Fractured Lake Prison
"If you've been hurt enough, just use your hands to cut through the curses of yesterday..."
Ash stared blankly at the recharge screen displayed on the light panel, deep in thought.
Yesterday's exploration in the Void Realm hadn't yielded much. Ash had finally found an area marked as "worth visiting," only to discover a lurking Slashfin Dragon.
Despite their best efforts, he and the Sword Maiden couldn't take it down. The dragon pulled a dirty move, feigning a suicidal charge before diving into the water. It even had the audacity to let out a couple of fart-bubbles—complete with small treasures inside—before disappearing into the mist.
It wasn't lethal, but the insult stung.
Ash was learning, once again, that the Void Realm was as merciless as it was unpredictable. For the everyday mage, the realm was a place where effort rarely guaranteed success, while giving up spared you the pain of trying. It wasn't hard to see why so many prisoners were indifferent to losing access to the Void Realm.
The real world was a pay-to-win nightmare, but the Void Realm? A gacha hell ruled by RNG. For the average mage, life was a cruel mix of getting smacked around in reality and stomped into the dirt in the Void Realm.
Even the Slashfin Dragon's droppings weren't anything to write home about. But Ash still claimed the loot, intending to use it for in-game purchases. For someone stuck on a hardcore difficulty life run, microtransactions were his only way to change fate.
The problem arose when Ash tried recharging points in Aurora's Mage Manual.
A single-wing spirit, which previously earned him 10 points, now only gave him 8 points.
"Wait, what?!" Ash frowned. Just a few days ago, this same loot would've been worth more. Was the system sneakily adding a tax?
With five spirits in hand, Ash only racked up 40 points—a full 20% less than expected. Complaining wasn't an option either. Not because the complaint module was broken—this game didn't even have one.
Still, Ash had a theory.
His power level might be the issue.
Since passing through the Whirlpool, his Silver Wing had grown by leaps and bounds. With his increased mana reserves, his ability to extract higher-level spirits had also improved. This had shifted the Void Realm's difficulty curve—areas once marked "certain death" now appeared as "worth visiting" or "manageable."
Ash suspected that as his Silver Wing continued to solidify, his returns would continue to shrink.
By the time he reached dual-wing status, one-wing spirits might only net him 5 points, if not less. And once he unlocked his third wing? Low-level spirits would be so worthless he wouldn't bother picking them up.
"Ah," Ash sighed. "So it's true: with great power comes great taxes."
He turned his attention to his modest 40-point balance. The beginner-friendly 30-point crystal pack had already been purchased, meaning his next target was the 98-point bulk crystal pack.
The Central Hall
The prison's main gathering area was unusually lively. A large crowd had formed, and from the heated arguments near the front, it seemed something significant was happening.
"Could this be it?" Ash wondered, his heart racing. "Is the prison finally about to riot?"
He pushed his way forward, only to be greeted by a sight that deflated his excitement:
The hall's display was broadcasting a news report.
"We warmly congratulate Kaimon City on being named the safest district in the nation. Mayor Fenasche attended the press conference to express gratitude for the community's unwavering contributions…"
Ash blinked in disbelief. Was this some kind of cruel joke? What kind of sadistic warden thought death row inmates cared about city safety awards?
His attention shifted to a notice posted near the display.
Special Task Volunteer Recruitment
Requirements: Dual-wing combat mages or higher
Rewards:
Sentence reduced to "five-year probation."
Appointment to a government position.
A house in central Kaimon City.
An 800-gold signing bonus.
Open Positions: Unlimited
"I'm a dual-wing fusion mage! My Golden Wing is fully developed! I even know the miracle Dragon Extinguishing Verse! Why didn't you pick me?!"
"I'm a dual-wing gunslinger! A former Blood Moon Hunter! My record speaks for itself—so what if I made one mistake? I'm perfect for this!"
"This is unfair! There's no limit to how many you can recruit, so why not me?"
"I don't even care about the reward! I just want to give back to society!"
The guard at the recruitment desk didn't bother with explanations. His expression remained cold and indifferent as he called out, "Next."
Ash considered stepping forward but held back. He wasn't even a dual-wing mage yet, meaning he didn't meet the minimum requirements. Frustrated, he lingered on the sidelines, watching the chaos unfold.
Behind him, a familiar voice broke the tension.
"Look at you, standing there like a loser hoping for a miracle. It's almost endearing. Reminds me of a man staring longingly at a woman way out of his league, praying she'll suddenly go blind and invite him home."
Ash glanced back at Igula. "Not signing up?"
"Oh, I tried. Didn't make the cut," Igula replied, shrugging. "Not that I mind. I'm not keen on dying in some high-risk assignment."
"Do you know what the task is?"
"No idea. But I have my suspicions." Igula gestured toward the selected volunteers. "Most of them specialize in water, earth, wind, or light magic. And their crimes all share a common thread: resisting capture, evading arrest, and committing offenses across multiple cities."
"...Escape artists?" Ash guessed.
"Exactly," Igula confirmed. "This isn't a combat mission. It's about reconnaissance—survival and escape. High stakes. Dangerous. Perfect for people with, let's say, extensive experience running from the law."
Meanwhile, at Swordflower Academy
The dormitory was peaceful, save for Inglit, who had gone for her morning run.
Lois sprayed Adele awake with cold mist, beginning her ruthless skincare routine. Sonia occupied the shower while Lois applied a thick jelly mask, her textbooks open nearby.
Her motivation was clear: mastering water magic to reclaim her "Flowing Stream" spirit from Sonia. But she couldn't help but resent how effortlessly Sonia seemed to juggle beauty, brilliance, and speed.
Suddenly, her miracle bracelet buzzed with an alert.
Chapter 75: The Safest District in the Nation
Fractured Lake Prison
"If you've been hurt enough, just use your hands to cut through the curses of yesterday..."
Ash stared blankly at the recharge screen displayed on the light panel, deep in thought.
Yesterday's exploration in the Void Realm hadn't yielded much. Ash had finally found an area marked as "worth visiting," only to discover a lurking Slashfin Dragon.
Despite their best efforts, he and the Sword Maiden couldn't take it down. The dragon pulled a dirty move, feigning a suicidal charge before diving into the water. It even had the audacity to let out a couple of fart-bubbles—complete with small treasures inside—before disappearing into the mist.
It wasn't lethal, but the insult stung.
Ash was learning, once again, that the Void Realm was as merciless as it was unpredictable. For the everyday mage, the realm was a place where effort rarely guaranteed success, while giving up spared you the pain of trying. It wasn't hard to see why so many prisoners were indifferent to losing access to the Void Realm.
The real world was a pay-to-win nightmare, but the Void Realm? A gacha hell ruled by RNG. For the average mage, life was a cruel mix of getting smacked around in reality and stomped into the dirt in the Void Realm.
Even the Slashfin Dragon's droppings weren't anything to write home about. But Ash still claimed the loot, intending to use it for in-game purchases. For someone stuck on a hardcore difficulty life run, microtransactions were his only way to change fate.
The problem arose when Ash tried recharging points in Aurora's Mage Manual.
A single-wing spirit, which previously earned him 10 points, now only gave him 8 points.
"Wait, what?!" Ash frowned. Just a few days ago, this same loot would've been worth more. Was the system sneakily adding a tax?
With five spirits in hand, Ash only racked up 40 points—a full 20% less than expected. Complaining wasn't an option either. Not because the complaint module was broken—this game didn't even have one.
Still, Ash had a theory.
His power level might be the issue.
Since passing through the Whirlpool, his Silver Wing had grown by leaps and bounds. With his increased mana reserves, his ability to extract higher-level spirits had also improved. This had shifted the Void Realm's difficulty curve—areas once marked "certain death" now appeared as "worth visiting" or "manageable."
Ash suspected that as his Silver Wing continued to solidify, his returns would continue to shrink.
By the time he reached dual-wing status, one-wing spirits might only net him 5 points, if not less. And once he unlocked his third wing? Low-level spirits would be so worthless he wouldn't bother picking them up.
"Ah," Ash sighed. "So it's true: with great power comes great taxes."
He turned his attention to his modest 40-point balance. The beginner-friendly 30-point crystal pack had already been purchased, meaning his next target was the 98-point bulk crystal pack.
The Central Hall
The prison's main gathering area was unusually lively. A large crowd had formed, and from the heated arguments near the front, it seemed something significant was happening.
"Could this be it?" Ash wondered, his heart racing. "Is the prison finally about to riot?"
He pushed his way forward, only to be greeted by a sight that deflated his excitement:
The hall's display was broadcasting a news report.
"We warmly congratulate Kaimon City on being named the safest district in the nation. Mayor Fenasche attended the press conference to express gratitude for the community's unwavering contributions…"
Ash blinked in disbelief. Was this some kind of cruel joke? What kind of sadistic warden thought death row inmates cared about city safety awards?
His attention shifted to a notice posted near the display.
Special Task Volunteer Recruitment
Requirements: Dual-wing combat mages or higher
Rewards:
Sentence reduced to "five-year probation."
Appointment to a government position.
A house in central Kaimon City.
An 800-gold signing bonus.
Open Positions: Unlimited
"I'm a dual-wing fusion mage! My Golden Wing is fully developed! I even know the miracle Dragon Extinguishing Verse! Why didn't you pick me?!"
"I'm a dual-wing gunslinger! A former Blood Moon Hunter! My record speaks for itself—so what if I made one mistake? I'm perfect for this!"
"This is unfair! There's no limit to how many you can recruit, so why not me?"
"I don't even care about the reward! I just want to give back to society!"
The guard at the recruitment desk didn't bother with explanations. His expression remained cold and indifferent as he called out, "Next."
Ash considered stepping forward but held back. He wasn't even a dual-wing mage yet, meaning he didn't meet the minimum requirements. Frustrated, he lingered on the sidelines, watching the chaos unfold.
Behind him, a familiar voice broke the tension.
"Look at you, standing there like a loser hoping for a miracle. It's almost endearing. Reminds me of a man staring longingly at a woman way out of his league, praying she'll suddenly go blind and invite him home."
Ash glanced back at Igula. "Not signing up?"
"Oh, I tried. Didn't make the cut," Igula replied, shrugging. "Not that I mind. I'm not keen on dying in some high-risk assignment."
"Do you know what the task is?"
"No idea. But I have my suspicions." Igula gestured toward the selected volunteers. "Most of them specialize in water, earth, wind, or light magic. And their crimes all share a common thread: resisting capture, evading arrest, and committing offenses across multiple cities."
"...Escape artists?" Ash guessed.
"Exactly," Igula confirmed. "This isn't a combat mission. It's about reconnaissance—survival and escape. High stakes. Dangerous. Perfect for people with, let's say, extensive experience running from the law."
Meanwhile, at Swordflower Academy
The dormitory was peaceful, save for Inglit, who had gone for her morning run.
Lois sprayed Adele awake with cold mist, beginning her ruthless skincare routine. Sonia occupied the shower while Lois applied a thick jelly mask, her textbooks open nearby.
Her motivation was clear: mastering water magic to reclaim her "Flowing Stream" spirit from Sonia. But she couldn't help but resent how effortlessly Sonia seemed to juggle beauty, brilliance, and speed.
Suddenly, her miracle bracelet buzzed with an alert.
Weather Warning
This week marks a period of Void Realm turbulence. The likelihood of Void Realm portals appearing near Kaimon City has significantly increased. Report any sightings of unusual individuals or anomalies to local authorities immediately.