CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: VISITING THE DEMONIC RUINS, SOULSGOD IS ATTACKING?

Stark rode his [Ghost Wolf] into the zone beyond [Shell City].

It had been a while since he came here.

Even though he had passed through these lands before, the surroundings felt strangely unfamiliar now.

For a moment, it almost felt like a completely different place.

But after riding for about half an hour, his memory clicked back into place.

’The [Demonic Ruins] should be nearby.’

He already knew what to expect.

The ruins weren’t like regular zones, they were split into five different layers.

Most players barely managed to reach the fourth floor, and those who were foolish enough to go to the fifth quickly regretted it.

The reason? The final boss.

It wasn’t something the early game was meant to handle.

Even Stark, with all of his knowledge and strength, knew he stood no chance against it right now.

But that wouldn’t last forever.

He would get there. He would beat it.

His wolf padded across the grassy plains, its faintly glowing form darting through clusters of monsters.

Stark didn’t bother slowing down.

Every time one of them appeared, he simply raised his staff and ended them with a single spell.

The monsters here were strong for others, but nothing to Stark.

Their drops weren’t amazing either, but he didn’t care.

Even scraps added up over time.

And eventually, the ruins came into view.

"Here it is."

Several hundred meters away from [Shell City], a massive pit stretched into the earth.

It looked like an endless wound, a hole in the world itself.

Crimson light seeped up from within, flickering like faint fire.

Ding!

[You cannot enter the level 30-40 zone "Demonic Ruins" as you do not have the required level.]

A translucent barrier shimmered across the pit’s edge.

Stark reached a hand forward, but his fingers simply brushed against the invisible wall.

This was a mechanic, one absolute rule of [Eternal Soul].

No skill, no damage, no trick could bypass it.

’Good. It’s still there.’

Stark nodded. That was all he needed to confirm.

The ruins were active and waiting. Once he hit the proper level, he’d be the first to challenge them seriously.

For now, he could spend his time however he wanted.

’I guess I’ll just grind monsters and hunt bosses until then.’

The [Tower of Divinity] event would only begin two weeks from now.

For most players, that was valuable time to level and prepare.

For Stark, it was just a waiting period. Still, he had no complaints.

This was exactly why he wanted the [Ghost Wolf].

Its speed made it easy to travel between [Shell City] and the [First Ruined City], and it cut down the wasted time between hunting grounds.

Staff in hand, wolf at his side, Stark turned his back on the ruins and set off again.

The equipment in [Shell City] wasn’t worth his attention.

And soon enough, he found a group of monsters, all level 25, blocking the path.

Without hesitation, Stark raised his staff.

Fire Meteor! Storm of Lightning! Vines of Fate!

The air cracked apart.

A blazing meteor fell from the sky.

Bolts of lightning split the ground.

Thick vines erupted from the earth, smashing into the monsters.

The entire group was shredded before they even realized what was happening.

Ding!

[You have gained 23 Lives!]

"Damn."

[Lives Decay] was hitting him hard, but Stark didn’t mind. He could afford the grind.

Hours passed like this. Hunt, kill, move on.

And then—

Ding!

[You are about to enter a level 25 zone: "Moss Cave"]

Stark’s eyes narrowed.

’A new zone, huh?’

The outside world was massive. Finding new areas was natural, but zones always carried value.

Bosses, EP, loot. They were worth the time.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

The [Moss Cave] was exactly what its name suggested: a cave covered wall to wall with damp moss.

The air smelled of decay, humid and thick.

His [Ghost Wolf] growled uneasily. The spectral beast refused to enter.

"Fine, stay here."

He unsummoned it and walked inside alone.

The monsters inside didn’t even slow him down.

One spell each was enough to burn them to ash or cut them apart.

Fifteen minutes later, Stark reached the end.

---

[Moss Mother (Level 25)]

[Rank: Rare (Boss)]

[HP: 250,000]

---

A giant insect-like creature hovered in the cavern, its wings buzzing, its moss-covered body dripping.

Its stinger glistened with poison.

But Stark didn’t give it the chance to use it.

His staff flared, and the Moss Mother was annihilated in seconds.

Ding!

[You have gained 4 Evolution Points!]

[You have gained 35 Lives!]

A chest appeared at the far end of the cavern.

[You have opened the "Rare Chest" and obtained the "Moss Armor".]

Stark inspected the armor briefly, then stored it away.

It wasn’t amazing, but it was still something.

All in all, twenty minutes of effort for guaranteed EP, Lives, and loot. More than worth it.

When he stepped through the exit portal, he arrived outside the cave.

"Well, let’s find another one."

...

Four days passed since Stark arrived at [Shell City].

And just like previously, he spent his time grinding for monsters and bosses whenever he could find them.

Ding!

[You have gained 39 Evolution Points!]

[You have gained 637 Lives!]

The gains piled up steadily. And finally, it was time.

[Do you wish to consume 50 Evolution Points to evolve "Plague Crystals"?]

"Yes."

Ding!

[You have evolved "Plague Crystals" (Legendary) to "Crystals of Death" (Mythical)]

---

[Crystals of Death (Mythical): Summon up to 10 crystals that deal 1000 → 2500 damage each. Applies the "Poison" status effect, and has a chance to apply the "Weaken" status effect. 8 → 10 (5)-seconds cooldown.]

[Poison: Deals 40% → 50% of damage received for 5 seconds.]

---

"Amazing."

Everything about this skill increased to make it stronger, even going as far as adding a new effect it could deal.

The slightly longer cooldown didn’t matter. Not when the damage output was this absurd.

His only regret was not having enough EP to evolve [Curse Flower] as well.

That would have to wait.

Every day, he also returned to the [First Ruined City], checking for the [Church Sanctuary].

But there was nothing.

And in the meantime, another familiar name appeared.

[EvilDemon] had arrived at [Shell City], making him the second player to do so.

"Hah! This game’s bigger than I thought," EvilDemon laughed when he spotted Stark. "Good to see you, brother!"

Stark only gave him a nod.

But now that EvilDemon was here... where were [Ghost] and [Starfall]?

By now, they should’ve caught up.

’Are they grinding Lives on purpose... or is there something else?’

Stark didn’t worry too much. Both of them were strong.

They could handle themselves. Or so he believed.

Because just as he was about to head out again on his [Ghost Wolf]—

Ding!

[Player "Starfall" has sent you a private message!]

"Hm?"

[Starfall: Oblivion! Something crazy just happened! ╭(°ﾛ° ")╯]

[Starfall: Me and Ghost were planning to finally head out, but right as we were about to leave, a group of players led by "SoulsGod" ambushed us... (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞]

Stark’s eyes narrowed.

He wasn’t the type to get worked up easily, but Ghost being ambushed? That was unusual.

It wasn’t like it mattered anyway, she would wipe the floor with them.

And yet...

[Starfall: They stunned her in place. She was killed. I managed to hide! (˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥⋆)]

[Starfall: They also said they’re looking for you in the outside world too. Be careful!]

"...Hah."

So Grace wasn’t calling for help. She was warning him.

But this changed things.

They killed Ghost? They dared to target him next?

[Oblivion: Thanks. I’ll see what I can do.]

Stark closed the panel, a faint grin curling across his lips.

He looked forward, eyes sharpening.

"Let’s go."

The [Ghost Wolf] howled and sprinted, carrying him straight toward the [First Ruined City].