CHAPTER 340: CHAPTER 340 - THREE KEYS TO OPEN THE GATE

"There are three components needed to build the gate," Elyndra continued. "Dark Element, Ancient Element of Dimension."

"Ancient Element?" Atlas immediately repeated, his expression tightening in focus.

The last Ancient Element he knew of, and had seen firsthand, belonged to Edrik, the Ancient Element of Space. That one allowed Edrik to create and manipulate personal spatial zones, bending the area around him to hide objects or even parts of his own body to evade attacks. He could also use it to strike his enemies from angles no one could anticipate.

Another Ancient Element Atlas had encountered before was Arcane, possessed by one of the Dullorak’s heads.

Both were extraordinary in power and potential, and now Elyndra had just mentioned another one, something entirely new: Dimension.

"Yes, my lord," Elyndra confirmed softly. "Dimension is the only element that allows someone to access other worlds, dimensions, or realms."

"I see..." Atlas murmured, his curiosity deepening.

"Besides that," Elyndra continued, "there’s one more essential component, the Moonshards."

Atlas frowned slightly at the unfamiliar term. "Moonshards?"

"It’s a special mineral found only in Yunatea," Elyndra explained. "It’s said to be connected to a Deity worshipped in my world."

"So, there’s no way to find these Moonshards anywhere else?" Atlas asked.

Elyndra bowed politely, placing her right hand over her chest. "The person I mentioned, the dwarf blacksmith, should still possess a few remaining Moonshards, my lord."

"Alright," Atlas said, nodding as he pieced it all together. "So the three key components are Dark, Dimension, and Moonshards."

Atlas took a slow breath and leaned back in his seat. "Do you know where that dwarf is now, Elyn?"

"I’m sorry, my lord," Elyndra replied softly. "We were separated right after we arrived in this world."

"Got it." Atlas nodded and then turned toward Dullorak. "Dimension, do you have access to that Ancient Element?"

Dullorak gave a respectful bow and smiled with calm wisdom. "I once did, my lord. But the head that carried it no longer exists. I can only hope that if I receive an upgrade in the future, that element might return to me."

Atlas nodded slowly. "Dark is an element already familiar among us, and Dimension might be recovered through you, Dullorak. But these Moonshards... they’ll be a challenge to obtain. As for the blacksmith part, I’m confident Baldric is more than capable of building it. If only..."

He paused, realizing something important. "Yes, I know. Crafting something still requires a blueprint," he said with a small shake of his head. "But I refuse to give up. If a skill can be created once we understand how it works, then somehow I’m optimistic that once the Dimension Element is restored to you, Dullorak, you’ll be able to recreate that gate."

"I can’t promise that much, my lord," Dullorak replied with a faint smile. "But we can always explore further and see where it leads us."

"Okay," Atlas said simply. "And what exactly were you able to do with that element in the past?"

"The miniature version of a world," Dullorak replied calmly. "I could create pocket dimensions, and teleport across great distances."

"Pocket dimensions... that should be similar to dungeons," Atlas noted.

"Yes," Dullorak agreed. "Creating dungeons was part of my ability as well."

"That’s an incredible skill," Atlas said with genuine admiration. "Being able to create a dungeon on your own. That’s just insane."

Getting a duplicate copy of an S-Rank character was never easy. Even when he managed to pull an S-Rank from the gacha, it didn’t always mean he would get a character. Sometimes it could be a weapon, or even an egg.

So far, only Milo had received an upgrade. Even Lyrassa, who had arrived much earlier, still hadn’t obtained her signature weapon.

Still, Atlas kept his hope alive. As long as he maintained a steady supply of standard tickets, there was always a chance. And if luck favored him again, perhaps Dullorak would be the next to receive his duplicate. Unlocking the power of the Ancient Element of Dimension once more.

All of this: Ancient Elements, Dimensional power, the ability to create your own pocket dimension. It was beyond insane. If someone could truly create a pocket dimension, didn’t that mean they could technically hide their entire floating island inside it?

Atlas discussed the skill further with Dullorak, and the answers he received were... interesting, to say the least. Yes, Dullorak could create something similar to a floating island within his pocket dimension, but it didn’t mean he could completely hide from the Lord Battle System. That system, as always, refused to let anyone bend its rules.

The Lord Battle system really was a pain.

Their journey continued, with Atlas spending most of the time listening to Elyndra as she shared more details about her former world. Yet the more he learned, the more he began to realize that these worlds weren’t so different from each other after all.

He even caught himself wondering, half amused, Was there a dimension somewhere out there where everyone was two-dimensional? He chuckled quietly to himself. That would be absurd.

The long journey eventually neared its end. From a distance, beyond the clouds, a brilliant red glow began to appear. The clouds parted soon after, revealing a massive island floating in the sky.

The island looked charred and scorched, much like the Shattered Ember. Atlas sighed, slightly disappointed. He was getting tired of volcanic islands.

But this one held something new. The monsters that inhabited it were said to be Dark-Fire hybrids. Creatures born of shadow and flame. Not simple demons, nor undead, but something in between... perhaps Hellspawn Wraiths, spirits of ancient warriors whose souls had been burned and twisted into molten darkness.

This would be far from a simple raid.

As the Nimbus Carriage crossed into the island’s airspace, Atlas and the others leapt from it in perfect sync, descending swiftly just as the carriage began to fade into lightning mist behind them.

In a single, fluid motion, Atlas summoned his floating throne, settling into it as Edrik landed firmly beside him. Elyndra’s divine white wings, trimmed with gold, spread wide as she descended gracefully, touching down upon a glowing platform of light she conjured beneath her feet.

Meanwhile, Kurogasa and Everburn streaked downward. Krythalis followed close behind, diving straight toward the island’s surface.

Their roles were already clear. Each of them would gather the monsters across the volcanic plains, driving them together into one place. And once that was done, it would be Atlas’s turn to act.

He would unleash everything he had. Obliterating the horde of Dark-Fire creatures with his devastating chain of skill combinations, turning the battlefield into a storm of black flame and crimson light.

He made sure every preparation was in place, waiting patiently above as he observed from his throne. From up there, Atlas could clearly see his elite subordinates moving across the scorched landscape, herding the monsters below as if they were merely toying with them.

It wasn’t an easy task. Most of those monsters were several levels higher than his team. Yet not once did Atlas doubt them. He knew exactly what they were capable of.

Time passed, and after nearly two hours of relentless maneuvering, the signal finally came from below.

"In thirty seconds, my lord," Kurogasa’s voice echoed through the Mind-Link Projection.

Atlas nodded slightly, equipping his full set of armor before summoning his Legendary-grade spear.

Even if he failed to clear the quest entirely, he knew one thing for sure. He would walk away with a mountain of experience points.

"Let’s turn this island into ashes!"