Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

Chapter 129: Palace of Horrors

The air was strange, carrying an eerie vibe as the world had a grim look. If one observed it at a glance, they would notice a large blood-red moon that loomed behind a palace at the summits of a giant mountain.

Looking at this moon, one would see two sinister-looking eyes that glared at the world below it indifferently as the gloomy black clouds danced around it with mouths that made a sly grin as if mocking the myriad things.

A dark city rested below the palace, carrying a lifeless air; there was no life to be found in its quarters, for if one looked closely, they would see streets filled with corpses from unknown times, bones of unusual creatures that sprawled open on the asphalt.

The soul-rending wail of wandering ghosts that floated about air echoed near and far to the emptiness around it, adding an ominous feeling to the current atmosphere.

At this time, a bright light bolted down from the sky before crashing into the streets; it released a radiance glow for a few meters before receding to reveal a lonely form.

A handsome silver-haired youth with red pupils, he looked around the area with curious and cautious eyes. He held one of his arms to his side, positioning it a little distance behind his back as a long and cruel-looking scythe appeared within his grasp.

Multiple more of these lights flashed now and then across the dark city, causing the strange youth to narrow his eyes as he spoke under his breath.

"So, this is a dungeon... it's so lifeless, yet I can't help but sense a richness of life within it."

Nero said as he carefully observed the scene, noticing the bones and old corpses that lay lifeless in the open streets. He glanced at the buildings, which had lanterns shone in perpetual green light, adding more oddness to the surroundings.

Suddenly, a burst of sinister laughter sounded in the distance as a thick mist formed, followed by a few glowing lights which soon after formed into jack o lanterns that scattered about the city. A soft wind blew across his body, rustling his hair and his furry martial robes, causing it to make flapping noises followed by an announcement.

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Ding!

[Welcome to the Palace Horrors, a Pseudo Class One Dungeon!]

[Defeat the Master of Horrors to return to your original world; fail to do so, and you shall perish under the laws of the dungeon!]

[Rewards: 1000 EXP, Prestige 300, ???]

[The quest shall commence in 3, 2, 1...]

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Following the notification, the mist dimmed a bit, revealing more of the scene as the air grew a tinge more ominous.

'To think that I'd only get this quest at this time, this should be quite interesting.'

Nero thought as his eyes flashed; he took a deep breath and noticed that the energies that carried a tinge of coldness filled him with a strange feeling, as rather than fear, he felt as if he was in his most appropriate environment, much like a lost soul that found its way home.

As if he couldn't bear it any longer, Nero took a step forward as his eyes flickered with a greenish ray, the world once more transformed before his eyes, showing a strange scenery.

There were countless people of ancient wears, walking about the now gloomy streets, each chatting and laughing while others carried grim looks with uncertain agendas.

Nero gawked at this scene as he didn't expect such a sudden change, but as he observed it more carefully, his eyes turned sharp as he contemplated.

'This... they're all ghosts. They seem real, but this should just be an illusion or rather, a memory brought forth from the effects of my Reaper Eyes.'

Nero wouldn't normally know this, but for some reason, after coming here, he began felt a bit more attuned to his talents and nature.

'I wonder what kind of history this place has?'

Nero pondered for a moment, but as he knew that this wasn't the time, he shook his head and cleared distracting thoughts focusing on his core objectives.

'I should focus on my Unique Dungeon Quest as well as defeating that dungeon boss; I'm sure right now, everyone should be focused on that objective, and the place of residence for such a creature should be none other than that palace in the distance. The Palace of Horrors...'

When Nero pondered to here, his eyes had a bright glint as he showed a determined look when he glanced at the castle that loomed in the distance, trying his very best to ignore the strange moon that glared at him along with the even stranger grinning clouds.

However, as if the world could hear his thoughts, the palace in the distance started to shine in sinister red lights as a few wolf-like howls resounded everywhere.

Kaw! Suddenly, a gut-wrenching squawk resounded across the heavens as a flock of crows fluttered from behind the palace, their eyes gleaming in red lights with feathers that seemed no different from metal due to their glossy sheen as their beaks shone in balefully sharp rays.

Instantly, they made a series of arcs as they swooped through the gloomy sky towards all directions of the dark city, emanating a menacing intent.

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[Man Eating Crows]

[Level: 8]

[Health: 800/800]

[Combat Force: 180 Stones]

[Body Tenacity: 45]

[Spiritual Awareness 40]

[Speed 95km/h]:

[Skill: Soul Confuse - A skill that allows the caster to bewilder the target's mind by attacking their soul.]

[Description: An extremely dangerous crow found only in an environment with gloomy death qi and other energies of yin properties. It thrives on the flesh and spirit of any living being and has an endless appetite, be careful, for these creatures tend to move in flocks.]

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If it were any other time, Nero would flee with both his arms and his legs, moving with all fours, but feeling a surge of confidence, Nero leaned his body forward and slanted the blade of his scythe towards the incoming flock of enemies, causing it to shimmer in cold rays as he made a cruel smirk and usher in an apathetic voice.

"Since you're my first test, let me see just how challenging you really are..."

Following those words, Nero took a harsh step forwards and dashed with full speed towards the incoming flock of Man-Eating Crows. It was a bold move done only by the strong, but unlike him, those in other places had a far different reaction to the disaster about to befall them. One that could very much be no different from a nightmare