2025-01-09 10:49:34'His mutation is changing. Or... should I say improving?' Amelia observed Jason closely as the changes in his body unfolded with each passing second. The starry night-like texture on his left side began to expand subtly toward the right, slowly overtaking the black, armour-like skin. However, the transformation seemed restrained, as though the artefact lacked the power to fully support Jason's demand.
The process lasted nearly an hour before the dagger, once brimming with ominous energy, dulled completely, its power entirely drained.
Jason’s body underwent slight changes—a small part of his pitch-black armour faded, replaced by the cosmic texture of the starry night. Finally, he opened his eyes, feeling a rare sense of relief. The artifact's mutation had been neutralised; it would no longer corrupt anyone or anything. For the first time in a long while, he felt as though a small part of his burden had been lifted.
“Well... you can’t go out like that!” Amelia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts, her tone matter-of-fact.
'Sigh. I should suppress it,' Jason thought, glancing down at his mutated body. Resignation filled him as he closed his eyes again, delving inward to find the raging surge of power and forcing it into submission. The effort was draining, but necessary.
…
“You took nearly three hours. It must be almost evening by now,” Amelia remarked, her voice tinged with exasperation as Jason finally opened his eyes again.
This time, he appeared human once more, the mutations fully suppressed. His usual features had returned, though his expression carried a hint of exhaustion.
“It’s difficult to deal with,” Jason admitted, his tone thoughtful. “I’m not sure if I can bring it back again.” The effort it had taken to calm the raging power and bloodlust within him had been monumental. Even now, he could feel the latent power coursing through his body, mingling with the energy of the Cosmic Sphere. It was hidden for now, but he wondered if he could summon it again when needed.
“Hanna must be hungry by now!” Amelia’s brow furrowed slightly, her concern directed toward the surface.
“Oh!” Jason winced, guilt flashing across his face as he stood up. His body wasn’t floating anymore, but he felt lighter and more energised. ‘My stats must have gone up,’ he realized, though now wasn’t the time to check. It was time to return to the surface.
“At least you can talk now... or did you forget how to speak?” Amelia teased, her amusement clear in the faint smile tugging at her lips.
“It’s not like that...” Jason shrugged helplessly, scanning their surroundings for a path back to the surface.
“Let’s just break through here. It’s easier,” Amelia suggested, pointing to the cavern’s roof.
“Won’t that leak the mist into the outside world?” Jason frowned, concerned with clouding his expression.
“It’ll speed up the fading of this power. You just need to make sure no one can spy on it until it’s gone,” Amelia replied confidently.
“Alright. Let’s do that.” Jason nodded without hesitation. He trusted her judgment when it came to the mutation and its aftermath, knowing she had far more knowledge on the subject than he did.
…
"Maintain the formation," Dane ordered, his voice tense as the ground quaked beneath them. It wasn’t the first time they’d felt the tremors—they’d experienced them several hours ago before they subsided, only to start again now. The fading light of evening cast long shadows across the area, adding to the unease.
'Should I be worried or happy?' Dane’s gaze shifted to Hanna, who was smiling radiantly. After her earlier years, she’d gone through moments of confusion and quiet happiness, but now, her beaming smile lit up her face like a blooming flower.
They had no idea what was happening inside the spider caves, but it was clear something significant was going on.
'It should be fine since she’s happy, right?' Dane reasoned. From what they knew, Hanna’s ability to read minds gave her insight into the situation inside the cave. Her joy seemed to be a good sign, but interpreting the little girl’s enigmatic expressions was far from easy. Besides, getting too close to the giant spider hovering near Hanna wasn’t an appealing option.
Dane had more immediate concerns, particularly the fallout from Amelia’s earlier outburst. The video of her obliterating an entire group of players with a single shout had gone viral, spreading across the internet and capturing the attention of the entire world. Damage control was proving impossible, and he couldn’t leave the game while the current operation was underway.
"Boom!" A loud explosion snapped Dane out of his thoughts. The ground near the cave entrance collapsed, sending up a cloud of dust as it sank before their eyes.
"Mommy and Daddy are here!" Hanna’s joyful shout pierced the tension as Jason and Amelia leapt out of the hole in the ground.
"Move back!" Jason’s commanding voice cut through the chaos with authority.
Amelia blinked toward Hanna in an instant, scooping her up into a tight embrace. "Let’s get out of here," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and urgency. Without another word, Amelia disappeared with Hanna, vanishing from everyone’s sight.
"Back off, now!" Jason commanded again as Hanna’s pets began following Amelia’s invisible trail. Nocturne, already clinging to Hanna’s head, was the first to disappear.
"What happened, human?" Brood blocked Jason’s path, her massive form looming over him. Her voice carried a note of confusion and worry, still tinged with her childlike demeanour.
"It’s done. We just have to wait until the red mist disappears. Everything is already dealt with," Jason replied curtly, though he stopped long enough to address her question.
"What do you mean...? What red mist?" Brood’s voice grew frantic as her many eyes shifted toward the hole.
"That!" Jason pointed back at the thick red steam rising steadily from the collapsed ground. "Let’s get out of here first."
Without waiting for further questions, Jason moved, his tone leaving no room for argument. The Crystal Pulse orderly withdrew under the guidance of their respective leaders, leaving the area as instructed.
Brood hesitated, glancing back at the rising mist with uncertainty. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she began to follow, her massive legs moving slowly behind the retreating group.
…
"Protect the area and ensure there are no leaks. Don’t get near the red mist until it’s completely gone," Jason gave his final orders before turning his attention back to Hanna and Amelia.
Hanna was nestled comfortably in Amelia’s embrace, happily munching on some fruits. Nocturne perched on her head, playfully tickling the Ancient Wraith sitting on Hanna’s shoulder. Nyx lay across Hanna’s lap, and the massive mutated bear snoozed peacefully beside them. A small smile crept onto Jason’s lips at the sight of such a heartwarming scene amidst the chaos.
"Human! What happened?" Brood’s voice broke through his thoughts.
"Hm... We killed everything inside there. Once the red mist clears, everything will be fine," Jason replied with a casual shrug.
"What? What do you mean?" Brood staggered back slightly, her many eyes widening.
"It means there’s no more danger there. You can check for yourself if you want, but that mist will weaken you if you stay too long," Amelia interjected, her tone calm but firm.
Jason frowned slightly at her comment. Neither he nor Amelia had experienced any weakness during their battle in the caves, which made him realize that Brood's strength might not be on par with theirs.
"But... But... What am I supposed to do now?" Brood stuttered, her voice breaking as she struggled to process the situation.
"Big Spidy, don’t cry," Hanna said softly, raising her head as she sensed Brood’s sadness. "You can stay with Hanna, Mommy, and Daddy. You can play with us every day," she added, her voice filled with innocent sincerity.
"But... But..." Brood's voice trembled. She felt like a mess.
The person who had once cared for her, the human she had loved like a father, had left her without a proper goodbye. His last words had been to protect the entrance to the dangerous underground world. Now, with the danger gone, she felt lost. Her entire purpose, the one thing that had driven her for thousands of years, was suddenly meaningless. She couldn’t even picture his face anymore—his memory was fading into the recesses of her mind. The realization filled her with an overwhelming sadness.
"Mommy, can Big Spidy stay with us?" Hanna tugged on Amelia’s arm, her pleading eyes fixed on her mother. She knew that Amelia was the one to make the final decision. Daddy rarely argued with Mommy, after all.
"Hm... She’ll have to stay outside the village. But yeah, it’s okay," Amelia said with a thoughtful nod. She wondered how she had become so soft, but she couldn’t ignore the pain Brood was going through. Despite her size, Brood was still a juvenile creature. Thinking about Hanna’s future if she ever lost her parents made Amelia pity Brood even more.
"I... I want to be alone for a bit," Brood stuttered before silently phasing toward the forest.
"Big Spidy!" Hanna called out, concern evident in her voice.
"Let her go for now. We can come and find her later," Jason reassured Hanna, patting her head gently.
"Can we? Then can we come tomorrow?" Hanna asked as her sadness for Brood was still apparent.
"Hm... We can!" Jason replied with a warm smile, trying to comfort her.
"Thank you, Daddy." Hanna leaned into Jason, her content smile returning.
Jason’s gaze lingered on Brood’s retreating form as she disappeared into the distance. 'She won’t leave this area anytime soon. I can track her later,' he thought.
'So, what exactly happened in my last life? Was she strong enough to take on all those demons? She doesn’t seem as powerful now,' Jason wondered, his mind racing with questions.
"She’ll be fine. She’s a Widow Spider," Amelia said, breaking his train of thought. "When they reach maturity, they can enter the realm of Cosmic Horror. They’ll grow strong enough to wipe out entire galactic nations. It’ll take millennia, but she’s bound to grow to that level."
Jason was left in awe at Amelia’s words. The thought of Brood becoming such a colossal force was staggering. For the first time, he wondered if she might indeed have had the strength to take on the demons and handle the mutated creatures alone.
‘Cosmic Horror? What level is that?’
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Wizard Of Cosmos 298 - She is Awesome
"We move out in an hour!" Logan’s commanding voice echoed through the camp, followed by a notification on their armbands. The message was clear: time to prepare.Gillian gritted her teeth as she tightened the strap around the wound on her arm, the healing paste already numbing the pain. She had a few healing potions tucked away in her pack, but she knew she couldn’t waste them. Supplies were limited, and every soldier had been issued a fixed amount by Crystal Pulse. While the organization would do whatever it took to keep them alive, this was part of their training—learning to manage resources in the heat of battle.'I heard they’re watching us anyway,' Gillian thought, her mind drifting. Since leaving Light Shone, several Grandmasters had vanished from the village, and she suspected they were nearby, keeping a close eye on the mission. The first and most important rule for Crystal Pulse players was not to die, even if respawning in eighteen hours was an option.'Logan is confident en
Wizard Of Cosmos 299 - Question With No Answer
"No, I’m saying they’re going overboard.""Isn’t that what they always do? This isn’t the first time The Crystal Pulse has attacked players unprovoked.""We have to do something about it—fast."The discussion had devolved into an argument the moment it started. Some of the most famous gamers across the country had gathered in one place, a rare occurrence in itself. The Endless had grown too big to ignore, and even gamers who had avoided it initially had now established themselves in the challenging yet captivating world of the game.Ironically, most of them seemed to have forgotten that The Crystal Pulse was the primary reason players had been able to thrive in The Endless in the first place. It was The Crystal Pulse’s infrastructure and guidance that allowed players to survive in this mercilessly realistic game. Their success had been the beacon that drew many to the VR game considered the hardest ever created. Yet here they were, plotting ways to overthrow the very organization that
Wizard Of Cosmos 300 - Grand Order
"What a small place," the hooded figure muttered as he entered the heart of the Brodice Kingdom’s capital. His voice, a slightly older male tone, carried a mix of amusement and disappointment. "And why is their security so bad?" he added, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling streets.Soldiers packed every corner and alley, their inspections meticulous. Even the citizens were forced to pass through layers upon layers of security just to move about. Yet, despite the apparent vigilance, no one noticed him. Draped in a black cloak, the figure walked openly down the middle of the road, his presence going entirely undetected."Well... they have to be careful. That bounty is indeed tempting," he muttered to himself, a sly grin creeping across his hidden face. "Ah, I wish I were as young as I was back then. Maybe I could’ve finished off these weaklings myself for that reward." His voice carried a mocking tone. "The Crystal Pulse? What a bland name for such a daring organisation."He chuckled
Wizard Of Cosmos 301 - Are You Doing Something Weird
The following day, a massive announcement took the world by storm. News spread rapidly across every platform as the World Builders—the enigmatic developers behind The Endless—finally broke their silence regarding Amelia Erwin and the controversy surrounding Jason Hope and his allies.However, the announcement wasn’t what anyone had expected.In a statement that stunned players worldwide, the World Builders declared, “There are no faults or bugs being exploited by Jason Hope or his allies. All game mechanics, items, and events associated with them are functioning as intended. As such, no corrections are necessary.”The announcement sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Many players had hoped for a clear resolution, perhaps even a punitive response toward Jason Hope and the Crystal Pulse. Instead, the World Builders stood firmly behind their design, acknowledging no wrongdoing on their part or by Jason and his people.But what followed was even more surprising.The World Builder
Wizard Of Cosmos 302 - No Longer Human
"Grandmaster Amelia…""He’s playing with Hanna and his magic," Amelia cut Dane off before he could finish, hanging the freshly washed clothes on the line.Even after a year of constant change in Light Shone, this small household had remained the same. It was still under Amelia’s care. The village’s housing structure remained untouched as new construction projects focused on essential production facilities and accommodations for the new settlers arriving through the ongoing clearing operations. Infrastructure plans were in place, but progress was slow due to the sheer number of projects they were juggling.If Jason or Amelia had wanted, they could have easily upgraded their home—no one would have objected. After all, this small house was the heart of the Crystal Pulse, the centre of absolute power within the faction. Yet, despite its democratic structure, the organization operated with near-perfect coordination. The faction under Magnus from the Secret Service, the Saintess Guild, the
Wizard Of Cosmos 303 - The True Kingdom
"Is this... alright, My Lord?""Yes. And pretend I was never here. Once we pass through, you won’t see me again. Do you understand? No one must know I was ever here.""Yes! Yes, My Lord!""And... no one else knows I am here, correct?" The hooded figure’s voice sharpened deliberately."N-No! No, My Lord! We... we are departing soon!" The envoy stammered, his body trembling as he hastily retreated to the far corner of the carriage.‘Sigh… How useless.’The hooded man barely spared him another glance. The Brodice Kingdom had neither the power nor the will to resist the Grand Order that had been issued. It had been nearly a decade since the last decree from the Grand Wizards, and that one had shaken the world, announcing the arrival of an immortal alien.‘But this might be the first time in centuries that they had to step in to stop a minor war.’He turned his gaze to the passing scenery outside the carriage window, watching in silence.No one, aside from the envoy and a handful of high-r
Wizard Of Cosmos 304 - An Overwhelming Prescence
‘So, this is Light Shone.’His hidden eyes scanned the streets as he walked leisurely, moving unseen alongside the startled envoys.‘Still too small, but… this is serious potential.’He had slipped out of the carriage as the guards inspected it, effortlessly avoiding their scrutiny. While his invisibility shielded him from their eyes, he still occupied physical space—and he preferred not to take the risk of being noticed.With measured steps, he blended into the bustling streets. What he saw defied his expectations.The village was alive.It wasn’t just busy—it thrived.Shops occupied every available space, their owners negotiating prices with eager customers. People bustled past him, engaged in work yet carrying an air of contentment, their movements purposeful, their faces filled with ease.This was not the Light Shone he remembered.‘Back then, it was different.’It had been just as lively, but the stench of blood clung to the air, and signs of death lurked at every corner. Adventu
Wizard Of Cosmos 01 - Did I Return to The Past
"...." - Is used in dialogues '....' - Is used in thoughts ...................... ‘How did all this happen?’ Jason felt cold. ‘Is this death?’ It was dark and silent. He couldn’t move or shout. There was nothing in the surrounding area. He was a failure. Even before coming to the planet Yuriel, he was just nobody. In the end, he died just like nobody. “Is it…..” “Yeah….” Jason heard a distant voice in the darkness. ‘Who is talking?’ He couldn’t make any noise or sound, but the voice was getting clearer. He realised it wasn’t English, but he understood the meaning. There were three distinct voices talking to each other. “It is over. That is the 10th simulation. Ends in the 30th year after entering the Primary Dimension.” “Are we going to do another?” “Nah… What is the use? They only lasted between thirty to thirty-five years in all simulations. They are going to be wiped out, anyway. The only difference is the time they are going to take to activate the beacon.” “But
Latest Chapter
304 - An Overwhelming Prescence
‘So, this is Light Shone.’His hidden eyes scanned the streets as he walked leisurely, moving unseen alongside the startled envoys.‘Still too small, but… this is serious potential.’He had slipped out of the carriage as the guards inspected it, effortlessly avoiding their scrutiny. While his invisibility shielded him from their eyes, he still occupied physical space—and he preferred not to take the risk of being noticed.With measured steps, he blended into the bustling streets. What he saw defied his expectations.The village was alive.It wasn’t just busy—it thrived.Shops occupied every available space, their owners negotiating prices with eager customers. People bustled past him, engaged in work yet carrying an air of contentment, their movements purposeful, their faces filled with ease.This was not the Light Shone he remembered.‘Back then, it was different.’It had been just as lively, but the stench of blood clung to the air, and signs of death lurked at every corner. Adventu
303 - The True Kingdom
"Is this... alright, My Lord?""Yes. And pretend I was never here. Once we pass through, you won’t see me again. Do you understand? No one must know I was ever here.""Yes! Yes, My Lord!""And... no one else knows I am here, correct?" The hooded figure’s voice sharpened deliberately."N-No! No, My Lord! We... we are departing soon!" The envoy stammered, his body trembling as he hastily retreated to the far corner of the carriage.‘Sigh… How useless.’The hooded man barely spared him another glance. The Brodice Kingdom had neither the power nor the will to resist the Grand Order that had been issued. It had been nearly a decade since the last decree from the Grand Wizards, and that one had shaken the world, announcing the arrival of an immortal alien.‘But this might be the first time in centuries that they had to step in to stop a minor war.’He turned his gaze to the passing scenery outside the carriage window, watching in silence.No one, aside from the envoy and a handful of high-r
302 - No Longer Human
"Grandmaster Amelia…""He’s playing with Hanna and his magic," Amelia cut Dane off before he could finish, hanging the freshly washed clothes on the line.Even after a year of constant change in Light Shone, this small household had remained the same. It was still under Amelia’s care. The village’s housing structure remained untouched as new construction projects focused on essential production facilities and accommodations for the new settlers arriving through the ongoing clearing operations. Infrastructure plans were in place, but progress was slow due to the sheer number of projects they were juggling.If Jason or Amelia had wanted, they could have easily upgraded their home—no one would have objected. After all, this small house was the heart of the Crystal Pulse, the centre of absolute power within the faction. Yet, despite its democratic structure, the organization operated with near-perfect coordination. The faction under Magnus from the Secret Service, the Saintess Guild, the
301 - Are You Doing Something Weird
The following day, a massive announcement took the world by storm. News spread rapidly across every platform as the World Builders—the enigmatic developers behind The Endless—finally broke their silence regarding Amelia Erwin and the controversy surrounding Jason Hope and his allies.However, the announcement wasn’t what anyone had expected.In a statement that stunned players worldwide, the World Builders declared, “There are no faults or bugs being exploited by Jason Hope or his allies. All game mechanics, items, and events associated with them are functioning as intended. As such, no corrections are necessary.”The announcement sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Many players had hoped for a clear resolution, perhaps even a punitive response toward Jason Hope and the Crystal Pulse. Instead, the World Builders stood firmly behind their design, acknowledging no wrongdoing on their part or by Jason and his people.But what followed was even more surprising.The World Builder
300 - Grand Order
"What a small place," the hooded figure muttered as he entered the heart of the Brodice Kingdom’s capital. His voice, a slightly older male tone, carried a mix of amusement and disappointment. "And why is their security so bad?" he added, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling streets.Soldiers packed every corner and alley, their inspections meticulous. Even the citizens were forced to pass through layers upon layers of security just to move about. Yet, despite the apparent vigilance, no one noticed him. Draped in a black cloak, the figure walked openly down the middle of the road, his presence going entirely undetected."Well... they have to be careful. That bounty is indeed tempting," he muttered to himself, a sly grin creeping across his hidden face. "Ah, I wish I were as young as I was back then. Maybe I could’ve finished off these weaklings myself for that reward." His voice carried a mocking tone. "The Crystal Pulse? What a bland name for such a daring organisation."He chuckled
299 - Question With No Answer
"No, I’m saying they’re going overboard.""Isn’t that what they always do? This isn’t the first time The Crystal Pulse has attacked players unprovoked.""We have to do something about it—fast."The discussion had devolved into an argument the moment it started. Some of the most famous gamers across the country had gathered in one place, a rare occurrence in itself. The Endless had grown too big to ignore, and even gamers who had avoided it initially had now established themselves in the challenging yet captivating world of the game.Ironically, most of them seemed to have forgotten that The Crystal Pulse was the primary reason players had been able to thrive in The Endless in the first place. It was The Crystal Pulse’s infrastructure and guidance that allowed players to survive in this mercilessly realistic game. Their success had been the beacon that drew many to the VR game considered the hardest ever created. Yet here they were, plotting ways to overthrow the very organization that
298 - She is Awesome
"We move out in an hour!" Logan’s commanding voice echoed through the camp, followed by a notification on their armbands. The message was clear: time to prepare.Gillian gritted her teeth as she tightened the strap around the wound on her arm, the healing paste already numbing the pain. She had a few healing potions tucked away in her pack, but she knew she couldn’t waste them. Supplies were limited, and every soldier had been issued a fixed amount by Crystal Pulse. While the organization would do whatever it took to keep them alive, this was part of their training—learning to manage resources in the heat of battle.'I heard they’re watching us anyway,' Gillian thought, her mind drifting. Since leaving Light Shone, several Grandmasters had vanished from the village, and she suspected they were nearby, keeping a close eye on the mission. The first and most important rule for Crystal Pulse players was not to die, even if respawning in eighteen hours was an option.'Logan is confident en
297 - Cosmic Horror
'His mutation is changing. Or... should I say improving?' Amelia observed Jason closely as the changes in his body unfolded with each passing second. The starry night-like texture on his left side began to expand subtly toward the right, slowly overtaking the black, armour-like skin. However, the transformation seemed restrained, as though the artefact lacked the power to fully support Jason's demand.The process lasted nearly an hour before the dagger, once brimming with ominous energy, dulled completely, its power entirely drained.Jason’s body underwent slight changes—a small part of his pitch-black armour faded, replaced by the cosmic texture of the starry night. Finally, he opened his eyes, feeling a rare sense of relief. The artifact's mutation had been neutralised; it would no longer corrupt anyone or anything. For the first time in a long while, he felt as though a small part of his burden had been lifted.“Well... you can’t go out like that!” Amelia’s voice pulled him from his
296 - Burden
Jason’s gaze returned to the towering demon before him, but he didn’t feel it was worth his attention. His glowing eyes simply stared at the massive figure for a brief moment before he swung his right arm through the air with effortless precision. It was as if he was clawing at the distant figure. A second later, several glowing white lines expanded across the space, moving faster than the eye could track. They reached the demon in an instant, cutting through its form. Behind it, the underground mountain erupted into a cloud of dust, disintegrating as though it had been struck by an invisible force.For a heartbeat, the Greater Demon stood there, frozen in place as if nothing had happened. Then, with a sickening sound, its colossal body crumbled to the ground in pieces, diced cleanly by Jason’s strike.“Screech!” A high-pitched wail echoed across the cavern as panicked creatures scattered, their movements erratic and mindless in the wake of their apex predator’s death. Even the remai
