare Plane aura through Nightmare Stones or by venturing into the Nightmare Plane. This was why he insisted that Angel should only attempt to merge with a second Nightmare Domain once he had the ability to brave the Nightmare Plane as an official wizard.
However, not long after Sanders’ warning, Angel’s right hand underwent a transformation, enabling it to independently generate Nightmare Plane aura.
Angel pondered whether the Nightmare Plane aura produced by the green runes on his right hand could satisfy the needs of a second Nightmare Domain.
If so, merging with a second Nightmare Domain should pose no issue.
And even if it proved insufficient, he could always stock up on more Nightmare Stones.
Chapter 882 God-like Perspective <TOC> Chapter 884 Dirge of the Undertaker