[Congratulations, Host. Skill acquired: Jade Shield (non-elemental charging version).]
[This skill can be directly powered by Imaginary Energy.]
[Specific usage methods and effects must be experienced personally by the host.]
"..."
Tsk.
Evan clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Tsk.
As expected—this system really wasn't the talkative type.
It couldn't even be bothered to explain how the skill worked.
So lazy it was borderline outrageous.
As a freshly certified treasure hunter, he didn't even get a proper appraisal function?
Absolutely disgraceful to the profession.
If he hadn't already been familiar with the skill, he might not even have realized how strong it was.
[Beep—!]
[This area may contain hidden treasure chests. Please search manually.]
[All detectable treasure chests in this area have been acquired. You may proceed to the next region.]
"…?"
So there might be hidden treasure chests too?
What was this—some kind of full-on dungeon crawler now?
Evan looked at Seele, his expression complicated.
Seele, in turn, stared back at him with equal confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, nothing. Just… thinking."
Evan sighed, then turned to face Svarog.
"Alright then, Boss Svarog."
"Do I now have the qualifications to go to the Overworld?"
"..."
Clara lifted her head and looked up at Svarog.
Her pale cheeks were red from the cold.
What was strange was that—
despite the harsh environment of the Robot Settlement,
she still refused to wear shoes.
A truly peculiar girl.
"Confirmed."
"You possess the right to know the truth."
"Query: Should this truth be disclosed to the female accompanying you?"
Svarog's gaze shifted from Evan—
and landed squarely on Seele.
Seele blinked, completely confused.
"Is there something I can't know?"
"…Mm."
"…Yes."
"This matter… even Natasha may be unaware of it."
Evan raised his head.
His gaze hardened as he looked directly at Svarog.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
"Say it."
"The people of the Underworld have the right to decide their own fate."
"..."
I'm just a treasure hunter.
My reason for going to the Overworld is simple—
to obtain treasure chests that can further strengthen me.
Because relying on just one Authority and one Path—
was nowhere near enough to survive in this universe.
The Annihilation Gang of the Destruction faction.
Stellarons that pop up without warning.
That lunatic Dr. Primitive, still at large.
Remnants of Order.
Abominations of Abundance.
And even the Swarm that still lingered after Tayzzyronth's fall.
Any one of these could spell death.
Even Emanators weren't immune.
And I'm not an Emanator yet.
So I need more treasure chests.
More leverage.
More room to survive.
And the Underworld is the same.
The people here deserve the right to choose their own fate.
They deserve to know—
why Cocolia sealed them away.
Robot Settlement — Central Core
At one end of the bridge, many scavengers had already returned to their camps.
But plenty still lingered near the gate, craning their necks in curiosity.
Their eyes were fixed on the core.
There—
in front of Boss Svarog himself—
Evan, Seele, and Clara sat together.
Clara looked unsettled.
Seele, meanwhile, seemed awkward, her gaze drifting toward Svarog again and again.
Only after a long moment did she collect herself.
Both of these beings were terrifying.
One had casually suppressed Svarog.
The other was a surviving guardian from the war against the Antimatter Legion.
No one would've imagined—
that such powerful figures would now be sitting here,
discussing a single, crucial subject.
—
The Stellaron.
Yes.
The Stellaron.
In the Underworld, almost no one knew of its existence.
Seele only knew because she was part of Wildfire's upper circle.
Seven hundred years ago—
the Antimatter Legion invaded Jarilo-VI.
The first Supreme Guardian used a Stellaron that fell from the heavens—
to end the war in one stroke.
The price?
The entire planet was sealed in ice.
A cruel dilemma.
On one side, the Antimatter Legion advancing relentlessly.
On the other, an indefinite global freeze.
The Stellaron solved the immediate crisis—
but cut the planet off from the rest of the universe forever.
Seven hundred years later…
"The Supreme Guardian… she… she actually…"
Clara couldn't believe it.
The suffering of the Underworld—
was all caused by that exalted figure above?
She lowered her head, utterly dejected.
Seele, on the other hand—
turned sharply toward Evan, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Evan!"
"That plan of yours—I'm in!"
"Who does she think she is, deciding our fate?!"
"What gives her the right?!"
"Just because she's the Supreme Guardian?!"
"Rebel!"
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