[World-Class Item: Demonic Gate]
[Activating this item allows for the continuous summoning of demons capable of drowning a world.
The summoning will not cease until the holder stops it.]
[Summoned demons range from a minimum of level 50 to a maximum of level 90, encompassing all known species.
The demons will obey the summoner’s commands.]
[Cooldown: 12 months.]
A small gate carved with demonic figures floated quietly before the three of them.
After reading the description, a certain figure flashed through all of their minds simultaneously.
The Great Disaster: Ulbert Alain Odle.
As his comrades, they knew he had always been searching for this World-Class Item.
He had even attempted to create an item with similar capabilities, but unfortunately, he never succeeded in the end.
“If Ulbert were here, he would definitely be thrilled!”
“After all, this was the World-Class Item he wanted most back then.”
Herohero spoke with a touch of sentiment.
Knowing his former comrade as he did, if Ulbert had obtained this item, he would likely be hopping with joy right now while reciting some chuunibyou incantation.
It was a pity that only he had logged back in today.
The fact that the others hadn’t returned was truly a shame.
“Yeah.
I originally planned to give this item to Ulbert as a gift today.
It’s a shame he didn’t come online.”
Naiyuan sighed.
He had thought that with Momonga’s and his invitations, the others might actually come back.
That was why he had gone out of his way to find this specific World-Class Item, hoping to give Ulbert a surprise.
Looking at Herohero, who was currently examining the item, Naiyuan felt slightly better.
At least one comrade had stayed behind to share this joy with him.
“Everyone has their own lives to handle.
It’s normal that they didn’t respond.
Don’t be sad, Naiyuan.
At least Herohero-san was willing to come back in the end.”
Momonga comforted him in a low voice.
Though he felt the same regret, there was nothing he could do.
His only consolation was that their friends hadn’t abandoned them entirely.
Through his earlier conversation with Naiyuan, he had come to terms with it.
Rather than mourning those who had already left, it was better to cherish what was right in front of him.
Since the past was irrecoverable, he would ensure the present remained frozen in its finest moment forever.
“Alright, there’s one last item.”
Withdrawing the small gate, a compact scepter appeared in Momonga’s hand.
The scepter was small and entirely golden, with an eye-like ornament carved in the center, giving one the illusion of being peered at.
[World-Class Item: Millennium Scepter]
[Possesses absolute rewriting capabilities.
Anything struck by it will have its subconscious altered, granting absolute loyalty to the user.
It can briefly influence the judgment of even a World Boss.]
[Passive: Increases the favorability of nearby living beings toward the holder.]
[Active Cooldown: 3 months.
Passive: No cooldown.]
“The effect of this item seems familiar.”
“It seems very similar to the effect of another World-Class Item.
What was that one called again?”
Herohero scratched his head, speaking with some confusion.
Having not logged in for two and a half years, he had forgotten quite a lot.
“It’s Downfall of Castle and Country, right?
the effects are roughly the same.”
“Right, that’s the one!
It seems my memory has been failing me lately.”
Hearing Naiyuan’s words, Herohero spoke with a flash of realization before complaining about his recent workload.
“At least you remember there’s a similar World-Class Item, Hero-buddy.
That’s already quite impressive,” Naiyuan said, patting him to offer some comfort, while Momonga chimed in with his agreement.
“Still, these seven World-Class Items are truly incredible.
Naiyuan-san and Momonga-san, you both must have worked so hard.”
After complaining for a bit, Herohero looked at the two of them with deep emotion.
Even though the servers were about to close, being able to see several World-Class Items at the very end moved him deeply.
After all, he had once been just as obsessed with these items.
It was a pity he hadn’t been able to persevere and had quit the game, but today felt like a fulfillment of his old wishes.
He didn’t know how his two friends had kept going over these two years, but he was moved by their spirit.
Specifically, when he received their messages, he had even felt a momentary sense of daze.
“Alright, now that Hero-buddy has seen everything, it’s time for us to head to the Throne Room.”
Naiyuan clapped his hands to draw their attention, speaking solemnly.
The time on the system interface had reached 23:40.
In twenty minutes, the server would close.
“The Throne Room…
I haven’t been there in ages.
The last time was years ago.
I’ve almost forgotten what it looks like.”
Herohero tried to recall the appearance of the Throne Room, but his mind felt foggy and uncomfortable.
Frequent overtime and all-nighters had caused his brain to lose most of the impressions in his memory.
“You’ll know once we get there, Herohero.”
Momonga raised the ring on his finger.
In Nazarick, where one could not normally teleport, one could only do so while wearing the ring.
“That’s fine.
Thinking about it further would only make my head hurt more anyway,” Herohero said helplessly, giving up on the effort.
“Then, let’s go.”
With a flash of red light, the three of them vanished from the Arena instantly.
…
On the Tenth Floor, accompanied by a glow of light, three figures slowly emerged.
A dragonoid with black scales, a terrifying skeletal undead, and a writhing mass of pitch-black slime.
The three stood before a massive set of doors.
One side was carved with angels and the other with demons, presenting a jarring yet uniquely aesthetic beauty.
“I remember these doors were designed by Luci★Fer-san, right?
It really suits his personality.”
“His ID was the name of a fallen angel, but his race was an Angel Golem.
It always felt so backwards.”
“You two shouldn’t underestimate these doors.
The angels and demons inside will actually come out to fight!”
“Eh, really?
I always thought they were just ordinary doors.”
“As expected, it wasn’t that simple.
I guess that’s Luci★Fer for you.”
Momonga and Herohero looked at the doors in surprise.
They really hadn’t known that the demons and angels within were real.
“Luci★Fer-san told me about it secretly when we were chatting back then.
But he said it was just a hidden easter egg, since it was unlikely anyone would ever fight their way here.”
Naiyuan replied.
With his “Guild Pride” obsession, he knew the little secrets of every member better than anyone.
“True.
If someone actually fought their way here, Nazarick would basically be at its moment of life or death.”
“But that’s impossible, right, Guild Master?”
“After all, even at its most dangerous moment, Nazarick was only invaded as far as the Eighth Floor.”
Herohero reminisced.
Even with thousands of players, they had only reached the Eighth Floor at most.
Reaching the Tenth Floor was essentially impossible.
“In that case, welcome back once again, Hero-buddy.”
Standing before the doors, Naiyuan slowly pushed open the ancient gates and smiled at Herohero.