Chapter 27 – The War of Inheritances
The crimson cracks spread across the sky of the Vault of Legacies.
One...
Ten...
A hundred...
Soon, the beautiful golden ceiling resembled shattered glass.
Dark crimson mist seeped through every fracture.
The temperature dropped instantly.
Astraeus floated beside Azrael.
Its silver blade emitted a low hum.
"They’re coming."
Lyra’s expression became grave.
"The Vault has survived for countless eras..."
"It must not fall today."
A loud explosion echoed overhead.
BOOM!
The first crack burst open.
A grotesque creature descended from the void.
It had the body of a wolf, six insect-like legs, and three eyeless heads that continuously devoured the surrounding light.
The System immediately analyzed it.
Abyss Beast
Void Devourer
Level: 22
Threat Rank: Elite
Then another appeared.
And another.
Within seconds...
Hundreds of monsters poured into the Vault.
The expedition instinctively formed a defensive formation.
Marcus slammed his hammer against the ground.
"Frontline with me!"
Ryan immediately climbed onto a ruined pillar.
"I’ll provide covering fire!"
Sophia disappeared into the shadows.
Elena drew the Moonblade Saint’s katana.
Blue lightning danced across its edge.
Azrael looked toward the countless relics filling the endless hall.
"If they destroy this place..."
"Millions of legacies disappear."
Lyra nodded.
"And countless worlds will lose the chance to inherit their greatest heroes."
His eyes hardened.
"Then we protect it."
Guild Mission Updated
Protect the Vault of Legacies
Objective:
Prevent the destruction of Origin-Class Relics.
Current Integrity:
89%
The battle erupted.
Marcus charged first.
His hammer crashed into the nearest Void Devourer.
BOOM!
The monster was thrown backward, smashing through several ancient pillars.
Another beast leaped toward him from above.
Before it could attack—
A silver arrow pierced all three of its heads.
Ryan smirked.
"Got one."
Sophia emerged behind another monster.
Her twin daggers flashed.
The creature’s legs were severed before it realized she was there.
Elena became a blur.
The Moonblade Saint’s legacy amplified every strike.
Her sword no longer simply cut.
Each slash released a crescent moon of condensed sword energy.
Three monsters collapsed simultaneously.
Marcus stared.
"...Remind me not to annoy you."
She smiled without looking back.
"Good idea."
Meanwhile...
Seraphina stood near the center of the battlefield.
Her new staff, Elysia, floated gracefully before her.
The crystal flower atop the staff slowly bloomed.
A gentle voice echoed in her mind.
"Shall we fight together?"
Seraphina smiled.
"Let’s do it."
Golden circles spread beneath every guild member.
Flowers of light blossomed across the battlefield.
Skill Acquired
Genesis Sanctuary
Rank:
Legendary
Effect:
Healing greatly increased.
Mana Recovery increased.
Attack Speed increased.
Fear and Corruption Resistance enhanced.
Warm energy flowed through everyone’s bodies.
Ryan blinked.
"My mana..."
"It’s recovering!"
Marcus laughed.
"I can fight all day!"
Even Elena felt her exhausted muscles recovering.
Astaroth watched from the edge of the battlefield.
His crimson eyes narrowed.
"...A true support authority."
Far above...
The crimson sky split apart once again.
A gigantic claw emerged.
It dwarfed every monster below.
The System flashed red.
Elite Commander Detected
Abyss Ravager
Level: 30
The beast dropped directly toward the expedition.
Its impact shattered dozens of pedestals.
Ancient relics scattered across the floor.
Lyra’s face turned pale.
"No!"
Before the Ravager could destroy another relic—
A spear flew from one of the pedestals.
Without anyone touching it.
The spear struck the monster’s shoulder.
Another weapon awakened.
Then another.
Within moments...
Hundreds of ancient weapons floated into the air.
Ghostly figures slowly materialized behind them.
Old men.
Young women.
Giants.
Dragons.
Knights.
Mages.
Beastfolk.
Each translucent figure stood beside the legacy they had left behind.
Marcus stared in disbelief.
"...They’re alive?"
Lyra smiled softly.
"No."
"They’re echoes."
"The final wills of those who entrusted their futures to the next generation."
One elderly swordsman looked toward Elena.
"You’ve inherited my blade."
"Do not shame it."
She respectfully lowered her head.
"I won’t."
A massive warrior laughed at Marcus.
"You swing that hammer like a child."
Marcus grinned.
"Then teach me."
The warrior laughed even louder.
"I like your spirit!"
One by one...
The echoes chose to fight.
Not for themselves.
But beside the new generation.
The battlefield transformed.
Ancient legends and modern awakeners stood shoulder to shoulder.
Azrael looked toward Astraeus.
"Aren’t you joining them?"
The silver sword floated silently.
"My duty..."
"...is different."
"What do you mean?"
"You have yet to become my true master."
"I shall lend you my strength."
"But first..."
"...show me your resolve."
The sword suddenly dissolved into countless silver particles.
Instead of entering Azrael’s hand...
The particles surrounded him.
A silver crest appeared on the back of his right hand.
Legacy Contract Formed
Astraeus
Synchronization:
5%
Weapon Manifestation:
Locked
Abilities Available:
Origin Perception
Legacy Resonance
Azrael looked at the crest.
"So I can’t use you yet?"
"No."
"Strength borrowed too easily creates weak hearts."
"Earn me."
Azrael smiled.
"I was planning to."
Across the battlefield...
Seraphina’s staff glowed.
Elysia laughed softly.
"Your brother is stubborn."
Seraphina giggled.
"He gets that from Dad."
"Then don’t lose sight of him."
"I won’t."
Suddenly...
The Vault trembled with unprecedented force.
Every awakened echo froze.
Even Astaroth’s expression changed.
"...Impossible."
A deafening roar echoed beyond the crimson rift.
The sound alone caused weaker monsters to explode.
The Abyss Ravager immediately knelt.
All invading beasts lowered their heads.
Something incomparably stronger was approaching.
The System’s voice became unusually solemn.
Warning
An Abyss Noble has forced entry into the dungeon.
Threat Assessment:
Beyond Current Expedition Capability.
Emergency Protocol Initiated.
The crimson sky tore completely apart.
A towering figure stepped through the breach.
He wore black armor covered in living crimson veins.
Two broken horns curved backward from his head.
A massive greatsword rested across his shoulder.
Unlike the mindless monsters...
His eyes were calm.
Intelligent.
He slowly surveyed the battlefield before stopping on Astaroth.
"So..."
"The failed guardian still lives."
Astaroth answered with a bitter smile.
"I was wondering when the Abyss would send someone important."
The armored figure ignored him.
His gaze shifted to Azrael and Seraphina.
A faint smile appeared beneath his helmet.
"So these are the children Lord Malachar warned us about."
He planted his greatsword into the ground.
The entire Vault shook.
"I am Duke Valdris, one of the Seven Abyss Nobles."
His voice echoed across the endless chamber.
"I have come..."
"...to reclaim what Heaven failed to protect."
As the echoes of millions of ancient heroes raised their weapons in unison, the first true commander of the Abyss took his first step into the Vault of Legacies.
The war had only just begun.