Chapter 669: Inside It

Everyone stared at the pyramid with apprehension. The enormous structure rose above them, its gray stone walls worn by time and covered in patches of moss. Even from the entrance the place radiated an oppressive atmosphere that made it difficult to relax.

Something powerful lurked within those ancient walls. Whatever they found could be more dangerous than the monsters they fought along the way.

After all, their mission was to retrieve another Demon artifact. They didn’t know what kind of Demonic creature might guard it, but their recent encounter with the monsters outside made it difficult to expect an easy walk.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get inside," Samuel said, taking a deep breath, then slowly exhaling.

They didn’t move immediately, though. Don glanced at the dark entrance and adjusted the grip on his shield. Maira exchanged a brief look with Leyan, Arven stared back at the ruined world behind them. The floating islands trembled in the distance, and the monsters still gathered along their edges, watching the group from afar.

Arven grimaced, saying, "Wonderful. We survived that mess just to walk into something even worse."

Clyde glanced at the mage and noticed the unease in his expression. He understood the feeling. After everything they endured to reach the pyramid entering an unfamiliar structure filled with Demonic energy was hardly appealing.

But they couldn’t turn back now. Besides, whether they entered today or tomorrow, the danger waiting inside would not go away.

Clyde said nothing to him. There was no point offering empty reassurance.

Samuel finally stepped toward the entrance, and the others followed.

The entrance resembled an enormous stone archway. Beyond it stretched a deep darkness. A strange, unpleasant smell came from within, carrying the stench of old decay, damp earth, and blood.

The moment they stepped inside, they wrinkled their noses.

"What the hell is that smell?" Maira muttered.

"Something died in here," Don replied.

"Something died a long time ago," Leyan corrected, studying the moss-covered walls. "And judging by the smell, it probably didn’t decay naturally."

"Shit," Arven said. He raised one hand, and a small sphere of light formed above his palm.

The glowing orb floated forward, illuminating the corridor and revealing uneven stone floors, cracked walls, thick vines.

The group proceeded cautiously, keeping their weapons ready as they ventured deeper into the pyramid.

The corridor stretched farther than expected. Their footsteps echoed through the passage, but otherwise the structure remained strangely silent.

There were no growls, scraping claws, or signs of the creatures that had guarded the pyramid like usual with this kind of mission.

Clyde found the silence more suspicious than comforting.

As they continued forward, the light revealed a series of murals carved and painted across the walls. Although much of the color faded with age, the images were still recognizable.

The murals depicted ancient human tribes fighting against monstrous beings. The humans wore primitive armor, carried spears and stone weapons, and gathered behind warriors who stood taller than the others.

Across from them stood towering Demonic creatures with horns, claws, and grotesque bodies.

Some scenes showed battles between the two sides. Others depicted humans kneeling before enormous figures while flames consumed their settlements.

Leyan slowed down to examine one of the carvings. "These people look like a tribe from an ancient civilization."

"Do you think they lived here?" Maira asked.

"Possibly. The architecture doesn’t resemble anything I’ve seen in other Ruins."

Arven approached the wall and tilted his head, examining the symbols beneath the figures. "These markings might tell us more," he said.

He opened a small magical book and held it near the mural. The pages turned by themselves as his skill activated, recording the images and copying the symbols into the book. Thin lines of light moved across the paper before settling into a series of detailed illustrations.

"At least we’re getting something out of this," Arven murmured. "If I can decipher these inscriptions later, we might learn what happened to this world."

Samuel glanced at the murals before looking down the corridor. "Record everything you can, but don’t fall behind. We still have a mission to complete."

Arven nodded and continued documenting the carvings as they moved.

Clyde followed the group while keeping his attention on the energy ahead. He could feel a faint but unmistakable trace of Demonic energy. It was still far away, buried somewhere deeper inside the pyramid.

Clyde concealed his reaction and continued walking. A faint smile threatened to form on his face.

Another Demon artifact means another Demonic energy, and absorbing it could strengthen the Demonic power within his soul. Depending on what they discovered, he might even gather enough energy to bring himself closer to establishing contact with the Demon realm.

Of course, he could not let the others notice what he intended to do.

The corridor continued in silence until they finally arrived at a much larger room.

The room opened into a broad, square space supported by thick stone pillars. Moss covered the lower sections of the walls, vines crept across the ceiling and hung between broken slabs, cracks spread through the gray stone floor, small plants grew wherever moisture gathered.

At the far end of the chamber, a wide staircase ascended toward the upper levels of the pyramid. Its steps were worn and uneven, with several corners broken away.

The room appeared empty.

Samuel raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop. "Spread out. Check the room, but don’t wander too far from the others."

The team separated cautiously.

Clyde remained near the center of the chamber, quietly observing his surroundings.

Something felt wrong.

The Demonic energy was stronger here, yet he still could not pinpoint its exact source. It seemed to gather around the staircase, though he could not tell whether the artifact was located on the upper floor or hidden somewhere beneath the chamber.

Then he noticed movement.

The stone floor in front of the staircase began to tremble. A low rumble traveled through the room, shaking dust from the ceiling. Before anyone could react, the gray stones moved and rose from the ground, grinding against one another as though an invisible force pulled them together.

"Everyone, get back!" Clyde shouted.

The others immediately retreated.

Stone fragments gathered in the space before the staircase, joining together piece by piece. A massive body took shape, followed by thick arms, broad shoulders, a head with two enormous horns.

Within seconds, a towering figure stood before them. It resembled a Demon carved from gray stone. Its body was tall and heavily built, with thick limbs and jagged protrusions along its shoulders. Its face was rough like a statue, faint lines resembling ancient runes covered its chest and arms.

The creature stood motionless, blocking the staircase.

"Of course. There’s always a damn guardian," Don said, raising his shield.

Clyde studied the stone figure with narrowed eyes. He could feel the Demonic energy coming from it, but something about the creature made him hesitate.

Was it just a mindless guardian programmed to attack anyone who entered the pyramid? Or did it have enough intelligence to communicate?

—