Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1861: Visiting Helheim

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After hearing Fabian, Spectra, Nick, Beery, and Garon, Maria sighed in relief. She truly wanted to see Silva and Catarina again—especially now that she had finally returned. She knew Catarina, in particular, could become an incredible martial artist if she learned the methods and secrets of Murim.

And Silva, like these children, could surely awaken a powerful Dream Heart. For some reason, children who awakened Dream Hearts tended to gain much stronger dream weapons or spirits—perhaps because of their innocent minds and boundless imagination.

"Well, that's a relief. Thank you," Maria said. "Now come inside. Let's talk while we enjoy a good meal. I've brought food from all over the tower to share with everyone."

"Nice! I was feeling so hungry!" Garon exclaimed.

"Me too," Beery added. "Training magic nonstop is exhausting."

As they walked back, Maria noticed the last pair of rabbit siblings—the ones in charge of the village—who had been so busy they couldn't return in time. They hurried over, apologizing profusely.

"We're very sorry for not greeting you when you first came back…"

"My dumb brother always gets too distracted!"

They were the rabbit-kin: Syllis, chief of the rabbit people, and his little sister Bellerine. Maria was delighted to finally see them. She hugged them tightly.

"I'm glad you could make it in time. Come on! Let's talk more inside while we eat!"

As they entered, the final member arrived, looking a little tired.

It was the gentle dwarf Darfu, who had once helped convince the twins to aid her and who remained a diligent worker.

"Darfu! Come in already! Hi!"

"Welcome back, master Maria! It's truly been quite some time since you left… Well, to some, three months is nothing, but to us it felt really long," Darfu laughed.

"I'm sorry for being gone so long. It won't happen again," Maria smiled. "Let's enjoy a meal together."

"Ah, yes!" Darfu nodded eagerly and rushed inside. He greeted his two seniors, who were already snacking on various salty treats from Azure Star and Earth while drinking beer from cans.

"Hey, this canned beer ain't half bad!"

"It could be better, but it's fine for what it is, ye. Come eat already, Darfu!"

"Ohhh! What are these things?" Darfu wondered.

Everyone marveled at the food from other worlds. They devoured the piles of snacks Maria kept pulling out—colorful bags and cans appearing from nowhere.

While they feasted, Maria shared stories of their journey. Each floor had been its own grand tale and adventure.

The lessons they learned, the enlightenment they gained, and the many friends they made.

Their feast and conversation stretched for hours. It was already the middle of the night; most of the children had fallen asleep on the sofas. Maria and her family continued narrating while the adults listened and discussed.

They talked until morning, barely sleeping. It was incredibly refreshing to finally, truly unwind at home.

To Maria, everything finally felt right. Everything she had done, everything she had accomplished, it all converged into this single point in her life. This was where she belonged after all those journeys.

Even Earth now felt like a secondary home rather than her primary one…

She belonged to Yggdrasil. Her mother and sister realized it after seeing how many people she had connected with—how deeply they relied on her and loved her.

The next day, Maria lazily walked to the kitchen and brewed herself a strong coffee to start the morning.

With her new living body, certain things had returned: genuine hunger, sleepiness, the craving for caffeine, and the way alcohol affected her.

Of course, with her powers, she could suppress these frailties whenever she chose—like flipping a switch.

But these vulnerabilities were what made being human enjoyable. So she kept them—even the occasional back pain from sleeping in a bad position.

All of it was part of being alive, savoring every little thing, even the painful ones. It reminded her she was no longer just a ghost.

She was back in Yggdrasil, alive, in the body her mother and sister had cared for over twenty years…

She finally felt somewhat… complete.

"Hm…"

She sensed something, a subtle stirring sensation.

Maria was beginning to grasp a deeper power within her.

Her original Physique within the System had become a Soul Physique.

There was also a "Body Physique" symbol, but it displayed as [??? (Developing)].

Perhaps once she attained it, she would discover what was missing—allowing everything to converge at last.

She imagined this would be her final step toward her next evolution.

While sipping her coffee, Maria nodded.

She gazed down at her village from above and began channeling her powers.

Her Soul Realm manifested, shattering space.

A large portion of it merged with her entire territory.

The surroundings transformed into wondrous, mystical lands overflowing with spiritual energy, mana, and rich ki.

"This should be perfect for everyone's growth… And it should also ease the burden on Hel."

Maria had expected Hel to contact her while she slept, but it hadn't happened.

She already suspected why: she was too strong now.

Hel could no longer forcefully invade her dreams—not even through the blessing she had given.

"Well, not like I can't visit her whenever I want now."

Maria smiled. With her sword, she cut through space. Still holding her cup of hot coffee and a bagel, she stepped directly into the Underworld.

Helheim.

"Huh, nothing has changed here," she murmured, admiring the surroundings. "Alright, Myconidas! You're finally back! You've surely grown stronger now."

"I have!" Myconidas emerged from Maria's shadows. "Aaahh! Home sweet home! Where's master Hel?"

"I sense her presence in that huge ghostly castle of hers," Maria said. "Let's go."

Maria walked toward it while sipping coffee and nibbling her bagel.

She knocked gently on the door. It opened automatically, and she stepped into the halls.

She hadn't noticed before, but the giant castle was almost endless.

It contained thousands of rooms leading in random directions or to other areas.

Millions of Undead managed it.

"Hel! It's me! I look a little different, but it's me."

Despite being a living being, Maria had entered the Underworld.

Perhaps that was why Hel seemed confused and hadn't yet made contact.

"Maria? Is it really you?"

Suddenly her voice echoed. Space twisted and warped in an instant.

FLASH!

Maria found herself standing in the center of a gigantic hall of bones and ghosts. Towering skeleton knights, spectral kings, and zombie warriors stood as bodyguards, glaring at her.

At the center, atop a throne of bones and ghosts, sat a small, youthful goddess with long silvery-white hair and red eyes. She wore a long, translucent white dress. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

A crown of black bones glowed with ghostly flames as it floated above her head. Her powerful Divinity surged everywhere.

Now that Maria had grown so strong, she could finally gauge Hel's true power…

And she was…

"Ridiculously strong!"

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