"Seriously, what the hell?" Valen cursed, his voice sharp as the holographic display flickered to life before us. The projection hovered in the center of the room, casting a pale blue glow over the faces gathered there. The information it showed was taken directly from satellite feeds, all focused on the epicenter of the disturbance: the Infernal Armis.
The display trembled faintly as if even the technology itself struggled to make sense of what it was capturing. The artifact rested amidst a swirling distortion, bending the axis of space-time around it like a predator curling its claws.
"We couldn't detect it entering the planet," Valen said, his tone grim. "But now it's here, and it's bending reality like a damn plaything."
"It's formed its Domain," I muttered, exhaling slowly. The weight of the artifact's presence was palpable, even through the display.
"That's a Mythical-grade artifact?" Cecilia asked, her crimson eyes narrowing as she stared at the distortion. "Isn't it… too ridiculous?"
"Yeah," I said with a nod, watching the rippling lines of space-time warping around the artifact. "That's exactly what makes it Mythical. And now, the problem is proximity."
Cecilia tilted her head, her sharp gaze snapping to me. "What do you mean?"
"The Axe King," I said, grimacing. "He'll feel it soon, if he hasn't already. He's the closest, and knowing him, he'll waste no time heading straight for it. The worthiness of who gets the artifact is up to the artifact itself, but given that this is the artifact of carnage…"
Valen finished my thought, his tone as heavy as the atmosphere in the room. "Someone like the Axe King will have a high chance of being chosen."
"And if he gets it?" Rachel asked, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
I met her gaze, my lips tightening. "If he bonds with the Infernal Armis and learns how to wield it properly, then winning—against him, against anyone—will be nearly impossible. He'll ascend to the level of a demigod."
Valen let out a sharp breath, his jaw tightening as he turned back to the display. "So, what you're saying is, we need to go in and get it before he does."
"Exactly," Rachel interjected, her sapphire eyes alight with determination. "If we can't claim it ourselves, we at least need to stop him—or anyone else—from bonding with it."
I nodded. "Right. And for that, Valen, you need to stay outside."
Valen turned sharply, his glare almost audible. "Why?"
"Two reasons," I said, meeting his gaze evenly. "Firstly, inside the Domain of a Mythical artifact, sending in large numbers is meaningless. The artifact won't care how many people you bring. It will only test those it deems worthy, and excess bodies will just get in the way. We need elites—small, focused teams."
Valen crossed his arms but didn't interrupt, so I continued. "Secondly, you're more than strong enough to go in, but you're needed out here. Someone has to keep others from getting in—not just our enemies, but our so-called allies, too."
His eyes narrowed. "The other continents," he said grimly. "They must have felt the mana surge."
"They have," I confirmed. "This isn't just some artifact—it's a Mythical-grade artifact. If one of their Kings bonds with it, they'll become the strongest human alive, just a step below Liam Kagu and the Heavenly Demon. And that's because they have Legendary-grade artifacts."
The room fell silent, the weight of the situation sinking in.
"So you're saying we need to stop a global free-for-all while also preventing someone like the Axe King from leveling up into a god," Valen said dryly, his words laced with frustration.
"That about sums it up," I replied, my voice calm despite the storm brewing inside me.
Rachel stepped closer, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "Who's going in?"
I glanced at her, then at Cecilia and Seraphina, who were listening intently. "I'll lead the group. Rachel, Cecilia, Seraphina—you're with me. Rin too."
"Rin?" Valen asked, raising a brow.
"She has the raw power to match anyone we might encounter," I said. "And she'll follow my lead."
Valen considered this for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But if she dies, I'll hold you responsible."
"She won't die," I said firmly. "None of us will."
The faint hum of the holographic display filled the silence that followed. Somewhere out there, the Infernal Armis waited, its Domain pulsing with a terrifying presence. The stakes were high, but the path was clear.
"Let's move," I said, the urgency thick in my voice. "Time is already against us."
"Why not me?" Jin stepped forward, his voice calm but carrying an edge of frustration. His dark eyes fixed on mine, steady and unyielding. "Am I not strong enough?"
"No," I said firmly, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "It's not about strength. You're strong, Jin. But necromancers have a huge disadvantage in situations like this."
He frowned, his lips tightening. I could see the protest forming, but I wasn't finished.
"Your father is an exception because he's at mid Radiant-rank, and his Shadow Armour is strong enough to mitigate that disadvantage. Yours isn't at that level yet."
Jin's frown deepened, but after a moment, he nodded. He wasn't one to argue for the sake of pride.
"You'll stay outside with your father," I continued, "to defend against anyone who tries to enter. A necromancer's strength lies in war, not in an isolated Domain trial. Out there, you'll have the advantage."
He pursed his lips, his expression unreadable, but finally said, "Be careful."
I smiled faintly. "Of course. I'm not about to let the Axe King get his hands on the Infernal Armis."
Seraphina's voice cut through the moment, calm but laced with curiosity. "What else do you know about it?"
I turned to her, my mind flicking back to the knowledge Art and Luna had shared with me. "It's the artifact of carnage," I said, the words heavy with meaning. "Its trials will reflect that. Expect challenges designed to kill us—not just tests of power, but of resolve, endurance, and, frankly, brutality. We'll have to be careful."
"And if we pass the trials?" Seraphina asked, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. "Does that guarantee one of us gets the artifact?"
"Not necessarily," I replied, shaking my head. "Even if you pass every trial, the artifact might still reject you. It's about compatibility. If it doesn't see you as a proper vessel, it won't bond with you. The good news is that rejection won't kill you. At least, not directly."
Rachel's voice was softer, tinged with worry. "But what if none of us can bond with it? We can't just keep playing defense, stopping others from trying to claim it."
I exhaled, the weight of that possibility settling heavily in the room. "If no one can bond with it, we hope the Infernal Armis loses interest in this world and moves on. Artifacts like this aren't tethered to a single plane of existence. They can swim through space-time, seeking a more compatible wielder in another world."
"And if it does that?" Rachel pressed.
I hesitated for just a moment before answering. "If it leaves Earth, it's likely to end up in a stronger world. The demon-ruled worlds are prime candidates. And while I don't relish the idea of it strengthening the demons… it's better than letting the wrong person here claim it."
The room fell into silence, the enormity of the situation pressing down on all of us. The Infernal Armis wasn't just an artifact; it was a force, a wildcard that could tip the balance of power in ways we couldn't fully predict. And now it was here, demanding attention, demanding action.