[World-Class Item: Demon Gate.]
[Activating this item continuously summons demons capable of engulfing an entire world. The summoning will not cease unless the holder manually stops it.]
[The summoned demons range from Level 50 at minimum to Level 90 at maximum, encompassing all known demon types. All demons obey the summoner's commands.]
[Cooldown: 12 months.]
A small door intricately carved with demonic figures floated quietly before the three of them. After reading the description, the same figure surfaced in all their minds at once.
The Demon of Great Disaster: Ulbert Alain Odle.
As companions, they all knew how tirelessly he had searched for this World-Class Item. He had even tried to create an item with identical abilities himself, but in the end, every attempt had failed.
"If Ulbert were here, he'd be over the moon right now."
"After all, this was the World-Class Item he wanted more than anything."
Herohero spoke with a trace of nostalgia. Knowing their former companion well, if Ulbert had actually obtained this item, he would probably be in the middle of some over-the-top chuunibyou-style chant, jumping around in pure excitement.
Unfortunately, only Herohero had logged back in today. Ulbert hadn't returned. It was truly a shame.
"Yeah. I was actually planning to give this item to Ulbert as a gift today. Too bad he didn't log in."
Naohara let out a soft sigh. With both himself and Momonga sending invitations, he had thought there was a chance Ulbert might come back. That was why he had deliberately gone out of his way to find this World-Class Item, hoping to surprise him.
Looking at Herohero, who was busy offering his comments, Naohara felt a bit more at ease. At least one companion had stayed behind to share this moment with him.
"Everyone has their own lives to deal with. It's normal if they don't respond," Momonga said gently, his voice low as he offered comfort. "Don't be too down, Naohara. At least Herohero was willing to come back in the end."
Momonga felt some regret himself, but there was nothing he could do about it. The only real consolation was that their companions hadn't completely abandoned them.
After his earlier conversation with Naohara, he had come to terms with it. Instead of clinging to memories of those who had already left, it was better to cherish what remained in front of them.
What was lost could never be recovered. All they could do was preserve the present at its best.
"Alright. There's one last item."
As the small door vanished from his hand, a delicate scepter appeared in Momonga's grasp.
The scepter was small, entirely golden, with an ornament carved into its center resembling an eyeball, giving off the unsettling impression that it was watching whoever looked at it.
[World-Class Item: Millennium Rod.]
[Possesses absolute alteration abilities. Any target struck will undergo subconscious modification, resulting in absolute loyalty to the wielder. Even World Bosses can have their judgment temporarily influenced.]
[Passive: Increases the affinity of nearby living beings toward the holder.]
[Cooldown after use: 3 months. Passive effect has no cooldown.]
"This item's effect feels kind of familiar."
"Yeah… it's really similar to another World-Class Item. What was that one called again?"
Herohero scratched his head in confusion. After being offline for two and a half years, he had forgotten more than a few things.
"It's 'Downfall of Castle and Country,' right? The effects are basically the same."
"Yeah, that's it. Looks like my memory's getting worse again."
Hearing Naohara say it, Herohero suddenly understood, then immediately started grumbling about his recent work.
"At least you still remember there's a World-Class Item like that, Blackie. That's already impressive."
Naohara gave him a reassuring pat, and Momonga nodded along in agreement.
"But these seven World-Class Items are really something. Naohara-san and Momonga-san, you've both worked hard."
After venting for a while, Herohero spoke with genuine feeling.
Even though the server was about to shut down, being able to see several World-Class Items at the very end filled him with emotion. He had once been utterly obsessed with these items himself. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to keep going and had quit midway. Today felt like finally making up for that old regret.
He didn't know how his two friends had managed to hold on for the past two years, but their perseverance deeply moved him. Especially when he received their messages, he had even felt a brief moment of unreality.
"Alright. Since Blackie's finished looking, it's time for us to head to the Throne Room."
Naohara clapped his hands to draw their attention, his tone turning serious.
The system interface showed forty minutes remaining. In another twenty minutes, the server would shut down.
"The Throne Room, huh. I haven't been there in ages. Last time was years ago. I can barely remember what it even looks like."
Herohero tried to recall the Throne Room, but his mind felt hazy and uncomfortable. Endless overtime and sleepless nights had already wiped away most of those impressions.
"You'll know once we get there, Herohero."
Momonga raised the ring on his finger. In Nazarick, where teleportation was restricted, only those wearing the ring could move around freely.
"Fair enough. Thinking any more about it will just make my head hurt."
Herohero gave up with a helpless sigh.
"Then let's go."
A flash of red light flared, and the three of them vanished from the arena.
...
On the tenth floor, three figures slowly emerged amid a glow of light.
A dragonoid covered in black scales, a fearsome skeletal undead, and a constantly writhing mass of pitch-black slime.
They stood before a massive gate. One side was carved with an angel, the other with a demon, creating a contrast that felt jarring yet strangely beautiful.
"If I remember right, this gate was designed by Lucifer-san. It really suits his personality."
"The ID is a demon's name, but the race is an angel doll. It feels completely inverted."
"Don't underestimate this gate, you two. The angels and demons inside will come out and fight."
"Huh, really? I always thought it was just a normal door."
"So it's not that simple after all. Guess that's Lucifer for you."
Momonga and Herohero stared at the gate in surprise. They honestly hadn't known the angels and demons inside were real.
"Lucifer-san mentioned it to me once when we were chatting back then. He said it was just a hidden Easter egg, though. After all, it didn't seem like anyone could ever make it this far."
Naohara replied casually. Thanks to his so-called guild pride syndrome, he knew every member's little secrets inside and out.
"True. If someone actually reached this point, Nazarick would basically be facing a life-or-death crisis."
"But that's impossible, right, Guildmaster?"
"After all, even at its most dangerous, Nazarick was only breached as far as the eighth floor."
Herohero said, recalling the past. Even with thousands of players, they had only ever made it to the eighth floor. The tenth was practically unimaginable.
"Well then, welcome back here, Blackie."
Standing before the gate, Naohara slowly pushed open the ancient doors and smiled at Herohero.