But then Dila laughed—nervously, awkwardly.
"Haha… ha… what are you two talking about? I'm fine. Totally fine… hahahaha…"
Her laugh cracked toward the end, brittle as glass. She pushed herself up on shaky arms, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The knight tilted his head slightly, watching her. "Umm… kid, are you really sure about that? Or are you just pretending you're okay?"
The priestess took a step closer, her concern evident. "You're not okay," she said softly, her voice calm but firm. "You're pale. And your aura—it's trembling."
Dila's smile twitched, faltering for a moment. Her fingers curled weakly into fists.
"...It's just the mana pressure," she muttered, avoiding their eyes. "I'll manage."
Dila's thoughts spiraled as her body wavered, the weight of the corruption pressing harder against her chest.
God… I feel more nauseating than I thought. My head's spinning… my limbs are heavy… if this keeps up, I'll black out right here. I can't—I can't pass out now.
She looked up—eyes unfocused—just in time to see the Veil pulse again, its veins throbbing with a deep, violent red, almost like it was alive and watching them.
That pulse… it's stronger than before. And it's accelerating…
Suddenly, the hero knight stepped forward, his expression steeling. He unsheathed his glowing sword with a resonant shhhhing sound, its light briefly illuminating the dark mist.
The priestess gasped behind him, trembling. "Ahhh! W-what is that?!" she cried out, clutching his cape.
"Please be quiet," the knight said calmly, planting his feet in front of her.
His sharp gaze turned to Dila, still on her knees. "Kid, get behind me. It's dangerous."
But Dila barely heard him. She clutched her robes, her fingers trembling as she stared at the Veil.
It's getting stronger with every second… every pulse is like it's feeding on something—growing. This isn't a regular event. This mechanic… this wasn't in the game. What the hell is this?
"Cough… cough…" she held her chest, eyes narrowing with strain.
The knight raised his sword in a guard stance. "Priest! Prepare your purification chant. It's almost time," he commanded, voice tense.
The priestess nodded, though still visibly scared. "R-right… beginning chant…"
Light slowly gathered at her hands, but Dila still knelt in place, sweating, gasping faintly, heart pounding.
No… I have to… purge it before it's too late…
And than suddenly The priestess come forward.
As the priestess raised her staff high, her voice echoed with power and trembling conviction:
"By the name of the god Luminous, we shall purge the darkness! Destroy all evil to ashes—be vanquished to nothingness! I call the power bestowed— come forth… Divine Advent!"
A sudden burst of holy energy exploded from her staff. The room was consumed by a blinding white light. The Veil crystal quivered and screeched as the divine force clashed against its corrupted form.
Dila instinctively raised her arms over her eyes.
"Tch—so bright...!"
She squinted beneath her sleeves, feeling the raw wave of divine mana ripple through the room.
Incredible... such power... it's flooding the entire chamber. That's… divine magic?
She bit her lip. But… it still lacks something. It's not reaching deep enough into the Veil... It's only scratching the surface.
She glanced sideways at the priestess—her expression strained, her voice trembling as she tried to maintain the spell.
Wait… Luminous? Who's that? Dila thought, confused. I've never heard that god before in the game...
Suddenly, a violent surge of dark energy erupted from the Veil, clashing with the holy light. It howled like a beast in agony.
"AGHHH—!" the knight grunted, raising his arm to shield his eyes, his cape flaring from the magical shockwave.
"Ahhh—!" the priestess cried out as the backlash forced her a step backward, her staff trembling in her grip.
Dila clenched her fists, still on her knees.
No… this isn't enough. That thing—it's too deep. It's resisting.
I have to do something before it's too late…
The Veil pulsed again—this time violently—releasing a wave of thick, dark red energy that crackled through the air like lightning. The ground trembled beneath their feet. The entire basement shook with a low, guttural hum, as if the Veil itself were alive… and angry.
The priestess stumbled back, eyes wide, clutching her left hand to her chest. "I-Impossible…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "This power… it's far stronger than I thought. It's not just a cursed artifact—this is… something else."
"Tch." The hero narrowed his eyes and charged forward without hesitation. "Here goes nothing!" he roared.
He raised his glowing blade high and swung it downward with all his might. CLASH—!!
The blade met the surface of the Veil—and sparks exploded in every direction. A screech of metal meeting unnatural resistance echoed through the chamber. The very air warped with magical force.
"Eeeeehhh—!!" The hero gritted his teeth, forcing the blade down harder.
But then the Veil pulsed again.
A concussive shockwave burst out—BOOM!
The hero was blasted backward. He hit the ground hard, his boots skidding over the stone as he tried to regain balance. He grunted, landing in a crouch, both hands still gripping the sword. The blade's edge vibrated in his grip.
He stared at his shaking hands.
They were numb.
"Impossible…" he muttered, wide-eyed.
"This thing... it just repelled my sword."
His voice dropped into a stunned hush.
Dila, still on her knees, stared ahead, sweat rolling down her brow.
This Veil... it's not just cursed... it's alive. And it's reacting to everything we do.
If the hero's sword can't break it—then maybe… it needs a different kind of magic.
The room trembled. The Veil pulsed again—this time with a hungry growl like something deep and ancient waking up.
"Shit…" the hero hissed through clenched teeth, his eyes darkening with frustration and grim resolve.
"Retreat! Fall back!" he barked, turning toward the priestess. "Priestess—grab the girl and run!"
"But what about you?!" she cried, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
The hero looked back at her—serious, but with a small, pained smile. "Don't worry about me. If I can destroy this thing before it self-destructs… at least only one of us has to go down with it. That's the best outcome we can hope for now."
His smile was brave—but his grip on his sword told another story.
The priestess stood frozen for a moment, hand trembling, reaching out—then withdrawing. She turned toward Dila, moving fast.
But before she could even touch her—SHHHHRRRK—!!
The exit was sealed.
Dark, pulsing vines exploded across the doorway, thick as tree trunks, glowing with ominous red veins. They wrapped and twisted together like a net, blocking any way out.
"Ahhh—!" the priestess shrieked. "We're trapped—NOOOO!!"
"NO!!" the hero roared, slamming his sword toward the new vines. "LUMINOUS AURA!!"
His blade flared with radiant energy. He swung it again and again—
CLANG—BANG—CRACK—SPARK—!!
Nothing. The vines didn't even flinch.
He gasped, breath heavy. "It's no use…" he muttered, staring in disbelief at the barrier. He looked back at the priestess—and then at Dila.
Dila…
Still on her knees. Still staring blankly at the stone floor.
Her thoughts were spiraling.
This is all my fault…
I made the Veil this strong.
Back when this world was just a game… I turned it into an infinite farm. An endless source of loot…
And now look what I've done.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, barely audible.
Tears welled in her eyes.
The hero stood frozen, the priestess backing toward her protectively, fear gripping the room like a vice.
The Veil pulsed again.
Stronger.
Closer.