The stairs led Arthur and his father to a huge metal door covered in inscriptions, with a small keyhole at its center. As Arthur stepped closer, he suddenly felt weak—a heavy pressure weighed down on him.
It was a suppression—a force that came directly from the metal door itself.
"Hehe, this metal door I made can't just be destroyed by any old bastards," Old Man Brook said with a smug face. "It drains spiritual power and magic essence. It ain't just my inscription—I only boosted its power. This thing is made from Heavenly Mental Suppression Metal. Don't judge my naming skill or I'll beat you up."
"Oh, hahaha. I can feel it too. My mental power can't even sweep inside. Great workmanship," Arthur's father complimented, clearly impressed.
Arthur didn't know what to say. Honestly, it was a good name, so… why not be confident?
"Hahaha! The kid knows how to praise this old man," Old Man Brook laughed heartily, squatting down in front of the keyhole.
"I don't have a key," he said.
Arthur and his father blinked. They looked at each other in confusion, but before they could speak, the metal door shook.
"Haha! You thought I was crazy, right?" Old Man Brook grinned. "The keyhole's just for show! Anyone dumb or brave enough to insert something into it will trigger the formation. The suppression will increase a thousandfold every minute."
Arthur and his father nodded slowly in understanding. But Arthur's father still looked puzzled and asked,
"But… why tell us this?"
"Who the hell said it's a secret? Look at the stairs."
They turned back.
Their eyes widened.
This was outrageous.
The words written across the staircase read:
Hehe
Don't
Insert
Keys
Or
Whatever
On
The
Keyhole
They shuddered. No doubt—anyone would miss that sign when faced with the intimidating metal door. They'd try to open it, get caught in the suppression, and be trapped. The moment they realized it and tried to escape, they'd already be enraged.
Cunning. Truly cunning.
"I trust you guys, so why hide it? Haha."
With a loud rumble, the giant door slowly opened.
"Come in and pick any item you want," Old Man Brook said.
Inside, Arthur's eyes widened.
The interior was like a museum, the complete opposite of the shabby shop above. The underground space was even bigger than a coliseum. Every five meters, a glowing treasure floated above an inscription with a description attached.
It was like stepping into the Treasury of the World.
"Hehe, amazed?" Old Man Brook said proudly. "All my collections and works are here. Top quality. Go pick one, kid—you've got two hours."
Arthur nodded and began searching.
He saw everything—swords, greatswords, spears, long spears, short spears, maces, spiked maces, rings, pouches… the list went on.
After an hour and a half, Arthur still couldn't decide. It was depressing.
But he kept looking. Inch by inch, down every row of treasures… until something caught his eye.
A silver ball, the size of a fist.
It had no description.
Arthur felt something. A strange curiosity.
He turned to the others. His father and Old Man Brook frowned.
"I got that mysterious ball from a subspace," Brook explained. "It doesn't have a name. No idea what it does. So I never bothered naming it. I advise you, kid—don't pick that one."
"B-But I want it. I… I have a special feeling about it," Arthur said.
Brook raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh? If you find any use for it, come back—I'll give you another treasure. It's been a thousand years since I picked up that strange ball."
With a wave of his hand, Brook handed Arthur the silver ball.
"This old man will be looking forward to seeing you grow strong… like your father."
Arthur glanced at his father, nodded, and replied, "Yes."
"Good, good, good! Now let's get out of here so I can finally get some rest! Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha! Old Man Brook, thanks for the gift," Arthur's father said with a laugh.
"What gift? Give me the item!"
"Hehe… sure."
When Brook saw the item, he lit up with joy and quickly stashed it in his pouch.
"Let me see you off."
As Arthur and his father ascended the stairs and walked away, Brook stood by the door, watching them go.
"Interesting," he murmured. "I want to see that kid grow. Hehe… let me forge one more treasure."
---
Item Grades in This World:
Ordinary Grade
Medium Grade
High Grade
Peak Grade
Earth Grade Treasure
Heavenly Grade Treasure
Spirit Grade
Earth Spirit Grade
Heavenly Spirit Grade
Immortal Grade
Earth Immortal Grade
Heavenly Immortal Grade
Lord Grade
King Grade
Emperor Grade
…