Clop Clop Clop

  In a room enveloped by an eerie darkness, the sound of footsteps echoed all over the pce, slowly and steadily. The air was stagnant, unmoving, not a single whoosh to be heard, only the barely audible breathing of a single man.

  The pebbles flew and rolled as he kicked them around, his eyes swimmi and right as he hummed to himself in a room veiled with the curtain called darkness. It was as if he was just taking a leisurely stroll in a park, his eyes full of curiosity .

  "The Divine Poison sure did a number on this pce, huh..." ［Grey］

  Grey ented as he looked at the deep scars left in the ground. Well, it wasn't just the ground. If oo look at the walls around and the ceiling above, they were also in the same state, corroded by a dangerous poison which devoured everything like a starvi,

  In fact, it was so powerful that not even the drops of the boss were spared. Billions upon billions worth of kiels was turo scrap due to Autopilot's decisions. Just thinking about it was enough to make Grey's heart shiver in pain.

  Though Autopilot moves towards the goal as effitly as possible, it would also do anything and everything to achieve it. Be it sacrifig allies, items, or even doing ridiculous as, it would do it unless it would risk Grey's life. Of course, using the Divine Amulet was also a part of its calcutions.

  Thankfully, Grey still has a spare Divine Amulet which still use "Phoenix Heart". Still, he found it wasteful using su ability when he could have just escaped. It was the very reason why Grey never wao use Autopilot.

  "Haah... I should really fight on my owime..." ［Grey］

  Heaving a lengthy sigh, Grey tinued walking, unfazed by the barren aitive sight, when out of the blue, he suddenly halted his steps. His head tilted up, sg the massive and heavy structure in front of him.

  It air of massive doors, colored white and gold, and covered with a myriad of jewels. Looming about it was an aura of extremed grandiosity and luxury that not even the doors of the royal castle could pare to. It was a plete opposite of the entrance from before.

  "I wonder how Yuna would react if she sees this..." ［Grey］

  But even with such a graran front of him, the one who remained in his mind was her than Yuna. It has been far too long since he saw her. Now, no matter what he does, she suddenly appears in his mind. Just another lovesick idiot who longs for his beloved.

  Thunk k k Creaaakkkkk

  Heavy meical sounds thundered all over the silent room as soon as Grey poured his mana towards the giant doors, a lengthy creak soon followed after as he doors started opening on their own.

  The room which was once shrouded in eerie darkness was quickly swallowed by the light as soon as the doors opened, not too inte not too mild, just enough to make oand frozen in awe and astonishment.

  Treasures, treasures, and even more treasures. No matter which side or er of the room one looked, there was a mountain of treasures to be seen. Grey hasn't eve foot ihe treasure room, yet he was already greeted by a gold-tinted sery.

  Jewels and preetals all over the ground, a mountain of s and crystals here and there, ridiculous equipment ranging from swords, accessories, and even things Grey hasn't seen before. The atmosphere was so sparkly, it was blinding.

  Snap Snap Snap

  Lights fshed oer another as soon as Grey ehe se. Before he even noticed it, his hands already grabbed the camera from his "Iory" and started snapping photos oer another.

  It was the most "fantasy-like" treasure room Grey had ever seen. There was no ouldn't be taking photos of such a glorious and magnifit sight which even Kings and Emperors would drool over. It was just far too beautiful.

  "Oh! What a magnifit sword! It's fully decorated as well!" ［Grey］

  "Hmm... I wonder how these would look on Yuna..." ［Grey］

  "Ugh... Who would want a mask like this...?" ［Grey］

  Left, right, up, and down... Grey moved from pce to pce as he ied the whole room. He was like a child who just visited a toy store for the first time, eyes glowing with pure energy and curiosity as he picked up item to item.

  Well, one couldn't really bme him. After all, other than the money and jewelry, the equipment present were all Superirade and up. There were even a few Mythical-Grade ones and even a Divine-Grade one. His blood, both as an adventurer and a bcksmith, was boiling iement.

  "The's this pce up, shall we?!" ［Grey］

  Excitement boiling in his heart and his eyes sparkling vehemently, Grey went around the room, st the items one by one like a vacuum er, not leaving even a single one behind. Thankfully, his "Iory" could store things infinitely, otherwise, it would have taken forever to get them all.

  There was o say more. Just from the dozens of Void Crystals alone, each costing a billion kiels, it was safe to say Grey earned a stupendously rge amount of money, reag a couple hundred billion kiels.

  As for the items, there were a lot he fancied. From accessories, potion items, herbs, and many more, there was not oype missing. Especially the Mythical-Grade items which are invaluable. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say his wealth is now in par with some royalties

  But perhaps the most useful was the Mythical-Grade ste ring which could store a million cubic meters worth of space. It could even store a couple mansions if one wills it. Not to mention it slow down the flow of time by about a huimes. It was the perfect gift for Yuna.

  "Alright... Last but not the least..." ［Grey］

  Lastly, there was the highlight item throughout the whole of the treasure room. A lone sword resting on a pedestal of marble ced with gold and rubies, sitting at the very ter of the room.

  The pedestal was already beautiful, and so was the sword. It was a crimson red bde, veins of amber and gold running through it, fierce yet intricate. Just looking at it, Grey could already feel the heat it emanated. It was a true masterpiece.

  ??Appraisal?? ［Grey］

  -----------------------------------

  [Equipment]

  [Name] Vul's Wrath

  [Grade] Divine

  [Power Value] 112,278

  [Entment Value] 335

  [Description]

  A masterpiece said to be fed from the fiery depths of hell and molded by extreme pressure from the depths of the world. It has the power to harness all kinds of fme and turn anything to ashes. Not only is it top-tier in durability, sharpness, and mana ductivity, it also allows the user to harhe power of fire. The perfect sword for those who practice fire magid swordsmanship.

  [Ability] Hellfire (5☆)

  -----------------------------------

  Not only was it beautiful, it owerful as well. Its ability, "Hellfire", was one whihahe strength of the fmes its user produces to an outstanding degree. Not only that, it also prevents the fmes from gettiinguished unless a much more powerful force is used.

  With such qualities, there was only one person which Grey could think of which could bring out the full potential of the sword. It was Vanessa who was not only an amazing swordswoman, but also profit in fire magic.

  "Yeah, no... Not happening..." ［Grey］

  Well, even if she erfect for the sword, it doesn't mean Grey's going to simply hand it over her. Not only is she pregnant at the moment, there was also the problem with her overactive and airheaded personality.

  Shivers run down Gey's spine as he tries to imagine just what kind of shenanigans Vanessa would be up to if she gets her hand on such a sword. It wasn't too far off of a thought that she starts challenging people indiscriminately into a sparring match, something Grey wants to avoid at all costs.

  In the end, Grey decided it was best to lock the "Vul's Wrath" ihe Iory until he finds a use for it. For now, the best purpose it served was to act as a trophy for clearing the Labyrinth of Fmes.

  "Hmm... Now, where is it..." ［Grey］

  All things stored and the treasure room tidy, Grey's eyes then started swimmi and right in search of a certain something ireasure room, turning his head like an owl looking for a prey in the middle of the night.

  What was he searg for, one might ask? He was searg for the very reason that he was sent to Merusia. He was searg for the device whiade in order to protect the world from corruption.

  "Hm? What are you looking for, Young Man?" ［???］

  "I'm looking for a certain device. It's supposed to be around here. Have you see one around here?" ［Grey］

  "Oh, a device, huh? Would you, pray tell, tell me what this device is?" ［???］

  "Ah, it's a device which is... sup... posed.., toー Eh?" ［Grey］

  Eyes wide open, body frozen, and his mind riddled with question marks. As soon as Grey realized he was talking to someone, his head quickly sowards the dire from where it came from.

  It was all too sudden, a familiar, husky voice eg behind his bao matter how long it has been, Grey would never fet to whom such a voice beloo. It was as if it was just yesterday when they met.

  "ait! This voice! You are... God?!" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. It's been a long time." ［God］

  It was God, the very person who reinated him in Merusia, and the source of all his troubles and fortune. Such a being stood in front of him, now with a body made of energy, glowing ever shtly and radiantly, literally.

  Grey could not see the face of the being in front of him, but he could tell that he was smiling. An unnamed and unpreted swirl of stroions sweeping his heart as he looked at the tter's figure. heless, he knew he was happy.

  "How have you been, Matteoー Oh, my bad. It's Grey now, isn't it?" ［God］

  "Ah, yes... It's Grey..." ［Grey］

  "Goodness grae, I've been quite fetful these days." ［God］

  "Haha, Really now... How could you fet my name when you're the one who made it? And I've been well, thank you for asking." ［Grey］

  It was as if he was just talking to an old friend. Though they only knew each other for a short time, it felt like they knew many things about one another already. It really was a strahing to feel.

  "Hm? I thought you already lost your e with Merusia? How are you able to appear here?... Don't tell meー" ［Grey］

  "No, I didn't lie. And I never said I lost my e with it, I just 't meddle with it anymore. It's a rule amongst Gods. Seriously, those old farts..." ［God］

  Replied God as he rumbled about the many rules Gods o follow. He was just like a student ranting about how there is so muework and projects to do. It was a feeling Grey could rete all too well. College was like hell, after all.

  Well, thanks to God ranting, he was also able to learn a handful of things about them. First was that they could only manage a single dimension at a time. Sed, they also have ranks and hierarchies, and stly, they have an absurdly different way of thinking. on sense doesn't apply to them.

  Grey doesn't know where and when he use suowledge but it was still a little iing learning about them. It was just like when you search up a certain random topi the i just for the heck of it. It was quite eaining.

  "And that's why it's been so hecti my new dimension tely... Anyway, back to you. I didn't expect that you'll clear a Labyrinth this fast." ［God］

  "Well, that's because of the ridiculous things you gave me. Especially my abilities, they're pletely broken." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... But I don't think they are though..." ［God］

  Unvinced, God cupped his with his hands and tilted his head, refleg about the abilities he gave Grey. But no matter how much he thought about it, they all just seemed pretty normal to him. Their values just couldn't align straight.

  "No, they really are broken. And speaking of which... What the hell's up with 'Autopilot'?! I just lost my life because of it. It's too extreme!" ［Grey］

  "Oh?" ［God］

  "Don't 'Oh?' me! Do you know how terrifying it was?!" ［Grey］

  Now, it was Grey's turn to pin about the ridiculous things he received from God. Though he was thankful for them, thinking about how he always o hide them was super stressful. He always o look out every time.

  Such was especially true with Autopilot. After today's events, he vowed to never use it unless pletely necessary. It was his st-resort tactic of sorts.

  "Well, I guess it is a little ing... But all's well, ends well, doesn't it?" ［God］

  "That's right, but... Ugh... Fet it,,." ［Grey］

  There was no point arguing over it. The gap between their senses of value was far too apart. It was like paring the values of the poorest and most diligent person in the world against the richest and most spoiled one. Such was the current situation.

  "Anyway, about the device... Where is it?" ［Grey］

  "Oh, if it's about that, the whole room is the devid the pedestal is the switch. Didn't I already expin that to you before?" ［God］

  "No, you didn't. You just said there would be a devi here." ［Grey］

  "Oh, really?" ［God］

  "Yes, really" ［Grey］

  An awkward silence brewed as Grey locked eyes with God. Grey couldn't see the tter's face, but he was sure that he was log eyes with him, awkwardly at that.

  "Cough. Cough. Cough. Anyway, now that you know, why don't you try activating it? Just pce your hand on the pedestal and pour mana in it." ［Grey］

  Desperately trying to erase the awkward silence, God quickly prompted Grey to activate the device. His iions were so obvious but Grey didn't find the o point it out. He just heaved a lengthy sigh and pyed along.

  Clop Clop Clop

  The sounds of footsteps echoed as he he pedestal where a sword previously was. And as per God's instru, Grey pced his hands atop the pedestal, p his mana soon after, a warm flow leaving his body.

  Well, it wasn't just mana. While Grey couldn't tell what it was, somethiirely different also flowed out along with mana, gathering into the pedestal which was feeding on him like a starvi. Soon, an astonishing, mystical se unfolded before his eyes.

  Runes which were here before started glowing all over the room. Red, blue, green, and all sorts of radiant and full colors paihe pce which was like a bnk vas. Clowed even more beautiful than gems uhe sun.

  RUMMBBBLLLLEEEEEE

  The ground quake soon after, sending shocks and quakes all over the pd letting an unknown energy surge throughout the deepest depths and furthest reaches of the world as blinding light swallowed the room.

  It was far too surreal. As Grey withe se unfold, it was as if he was watg a show where the stars danced and the world appuded. An unknowion bloomed inside his heart and enveloped the deepest depths of his soul.

  g Shing Twing Ring

  The light faded, the sound of chimes, bells, and a myriad ing sounds echoed in the air as small, colorful, and radiant sprites danced around the air freely, glimmering like the stars in the night sky.

  Though he couldn't expin it, he knew deep down that such things were such simple fragments of light nor were they a figment of his imagination. He felt a e to them, his heart feeling joy as they watched them drift in the air freely.

  "Are you curious about them?" ［God］

  "A-Ah, yeah..." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha... They're spirits. My st and final creations in Merusia...." ［God］

  Said God as he looked at the little glimmers of light bobbing up and down along the wind currents. Grey couldn't see his face, but if could, he was sure that his eyes would be filled with longing and happiness, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

  "These spirits... you tell me about them?" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. Of course!" ［God］

  By Grey's request, God talked about the spirits enthusiastically iail. Though it was quite a long discussion, Grey was able to pick up the main points about them.

  Just like monsters made of Corruption, Spirits are also made of mana. The only differeh them is that they are made of Aether, the plete opposite of the former. They are beings which are there to keep the band enrich the world.

  For now, sihere is only one device activated, they still don't have sentienor are they scious. They are simply still masses of Aether whieutralizes corruption as they float all over the world, healing it slowly.

  It was also worth noting that only those with special eyes could see spirits, of which, Grey is included in the very rare few. It would be a problem if they started appearing before people all over the world, after all.

  "Right, speaking of ge... I felt something ge in my body just now. Some sort of warm feeling, I guess..." ［Grey］

  "Ah, that... Don't worry about it. It's probably just because you could sehe spirits. Nothing too serious..." ［God］

  "Hm? Then shouldn't I feel the ge outside then?" ［Grey］

  "A-Ah... No... Don't sweat the minor details..." ［God］

  God said as he turned his head away from Grey, clearly hiding something. It ity that "Judgement" doesn't work on God. heless, he was still suspicious.

  "A-Ahem! Anyway, how is your life right now? Are you doing well?" ［God］

  "ging the topic, are we?" ［Grey］

  "Goodness, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just curious, you see..." ［God］

  "Sure, sure, let's leave it at that." ［Grey］

  Casual as ever, Grey and God chatted for quite some time about what has been happening in Grey's new life. From the very first says he arrived in Merusia up until challenging the Vul Destroyer, not a siail ared.

  Of course, it also meant Grey was forced to talk about Yuna. From how he met her, to spending their days together in the forest, his fession, and the progress in their retionship, God mao squeeze every single juicy detail. It iece of cake using his mind-reading abilities.

  "Hahaha, to think you've finally gotten yourself a girlfriend. How to say this.... I'm very proud of you." ［God］

  "Shut up..." ［Grey］

  It was like sharing one's love life with one's parents. The love life oried too hard to hide. Not only was it awkward, it was also very embarrassing as well. In fact, it was too embarrassing, Grey just wants to dig a hole and hide away.

  "Haha, jokes aside. I'm happy that you're enjoying your new life." ［God］

  "Yeah, and it's all thanks to you. I'll never fet this debt for all eternity, thank you very much, really..." ［Grey］

  "I'm just doing my side of the deal. There's o be too formalー Oh!" ［God］

  God suddenly cut off his words, when out of blue, his body started glowing even brighter, fragments and streaks of light emanating from his body. God looked at his hand glow, looking back at Grey soon after.

  "What a shame... Looks like my time is up... We'll probably see one another when you clear the Labyrinth." ［God］

  "Ah, God! Before you go, I have one question." ［Grey］

  "Hm? What is it?" ［God］

  "About the 'Essence of Creation'. Whatー" ［Grey］

  "A-Ah, would you look at that? I really 't stay anymore. Looks like the question will have to wait, Grey. See you ime!" ［God］

  A speedy escape. As soon as the words "Essence of Creation" was mentioned, God quickly jolted. Grey couldn't even finish his question when he suddenly started to rush, disappearing as soon as he could, panic evident in his voice.

  Not even a sed ter, God suddenly vanished, leaving only fragments and orbs of light along with Grey who was still stupefied. Silence swallowed the room as the wind of awkwardness blew through him.

  "Haah... That idiot God... He's surely hiding something." ［Grey］

  There was no doubt about it, but evehere was nothing he could do now that the tter had already escaped. He could only heave a sigh nation, making a mental checklist of what he should ask first the moment they meet again.

  "Well, I guess it's time to head back..." ［Grey］

  Looking around the y room, there was only so much he could do. Now that everything was finally settled, the only thi was head back up a up with the others to head out the Labyrinth.

  A small, gentle smile formed on his face as he thought of a certain silver-haired elven girl. His heart started rag wildly, mind fetting about everything, aement gleamed in his eyes, looking forward to seeing her again.

  'I wonder if she already finished all those bags of sugar...' ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 196 END