Chapter 451: Following the Guidance of the Soul
Advent of the Archmage
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Linkâs mission was to save Silverstarâs soul, but he couldnât reveal that because it was an alert from the game system. He also couldnât prove that Silverstarâs soul was still alive. No one would believe him if he said that, so he had planned to complete this mission while the entire team was fighting against the Void Tyrant.
But now, there was a cry for help, and he couldnât determine if it was real or not. Link was conflicted.
What if it was a trap and he led the entire team there? But if he didnât goâwhat if it was real? Silverstar understood the Void Tyrant well. If Link could save her, it would be much more possible to defeat the Void Tyrant.
There was another question. Why did Silverstar only call to him for help?
There were many possible explanations. For example, maybe she was too weak, or Link had saved her before, so he received her soulâs recognition. Or maybe this was the Void Tyrantâs evil plan. Link couldnât determine the validity with pure logic.
He needed to follow the guidance of his own heart. Just like that time at the Dragon Valleyâs Mist Maze, he should let his soul tell him the correct choice.
His soulâs voice was very weak; it couldnât be disturbed at all. Link took a deep breath. Without thinking about anything, he calmed his mind and continued to listen.
After a few seconds, Linkâs mind was completely still. All worries, fears, and other emotions had smoothed over. He entered a state of complete peace.
Then he suddenly heard the cries. Iâm here, Iâm here, Iâm here. Save me.
The voice was wispy, lost, and very soft. It was like a spider web floating in the wind; it could be broken at any time.
Now, Link was sure that this was definitely Silverstarâs soul!
He turned to look at Gretel and saw her brows tightly knitted. There was worry in her eyes. She was definitely worrying about the future of the dragon race and the power of the enemy. She was worrying... There were too many distracting thoughts in her mind.
If the queen was like that, the elders and Dragon Soul Guards must be even worse off. They must be anxious and unsettled. How could they hear these soft cries for help in that state?
He understood. Silverstar must have started off calling to everyone, but only I could hear her, so she only calls to me now.
Thinking of this, Link said to Gretel, "A voice in my heart tells me that Silverstar is still alive. We must save her. This will be a great help in defeating against the Void Tyrant."
"Are you sure?" Gretel stared into Linkâs eyes. Her crystal-red eyes were unblinking behind the dragon helmet.
Link was technically the commander of the team. At this time, his one mistake could kill all of them. Gretel was already showing great trust in him by not directly disagreeing with him.
Link looked back confidently. "Iâm sure!"
Gretel nodded. "Alright. Take us to her."
She was handing him the fate of her race. Taking a deep breath, Link called, "Warriors, follow me!"
The voice was coming from the south of the small city. Link led the team southward.
There was a small lake near the south of the city, so there were many creeks. After a while, Link discovered that the black aura was much thinner by the creeks. He could see up to 30 feet. There were less translucent dancing tentacles too.
He didnât know why but he could still take advantage of it.
"Follow the river. Do you hear the water? Follow the sound of the water and donât get lost!" Link called.
The creek wasnât very longâonly around 3000 feet. The soldiers walked along the bank. With the target clear, they finished within ten minutes. A lake appeared at the end of the creek.
There was a small dam between the creek and lake; the group walked over to the dam. The black fog in the air had thinned more. The visibility was up to 60 feet.
Here, Link could hear the cries very clearly. Silverstarâs soul must be around here!
At that time, a Warrior pointed at the water below the dam and called, "Look, thereâs something in the water!"
Everyone looked over, including Link. Using the Vision of Truth for help, he could see more clearly than the others.
He saw a mess of semi-transparent tentacles near the top of the water. There were at least 3000 tentacles. They flew around and practically covered the entire water surface. However, using the Vision of Truth, Link still saw a ball of weak light in the water under the tentacles.
"Those tentacles are afraid of water. Did Silverstar use the water to escape death?" Link was excited. He could clearly feel the strong soul aura from the water.
Gretel felt this too. She looked to Link with some happiness in her eyes.
"Thereâs something there. Iâll go check!"
And then plop, Link jumped straight into the water from the dam.
The water in the Soul Realm was freezing in an eerie, bone-chilling way. Despite his physical strength, Link still shuddered when he entered the water. The tentacles on the surface discovered him and sped over. Link immediately went underwater.
Whoosh, whoosh. There was wind from above the water, but no tentacle entered to attack him. These guys really were scared of water!
The Vision of Truth was equally effective underwater. Link looked side to side and saw the faintly glowing soul floating before him. At the same time, the voice in his mind was clearer. Iâm here, Iâm here.
Link swam over with all his might. When he was closer, he was even surer that this was Lucia Silverstar!
She had silver hair, silver eyes, and snowy-white skin. Her body was slightly transparent, showing this was a soul, but she was much solidified and had clear contours. Only a Legendary figure could reach this extent.
Because she was a soul, she had no clothes. Floating in the water without moving in a fetal position, she looked like a corpse at first glance.
Link continued swimming. Beside the sacred soul, he discovered that she was half-asleep. She didnât react to him at all. The only change was that the voice in Linkâs mind grew much stronger.
Iâm here, Iâm here, the voice kept calling. She seemed to be repeating it subconsciously.
Link wasnât worried. He had found her. As long as he brought her back, heâd find a way to save her.
He touched the soul lightly. It felt like he touched something soft, like jello or glue. If Link used a bit more pressure, his entire hand would sink in.
So this is a soulâs substance. An ordinary mortalâs soul would probably just be a puff of smoke, right? Link thought. He carefully cupped his hand around the soul and swam away from the city without breaking through the surface.
At the dam, Gretel sensed Linkâs movements, as well as Silverstarâs soul. Looking at the dancing tentacles on the surface, she waved her hand. "Letâs go," she said to the Warriors. "Weâll go into the water too and leave this place first."
Plop, plop. The dozens of Red Dragon Warriors and the queen jumped in together. They followed Link and swam forward.
After around 3000 feet, there was a small island. Link carried Silverstarâs soul up. The Red Dragon Queen followed him onto land too.
Link wasnât familiar with souls. The soul wasnât wearing any clothes either, so Silverstar was naked now. He carried her and looked awkwardly at Gretel. "I got her, but she seems to be hurt. Do you know what to do?"
He had not looked deep into the category of souls. The only knowledge Link had was from Secret Magicians like Vance and Eleanor, but it was all basic stuff.
"Hand her to me."
Gretel took Silverstarâs soul from Linkâs hands. At the same time, a watery crystal-red light appeared in her hands. The light dripped into the soul. Slowly, a red haze appeared in the white soul.
Ah, save me, save me, save me. She started struggling and instinctively cried for help.
Gretel patted Silverstarâs cheeks gently and murmured, "Wake up, wake up. Itâs safe."
After a dozen taps, Silverstarâs body convulsed, and she finally woke up. Opening her eyes, she yelled, "Hurry, stop him! Heâs starting to split!"
"Split?" Gretel was terrified at that.
"Yes!" Silverstar urged. "His body is at the limit already. Heâll split into a new body and continue sucking power. You have to kill him before he finishes splitting!"
With that, a message flashed past Linkâs vision.
Mission Completed: Rescue
Player receives 10 Jogu.
Player receives 100 Omni Points.
Activate Second Step: Restriction Transfer
Mission Content: Use Magician Lucia Silverstarâs knowledge to restrain the Void Tyrantâs power and mobility.
Mission Reward 1: 10 Jogu
Mission Reward 2: 200 Omni Points
Link immediately accepted it.
Here, the Red Dragon Queen smiled helplessly. "Unfortunately, we might not be the Void Tyrantâs match," she told Silverstar. "Heâs very strong now."
Link quickly said, "No, thereâs a way!"
The game system had given a clear prompt. Things had to be done step by step. With their current power, they indeed couldnât go face to face with the Void Tyrant. However, this guy was splitting now and couldnât move around.
They could take advantage of this time to complete the restraint on him and lower his power. Then they could do the next step. This was the correct way.
Hearing this, Gretelâs eyes brightened. She looked at Link hopefully. "Tell us."
Link pointed at Silverstar in Gretelâs arms. "Our success depends on her!"