CHAPTER 66: A VAULT OF STARS

The massive doors groaned open, spilling out a flood of soft, star-like light. A cool, tingling breeze brushed against Emilia’s skin. From the outside, nothing of the interior could be seen, as though a great barrier of mystery blocked it from view.

But the moment she stepped inside—

"WOAAAAAAH!!" Emilia’s jaw dropped, her neck craned as she tried to take in the breathtaking sight of the Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Stars. Even though it had been years since her last visit, the sight before her struck her with the same awe as the first time.

Meanwhile, Mimi, perched on her shoulder, went utterly still. Her fluffy tail froze mid-sway, her round eyes sparkling wide. For once, the little cat had no words, only a tiny open-mouthed stare of wonder.

So this is the Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Stars!

Amazing!

The space within was boundless. The building itself was an immense cylindrical chamber that stretched up into infinity, vanishing into shadow and light far above. Each level was shaped like a colossal ring, stacked layer upon layer, lined with countless shelves brimming with treasures of every kind. Weapons, tomes, armor, gemstones, artifacts—each shimmered with its own aura, glowing faintly in the vastness.

And at the very heart of the vault hovered a great glass platform, inscribed with glowing runes, gently floating just above the polished floor.

There had to be hundreds of levels here, rising so high that Emilia couldn’t even glimpse the ceiling. This endless structure was like a tower built to reach the heavens themselves. And if each floor truly held hundreds of relics, then the name was no exaggeration, this was really the vault of ten thousand treasures.

The atmosphere itself shimmered with magic. Dozens upon dozens of glowing orbs, each the size of an apple, hovered gently in the air like a sea of stars. The walls and floors were etched with luminous runes that pulsed faintly in rhythm.

This, Mimi realized, must have been the system spell Zephyrona spoke of—the great magic that could sense a visitor’s heart and guide them toward the treasure meant for them.

"Damn.... "

Mimi muttered.

If I don’t know what I really want and just wander around in here, exploring every corner could take days! Maybe even weeks!

Just then, without warning, the star-like orbs stirred. Their soft glow flared as they hummed in unison, drifting downward in graceful arcs. Slowly, deliberately, they aligned themselves into two shining lines, creating a radiant path of light that stretched across the floor, leading straight toward the floating glass platform at the chamber’s heart.

"Come on, Mimi, let’s go!" Emilia said, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Meow!" Mimi chirped, her eyes sparkling as much as the lights around them, tail flicking as if to hurry Emilia forward.

Step step...

Emilia stepped onto the glass platform. With a low rumble, the runes beneath their feet awakened, and the platform began to rise. Smoothly, weightlessly, it ascended like an arcane elevator lifting them higher and higher, carrying them deeper into the heart of the Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Stars.

***

Moments later...

Emilia stood at the center of the glowing platform, her small hand resting against the crystalline orb that pulsed with soft, steady light. With the faintest touch or thought, she could guide the platform to rise, descend, or drift sideways, gliding smoothly through the towering vault as if the air itself carried them.

As the platform moved, the hundreds of radiant orbs before rose with it. They trailed alongside her like a school of fireflies, weaving in elegant spirals before settling into orbit around the platform.

Meanwhile, Mimi busied herself by peering curiously at the countless treasures stacked upon the towering shelves. She hadn’t picked anything yet—just taking her time, exploring with wide eyes and trying to understand how this place worked.

Even though the shelves stretched far into the distance, she could see every detail as if the items were laid out right before her, her vision sharpened by the Sanctuary’s enchantments. Whenever she fixed her gaze on something, glowing text appeared before her eyes, displaying its name and description like a magical catalog.

For instance, one sword caught her attention: its blade shimmered with a bluish glow, while the hilt was bound in deep midnight leather. The crossguard curved outward like twin comet tails, and at the pommel rested a radiant star-gem that pulsed with celestial light.

Mimi read the text.

[Celestara, Blade of the Falling Star]

Forgemaster:Thrain Emberforge, the last great dwarven smith of the Dawnfire Clan.

Item type: Weapon — Sword

Rarity: Legendary

Level restriction:

130

Bonus Stats:

+420 Magic Attack (MATK)

+185 Physical Attack (PATK)

+110 Speed

+95 Perception

+12% Critical Chance

+8% Mana Regeneration

Description:

Forged from a fragment of a meteorite that fell during the Age of Dawn. When swung, the blade channels the light of distant stars, enhancing each strike and leaving arcs of silver fire that sear both flesh and soul.

Main effect:

Blazing Star (Active): Can enter Blazing Star State when activated. While in Blazing Star State, every normal attack gains the Falling Star effect: greatly increased range and power, and each strike consumes mana. Damage from Falling Star scales off the wielder’s Magical Attack (MATK).

Mana cost:

172 MP per swing

Blazing Star State — Duration: 13 seconds

Blazing Star State — Cooldown: 25 seconds

Falling Star Effect: Each strike deals bonus damage equal to MATK × 1.25 and extends attack range by 2 meters.

***

"Woah! Truly an endgame item right there!"

If Mimi had gotten her paws on something like this back in Arventia Online, she would’ve actually used it. The buffs and multipliers were insane!

But then she noticed the cost.

"Wait—172 MP per swing? What the hell!?"

Her tail twitched as she thought it over.

Hmmmm... if someone used this, they’d absolutely need Mana Leech. Yeah! That skill that restores MP based on a percentage of damage dealt. Oh, this would be broken with Mana Leech!

And just like that, Mimi dove deeper into the shelves, scanning item after item. Everything seemed to grab her interest, even though she knew full well there was no way she could use any of them. For one, she was still stuck at Level 1. And more importantly, she was a Noctifelis now—a cat. And as a cat, there’s no way she could swing swords, carry shields, or wear human armor!

Still, whenever she read an item’s description, her gamer brain instantly started cooking up combos and strategies to abuse its potential. That was just who she was. A gamer to the core. And she loved reading items!

"Meeww!" She patted Emilia’s shoulder, urging her to slow down.

Somehow, Emilia understood. The girl herself was just as caught up in her own little window shopping spree, eyes shining as she admired the treasures.

Time slipped by as the two of them drifted from shelf to shelf, drowning in endless wonders. Eventually, after what felt like forever, Mimi shook her head.

Alright, let’s do it. I can’t just spend an eternity here! she told herself, determination flashing in her eyes.

Before coming here, she had already thought of a few things she wanted. A couple of options, actually. Given how vast this place was, surely it would have them... right?