1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 49: Heart of The Sanctuary

It was like the morning of Christmas for the paranormal adventurer as she was giddily bouncing in place. Any degree of respect he saw her in was immediately challenged as he watched her skip over to the door one set down.

"You love this kind of stuff, don’t you?" He asked, standing by the chosen passage.

As if realizing her almost perverted grin was apparent, Rain settled herself, though harshly hid her excitement, "It’s amazing, isn’t it? The spiritual world—it’s always full of mystery and intrigue at every turn."

"Sure, it’s interesting, not when my friends are in active danger," he said with his arms folded, nudging towards the door.

Rain quickly nodded, grabbing the handle, "R-Right, no time to waste diddle-dallying!"

As it opened, they both stepped through together into—nothing.

"Wha—?"

"Huh?!"

Through distorted space, where sparks cackled and phantoms hissed, they descended.

"You sure found the right door, didn’t you?!" Noah accused while falling.

Rain clutched her knees to her chest, descending in a fetal position, "I did, I swear—! My Divination would never set me astray! This...is the right path...!"

What was an empty void soon became filled with prickly branches on their descent; a maze of trees with thorny limbs.

’A forest–? This is getting way too confusing!’ He thought.

While he braced for impact, naturally, he reached over, yanking the woman over into his arms. The chivalrous act brought a clear, red flush to the baggy-eyed girl’s cheeks as she gasped, though he was more focused on surviving the fall.

[Muscle Hardening] [Enhance]

’I might be able to squeak through this–!’ He thought, clutching the girl in his arms with his back facing the incoming landing.

As he prepared to crash into solid ground, instead, he bounced off what felt like a weightless cushion. It took all the momentum out of his fall, instead lightly sending them back up, drifting down as if gravity took the day off.

"Woah," he let out.

Rain peeked out, finally removing her face from his chest, "Hrrm?..."

From the library to the endless corridor, the scenery found now was just as jarring a shift:

A forest where trees sprouted ruby leaves and silver grass; vagrant spirits floated about like watchful pollen. It wasn’t just the miniscule remnants that looked on, he felt a distinct sensation of "eyes" on him, only noticing it after looking around.

The trees, the foliage, even the leaves–they all bore eyes with twisted, star-shaped pupils. In unison, they blinked as if letting them both know they were being observed.

"Creepy," Noah muttered under his breath.

Rain was clutching the divining chain in her hand, looking towards the grass before lifting her gaze, staring right at him, "This it it–"

"What do you mean?"

"This domain, it’s the domain!" Rain claimed breathlessly. "The core phantasm of this sanctuary is here–and your friends, I can sense their presence here."

"They’re all here? Three different people, right?"

"Correct," Rain confirmed. "Though, I wonder..."

"What is it?" He asked, not enjoying the vague remark.

The woman of snow-white skin tucked the chain under her sable dress, shaking her head, "It’s nothing. Once we exorcise the phantasmal holding this domain together, we’ll be back in the town."

"You’re making it sound easy," Noah said, looking right at the girl. "It’s not, is it?"

"If I’m being honest here, I’d have to estimate the phantasmal here is a few degrees above the Kidnapper and Librarian...You see, those two were more like parasites feeding off its presence," Rain explained succinctly.

"Didn’t think it was going to be easy," Noah sighed. "Otto isn’t going to let me hear the end of this when we’re done."

Navigating the ethereal forest was more uncomfortable than challenging, feeling the constant gaze of the trees on him.

"It’s not exactly rejecting us anymore, is it?" Noah asked quietly, looking around.

There was nothing in their way, only a clear path forward through the corrupted foliage and only the vague whispers from the darkness. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"I was wondering the same thing...I believe, it wants us to come to it," Rain guessed with a confused look.

"After it went through all that trouble rejecting us?"

"It’s confusing, I know...but maybe it’s had its fill of ’fun’ toying with us. Now it’s time for the main course," Rain said.

With the weight of the enigmatic entity’s plan for them looming, they marched through the forest for a mile further until the trees came to an end.

The path ahead led into a malignant territory; a black pond crossed only by sparse stepping stones. On the other side was a spherical structure—a black dome as if built of obsidian.

There was no sky within the domain of the phantasmal, but a scarlet hue overlooked the realm.

"Listen," Rain said intently. "This is going to be different from the other phantasmals you’ve encountered."

"I know."

"No, it’s not just about strength," the paranormal adventurer pressed, raising her finger to him. "A phantasm like this—it’s evolved. More intelligent, a higher degree of unusual abilities...You get it?"

"Got it," Noah confirmed, resting his axe on his shoulder.

The way towards the abode of the core phantasmal was a tricky one. Rain took the first hop onto the stepping stones, almost taking a tumble into the dark water.

He followed next, smoothly landing without swaying an inch.

"This water...is it cursed, you think? Like, deathly diseases and all that?" Noah asked, peering down at the black pond while crossing over.

"No, at least, I don’t think so...probably," Rain answered half-heartedly.

"Very reassuring."

At the other side of the black pond, a trail of sulfur led to the entrance of the ominous dome. It was over three stories tall, and thick enough that the end couldn’t seen when standing just in front of its entrance.

"I’ll lead," Noah said, clutching his axe.

"I’ll be right behind you," Rain agreed.

The way in wasn’t obscured by a door, only a lightless passage leading right into the enigmatic structure. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he felt the atmosphere change; it was dense with an unusual sensation; it made his stomach turn and the hairs on his body stand.

"Not that I would, but turning back..." Noah began to ask.

"It’s not an option anymore, sadly...The way we came in is already gone," the paranormal hunter said.

He could only exhale quietly, "Great."

In the silent darkness, they treaded carefully before–

"Welcome, to my abode."

A silken feminine voice echoed through the domain, washing away the engulfing darkness to unveil the internal structure. It resembled an eroded cathedral that had been burnt across every inch; the stained glass bearing only the likeness of a six-armed man of obsidian skin.

Over the deteriorated tiles, where grass sprouted through the broken bits, the crimson glow seeped through.

Atop an ascent of charred, marble steps, an unusually tall woman with skin whiter than snow sat atop melted steel. There was something enchanting about her appearance, yet ghastly at the same time; her platinum hair draped across the ground, unnaturally long like a puddle pooling at her feet.

She bore an extra pair of arms, which she used to trace her slender fingers along the scarlet strings hanging from the ceiling.

[Greater Identification] [A-Rank Close-Quarters Combat Skill]

["Y’Sila"] [Designated Level: Appx. 15] [Species: Transcendent Phantasm]

[Weaknesses: Spiritual attacks | Magic] [Immune to physical harm.]

Equally divine and devilish; the ethereal woman looked upon the guests with her heterochronic eyes; the left a blood-red, and the other a lavish gold.