As Hora trod through the white grass, he heard the constant sound of footsteps following behind him.
He didn't need to look back to know that it was the desperate woman, Mariketh the Ashfinder.
Despite his anger at her, and refusing to help them, she followed behind him.
"Tsk... Don't you have anything better to do?" Hora spoke over his shoulder. "Why don't you climb down there and help the Ashfallen yourself?"
"I can't... It already took everything we had to help one of us escape. I was fortunate enough to be given this opportunity, as long as I returned with what we were searching for."
"The Ashlord." Hora sighed in response.
"Yes! The Book of Burning, written by the first Ashfallen, spoke of a day when everything would be taken from us by an oppressive race. It said that the oppression would last for however many centuries it takes before the Ashlord arrives. A man with capabilities that no other Ashfallen has ever seen."
As Mariketh spoke, the excitement in her voice grew. It was clear that she already admired Hora as a god.
"What we didn't know was that the Ashlord was more than that. He was the very creator himself, taking on a physical form to save us all!"
"I'm not saving you."
Hora knew that his words sounded harsh. In truth, he had not fully decided that he would leave the Ashfallen to live in chains and slavery.
However, at the moment, there was no chance he would go down there. Not whilst he was only 50% of the way through the Dirt Rank.
As he walked through the grass fields, Hora made sure not to travel in the same direction as before. He also decided to avoid walking in the direction that the Giant Elves fled in, assuming that he would arrive at their civilisation.
However, eventually, Mariketh warned him that no matter where he went, danger waited for him.
"If you keep travelling south from White Ravine, you will arrive at the Land of the Shattered Elves. West, and you will reach one of the many civilisations ruled by the Human Empire. East, well... The Mermaids will drag you into the Sea of Tears, where you will drown and die."
What the fuck?
Why does the world of Ilona sound so dangerous?
Surrounded by Giant Elves, Racist Humans, and Mermaids. Which choice sounds safest?
The answer was none.
Hora had already seen what some of these races were capable of, and it seemed that without proper strength, he would be unable to travel through their lands safely.
So instead, he had to turn to other options.
"Are there any dungeons in this world? Places where I can fight enemies to gain strength." He asked Mariketh.
If she insists on following me, then she should at least make herself useful by giving me information.
"Yes, there are the Black Dreams; a method known to the Ashfallen race. If you sleep on your back, you will awake in a dream where you are forced to face a trial. Depending on the location of where you sleep, the more difficult it will be."
The Black Dreams.
Hora's creative mind immediately began to appreciate the interesting concept. To power up in your dreams was convenient, though he assumed that death within a dream would have its consequences in the real world too.
"How dangerous are the Black Dreams in this location?" He asked curiously.
"The closer you are to the White Ravine, the easier the Black Dreams are. Oftentimes, we are given Dirt rank dreams; however, the rewards are usually a rank above... Our knowledge of the Black Dreams is why the humans enslaved us."
I see. I wonder how the Ashfallen came to discover such a technique, and why it's known only to them.
So through these dreams, not only can I strengthen my rank, but I can also earn myself rewards.
Hora sat himself down on the cold grass and lay on his back. Mariketh looked at him with a tilted head, and wide white eyes.
"Ashlord?"
"I'm entering a Black Dream. Wake me up if danger arrives."
"W-what?! If I were to wake you up during your sleep, your spirit would become permanently trapped within the dream. I can't do that!"
"Oh, right. Well then, just keep me safe until I wake up."
"B-but!"
Hora's eyes were already closed, and he folded his arms over his chest and remained silent. All that could be heard was the sounds of the wind.
Mariketh puffed up her cheeks and let out a sigh. Afterwards, she sat beside the Ashlord and crossed her legs.
"Fine... but please be safe in there. Our people need you."
---
The next time Hora opened his eyes, he knew that he was no longer in this physical world.
He still had the same body as before, however, his location was slightly different.
Despite still being in the field of white grass, a dark fog loomed around him, blocking his vision from everything. When he looked up, he couldn't even see the sky.
Hora wasted no time. He rose to his feet and summoned his wings. His spine cracked and the two dark limbs erupted from his back with sharp pain.
With the wings, he felt comfortable. Even though he had no weapon. His surroundings were still extremely cold, so he didn't bother using Overheat.
Suddenly, a screen appeared in his vision. A black screen with red text.
[Black Dream Entered]
[Difficult Rank: Copper]
[Reward Rank: Bronze]
[Conditions: Survive for one minute!]
Copper...
Hora didn't allow the rank to discourage him. After all, he had already defeated Giant Elves that were ranked above him.
He focused his breathing, and leapt into the air, beating his wings powerfully. A gust of wind carried him into the shadowy sky, soaring high above the ground.
Up here, no grounded creatures could get him.
Part of him thought that he might be safe.
And then he heard the sound of screeching as a dark flying beast with two glowing white eyes flew towards him from out of the shadows.