Alix stops at the threshold, his gaze locked on the altar. The faint hum of the runes resonates through the chamber like a heartbeat. Resting atop the stone surface is a single object—an ornate, silver-black sphere carved with countless tiny symbols that shift when looked at. The space around it wavers slightly, distorting like a mirage.

Mero floats in after him, lowering his smoky voice. "So, that's what the mouse found, huh?" He drifts closer, his tone turning wary. "That thing… I can feel it. It's bending the space around itself. That's not your usual artifact."

Alix doesn't move closer yet. His eyes narrow, taking in the faint patterns pulsing across the relic. "You know what it is?"

Mero circles the artifact, arms crossed. "Not exactly. But the energy feels… familiar. Wait—yeah, I remember now." His voice lowers. "It's an artifact my master's greatest work. He called it the Worldforge Relic."

Alix glances at him, silent, waiting for him to continue.

Mero lets out a low whistle. "It's an artifact that managed to build a false world—constructed entirely from its target's memories. Just imagine that. A realm woven from illusion and truth mixed together. That kind of artifact isn't just rare—it's dangerous. It's… quasi–tier 9."

The air grows heavier as Mero says it, the words echoing softly in the confined space. Even sealed, the artifact's presence presses against the senses, like gravity itself bowing to it.

Mero's usually joking tone fades into quiet awe. "My master called it a 'dream engine.' He theorized that, it could trap entire souls in memory loops, or even reconstruct ancient eras long gone."

The system hums softly in his mind.

[System: Artifact Detected]

Name: Worldforge Relic (Quasi–Tier 9)

Type: Illusion Relic

Effect: Generates an independent sub-realm based on the target's memories, even lost memories.

Ability: Recollection Domain — Constructs a simulated world drawn from the target's subconscious, capable of influencing real-world energy flow.

Alix studies the floating sphere, the reflection of its swirling light flickering in his eyes. "I admit," he says evenly, "your master is great."

Mero brightens immediately, puffing out his smoky chest with pride. "Of course, he's great! He's the most respected demi-god that ever walked this planet." He drifts higher, his tone swelling with admiration. "There wasn't a single scholar, emperor, or other demi-god who didn't know his name."

Alix hums quietly, eyes still on the artifact. "A demi-god who could forge something like this deserves the title."

Mero grins, spinning once in the air like a proud child being praised. "You're damn right he does. My master didn't just study magic—he understood it. Every law, every particle, every trace of mana… he treated them like pieces of a grand puzzle only he could solve." His smoky form flares faintly with nostalgia. "He reached Tier 8 through sheer will and intellect alone. And then—he went beyond it, even if only for a moment, to create that."

Alix gives a faint nod, stepping closer to the relic. The air thickens as his mana brushes against its field, faint ripples spreading through the room like waves on still water. "A tier 8 who made a quasi–tier 9 artifact… impressive."

Mero chuckles softly. "Impressive? You've got a strange way of saying 'unbelievable.' Most people would be kneeling right now."

"I'm not most people." Alix reaches out, letting his hand hover just a hair's breadth from the relic. The sphere reacts, its symbols rotating faster for a heartbeat before calming again—almost as if acknowledging him.

Mero's ember-like eyes widen slightly. "It responded to you. Hah. Maybe it likes you."

"Or it recognizes strength," Alix replies evenly. He closes his hand, and the relic floats up from the altar, shrinking slightly as it's enveloped by his mana. A soft pulse runs through the chamber as he stores it away.

The hum in the air fades. Silence settles once more.

Alix turns toward Mero. "Let's go. We're done here."

"Okay." Mero asks, his tone light but edged with relief. "I'm gonna miss this place. Way too many old memories floating around."

Mero says brightly, floating backward toward the center of the chamber. "Alright, stand still. This'll only sting a little."

Before Alix can reply, a pulse of light erupts from the ground. The runes flare to life once more, spreading across the floor in intricate spirals.

The walls begin to tremble, chunks of crystal crumbling away as the treasury starts to collapse.

"Here we go!" Mero shouts, his voice cutting through the rising rumble. "Hold on tight, master! Next time you open your eyes, we'll be surrounded by trees—if we're lucky, somewhere near the exit!"

Alix closes his eyes just as the light engulfs them both. The sound of collapsing stone fades into nothingness, replaced by the soft hum of mana tearing through space—

and then, silence.

The world steadies. The pressure of teleportation fades.

Alix opens his eyes.

A humid wind brushes past his face—thick with mana and the scent of moss, blood, and thunder. He stands atop a moss-covered ridge, half-buried roots twisting around him like skeletal fingers. The air vibrates faintly, and before him, an immense clearing stretches out.

At its center lie three peak Tier 6 beasts, crouched low and alert, their eyes locked on him.

A crimson-scaled gorilla pounds its chest, arcs of lightning cracking between its fists. Beside it, a four-winged basilisk coils its long body protectively, its scales gleaming like polished obsidian. The third, a saber-maned direwolf, growls deep enough to shake the underbrush.

And behind them—

Something massive sleeps.

The ground rises gently into a slope of roots and stone that forms a natural dais, and upon it rests a colossal shape, its body half-covered in moss and faintly glowing with veins of molten gold. Even asleep, its presence dominates the grove like a god at rest.

Alix's eyes sharpen, the faintest glint of excitement flickering within.

'Oh, it's a freaking dragon' he thinks, as the corners of his lips curve faintly upward.

He tilts his head slightly, watching the creature's immense wings twitch in slumber. And not just any kind… His eyes gleam brighter. A western dragon. My favorite kind.

Mero drifts beside him, completely missing Alix's expression. His smoky form tenses as he takes in the sight of the three guardians blocking their path.

"Well, well," Mero mutters, his tone turning sharp and contemptuous. "What are these insects glaring at? Do they want to die?"

The basilisk hisses, spreading its wings wide as mana crackles through the air. The gorilla beats its chest again, roaring, the sound deep and threatening.

The beasts bristle, their instincts sensing only a low-level Tier 6 before them—nothing worth true caution.

The crimson gorilla grunts, slamming its fists into the ground, tearing open cracks that spit lightning. The basilisk's wings flare, dark mist rolling from its scales. The direwolf's hackles rise, mana twisting around its claws like molten air.

Mero crosses his arms, sneering. "Tch. Pathetic. They can't even feel it. Their instincts are duller than I thought."

Alix doesn't reply. His gaze remains fixed on the sleeping dragon, his excitement tempered by curiosity.

Then—

the first beast moves.

The gorilla lunges forward, its fist glowing crimson, air detonating behind it. The basilisk and wolf follow an instant later, their movements synchronized by bloodlust and command. Three peak-tier sixes, striking with full killing intent.

The ground splits apart from the force of their charge—

—and in the same breath, Alix disappears.

A sharp crack echoes. The gorilla's body freezes mid-strike, eyes wide, before its head twists unnaturally aside. Its skull caves in with a dull thud, and the massive body slams into the dirt, shaking the forest floor.

Mero blinks once. "…Well, that was one."

The basilisk screeches, venom spraying through the air. Alix reappears beside it, eyes cold, movement clean and soundless. He drives his fist into its side—not even using skill, just pure force.

The air ripples. The creature's scales shatter like glass, and the impact sends a shockwave that carves a trench across the ground. The basilisk's body folds in half before it hits the trees.

The direwolf hesitates, growl breaking into a whimper—but it's too late. Alix is already there. His right hand moves in a blur, colliding with its skull. A single hit.

Silence follows the echoing boom.

Dust drifts slowly to the ground. Three massive corpses lie sprawled across the clearing.

Mero drifts down beside him, a grin tugging at his lips. "Poor bastards… killed by their own stupidity."