Helnarson gently set down the crimson armor and the box.
As dust flew into the air, the two objects looked especially ancient under the coating of dirt.
The three of them gathered around curiously, staring at the armor and treasure chest covered in dust and scratches. They exchanged looks, their eyes full of confusion.
These two things looked like they had just been dug out of the ground.
No wonder Cocotte thought Helnarson had gone grave robbing.
'Which family's ancestral relics are these?,' Liya could not help thinking that.
That family really was unlucky, having their grave dug up by a bear-man.
Her gaze landed on the gaps in the crimson armor, which were filled with dark dirt.
The armor itself was also covered in traces of war, and Liya could not help examining it carefully.
Although the treasure chest beside it was covered in dust, those streaks of reddish-gold light still seemed to tell of ancient glory.
Liya began making calculations in her heart.
These antiques in front of her were worth at least some money on the market.
But she quickly thought of something more important, "Helnarson, where's Viktor?"
She still remembered that Viktor had been the one to call Helnarson away with him, saying the two of them had something to deal with.
Now Helnarson had returned, but Viktor was nowhere to be seen.
Helnarson turned around and steadily said to Liya, "The master will return soon."
Liya shrugged, nodded, and let out a helpless sigh.
"Fine."
Who knew where that guy had gone again? Why was Viktor busy every single day?
But...
"Viktor told you to bring these two things back?"
Liya looked up and pressed further, staring directly at Helnarson.
Helnarson hesitated for a moment before speaking, "These came from the former master's tomb."
"The master had me bring him there. I think he needed these."
The moment she heard the words "from the former master's tomb," Liya frowned.
Her whole body froze like wood as she slowly processed what Helnarson had said.
"Huh?"
'Holy shit!'
'Father's grave!?'
'So Cocotte had actually guessed right. The two of them really did go grave robbing.'
'Grave robbing was one thing, but why rob your own family's grave?'
At this moment, veins bulged on Liya's forehead.
She only felt a burst of fire shoot into her heart. Her chest burned, her head felt heavy, as if it had been filled with lead.
'Viktor, Viktor, you're really something.'
'You won't even spare your own father?'
She could tolerate Viktor doing other things, but not this one.
'Of all graves to rob, why did it have to be your own father's?'
'No, wait, robbing any grave isn't okay!'
Liya stomped her foot and angrily threw out a sentence, "When Viktor comes back later, tell him to come to my room!"
Then she pointed at the armor and treasure chest and said, "As for these two things... put them in my room first."
Since they had been taken from the tomb, they were naturally her father's belongings. Liya did not dare leave them lying around carelessly.
Especially the treasure chest. There might be something inside.
Helnarson responded in his deep voice, "Understood."
He bent down his massive waist, picked up the treasure chest and armor again, and slowly walked toward Liya's room.
Liya sighed and turned back, only to see Cocotte and Vinia quickly turn their heads away.
"Sorry for letting you two see this joke."
Cocotte was fine since she was one of their employees.
But Vinia was only an elf friend, so she naturally had to consider her feelings.
However, both Cocotte and Vinia looked extremely serious.
Especially Cocotte. She stared at Helnarson's departing back and waved at Liya, signaling for her to come closer.
Liya moved closer on her own initiative. Then she heard Cocotte mysteriously whisper to her, "Mm... I feel like there's something wrong with that treasure chest and armor."
"You should be careful."
Liya was somewhat confused, but still nodded.
Though inwardly, she did not care much.
What danger could there be from one suit of armor and one treasure chest?
———
Night climbed into the sky, driving away the last light of dusk. Stars flickered overhead like countless bright diamonds, sparkling and clear.
Liya had just walked out of the bath and into the bedroom, changing into a loose and comfortable set of pajamas.
The crimson armor stood quietly in the corner of the room.
As for the mysterious treasure chest, Liya had already wiped it clean until it shone, and it sat quietly beside the armor.
Liya sat by the bed and leaned closer to inspect it curiously.
Now she was also curious about what kind of magical things were buried alongside her father.
Just as her small hand was about to touch the surface of the treasure chest, Cocotte's warning surfaced in her mind again.
The irresistible curiosity only made her hesitate more.
"Forget it, I'll ask Viktor when he gets back."
Liya yawned and rolled onto the bed.
In the end, sleepiness defeated curiosity.
She climbed into bed and pulled up the blanket in one smooth motion.
———
The heavy dark-purple restraint pressing down on Cerberus began to crack under its violent resistance.
Its powerful limbs drove rapidly spinning gears, while steel and white bone together supported its massive body.
Landing on all fours, it agilely moved through the blazing sea of fire.
Orange afterimages intertwined with flames and mist.
Within the hazy scene, even Viktor's gravity magic seemed unable to pin it down.
It raised its heads and let out a long howl. The deafening sound waves spread outward like shockwaves.
The sound shook the surrounding flames upward into the sky. After spinning several times, they fell back down one after another.
The orange rain of fire formed limbs and bodies the moment it touched the ground. Burning dog heads appeared atop the bodies,
baring long fangs as they roared threateningly at Viktor.
Countless flames surged up and charged toward Viktor.
Viktor flipped his palm. Behind him, azure magic surged like spring water, flowing along the patterns of his coat.
His arm was wrapped in water-element magic. A huge wave appeared beneath his feet and began spinning, its edges sharp as blades.
[Fourth-Tier Magic: Echo Blade]
The demonic fire dogs charging over in waves were all cut in half at the waist, falling to the ground before disappearing.
The three-headed hound stood in place. As the fire dogs collapsed, it bared three rows of long fangs wrapped in flames and fitted with sharp steel.
At the same time, glowing blue patterns flowed across Viktor's body.
Water vapor in the surrounding air slowly gathered together, hanging suspended like countless transparent crystals.
Viktor's reflection appeared in every droplet. Gradually, those reflections began to twist.
A massive blade gathered before Viktor, slicing through the scorching space while drawing in the floating droplets around it. The blade grew larger and larger.
The formation beneath his feet rapidly took shape. Patterns passed through the runes as the massive magic circle glowed with azure light.
[Fourth-Tier Magic: Thousand Converging Blades]
As the magic circle descended, Cerberus seemed to sense something and raised all three heads.
Within their shared vision, countless giant blades identical to the one before Viktor appeared around them.
The droplets fell from the sky like rain, instantly transforming into giant swords aimed directly at the sea of flames where Cerberus stood.
BOOM!
A thick burst of white steam exploded outward instantly. The scorching air wave swept across the flames and forced them back underground.
Viktor stared ahead closely. He clearly saw Cerberus break through the thick mist.
Vega spread its wings and flew from Viktor's shoulder, circling high in the air with sharp eyes locked onto the battle below.
It watched as Viktor once again manipulated the azure magic circle beneath his feet, summoning spear-like torrents of water that shot in every direction.
Continuous explosions lit the air with magnificent sparks.
Even from high above, it could feel the shocking pressure.
Viktor moved, only to discover his body had become somewhat heavy.
The Gate of Hell behind Cerberus twisted as flames merged into its body like invisible chains.
Thick crimson chains trembled segment by segment, clashing with sharp metallic sounds.
Broken scarlet flames entered the demonic hound's body together with the chains.
Viktor glanced at the shadow Cerberus left behind as it sped past and noticed a threatening buff had appeared on it.
[The Underworld is still watching you. You feel fear gradually invading your spine]
[Your speed -20%]
Viktor narrowed his eyes and easily dodged the burning steel fangs.
The next second, just after he stepped backward, the fire hound roared.
A flaming tongue shot through the air like an arrow, bringing a wave of heat straight toward Viktor.
Calmly, he raised his arm. Azure magic spread across it.
A formation rapidly formed. He struck forward with one palm, instantly releasing tidal energy from his hand toward the incoming tongue.
[Fourth-Tier Magic: Tidal Surge]
Sizzle!
As the sound rang out, Cerberus's flaming tongue released scorching steam.
Afterward, the twisted abyssal maw slowly closed, while the steel fangs growing from it seemed to be withdrawn by an invisible hand.
Viktor stared sharply at it and noticed a new status beneath its name.
[A god is enjoying the show. It bets that you cannot pass through the Gate of Hell without its guidance]
[Cerberus: Strength Increase +35%]
This was the unique mechanic of the Gate of Hell.
In the game, once players stepped into the Gate of Hell, the first thing they faced was this mini-boss, Cerberus.
Although it was only a level sixty-five boss, the trouble it gave players was not just because of its numerical advantages.
Cerberus stood before the Gate of Hell, and its constant strengthening during battle came from the endless power deep within the Underworld.
Strength, agility, defense, endurance... it could even strip players of their buffs.
However, these enhancements were not simply because Hell favored its own guard dog.
They came from the jokes shared between the Underworld and the gods.
Once players stepped into the Gate of Hell and entered battle, it meant they had become objects of the gods' attention.
This place was like a vast and terrifying arena burning endlessly with flames, observed by the gods.
As such, this battle was no longer a simple fight, but a contest of glory and strength.
Viktor stared at the ferocious hound and slowly raised one arm.
Golden magic burst from his chest and gradually gathered before his raised palm.
That brilliant golden light flashed out, its radiance seeming to surpass the heat of all flames.
Golden currents swirled and condensed in his palm. A soft golden stalk of wheat danced lightly within his hand.
The steel skull hanging upon the abyssal gate, the crimson sparks dancing within its hollow eye sockets, appeared dim under this dazzling golden light.
The surrounding flames recoiled like disturbed snakes. Upon sensing the golden radiance, they hurriedly retreated underground and quieted down.
[The Blessing of the Goddess of Abundance is favoring you]
[The Queen of the Underworld "???" has turned her gaze toward you]
[Your health and mana recovery speed increased by +250%]
Viktor stretched out his other hand sideways, tearing open a void crack in the center of the scorching space.
He reached inside as though pulling a pitch-black staff from another world, its top decorated with a golden bird head.
Magic from his body flowed along the staff into the golden bird head.
The bird's eyes burst with dazzling golden light. Behind it, an illusory golden scale slowly swayed in the air.
[The scales of the Goddess of Justice are judging this fair battle]
[The gods have begun suspecting you are also her lackey, and are furious]
[The Underworld has developed great interest in your fate]
[You have been granted the following statuses,]
[Mana -35%: Mana +35%]
[Strength -35%: Strength +35%]
[Due to mutual cancellation, you gained no additional effects]
[The scales of the Goddess of Justice judge once more, seeking balance]
The scales gradually stabilized as golden light scattered everywhere. The deep Gate of Hell trembled as though letting out a low echo.
The flames in the skull's eye sockets extinguished, and the chains embedded in Cerberus's body all snapped apart, returning to Hell's abyss.
As gears turned, fierce sparks burst forth.
BOOM!
With a loud noise, the Gate of Hell that could pass through the Underworld slammed shut.
Viktor quietly watched Cerberus, seeing the buffs on its body gradually disappear.
Finally, this mighty gatekeeping hound returned to its original state.
Even the flames on its body seemed to dim somewhat.
At the same time, Viktor swung the staff in his hand. Dark green flames instantly covered the azure magic patterns.
Dark green ghostfire burst from the golden bird head's eyes as underworld power and flames intertwined.
The dark green glow around Viktor became thicker and thicker. Endless demonic energy covered the land like ghosts.
Behind him, a dark green crack slowly spread across the ground.
It was as though the gate to another world was slowly opening.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
As the ground trembled, Cerberus began shaking.
Its six eyes widened as it stared at the massive gate slowly rising behind Viktor, burning with dark green ghostfire.
"Now, welcome to my domain."
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