[Congratulations! Achievement Unlocked!]

[Survive an encounter with an entity that’s 100x stronger than you.]

[You earned 12LP! Total 35LP! Bonus 10 Attribute Points!]

Ezekill gasped as he was drained after a fight, Yui shockingly absorbed everything on what happened, and she got the proof that she needed. She carried Ezekill as the gallops got louder and louder. Yui prepared, she readied her magic.

The riders were getting closer, the riders face was getting vivid. As soon as she recognized Rudolf she cancelled her magic, and showed a sign of relief. It was finally over she thought, Ezekill was safe now.

Rudolf saw a trace of battle, a huge crater behind them just a few meters from where Yui was standing, ice spikes on the ground, darkened craters with traces of unholy magic. Rudolf didn’t see the Divine Beast, it was gone after the battle was over.

Rudolf looked over towards Yui, he stopped the horse and jumped off as soon as his eyes Ezekill materialized on his vision. He ran and hugged soon after Ezekill was within his reach. He cuddled him, tears dropped on his eyes.

Ezekill didn’t struggle, he knew that his father was worried about his well-being. He confirmed it when Ezekill saw his father’s haggard face, and he didn’t bother to fix his messy hair. His eyes were deep because he lacked sleep. He hugged his father back. He stinks, he thought.

Rudolf didn’t ask any question, he was satisfied seeing his son was unhurt. They rode off towards home.

Ezekill recalled something in his previous life; he remembered that one time his father had the same face with Rudolf when he was younger. His father worried every time he experimented on chemicals, elements with his lab equipment.

The adrenaline wore off, Ezekill was getting tired. Rudolf kept rubbing his head until Ezekill had fallen asleep.

Silence was in the air. Yui tried to approach Rudolf to report the incident, but she was denied; she was told that it could wait until they reached home.

They arrived at the mansion, Lina and Sofia were waiting at the entry hall, Lina kept walking back and forth. While Sofia was standing still looking at her mother with concerned eyes. The door creaked open, Rudolf got inside first with Ezekill, Yui followed.

The mother gasped, she approached Ezekill and kissed his forehead. Lina asked Rudolf if the criminal was apprehended, Rudolf told her that when he arrived at the scene, there was no one else except for Yui and Ezekill. He explained that he found a trace of battle then Rudolf asked Yui to report the incident.

“Master fought off some kind of spectral entity, until I arrived and joined the battle.” Yui reported.

“What!? How about the criminals that abducted my son!?” He questioned.

“Unfortunately when I arrived no one else was there but the spectral entity that master fought.” Yui replied.

“Are you serious Yui? My son? My one year old son fought off an undead spirit?”

“Yes, I don’t have any reasons to lie master.”

Rudolf tried to comprehend the details Yui reported, he couldn’t believe what she said he recalled what Sofia told him. Sofia and Yui weren’t lying but the things they said didn’t make sense to him. Now that Yui told him a cool headed maid wouldn't see things like a child who would see things when under pressure.

Recalling everything that was unusual for a one year old to do like reading, he just concluded that the child was a talented genius.

“Okay, I believe you, I want to increase the security, there will be more rotations and more bodies to patrol the area. Get some rest Yui, Ezekill will sleep with me.”

She nodded.

After many days passed, Rudolf took a time off and watched Ezekill. Every move Ezekill made was watched by Rudolf not letting him slip out of his sights. For Ezekill this was kind of annoying but he understood because of the two incidents, he understood that he was just doing his duty as a father protecting his child.

While Rudolf was busy watching Ezekill, Sofia had to train by herself; she swung her training shortsword repeatedly.

After the encounter with the Greater Nightmare, Ezekill did some research about the Nightmare. Nightmare Encyclopedia.

I can’t read this. He thought.

Wait, this language has similarities with latin but this one has a weird sentence structure. I studied latin in my previous life but I still couldn’t comprehend this book, Guide what Language is this?

[Demon language, Orientem.]

Can you translate this Guide? I wish I could Meta game this one.

Permission to access memories? Do you grant me permission? Y/N.

YES.

[ACCESSING MEMORY]

[Translation possible. Translating Orientem language to Ascion.

1% 2% 3% 4% 5%]

It took half an hour to translate, the Guide translated the demon language based on Ezekill’s knowledge of Latin language.

[Translation Complete! 100%]

For a few minutes the words were suddenly understandable.

Okay let’s start our research, I don’t want to face that thing again unprepared. I’m pretty sure we’ll face off again since he put a cursed mark on me.

‘Nightmares are the type of entities that don't belong in this world, the place they came from? We have no idea. Such creatures caused a lot of calamity in the olden days, even now. The most common type of nightmare is the shade.’

Shade: A humanoid spectral entity, two hundred thirteen to two hundred forty-three Acktametre in height. It had a slender body, thirty Acktametre claws, and pale transparent skin. its mouth had no gums, teeth, tongue, it would look like an empty black void. It will usually float, it can fly, and can move very fast in its mists form, its original form was five times faster than the average human male, ten times stronger than the average male.

There are six ranks of shades: Shade, Greater Shade, Superior Shade, Shade Lord, Shade Emperor, Shade God.

The normal shade doesn't have intelligence, the only thing on its mind is eat and don’t normally hide, and no tactics in battle. They can be deadly when they have a commander.

it can be ordered by Greater shade, Superior shade can control Greater and normal shade and so on. Each rank increases its strength by three. The more it eats Arcane cores the more it gets stronger.

Greater shade has an unholy magic, greater speed and strength. Greater Shade and above, can control dead flesh, can possess bodies, the weaker the human the likely they would get possessed by Greater Shade and above. It can bestow human servants some of its power.

Superior shade has the ability to cast darkness around it on small areas temporarily, darkness can improve its unholy magic, stronger and faster almost double.

Shade Lord has the ability to cast darkness as big as a city until it dies.

Shade Emperor has the ability to cast darkness on a whole region until it dies.

Shade God has the ability to cast darkness on the whole country like Ascion, the land must be purified with light if the darkness had been cast.

Holy shit, that Greater shade was the weakest intelligent shade. Ezekill thought.

Fearnot Paladins of Light, The nightmare shade is strong but it also has a great weakness. It fears light, and is very vulnerable to light magic. Mortals with Red Aura Mastery above will not have a problem dealing Nightmare shades or Nightmares in general.

But not everyone had Aura Mastery, not even Yui.

Ezekill continued to flip pages, Rudolf saw his son ‘reading’ the Nightmare Encyclopedia. He realized something, the thing that Yui fought was not an ordinary undead spirit. It came to his mind that the Greater Shade was the one who was behind the kidnapping operations on Esron.

“Yui I have to write a report, please watch Ezekill for me.”

She nodded.

Rudolf strolled towards his office, the servants who passed him, bowed their heads in great respect. Rudolf arrived at the front door, he jerked the door open.

The office had Blackened wood table, a chair. On his table he had a balance scale, ink and quill. Behind him an expensive wine glass cabinet, a three layer bookshelf. A chandelier on the high ceiling. He sat and wrote a report on a magic paper, it had a magic circle behind it.

"We accused the wrong people, I think I know where their operation headquarters, assembled the Paladins from the Order of Layawin, and some few knights to apprehend the criminals. We will conduct a raid tomorrow."

-Marquess Rudolf Raylight.

The magical paper burned but there were no ashes.

Next morning came. A group of paladins and knights arrived. Rudolf welcomed them, and they entered the Raylight mansion.

They sat on the sofa in the main hall.

“So you’re saying that the headquarters weren’t in wheatstreet?” Said the man in black armor.

“Yes Gunther, I had a hunch that the kidnapping is on the eastdistrict.” Rudolf replied.

“Then why do you need the paladins of lawayin for?” Gunther asked out of curiosity.

“Yes, why did you call us? We the paladins aren’t solving petty crimes.” The paladin in white armor with golden sunlight emblem at the center, a cloak over his shoulder fastened with a sunlight emblem replied.

“Gunther and Hansel, I’ll get this straight, a Nightmare was involved. My son fought it off, and the news traveled fast. I think you heard I was desperately trying to find my son. I even recruited the help of the adventurers. The ones who we were accusing of.”

“Wait wait what did you say again? I think I misheard, you fought a nightmare off and didn’t kill it?” Gunther replied.

Rudolf sighs, “I said my son fought it off, even I couldn’t believe it, my maid was there fighting with my son.”

“Okay, I know you always try to tell lame jokes but this one is too lame and unbelievable my friend.” Gunther frowned.

“Fuck you, then we will go there on the battle ground they fought, Hansel can analyze it. We shouldn’t waste anymore time while the sun is still up.” Rudolf replied.

“Hmmm, then we will head off.” Hansel replied with his deep voice.

“Wait! Hansel did you really buy that shit?” Gunther asked.

Hansel didn’t reply, he ignored him and stood up, they soon followed.

They rode off going south, as they rode the buildings got uglier, the social class was getting distinct as they arrived at the southgate then headed out towards the eastdistrict. The wooden houses, and mud houses and most were uneven, unprofessionally made and improvised. They arrived at the scene.

Hansel checked the marks, the hole in the ground. He sensed a corrupted magic or unholy magic, traces of the magic and abilities that the Greater Nightmare left.

His white eyes also sensed light magic traces. Hansel walked around investigating the mana. He strolled towards the kidnappers' den, he found a huge hole in it, he also sensed light magic. He jumped down, he touched the walls, he robbed his fingers, he took a glow stone from the wall. He smelled unholy magic Hansel thought.

He strolled a few more steps, he smelled something rancid, he continued tracing the smell. Dead children, another unholy magic they were reanimated. He waved his right hand in a circle, and 8 strokes formed a sun with sun rays sign. “May you rest in peace, May Herana save your souls.”

He confirmed everything, he went back to Rudolf and Gunther.

“Rudolf, you’re right I smelled corruption, the children who got kidnapped had a trace of unholy magic. Their souls got eaten.”

“And some traces of light magic, perhaps that’s your maid’s magic?” He added.

“No, my maid uses Ice magic,” he replied.

“Then that’s your son’s magic then. The evidence suggested it.”

“What! How the fuck can a child can even use magic Hansel!?” He frowned.

“That I don’t know, but based on the evidence I gathered it is the only conclusion, dear friend please stop using profanity.” His black head was going red, he was holding back his anger.

“Gulp. Sorry.” Gunther replied.

“My dear paladin units, use the holy oil and spread out. Report first if the oil boils, don’t engage alone.” Hansel commanded.

“They’re not that far, those criminals that took my child.”

“And the ones who knock you out?” Gunther teased.

“Are you mocking me again, Gunther?” Rudolf sarcastically smiled.

“No no I wouldn’t dare, my dear Champion.” Gunther released a bit of a giggle.

Not this again. Hansel thought.

“Focus on the job dimwit. I won’t bite that obvious fish bait.” He gripped his hand as hard as he could, his face furrowed but he’s trying to hide it with a smile.

“Pfft” Gunther giggled.

“I wonder if your son had the same short temper, man I can’t wait to tease him when he gets old.” Gunther murmured.

While Hansel was watching both of them a paper popped out. He already received a report.

“The Nightmare is still here, one of my paladins has confirmed its location, the others are now regrouping with the person who found the nightmare!” He shouted to get both their attention.

“I’m still amazed with your talent Rudolf I’m not even joking, working with you for years you still amaze me, good hunch.” He smiled.

“Ahem, knights get ready! We will march deeper in this hellhole!”

They marched and arrived at the location, they spread out on the narrow walkway, they encircled the building. The knights on the front banged the door, destroying it. The knights rushed first, the other squad of knights entered from the wooden windows. It was a two storey building made out of mud bricks. The paladins soon followed.

Rona was eating an apple, while racking the chair was startled by the loud bang and a group of soldiers entered the building, she fell down, the knights pointed a shortspear on her face, she raised her hand.

“Rona wha-” before he could complete his sentence he was struck down on his face with a pommel, he fell and his nose bled.

The knights and soldiers rushed down, arresting the criminals who got caught, surprised, unable to fight back.

They headed down to the basement, the real headquarters, the basement looked bigger than the front. The basement

The basement was a bit of a maze, Gunther had run out of patience.

“Can’t we just blast this thing?!”

“No we can't, we need to follow the protocol.” Rudolf replied.

“Fuck off, Rudolf always plays by the book.” Gunther pouted.

Hansel giggled a bit, seeing Gunther's face.

After a few minutes, they entered the biggest area.

The trio entered along with a few knights and paladins. Three figures manifested in their peripheral vision. A man sitting down, his legs on the table, was sitting like a boss. Two men were standing beside him.

“By the lights of Herana!” Hansel howled.

“Prepare for battle, that's the Greater shade! The two besides it are shades!” Hansel added.

“Short-spears with shield at the center, longswords to shortswords at each side, Great axe behind the shield. Battle formation!” Rudolf commanded.

“Paladin unit! Support the knights with radiant aura buffs!” Hansel commanded.

The Greater Nightmare Shade stood up, kicked the table it flew towards them. The Greater Shade revealed it’s true form, the body it possessed was ripped to shreds, the Shades followed.

The Greater Nightmare Shade, dashed opening its gaping mouth, it casted unholy magic darklight visible from it’s voided mouth. It fired blasting the knights at close range, the shades followed they thrust their claws on their underpits, the knights screamed in pain. The numbers of knights slowly dwindled, they didn't stand a chance against the Nightmares.

“Knights fallback! You’ll die in vain! We’ll handle this!” Rudolf commanded.

“We need space, paladin units treat the wounded knights, you’ll just get in our way.” Hansel commanded.

“Three on three, I’ll take on the big guy.” Gunther said.

“No, let me handle that one, he harmed my son.” Rudolf replied.

“Suit yourself, then I’ll go for the left one. You go for the right!” Gunther dashed, he punched the Shade with his gauntlet.

“YOU! YOU’LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!”

“Full Release!”

A huge golden aura erupted from Rudolf, an explosion can be heard, the ceiling cracked.

“Damn, he’s not holding back.” Gunther murmured while rapidly punching the shade.

“Absolute attack!”

Rudolf zoomed, he flashed the Greater Nightmare and felt fear seeing his golden aura turned to mists trying to evade the attack. No matter how fast his mist form, Rudolf seemed to be faster, the Greater Nightmare Shade couldn’t hold its mist form any longer, it reverted back to its original form.

“Man why I always forget that he’s a scary person to mess with. No matter how much you run, you can’t outrun Rudolf when he uses that ability, it doesn’t miss.”

Rudolf’s blade slashed the shoulder of the Greater Nightmare Shade, it got stuck, it screeched in pain. Rudolf touched its shoulders.

“Ignite.” a voice so cold emitted from him.

The Greater Nightmare Shade bursts into flame. It shrieked again.

It tried to counter attack, it slashed its claws aiming at his head, Rudolf avoided it by moving his head back. The Greater Nightmare tried its best to get free.

“Oops, you’re facing me lad!” Gunther tried to talk with Shade.

The Shade tried to help its master but he was pinned down by Gunther.

“Man you’re messing with the wrong person, I feel bad for you.” He said while he pinned down the Shade and punched its face helplessly.

The Greater Nightmare Shade looked into Rudolf’s eyes, he was bloodshot and furious, he intended to destroy the Greater Nightmare Shade.

“Oh herald of light smite the forces of darkness, and may your light shine upon the world, Holy Smite!” Hansel used incantation.

After the incantation, a bright yellow fist manifested from the ceiling and smashed the Shade, the shade groaning in pain. It stood up and countered attack.

“Ah what a boomer, who uses incantations these days.” Gunther murmured again while beating his opponent to pulp.

“Are you dead yet? My hands are getting bored punching your face.” Gunther told the Shade.

The Greater Nightmare desperately opened its mouth trying to cast magic, Rudolf groped its cheeks as hard as he could, he lifted its head then the magic fired blasting the ceiling.

The Shade buffed its claws with corrosion. It slashed its arms left and right. Hansel moved backwards to dodge, moving his targeted parts away.

“The hands of Herana, hands who held the world with her gentle palm, and the palm who pushed evil away, Light palm punch.”

His fingers imitated catpaws and he pushed his hands towards the chest of the shade an audible boom was heard from his palm. The shade recoiled backwards, it shrieked.

The shade looked around while it was on the ground, it saw that its master was pinned down, and also one of its allies. All of them looked bloodied, the color of the blood was black. It decided to help its master. It turned to mists, and went to its master desperately attacking Rudolf. It opened its void mouth and used its most powerful arsenal. Black orb was fired from the voided mouth. Rudolf reacted instinctively, removed his longsword, and dodge. The pinned Greater Nightmare Shade was free, it turned into mists and ran away. The shade smirked, Rudolf swinged his mithril longsword in anger, decapitating it. The Shade faded.

“Your master ran, your friend died and I’m getting bored with your face so this is goodbye now.” Gunther squeezed its face, and exploded as the body vanished.

“I never thought Shade had blood LOL.” Gunther giggled.

“Mission cleared! Ayay!” he raised his hand trying to high five Rudolf and Hansel.

He was ignored.