MTLNOVEL Chapter 1386: Nightmare Power
-----
[Total Nightmare Power Stat]: [10.000.000]
Nightmare Power, a new Stat that popped out of nowhere. Apparently, and quite obviously, it embodies the power of Nightmare I possess. It seems to be a completely different power system than magic as I know it, or spirit energy at all.
Therefore, this power and its energies ended obtaining their own element, probably thanks to my own Personal System and its adaptability. The Tower System and my own tend to work together, but most of the interactions are done through mine, which isn't as restricted, and actively works to help me.
With this power I am now a "Pseudo Nightmare"! Not a complete one though, but according to these messages from my own System…
[The {Original Curse}'s presence has disappeared.]
[You have won authority over the fragment of the {Original Curse} you've assimilated after becoming a Pseudo Nightmare.]
[As a Pseudo Nightmare, you're still developing. Once you can evolve, becoming a True Nightmare, will become possible.]
[Once that happens, you will need to choose a specific {Fear} to embody, a {Nightmare} that terrifies Humanity.]
[It could be something that embodies your own past, or perhaps something abstract. It will be your choice.]
It might have the chance to get the full Nightmare Title once I evolve… Hilarious how I need to evolve and all when there's full-fledged nightmares so weak compared to me.
I guess that's just how it goes when you try to become one without being one originally. I was after all, a normal human soul before I corrupted myself with Nightmare Essence!
"M-Maria? What happened? It felt weird… D-Did something happen?" Alma wondered. "I saw something or I didn't?"
"Huh? What…? Huh?" Emily was also confused.
"I definitely saw a big eye… somewhere? Wait, did I?" Sofia wondered.
"Uhh… That was weird," Martina groaned.
So they did saw glimpses of it? Perhaps it was but a tiny instant, but they saw a glimpse.
I'm surprised they were beneath the gaze of that thing and they didn't go insane.
It probably means that Dream Warriors can passively protect themselves against even such powers.
Nyx seemed fine though, flying there.
"W-What happened, big sis?" She wondered, this time without calling me mama first. "I definitely saw something weird and scary!"
"Yeah, for a moment something glared at us," I explained. "Something that was perhaps… what is behind all nightmares. For some reason we've enraged it. And perhaps that's also the reason the Nightmare Demons are targeting the students so much."
"N-No way…" Alma muttered.
"Is that for real?!" Sofia asked.
"Hmm…" Emily became thoughtful.
"W-What do we do now?" Martina wondered.
"Woah… Amazing! You fended it off mam- big sis?!" Nyx asked.
My bullshiting talents were blossoming today!
Although I wasn't partially wrong, right? I was telling some of the truth.
Most of it!
"Yes, it's gone for the moment," I said. "As you may all know, my power over my abilities, and my Dream Heart, and incredibly powerful, and I am not ashamed to admit it. It seems that's one of the reasons they're targeting me."
"That's terrible!" Sofia said. "W-Why?! Those monsters…!"
"Just what are they even planning? For the entire world to be destroyed?" Alma wondered. "We have to do something… if we stay and die hopelessly, then what's the point of our lives? Of all we've fought? Of my father's death?!"
"Y-Yeah! She's not wrong! Fuck it!" Emily said. "Nyx! Maria! Let's dive straight in! We're rescuing everyone and kicking Nightmare Demon ass!"
"I agree!" Martina said. "Let's do this!"
FLUOOOSH!
Everyone overflowed with powerful Dream Auras. I noticed they had become several times stronger after surviving that Nightmare Realm, and also after surviving that monster's gaze.
Could it be that Dream Power increases in different ways than Mana? perhaps by surviving traumatic experiences, enduring something terrifying or traumatic, they grow powerful?
Interesting!
At least, they were six to ten times stronger, it varied between each one of them, although most of that power was bottled inside of them.
They haven't realized their true potential yet!
I'll let them get it all out though.
"Don't worry, we're not going to charge in recklessly."
I summoned my [Abyssal Nether Lord's Bone Titan's Blade] and my [Umbral Moonlight Titaness Heaven-Splitting Halberd] Dream Weapons, and wielded them, tightly grasping their handles.
At the same time, I pointed the weapons at the dome in front of us.
"Nyx, fly us close enough, please!"
"Okay!"
FLUOSH!
Nyx spread out her wings and flew rapidly, rushing towards the dome.
The intensity of this fog-like nightmare miasma was strong, and it was really hot.
But my armor helped everyone stay strong and healthy.
And above all…
"{Nightmare Protection}!"
FLAAASH!
I used my newest Skill, encompassing myself and everyone with a special layer of Dream Energy that repels Nightmare Power.
This should last for about an hour, and it should reduce Nightmare Damage by around 30%!
"Woah, even more protection?" Sofia wondered.
"Yeah, should be enough for what we're up against," I said. "Now…! Summon your Dream Weapons! Get ready, we're going in!"
As I said that, Sofia covered herself on an armor of gold by infusing her own Spirit into the bone armor, which expanded around her body and became made of gold.
The spear I gave her also was infused with this golden metal, and her aura overflowed with light.
Her Dream Spirit was very unique, and I am still trying to learn more about how it works, but so far, it seems to "enchant" any target that is compatible with it.
It is also able to enchant and combine, although she hasn't done that before, it allowed us all to combine into a golden metal giant.
We might do that later if push comes to shove.
For now…
"HAAAAHH!"
With a furious roar, I swung both weapons against the dome in front of me.
CRAAASH! CRAAASH!
Both weapons hit the dome, as it seemed to barely receive any damage.
"Uh, did that work or-"
BOOOMMM!!!
Emily's words were interrupted as the entire dome shattered into pieces, and a huge sea of nightmare essence was released everywhere.
The entire Nightmare Realm was destroyed.
------