Chapter 49

Undead high tower, the rooftop.

Translation: "Undead Tower, rooftop."

Ta Ke raised his hand, almost touching the huge gray‑mist steam ring that had sunk slightly in position during the gray night period.

Ta Ke raised his hand, almost touching the huge gray‑mist steam ring that had sunk slightly in position during the gray night period.

The steam sprites that should have been sleeping during the gray night.

Translation: "The steam sprites that should have been sleeping during the gray night period."

But need a full sentence? Chinese line is a fragment. We'll translate as is: "The steam sprites that should have been sleeping during the gray night period."

But now, a few mischievous little ones refused to sleep, they darted about in the steam‑filled gray mist, letting out playful laughter.

Translation: "But now, a few mischievous little fellows refused to sleep soundly, darting back and forth within the steam‑gray mist and transmitting playful laughter."

Shortly after, a mighty adult steam sprite appeared.

Translation: "But soon, a powerful‑breath adult steam sprite appeared."

Soon, the little steam sprites, amid wailing cries mixed with sobs, were wrenched away by the adult steam sprite from this area.

Translation: "Not long after, those little steam sprites, amid wailing cries mixed with sobs, were twisted away by the adult steam sprite from this area."

were wrenched away by the adult steam sprite from this area.

Ta Ke witnessed this and smiled knowingly.

Translation: "Feeling this scene, Ta Ke gave a knowing smile."

Spirits and elementals in the ecology also serve as anchors that stabilize the ecosystem.

Translation: "In the ecology, small beings such as spirits and elementals are also anchors that stabilize the ecology."

These steam sprites work hard to uphold Lamor's steam‑based supernatural ecology, cleaning and maintaining the purity of the steam ring.

Translation: "These little steam sprites will strive to maintain Lamore's steam‑based extraordinary ecology, cleaning and preserving the purity of the steam ring."

In Lamor's presence, the steam sprites and Ta Ke and his companions are highly similar.

Translation: "Before Lamore, steam sprites and Ta Ke and others share a high degree of similarity."

However.

Translation: "However."

When the steam ecology of Lamor High Tower is destroyed.

Translation: "When Lamore Tower's steam ecology is destroyed."

Ta Ke, whose vitality has an independent supernatural ecology, can still leave.

Translation: "Ta Ke, possessing vitality with an independent extraordinary ecology, can still leave."

Those little sprites that cannot leave the steam ecology.

Translation: "While those little sprites unable to leave the steam ecology."

They will all become grave goods in Lamor's tomb.

Translation: "They will all become burial goods in Lamore's graveyard."

Ta Ke drew a deep breath, his eyes drifting over the gray‑mist steam ring to the colossal Ashen Moon, ten times the size it was in his previous life.

Translation: "Taking a deep breath, Ta Ke's gaze swept past the gray‑mist steam ring toward the enormous Ashen Moon, ten times larger than in his previous life."

Cold!

Translation: "Cold!"

In the moonlight, it bursts forth to its utmost.

Translation: "In the moonlight, it blooms to the utmost."

Today is the coldest day of this ash‑en cycle.

Translation: "And today is the coldest day of this ash‑cycle."

Far off, the steam high tower at the same level glows with brilliant lights, like a dazzling lighthouse.

Translation: "In the distance, the steam tower at the approximate equal‑height level shines with brilliant lights, like a dazzling lighthouse."

The successful excavation of the ancient demon lord's relics.

Translation: "The successful excavation of the ancient demon king's relics."

Geniuses have gathered here under the guidance of the powerful.

Translation: "Talents, under the leadership of the strong, have gathered here."

This has ushered the Lamor High Tower city‑state into an unprecedented boom.

Translation: "This has brought the Lamore Tower city‑state an unprecedented prosperity."

Ta Ke wishes to see, but he cannot see clearly.

Translation: "Ta Ke wanted to look, but couldn't see clearly."

But it's not necessary to see clearly; Ta Ke just needs to wait for the news.

Translation: "But there's no need to see clearly; Ta Ke only needs to wait for the news."

Ta Ke turned his head to see several high‑level undead ravens waiting on the rooftop alongside him.

Translation: "Ta Ke turned his head, looking at the several high‑level undead ravens waiting on the rooftop just like him."

"Gah… gah…"

Translation: '"Ga…… ga……"'

Only a low, barely audible hiss answers Ta Ke.

Translation: "In response to Ta Ke came only a low, faintly present hiss."

The news hasn't been confirmed yet.

Translation: "The news hasn't been confirmed yet."

"Hoo… haa…"

Translation: '"Huu…… haa……"'

Ta Ke shifted his sitting position and kept waiting.

Translation: "Ta Ke adjusted his sitting posture, then continued waiting!"

While waiting, Ta Ke focused on sensing his wizard‑sequence ecology.

Translation: "While waiting, Ta Ke directed his perception toward his wizard‑sequence ecology."

Benefiting from these days, Ta Ke steadily draws power from the Iron Couplet Source Wall.

Translation: "Thanks to these days, Ta Ke has been continuously drawing from the Iron Couple Source Wall."

Ta Ke's wizard ecology is visibly growing stronger and more stable.

Translation: "Ta Ke's wizard ecology is strengthening and stabilizing at a visible speed."

Of course, there is a price to pay.

Translation: "Of course, there is a cost."

Those undead crows are growing ever more abnormal.

Translation: "Those undead ravens are becoming increasingly abnormal."

They have even started gathering to face the wall in reflection.

Translation: "They have even begun to form groups, facing the wall in contemplation."

As Ta Ke's wizard ecology grows steadier,

Translation: "As Ta Ke's wizard ecology becomes ever more stable."

Ta Ke clearly feels that his escape from Lamor High Tower's ecology is accelerating.

Translation: "Ta Ke clearly feels that his speed of breaking free from Lamore Tower's ecology is accelerating."

Feeling the cold wind sweep by.

Translation: "Feeling the cold wind blow past."

In the deep, hidden corners, a vague shadowy silhouette darts past.

Translation: "In the deep, hidden corner, a faint shadowy outline flits by."

As he uses shadow power, Ta Ke gradually perceives the traits of the shadow dimension.

Translation: "With the use of shadow power, Ta Ke gradually senses the characteristics of the shadow dimension."

For other supernaturals, it could take half a year or more to sense it.

Translation: "If it were other extraordinary beings, perhaps half a year, or even longer, would be needed to sense it."

But Ta Ke, who has SSS‑rank supernatural talent, grasped the shadow dimension shortly after beginning to use shadow power.

Translation: "But Ta Ke, who possesses an SSS‑rank extraordinary talent, has already grasped the shadow dimension after only a short time using shadow power."

Being able to perceive additional dimensions is advantageous for a wizard.

Translation: "Being able to sense more dimensions is a good thing for a wizard."

"Even a slight perception makes summoning shadow‑dimension beings still somewhat difficult."

Translation: '"Even if one slightly senses it, wanting to summon creatures of the shadow dimension remains somewhat difficult."'

Ta Ke massages his forehead.

Translation: "Ta Ke rubbed his brow."

"It's obvious I have no talent for summoning!"

Translation: '"It's clear that I truly lack talent in summoning!"'

"Merely knowing summoning theory isn't sufficient; you need an official shadow‑system contract spell to summon."

Translation: '"Just having the theoretical basis of summoning isn't enough; one needs a formal shadow‑system contract summoning sorcery."'

"Since I lack the talent, I have to rely on spellcraft to compensate."

Translation: '"Talent insufficient, I can only make up for it with sorcery."'

"Besides, I truly need a spell to summon shadow beings."

Translation: '"Moreover… I indeed also need a sorcery for summoning shadow creatures."'

"Using those shadow creatures to impede the faith in the wall fortifications is an excellent option."

Translation: '"Having those shadow creatures block the faith of the wall battlements is a very good choice."'

"That huge wall fortification is immensely imposing, with some shadow in its corners, making it quite reasonable."

Translation: '"That enormous wall battlement is so towering, with a bit of shadow in its corners, which is also perfectly reasonable."'

"Gah——gah——"

Translation: '"Ga—— ga——"'

As Ta Ke was pondering,

Translation: "Just as Ta Ke was thinking."

A crow close to Ta Ke suddenly emits a low hiss, especially grating in the cold night air.

Translation: "A crow near Ta Ke suddenly let out a low hiss, especially piercing in this cold night sky."

"Teacher!" Ta Ke jumps to his feet.

Translation: '"Teacher!" Ta Ke hastily rose.'

The undead raven gives a slight flutter of its wings, then turns to Ta Ke and quickly says:

Translation: "The undead raven fluttered its wings slightly, then looked toward Ta Ke and quickly said."

"The old mage is already here, and the genius you spoke of hasn't shown up—let's move!"

Translation: '"The old wizard has already arrived, and the genius you spoke of hasn't come—let's act!"'

Taku's heart tightened slightly, he took a deep breath.

Yes!

Ga—

Ga—

A vast expanse of undead passerine crows rose up around.

Ta Ke put on a grey wizard's hood.

Shadow power, centered on the ring staff, quickly spread around his body like thick, viscous black liquid, enveloping Ta Ke.

At the same time, the second-rank alchemist's robe, empowered by the Shadow Veil Robe, transformed into a pair of huge shadow wings.

After Ta Ke applied to himself the 'Wind-Striding Sprint' sorcery, his legs exerted force.

Like a shell fired from a barrel, it sliced through the night sky, then swiftly glided toward the fortress area.

The combined power of the wizard's robe and the Shadow Veil Robe is insufficient to support Ta Ke's flight.

But it can allow Ta Ke to glide a sufficient distance.

Ga—ga…

While gliding, Ta Ke could see many undead passerine crows beginning to fall toward the fortress area.

Ta Ke also landed silently on a secluded small road in the fortress area.

He slightly retracted the wizard's robe.

Ta Ke turned into a mass of shadow, moving perfectly through the shadows of bushes and houses.

Compared to the previous operation.

This time Ta Ke acted alone; both speed and concealment were perfectly exerted under Ta Ke's control.

Passing that familiar crossroads.

Ta Ke looked out.

The girl who had been asleep before, with astonishing growth speed, has disappeared.

And the gloomy-tempered rune youth also disappeared likewise.

"Interesting!"

Ta Ke didn't linger, silently passing through the streets.

As he went deeper, Ta Ke's 【Precision·Correction】 talent was also fully opened.

Those visible, those invisible.

The concealed, those deep in dimensions.

From the sky, from the underground.

Massive amounts of context, trajectories, dynamics, densely packed, filled Ta Ke's field of view, overflowing his perception.

It is not that Ta Ke usually doesn't look.

But rather entering the extreme of full-field-of-view mode, seeing too many things, too densely.

Ta Ke seemed to be walking in a world of massive explosive information.

Vast amounts of complex information, like wave after wave, threatened to drown Ta Ke.

Ta Ke efficiently and quickly kept filtering information.

Like a reef in the surf, steadfast, constantly resisting the onslaught of massive information.

The night, because it is quiet.

That's only because too little is seen.

When you listen closely to this world, go deep, deeper, and even deeper.

The world, astonishingly noisy.

Whoosh—

When the ash-like sea tide surged, sounding in Ta Ke's ears, even washing over Ta Ke's soles.

Ta Ke stopped.

Closing his eyes, restraining his perception, Ta Ke made his breathing as smooth and natural as possible.

The world's clamor gradually faded.

Ta Ke reopened his eyes.

Before him stood a plain, slightly twisted red-brick house, standard ash-gray Gothic style.

Under the cold, ashen moonlight, it was so unremarkable.

If not for close observation, Ta Ke couldn't even see the interior.

No…

Even with close observation, what Ta Ke saw wasn't much.

But the rune-magic youth from the wizard family who had once met, a pay-to-win wizard boy, was steadily immersed in the afterglow of the Dim Day Altar.

He seemed to feel something!

The pay-to-win wizard boy opened his eyes, that was extreme gray-dark.

Squeak… creak…

The somewhat aged double wooden doors slowly opened.

Within the doorframe was endless darkness.

The wizard youth's silhouette vaguely stood deep within the indoor darkness.

"Have you heard of the way those cowboy knights on the Western Wasteland Plateau slaughter each other?"

A sound came from the darkness.

"I've heard of it." Ta Ke nodded.

"Interested?" the voice came again.

Ta Ke started laughing.

What gave you the courage, making you think you have the ability to go head-to-head with me!

Rubbing his fingers, Ta Ke slightly tilted his head, and within the outline of his hood, the shadowed cheek that emerged revealed a demonic smile.

"So... are you ready?"

(End of chapter)