Chapter 126: Secret Realm [1]

"So, what kind of treasures are you looking for in this realm?"Drya didn't say it outright because she was never someone to act differently around another person, but she wasn't lying when she said he was famous in Ars Goetia.

The precise reason why she invited him to go with them was because of the word that had been spread through their Society.

Lord Vinea, the leader of the 36th Demon Legion, one of the nine Demon Kings of Ars Goetia, personally ordered his people to make it known to them all.

The person in the white mask that the Tower embarrassingly knew as the "Limb Reaper" was a friend of theirs and was to be treated as such.

In other words, they were to see him no differently than they saw the brothers and sisters from their own Society.

Vinea was a man with deep connections to his roots and his family. The people he brought alongside him as he climbed the ranks of the Demon Race and the Tower were family to him, and he was willing to do more than most for them.

Atlas did it unwittingly, but he saved someone who Vinea saw as dear family. In return, Vinea gave Atlas a status that allowed him even to enter the main headquarters of Ars Goetia and access most of its facilities freely.

Of course, not everyone had the same respect for the 8th Demon King, so it couldn't be said that such status would help him everywhere he went. However, most demons were sure to keep it in mind, and those who viewed the 36th Demon Legion favorably would respect it.

Drya was one of those demons, but that didn't mean she was willing to give up her rewards to him. She needed to know if they would be able to cooperate properly, as if they couldn't, then she would have her group separate from him here and now.

Atlas saw the look in her eyes like she was probing him. He was indeed aiming for the final treasure of this realm, but he didn't need to tell her that.

At least for now, his only goal was to observe and follow.

"I only heard about the Devil Fruits from you and that man, but I assume I am not privy to those. In that case, I will have to see what the secret realm has in store before I answer your question."

Drya looked at him sideways. He was clearly aiming for the highest reward, but it wasn't like she could blame him. Everyone inside this realm was here for the same thing, after all.

"It's fine if you covet the Devil Fruits, but only if there are enough. Our information tells us that there will be somewhere between three and eight fruits at the end. If there are extras, then I will not stop you, but leave the first three for us."

It was reasonable enough for Atlas to immediately agree. Devil Fruits grew better in large concentrations of mana and blood. A secret realm was the kind of place that maintained that atmosphere eternally. He was willing to bet on there being more than the minimum number of possible fruits.

The two of them made the agreement that solidified their partnership. Afterwards, Drya's attitude relaxed to an extent.

Essentially, this was a secret realm practically designed for demons with rewards catered to them as well. It had three stages for them to get through, each of which required its own unique solution.

Concerning the conflict that originally drew Atlas' attention…

"We already have an agreement with the people of Heaven's Gate to split the secret realm and compete for rewards. It isn't even just us. The information about the Devil Fruit reached the ears of many people, so there's no reason to conceal it or attempt to monopolize it at all. The problem is when people like that guy come around and try to assert their dominance.

It usually is always the guys from Heaven's Gate." Discover more content at mvl

In fact, their two groups were late to enter the realm. There were already several groups occupying the other pathways.

Drya gnashed her teeth. The fact that a man from Heaven's Gate whose name even she didn't know made such a stupid attempt to suppress her made her insides burn.

"The realm lets us interfere with the progress of other groups, but part of the agreement was that we didn't pry on–"

Atlas didn't need to hear more.

"They went into the sixth corridor."

"Sorry?"

"The sixth corridor. That's where they are."

Drya gave him a look of disbelief, to which he only responded with a shrug. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"You have an agreement, but I am not a part of it. I also have something like a grudge against Heaven's Gate, you know."

For a second, Drya was stunned. In the next, the discontent she held was gone.

A warm feeling replaced it. It was a feeling that came from the thought of the look on that man's face when he realized that he was being hindered.

Her disbelieving expression slowly morphed into a grin.

"I like the way you think."

Those words set it in stone.

This cooperation between Atlas and his new demonic friends was going to be swell.

***

The members of the Great Societies only focused on each other. Heaven's Gate remained wary of Ars Goetia and Ars Goetia was the same to them.

However, in terms of numbers alone, they were the minority. Atlas came with a group that entered the realm late as part of an agreement to give a chance to other Ascenders.

In reality, the battles in this secret realm started many hours ago among the ordinary cultivators from smaller and less-known Societies.

Smaller and lesser known. This kind of branding always left those Societies rotting in the shadows of their larger counterparts. The talent that was hidden within would never have a chance to shine.

The Secret Realm of Moonlit Flesh that became public knowledge and was not immediately monopolized by the Great Societies created a chance for those diamonds who had been hiding in the rough to emerge.

But, whether they were bright and blue or dark as night, they still shined the same.

In the second trial space of the three, in the fourth of the twelve different pathways, a scene of bloody slaughter was taking place.

Blades whipped around as light as feathers and severed heads like they were made of tofu. Blood flew like paint, abstractly painting the illusionary nighttime sky in beautiful yet unsettling patterns.

Tens of people, if not hundreds, had already been slain. The entire group that was in the space was made corpses.

The culprit stood in their midst, blood covering his body and raining down into his gaping jaw.

He had teeth like razors and arms that were blades themselves. His bare chest was muscled, yet somehow his bone structure protruded through his skin as if he hadn't eaten in years.

A man who looked more like a monster smiled widely as he showered in the remains of his victims.

"Hahaha…"

He laughed to himself, his wide and hollow black eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"As expected, these kinds of things are always fun."