Malice Unending

After his explanation, Ala Song's gaze naturally fell on Linsey.

The key to awakening lies in skill.

It has little to do with combat ability or any other unfounded factors.

After a long adventure, Ala Song, relying on his extensive knowledge, summarized this pattern.

But now, his theories are under threat.

Because this kind of thing would be completely illogical if it were applied to Linsey.

The man before him possessed a wide range of abilities, excelling in combat, manufacturing, disguise, reconnaissance, and even artistic performance.

With Ala Song's knowledge, he could say without reservation.

Many of the abilities Linsey demonstrated actually involved the Manifestation of Rules.

This is different from the skills created by ordinary low-level awakened beings who conform to the laws of reality.

It's an anomaly that truly defies common sense!

It is truly unimaginable to see these qualities in the hands of an awakened being who has not yet become Ascender.

Linsey noticed Ala Song's expression and gave an awkward smile:

"My situation is rather special."

"Your theory is probably not wrong, it's just that you can't understand my situation using the thinking of a normal person."

Linsey's skills are a unique existence from beyond the universe.

There is no such thing as video games in this world.

Moreover, besides his skills, he also possesses the [Human Wisdom Codex], Divine Artifact from the City of Law enhances his abilities.

Things that were already outside the realm of common sense are now even more impossible to measure using common sense.

Ala Song shrugged and turned his gaze to Wala Wala:

"So, Wala Wala, what rule-based power did you awaken in Sixth Stage?"

"Could it even attract the attention of Eighth Stage awakened being?"

Wala Wala looked somewhat confused:

"I... I only understand the general idea."

"Reality Transformation? The Essence of Art? Proficiency in All Skills?"

"I was organizing the skills I had just advanced when I was dragged into that vortex."

"..."

Would an Eighth Stage Awakened covet the abilities of a newly advanced Sixth Stage Awakener?

A question arose in Linsey's mind.

Even though the ability of Wala Wala is extremely rare.

However, these people who can create the world are evaluated based on the Eighth Stage.

Linsey felt it wasn't attractive enough; there should be a deeper meaning behind it.

At this moment, Linsey's gaze swept over the undead around him.

He recalled his first encounter with the Storm a few hours earlier.

The first undead to attack them cried out, ' Adores, why did you betray me?'

"Adores ..."

Linsey murmured softly.

"Lily Danny and Adores" is a story known to every household in the City of a Thousand Sails. It holds a similar status to "Romeo and Juliet" or "The Butterfly Lovers" in another world.

However, Linsey certainly doesn't know as much about this as her two fellow artists.

He naturally reminded Wala Wala and Ala Song:

"Do you remember what the first undead to attack us shouted, Adores?"

"..."

"Adores!"

The two artists also realized what was happening.

When ghosts hear the characters in these famous pieces of music, they naturally realize their special nature.

Wala Wala reacted the fastest, immediately looking at the Pale Ghost in front of her:

"Everyone, can you tell me what happened to you before you died?"

"..."

Because of their previous performances, these spirits had almost all become fans of the Wala Wala" music.

Without hesitation, they began to tell their stories:

"I am Finster, a knight from Nimrogen. After slaying the Steel Evil Dragon, I was trapped in a treacherous swamp on my way back and tragically perished..."

"I was a businessman from Fenghua. I died alone at home because my children abandoned me..."

"I am Rui, who challenged the gods at Hurricane Fortress, and then slept beneath the Black City..."

"I am Solreil, and I died in court poisoning at the age of coming of age..."

Linsey knew nothing about these things.

But Wala Wala, who came from the City of a Thousand Sails, looked increasingly solemn.

The Journey of the Steel Knight, the Founding of Solreil, Elegy of Galilee, The Chronicles of the Wind Child's Conquest, The Poem of Werner Moye...

Every single one of the spirits present was a character from one of these famous plays or works!

But regardless of how they end up in their own stories.

Their ultimate fates were all altered, dragged into the Abyss of the dark sea by evil thoughts.

"How is this possible?"

Wala Wala frowned deeply.

Some of these stories are adapted from true events, and it's one thing for the corresponding spirits to be dragged into this world.

But some of them are entirely fictional stories, so how could they be the same as the former?

The spirits told their stories one by one.

One by one, they were enveloped in pain again, yet unwilling to harm the princess who had played for them, they gradually dissipated and departed.

Wala Wala then told her companions about her discovery:

"They are all characters in the play!"

"So the souls of the dead in this world all exist in famous stories?"

Ala Song added his own perspective:

"The Fallen Artist of Black Tide Island created his world into a huge stage, and then shaped a tragic ending for all the characters in famous stories, thus dragging their souls into it."

Linsey asked from a layman's perspective:

"His goal is to forcibly reverse all fates, leading them to tragedy, and then evolve the world?"

"..."

All three of them felt a chill run down their spines.

—A tragic world ruled purely by a cruel fate.

A world developed from one person's skill is definitely not something kind or beautiful.

The characters who created all of this are also what they are about to face.

Wala Wala's expression showed some reluctance:

"Linsey, facing an enemy like this is far too dangerous, you..."

Linsey interrupted directly:

"Don't overthink it, this guy's probably not right."

"If he is truly a complete Eighth Stage awakener, he could easily defeat us if he were to personally come to this world."

"Instead of using methods like summoning the dead or calling for storms, as we did before."

Linsey made her judgment decisively:

"I'm sure he's in a very special situation right now."

"It's uncertain whether they'll live or die!"

"After all, think about it— the City of a Thousand Sails wouldn't provoke Eighth Stage Awakened so easily. The fact that the Art Association attacked Black Tide Island and even destroyed it is proof enough!"

Linsey's analysis is entirely based on real-world information.

Wala Wala pondered this, but her words of persuasion were firmly shut down.

Just then, Linsey continued to consider the line of thought from before and suddenly had an idea about the next enemy.

He immediately asked Wala Wala:

"All creations in this world exist within a story."

"Wala Wala, do you know any stories about the great whirlpools in the deep sea, or the giant sea monsters guarding secrets?"

"Wala Wala" came out of his mouth:

"Sea monster?"

"That must be the Abyssal Giant Whale Soroa, or the Ocean Nightmare Krulu!"