Jon and Miyoung soared atop the backs of Song Lian Yu and Long Shen Xi. The epoch-heart dragon and fua-heart dragon amongst the largest and most visually striking summoned companions that manifested in the skies above Springtown. The platinum-tinted and azure-coloured scales of the two dragons gleamed as the Seir-Terminus Heart and Tiamat-Treasure Hearts within their chests resonated with their respective Mana Cores.

  Several other dragon-type summoned companions soaring around them, preventing any nearby insects from straying too close. Breaths of thunderous, draconic flame erupting from their unfathomable maws, illuminating patches of the Sunless Cloudlight Obscurity.

  Some dragons capable of manifesting tangible reflections of themselves, allowing their copies to tear Knight-level poisonous-fang termites limb from limb, crushing them beneath the overwhelming might of a Knight-level dragon.

  Others capable of manifesting violent tempests using their wings, launching waves of razor-sharp winds towards any approaching insect. One dragon, manifested from a Shield Mana Core was even capable of producing pseudo-spiritual shield constructs that could shred through anything that attempted to touch them.

  Their size and mass were matched only by a handful of other types of summoned companions. Several rocs and garudas, manifested from Wind Mana Cores and Lightning Mana Cores exceeded them in terms of pure wingspan, while a single kun peng, manifested from a Temperance Mana Core soared through the air with an impossible grace, allowing injured imps and birds to rest atop its enormous, feathered back.

  Whale summoned companions were also often larger than dragons, although lacked the dexterity and manoeuvrability to compete with Song Lian Yu or Long Shen Xi.

  The Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est and Graceful Dragon Of Treasured Beauty ascending higher and higher through the veil of dusk and obscurity that Vritrium manifested around them, protected by a dozen different summoned dragons around them.

  “Reserve your spiritual energy! Allow us to guide you up to the floating hive construct!” Vritrium exclaimed, warping the structure of his Memento Source Item so as to envelop Jon and Miyoung in its buffing effects.

  Instances of [Cloudlight Shadows] and [Vanishing Obscurity] appearing in the corners of their visions.

  [Cloudlight Shadows]: Increases physical agility and dexterity. This effect refreshes upon each contact with the Sunless Cloudlight Obscurity.

  [Vanishing Obscurity]: Increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Stealth Trait or Concealment Trait. This effect refreshes upon each contact with the Sunless Cloudlight Obscurity.

  Jon nodding his head at the words of the Shadow Of Cloudlight Obscurity, focusing his attention on Miyoung who was several metres behind him. His voice was slightly muffled beneath his Fragment Of Armour, forcing him to shout in order for Miyoung to hear him.

  “Use your [Predator Spell Eyes] on me again! I’ll form a bridge between our Fragments Of Mind through my Carcosa-Form Horrors!” He shouted, watching as Miyoung paused for half a moment before nodding her head, her expression obscured beneath the Wandering Night Protection.

  The Archon Of Reigning Dragons activated her Fragment Of Piercing-Iris, launching an arrow-shaped construct of hunt natured spiritual energy straight towards Jon. The moment he felt something brush up against his Sea Of Knowledge, Jon allowed his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa to retaliate, although devoid of any malicious intent or damaging effects.

  Weave natured spiritual energy surging from within his Mana Core, surging its way through the connection that Miyoung had intentionally formed between them.

  The uncomfortable feeling of rippling tentacles brushing up against the floors of her Reckless Strength Palace caused Miyoung to shiver, remembering her first encounter with the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation. The crushing sense of fear and horror that filled her Fragment Of Mind was near-overwhelming, emphasizing the differences between herself and Jon.

  One minute corner of her Fragment Of Mind was filled to the brim with a roiling mass of shapeless shadows and formless worms. The structure of his Carcosa-Form Horrors was inspired through his own innate fears and anxieties, alongside the various impressions that had left psychological impacts on his mental state.

  His Hades-Draconian Shadow and Worms Of Envy were partially reflected in the appearance of his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa.

  The sound of his Jon’s voice echoed within the depths of Miyoung’s Reckless Strength Palace.

  “I’ll maintain the connection between us. It will prevent me from using my Carcosa-Form Horrors offensively but allow me to help resist any mental debuffs that you may become afflicted with.” Jon muttered, not bothering to turn his head around to face Miyoung.

  Her emotions were as visible to him as the sun on a cloudless summer morning. Her lack of control over her Fragment Of Mind prevented her emotions from spilling over into his Carcosa-Form Horrors and into his Sea Of Knowledge.

  Feelings such as worry and expectation filled his mind, causing Jon to grit his teeth, allowing such thoughts to sink to the deepest depths of his Sea Of Hadal.

  “Do you have a method of cleansing, refining or transferring debuffs or afflictions?” Jon asked, communicating through their mental connection.

  “Yeah,” Miyoung replied, “I have a method of refining debuffs through my Hunt Mana Core and two incarnation-type abilities. I do not however, have a way of transferring debilitating effects away from allies.”

  Jon just nodded in response, knowing that his Archetype Treasured-Avarice would not be needed if Miyoung possessed a method of refining debuffs and afflictions.

  The Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est adjusting his angle of ascension, watching as more than half-a-dozen Knight-level myriad-poison hornets swarmed the Spellheart Dragon Magister. The Knight-level summoned dragon unable to resist being pulled down to the earth after having the weight of more than thirteen truck-sized hornets clump around his wings and limbs stabbing him with their numerous lance-shaped stingers.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Although the others wanted to leave the group and assist him, the group ignored him, instead furrowing their brows and pushing themselves even higher up into the air. The gradual approach to the Hive-Womb Capital causing both Jon and Miyoung to grimace as the pair pushed their way through the cloud of dusk natured spiritual energy that Vritrium had manifested.

  Allowing them to fly within one kilometre of the Hive-Womb Capital. Their eyes roaming across its enormous form, widening as they observed the hundreds of honeycomb-shaped entrances all across its exterior.

  “Jon…” Song Lian Yu whispered towards his summoner.

  “The spiritual item which would have served as the basis for this construct… I cannot even fathom how such a thing would be constructed at Lordship. It would have taken the abilities of an Earl, or even Duke in order to achieve such a thing…”

  Long Shen Xi informing Miyoung of a similar conclusion.

  The sheer size of the Hive-Womb Capital was beyond even that of the Immortal Training Arena or Boundless Heaven Gate. Wilheim’s Dimensional Dungeon Shadow possessed a depth that even Jon had not yet fully explored but was constantly shifting and being improved under Wilheim’s subtle manipulations.

  Although all three of these Memento Source Items were still at the Knight Rank, not a single one even came close to reaching the same level of magnitude as the one right in front of them. The floating hive construct that the Voracious Swarm Mother used as her mobile staging ground grew even larger and more impressive the closer they flew towards it.

  Miyoung attempting to use her [Predator Spell Eyes] in order to pierce through the veil of spiritual energy that surrounded the Memento Source Item but failing to push past more than one or two layers of the hive construct.

  Her Fragment Of Piercing-Iris was able to perceive several nurturing bays, where Mortal-level flesh constructs fed meat and other sources of biomass to the wingless larvae. Hundreds, if not thousands of Mortal-level insects dwelled within the outer sections of the Hive-Womb Capital, merely two layers of a potential dozen.

  “Jon,” Miyoung thought, allowing her voice to echo through her Reckless Strength Palace. A quiet sense of trepidation and anxiety spilling over into Jon’s mind.

  “The internal structure of the Memento Source Item is protected through numerous layers of some unknown wax-type material. Each one contains a potent amount of spiritual energy flowing through it, preventing me from observing deeper into the structure.”

  “I’m afraid… that the two of us will have to search the hive randomly, in hopes of finding the Voracious Swarm Mother. If that is the case then-.”

  For the first time since the two of them ascended atop the backs of Song Lian Yu and Long hen Xi, Jon turned his head backwards, looking down at the humanoid figure riding the Graceful Dragon Of Treasured Beauty. His [Bestial Intuition] allowing him to ignore the occasional barrage of toxic acid sent towards him, or when to lie flat against the back of the Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est in order to avoid a thorned-stinger launched towards him.

  His Carcosa-Form Horrors churning and squirming within her Fragment Of Mind. Causing Miyoung to twitch, hearing such an unpleasant sound within her mind.

  “Archon-. No, Miyoung.” Jon spoke.

  “Our job is not to kill the Voracious Swarm Mother, or even to find her beneath that outrageously large Memento Source Item of hers. We are both here, because we are both capable of inflicting incredible amounts of damage without sacrificing defensive or supportive abilities in order to do so.”

  “What Delila told us to do was forge a path for the others to follow behind.”

  “All we need to do, is inflict as much damage as our abilities allow us to.”

  Jon took a deep breath before gesturing towards the Seven-Stringed Reignbow in Miyoung’s hands. Despite the feelings of trepidation and angst flowing into him, he could feel the subtle confidence she possessed within her Memento Source Item.

  “Lenecia is not just something pretty to look at, right? Nor is both your Fragment Of Piercing-Iris and Fragment Of Draconic-Metamorphosis, correct!?”

  Miyoung instinctively narrowing her eyes, shaking her head from side-to-side. Although she wanted to reply, Jon continued speaking through the connection between her Fragment Of Piercing-Iris and his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa.

  “Then stop hesitating and use them! You’re a goddamned Knight! I know that your abilities could allow you to slaughter dozens of Knight-level insects in a matter of seconds, so why are you hesitating so much!?”

  “You have nothing to prove to anyone Miyoung! Get it through that annoyingly thick skull of yours and fight!”

  “Fight to your hearts content!”

  “Fight to protect those you consider your friends or comrades!”

  “Fight to better yourself and to push yourself further and further until you can push no more!”

  “Fight for whatever it is you believe in, regardless of what other people think of you! If you know it in your heart of hearts that you are right, then who cares what people say?”

  Jon let out a long and frustrated sigh, feeling for the first time since forming their connection nothing but a blank slate from Miyoung’s Reckless Strength Palace. The overflow of emotions that surged from within had halted, leaving nothing but a calm stillness within her imaginary mental construct.

  “Show me Miyoung Kim-Seydlitz. What the Archon Of Reigning Dragons is capable of.”

  Silence filled the connection between Jon and Miyoung, nothing but a feeling of blankness communicated through her Fragment Of Piercing-Iris and his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa. Jon was able to halt sending emotions, thoughts, and intent through his Carcosa-Form Horrors while within the heat of battle, while Miyoung on the other hand-.

  Allowed her lungs to expand to their absolute zenith, taking in the largest breath of air that her Knight Ranked lungs were capable of.

  Her Tiamat-Duality Hearts pounding in unison within her chest.

  Her Dirga-Desire Spirit overflowing with viscous lust and emotion.

  Her Echidna-Ichor Marrow producing an unfathomable amount of draconian-tinged blood.

  Her Reckless-Strength Palace turning solid, using Jon’s words to form a core foundation within her imaginary mental construct.

  And-.

  Removed her Wandering Night Protection, for the first time since arriving within Springtown.

  Causing Jon’s eyes to widen and his Sea Of Guf to tremble despite being protected by his Carcosa-Form Horrors. An overwhelmingly potent concentration of beauty natured spiritual energy flowing out from her spirit and smile, causing the minds of many to tremble trying to resist the allure of her flesh.

  The strength of her Innana-Graceful Smile laid not in its debilitating effects or increase to spiritual energy. But in the momentary awe than enveloped all who gazed upon her. A mutation whose effects were compounded, through the additive effects of her Astarte-Chaste Lust.

  But in the fact that that no-one could tear their eyes away from her face, ignoring the melodic ripples of spiritual energy that emanated from the bow in her hands.

  [Lenecia; Seven-Stringed Reignbow].

  One gentle pluck of the strings in her hand-.

  Killed seven Knight-level insects that tried approach one of their draconic protectors.

  Their end accompanied by just a single pleasant-sounding note.

  The Archon Of Reigning Dragons lifting her head, observing the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation as the two of them drew closer and closer towards the Hive-Womb Capital.

  “Is this good enough for you?”

  Jon felt his breath hitch but shook his head in negative confirmation.

  “No,” he said, his voice naught but a whisper through their mental connection. His gaze moving away from her Innana-Graceful Smile and towards the other abilities whose effect she had yet to display.

  “Show me more.”

  “Miyoung.”

  The corners of her smile-mutation curving upwards as an explosive eruption of dragon natured and strength natured spiritual energy erupted from her flesh and marrow.