My heart pounded in my chest like a war drum. Qi and Mana—both gone, completely drained. I had used Blink far too many times, recklessly warping through the shadows to escape that thing.
The sound—it was getting closer. Much, much closer. A low, guttural echo that didn't just approach—it devoured the space around it. I couldn't tell how near or how far it was. It was paradoxical, like hearing a whisper in your ear while knowing the speaker is still across the valley.
My vision was blurring. I had pushed my body far past its limit. But I was close. So close. The entrance was right in front of me, I could see it—
BOOM!
Something struck me. I was flung through the air, crashing straight through the treasury's barrier. I tumbled across the polished floor, slamming into a wall of gold coins. I thought I was safe inside—but the blow still landed. My body twisted unnaturally. My left side—ribs, arm, shoulder—completely disordered, bones misaligned.
"Fuck... fuck!" I cursed through gritted teeth. The pain was overwhelming. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as I curled into myself, sobbing. My frustration boiled over, turning to fury.
"I swear," I growled, blood pooling in my mouth, "once I'm strong enough, I'll find that thing. I'll kill that monster."
It was the same creature—the one that had been silently stalking me. But this one… it was smaller, a child-like version. Like a larva of something far worse. A fragment of the real terror.
No ordinary Qi Gathering cultivator or even a 1-Star Knight could survive that thing. But both together? Maybe. You wouldn't die immediately—but you'd end up like me. Broken.
I tried activating my Extreme Healing Technique, but my Qi reserves were bone dry. I gritted my teeth harder, refusing to pass out. I rummaged through the remains of my pouch. Come on, come on—
Finally—a pill. It was green. Slightly cracked. But definitely a recovery pill.
I swallowed it without hesitation. Warmth rushed through my veins like liquid fire. My mind cleared, and I could breathe again. Slowly, painfully, my mangled left side began knitting itself back together.
I forced myself to look around.
Gold—mountains of it. And in the center… a sword. Not just any sword. It radiated profound energy. Sacred, even. And behind it—a door. The exit.
But I couldn't lift that one. Only Gab might be able to draw such a blade. Instead, I turned to the sides—rows of other weapons. They were the swords of past heroes. Not the strongest, but each one had a legacy.
I used my Grabbing Shallow Technique, and one by one, I plucked them from their display.
Fourteen swords in total.
I smiled, albeit painfully. My body still writhed in agony, but healing was progressing. The swords would be useful. I'd find a purpose for every one of them.
And then—there it was.
My true goal.
The Eye of the Dragon.
Nestled on a red velvet pillow, glowing faintly. A crimson eye. Not real—but not lifeless either. It pulsed with ancient energy.
In the original story, this was what allowed the protagonist to dominate battles. It could slow down time—or rather, speed up the user's perception of it, using Mana. That meant enhanced reflexes, dodges, attacks—everything.
I didn't hesitate. I plucked it with my technique and pressed it to my left eye.
Pain didn't follow—but discomfort did. My vision warped. The world bent sideways and spun, but I managed to stabilize myself.
I could feel it: the ability to toggle between normal and enhanced time perception. A true cheat tool.
But it came at a cost—Mana and Qi drained fast. I needed to reach Foundation Establishment and become a proper 2-Star Knight, or I'd be crippled using it in battle.
I sighed. My shoulders sagged as I gazed at the remaining gold.
I grinned greedily. "Well, can't let it go to waste."
With another sweep of my technique, I claimed half of the treasure pile and stuffed it into my storage bag.
I made sure to spread the rest around to make it look untouched. Just in case.
Meanwhile...
Gab's breathing was ragged. After everything he'd just been through, his heart had hardened. His eyes no longer held fear—only resolve.
Then—he saw it. A soft light gleaming through a crack. A chamber filled with golden radiance. He rushed forward, his body aching but his spirit ignited.
"It's… treasure," he muttered.
Just as the group caught up, they heard it—footsteps. The same heavy rhythm as before. But lighter. Smaller. Familiar.
It was the child-creature—the same one that had brutally punched Marquel.
Without hesitation, the group bolted into the treasure vault. Their eyes widened. Gold. Mountains of it. Treasure beyond imagining.
And at the center—a sword.
Each of them tried to lift it. One by one, they failed. Their hands trembled. Their arms gave out.
Then Gab stepped forward.
He didn't hesitate. He gripped the hilt with both hands—and it rose like it was made for him.
A light enveloped him, golden and warm. A voice echoed in his mind:
> [Host has acquired The Holy Sword. One who wields this shall bear the burden of the next hero.]
> [Description:
The Holy Sword – An unbreakable weapon, destined for the strongest hero. Enhances all skills by more than fourfold.]
Gab's expression shifted. He smiled, a faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes—but behind it was a deeper bitterness. The lives lost. The things he couldn't protect.
Still, the power flowing through him now was undeniable. He felt as though he could take on even a Peak 2-Star Knight.
As the portal formed at the back of the chamber, he looked over his shoulder—at the place where friends had fallen, where nightmares had walked.
Without another word, he stepped through.
One by one, the others followed.
Except for Irish.
She stood still, her hands shaking. Her eyes, rimmed with red from tears, blinked several times. Something shimmered in the air—barely visible.
A faint yellow aura danced near the gold.
There was no one there. But her instincts screamed otherwise.
Marquel…
She didn't know how. She didn't know why. But she was certain.
"You coming, Irish?" one of them called out.
She smiled faintly, not taking her eyes off the gold pile. "You go ahead. I'll be right behind you."
They didn't argue. Everyone wanted out of that miserable dungeon.
As they vanished through the portal, she stood alone.
And then, in a whisper it was palpable in the silence of the treasury
"…Marquel."
[Readers i wouldn't able to make the other Chapters please understand T-T]