Damon's Ascension-Chapter 159: Sector 45

"Don’t look so surprised. The Universe Will rated our abilities at SSS and EX not because the wording was fancy or because their power was great, but mostly because of their potential." Felicia asserted with a tap on the table.

"Even someone like Gornash can dominate a small part of the Chaos Realm, living here day and night with just a C rank ability with limited potential. How much more you fellows?" Felicia ended her reassurance by glancing out the window, towards the veil.

"Alright, enough of that. Nicholas, we’ll be counting on your for communication henceforth." Damon stated as he nodded to the well-dressed gentleman.

Nicholas inclined his head slightly and exhaled, steepling his fingers thoughtfully as his mind turned toward the challenge at hand.

"Understood, Sir." Nicholas replied crisply, though his voice carried no echo in the bridge’s chamber of controlled atmosphere.

He shut his eyes for a brief moment, his brow furrowed with concentration. A thin glow, like moonlight on frost, spread from his temples and diffused across the bridge, catching the attention of every Vanguard Team member. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

One by one, each crew member felt the subtle shift in their mental landscape, like a hand lightly pressing against the back of their consciousness.

A clear mental link, smooth as silk, connected them all, creating a lattice of shared awareness that transcended the physical barrier of sound.

"Link established. Think of it like a party line, but with a bit more privacy and none of the confusion. I’ve reinforced the mental connections to keep out external interference." Nicholas’ voice now spoke directly into their minds, calm and crisp.

Henry shivered slightly. "Man, it’s always weird when you do this. I feel like my brain’s on speakerphone."

Connor snorted mentally. "At least now your brain has sound."

A quiet chuckle rippled through the link, a mental echo rather than a real one. Nicholas’ presence was felt as a constant thread, stable and steady.

"Listen carefully friends, this sector is about to rob us of one of our most basic senses. It won’t just affect the air vibrations, but everything tied to how we perceive danger and threats."

Nicholas continued, his mental tone serious. "With sound gone, our reaction time is at risk of being compromised, so treat this link as your lifeline. Keep your thoughts disciplined and your emotions steady, because accidents can happen."

Felicia’s voice entered the link next, sharp and composed. "Also, the link is not a substitute for common sense. You still need to watch your flanks and anticipate threats visually and mentally. This is a tool, use it wisely."

Bane’s voice was a low rumble, tinged with cautious respect. "Understood. This place already feels like a crypt. Let’s not give the ghosts any room to rattle us."

The Normandy hovered at the threshold of Sector 45’s border, looking hesitant. A part of it peeked through the veil, allowing the frontal sensors to pierce through into the new realm for preliminary scans.

According to the database, what lay beyond this was a realm of darkness and swirling black clouds.

It was an endless, miasmic wasteland where streaks of violet lightning made brief flashes, allowing one to see terrifying glimpses of the landscape below which revealed craters and twisted formations that looked like the bones of colossal beasts.

This was even eerie when you considered that out of literally every Chaos Realm Zone that had been explored so far, there was no sign of life at all outside of the Areas.

Apart from Macro Rules, the only other threat in Sectors were hidden Areas or attacks from fellow Post-Chaos species.

Yet in this realm, there were bones of beasts. What did this mean?

It was too terrifying to consider.

"Visual sensors are picking up scattered lightning storms, but no life signatures yet." Protizen’s calm mental voice announced.

Levi’s mental tone was sardonic but focused. "Silent and dark. Pretty much sums up the Chaos Realm, huh?"

Connor’s tone was cold and amused. "Don’t get too cozy. Anything that moves out here will be more dangerous for it."

Damon’s mental voice was a steady anchor. "Stay sharp. We’re not in the home universe anymore."

The ship advanced slowly, the veil rippling like a living thing as the Normandy’s prow went through. The moment they went past the veil, the soft whirr of the ships engines vanished in the wake of the new rule.

All sound went immediately, like being hit with a flashbang or like putting on earmuffs. The silence was so complete that there was no ringing in the ears, because the concept of sound itself was gone.

Thankfully, within the minds of the Vanguard Team, the link held firm, a meaningful hub of shared thought amid the hush of Sector 45’s deathly silence.

Damon’s mental voice came through once more, crisp and deliberate. "Alright, eyes open and weapons primed. Even though its unlikely, we might be ambushed at any time."

The good news about switching areas was that the speed limit was removed, so the Normandy immediately blasted forth like a bullet, entering its top planetary speed. Unlike before where Damon preferred to move at a stable speed, the events at Safe Zone 13 required them to speed up to maintain an advantage.

Damon’s voice came through the mental link, calm but firm. "Keep your eyes open. We’re deep in dangerous territory and anything can happen here."

Protizen was monitoring the sensors, his voice focused. "No Hidden Areas showing on the readings so far. Everything is stable."

Nicholas’s tone carried a hint of caution. "Stay ready. Hidden Areas don’t always announce themselves."

They flew for hours without incident, the silence of the sector pressing in on them like a weight.

Then, suddenly, the ship jolted.

Protizen’s voice spiked in alarm. "What—?"

A bright flash filled the bridge and everything went white. The Normandy vanished in a burst of chaotic energy, the crew’s mental link snapping for a brief instant before reconnecting.

When their vision cleared, they weren’t in the ship anymore.

They stood in a huge, dark room under a ceiling filled with hanging lights that cast a warm but eerie glow. Around them were tables covered in strange cards, dice, and chips, and the walls were lined with gaming machines, each one humming with a sinister energy.

A screen floated in front of them in glowing red letters.

[Area Name: Chaos Casino

Status: Hidden

Micro Rules:

1. You may gamble anything you own from skills to memories, to lifespan, items, etc. Wins and losses are final and no escape until the game is concluded.

2. Abilities cannot be gambled but can be used.

3. The payout and initial bet required vary per gambling activity.

Completion Requirement: Exit requires one to successfully win 3 bets, not consecutively.

Reward Tier: SSS

Exploration Risk: Astronomical

Area Owner: Unclaimed

<Omitted> Essence Reserves: 1.2 Billion Units.]

The crew had fortunately spawned together, but most areas in the realm allowed for group exploration, otherwise there would be no need to form parties. On top of that, everyone but Damon’s attire had shifted from their various wears to formal suits.

Before they could gather their bearings, they were hit by the atmosphere of the casino, which was extremely vibrant.

They looked around the casino in disbelief as the place was huge, stretching in all directions with no end in sight. Bright lights glowed overhead, hanging from cables like small suns, but even their glow seemed trapped in the strange atmosphere, making everything feel slightly unreal.

The tables were covered with some green tablecloths, not like the ones you’d find in normal casinos.

Here, some tables literally had scales built into them for weighing bets while others had floating dice that rolled by themselves, and some even had little mechanical arms that dealt cards!

There were screens on the walls showing different odds and flashing numbers like stock tickers.

Near the tables, strange creatures played their games. One looked like a giant insect with many eyes, wearing a suit made of silver plates.

Another was a swirling cloud of smoke with claws that raked across the table as it played.

A small, hunched being with too many fingers was busy shuffling a deck of cards, its lips pulled back in a grin that was too wide to be human.

Farther back, Damon could see a cluster of tall, thin beings with glowing eyes, their skin like liquid metal, arguing with a living shadow.

A headless creature with arms for legs walked by carrying a tray of chips, nodding at the group as if greeting them.

Connor’s voice came through the mental link, tight and controlled. "This is insane. I didn’t think anything like this could exist."

Felicia’s mental voice was calm but serious. "Welcome to the Chaos Realm. Every legend and every nightmare you’ve ever heard of... there’s a home for it here."

Nicholas’ voice carried a note of warning. "Stay alert dear friends. Every single one of these creatures is likely here for the same reason we are... to bet, to gamble, and to win."

Henry tried to keep his thoughts calm, but his voice cracked a bit. "What are they betting, anyway? That guy has a soul in a jar, right?? And the one over there’s got... what is that, a memory crystal????"

Levi’s voice was low and steady. "They’re gambling everything. Memories, lifespans, items... anything that has value. And they’ll be watching us too."

Bane grunted. "We can’t let them get in our heads. Remember the rules, we need to win three bets to get out. That’s all that matters."

Damon’s voice was the anchor, calm and hard. "Stay focused. Don’t let the lights or the crowds get to you. We’ll find our way through this chaos, one bet at a time."

Just as Damon’s voice settled the group, a casino staff member approached. He looked human in general, but there was something off about him as his eyes were too bright, and his smile stretched a bit too wide.

The fellow wore a crimson vest over a white shirt, with a black tie perfectly knotted.

"Welcome, honored guests, to the Chaos Casino." He said, his voice smooth and friendly, but with a tone that felt like a snake wrapped in silk.

"My name is Atticus, and I’ll be your host and guide while you navigate our establishment." He gave a shallow bow, his eyes never leaving Damon’s.

"Here, everything you own can be wagered, except your abilities. Lifespan, memories, items, skills... each is fair game on the tables." He gestured broadly at the tables surrounding them, each manned by different creatures with expectant eyes.

Atticus continued, his voice neutral with a hint of customer service ’kindness’. "The rules are simple. You must win three bets to earn the right to leave. They don’t have to be in a row, but you cannot exit without proving yourself. Until then, the casino is your home."

He spread his hands. "Games are everywhere. Card games, dice, contests of wit and chance, each with different entry requirements and rewards. Some are easy, others... are not, but all are binding. Win, and you gain riches beyond measure. Lose, and you pay the price, no matter what it is."

He smiled thinly. "A word of advice, choose your bets carefully. What you gamble is as important as what you win. And remember, your abilities cannot be wagered, but they can be used, so keep your wits sharp."

Connor’s voice reached the mental link. "This guy’s definitely not normal. I’ll watch him, Boss."

Damon nodded slightly. "Good advice."

Atticus inclined his head with a wide grin. "If you have any questions, I am here to help. Enjoy the games... and may luck be on your side."