Chapter 76: The uglier the equipment, the more powerful it is

Monument of Faith, a testament to conviction even in death.

Mike had always been curious about what was drawing him forward. When he saw the monument, it seemed he found the answer, yet he always felt he was missing something. His gaze wandered over the stone, searching as thoroughly as possible.

"Huh."

"What's this?"

Looking up at the upper left corner of the monument, Mike noticed a poem surrounded by messages. To be precise, it was an incomplete poem:

With flesh and blood, I guard the hills and streams,

Through wars and whispers, as the raven dreams.

My sword cleaves darkness, each demon to bereave,

__

....

There was a space left at the end, clearly missing a line. The poem was odd; the first two lines were written by one person. The style of the third line changed abruptly.

"If I'm not mistaken, these three lines were left by three Supreme Beings?" Mike frowned, feeling something was off.

Clearly, the third line should have been left by Ares. But Ares was the second Supreme Being, Apollo was the third.

"It's indeed left by Supreme Beings, but not three, just two," Shadow Nine said, looking at the monument with emotion, "Morpheus left the first two lines, Ares the third. The fourth line was supposed to be written by Apollo."

Saying this, Shadow Nine glanced sideways. The cloud above the blue sky remained still.

"If that's the case..." Mike rubbed his hands, eager to say, "You know I have OCD, right?"

Shadow Nine: I just found out.

"Look at this fine poem, missing a line, how uncomfortable."

"You want to complete it?" Shadow Nine was startled by Mike's idea, reminding him, "Morpheus wrote the first two lines before he went on to slay two demon gods. After Ares left his line, he rushed to the front lines to fight the enemy."

Both Supreme Beings, when leaving their lines on the Monument of Faith, were in life-threatening situations, putting themselves in extreme danger!

To demonstrate conviction through death, nothing could be more fitting.

"Then it must be written!" Mike said earnestly, "Maybe after I finish, Terenas Bloodscribe will come knocking on his own."

Shadow Nine didn't know what to say for a moment. The likelihood of such an event was even lower than winning a lottery jackpot.

Shadow Nine could only reluctantly gesture, "You have a minute and a half. If you can really complete the last line in such a short time, I'll write it for you."

The Monument of Faith was made of a very special material. Even a strike from the Battle Chief couldn't damage it. Those who carved inscriptions on it were at least Battle Lords! With Mike's current strength, he couldn't leave a message himself; only Shadow Nine could do it for him.

"I've already thought of the last line." Mike slowly said, "To conquer the abyss, and light from darkness retrieve."

Shadow Nine was taken aback, blurting out, "Sounds pretty good!"

Mike nodded, "Mainly because we're short on time, otherwise I could think it over more. Let's finish writing and get out of here!"

It must be said, the last line of the poem resonated strongly with Shadow Nine. Black mist rose up, and with a thin, bony finger, Shadow Nine pressed against the Monument of Faith, beginning to write earnestly: To conquer the abyss, and light from darkness retrieve!

Standing on the ground, Mike looked up as the poem was completed, nodding in satisfaction.

With flesh and blood, I guard the hills and streams,

Through wars and whispers, as the raven dreams.

My sword cleaves darkness, each demon to bereave,

To conquer the abyss, and light from darkness retrieve!

"Thor, interesting."

"This time's supreme power, it's different... I don't have much time left..."

The man murmured to himself. Looking down at the Forest of Truth, he raised his hand and lightly plucked the Lyre.

"Ding—"

The sound of the lyre instantly spread throughout the forest, lingering on.

...

Outside the Forest of Truth, Mike had just landed when suddenly a melodious lyre sound came from behind.

"What's going on?!" Mike was startled, saying cautiously, "An invasion from the Abyssal Plane?"

The lyre sound came suddenly, without any warning.

"No, a Supreme Being has made a move."

Supreme Being? Mike looked up, gazing at the Tower of Truth in front of him.

Apollo?! What is he doing?

The lyre sound spread throughout the entire Forest of Truth, causing all relics to tremble slightly.

Soon, Mike would find out what Apollo was up to!

Above the Forest of Truth, millions of pieces of equipment floated up. These were the relics that had followed Mike, awakened by a potential Supreme Being!

They hovered in the air, and after a few seconds, they scattered as streams of light, most burying back into the ground, waiting for the next destined person to come along.

But a small portion rushed towards the many students currently undergoing trials!

...

Just as Cain had subdued a long sword, another sword fell in front of him, directly into his palm!

"I use a single sword though..."

"Could two swords bring double the joy?!"

For a moment, Cain was overwhelmed with happiness, unsure of what to do.

...

Jessica had already picked out a ring. But when the lyre sound started, a golden feather landed in front of her, the implication very clear.

"This... can I take two relics?!" Jessica stood frozen, having never heard of such a thing happening in the Forest of Truth!

A name flashed through Jessica's mind.

"Thor! This must have something to do with Thor!"

...

All the students undergoing the trial, like the two of them, got the chance to choose a second relic!

Mike was no exception.

Having already left the Forest of Truth, he watched as a streak of golden light cut across the sky, falling into his arms.

"What's this?"

Mike looked down to see a weapon quietly lying in his arms, very familiar.

"Thunderclap Hammer!"