Antares stood motionless in the vast treasury chamber, the high-grade mana crystal still resting in his palm. Its deep blue light pulsed softly, almost alive, casting shifting azure reflections across his light-brown skin and the wild black hair that fell across his shoulders. He turned it slowly between his fingers, mesmerized by its beauty. The crystal felt cool to the touch, yet it hummed with raw, concentrated power.
This single stone could change everything, he thought. If I can figure out how to use it, the tribe's future could shift overnight.
The only problem was he had no idea what to do with it. He wasn't a mage, an alchemist, or even a craftsman. He would need to find someone in the tribe smart enough, skilled enough, to turn this mineral into something that benefited the entire Scarlet Ant Tribe — barriers, weapons, cultivation aids, or perhaps even something greater. His mind already raced with possibilities: strengthening the hive's defenses, accelerating training, or trading it for alliances with other underground races.
He glanced toward the far corner of the room where Levi and Eli were working. The twins were methodically opening weapon crates and armor racks, their faces lit with quiet awe. They lifted iron spears, tested the balance of blades, and ran gloved hands over breastplates that looked far superior to the crude bone-and-leather gear they currently wore. Their own weapons had grown dull from years of constant use against monsters on the surface. Antares could see the longing in their eyes — the silent wish for equipment worthy of the king's personal guards.
He sighed heavily, the sound echoing slightly in the cavernous space. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders like a physical thing. So much work lay ahead: upgrading the army, researching the artifacts, strengthening the hive, preparing for tomorrow's clan meeting, and now exploring this tower. He was already tired, and the day had barely begun.
Shaking off the fatigue, Antares carried the mana crystal to a nearby rectangular table covered entirely by a black cloth. When he set the box down, the sound was oddly hollow — not the dull thud of wood against wood, but something sharper, almost like glass. Curiosity piqued, he gripped the edge of the cloth and yanked it away in one smooth motion.
Beneath it sat a pristine glass display case, the kind jewelers in his old world used to showcase expensive pieces. Inside, neatly arranged on velvet-lined rows, were dozens of exquisite pieces: necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings — each one unique, each one radiating faint magical energy.
[Ding… Ant King Jewelry Box has been discovered.][These glass-like cases contain 1-star to 2-star magical jewelry collected by previous Ant Kings over the years.]
Antares's eyes lit up. He moved to the next table, then the next, pulling away black cloths one by one. In total, four identical glass cases were revealed, each packed with beautiful, enchanted jewelry.
A slow, satisfied grin spread across his face. Perfect. He could gift something truly special to Zarah — something that matched her beauty and loyalty. The rest could be used for diplomacy, trade, or even rewards for loyal subordinates. No matter the language or race, jewels and precious items spoke a universal tongue. He made a mental note to investigate the tribes living beyond his current territory. Alliances, trade routes, information — everything would be useful once the hive began to expand.
He walked slowly along the cases, inspecting each piece with care. Most were ornate and flashy, clearly meant to display wealth and status. Then something caught his eye in the third case — a simple silver ring. Unlike the others, it had no gems, no intricate engravings, just a plain band with a subtle, almost invisible sheen. Yet something about it felt… different. Special. He couldn't put his finger on why, but it stood out.
He searched for a latch or mechanism to open the case. Before he could find one, the glass shattered — not violently, but elegantly. The fragments hung suspended in mid-air like glittering snowflakes, then slowly drifted back into place, reforming the case as if nothing had happened.
"That was cool," Antares whispered, genuinely mesmerized.
He reached in and picked up the ring. The moment his fingers touched it, a notification appeared.
[Ding… You have obtained a 2-star Spatial Ring.]
"And what does it do?" he asked aloud.
[It grants the contracted wielder an empty dimensional space where items can be stored. The size of the space expands as the star rank of the ring increases. More stars means more space.]
"Hmmmmm, I see." Antares slid the ring onto his left middle finger.
[Ding… Would you like to become the contracted owner of the ring? Only you will have access to it.][YES / NO]
"Yes."
A brief wave of dizziness washed over him, then faded. The bond was complete.
[Ding… Bonding successful. The Host is now the owner of the Spatial Ring. To store or retrieve items, simply think about it and the rest will happen according to your will.]
Antares focused on the ring. He could sense an empty void inside it — vast, waiting. He tested it by willing the mana crystal from his other hand into the ring. It vanished instantly. A moment later, he willed it back into his palm. Perfect.
He smiled and continued browsing. In the same case he found a second ring — a beautiful white band with delicate red crystal flowers circling the band. It looked elegant, feminine, and strong. He slipped it into his pocket. For Zarah. She'll love this.
Satisfied, he walked over to where Levi and Eli were still inspecting weapons.
"I can't believe all these are 1-star weapons," Levi was saying as he stabbed the air with an iron spear, testing its balance. "All this time we were using starless junk. If Lord Henry had these, he would have definitely crushed those abominable goblins."
Eli nodded silently, running his hand over an iron breastplate. "Our leather armor might not even hold a candle against these."
Antares stepped up behind them quietly. "Then we'll take these back to the palace when we're done."
Both twins startled. Levi nearly dropped the spear.
"Lord Antares! When did you get here?" Levi asked.
"That's not important right now," Antares replied with a grin. "Did you find anything useful in those chests?"
"Well, there are a few decent artifacts, but nothing groundbreaking," Levi answered.
"Hmmmmm, I see."
Antares turned his attention to the tall bookshelf along the far wall. One thick, dark-red tome caught his eye. He pulled it down. It was heavy, the cover embossed with faint runes. As he opened it, a folded paper slipped out.
[Ding… Host, you have discovered a 3-star artifact: Map.]
Before he could examine it further, the entire room began to shake violently — as if an earthquake had struck deep underground. Dust rained from the ceiling. Books tumbled from shelves.
"Damn it, what now?" Levi growled, steadying Eli.
The shaking stopped as suddenly as it began. One of the bookshelves on the far wall slid aside with a grinding sound, revealing a hidden staircase leading downward.
Antares stared at the newly revealed passage, heart pounding with anticipation. "Let's go and see what's down there. Each of you grab a weapon. We don't know what we'll find."
Levi and Eli snatched the nearest iron spears and circular shields, then fell in behind him. They descended the narrow stairs in silence until they reached a small, dimly lit chamber.
In the center of the room floated a single glass case. Inside it rested the golden gauntlet they had seen earlier — the one literally wreathed in flames.
[Ding… Danger detected. I advise the Host to be on guard.]
Antares tensed. The System had never issued a warning like this before.
Suddenly the red gem on the gauntlet flared brighter. Hellish flames roared inside the case, pressing against the glass. Cracks began to spiderweb across the surface. Intense heat washed over the room.
"Damn, that's hot," Antares muttered, raising an arm to shield his face.
Levi and Eli instantly moved in front of him, shields raised, white aura flaring around their bodies as they poured everything into a defensive wall.
"Your Highness, you must evacuate now!" Eli shouted, voice strained.
"Not without you guys," Antares growled. "We're all making it back alive."
Before he could touch their shoulders to teleport them out, the glass case finally shattered. The golden gauntlet — Helios' Grip — shot forward like a comet, straight toward Antares.
Levi reacted instantly, raising his shield to take the impact.
But the gauntlet never struck the shield.
It broke apart mid-air, pieces swirling like liquid metal, then reassembled itself onto Antares' left hand with terrifying speed.
The pain was immediate and blinding.
Antares screamed as scorching heat surged up his arm, as if his flesh were being melted from the inside. He dropped to one knee, clutching the gauntlet.
Levi raised his sword high. "I'm sorry, but this might hurt, my lord!"
He swung with all his Senior Knight strength.
SHINGGGG!
The blade rang against the gauntlet like a hammer on an anvil. No damage. The burning only intensified.
"Damn it, System — explain what's going on!" Antares groaned through gritted teeth.
[The gauntlet has been building up mana and has become supercharged. It is looking for a way to release it in one go.]
"In other words, an explosion," Antares hissed.
[Yes, Host. An explosion with the strength and heat of a miniature sun.]
"Shit… it doesn't have to be that strong," Antares cursed. "How much time do I have?"
[Less than a minute.]
"Damn it, you should've said that sooner!"
His mind raced at lightning speed. No time to hesitate.
"I'm taking this thing out. You two stay here," he ordered, voice strained but resolute. "No matter what, don't follow me."
"Please come back safely, Lord Antares," Eli said quietly.
Levi had tears in his eyes, unable to hide his anguish at watching his king suffer.
"I promise… I'll be back," Antares said, forcing a soft smile despite the agony.
He focused every ounce of will he had left.
"To the second floor… NOW!"
In a flash, Antares vanished from the room and reappeared alone in the center of the empty second floor.
"Alright, you damn shitty piece of junk," he growled through clenched teeth, a wicked, pain-maddened smile on his face. "It's just you and me now."
The gauntlet blazed brighter. The heat became unbearable.
Antares summoned the full Primordial Ant Physique. Dark-red exoskeleton erupted across his entire body, covering every inch of skin like living armor. Even his face was shielded, leaving only his blood-red eyes visible.
He raised the gauntlet high, then slammed his fist into the stone floor with all his strength.
BOOOOOOM!
The gauntlet unleashed everything.
A cataclysmic explosion of white-hot flame and raw mana erupted on the second floor. The blast wave shook the entire tower. Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls. The sound was deafening.
On the fourth floor, Levi and Eli felt the tremors and sprinted toward the stairs, fear etched on their faces.
In the center of a newly formed crater on the second floor, Antares lay on his back, coughing violently. His clothes were reduced to ashes. Only tattered remnants of his trousers remained. The red exoskeleton that had saved him was now blackened and cracked like charred coal, pieces flaking off to reveal reddened skin beneath.
"That… hurts," he rasped, forcing himself to stand on shaky legs.
[Ding… By surviving the mana explosion of the ancient artifact Helios' Grip, it has submitted to you and recognized you as its legitimate owner.]
The gauntlet shrank and reshaped itself into an elegant golden bracelet that settled comfortably around his left wrist.
"Hmmmmm… a 3-star artifact," Antares muttered, stretching his sore body. "This was worth it."
He looked down at his ruined clothes and let out a tired laugh.
"Now… how am I going to explain this to Zarah?"