Chapter 12: Chapter 12 : 5 Months
"Wake up Sunless! Your nightmare is over!"
"Shut it up! I haven't had a good sleep for a long time!"
Somewhere in the dark city. Inside a cathedral in one particular room at the top of it. Sunny was laying on his bed, not wanting to get up and just enjoy his sleep.
"Wake up Sunless! You..."
Before [Ordinary rock] could even continue, Sunny dismissed it.
"Damn it's so annoying, why do I even bother setting it up" Sunny slowly got up and started stretching his body while yawning. He looked at the familiar spacious beautiful room.
"I'm finally back, after 4 months" Sunny smiled while looking at the room, he then summoned his runes
***
Name: Sunless
True Name: Lost from Light.
Rank: Dreamer
Class: Tyrant
Shadow Cores: [5/7]
Shadow Fragments: [256/5000]
Attributes: [Chain Breaker], [Ember of Divinity], [Shadow Mongrel], [Blood weave], [Shadow devour].
Memories: [Silver Bell], [Puppeteer's Shroud], [Azure blade], [Midnight Shard], [Ordinary Rock], [Mantle of the Underworld], [Endless Spring], [Prowling Thorn], [Moonlight Shard], [Dark Wing], [Blood Blossom], [Hunters Bag]
Echoes: [Blood Fiend]
Shadows: [Soul Serpent], [Stone Saint]
Aspect: [Shadow Mongrel].
Aspect Rank: Divine.
Aspect Ability: [Shadow Control].
Flaw: [Clear Conscience]
***
Sunny looked at his runes. His smile became wider after checking his runes and then dismissing it in satisfaction.
It's been 5 months since his last conversation with Neph about leaving. And from that day on, Sunny just killed as much nightmare creatures as he could. Growing stronger with day by day. Of course, something that helped him get more shadow fragments was the fact that he had Saint and Serpent by his side. Especially Serpent, who became an awakened tyrant now. Which could even take a fallen demon with no big trouble.
Also, with Sunny's improved lineage and physical state, he could be considered an awakened. A fake awakened, in fact, having no essence but is as strong as them or even stronger physically. Which gave him a big advantage.
Of course, Sunny had some stress building up in his head from all the thinking about his past self and preparing for the future. Knowing that he had to go through most of his suffering again put a huge pressure on his mind. But surprisingly, going on a killing spree and unleashing all his stress on the nightmare creatures was surprisingly very effective.
'Did I become some psychopath that enjoys killing. Is this how Jet feels?' Sunny chuckled at this thought.
'I can finally see Neph again' Sunny thought while recalling his last interaction with Neph.
***
5 months ago....
"I'll be leaving this place." Sunny said as he looked at Neph slowly.
Both Neph and Cassie's eyes widened in shock.
"Su...Sunny, what do you mean you're leaving?" Cassie said in a little shaky voice.
"Let's go somewhere private first." Sunny said while looking around him. Neph and Cassie faces were a little pale thinking about what Sunny said.
After walking for a while, they were in somewhere private. Sunny looked at Caster, but surprisingly, without saying anything, he left them alone.
'Huh, that's new. Didn't think he'll leave without telling him.'
After Caster left them alone, Sunny looked back at the two girls and took a deep breath.
"Okay, so as I said, I'm going to leave. I'll go live in the ruins for a while, then travel the labyrinth again, " Sunny said with a serious tone
"Are you crazy!?" Cassie said with disbelief. Neph also looked at Sunny like he was some insane guy.
"Maybe I am, but that doesn't matter." Sunny said in a playful tone
"But.....why are you leaving. Why would you go out there again? " Neph asked with somber in her tone
Sunny looked at her, and for a moment, after seeing the sad look on her face, he was hesitant about leaving. But he already settled his mind.
"Why? To become stronger of course. Didn't I promise to protect you both and take you to the waking world? And didn't I promise you Neph to fight by your side? How am I supposed to do that when I'm weak?"
"Weak?! Sunny you're probably the strongest sleeper in the forgotten shore! Even Gunlaug and his men seemed frightened by you." Neph protested, finding what Sunny said is ridiculous.
"Neph, I might be strong right. But that's compared to normal sleepers. We probably need to fight worse creatures than the carapace demon, to be able to kill such beasts, I need to be strong, Neph. Too strong. And think about it. Although this land is too dangerous, it is also more rewarding than other locations in the dream realm. So I need to make the most of it, Neph. To become much stronger. To able to protect you both."
Sunny said with determination in his tone. Showing that he won't change his opinion at all.
"But...but what if you die Sunny? Haven't you considered that it's dangerous outside and you might die." Cassie said while tears started falling from her eyes and her body trembling.
"I know. But don't worry about that. A cockroach like me won't die easily." Sunny said with a big smile and humor in his tone. But it didn't seem to change Neph and Cassie expressions.
"When will you come back?" Neph asked while looking down and her hair covering most of her face
Cassie was shocked to see that Neph didn't protest more "but Sunny! Why don't you stay here and hunt with Neph and a group of people. You were so good together in the labyrinth." Cassie protested while trying to hold back her cry.
Sunny didn't imagine that he would get this strong reaction from them. Especially Cassie.
"Cassie, what Sunny said was true. Although it's dangerous here, but it will help with growing faster. And I agree about us being a good team together. But Cassie, Sunny is far off better to fight alone. And he already settled his mind. He's determined to leave." Neph said while looking at the ground.
"But....but.." Cassie tried protesting, but nothing came to her mind. But then she felt Sunny hugging her and Neph together.
"Stay save you two. I don't know when I'll come back exactly, but what certain is that it might take more than 4 months. But when I come back, I'll be much, much stronger than now. And I hope you too become stronger too" Sunny said in a soft voice while hugging Neph and Cassie.
Cassie started crying in his arm and Neph.... it seemed like she's trying her best to hold her tears. Honestly, Sunny was glad about that because if she did, he might forget his plans and just stay with them.
After some time. Sunny backed off a little. Then Cassie eyes widened with shock.
"Sunny, why are you giving me the Carapace Echo?" When Cassie said that, Neph looked at Cassie with a little surprise on her her eyes.
"Erm... he's just.... too big and attracts too much attention, he won't be a big help for me. But I bet he will for you" Sunny said with a gentle smile.
"Anyway, I'll go now." But then Sunny raised his fist for a fist pump towards Neph. "When I get back, you better be stronger than now." Sunny smirked in a smile while looking at her
Neph expression turned slowly from sorrow to determination. And looked at Sunny and raised her fist, and pumped his.
"You bet I will, just make sure to stay alive" then, a beautiful smile appeared on her face that made Sunny's heart skipped a beat.
'Why are you making it hard for me to leave' Sunny chuckled to himself.
Right when Sunny turned to go away, he suddenly felt something, a soft body hugging him tightly from behind. Just when he turned to look at who was hugging him, a voice echoed in his head that made him suddenly flinch and sharpen his eyes
[You have received a new memory: Endless Spring:]
He saw Cassie hugging him tightly.
'Why?! Why is she giving me it again?! Is she gonna betray again!?' Sunny suddenly turned cold, but he barely controlled himself and asked Cassie with a twitching smile
"Ermm....Cassie, why are you giving me [Endless Spring]?"
While her face was buried in his back, she said in a whisper
"Sunny, I was never able to help you for everything you did to me. And now you're leaving me and Neph while you go back in dangerous places. I hope that the memory will at least help you in your journey. Please come back safe" Cassie said with tears flowing from her eyes.
Sunny sighed in relief and then patted on her head, which made her blush a little. "I promise to come back safely. And when I came back, I'll be strong enough to protect you both" he said gently with a with smile
And with that, Sunny left Neph and Cassie behind. And started heading towards the ruins
***
Back to the present....
Sunny opened his eyes and started preparing to head towards the bright castle. But just then, he sensed something from the shadows in the area.
Using the shadows, Sunny looked through them and saw a group of six sleepers walking in a narrow path in the stone ruins.
It was already night and there shouldn't be any sleepers here. Except for Sunny, of course. But he knew where these guys were going.
Just as he was going to follow them secretly, he saw himself from a shadow and saw how dirty he was.
'Hmm... maybe I should take a quick shower and then follow them. I can't meet Kai while being dirty.' Sunny summoned [Endless Spring] and quickly washed his body.
....
The group were surprisingly good enough to avoid some dangers, and so far, they didn't die. While still sneaking on them, Sunny heard one of them speak to their supposed leader.
"So, boss, do you think he'll finally give us his memories?"
The boss, who was looking at a map and following it, said in an annoyed tone "I hope so, I don't wanna come out here ever again."
"But what should we do after we get his memories? What if he tells someone when he goes back?" One of the sleeper asked in curiosity.
"Heh, he wouldn't dare say anything about stealing his memories. And even if he does, he'll fight Harus. But I think we should just kill him and save ourselves the trouble"
After hearing that. Sunny, who was following them secretly and listening to them, clenched his fist so hard. A sharp look of pure anger appeared on his eyes.
'Those bastards! I promise I'll kill all of you again. What would've happened to Kai if I didn't get them killed last time?!'
Sunny barely controlled himself after hearing them. He wanted to kill them now, but then he heard them say something that caught his attention.
"Hey boss, are there any new rumors about that bastard Lost From Light?" One of the Sleepers asked.
"Heh, I bet he got killed by Harus the day he left the castle" One of them chuckled as he said that.
"Actually, even Harus seemed frightened from him. That bastard must be some hidden legacy that has been fed with soul shards before the winter solstice. Otherwise, he wouldn't be that strong in just a month." Their leader said with a scoff and jealousy.
"And about him being alive or dead. I think it's safe to say that he was killed in the labyrinth. After all, it's been 5 months since he last appeared. And it seemed like Lord Gunlaug is already preparing to take down Changing Star and her stupid followers." The leader chuckled and smiled at this thought.
"I hope that he leaves that bitch Changing Star alive. After all she look so hot. Especially that blind girl who's glued to her. Can't wait to lay my hands on her body." Someone said with burning desire in his eyes, and it seemed like the others agree with him.
Sunny looked at them with disgust and anger. But before he was about to kill those bastards. he realized that they arrived at their destination.
Before them was a large building that had been magnificent once. Sunny watched as the group of sleepers slowly climbed the collapsed wall. He followed them secretly from behind.
Inside was a courtyard that had a well in the middle of it. Just when the sleepers were getting closer to the well. Sunny stepped out of the shadow and showed himself behind them.
"Hey assholes. What are you doing here?" Sunny said coldly.
Suddenly, all of them flinched as they turned to look at from where the voice came from in horror. After seeing Sunny face, their faces suddenly paled as one of them pointed his finger at Sunny while shivering in horror and said.
"Lo...Lo...Lost From Light!" He said in a scared voice as if he saw some ghost.
"Do I need to repeat myself? What are you doing here?" Sunny said coldly with anger in his tone.
Before any of them said anything, a voice echoed from inside the well.
"Lost From Light? Wait! Sunny, is that you?"
Sunny looked at the well and then turned to look back at the sleepers. Then, a cold smile appeared on his face as he pointed his finger at the well and said.
"Quick question. Why do I hear the voice of my dear friend Kai coming from inside the well"
They flinched when Sunny looked at them with his smile that hid a crazy killing intent.
"We...we...well Mr...Mr.Lost From Light, we were... we were just trapping a terrifying creature that could mimic the voice of others." Their leader tried to play it off cool. But Sunny wanted to make them scared. A way came to his mind as he smirked to his thought.
Sunny's expression then turned innocent and naive as he said "really? That's so heroic of you. Then, since I'm here. I'll take out the grate and kill the creature now. I'm so strong now, you can rely on me."
Sunny said in the most innocent tone ever, but it only made them more scared
"No...no we can't do that, the creature is so dangerous that if the grate was opened he'll cause a huge trouble and kill a lot of sleepers." The leader still tried playing it call and not cause any suspicious
"If it's that strong. Why can't it just move the grate on its own? Isn't it odd?" Sunny said innocently
'Damn it, just get away from here.' The leader thought to himself "Well, he was trapped already by lord Gunlaug. We just came to check here on a patrol to make sure he doesn't remove the seal that was placed." That was the best excuse the leader could come up with.
"Sunny, help me. They are lying, they trapped me here for weeks." Kai voice echoed in the well. The sleepers trembled. Hoping that this strong crazy bastard just leave.
"Hmm.... I need to check for myself, guys. Just move to the side, please." Sunny said innocently and naively while approaching the grate
'Screw it, we'll attack him while he's busy with the grate. Sadly, we won't be able to his memories' the leader thought to himself as he gives a signal to his cohort.
They waited until Sunny was busy moving the grate and then stab him in the back.
When Sunny was at the grate. The sleepers got ready to attack him. But what happened next made them dumbfounded while looking at Sunny with true horror.
Just now, he just lifted the damned grate with his right hand and threw it to the side like it was nothing. Its weight was so much even them together was so tough for them.
'Holy shit, how could someone be this strong' the leader was completely horrified from the scene upon him.
'Screw it, I'm not crazy enough to fight a monster like that' he then turned to run away. And it seemed like all the other members thought the same. But then, their world turned upside down.
"Eh?"
[You have slain a...]
[You have slain a...]
[Your shadow grows stronger]
Of course, the moment they turned to run away, Sunny quickly summoned Moonlight Shard that appeared in a second, and in a quick slashes, he cuts off all their heads.
Sunny looked at the bloody scene before him, but he ignored it as he saw a figure coming from the well.
Just as Kai set foot on the ground, he looked around him. Although it was dark he still saw the headless bodies and their heads around them.
"Waaah" Kai yelped in horror as he saw the scene.
"Su...Sunny, what happened to them?" He looked at Sunny while trembling from the bloody scene.
"Oh. Them? I just killed them, they tried killing me from behind." Sunny said in a casual tone that made Kai pale.
"Sunny, why don't you seem affected by this? You just killed six humans!"
"So what? You have to get used to it, Kai. People aren't innocent and pure like you. How did you even get trapped by those thugs in the first place??" Sunny looked Kai with confusion.
"Ahhh....Well, let's not talk about that. But Sunny, where have you been in the past months? You suddenly disappeared after leaving the castle." Kai asked with concerns and some curiosity.
"Oh me? I was just traveling the labyrinth, killing monsters and growing stronger." Sunny said in a casual tone again. That made Kai worry about his friend mental state.
"Are...are you crazy!? What do you mean by traveling the labyrinth. What would've happened if you died?!"
"Am I dead?" Sunny asked Kai while raising an eyebrow.
Kai just stared at Sunny in disbelief 'this guy is a lost cause. I shouldn't argue with him' Kai sighed "Anyway Sunny. Thank You so much for helping me." Kai said with a bright smile.
'Agh, don't smile like that. It's so unfair, how could he still be so handsome as a Sleeper.' Sunny barely controlled his face from twitching
"No need to, we're friends in the end. Right?" Sunny said with a cough
"Yeah" Kai replied with even a wider smile.
'Goddammit' Sunny scuffed
------------
[Hello everyone hope you enjoyed the chapter. I know it's been a lot of time since last chapter but I'm really busy with university right now and I still haven't finish my exams yet. But I was able to write this chapter. But anyway want to add somethings real quick.]
[First, about Sunny becoming a tyrant. Although it might seem too much but hear me out. For him to became a tyrant currently he needs about around 9k to 10k shadow fragments. And considering he's a sleeper he gets at least 2 shadow fragments from every creature so he has to kill around 5k nightmare creatures. And some of them could be Monster class which make them count as two nightmare creatures. And in 5 months he have to kill around 4k nightmare creatures. That's like 30 nightmare creatures a day. And consider saint and serpent with him. It will look more reasonable right🤷🏻♂️.]
[Even if it's unreasonable, it's a fanfic. Who wouldn't wanna see Sunny cracked asf and killing stronger creatures left to right?]
[Anyway, I'll try uploading another chapter in the next upcoming week and hopefully in my break I'll post on a daily basis]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone