Salvos

Chapter 534: Final Protector

534. Final Protector

Do you wish to see the Gate of the Netherworld?

Belphegor towered over me as I backed up warily. He was dangerous. Sure, he was a bit eccentric and slow. But he was also incredibly high-leveled. With his sheer strength alone, he had somehow broken through my aura of invulnerability from my Grand Skill and nearly crushed my arm.

He hadnt drawn from his overwhelming essence it wasnt like when I had been fighting Avaritia, and his Grand Skill gave him the power of the Demon King. This was completely different. It would be like if I had the Breastplate of Alexanders aura of protection, and Belphegor simply punched a hole through the Mythical Grade artifact.

I stared at him. He had to have been a Primordial Demon at the very least. He just tilted his head at me, a curious expression on his face. The brief flash of anger from earlier because I touched him was gone. Like it hadnt even been there. Instead, he drew closer, waiting for a response from me.

I chewed my lower lip.

Um, sure? But Ive never heard of a Gate of the Netherworld before. Is this, like, how you get to the Mortal Realm?

To the Mortal?

Belphegor blinked a few times as he drew back. He stroked his beard in thought, and I waved a hand dismissively.

Nevermind! Show me this Gate of the Netherworld! We can walk and talk!

I exclaimed as I hurried ahead of him. Belphegor just stared at me, before nodding. He strode towards me sluggishly his movements as exaggeratedly slow as ever.

Of course. We can walk and talk. Of course, I am sure thats fine.

I pursed my lips, watching his slow ascent. We werent even halfway back up out of the tunnel leading to the Lair of the [Gargoyles], and my Grand Skill was already coming to an end. I just groaned, waiting for Belphegor. In the meantime, I started to distribute my Skill Points and Stat Points from my most recent level ups.

[My Flames Shall Burn Until Eternity Ends] was maxed now. It was why I could cast it immediately after I had expended a Grand Skill Point on it unlike before. I also maxed out [Draconic Fury]. And that was pretty much it.

Salvos (Secelys Sentinel) (The Devils Daughter)

Species: [Primeval Demon of Pride]

Secondary Species: [Lesser God]

Subspecies: [Angelic Devil Princess] - Lvl. 160

Class: [Draconic Apprentice] - Lvl. 128

General Skills:

[Advanced Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Corruption Resistance] - Lvl. 1

[Identification] - Lvl. 6

[Racial Skill: True Divinity] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2

[Rest] - Lvl. 5

[Wisdom of the Old Gods] - Lvl. 5

[Title Skill: General Status Effect Resistance] - Lvl. 1

[Ttle Skill: Invoke Wrath] - Lvl. 2

[Title Skill: Protection of the Sentinel] - Lvl. 1

[Title Skill: The Devils Grace] - Lvl. 1

[Racial Skill: Divine Essence of the Angelic Devil Princess] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 255 (+30) (+10)

[Strength]: 255 (+30) (+10)

[Endurance]: 255 (+30) (+10) (+3)

[Wisdom]: 405 (+30) (+10) (+50)

[Agility]: 445 (+30) (+10) (+5)

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 6]

[Angels Wings] - Lvl. 11

[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Divine Demons Mark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Divine Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 25 (Maxed)

[Divine Nebular Construct] - Lvl. 25 (Maxed)

[Divine Strike] - Lvl. 5

I called out after him, hesitating as I waited right by the entrance to the tunnel. Belphegor didnt even glance back, but he replied simply.

Oh, but this is the surface. These ruins the remains of this kingdom they are but the shallow memories of what once was. All that awaits me is the buried depths that the world has forgotten.

What?

I blinked a few times, but Belphegor was already disappearing ahead of me. I hesitated, then curiosity got the better of me. I followed after him, venturing back down the tunnel that led me to the [Basilisk].

It was risky. It was incredibly stupid of me. I didnt have my Grand Skill now. If I was caught by the [Basilisk]s petrification, I was dead. I just had to make sure I didnt anger it while being ready to teleport out of there as soon as possible. I knew the risk, but I still pressed on. After all, Belphegor was finally talking.

What are you talking about? What depths? Whats buried? What has been forgotten?

It was foolish of us.

Belphegor spoke in a hushed voice. And yet, his words echoed all around me, bouncing off the walls of the tunnel.

We had thought that if we reached the edge of the world, we would be able to follow after them.

Follow after who?

I pressed Belphegor. I tried to run up to his side, but he always seemed to be a single step ahead of me. He turned a corner, his figure vanishing for a brief moment as he whispered.

The Worldwalkers.

I paused for a moment, remembering the mural I had seen. I opened my mouth, then I gave chase to Belphegor once more. He was briskly walking ahead, descending the steep tunnel without even slowing for a moment. We were going to reach the [Basilisk] soon. I gulped, then spread my [Angelic Wings] wide as I flew down to him.

We had thought to escape it. I believed it was the only valid course of action. Even the Dragons in the Mortal Realm agreed with our plan.

He continued, eyes facing forward. My mind reeled.

Wait, Dragons? You knew Dragons?

Belphegor sighed as lowered his head.

We were fools. All we did was expedite it. It only grew worse.

Um, what are you talking about? So you served here in this kingdom?

I asked, explicitly omitting my dads name. I learned my lesson after mentioning him to the [Basilisk]. And while Belphegor wasnt a wild Demon, he seemed like he could snap at any moment if I wasnt careful with my words or actions.

I did.

Belphegor paused. I nearly bumped into him. But I caught myself. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath.

And I will forevermore. Not out of choice, but because I am a but a slave, toiling away for all of eternity.

He glanced back towards me, holding my gaze. I saw a timelessness in his eyes. And he gave me a crooked smile.

This is my damnation.

With that, he drew forward once again. His eyes flickered as he spoke softly to himself.

And I abandoned my station. What a fool, am I? I sense it. They are dying. My creation. They cannot hold it back for long. At any point in time, they can break through. That is why I cannot make a lapse in judgment. Not for the sake of the Netherworld.

For the sake of the Netherworld?

I asked, but Belphegor didnt respond. He simply walked on, eventually reaching the same chamber I had escaped just earlier. He stepped onto the mossy ground as I bit my lower lip. I took in a deep breath to steel myself before hopping down after him.

Now Entering [Lair: Prison of the Basilisk]

I was prepared to meet the angry gaze of the [Basilisk] down there. I even heard a soft hissing. The thrashing tail of the wild Primordial Demon. I braced myself and paused.

What is it looking at?

I stared at the [Basilisk]. It was staring further beyond the chamber. Down an archway that led into a corridor that descended even further. Belphegor nodded at the wild Primordial Demon as he started around the peripheries of the room.

The Frenzied Basilisk.

He spoke as I followed behind him. The [Basilisk] didnt even glance his way. Its gaze was focused only on the tunnel.

The Final Protector of the Netherworld.

Final protector?

I frowned. And Belphegor came to a halt right next to the [Basilisk]. He waited right outside of its prison, but I stayed a few dozen feet back. The two Primordial Demons braced themselves as Belphegor straightened his back.

Its coming. Ready yourself.

The [Basilisk] just screeched, and I readied a [Greater Teleportation]. I wasnt sure if I should have been here. But I stayed anyway. Just to see what was coming. And I heard it. A soft groaning, at first. Then it was accompanied by a low chittering like the chirping of millions of enraged birds.

Something was coming. I could sense its presence, even from where I stood. It approached as an uneasy sensation crept over me. [Angelic Premonition] told me to run. But I stood my ground. I produced my Divine Nebular Scythe and waited with bated breath as my gaze remained fixed on the archway.

And the [Basilisk] opened its maw as Belphegor screamed. I blinked, unsure of what was going on. But moments later, a blurred figure shot out of the tunnel. A discolored thing. It was large about the size of a small house.

I tried to focus my gaze on it, even as it flew up into the air. But I couldnt. No matter how hard I tried, I couldnt make out its figure. I just saw a splash of iridescent light. An aura of obfuscation that hid its true form. It confused me for a brief moment, until I finally realized what I was staring at.

[---- Netherstone - Lvl. ---- ]

Huh.

I stared at the corrupted piece of the world. It came from down below from the deepest depths of the Netherworld. And it lashed down at the two Primordial Demons with a pair of tendrils.