Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)-Special Chapter: One Last Wish

Rule 1 of the 12 Point Rule of the Descent and Ascent.

Do you feel lightheaded? Does the air feel ever so serene? Has your sense of direction faltered? Do you feel confident despite this being your first descent? Are you beginning to feel your skin crawl?

Stop. Turn back. Do not continue forward. You are experiencing the Curse of the Descent. Do not ascend more than 50 meters. Wait until you acclimatize. Continue the descent when all symptoms cease. It is strictly advised that y return to your base camp or the Lodge at the Edge of the World for further assistance.

Pray that your ascent is painless. Hope that you remain who you are at the bottom of your descent. May the fortunes you find be worthwhile.

–Beginner’s Guide into the Maw of the World, by the Teal Terminus, 82 PA

* * *

A note was found next to a body that was recovered approximately 26,000 meters within the Maw of the World. Specifically, the lower portion of the Sixth Layer: the Chasm of Souls.

This Layer of the Maw of the World had the second name as the Great Filter, which was also shared with the Fifth Layer. Beings from the Seventh Layer (Subderma) could not climb past the Sixth without experiencing a catastrophic breakdown in their sense of self.

It was also here where millions were dumped through from the Fifth Layer. The layout of the Chasm of Souls was barren field inhabited by Impuritas husks. Pillars that rose to the Sixth Layer were the only notable structures as far as the eye could see. Between them were pores that led into the biosphere of the Subderma Layer, where one would plummet one final time before being met with a merciful death.

But there was a peculiar location where the note had been recovered from. Using Atelier technology, and a diving bell called the Recursive Rebound, a team of explorers had safely entered the Sixth Level and returned unscathed.

A sphere that was a marriage between flesh and steel peeled open, revealing a group of Adventurers. The leader of the group presented a note to a figure who was dressed in a bistre-colored suit of armor, resembling a metal diving suit.

It lacked a visor, and littering their helmet were spines. From a distance, one would believe they took inspiration from a deep sea mine. Not a single word was exchanged between these two parties.

Their job was not to talk. The crew did not even exchange a nod of acknowledgement with this person. The last time someone did, that same person was shoved into a diving bell, and was sent into the Seventh Layer without allowing time for acclimatization. Then, they were rapidly brought back up without decompression.

That same person’s body fused with the walls of the diving bell. In fact, if one looked closely at the interior of the diving bell, they would find the seams of two sockets were a pair of eyes would perfectly fit.

The armored being began to read its contents as they were handed a strange egg-shaped object.

* * *

To whom this may concern. My condolences, and I pray that this eventually returns to its intended recipient. Know that she was loved, and I hope that you know how much she thought about us, and you, dear recipient. A site was– (Incoherent).

(The writing on the next line is written clumsily, as if it was written by a different person).

Greetings! Did you find this? Mom? Sis? Dad? I decided to join an expedition into the Maw of the World! The Seventh Silver Arc!

(A portion of the letter is scribbled over. Written beneath was a much more formal introduction).

Seventh Silver Arc, Mariana Youth, one of eighteen members. Dated 41st of the 4th, 04 PA. Indented for the eyes of the Lodge Masters at the Lodge at the Edge of the World ONLY! Transfer via balloon or by human hand ONLY! Transport in waterproof linen ONLY!

Day 1

Hello mom! Dad! Sister! Your big sis is out exploring the giant hole by our home! Like I always said, the hole calls for adventure! Dad, do you remember when you used to tell me that I’d gaze off into the abyss? Now that I’m two hands worth of fingers years old, I can now go in as an Adventurer!

The view is incredible! One whole thousand meters! (scribble) Kilometers! That’s bigger than our house by ten thousand… or one hundred thousand times? The party leader said to stop asking dumb questions. I’m writing so maybe you can answer when I return home!

Day 2

I dreamt about the treasures. Sis won’t have to eat left overs anymore. Maybe dad will be happy with me too. Mom won’t have to look so scared. A branch snapped today. A really big one on the way down the Outer Rim! I used to hear it a lot at home and mom would always cry. I knew it was because foxes kept sneaking in to break our woodfire!

Day 3

It’s a loooooong way down! 3,000 meters before we even reach the First layer! We took these contraptions called elevators! Apparently, we got lucky when it broke midway! Still eighteen of us! I also made friends with a girl much smaller than me! She reminds me of you, sis!

Day 10

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

One week in and we’re almost at the First Layer! You wouldn’t think it takes that long, but it’s a whoooooole lot of walking! We’re getting ready to head in! Wish me luck!

Day 13

It’s been weird. I think I’m going the right way, but I’m actually not. I can’t see much in front of me because of all the mist. We came across a mister who was stuck in a web. He was surprised when we said the year is only 04 PA! He doesn’t even believe in the First Advent! How crazy is that!? He was funny! But it was also very sad. He said he was giving birth for seventy-seven years. Is that possible? Maybe the mist got to his mind.

Day 14

A kind lady took me and the girl away for a bit. When we came back, they said the man was free. I don’t know how he’s supposed to find his way out on his own, but I’m sure it’ll be fine! They’re all praying at a giant mound with a big wooden cross where he used to be trapped!

Day 23

4,000 meters makes up the Forest of Wanderers! We’re almost at the plains of the Second Layer! Did you know that the First and the Second Layer share the same area? I didn’t know either. They call it the Plains of Fruits and Miracles, because you can be very lucky and find precious Gifts scattered around the plains like berries!

Day 29

We barely escaped a flash flood. Any later and we would have been swept into the Maw of the World and eaten! Ehehehe! Get it!? A very kind couple runs a place here! But our party didn’t have any money. They must have lost it along the way. But it was fine! The owner said the favor was paid! But some of our members looked a bit sad.

Day 35

I almost cried. The hole is much bigger than it looks. The Third Layer is called Eternal Hunger. I don’t know why I wanted to cry. People in our party were also very angry. We stayed here for a while until everyone was feeling better… I don’t know how to write what 500 kilometers looks like. There’s clouds floating in the middle of the hole. How do we even go down?

Day 64

We were ambushed. Luckily, no one died. But I felt sad that we had to fight another group. Couldn’t we have just talked? They saw the nice lady who was protecting us and wanted her to join them. Then things spiraled out of control. Now we’re picking up all sorts of Gifts from their body.

Day 65

A Gemspark of Dreams. They had a very rare Gift worth fortunes! In the books I read, a Gemspark of Dreams is said come from big winged creatures that live across the ocean! Sometimes, they wash across the shore and leave this Gift behind! They say it can make any dream come true! But I don’t believe it. Everything surrounding it has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Day 70

How are you, sis? Are you doing ok? Are you eating well? Does mom still cry? Does dad still get angry? Do the branches still break? I haven’t stopped crying in days. We rappelled down and used giant lily pads to descend into the Deluge of Tears. I wonder if there are millions of people like me who cry all the time. Maybe that’s where all the tears come from.

Day 71

The Fourth Layer is scary. Two people were nearly swept away. A kind mister lost their leg when a droplet of water crashed into him. We didn’t even hear it coming. How can one droplet be larger than an entire house? What is happening anymore?

Day 83

We’re approaching the bottom of the Deluge of Tears. We took the outer rims to avoid being crushed by the droplets. This took us to an uncharted route that seems to head into the Fifth layer. The little girl I’m with keeps whispering to someone. I think she has a recording crystal. We stocked up on as much water as possible. It’ll be the last time we’ll have access to fresh water.

Day 89

The Chamber of Refraction. I cried and cried and cried. The groups was fine. But sis. I don’t want to write what was down there. I did everything I could to want to help them, but they were so angry. I thought they were people. They are! THEY ARE! But the kind miss said they used to be people! I saw a lady give birth from our group. She almost died when a sea urchin came out screaming from between her legs!

Day 98

We should have left. Someone slipped into a hole and fell into the Sixth Layer. I saw it. For a second. I don’t want to remember what they turned into. Total loss of humanity. And the girl next to me won’t stop making that scary ticking noise. Whenever I look into the purple glass I see myself crying forever. I feel so useless.

Day 143

Sixth Layer…

We had nowhere to go. No water. Food only came from the creatures that roamed the floors of this place. But eating them caused us to change. The kind miss’ arm started to melt off. The mister leader’s bears became horns. One of them curled into his brain and he can’t move the right side of his body.

The little girl with me is so cold. I don’t want to let her go. I don’t want anyone to keep suffering. Why did I come here in the first place?

Day 165

I don’t remember if this is how long has passed. I stopped counting. I remembered to write again. The others started praying to the girl, and then jumping off ledges to bring more changes to their bodies. I have to crawl on my hands to get anywhere. Half of the group can’t even move, so I’m responsible for feeding them.

What can I do?

Why am I doing this?

Sis… When I came here… I just wanted to give you a better life.

Day ???

(The letter is written in someone else’s handwriting. It is far neater than the girl’s.)

Of the eighteen people of the Seventh Silver Arc, five have passed. Thirteen remain in a state of biological corrosion. Myself included. I have written the passing words of the girl. Her corpse sits in the center of a spring of fresh water. Sitting in the center of her body is a pale egg. Had that always been inside of her?

I have drunk from it, and my ailment was cured. The corrosion persists, but it has provided an immunity from further corrosion. The others have taken to embrace their transformation and will begin descending to join the settlements of the changed within the Seventh Layer.

As for myself… I will remain here until time tears me asunder, until this letter reaches its rightful recipient.

* * *

The letter ended abruptly. There was nothing left to read. If history was anything to go by, the letter was doomed to be thrown aside and left to wilt. However, it was gracefully placed into a protective sleeve made of waterproof material.

The armored figure opened a hatch along their chest, revealing a body that was surprisingly feminine despite how masculine the armor appeared. They were also considerably smaller than one would imagine.

Afterwards, her gaze: though hidden behind the helment: moved to the pale artefact in her hand. She clutched it tightly, and it began to produce infinite water.

“Khhh…” She breathed. “… The Fountain… of Youth…. Khhh… A marvelous Gift… Khhh.”

“It was found by an ancient gravestone. You hardly sound surprised.” Another woman spoke from behind.

It was a hollow voice which belonged to a corpse puppet that was dangling on strings. This being was a slave of Memento Mori.

“Khhh… I am… Far more fascinated… By her… resilience…”

“You take after your big sister.” The puppet gently wrapped its hideously long arms around her.

This was her mother. It had been a long time since she had perished. However, thanks to Memento Mori, she was able to live forever.

“A shame that they could not retrieve her body. It has been centuries.”

“Khh… Unnecessary. Khhh. This Gift… is enough…. Khhh.”

“My little girl’s dying wish.”

“Khhh… Ashes… Khhh… To Stardust…”

A trembling voice then called out to the pair.

“B-Bistre ‘Boutique’ Youth…”

“Khhh… Speak… Khhh…”

“T-The… Association… Acknowledges your elimination of the Brown Banquet. You… you are officially the Brown… No, the Bistre Color Incandescent. They have been scrubbed from the records.”

“Khhh. Good. Khhh. Have there been any sightings… Khhh… of the Fractured Nilhim? Khh… The Memento Mori? Khhhh…”

“None, I’m afraid.”

“Khh… Keep searching… Khh… I will… Khh… let my family rest… Khhh…”

One gloved hand gripped the arm of her pupped mother, and the other on the Gift that represented her older sister. The one around her mother’s arm was enough to shatter it. But she did not have the strength to destroy a Gift.

“Khhh… once and for all… Khh… Descend… Khh… We will find the Gemspark of Dreams… Khh… And dream… Khh…”

Her head moved towards the Nexus.

“Khh… Of the Head’s incursion… Khhh. On those who call themselves the Impuritas… Khh…”