Mushroom Lord in the Underground City

On Link's panel, the newly emerged [Heroism] shone brilliantly. The attributes that had fallen due to the damage of the Soul Cloak surprisingly rose back up under the effect of [Heroism], and the lifeless half of his crippled body was no longer a shackle.

At this moment, as long as Link hadn't completely died, he would not stop.

In the torrent of mushrooms, that figure moved with sword lights across the scene, where gray-white fragments scattered layer by layer wherever he passed.

Seeing his determined appearance, Lin Jun uncommonly reflected on herself—have I been talking a bit too much lately?

Maybe I should cut down on the taunts and instead offer reassurances and acceptance while fighting, to reduce the enemy's potential to go berserk?

However, it's too late to say this now; let's handle the issue at hand first.

[Servant Maker]

A magic vortex shot high into the sky, sweeping up the Puki fragments piled like a mountain.

Amidst lightning and fire, a giant Puki stepped out from the vortex, casting a massive shadow with the mushroom.

Puki—!

At the same time, Number Four's excited voice echoed in the fungal network: "Is it finally my turn? Where is the enemy? Oh? Is it this little one?"

Then Link severed the giant Puki's legs with one stroke of his sword.

"Eh?" The giant Puki's body began to tilt.

Before Number Four's massive body could crash down, another sword strike sliced upward, as if splitting the sky. The mushroom body was cleaved in half, falling heavily to the sides, with dust swirling up like waves upon impact.

Number Four's noises abruptly stopped.

However, using the massive mushroom body as cover, a Golden Arrow had already flashed across the sky, passing through the gap in Number Four's remnant body and directly shooting towards Link's face.

Link, not yet steady on his feet, had no time to block or dodge.

He abruptly opened his mouth and bit down on the arrow shaft!

Crack—

The Golden Arrow shattered in his mouth, with residual energy exploding within.

Blood dripped along his jaw as Link's lips split, revealing his pearly white teeth, but his eyes remained bright.

Then, he saw an eyeball floating before him, its pupil seemingly reflecting an entire starry sky.

[Eye of the Star] had followed the Golden Arrow to arrive quietly before him.

Upon making eye contact, Link's vision suddenly tore away from his being, seeing the starry sky, the earth, endless mist…

Just as his self-awareness seemed about to be whisked away, Link bit his tongue, using the pain to pull himself back!

Then, he grasped the dazzling [Eye of the Star] forcefully and squeezed!

Somewhere on an icy peak far away, Sofia cried out in agony, clutching her eye socket, kneeling as blood oozed between her fingers.

Samuel hurriedly approached, and the warm light from his magic staff enveloped her face. On the battlefield, Link, struggling against the dizziness from the disorientation of his vision and consciousness, gripped his sword hilt again and stepped forward!

A voice squeezed from his throat, still with flecks of blood: "I'm not—"

"No, it's over."

A Puki that emerged from the shadow beneath Link had already gently rested its tentacle against his chest during the commotion earlier.

The damaged Soul Cloak could no longer protect Link's soul, and the unyielding will wavered as his soul cracked.

Link stared blankly at the Puki, his expression no longer ferocious but as if a heavy burden had suddenly been lifted.

"You… win…" His figure fell into the dust, looking at the Puki before him, and with barely audible words gave his final advice before his consciousness plunged into darkness, "Beware… Death God…"

[Acquired: Virtue of Heroism]

Why won't this one light up?

...

...

...

The cave where the three tribes battled against Demon King Link echoed faintly with sobs and occasional cries of pain that could not be contained.

The soldiers' bodies had been neatly gathered, with the three tribes maintaining their respective traditions, unlike those at Fungus Castle who would randomly place them on the Fungal Mat to decompose. In a corner, Inanna sat curled up, hugging her knees.

The pair of Rings of Restraint on her hands was still there, but both were covered in cracks, occasionally leaking flames or frost through the rifts. Only because she had the Elemental Lord's blessing was she not harmed by the escaping energy.

In front of her lay Alama, quiet on the ground, his still-broken Greatsword beside him.

His expression was peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping.

Lorenzo, who had just finished directing his men to clean up the aftermath, also arrived at this corner.

He glanced at the old companion lying lifeless on the ground, remained silent for a while, and finally spoke: "Niece… Can Alama also turn into a Puki?"

Inanna looked up, her eyes slightly red, and shook her head in bewilderment: "I don't know…"

"Can't this be asked of that Mushroom Lord in the fungal network?"

Inanna twisted her fingers, whispering: "Big brother might still be fighting. And… only those who trust big brother can turn into mushrooms, but the old man…"

The conditions for turning into mushrooms were no longer a secret, and Lorenzo wasn't surprised by this answer.

Although he too was grieving the death of his old friend, Lorenzo squatted down and comfortingly patted Inanna on the back: "Don't be too saddened. Look at him; he died protecting his beloved daughter. This is the most glorious end for a father."

Inanna took a deep sniff, and the tears in her eyes finally slipped down her cheeks.

She gave a low "Mm," without saying anything further.

Lorenzo had nothing else to say either and silently retreated after taking another look at Alama's visage.

Not knowing how much time passed, two images suddenly flooded into the consciousness of all those connected to the fungal network present.

One image was of Marshal Puki standing in front of the fallen Link, slowly wiping a trophy Longsword; the other image was of a mushroom flag planted into a pool of slime, the flag emblazoned with the majestic figure of Marshal Puki, fluttering in the wind.

All sounds in the cave vanished at this moment, as everyone contemplated the meanings of these two images.

The first image was easily understood, Link had been defeated by the Mushroom Lord, and as for the second… in connection with the first image, it was somewhat possible to guess…

In the absolute silence, someone suddenly spoke through the fungal network: "Victory? The war is over?"

"The war… is over…"

This phrase quickly stirred up a wave among the crowd, and the warriors who had been anxiously waiting finally felt their hearts settle at this moment!

"It's over! Peace has come!"

No one was more excited than the human soldiers, who had suffered the most in this long war.

Cheers, embraces, and tears burst forth, as if the pain brought by the fierce battle moments ago was temporarily washed away.

Amidst this sea of exhilarating joy, Inanna did not join.

Almost immediately, she sank into the fungal network, looking for the leader: "Lin Jun! The old man… Dad, does he still have a chance to be resurrected?"

As if waiting for a verdict, every word was presented cautiously, fearing a negative response.

"Alama is gone too? Resurrection… of course possible too." Lin Jun, still immersed in figuring out how to strike a pose, replied casually.