Contrary to expectations of it being heavy, the large door opened smoothly, revealing the interior of the shrine.

“…Oh, it’s brighter than I thought.”

“You’re right.”

The spacious shrine interior was well-lit by candles placed throughout, dispelling any sense of dread. However, crystals as large as the pillars protruding here and there created an eerie atmosphere.

The crystals particularly surrounded the central platform, upon which sat a small, capsule-like golden ornament.

“Could that be… the treasure the blue window mentioned?”

“Seems so. Do we just need to take that item?”

Listening to their conversation, Rosha surveyed the inside of the shrine with an uneasy expression.

At the same time, she recalled the experience shared by the one called ‘The White Falcon’.

-The shrine interior seemed to be used as a research space by someone. Experimental apparatus and papers were scattered everywhere. Fortunately, no one was there when I went, so it was easy.

It was just as he had said. The carelessly strewn experimental equipment, as if someone had been using it, felt quite unsettling.

Especially the vials and glass flasks haphazardly placed on the altar looked almost like a desecration of the god.

“Ugh, it feels a bit overpowering…”

“Yes. I sense an impure intent.”

Having gone through dozens of trials, Rosha clearly understood the function of shrines.

Judging by the way such acts were committed on the very altar where gods’ messages were exchanged, the god of this shrine seemed to be greatly displeased.

It was then.

“Shouldn’t we go inside? If we need to acquire the treasure for the trial to end?”

Heres, having observed the interior for quite a while without noticing any signs of life, turned to her and asked.

In fact, he was right. She had just attempted to retrieve the treasure with magic, but it didn’t work at all. Froy’s ability had also been ineffective.

Seeing the man beside her silently shake his head, Rosha trailed off.

“That may be, but…”

“Then how about I go in and get that thing?”

Heres took a step towards the shrine as he made the suggestion.

It was a proposal he would never normally make, but in truth, he was eager to contribute before the trial ended.

‘Lady Roshanak said she would fix my body if she saw me doing well.’

Unable to use mana due to a congenital defect, retrieving that treasure seemed to be his only chance to contribute in this trial.

That’s why he had insisted on going ahead, despite Rosha saying they should all go together after a brief consideration.

‘I need to show I’m willing to risk my life.’

His legs trembled uncontrollably in the situation where a magical trap could spring at any moment, but he still had to give his best effort.

Fortunately, even after entering, there didn’t seem to be any immediate danger for a while.

However, the moment he approached the platform where the treasure was placed.

Whiiiiing-

The candlelight suddenly began to flicker weakly.

There was no wind inside the sealed shrine space.

Realizing this, Rosha flinched, and at that moment, the candles collectively went out, plunging the area into darkness.

Then, a chilling, rumbling voice echoed.

〔I had my suspicions, but how dare you little rats intrude into my domain.〕

‘Ah, I knew this would happen.’

Things had been going too smoothly for Hardmode.

Anyway… did it just say ‘domain’?

Whether a swordsman or a magician, those capable of creating their own world with mana and manifesting it in reality were classified as the 7th stage.

While unsure who this entity was, the mention of ‘domain’ strongly suggested they had reached the 7th stage realm.

For just the second trial, having a 7th stage magician as the boss!

If the gap between the 4th and 5th stages was like heaven and earth, the difference between the 5th and 7th stages was akin to transcending dimensions.

Knowing its tremendous power, Rosha froze stiffly.

She didn’t even know where this thing was right now.

〔Did you think I’d let you get away with it a second time?〕

〔Wander endlessly in the depths of your darkest memories and despair.〕

…A second time?

The nuance was strange, but there was no time to ponder its words.

Suddenly, a cold light seeped out from the crystals, collectively illuminating Heres. At the same time, an immense amount of magic power erupted, distorting the space.

The shrine’s interior vanished without a trace, replaced by a grand mansion’s corridor in the dead of night.

Although not completely dark thanks to the sparse lighting, there was an ominous, underground smell for some reason.

Instantly recognizing the location, Cassis widened his eyes and muttered:

“Huh? This is Marquis Lycaon’s mansion?”

Indeed, it was the very mansion they had visited not too long ago.

At that moment.

Creeeeak-

Turning around urgently, the basement door at the end of the descending stairs was slightly ajar.

Intricate patterns were engraved on the door, and an immense mana that hadn’t been felt before was pouring out from the gap.

Witnessing this scene, Heres shuddered and groaned.

“Ungh…”

“Hey, don’t be too scared. It’s just an illusion, so keep your wits about you.”

Of course, dying in the illusion meant real death.

‘Judging by Heres’ reaction, this illusion seems to be a memory he’s afraid of.’

Then, Froy, who had descended the stairs along the corridor wall, naturally surveyed the basement. As if confirming his expectations, he muttered softly,

“As I thought.”

Pushing the door wide open, the floor inside was surprisingly a sheer drop after just five steps, like a cliff.

The surroundings were filled with rippling black waves.

It was a rift of incomprehensible size.

‘…Something like this exists inside a house?’

The small demons occasionally emerging from the crack fell endlessly into the depths below.

Winged ones would sometimes swoop towards them, but a very high-level barrier was erected around the basement door.

“Ooh, quite the feisty one.”

Seeing this, Koko muttered in satisfaction.

Perhaps because Heres had lived a relatively peaceful life.

The contents of the illusion were nothing special. It merely revealed the existence of a rift in Marquis Lycaon’s basement.

〔…〕

However, this illusion seemed to be beyond the 7th stage magician’s expectations.

Since they didn’t appear particularly distressed, the illusion soon changed to the next one.

Rain falling intermittently from a sky filled with dark clouds. Beneath it, a few people gathered in black attire.

Rosha remembered this scene.

‘…My parents’ funeral.’

Due to the fire accident leaving barely any remains, the coffins were empty. Instead, her parents’ belongings were placed one by one inside, amidst flower petals.

Fortunately, Cassis, who seemed to be the owner of this illusion, didn’t appear too shaken.

Then, the voice echoed once more.

〔How strange. This shouldn’t be happening.〕

Its way of speaking had been odd from the start, as if its expectations weren’t being met.

‘The mention of ‘not letting it happen a second time,’ and now this… it sounds like the illusion isn’t what it expected?’

Suddenly, a hypothesis crossed Rosha’s mind.

What if the intelligent entities appearing in Hardmode were fully aware of the events from Normal mode?

However, at that moment.

Fwaaaash-

A cold light with tangible sensation illuminated Rosha.

And the illusion changed again.

Wheeeeeng!

In an instant, the surrounding temperature plummeted as a pure white wind carrying snowflakes swept through.

The razor-sharp gale sliced her cheeks as if carrying blades. Simultaneously, her ears felt muffled, as if in a high-altitude region.

It was a frigid mountain.

“This is…”

Muttering softly, Rosha flinched.

A memory of this place that had been dormant suddenly sprang back to life.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Surveying the terrain, she climbed up to a low cliff at the end of the ridge, her face set.

Below was a snow field stained a deep red, unlike anything she had seen so far.

It was littered with corpses.