Once Max’s headache subsided a bit he was able to move and think more clearly.

He had already gotten a lot of loot from just the clone’s visit to the mage tower and if he were to believe in the rings power and rely on the clone’s memory, he could raid floor 1-65 with 2 of his friends and get a lot more.

He did not need to risk meeting Zogaroth whose power level was unknown or tangle with Arandale who was definitely at least tier6.

However, he was reluctant to give up on this chance to explore the truth behind the sealing method of the god’s as while he could rely on Angakok and his powers today, once he reached Godhood and had to tangle with tier 7-8 entities he could not always rely on Angakok for help.

Also, he did not trust Angakok fully, the shaman god was by no means simple which is why having an ultimate move like a sealing method which even tier8 god’s could not break would become a Trump card in Max’s arsenal in the future.

Hence, despite fully understanding the risks and the absurdity of the situation he decided to tag alongside Lucius and face Zogaroth.

***************

( A while later, outside Zogaroths residence )

Following the description that Arandale and the codex had given, the group quickly found Zogaroths residence that was supposed to contain the entrance to the basement level of the city.

Zogaroths residence was a completely different building from the rest of the city as the laws of gravity worked different inside the house.

Some places, the gravity inverted making what’s up down and what was down up, but it was regular if one crossed that hall and entered another room.

Countless artefacts and documents sprawled across the room as one could see that the abyssal mage Zogaroth was serious not only about his own study project but also enthusiastic about studying what others submitted and created.

The entrance to the basement levels of the city was through a cellar in Zogaroths house, as before going down there were 3 maps plastered nearby which showed the difference between basement levels 1, 2 and 3.

Basement 1 was the place where the common magi made their labs, it was isolated units one one where the magi could only gain access from their own homes.

Basement 2 was where some important figures were allotted labs for research. Their labs were about as big as 100 metres/ 100 metres area rooms and access could be gained by special buildings such as public library, their private manors and the store.

Basement 3 was the most protected basement level with only two entry points and only two individuals given entry.

Basement 3 was as wide as the entire city and the two entry points to it were through Zogaroths house and Arandale’s house only.

Gulping, Sebastian went down the staircase and ignored the diversions for basement one and two as he walked straight down to basement 3.

The moment Sebastian entered the passageway that led to the open section of basement 3, he started feeling the corrosive aura of death as he quickly put on his ring to resist it.

” 30 MINUTES ” Sebastian shouted to let everyone know that the countdown had started and if they did not wish to see their HP bars shrivel and shrink, they needed to hurry.

Max arrived beside Sebastian and put on the ring too and hoped that Zippo would have done the same underneath although he had no means to confirm if he really did.

Lucius and his group of guards also put on the rings as the group cautiously proceeded towards the massive sealed gate that was glowing with runic inscriptions.

‘ It’s a seal, the same kind used in the fire Kingdom to imprison some sinister criminal who is too powerful to contain otherwise.

It cuts off mana flow inside, preventing whoever is inside from conjuring mana based attacks.

It’s simple to deactivate for me, just follow my instructions ‘ Drax said in Max’s head, as while the other members were scratching their heads over how to open the door Max took the lead and quickly began interfering with the runic pattern as per Drax’s instructions.

Once again, Lucius was pleasantly surprised, the resourcefulness Ravan had shown time and time again during this mission left a deep impression on him.

In the future when he became King such a man could undoubtedly fill the position of his Commander if he were willing.

One minute later, Max deactivated the seal and cranked the heavy metal gate open as the rustic gate which had not opened for thousands of years finally opened with a creaking sound.

*CHWIIIIK*

” Hahaha, well done my lord ” Lucius praised as he took a step inside the open gate only to be blasted aside by a strong moving force.

[ Firewall ]

Max created a firewall, brightly illuminating the dark passageway they were in and completely blocking the advance of whoever was trying to push forward.

” We are here to save you, Zogaroth, we are not your enemies ” Lucius said eventually as he stirred back to his feet.

From within the door a voice which sounded deep and sinister smiled as it said ” Hisss, English? From all the species in the universe it was the bipedals who found me in the end? “

Max walked ahead of Lucius as he covered the prince behind his back fearing that he might die before even reacting to the enemy’s moves as he stared into the darkness ahead and with his darkness vision looked straight into a pair of shining golden eyes, the same looking pair as Arandale’s.

” Those eyes, that scent…. Vampire! But what are those weaklings around you? I’ve never seen a species with fangs who smell like vampires but so faint ” Zogaroth questioned as Max realised that the one vampire he referred to was him!

It was the same for Arandale, they did not refer to him as primordial vampire! Because back in the day his species were the only vampires around, on the other hand to them the modern vampires were more of a mystery.

————

/// A/N – Chapter 14/20 ///