Eldritch, I'll Kill You!

"Um, although I said I'd take you to the Light Eagle Legion after we get back from the dungeon, you don't really need to immerse yourself in the Painting World, do you?"

In Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, the sound sleep of the Onion Knight was broken by the sounds of two girls pulling and tugging at each other.

"If you really go in, you might not be able to get out for days. I'm not going to wait for you!"

Lu Lu Wo used all her strength and all the chains to pull on Elsa, who was just a hair's breadth away from touching the Painting World of Anor Londo.

"No, I didn't!"

Although Elsa could have easily pulled her friend down with just a little more effort, she ultimately didn't do it.

She explained obediently, like a calf tamed by a matador:

"I just want to visit the Painting World one more time before going to Anor Londo, and see the giants one more time."

After her explanation, I finally understood why she wanted to delve into the Painting World.

It turns out that it wasn't to escape the "fate" of returning to the Light Eagle Legion, but to verify an interesting idea that the girl herself had proposed.

That is, if a ghost image has appeared in both the Zane Dungeon and the Painting World, would that ghost image possess memories from the Painting World?

Elsa was the first to suggest this idea. Coincidentally, she met the giant blacksmith in the castle this time, so she wanted to go to the Painting World to talk to the giant blacksmith again and see if there would be any unexpected events when she went back to the castle after coming out.

"But what if you enter the Painting World and can't get out for a while? What if you get trapped for more than ten days like last time?" Lu Lu Wo asked.

"I was Sin Flame for quite a long time, and my spirit was already weak. I will be out soon."

Just as the Sid Guild Master told them not to enter the dungeon today and to rest well, the Sin Flame did indeed make their spirits more vulnerable. Elsa, who suffered a large proportion of injuries in the boss battle and was burned by the Sin Flame for the longest time, actually only has enough spirit to support her to die a few more times before she reaches the danger line and is kicked out of the Painting World.

So if you go in now, she might come out in an hour or two, and then she might even be able to run to the castle.

"Alright, your hypothesis has piqued my interest as well." Lu Lu Wo was convinced and released the chains. "Remember to say hello to the blacksmith for me; I'm also her friend."

Elsa nodded and turned to enter the Painting World.

Aside from painting, Lu Lu Wo sat down by the campfire, bored out of her mind, and drank the Onion Knight's Primal Soup one sip after another.

"Why do you all seem to like the giant blacksmith so much?"

To be honest, she had a premonition when she first met the other party in the Painting World that this giant would become the next popular afterimage, because the other party not only took the initiative to make friends, but also helped people upgrade their weapons for free, and adventurers have always been very welcoming to this kind of character.

However, what she didn't expect was that after Bei Er Tuo gathered information on the adventurers over the past few days, he concluded that the Giant Blacksmith was the second most popular character in the remnants of the Painting World, second only to Solaire. This was truly unexpected.

"Fine, let everyone like the friendly, goofy guy."

Three hours later, Elsa finally emerged, holding the Rusty Iron Ring that had changed.

[Carved Rusty Iron Ring]

[A testament to the giant blacksmith's deep friendship; he will give this to a friend after visiting him several times.]

[It makes the wearer feel light as a feather, making it easier to adapt to harsh terrain]

Her face was pale due to the loss of Spirit Power, but her expression was happy as she showed off the item to Lu Lu Wo.

"The giant said that if I ever see him again, I should show him this ring, and he will remember me!"

"This is so heartwarming."

Lu Lu Wo agreed, feeling like she was taking care of a child, and quickly gave her a bottle of Invigorate Potion before heading towards Anor Londo in the dungeon.

Passing again through the cathedral where the Pontiff Sulyvahn's Phantom, a statue of Sulyvahn wielding two swords appears in the center of the cathedral. Touching it will trigger a prompt:

[Shall we take the challenge?]

This statue will appear if an adventurer who has defeated the phantom returns here. If someone who has not defeated the phantom comes here, there will be no statue, and they will have to fight it.

Speaking of which, after the Pontiff's Phantom Soul is transmuted, one can choose one of three rewards, including his two weapons— the Profaned Greatsword and the Punishment Greatsword —as well as a passive ability called [Pontiff's Blessing], which can enhance the melee talent of those proficient in magic.

It just feels so raw and untamed.

They crossed the backyard and then the main road, and this time no intruders disturbed their enjoyment, and they arrived at Anor Londo.

The layout here has hardly changed. Both Elsa and Lu Lu Wo are extremely familiar with the map. They even laugh when they see the Silver Knight shooting big arrows, feeling nostalgic. They are quite adept at dealing with him.

In addition, Elsa was in a good mood throughout the journey, even humming a little tune, making the atmosphere feel like a spring outing. The joyful feeling was everywhere, and even the gloomy and dilapidated interior of the castle could not taint this happiness.

The two wandered around the area, exploring more places and postponing their meeting with the giant blacksmith.

Lu Lu Wo calls it "building up the mood," meaning that the best food should be saved for last.

However, during this process, they encountered something unexpected.

The main course suddenly appeared in front of us!

"Wait, wait, why is the Fog Gate here?"

Lu Lu Wo found the mechanism and opened the gates of Anor Londo Castle, thus opening a shortcut.

However, at the end of the road directly opposite the gate, where, in the Painting World, it should be the battlefield between the leaders of Ornstein and Smough, it was now covered with a layer of white mist.

Just by getting a short distance closer, an incredibly evil and powerful aura emanated from behind the Fog Gate, sending chills down one's spine and deterring even the thought of approaching.

The sinister aura instantly shattered the "spring outing" atmosphere between the two, bringing them back to their senses that they were in a perilous underground city.

"Could this be the missing Sunlight King, Aldrich the Deep Saint?" Lu Lu Wo speculated. "Some sources say he's allied with Sulyvahn, and his true form isn't in his own Cathedral of the Deep. Yet, both Irithyll and Anor Londo have seen Deep Bishop and carrion subordinate to him."

Then she muttered to herself in confusion, "But why would he come here? He couldn't possibly be here to ask Gwyndolin to link the First Flame, could he be here to join Sulyvahn in attacking the Leyndell?"

Elsa frowned, turned around and walked back towards where the giant blacksmith was. Lu Lu Wo quickly followed, as she dared not stay alone in this eerie and strange place.

This was the first time she had ever felt completely uninterested in exploring the leader behind the Fog Gate!

After walking for a while, the two arrived at the place where the giant blacksmith was located. They could see each other as soon as they turned the corner.

The sound of forging still didn't come; this guy must be sleeping again.

Standing just short of being able to see the giant, Elsa couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She straightened her clothes, which were wrinkled from the battle, and put on her Carved Rusty Iron Ring, thinking about what she should say to start the conversation.

Here it comes! Here it comes! The first time I've seen the afterimage of the Painting World in the dungeon!

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go!"

Lu Lu Wo playfully nudged Elsa, causing her to jog forward a couple of steps, a reproachful expression on her face.

But the blame vanished in an instant, and she smiled brightly again, lifting her head.

Clang—

Lu Lu Wo was about to turn back because Elsa was very shy, and if she were next to her, the little girl might not have shown her true feelings.

So she kindly walked away, intending to come back and check on it in a few minutes.

But after taking only a few steps, a loud crash behind her drew her attention back. When she turned around, she saw that the giant sword had fallen to the ground.

"So excited you even dropped your weapon?"

No matter how she thought about it, it was impossible, so she turned back and laughed:

"What's wrong? Why are you so excited, my god!!!"

Lu Lu Wo jumped back suddenly, her back hitting the wall. The burning pain brought her to a slightly more sober state.

Looking back at the other side, it wasn't the greatsword that fell to the ground, but Elsa who fell to the ground, causing the greatsword on her back to also crash to the ground.

Now, that petite figure was frozen in place, staring blankly at what was in front of her.

Not moving at all.

Stop looking!

Lu Lu Wo her hand, and the chains and cloth strips blindfolded the other person. She immediately rushed over and hugged them, staring at the corner, gritting her teeth, and muttering something under her breath:

"What a twisted sense of humor, Saine."

In a sense, the giant blacksmith was indeed sitting there, and the lower half that Elsa had seen earlier was real.

But the key point is

The giant blacksmith only had his lower body left.

Weapons that had not yet been forged were scattered all over the ground, and the quenching water buckets had long since dried up.

The giant lay on the ground, his upper body completely covered by writhing black mud, and faint sounds could be heard from time to time.

Listen, that's a "click-clack" sound.

It's the sound of chewing food.

A point of light floated beside the black mud, Lu Lu Wo swung out her chain to hook it over.

[Giant Ember]

[The ashes left behind after death, existing in the past of the giant blacksmith of Anor Londo, who was said to have become a god's blacksmith with his superb skills.]

[Giving this item to another blacksmith will improve that blacksmith's skill.]

Just then, the black mud that was feasting on the giant blacksmith's body spotted the two of them and immediately pounced on them menacingly.

"Aldrich's Carrion!?"

As the all-knowing expert of the dungeon Lu Lu Wo naturally recognized the origin of the black mud, which was the culprit that killed the giant blacksmith.

When she uttered the word, Elsa in her arms trembled violently.

She glanced down at her opponent, a look of worry flashing in her eyes, and was about to fight.

But just then, she suddenly felt something hot in her arms.

It's not just hot, it's burning!

A scorching flame burst forth in her arms, and she was instantly blown away by the shockwave. What she saw next was a dazzling display of firelight.

This kind of flame once appeared on Elsa's greatsword!

The rotting flesh that lunged at her was burned to ashes in mid-air, and Elsa, surrounded by flames, or rather, pillars of fire, slowly stood up.

Elsa

Lu Lu Wo wanted to say something with concern, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the scorching air instantly made her throat hoarse and unable to make a sound. She wanted to get closer to the other person, but if she moved even slightly, the flames would burn her immediately.

Upon closer inspection, Elsa's eyes were completely covered by flames, and then her entire face, making it impossible to discern her expression.

At this temperature, even tears would evaporate instantly.

"Ah!"

She suddenly roared and drew her greatsword, the blade crashing to the ground and cracking open for hundreds of meters.

"Aldrich!"

Elsa instantly transformed into a burning meteor and shot out of here, her destination being none other than the Fog Gate!

"I kill you!"

After shouting those words, she crashed headfirst into the Fog Gate!

On the other side, Lu Lu Wo risked being burned by binding the other's ankles with chains and was also pulled into the Fog Gate.

Compared to the suspected Sunlight King, she was clearly more worried about the mental health of her "friends"!

Elsa is now driven only by the urge to kill the culprit and wants nothing more than to vent her emotions by wildly swinging her greatsword.

However, after entering the Fog Gate, an image appeared that rendered them unable to move, and her anger could only be temporarily suppressed.

Oh no, I'm not ready yet! Lu Lu Wo panicked, but couldn't resist her curiosity to watch the video.

This place was undoubtedly the battlefield of the Leyndell Duo's leader. It was once sacred and glorious, and the twilight here cast the warmth of the Age of Fire, making people feel the magnificent vitality.

But now, a chilling aura crawled up Lu Lu Wo's body like a leech, and she subconsciously shivered, only then realizing that her body had been trembling for a long time.

Black mud, or rotting flesh, permeated this once glorious hall, polluting everything in its path with a deep, somber color. Profound human nature settled here, transforming into an unfathomable darkness.

Upon sensing the presence of living beings, the rotting flesh became much more active, and the entire area seemed to come alive!

Lu Lu Wo nervously looked around, searching for the enemy.

However, an unexpected figure slowly appeared before them, surrounded by rotting flesh.

When Lu Lu Wo was stunned.

"Gwyndolin?"

That was the real Gwyndolin, with pale skin, a handsome face, and a sun-like crown; he looked exactly like the Dark Sun and Dark Moon god so beloved by people today.

Why is she here?

Lu Lu Wo's brain was working at lightning speed, but it was clearly unable to grasp the current situation, to the point that it was about to crash. Just then, she suddenly noticed something was wrong.

Why does Gwyndolin's Sun Crown look like it's been gnawed on?

"Leave quickly!"

Gwyndolin stood regally, a wicked smile playing on her lips. Her expression was completely at odds with her words, and utterly unlike the gentle, encouraging figure people knew of as the Dark Sun. It was as if she had been possessed by something!

"You, what exactly are you—"

Before he could even utter a question, Gwyndolin's neck suddenly snapped and slumped limply.

"Ah!" Lu Lu Wo screamed in fright.

The next moment, Gwyndolin's body soared into the sky, and people finally got a clear look at him.

Her lower body had long since disappeared; what now connected it was swollen, writhing black, rotting flesh!

The entire hall began to stir!

The sickening sound of flesh being gnawed away rang in my ears, and a sinister laugh came from somewhere. The unremarkable, rotting flesh exuded a dark and sinister aura, its form tainted with evil, and a powerful and irresistible majesty emanated from it.

This posture is just like that of a demon king!

Sparks began to ignite on the rotting flesh, though only a few, as if they were about to go out.

However, Lu Lu Wo had sensed this fiery aura from the Farron Undead Legion.

"Damn it, it really is the Sunlight King."

The names of evil enemies appear in people's minds.

Eldritch, Devourer of Gods!