Sss extra - ascended watching

Richard sat by himself in front of a large black screen.

“Almost there…”

Green words started to appear in the top left corner of the screen.

‘PHYL_RELAY:23049’

‘DIR:[PHGD_DEADWORLD338](14306.509.78894)’

‘STATUS:SIGNAL_LOST’

‘T-60:RECORDING_RECOVERED’

‘Playing now’

A noisy sixty seconds recording began to play out. It only showed a fully black image with the probe’s signal light periodically flashing in the bottom right corner. The flashing gradually slowed down as the black image took on a reddish tint. And that was it. The last sixty seconds of the probe’s signal.

“It really was a black hole. I see. What an interesting pattern.”

In a remote region, where dense spike-shaped mountains kept visitors away, Erredis landed, seemingly phasing through hundreds of those spiked mountains. In that part of the region only, they were nothing but an illusion.

Under cover of those gigantic mountains, the roof of an immense palace so large that its base was embedded deep into the crust of the planet, and a colossal round opening to a well maintained garden.

Erredis landed among the giant plants, there were scant few species of plants that grew to a size Dragons could appreciate, but they were all reunited there. Even a leyline tree was growing out in the open, a unique sight.

Very few Dragons had a home that could contain their full size, even Erredis herself was not one of them, but her old friend was.

Said friend slowly emerged from the depths of the palace, her elegant form walking leisurely down the gargantuan corridor leading to the garden. She truly lived up to her moniker as the thousand-horned as countless long horns decorated her entire body, most of them facing her back, almost looking like coarse fur, while few, more dangerous-looking ones faced other directions.

“I see you’re not in a hurry, Lak. Why the sudden invitation? Just wanted to see me?”

“If I do not invite you, will you ever come?”

“Ahah… Well…”

“Tssk tssk, only know how to have friends when you need something from them,” Vlakirr teased, walking into the garden alongside Erredis. Although the garden was vast, with two adult Dragons in it, it felt cramped, there was no space for a third one, and that was with them both being among the smaller ones.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“And you generally only know me when you need someone ganged up on, who are we killing this time?”

“Hah! Be serious, those times are over. Good old times… But no, I’ve called you over to celebrate a joyous occasion, for once!”

“That prick Sanfross is finally dead?” Erredis guessed.

“I wish! But no, a true joyous occasion, Riri. I have laid an egg,” Vlakirr announced proudly.

“Another one?!”

“My precious Zephi is gonna have a sibling! Can you imagine?!”

“... You… Just how much have you been fucking?!”

“These mountains didn’t rise by themselves,” Vlakirr answered with a wink.

“You disgust me.”

On a remote sandy beach, in a dangerous area where level 400 monsters were a common sight, Sen was relaxing on a beach towel.

Nex suddenly appeared next to him.

Sen pretended not to notice him.

“You look busy,” Nex commented, getting in the way of the sunlight.

“Sure am. You look… Like usual.”

“So unfunny and exhausted? I know.”

“Why don’t you lie down a bit, I got an extra towel.”

“Thanks.”

Sen sat up on his towel, getting drinks for both of them out of his storage.

“So, what’s it this time, Nex? Someone troublesome headed my way again?”

“Yes, but that isn’t why I came looking for you. Since it’s fair to say the Saint role failed to perform up to expectations, I’ve taken time to work on the other idea Jin had. It ended up a bit different, but it should work.”

“So fast? I assume database was on it for a while and you just put it all together?”

“Pretty much, but since it ended up quite different from the original, and with Anna and Jin gone… I need a sanity check from you.”

“Happy to help.”

“So, this time, we have a mimic ‘Saint’ on the job, and we’ll target the more promising souls to fish out. Oversimplified bit you get the idea.”

Sen sipped on his drink with an idle expression. “I assume you have the limiting factors dealt with. Then I don’t see the issue if the mimic can really attract proper souls.

“He can, that is not the issue. But with the limited time ahead… I was also considering simply stopping the summonings altogether.”

“So the souls can be lost to the black hole instead? Nex you really need to relax. You know what’s best. Speaking of, is the special trial ready? Who did you get as instructors?”

“Nolla, Florencia, Mountain.”

“Two skeletons? Makes sense. I’m surprised they accepted. Nolla even moreso.”

“Nolla was the most enthusiastic. The training will be quite something to watch, I believe.”

“What about the main player?”

“Roaring to go.”

“Nice.”

Sen laid back down on his towel.

Far from Veliadren, a certain Saint of Strength high Orc hung defeated, impaled against a cross-shaped stele by a flagpole running through his skull.

“You are twenty thousand years too young to defeat me, Tartaros. I thought you knew better.” Hearing no response to her low level taunt Suhentopehrin of Unfairness continued on, “Your mistake, this time, was believing that I would lose health when I am hit. Do you understand where you failed?”

Tartaros’ limp hand rose, clutched the flagpole, and in one clean movement pulled it out of his head and threw it at Suhen. She caught so gracefully and effortlessly that it made it look like it was not even an attempt at an attack.

“One more?” she asked.

“No. I have learned much again today. Thank you.”

Suhen just nodded in response, she planted her flagpole into the ground, and Tartaros disappeared.

Hand behind her back, she walked around the training space, observing the traces of this day’s battles.

“Still making such visible progress at his level… What a talented kid. At this rate it won’t be long before he wins a match.”