Perry pondered for a moment, seemingly hesitant, but eventually spoke, "Not to hide it from you, Emissary, there is indeed another issue."
"Tell me, perhaps I can help you resolve it," Henry sensed this might be an important clue for the next part of the Realm of Death's mission.
Nodding, Perry pointed to a mountain behind him and began, "As you might know, Emissary, our vampire tribe has been guarding Lord Death's tomb for centuries."
No, I know nothing about Death's lore, I'm quite a novice in this regard.
Henry smiled and nodded, playing along, "Of course, I know it all."
Perry, not doubting him, openly shared his tribe's dilemma.
"About a week ago, there was some disturbance inside Lord Death's tomb. I suspect this might be a sign of our great Lord Death's revival, but I can't be sure."
"After all, our vampire tribe swore never to step inside the tomb, only to guard it from the outside."
"And you, as an adherent of Death, entering the tomb would be most fitting. We hope you can investigate the source of the disturbance inside Lord Death's tomb. If it truly signifies Lord Death's revival, please bring this great news out to us."
Lord Death is reviving?
Henry pondered, feeling this matter was not simple.
Based on the knowledge he had recently acquired, Death had been in a deep slumber and never awakened.
That's why Algado could easily steal his authority.
Or perhaps, even in slumber, Death retained some consciousness but lacked the power to retaliate.
And now, the disturbance could be a sign of regaining his lost authority.
With these thoughts, Henry immediately said to the vampire tribe chief,
"This matter involves the revered Lord Death and is of utmost urgency. I will depart for the tomb right now."
As Anna and the others prepared to accompany Henry, they were stopped by Perry, the chief of the vampire tribe.
He spoke, "I understand your relationship with the Emissary is special, but only the Emissary is permitted to enter Lord Death's tomb. The rest of you are kindly requested to rest at our vampire tribe for a while."
Henry frowned, but knowing that the vampire tribe had been guarding Death's tomb for generations, he realized they wouldn't compromise on this matter.
His identity as Death's emissary was still concealed, so his team should be safe.
Thinking this, Henry turned to Anna and the others, "You all wait for me in the vampire tribe. I'll be back soon."
Seeing Henry's insistence, Anna and the rest agreed and stayed with the vampire tribe.
Guided by Perry, Henry made his way towards the deeper parts of the mountains.
The dense forest gradually gave way to a desolate field.
A pyramid-shaped tomb appeared before him, its entirety a reddish-yellow hue, towering straight into the clouds.
Apart from the pebble path Henry walked on, there were no other apparent ways to enter the tomb.
Reaching the tomb's entrance, Henry noticed the doors were ajar, with clear handprints visible, indicating someone had recently been there.
He instantly became alert, cautiously advancing and surveying the surroundings.
Inside the tomb, Henry saw a jewel-encrusted coffin hanging over an altar.
To his surprise, he recognized a familiar figure near it — General White Tiger Fatima.
How did she end up here?
Henry was taken aback. Fatima was supposed to be undertaking a mission with other general-tier awakeners. Something seemed off about her state.
Frowning, Henry suddenly noticed that although Fatima stood on the platform, her head drooped forward as if sleepwalking, motionless in place.
Just then, the jewel-encrusted coffin abruptly opened, revealing an old man wearing a crown. Could this be Death himself?
Hesitating momentarily, Henry decided to move closer to investigate.
Suddenly, the old man opened one eye, focusing his gaze directly on Henry, who was startled by the sudden movement.
Wasn't Death supposed to be in deep slumber? How could he open his eyes?
"Although I am in deep sleep, my consciousness still retains some control over my body, allowing me to respond autonomously to certain things," Death spoke, as if answering Henry's thoughts.
"The opening of the Realm of Death in your world as a dungeon is also due to my response, and the reason you and this lady are here is because of my guidance."
Standing before a true 2-tier deity, Henry took a deep breath and asked, "Respected Death, what is the purpose of summoning us here?"
Death replied straightforwardly, "A test."
"I need you to complete a challenge I've set – the Sea of Miracles. It's a virtual sea of consciousness. Once a soul is trapped inside, it's difficult to escape. Only those with extraordinary talents or abnormal luck can break free from it."
"You and this lady are among the top in human awakeners in terms of strength, which is why I chose both of you for this trial."
"Unfortunately, this lady has already lost her way in the Sea of Miracles."
Henry immediately tensed up and asked, "What should I do to bring her back?"
"It's simple, you need to guide her through the Sea of Miracles with you. It may sound easy, but in reality, you'll need to have at least twice the talent of your peers to have a chance at success," Death explained, then paused before adding,
"However, if you too become lost in it, then both your souls will be trapped there forever, unable to escape."
A talent among talents?
Henry thought about his ability to provide tenfold benefits to his team, and his female hidden class's skill, which brought at least a hundredfold enhancement.
If that's not talent, what is?
Confidently, Henry nodded, "Then I'll go in and bring her out."
As he spoke, Henry felt a powerful force pulling him, and soon his soul left his body and entered the Sea of Miracles.
In this vast ocean of consciousness, Henry quickly located Fatima.
She stood naked, her eyes lifeless and empty, in the middle of the sea.
Henry also realized he was bare, his every aspect exposed.
Why not add a piece of clothing to the soul?
It's somewhat awkward to meet like this.
Clearing his throat, Henry called out loudly towards the center of the sea.
"Fatima."
"Fatima!"
Under his continuous calling, Fatima's previously vacant eyes gradually regained color and vitality.
Seeing this, Henry wasted no more time.
He flew directly into the Sea of Miracles, embraced Fatima, and headed towards the endpoint.
The contact of souls immediately brought about an exhilarating union, a sensation even more wondrous than physical intimacy.
Gradually, as they flew, both Henry and Fatima blushed, the latter, having regained consciousness, even shyly lowering her head, avoiding Henry's gaze.
Yet, she understood that Henry's instinctive reaction was to save her, and she held no blame towards him.
Soon, they reached the endpoint of the Sea of Miracles, successfully completing Death's test.
As their souls returned to their bodies, Death opened an eye again and winked at them.
"Very well, this test is now concluded," Death announced.
That's it? The test seemed somewhat simple to Henry, aside from the spiritual union with Fatima, there appeared to be no other challenges.
"I told you, this was merely to screen your talents and luck."
"Your luck and talents seem sufficient."
"Therefore, I entrust you with a mission: to retrieve the part of the Death authority that Algado took away."
Death spoke with a more authoritative tone.
"The reward for completing this task is one wish within my power to grant, after the authority is returned."
...