"Those intruders are approaching Floor 49 fast… What do we do, Atem?" Milim asked, her tone sharp with impatience as her crimson eyes flicked toward the crystal screen.
Just as she said, Green Rebellion was closing in—marching through the Labyrinth with relentless determination. Their goal was clear: reach us.
Atem crossed his arms, his golden eyes glinting with measured calm. "Let them come. I want to see how far their courage takes them." His voice carried the authority of a ruler who had already seen countless battles.
Veldora grinned eagerly. "Heh! I say we crush them the moment they enter. Let's give them a fight they'll never forget!"
Ramiris fluttered in, pounding her armored chest.
"Yeah! I'm ready to smash some heroes!"
Atem's gaze shifted toward them, sharp but composed. "No. We strike only when the time is right. This battlefield isn't for show—it's for control. If we act rashly, we lose our advantage."
Even though his tone was calm, there was a chilling certainty in it. Atem wasn't one to underestimate anyone… but neither did he fear them.
Still, deep down, he knew—if they fought recklessly, even he might face a problem or two. He'd faced warriors stronger than these, but strategy was power, and Atem wielded both flawlessly.
Floor 49 had been designed for a reason—it was the perfect trap. "This floor will break them," Atem said finally, smirking. "If they reach us, they'll regret it."
Just then—
Knock. Knock.
The heavy double doors creaked open. Shion entered briskly, her silver hair gleaming. "Atem-sama, Kurobee wanted me to inform you—'He's ready.'"
Atem's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. "Perfect."
Milim grinned wide. "Finally! Gear time!"
Veldora slammed his fists together. "About damn time! Let's get armed to the teeth!"
Ramiris twirled midair. "Heehee, I can't wait to see what Kurobee made for me!"
Atem turned toward the group. "Then let's not waste time. Kurobee has crafted weapons worthy of Eterna's defenders. Try not to break them before we start."
The group followed Atem down the corridor, the faint blue glow of the labyrinth walls reflecting across their faces. They arrived at the armory—massive, ancient, filled with mystical energy humming from every corner.
And there it was—their new equipment.
Atem reached for his gear: the Scythe of Eternal Judgment and the Robes of the Abyssal Sovereign. Both radiated a black-gold light, shimmering with divine authority. When he grasped the scythe, the air trembled.
"The balance between light and shadow… I see. Perfect," Atem murmured.
Veldora took his new set next—a full-body armor forged from blacksteel flame, paired with a massive bastard sword and the Great Shield of Hell's Gate. The shield alone pulsed with enough power to repel a meteor.
Veldora flexed his hand and laughed. "Now this feels right! Come at me, world!"
Milim, in her slime form, looked around impatiently until Kurobee handed her a crimson feathered cape and a gleaming javelin. She swallowed the javelin in one gulp.
"Whoa—!" she cried as a burst of light erupted from her back, forming a pair of blazing red wings.
"Hah! Look, look! I got wings now!"
Atem smiled faintly. "Try not to burn the ceiling this time."
Milim puffed her cheeks. "You're no fun, Atem!"
Then came Ramiris. She had requested heavy armor—impossibly heavy armor for her tiny frame. She floated down to her avatar and attempted to equip it. The moment she did, the armor shimmered—and suddenly transformed. The dull metal fell away, replaced by a sleek black suit of animated armor that moved fluidly with her every motion.
"Eh? I can move so easily now!"
Atem tilted his head slightly. "Adaptive enchantment… impressive work, Kurobee."
Ramiris spun in a circle, testing her movement. "I feel unstoppable!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Atem said, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "Choose your weapon."
"Pfft, no shields for me!" she declared boldly. "I'm going with that big one!"
She pointed at the massive Great Axe of the Reaper. The weapon was almost as tall as her avatar, and she struggled to even lift it at first—but when she did, it hummed with resonance.
"Hah! I can handle this!"
"Good," Atem said, stepping forward. "Then prove it in battle."
One by one, the group finished equipping themselves.
Each piece of gear was unique-grade—designed specifically for monster avatars. Their appearances were eccentric, even comical in places, but the power radiating from them was no joke.
And to prevent theft, Atem had woven a divine curse through Solarys—the Sovereign of Wisdom—ensuring the equipment recognized its rightful user alone.
"These are more than weapons," Atem said quietly. "They're extensions of your soul. Use them well."
The atmosphere grew heavier, anticipation thickening in the room. They all knew what was coming next.
Before the battle, Atem summoned Solarys mentally. Solarys, analyze their synchronization with the gear.
[Affirmative. Synchronization rates optimal. Combat readiness at 99.7%.]
Atem's eyes narrowed. "Excellent."
Their spirits reignited, the room practically vibrating with energy.
Atem glanced around at his team—each one ready in their own way.
His ghostly avatar focused purely on magic and mental domination. He had discarded physical techniques entirely. His command over illusion, spirit, and divine magic had evolved to perfection.
He was, after all, the Sovereign of Judgment and Eternity.
Veldora's skeletal swordsman had become a warlord hybrid—part heavy knight, part battle mage. He stood ready to crush anyone who dared step before him.
Milim's slime form specialized in speed and annihilation—one hit, one kill. Her wings flared as she bounced eagerly, clearly ready to leap into battle the moment the enemies arrived.
And Ramiris, armored from head to toe, swung her great axe like a berserker, every swing cracking the air. She was supposed to be their shield, but knowing her… she'd charge straight in.
Atem looked upon them, his gaze firm, proud, and sharp as a blade.
"The labyrinth stands with us," he declared. "We are not here to defend—we are here to dominate. Let the invaders come."
He raised his scythe. Shadows gathered around him like a crown.
"Today, they will learn the meaning of despair."
The others grinned fiercely. The air trembled as the group prepared to descend into battle.
And beneath them, Floor 49 of Eterna waited—silent, ready, and hungry.
Everything was ready.
We didn't need to worry about hunger or exhaustion—our divine energy would sustain us endlessly. All that was left now was to ignite our fighting spirit and crush the Green Rebellion.
Atem stood before his team, his aura burning like a black flame. "No mercy. End them quickly," he ordered, his tone firm yet calm, echoing with the weight of command.
Milim's wings flared crimson. "Hehe! Finally! Let's wreck them!"
Veldora swung his sword with a grin. "GAHAHA! I'll turn the battlefield into dust!"
Ramiris slammed her armored fists together. "Bring it on! I've been waiting to test this armor!"
With divine energy flowing through them, the group stepped onto the battlefield of Floor 49—the last stand for the Green Rebellion.
They expected a fierce battle. Instead, the fight was over before it truly began.
The enemy fell one by one, helpless before Atem's overwhelming might. It wasn't a battle—it was an execution.
As the last rebel fell, Atem lowered his scythe, the energy around him fading into silence.
"…Pathetic," he muttered, his voice low but cutting through the still air.
He exhaled slowly, forcing calm back into his expression. "Stay composed," he reminded himself. "I expected more than this."
Analyzing his avatar through Solarys, the Sovereign of Wisdom, Atem's mind processed every detail instantly.
[Analysis Complete. Avatar Power Level: Rank A.]
"Rank A already," Atem murmured. "So the gear truly amplifies my divine resonance."
His strength in the avatar form wasn't purely due to the weaponry—his power flowed so naturally that the vessel itself adapted.
But there was something even he hadn't anticipated: the reflections of their true selves.
Even though their avatars were digital shells, their true power—mental speed, divine energy, and will—bled through. They couldn't use all their divine abilities, but the combination of Thought Communication and Thought Acceleration alone gave them terrifying coordination.
For Atem, it was unfair. His control over arcane energy bordered on omnipotence. He could cast magic faster than thought itself, skipping chants entirely. His vast knowledge of spells—divine, spiritual, and destructive—remained intact.
When he raised his hand, streaks of black-gold energy erupted across the field. It wasn't magic as others knew it—it was sovereign command.
Compared to the crude spellcraft of mortals, Atem's casting was instantaneous, perfect. The Green Rebellion never stood a chance.
Veldora, meanwhile, had turned the battlefield into a storm of chaos. His sword danced like lightning, his movements impossibly fast for a creature of his size.
"GAHAHAHA! Behold the might of the Veldora-Style Killing Arts™!" he roared, spinning his sword dramatically. "Technique Number 999—Storm Dragon Slash!"
Atem side-eyed him mid-fight. "Did you just name that yourself?"
Veldora laughed louder. "Of course! Sounds cooler that way!"
Atem sighed. "Unbelievable."
Still, the absurdity didn't hide the truth—Veldora was terrifying. His instincts were sharp, his awareness unnaturally wide, as if he had eyes behind his head. Even Atem couldn't deny that his combat rhythm had become deadly precise.
Then there was Milim.
A crimson blur darted across the ceiling, then vanished.
"Too slow!" she shouted gleefully, her voice echoing from all directions.
In the next instant, she appeared behind an enemy commander, her javelin piercing through his neck with a sharp crack.
"WAHAHA! One down!" she cheered.
Her movements were impossible to follow—her slime body ignored friction, sliding and rebounding like living lightning. She weaved through attacks, bouncing between the walls and ceiling at blinding speeds.
Atem smirked faintly as he watched. "Hmph…typical Milim."
Even as a slime, she was a nightmare to fight—immune to most physical damage, too fast to target with magic. Facing her was like trying to catch a thunderbolt.
And then came Ramiris.
"WHOOOOAAA! HERE I COME!" she screamed as she charged forward, swinging her massive axe like a cannonball.
Atem didn't even flinch. "Of course you do," he said under his breath.
Her armor gleamed, heavy and brutal. She didn't bother with defense—she simply attacked. Every swing sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
"Ramiris, wait—"
"TOO LATE!" she yelled, leaping into a crowd of enemies.
She landed in the middle of them, her great axe cleaving the ground in half. The impact sent debris and energy flying everywhere.
She was reckless—but that recklessness had value. Atem noticed the pattern immediately.
"Fine," he said with a smirk. "We'll use her as bait."
Veldora blinked. "Heh, that's cruel."
"It's efficient," Atem corrected. "While they're focused on her, we strike."
The strategy worked flawlessly. Ramiris drew every eye with her wild rampage, while Atem, Milim, and Veldora struck from different angles, forming a perfect three-pronged assault.
Even though Ramiris was taking countless hits, her Pain Nullification made her unfazed.
"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!" she shouted, swinging again.
Her armor, crafted from pure magisteel, glowed faintly as it absorbed the impacts. Cracks appeared, but before they could deepen, the armor repaired itself instantly—its Self-Reconstruction enchantment humming softly.
No matter how many enemies attacked, they couldn't break through. The weight alone of her armor made her an unstoppable force.
And Atem's healing magic ensured she never fell.
As part of an experiment, Atem had attempted to channel Holy Magic through his divine essence. Surprisingly, it worked perfectly.
"Holy Art: Divine Restoration," he commanded softly, extending his hand.
A golden radiance descended upon his allies, repairing armor and rejuvenating energy.
He studied the flow of energy carefully. "So that's how it works… The prayers of the faithful resonate through spiritrons, forming a circuit to my divine core."
His eyes glowed faintly as realization struck. "Faith itself is power. Each believer extends my reach… multiplies my consciousness."
Solarys' voice resonated in his mind.
[Observation: You are utilizing the 'Ultimate Secret of Faith and Grace.' Power output has increased 273%.]
"Good," Atem said quietly. "Then let them pray."
Through his divine network, he could lend strength to his believers and, in turn, amplify his processing power—his very godhood.
He understood now why deities like Luminous had built entire churches. The more faith gathered, the stronger the divine core became.
Atem chuckled softly. "So that's your trick, Luminous. Clever… but I'll surpass it."
The battle raged on, yet the outcome was already decided. With Atem's mastery, Milim's uncatchable speed, Veldora's overwhelming might, and Ramiris's unrelenting assault, Green Rebellion was annihilated.
By the time the dust settled, the floor was silent.
Dozens of defeated adventurers lay scattered, their avatars dissolving into light.
Veldora slammed his sword into the ground and laughed. "GAHAHA! Too easy!"
Milim pouted. "Aw, that's it? I wanted a tougher fight!"
Ramiris planted her axe in the floor. "Told ya I was strong!"
Atem stood at the center of it all, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn't victory," he said coldly. "It's a warning. If this is the best the outside world has to offer… then Eterna stands above all."
He turned away as his scythe dissolved into golden mist.
"Let's move. Floor 49 is secure. Prepare for the next assault."
The others followed without hesitation.
We shouldn't fear what stands before us. No, we should face challenges with pride. That's the way of a true ruler. Charging blindly into battle is for fools — those who seek strength without understanding it. Had we attacked head-on, our forces would have crumbled long ago.
Instead, we used intelligence and coordination. Strategy — that's what decides victory.
Under my command, our formation flowed like a living entity. Each move was deliberate, every decision timed perfectly.
"Solarys, activate the plan."
"Understood, my Pharaoh. Commencing tactical execution."
We deployed the slime dolls to cripple our enemies' weapons first — corroding their blades, weakening their magic conduits. Then came the slime rain, drenching their formation and forcing them into disarray, wasting their stamina while we stayed composed.
Ramiris and Milim executed their roles flawlessly.
"Now!" I commanded.
Ramiris bellowed a sharp roar that pierced through the chaotic battlefield, drawing all eyes to her. At that exact moment, Milim descended like a meteor — her fist glowing with devastating energy. The shockwave from her sneak attack shattered their formation in an instant.
Veldora took the hint and charged through the chaos, his movements like a tempest incarnate. With a grin, he sliced through their flank, cutting off their rear guards, trapping them where I wanted them most — the slime pool.
"Ha! Run, insects! Let's see how far you get!" Veldora taunted, his laughter echoing through the corridors.
I smirked. "Just as planned."
The giant slime emerged beneath our enemies, consuming the weaker mages and thieves who had lost their footing. Acid hissed and crackled as armor melted and weapons dissolved. I stood calmly at the edge of the battlefield, cloak fluttering, eyes sharp.
"Our goal isn't total annihilation," I said aloud. "It's to cripple them. Slow their progress. Show them what happens when they set foot in Eterna without respect."
The slime pool bubbled as the last remnants of the Green Rebellion's main force fell into despair. One of their leaders — a woman with short emerald hair — raised her voice in anger.
"Annoying! All our hard work—ruined!"
Her tone carried both rage and frustration. Interesting. I hadn't expected a woman to lead this particular group. But what caught my attention wasn't her voice — it was what she said next.
"Let's retreat while we still can. We've made enough gains for now. That's the order from the home nation."
Home nation?
I raised a brow, silently signaling Solarys to record everything.
"Confirmed, my Pharaoh. Cross-referencing… the mercenary group Green Rebellion is registered as independent."
"Yet she claims allegiance," I murmured. "So… they're no mere mercenaries."
The woman turned to a surviving subordinate, a man struggling to stand.
"You heard the command. The home nation gave the order. Move!"
Home nation again. Curious. The Green Rebellion was rumored to be backed by the Kingdom of Ingracia, but this— this sounded deeper. As if their loyalty wasn't bought with coin… but with something binding.
I crossed my arms, my gaze narrowing. "Seems there's more beneath this dungeon's surface than treasure and glory."
The Green Rebellion retreated, disappearing into the labyrinth's mist. I exhaled slowly.
"We'll have to be more cautious. If Eterna continues to draw attention, it'll attract not just adventurers… but spies, assassins, and nations with hidden agendas."
Veldora laughed, stretching his arms. "Bah! Let them come! We'll crush them all the same!"
Milim grinned proudly, wings fluttering. "We totally won! Didn't I tell you I'd smash them, Atem?"
Ramiris hovered in front of me, eyes sparkling. "See? Our teamwork was perfect!"
I turned to face them. Their spirits were high — too high.
"This victory," I said firmly, my tone cutting through their celebration, "is only the beginning."
They stopped. My words hung heavy in the air.
"Do not mistake survival for triumph. Those mercenaries were nothing more than a test — pawns sent to measure our strength. If you grow complacent now, next time, you'll fall before the battle even begins."
Veldora rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously. "Heh, right, right. You're always so serious, Atem."
"I have to be," I replied, voice calm but sharp. "Because the enemy we face next won't be so forgiving."
Milim folded her arms, frowning. "You always make things sound so dramatic."
Ramiris nodded in agreement. "Yeah! But we did win!"
I sighed softly, then smiled. "You did well. All of you. Celebrate, but don't lose focus. The next challenge will demand more than strength — it'll require resolve."
Solarys' voice echoed gently in my mind.
"Wise words, my Pharaoh. The equilibrium of victory must be maintained."
"Exactly."
I looked toward the empty halls of Eterna, the dungeon that now pulsed faintly with energy — our creation, our kingdom beneath the earth.
The remnants of slime still sizzled where the Green Rebellion fell.
"Enjoy this moment," I said at last. "But remember — I didn't build Eterna to be a playground. I built it to test the world."
My eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the light of the slime pools below.
"And the world is about to learn exactly what that means."