Chapter 8: The Millennium Zone
Kiwi breathed out, ruffling her own hair as she leaned to the side, "It's just one big thing after another today, huh? Now I really need some rest."
"Right this way, Miss Kiwi," the hooded figure gently gestured for her.
Though begrudgingly, the huntress went down the halls to find somewhere to get proper sleep, leaving Zero with Vangrave at his side.
"So, what now?" Vangrave asked.
"We're going to tame our trump card for our first obstacle in this competition," Zero answered as he swiped his finger, opening his personal menu.
"Huh? Whatcha mean?" Vangrave asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"I've given it some thought and if we're up against the entire playerbase, then wiping them out isn't going to be a simple matter of cleaving through their numbers—not the traditional way, at least," Zero said as he presses one of the icons in his inventory, causing something to manifest into his hand.
A triangular, blood-red object sat on his palm, etched with squiggly designs.
"That's…" Vangrave quietly said with a gulp.
Zero smirked, "The "Millenium Zone"—that's where we'll get our trump card: "Calypso, The Blood Titan."
["The Millennium Triangle": A special item that can only be crafted through special means. It's a Raid Ticket, opening the gateway to the Millenium Zone upon usage. After a single use, it's consumed and can't be used again unless crafted another time.]
There was equal parts excitement and nervousness written on the expression of the spiky-haired warrior, whose emerald eyes locked onto the item.
"The Millenium Zone? That's one of the most hardcore raids in the game…I'm down for it, but I'm wonderin' why ya wanna do it without a healer? The status effects are no joke there," Vangrave asked.
Zero flipped the blood-red triangle over his hand before answering, "Don't worry about that. I've got a few neat tricks with this new class–just trust me."
"Sure thing, Boss! We doin' this or what?! I've never had the chance to kill that bastard Blood Titan myself!" Vangrave excitedly asked.
"It's not like we have time to waste, do we? Let's make our first move towards clearing this game–as its final boss," Zero smiled as he held the unique item up, "Use: Millennium Triangle!"
With the activation words being shouted, the ominous object opened itself, splitting from its point as it unfolded before the two players.
'If I can get an endgame boss like Calypso under my control, then the next step will be almost guaranteed to succeed,' Zero planned.
From the small-scale pyramid, a fountain of black liquid flowed down, yet didn't rush down against the stone, tile flooring. The nebulous fluid suspended itself in the air, flowing as if sentient before coalescing into the shape of a doorway.
"Heh," Vangrave couldn't help but nervously laugh as he watched the gateway form.
Zero quickly sifted through his inventory before talking, "I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but chances are we won't be alone in this raid. Lot of endgame mats (materials) in there and Calypso himself has some of the best drops in the game."
"Yeah, yeah, I gotcha!" Vangrave nodded vigorously as he spoke.
As the gateway was solidified into a black-and-red door that continuously oozed out the unsightly liquid from its grooves, Zero stepped in front of it before glancing back at the warrior.
"Ready?"
"C'mon! Ya already know the answer to that!" Vangrave said with a grin.
It wasn't as though it was the first time Zero had faced the Millenium Zone, though even at his current level, the nefarious raid was not something he felt like underestimating.
As he stepped forward through the gateway, a warm sensation swept over his body as he passed through its mystical threshold.
It only took that single stride for him to leave the bounds of the fortress, now finding himself in a completely new area as he stepped in.
A vast interior with walls made of blood-red stone, curved and arching high into a ceiling forged of vibrant, stained glass. The atmosphere was starkly different; the natural odor of the unique area was foul, smelling heavily of copper and mildew.
'This is it. Been awhile since I've come here,' Zero thought.
Beneath his boots, the marble flooring produced a light shine from its crimson shade.
"Woah–ahh!"
Stumbling in behind him, the spiky-haired man followed in as he caught himself. Vangave breathed out, looking up as the gateway closed itself behind them.
"Place is just as creepy as I remember…" Vangrave remarked with a quiet breath following.
Just standing there for a few seconds, the man dressed in black, sleek armor noticed his health points already beginning to dwindle.
[HP: 34540/35000]
[STATUS: Blood Corrosion…]
"Damn! That status takes effect quickly!" Vangrave huffed.
Zero calmly snapped his fingers with an invocation, "Coat of The Abyss."
The activation of the skill caused a bubble of darkness to envelop each of the players before it slowly became transparent.
[STATUS AILMENTS CLEARED.]
'The "Millenium Zone" is no doubt one of the most despised areas by players. It's not hard to see why…Ignoring its creepiness, the layout of the domain can be confusing and the enemies here can be tricky. Even at my level, I can't risk letting my guard down,' Zero thought.
"Oh? Nice! Ya got healin' skills?! Just what kinda damn class is that?" Vangrave asked in delighted surprise.
"A bit of everything, I suppose," Zero answered as he looked around before starting to slowly move forward.
He kept his blackened sword equipped into his hand as he walked through the empty, crimson room into an ominous corridor. Vangrave followed behind him, keeping his halberd readied as it rested on his shoulder.
On each wall, paintings drenched in crimson liquid hung, indecipherable from whatever was originally painted on the original canvas. The interior of the unique zone resembled the rigid, but delicate style of the Victorian era; the walls loomed high with mirrors placed throughout.
"Uuugh…I hate this place! Always gives me the creeps…" Vangrave said quietly as he glanced around, seeming nervous.
There were little noises sprinkled around the duo as they traversed the claustrophobic corridor; Thumps and creaking echoed throughout the corridor, echoing from the closed doors that neighbored each side.
Zero stopped for a second, looking towards the other end of the corridor as one of the noises seemed to bring pause to him.
"Zero? What's up?" Vangrave asked.
The eyes of the black-armored player shifted into a vibrant cerulean as the surrounding area was revealed to him, with whatever was lurking behind the walls being discovered by his eyes.
[Pale Eyes of The Hidden]
Through the walls, something slipped around without any single form, flowing like a sentient liquid that prowled on the players.
"We've got company," Zero warned calmly.
Vangrave was ready as he flipped his halberd forged of dragon bone around with an excited smile, "Let's get it, then!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone