CHAPTER 537: GRAVEYARD OF LEGENDS

At that moment, Ethan’s confidence surged back. With a flash, he launched himself straight at the enemy.

"Sacred Realm!"

BOOOOM!

In an instant, a terrifying force erupted from him, expanding into a massive domain of power. Shockwaves—each one more devastating than the last—blasted toward the enemy in relentless waves.

He’s actually pushing Khorzinoch back?

Seeing this, Cicero, Seraphina, Andona, Ataneya, and Namyanna lit up with excitement. Without missing a beat, they jumped in to support Ethan, launching a coordinated assault on the stone giant wreathed in dark flames—Khorzinoch.

And with every blow, Khorzinoch’s expression grew darker, more twisted with rage.

"You damn insects! If you’re so eager to die, then I’ll grant your wish!" he roared.

With that, something monstrous emerged from within his molten, flame-wrapped body—a massive battle axe, its surface flowing like black magma.

At first glance, the axe didn’t look particularly special.

But the moment its power surged outward, everyone felt it—an instinctive jolt of fear, like their hearts skipped a beat.

"What the hell is that..." Ethan’s face paled. "Elira!" he shouted.

At the same time, Khorzinoch moved.

"Today, I’ll crush every last one of you!"

"Die!"

BOOOOM!

The axe exploded forward, flying through the air like a meteor, crashing down toward Ethan and the others with terrifying force.

But just then—Elira appeared in front of them.

She raised her hand.

And somehow... she stopped it.

That monstrous axe, dripping with molten darkness, froze mid-air—completely halted.

"No... No way. That’s impossible!"

"Who... Who the hell are you?!"

"Damn it, what are you?!"

Khorzinoch’s eyes went wide, pupils contracting in shock. His face twisted in disbelief and horror.

"We’re saved..."

Ethan and the others finally exhaled, the crushing pressure lifting from their chests.

BOOM!

When Elira intercepted the axe, the entire battlefield seemed to pause. Relief washed over the group like a wave. They knew they could’ve kept fighting, but the cost would’ve been brutal. Having Elira step in? That was the best outcome they could’ve hoped for.

As for Ethan—

The Dreadforged Armor wrapped around him was starting to flicker, pieces of it beginning to unravel. It was clear—the armor’s time was almost up.

His strength was fading fast.

"Looks like I’ve still got a long way to go before I can make the Dreadforged Armor’s power truly mine," Ethan muttered under his breath. Then he turned to Elira. "It’s all yours now."

Elira grinned. "Guess I’ll give it a shot."

BOOOOMMMMM!

A thunderous roar erupted as her power surged outward.

Ten different magical forces swirled together inside her, forming a dark, chaotic energy that exploded forward—instantly swallowing Khorzinoch’s molten axe whole.

"This... this can’t be happening!"

Khorzinoch—the stone giant wreathed in dark flames—stared in disbelief, his pupils contracting sharply.

"Who... who the hell are you?!"

His eyes were wide with shock. It was clear—he hadn’t even considered the possibility that someone stronger than him might show up.

In the next instant, he lunged forward with a sharp whoosh, trying to snatch his axe back. But even though he was fast, Elira was faster—by a long shot.

"What’s wrong? Why’d you stop?" Elira teased with a playful grin, then launched another attack without hesitation.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Her strikes came down like a storm, relentless and overwhelming—each one shaking the sky itself, as if the heavens were about to crack open.

Ethan and the others could only watch in awe. This was the first time they truly saw Elira’s full power unleashed—and it was terrifying.

She wasn’t just strong. She was on a whole different level.

Even among the elite SSS-ranked Crimson Ultimate heroes... she had to be one of the top-tier monsters.

Seriously... she was insane.

Meanwhile, Khorzinoch—still getting pummeled—seemed to come to a decision. Without warning, he turned around and bolted.

He ran.

He actually ran.

And just like that, he abandoned his terrifying, magma-dripping weapon.

"...He ran?"

"Well, that’s boring." Elira rolled her eyes and let her hand drop, clearly not interested in chasing him down.

But just then, something else happened.

Right in front of them, a massive spatial vortex tore open in the air. And then—Khorzinoch’s abandoned lava axe began to crack and shatter.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

The weapon exploded into countless particles of magical energy, which surged toward the swirling portal, fusing into it like fuel feeding a fire.

Moments later, a familiar chime echoed in Ethan’s ears.

Ding!

"Player Valkarion, congratulations. You have successfully unlocked the entrance to a hidden special dungeon: Graveyard of Legends. Would you like to enter?"

"...Graveyard of Legends?"

Ethan blinked, then grinned as excitement bubbled up inside him. Another dungeon. And if it was anything like the others, it would be packed with opportunities to grow stronger.

He quickly pulled up the dungeon’s description.

Apparently, it was a realm of the dead—home to the lingering souls of at least five SSS-ranked Crimson Ultimate heroes. While they weren’t quite as powerful as they were in life, they were still no joke. Defeating them would no doubt yield massive rewards.

Ethan’s heart raced.

This was exactly what he needed.

"Alright, everyone—get ready. I’m taking you somewhere fun," he said, eyes gleaming as he pointed toward the swirling portal. "There’s something in there that’ll make us stronger. Let’s go check it out."

"Really?! Then let’s go, Master!" Seraphina’s eyes lit up with excitement. "I need more power. I won’t be a burden anymore—I swear! This time, I’ll get stronger no matter what!"

She wasn’t the only one.

Cicero, Kyros, and the others all nodded eagerly.

"Yes, Master! Let’s go! I’ve been waiting for this!" Cicero said, fists clenched.

It was clear—they were all fired up. No one wanted to be left behind.

"Then let’s move out!" Ethan grinned. "Time to dive in..."

VMMM!

VMMM!

VMMM!

...

As they each dove into the swirling portal, the world around them instantly shifted—morphing into a dark, cliff-like realm suspended in chaos. All around them, space itself twisted and churned, violent currents of warped dimensional energy spiraling in every direction.

It was like standing in the eye of a storm made of broken reality.

Everything here was unstable. The very air felt like it could tear you apart.

Then, ahead of them, a massive structure emerged from the shadows—an ancient, crumbling palace entrance, carved from obsidian stone and veiled in darkness. At its center, a vortex hovered silently, pulsing with a low, guttural roar that sent chills down their spines.

The sound wasn’t loud—but it was wrong. Like something ancient and angry was breathing just beyond the veil.

"This has to be it," Ethan muttered, eyes narrowing as he stepped forward.

The others—Cicero, Seraphina, Kyros, Ataneya, Andona, and Namyanna—didn’t hesitate for a second. They followed right behind him, weapons ready, eyes sharp.

VMMM!

VMMM!

VMMM!

...

A wave of spatial distortion hit them as they crossed the threshold. The world twisted again, and for a moment, everything spun—disorienting, like being pulled through a tunnel of broken mirrors.

Then—clarity.

They blinked, steadying themselves.

They had arrived.

The Graveyard of Legends.

...