Rahul watched as the eagle slowly opened his golden eyes. Their gaze alone was enough to send a shudder of fear through any onlooker. The eagle lifted his head from beneath his wings and glanced at the food, healing treasures, and potions laid before him.
"You really take food seriously," the eagle said. "Don't you know that beings at my level can go many days without eating?"
"I know," Rahul replied calmly, "but the heart always longs for good food. And I came here to win the favor of the Sky Lord. What could be better than offering food?"
The eagle smirked.
"Humans are cunning and sly… just like that cunning fox, Malika. Why do you want my favor, human?"
"It's simple," Rahul answered. "To form a connection and gain powerful backing. I am a weak human, but I am cunning. Strategy is my strength—but strategy is useless in the face of absolute power."
The eagle burst into loud laughter.
"You truly are cunning, even using your slyness here. You are interesting, human. But you are not weak for someone your age."
His laughter faded and his tone turned serious.
"I am Garuda, Emperor of the Sky, not some ordinary eagle. Remember that from now on."
Rahul understood that this was permission to follow him, but he still looked at Garuda with a confused expression, as if silently saying 'You liar… can't you see that I'm not blind?'
Garuda looked at him irritably and said,
"I know. My appearance resembles an eagle now because my power has fallen. I have been downgraded from a god to a mortal. But my true form is Garuda."
Rahul nodded in understanding.
"Thank you, Brother Sky Emperor Garuda."
Garuda's eyes immediately turned sharp.
"Who is your brother? Do not overstep, human."
Rahul quickly acted frightened.
"O-o-okay… Lord Garuda," he said in a trembling voice.
After that, Rahul introduced himself and Rose, and the two of them left the cave.
Once outside, both of them took a long breath. Standing in front of a god was not easy. Even after losing most of his power, Garuda's gaze alone could make mortals tremble in fear.
Rahul sighed.
"We really are opposing a god."
Rose replied quietly,
"Not one… but three."
"Yes," Rahul said, "but it is a relief that their strength has decreased. Otherwise there would have been only one ending- submission and false hope."
He looked at her seriously.
"You don't need to come again. We cannot afford even the slightest suspicion. With a single mistake he could see through us. The only reason he doesn't probe deeper is because our strength is insignificant in his eyes."
After returning to the inn, Rahul ordered his men to begin spreading rumors- rumors about hidden treasures and mysterious caves connected to a strong Sage.
Slowly the rumors began to circulate. For now, only a few people heard them, but that was enough for the next step of Rahul's plan.
For the next six days, Rahul visited Garuda daily, bringing different kinds of delicious food along with treasures and healing potions. His goal was simple—to display loyalty and slowly earn Garuda's trust. Even a small amount of trust would be enough.
On the evening of the sixth day, after leaving the hidden cave, Rahul did not return to the inn as usual. Instead, he headed directly toward Maze Valley.
The valley was filled with towering hills shaped like giant pillars and boulders, forming a natural labyrinth. Trees grew twisted around these stone pillars in same shape and style, and thick mist constantly covered the area, causing travelers to easily lose their sense of direction. Because of this, the place had long been known as Maze Valley.
But Maze Valley was also located at the center of the Turtle Mountains, the Muddy Lake, and the Floating Mountains.
It was the perfect place for guerrilla warfare and for playing a deadly game of hide-and-seek with enemies.
That was why Rahul had chosen it as the future battleground.
Here, all the pawns would eventually gather.
After searching for some time, Rahul found a hidden cave high on a cliff that was difficult to notice from below.
Inside the cave, he began placing arrays one after another.
When everything was finally prepared, it was time to place the bait that would ignite greed.
Rahul took out two bone spikes from his space ring. They looked identical.
One spike was the one he had taken from the king- the very weapon used to frame his father.The other was secretly kept by his father, unknown to anyone else.
Finally, he took out a rod—the same rod he had used while fighting the Iron claw Bear. Its shape resembled a spear.
When placed together, the three pieces could form a trident.
The two spikes would become the left and right prongs, while the rod would act as both the shaft and the central prong.
Rahul channeled spiritual energy into the rod and the two spikes.
Suddenly they began to vibrate.
Moments later, the three pieces floated into the air and slowly merged together, forming the shape of a trident.
Carefully, Rahul refined the weapon with spiritual energy.
Finally-
The trident was complete.
At that instant, a beam of white light shot into the sky, tearing through the clouds. Thunder roared across the sky as the earth trembled.
It was a truly bizarre and magnificent sight.
The light could be seen from hundreds of miles away.
Powerful experts everywhere felt its presence.
Even the three Mythical beings turned their gaze toward the Maze Hills.
Garuda murmured in shock,
"This… this is the aura of a Divine Rank treasure. How can that be possible? How could such a treasure appear in a small world like this?"
Seeing the phenomenon created by the trident, Rahul himself realized that it was far from an ordinary weapon.
But instead of fear, a smile appeared on his face.
Originally, he believed the trident would only be a Rank-5 treasure at best.
Now…
"That's even better," Rahul said softly.
"The bait has become even more irresistible."
Now it would be much easier to attract powerful pawns.