Chapter 127 | Chamber Of Rat

Chapter 127: 127 | Chamber Of Rat

The sight before him stole his breath.

From outside, the structure had appeared to be little more than part of the mountain itself.

Inside, it was something else entirely.

A colossal cave tower.

The chamber stretched nearly a hundred meters across, while the ceiling vanished into darkness high above. Yet despite its size, nothing about it felt natural.

The walls were too smooth.

The curves too precise.

Every surface bore the unmistakable mark of deliberate construction.

Someone had carved this place.

Someone with craftsmanship rivaling modern technology.

And they had covered it in art.

Massive murals wrapped around the circular chamber, their colors still vibrant despite centuries of abandonment. The paintings depicted twelve figures standing in an unbroken ring around the chamber.

Humanoid.

Yet not entirely human.

Each possessed unique features, symbols, and expressions.

Andrew recognized them immediately.

The Twelve Zodiac Guardians.

The first was the Rat.

Painted in crimson and gold, it stood atop a mountain of treasure while gripping a jeweled staff. Sharp eyes and a calculating smile radiated intelligence and cunning.

The second was the Ox.

Its enormous frame surged forward in an eternal charge, muscles bulging beneath earth-colored hide as lowered horns promised unstoppable force.

The third was the Tiger.

Orange and black stripes seemed to ripple with life as the beast crouched low to the ground, every muscle coiled like a spring moments from release.

Power.

Precision.

Predation.

The fourth was the Rabbit.

Rendered in soft whites and pale blues, it leaped through the air with impossible grace, embodying speed and agility.

The fifth was the Dragon.

The only mythical creature among the zodiac.

Its massive body twisted through clouds and lightning while scales of gold and emerald reflected an inner fire. Divine authority radiated from its blazing eyes.

The sixth was the Snake.

Elegant and silent, it coiled around a stone pillar while emerald eyes watched the world with ancient patience.

Wisdom.

Secrets.

Temptation.

The seventh was the Horse.

Its forelegs rose high as mane and tail streamed behind it in an unseen wind, capturing freedom and untamed spirit.

The eighth was the Goat.

Standing upon a lonely mountain peak, it gazed downward with calm and unwavering determination.

The ninth was the Monkey.

Golden fur framed bright, intelligent eyes filled with mischief and curiosity. One hand held a staff while the other reached toward a peach hanging overhead.

The tenth was the Rooster.

Its brilliant feathers exploded with reds, greens, and golds as it crowed proudly into the heavens, symbolizing vigilance and pride.

The eleventh was the Dog.

Seated with ears raised and eyes alert, it radiated loyalty, protection, and steadfast resolve.

The twelfth was the Pig.

Unlike the others, it rested peacefully in a field of flowers surrounded by abundance and prosperity, its expression one of complete contentment.

Twelve guardians.

Twelve murals.

Twelve silent watchers standing vigil in a forgotten sanctuary that should not have existed.

And for the first time since entering Heaven’s Domain, Andrew felt as though he had stepped into a place that even the game itself feared to understand.

Each zodiac mural stood at equal intervals around the chamber, and beneath each was a raised stone altar, currently empty. Intricate geometric patterns covered the floor, shifting subtly with every change in perspective.

At the chamber’s center, a massive spiral staircase descended into the darkness. Carved from the same polished stone as the walls, each step emitted a soft bluish-white glow.

Andrew understood immediately.

This wasn’t a cave.

It was a tower built downward.

A notification appeared.

[Forgotten Godfall Cave]

↳ Floor One: Chamber of the Rat

Warning:

↳ Large numbers of Silver-Eating Beetles detected.

↳ Clear all enemies to unlock the passage to Floor Two.

Andrew’s gaze swept across the twelve murals.

One floor for each zodiac.

Rat. Ox. Tiger... Twelve trials in total.

Before he could think further, the chamber erupted with movement.

Silver-Eating Beetles poured from every crack and hidden opening, flooding the chamber like a living tide of metal. Their shells reflected the chamber’s glow, turning the swarm into a sea of silver.

Some were no larger than a fist, while others rivaled hunting dogs in size. Their mandibles clicked relentlessly, filling the chamber with an eerie metallic chorus.

Those jaws could chew through both stone and metal. The gouged walls and scarred platforms were proof enough.

A normal Level 10 player would have been buried beneath the swarm.

Andrew merely smiled.

To anyone else, the beetles were chaos.

To him, every movement was predictable with his senses.

Purple flames erupted around his blade as Chaos Dark Flame merged crimson and blue energy into a swirling inferno.

Heat spread through the chamber, causing the front ranks of beetles to hesitate before instinct drove them forward once more.

Andrew activated Thousand Cuts.

Thousands of flaming blade arcs burst outward, tearing through the swarm in every direction.

Ordinary flames couldn’t harm Silver-Eating Beetles.

Chaos Dark Flame wasn’t ordinary.

Wherever the purple blades passed, metallic shells split apart, melted away, or disintegrated into ash. Hundreds of beetles fell within moments, their remains carpeting the floor.

A notification appeared.

[Trial Requirement Detected]

To advance to Floor Two:

↳ Kill 1,000 Silver-Eating Beetles

Progress: 47/1,000

The swarm closed in again.

Andrew became a storm of purple fire, weaving effortlessly through the chamber as his sword carved glowing paths through the endless tide.

The kill count climbed.

100.

300.

600.

The beetles showed no sign of stopping. As quickly as they died, more crawled from the walls, floor, and ceiling, pouring into the chamber without end.

His mana steadily dwindled.

Whenever it dropped below thirty percent, Andrew crushed a Mana Crystal in his hand, absorbing its energy before hurling himself back into battle.

900.

The remaining beetles launched themselves together in one final assault.

Andrew met them head-on.

Berserk.

Power exploded through his body, swelling his muscles and dramatically increasing his strength. He switched to the God Slayer Blade, its massive form carving devastating arcs through the silver tide.

Violent Strike.

Thousand Cuts.

Flowing Phantom.

Each attack tore through dozens of beetles, reducing the final wave to shattered fragments.

Then—

Rumble...

The entire chamber trembled.

[Trial Completed]

↳ 1,000 Silver-Eating Beetles Slain

↳ Passage to Floor Two has been opened.

The surviving beetles froze before retreating into their hidden tunnels. Within seconds, silence reclaimed the chamber, leaving only a carpet of silver corpses behind.

At the center of the room, the spiral staircase blazed with brilliant bluish-white light before settling into a steady glow that illuminated the path downward.