Looting the Evil Gods' Treasury! Hehe, Farming Time!
Reaching out with both hands, I started rummaging through the treasure chest. Weapons shrouded in dark auras, accessories studded with red gems, shields etched with unfamiliar patterns... Every item I picked up screamed Crimson Bind companion material. But most of the gear was way too big for me. Were all the evil gods giants or something? One sword was longer than I was tall, and some armor looked big enough to fit three grown men.
After digging around for a while, my eyes landed on an incredibly cool-looking cloak. I carefully pulled it out—it had a hood connected to the mantle. The fabric felt as soft as stroking cat fur against my fingertips. Against a black base like the night sky, silver embroidery shimmered so beautifully it tricked the eye into seeing a galaxy flowing under moonlight.
Whoa! Super cool!
As I held up the cloak, a familiar status window appeared.
◈ A black cloak like the abyss that devours starlight. Garment imbued with Mortemion's power.
Oh! Status window! You can appraise divine gear too?
I had no idea what power it held, but the name alone was cool enough. Heart pounding with excitement, I draped the cloak over my shoulders.
"Uh..."
Unlike my expectations, about half the cloak dragged on the floor. And when I pulled up the hood, it was so oversized compared to my head that it covered my eyes, blocking my vision completely. The inside of the hood felt like a starry night sky, but I couldn't see a thing, which was a shame.
How big was the original owner of this cloak? Definitely over three meters. Even in Master's treasure vault, nothing fit...
Hmm...
"Whoa! Ricoris, you're so cute! Like a little baby wrapped in an adult's cloak!"
Michael's golden eyes sparkled as she beamed brightly.
"You want it? Want me to cut off the part that drags?"
"Ah, yes! Please do!"
I replied in a voice full of hope. How perfect would it be if this awesome cloak fit me just right!
"It's evil god gear—think it'll cut that easily?"
Solaris shook her red hair, her expression tinged with frustration.
Right... Evil god equipment wouldn't slice so simply...
Disappointment washed over me. But the design was too perfect. It was like the cloak the ultimate assassin wore in novels... no, an upgraded version...!
I didn't want to give up!
As I debated putting it down, Michael spoke up in a bright voice.
"No need to pick just one! Take everything you want!"
"Whoa! Michael, you're the best!"
I squealed with joy. I could take as many as I wanted! My heart thumped at the unexpected generosity.
Michael grinned, flashing her white teeth, clearly pleased by my reaction.
"Hehe!"
Still wearing the cloak, I dove back into the chest with renewed vigor. Time to find gear that matches—maybe shoes, gloves, or even a gift for Master.
Digging deep, I pulled out... a bundle of pink fabric. Unfolding it carefully...
Wh-what is this?
Pink panties and a bra. Super sexy ones, too... I was a bit flustered, but they were so pretty I couldn't look away. Deep pink silk adorned with delicate black lace, patterned like scattering petals.
◈ Seductive red bra. Gear infused with Nihilion's tempting authority, born from dreams of love.
◈ Red panties pairing with Blood Seducer. Crafted from silk dyed in Nihilion's blood.
S-seduction authority!?
My heart pounded. I had to have this. It'd be my ultimate killer move to show Master!
Ehehehe... Just imagining it made my face heat up.
Glancing around slyly, I slipped the underwear into the pocket inside my dress. No one saw, right...?
"Michael, why the hell is that even here...? And letting her take it...?"
Solaris stared at me in disbelief.
Ugh...! So embarrassing!
"I just picked up what was lying around! And don't complain just because Ricoris wants it!"
Michael huffed, her face slightly flushed as she glared at Solaris.
My face burned even hotter. Already embarrassed, Solaris's look made it worse.
Then, the Crimson Bind at my waist started humming loudly. Red mist rose from the sword, enveloping a ring in the chest.
Hm? Take this one?
The ring the mist pointed to was a small band with a red gem.
◈ Ring with blood-red onyx. Accessory holding Azrael's vow.
Following the sword's lead, I picked up the ring. It looked women's-sized. Placed on my palm, the blood-red onyx pulsed like a living thing under the light.
"You want the ring!? I'll put it on for you!"
Michael clapped excitedly and took my left hand, gently sliding the ring onto my ring finger.
It was such a natural gesture, but my face instantly flushed hot.
Eek... The ring fit perfectly on my ring finger, like it was made for me from the start. The red onyx glowed intensely against my skin.
"A benevolent goddess putting a used evil god ring on her apostle like a wedding band..."
Solaris gave Michael a look that said, Of all people...
Flutter flutter!
Miel flapped around at the sight of me, and Solaris smirked playfully.
"Ahaha, I hear Miel will report this whole adultery scene to Frostia in detail."
No! This is unfair! What adultery?! It's just the protagonist's trial in a love triangle cliché!
"Hehe! I win! Ricoris is mine now!"
Michael cheered triumphantly, her golden eyes sparkling with victory.
She looked so happy I couldn't say a word against it. Honestly, these gifts were plenty. Nothing else caught my eye, and most wouldn't fit anyway.
"I'm all done! Thank you so much, Michael!"
"You could've taken more..."
Michael pouted regretfully.
"Hehe, it's fine!"
"Miel says spoiling her will make her spoiled."
Solaris smiled again.
Miel, you rascal! No honey for you for a while!
As if reading my mind, Miel darted behind Solaris's head.
Grr!
...Now it was time to head to the Demon Realm.
Leaving Michael's temple, we stood atop Heaven's clouds. The clouds cushioned my feet softly. Solaris raised her hand skyward, and golden light shot from her fingertips.
The moment it touched the sky, something amazing happened. High above, a golden chariot pulled by winged horses descended.
The sight was overwhelming. The horses' wings flapped like heavenly music.
"Whoa!"
Pegasi! This was totally Apollo's golden chariot! Way flashier and cooler than the one I got from the king. The horses had dazzling white coats, their wingtips tinged gold.
We all boarded. Miel perched on my head, while Michael and Solaris sat side by side. As the chariot moved, it felt like gravity vanished—my body floated weightlessly.
Flying over Heaven's clouds was pure fantasy. Through the window stretched an endless sea of clouds. Occasionally, glimpses of gods' temples appeared below rifts.
Soon, the red moon near the coliseum returned to white.
"Huh, the moon?"
"Only red near my temple!"
Ah! So typical of Michael—the blood moon! My own Blood Moon power came from her!
The chariot was insanely fast. Each flap of the pegasi's wings covered kilometers. We quickly reached a strange zone: a sharp boundary between white and gray clouds, marked by a crude signpost.
※ WARNING! Demon Realm Ahead! ※
E-eh...? This was the border to the Demon Realm? I expected something grander—like a magic engineering barrier or a wall trapping giants...
"Cross here and it's the Demon Realm?"
"Gray clouds are neutral—no-man's-land. Keep going for black clouds—that's true Demon Realm. Heaven gods entering risks war."
Michael explained seriously.
DMZ up here too, huh...
Michael took my hand, her golden eyes filled with worry.
"Be careful. I'll seal your divine power now."
She touched my forehead. My body grew heavy, energy draining away.
So Michael's divine power had kept me energized...
"When will it return?"
"About a month? It'll unseal naturally."
Good. Escape the Demon Realm and meet Master within a month!
I hugged Michael tightly, arms wide. Her body felt warm like sunlight.
"Next time, I'll use my authority on someone I can totally kill!"
"Yeah! Play hard, kill that jerk, then come back!"
She stroked my head, infinite affection in her touch.
Okay... really going now...
But vague fear of the Demon Realm rooted my feet. How would this epic adventure end? Could I return to the human world safely...? Anxious thoughts swirled.
As if reading my mind, Solaris approached.
"You look just like an evil god or their apostle right now. You'll be fine."
Her words boosted my confidence. Right—my looks, Crimson Bind, and this SSS-rank assassin cloak would fool anyone!
Final goodbyes to Michael and Solaris, then I stepped into the gray clouds. Miel fluttered above my head, the cloak dragging behind.
The gray cloud zone felt off. Not soft like Heaven's clouds—more like damp cotton. Each step wrapped faint gray mist around my ankles.
Miel suddenly buzzed excitedly, darting back and forth ahead, then pointing at my hair frantically.
"What? Something there?"
Miel kept pointing at my hair. I reached up to check.
"Huh...?"
My voice softened in shock. My black hair with pink tips was changing. The pink deepened to vivid red, like the ends were dipped in blood.
At that moment, Crimson Bind hummed violently, vibrations shaking my waist. Stronger than ever. The red mist from the sword thickened to crimson, enveloping me before slowly seeping into my skin like a living thing.
"What...?"
A strange sensation coursed through me. Energy like divine power but different—darker, more intense—surged inside.
What was happening? Did losing divine power trigger this?
Miel's eyes showed worry mixed with curiosity, her tiny blue compound eyes flicking between my hair and sword.
Oddly, fear gave way to thrill. If Crimson Bind strengthened away from Heaven, how powerful would it be in the Demon Realm? Maybe this change was a good omen.
As I walked slowly through the gray clouds, the landscape shifted. Far off, black clouds faintly appeared.
That must be the Demon Realm's entrance.