"Inventory open," Michael chanted.
A translucent screen appeared before him, displaying numerous items. He reached out with his hands and retrieved a magic scroll. Inside the scroll was a healing spell—Recovery—a tier 2 spell primarily used by priests. He had acquired this precious scroll from an auction house, never suspecting he would need it so soon.
He quickly opened the scroll, revealing the magic circle inside. It glowed brightly, and in an instant, the scroll disappeared. A cool energy flooded Michael's body. Outside, onlookers could only see Michael enveloped in a radiant blue light. After a few moments, the glow faded away.
The effects of overdrawn soul energy also subsided.
Michael let out a sigh of relief.
He quickly rose to his feet and stripped off the first guard's armor and clothes, slipping into the disguise with practiced ease. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the temple gates.
Inside the Temple
Michael was welcomed by a spacious courtyard. Commoners sat on stone benches, dressed in simple, colorful robes, their faces animated with smiles and laughter. Guards patrolled the area in polished armor, their expressions serious yet calm, instilling a sense of safety among the commoners.
The gentle trickle of water from a nearby fountain, flowing over moss-covered stones, mixed with the rustling leaves and soft murmurs of the crowd, created a soothing melody.
Lush greenery enveloped the area, with gnarled olive trees providing shade and a sense of history. These trees stood proudly amidst a riot of blooming flowers in vibrant hues of crimson, indigo, and gold, their petals fluttering gently in the breeze. The fragrant scent of earth and blossoms mingled, filling the senses and inviting one to linger. The tranquil ambiance created a peaceful and enchanting setting.
But Michael didn't feel the same; every step he took in the courtyard felt heavy, like lead.
"Will they notice me? Will someone see that I'm not one of them?"
His movements were forced and stiff; his eyes wandered like a child caught stealing something. With every step, he felt himself descending deeper into a lioness's den, and it felt increasingly uncomfortable.
There were over a hundred guards here, most of them around tier 1 and tier 2, but he often spotted tier 3 captains giving orders. Each had enough power to kill Micheal with a casual swing—how was he supposed to relax in a place where a single mistake could be fatal?
"It's a good thing there are no tier 4 existences in this temple," he mused.
"It's been months since the holy priest left for the capital. If he were here, I would have to abandon this mission."
As he walked through the courtyard, Michael spotted an olive tree that snarled its branches across the walls. It was located in the corner, partially hidden from public view. Recognizing the potential, Michael didn't hesitate; he approached the tree and left two grenades, each set with a ten-minute delay. Once he finished, he moved to another tree that was also well concealed in the courtyard and placed another grenade before slipping away.
Micheal believed his actions were going unnoticed, but a pair of eyes was silently observing him.
"Doesn't that guard look suspicious?" the Tier 2 guard asked the guard captain.
The guard captain, a level 40 tier 3 warrior, observed Michael as he walked awkwardly. With a casual glance, he could tell that Michael wasn't accustomed to wearing armor.
"The boy is interesting," the guard captain said, shaking his head. "To think that someone so inexperienced could become a guard... I wonder what those fellows are thinking."
"Sir, the boy seems to be doing something. Should we confront him and ask what he's doing?" a Level 15 Tier 1 guard chirped in.
"Let me talk to him," the guard captain said as he stood up and moved toward Michael's direction.
Michael had just finished planting his last grenade when a deep male voice startled him.
"Eh, ain't you supposed to be guarding the gate? What are you doing here?" the guard captain asked. His voice was casual, but to Michael, it felt suffocating.
Michael turned to see a bulky man with a long beard, clad in golden armor that set him apart from other guards. On his back rested a massive great sword, its blade alive with flickering runes that hinted at its power as a high-tier artifact. One glance told Michael that this guard possessed terrifying strength. He could sense that even if he played all his cards right, he would be no match for the man standing before him—especially not now, when he barely had enough energy to fight back.
A shiver ran down Michael's spine as panic filled his eyes and his mind began to race.
"Did he notice what I'm doing? Did he find out I'm an intruder?" Adrenaline coursed through Michael's veins as he clenched his fists, ready to fight to the death.
"I cannot die here; I still need to take care of Rosie." Determination ignited in Michael's gaze.
"At worst, I'll just have to detonate the grenades. It would mean failing the mission and never having children again, but at least it could buy me enough time to escape and honor my mother's wish." Michael's fists, once tightly clenched, began to relax slightly as calmness washed over him.
He forced a stiff smile and replied,
"Excuse me, sir, but this little one really needs to use the toilet. I just started as a guard, so I'm not familiar with this place... I'm just looking for a place to relieve myself."
The guard looked at Michael long and hard, and with every second that passed in this staring contest, his aura became more oppressive, and Michael could feel his body sweating.
After a minute, the guard captain let out a harsh laugh and clapped Michael on the shoulder. "Boy, there's no need to be so polite. We're all family here. Since I've never seen your face before, I guess you're new. Go left, then right, and you'll find the toilet there," he said, pointing in the direction from which Michael had just come.
"Thank you, sir," Michael replied, bowing politely as he took large strides toward the indicated direction. He didn't want to spend another second with the guard captain. What if he noticed something amiss and stopped him? Wouldn't he have to cry himself to death?
The guard captain watched Michael disappear into the distance, scratching his head in confusion. He remembered he had forgotten to ask something important. "Wasn't I supposed to ask what he was doing? Ah, never mind. It's not that important anyway," he muttered as he walked away
"It's a good thing that was the last one. If I had been any slower, I would have failed the mission," Michael thought as he approached the gate entrance.
After six minutes...
Michael left the temple gates and took out a scroll. It was a Tier 2 scroll—Silence Steps. It could increase a warrior's speed by 50% for five minutes, making it a popular choice among assassins.
The magic circle glowed, and the scroll disappeared. In seconds, a blue mist enveloped Michael's body and faded inside him.
Then Michael slammed his foot against the ground and lunged forward.
Boom.
His figure vanished into the distance.
After ten minutes...
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The temple was shrouded in a thick purple mist. One by one, everyone inside or near the entrance collapsed to the ground, their limbs going limp as they succumbed to the enchantment, rhythmic snores filling the air.
***
When the purple mist cleared, Michael approached the temple entrance again. He walked past the courtyard and approached the majestic temple, its gigantic doors intricately carved with ancient symbols looming before him. He didn't hesitate; he pushed them open. Once inside, he found himself in a long corridor bathed in bright light as sunlight poured through the giant windows. On the floor, many priests lay asleep. Yet the thought of having fun with some priestesses crossed Michael's mind. He quickly shook it off—finishing his mission took priority.
After five minutes of hurried navigation, he spotted a door flickering with golden runes. He pushed it open, but it wouldn't budge, just as he had expected.
From his system inventory, he took out a blue crystal containing a spell commonly used by thieves to unlock sealed doors—a Tier 1 spell known as "Break."
He crushed the crystal, and blue runes floated before him, embedding themselves in the golden door. The sounds of things shattering echoed in the air. He pushed again, and this time it opened.
He stepped inside...
The room was spacious, exuding an enchanting charm that invited warmth. The air was thick with the intoxicating fragrances of jasmine and sandalwood, enveloping the space in a rich aroma. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the marble floor. The stone walls, adorned in earthy tones, featured intricate carvings depicting long-forgotten wars—epic battles between demons and gods. Each scene pulsed with life, igniting the fighting spirit in all who dared to gaze upon them.
At the center of the room stood a captivating figure—a woman draped in a form-fitting robe of pure white silk that shimmered softly in the light. A daring side slit revealed the elegance of her legs, exuding a magnetic allure capable of stirring the hidden desires of even the most steadfast monk. Her skin glowed with an otherworldly radiance, smooth and luminous like polished marble. A golden necklace embraced her neck, set with vibrant gems that sparkled like stars in the night sky, echoing her divine essence. Atop her head rested a delicate golden crown, adorned with similar jewels, enhancing her regal presence.
She radiated an aura of authority that filled the room with majesty and elegance. The sculpture was so lifelike that many would instinctively kneel, mistaking it for the goddess herself. Crafted by a divine sculptor—a master who had reached the pinnacle of his craft—it was the embodiment of his unspoken affection for the moon goddess. When she called upon him for this favor, he poured all his skill and passion into the creation, determined to impress her.
The goddess stood tall and proud, her deep blue eyes and long, flowing blue hair cascading down her back. Her cherry-red lips contributed to her ethereal beauty, evoking the image of a fairy from the immortal realm—both alluring and distant. Michael took a long, deep breath; the statue mesmerized him. In that moment, he understood why this space was deemed forbidden in the temple—it held the essence of something transcendent, a beauty so profound that it could awaken emotions long buried within the soul.
His heart raced with excitement as a rush of adrenaline coursed through him. Without hesitation, Michael surged forward, grasping the statue and lifting it. He slammed it down onto the smooth floor, securing it in place.
A primal groan escaped his lips.
His hands slid beneath the fabric of her dress, exploring her waist and thighs, teasingly lingering on her breasts and nipples. With a swift motion, he turned the statue around and peeled away the robes to unveil its round, firm curves and an exquisite, well-sculpted butt.
Michael leaned in closer, his breath warm against the statue's delicate skin. His tongue began tracing intricate patterns in her anus; each flick was deliberate, exploring and teasing as he lost himself in the moment.
"Mmm," he moaned softly, the taste intoxicating, sending shivers of pleasure spiraling through him and igniting a delicious fire deep within his veins.
Though it was just a statue, the thought that it represented a goddess—and that he, a lowly mortal, was now conquering her—filled his heart with lust and excitement.
He then turned it to face him and kissed her lips.
"You're mine, you hear me? You belong to me," he said, biting her lower red lip.
Though this was just a statue, he wanted this moment to be memorable and special. Although he could have swiftly completed the mission, he wanted to enjoy himself first.
As Michael immersed himself in his enjoyment, a pair of deep blue eyes emerged in the sky, fixated on the temple below.
These eyes were gigantic, cold, distant, and as deep as the ocean. They were created using a Tier 5 scrying spell known as God Gaze, a spell primarily used by gods to observe those in the lower realms.
Most Tier 5 mages wouldn't waste their spell slots on a spell with no offensive or defensive capabilities. Once a spell is learned, it can never be unlearned; this is because, to learn a spell, one must first imprint its magic circle into their soul. All soul spell slots are very limited and precious, especially for those in the lower tiers.
Then a melodic voice, resembling a celestial chime, delicate yet resonant, echoed across the air like the first light of dawn, brightening the world with its presence.
"God-tier super spell: Moonlight Descends."
Then, a low hum resonated through the air as a massive blue magic circle materialized in the sky, its diameter vast enough to span a continent. The runes along its edges danced and twinkled like stars against the night, each inscribed with ancient power, intended to slay even the mightiest beings.
Clouds swirl ominously, and thunder rumbles as the magic circle begins devouring mana like a vacuum. Ancient golden runes shimmer into existence, swirling in the sky like a constellation. each rune radiating boundless ancient power, designed to hunt and eliminate the mightiest beings known to man.
These were the God-sealing runes, tasked with ensuring that gods do not descend into the lower realm and preventing anything that might bring harm. Then the golden runes collided with the magic circle.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Space shattered and folded like fabric. The atmosphere crackled with tension as shockwaves rippled through the environment, toppling trees and shattering windows miles away while these two forces fought for dominance.
Mortals trembled, their eyes wide as they felt the oppressive weight of the converging forces above. Townsfolk dropped to their knees, whispering prayers to ancestors and deities alike, seeking protection from the imminent cataclysm. Those with a hint of magic instinctively sought to shield themselves, drawing upon whatever familiar spells they could muster.
Slowly, the God-sealing runes began to gain the upper hand, and the magic circle shrank until it was the size of a house. But by that point, it had already accumulated enough energy to trigger.
Then, it got triggered!
A beam of white light descended from above, slicing through the heavens with an urgency that felt primal, channeling the wrath of the cosmos as it raced toward the temple. Michael stood frozen, his eyes wide in disbelief, gripped by the terror of the moment.
The light struck the temple, and Michael's vision was swallowed by a blinding flash before plunging into darkness. The air crackled with energy; the atmosphere protested against the sheer force unleashed. A deafening explosion rippled outward, shaking the core of the planet. It felt as if reality was tearing apart, fracturing under the immense pressure of divine power. Trees splintered and disintegrated, ancient trunks reduced to mere ashes. The temple, once a beacon of hope and spiritual refuge, was obliterated in an instant, stones scattering to the winds like forgotten dreams.
In the aftermath, a gaping crater was all that remained—a haunting remnant of what had once been. The scent of charred earth lingered, mingling with a heavy silence that enveloped the landscape, a profound testament to the power that had just passed."