Chapter 384: The Wooden Box

The small wooden box was among the goods Sam smuggled, a favor for the mustached man.

Sam didn’t care much about the box, knowing it was likely an Abyssal cultist’s artifact.

He was indifferent, as long as he made some money.

The box sat among other crates, unremarkable and seemingly worthless.

Even opened, it appeared to contain only a wooden carving, at best a trinket.

The carving was new, not even an antique, thus not valuable.

But Helag knew its significance; the red insect inside was glaringly obvious to him.

The box’s Abyssal aura was faint but noticeable to Helag.

He recognized it from the tavern, recalling the wooden box.

Initially cautious, Helag left it untouched.

Once the airship left North Slope City, out of Eye of the Storm’s reach, Helag retrieved the box.

Opening it, Helag examined the carving, focusing on the small creature inside.

These creatures’ functions were often inscrutable; Abyssal Plane creatures were diverse and unpredictable.

Many required specific conditions to reveal their abilities, not apparent from appearance alone.

Helag didn’t destroy it, planning to see who claimed it in Silver Beach City.

Tracing it might yield rewards.

After some study, Helag set the box aside, resuming mental power compression.

The journey was dull, so he focused on cultivation.

The airship flew high over the polluted zone, piercing the clouds.

Below, the old man and two youths stood, hearing the distant roar, knowing the airship had arrived.

“It’s here. Activate the array; it will connect with the medium,” the old man instructed.

The trio infused the array with magic, revealing glowing runes with an unusual aura.

On the airship, Helag suddenly opened his eyes, looking at the wooden box.

Opening it, he found the red insect inside the carving agitated and growing.

It seemed ready to burst from the carving.

Helag slapped the carving, scolding, “Quiet down! Don’t disturb my cultivation.”

Releasing a hint of his aura, the insect calmed, lying still.

Below, the old man frowned, “Why no response? More magic?”

“Keep infusing magic!” he ordered.

The youths complied, intensifying their efforts, making the array glow brighter.

But it only glowed more; the next step didn’t commence.

Normally, after activating the array and connecting with the insect, its hidden power would activate, triggering the array below and forming a portal shadow.

But nothing happened.

The old man suspected insufficient magic, but even with increased effort, the array remained inert.

“What’s wrong…” he wondered.

“Contact Lunsis, check the situation,” he instructed.

A youth nodded, leaving the array, cutting his hand, and drawing a green insect.

Placing it on the wound, the insect, smelling blood, eagerly fed.

Soon, it swelled and turned red.

The youth swallowed it, feeling a burst of energy.

He whispered, “Lunsis, the array hasn’t progressed. Check it out.”

On the airship’s second deck, a scruffy man heard the voice and sat up.

Most laborers were asleep, the room filled with unpleasant odors.

Lunsis, expressionless, rose and headed to the lowest deck.

A devout follower, he appeared ordinary but held divine power.

He knew the wooden box, having placed it on the lowest deck.

No one had visited since, so it should be untouched.

Lunsis, due to his low status, couldn’t easily access the lowest deck.

Though unguarded, discovery meant being thrown overboard.

Dignity was for noble wizards, not laborers.

If caught attempting access, they’d be executed.

This was the airship’s strict rule.

Lunsis understood but had no choice.

The plan’s failure was unacceptable.

Even at the cost of his life, the plan must succeed.

Lunsis silently approached the lowest deck’s door, secured with a heavy lock.

He didn’t need a key; his left hand swelled, veins bulging, fingers becoming claws.

Grasping the lock, he crushed it into scrap.

With divine power, Lunsis gained sharp claws and enhanced strength.

This divine gift was rarely used.

With a clang, the lock fell, and Lunsis opened the door to the lowest deck.