Chapter 258: Chapter 258 - Chewed Remains
Atlas decided to delay using Edrik’s memory shard that evening. There were a few reasons. For one, it wasn’t urgent. Edrik mostly worked in island management, and while he did take part in battles, his skills were more than enough to ensure his survival. Besides, Edrik was the type who could escape a fight with ease if things went poorly.
The second reason was simpler, Atlas just wasn’t ready. Diving into the memories of his elite subordinates always came with weight, and facing the past of someone as serious as Edrik... he wasn’t sure he could shoulder that yet.
The next morning, he woke feeling refreshed. Stretching lightly, he rose from his bed and opened the door, only to find someone waiting for him outside.
A man stood there, his head covered in scars, his face stern, long hair spilling over his shoulders, a thick beard marking his jaw.
"Good morning, my lord. I’ve been waiting for my first assignment from you," the man said.
"Wait a minute..." Atlas frowned. "Who are you?!"
The man blinked in surprise, panic flickering across his hard features. Then, almost sheepishly, he gestured to his attire, an executive black suit complete with tie.
"...Dullorak?"
"Ah... yes, my lord. Haha." His voice echoed oddly as he answered.
Atlas sighed heavily. "Can you please use a consistent face? I can’t keep guessing who you are every time you show up like this!"
"Yes!" Dullorak suddenly shifted, his head morphing into the painted mask of a black-and-white clown. "My lord, perhaps you’d prefer this cute clown face," he said in a high-pitched, squeaky voice.
Then, in another instant, his features shifted again, replaced by a heavy iron knight’s helm. "Or maybe the armored visage suits me better," he rumbled in a booming tone.
Atlas pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just stick with the polished black-hair look you used the first time. That one, at least, I can tolerate."
Dullorak’s head reshaped once more, returning to that slick, polished style, the one that made him look perpetually cool and composed. Bowing deeply, he spoke in a tone of elegant reverence, "As you command, my lord. If this visage pleases you, then I shall bear it proudly, a mask shaped by your will alone."
Atlas brushed past him and headed toward the rows of wooden tables in the dining area, where Edrik, and Kurogasa were already seated, enjoying their breakfast together.
Of course, Dullorak trailed behind, shifting his face yet again. This time he wore the expression of a woman, and then, in a shrill tone, he croaked like an old grandmother calling out.
Atlas took his seat at the place set aside for him, frowning slightly as he scanned the breakfast menu laid out before him.
"This morning we are having meat," Edrik said with his usual thin smile.
Atlas sighed. "Just don’t let Mira hear you say that." He sat down, while Dullorak slipped into the chair to Edrik’s left, wearing a face that looked eerily similar to Edrik’s own.
They began eating at a relaxed pace. Atlas, however, had another reason for this gathering. He intended to discuss a few things with this peculiar newcomer. Dullorak was a magic-user, after all. An extraordinary one. Not only could he wield multiple elements, but he also drew upon countless abilities gathered from the many "heads" he had collected.
At that very moment, Dullorak shifted once again. His face became that of an old man, with only patches of white hair left on the sides and a snowy beard. His voice deepened, carrying the weight of wisdom as he spoke.
Atlas explained his current situation to him, including his talents and skills.
"My lord," Dullorak said with a slow, wise nod. "Indeed, there is a way to raise one’s affinity with the elements. Especially in your case. You already have tremendous talents, and more importantly, you have forged a sacred bond with a Nature Spirit. The path exists... but it will not be easy. It will be filled with trials. Still, I believe without doubt that you can endure. With Elemental Markings, the Elemental Dominion talent, and Elemental Spear Mastery, we could push this advantage to its very peak."
Atlas leaned forward. "Is it possible to achieve this within one month?"
"One month?" Dullorak murmured, stroking his beard as if weighing the cost. Then his eyes sharpened. "Are you certain you wish to walk such a harsh road, my lord? The process will be anything but gentle." He then turned toward Kurogasa.
Kurogasa nodded firmly. "Our Lord Atlas has never once hesitated to break past his limits. This will be no different."
Dullorak gave a calm nod of agreement. "Indeed. In that case, I believe we can optimize the Sacred Bond to its fullest. We can begin as soon as you are ready."
Their calm was broken by the loud, heavy footsteps of Karian approaching. Odd—he was rarely late to breakfast.
Karian came to a halt beside Dullorak, staring down at him with hard eyes. Dullorak looked up, raising his chin gracefully, he shifted his head again to his normal one and speaking with perfect poise.
"Good morning, Sir Karian. Won’t you join us for a meal?"
"What the hell are you doing?!" Karian’s voice boomed with anger, his glare sharp enough to cut the air. Everyone turned toward them. "Why are you... taking a dump while eating?!"
The words struck the table like a thunderclap. Several people immediately gagged; others stood up, faces pale, and quickly fled.
Atlas froze mid-bite, setting his spoon down slowly as he turned to Karian with a questioning look.
"Just look under the table!" Karian barked, pointing.
Atlas didn’t bother, but many others did. Their eyes widened in horror, their expressions twisting into disgust before they too staggered back, gagging and retching.
Dullorak calmly rose to his feet, placing one hand over his chest as he bowed elegantly toward Karian. His voice was smooth, refined, even dignified.
"My dear companions, you misunderstand. I cannot consume mortal food. I only chew to mimic normality at the table. What lies beneath is merely the chewed remains, not waste."
That explanation did nothing to help. In fact, the reaction was far worse. More people gagged violently, some retching openly before rushing out of the dining hall.
Karian growled under his breath. He seized Dullorak’s head and twisted it until it was facing backward. "You idiot. Don’t act weird around humans. If you can’t eat, then just sit there and behave like a normal person."
Some people rubbed their temples, dizzy from the ordeal, before slowly returning to their seats and resuming their meals.
Dullorak, however, remained completely unfazed. With his head now flipped backward, he gave an elegant bow and calmly sat back down. Still with his head facing the wrong way.
And so, breakfast continued as if nothing had happened.
Atlas couldn’t deny that his appetite had been somewhat disturbed. Still, he forced himself to control his thoughts. It was just chewed food, nothing more.
Once the meal was over, they moved on to Shattered Ember. The volcanic island welcomed them with its fiery landscape, already preparing new challenges and opportunities for Atlas.
Here, he would begin optimizing his Mana usage. Mastering control, refining efficiency, and unleashing even greater power through his massive, devastating area-damage spells!