I ignore Iver's laughs.
Fire spell should melt the snow. It can't make a hole through the roof of the city. I will check on that problem later. Kyo's arm is hurt and he needs urgent attention. That boy can't walk for two days in the cold. Our stomachs are full now. We should go straight to the city.
"Master, I will also attack the ground with you." Mogrok transforms into his real form. "I can't eat snow, but I can beat the ground."
"Don't." The rune of fire flows into my palm smoothly. "I am going to use fire. Stay back and shield others."
He listens to my words and shields Kyo and Deia. Iver is looking at me with a smug face. Well, it might be foolish. But, my brother's arm is cursed. We need to find a healer first.
One rune won't do. I have summoned multiple runes before. If I don't push myself, I will always be stuck at the basic level. I squeeze my eyes and concentrate. The flow of Ehr is better here than the lower realm. It flows through my channels like water. I form another rune of fire in the air. The third one comes faster. One by one, the fire runes float in a spiral toward the ground. It bores into the snow and starts melting the hard ice.
I need more runes. More power. More ehr.
'Let me.' There is a whisper in my head. 'I will show you what can I do.'
I ignore the voice. It's probably my imagination. If it is not, it's nothing good. The ehr is flowing faster through my veins. The single thread of runes turns into the thick tornado of orange fire. It breaks through the ice. There is a scream. I don't stop at any rate. I must find a way to the city.
I hear a loud crack. There is a giant hole through the ice. A single fire rune is burning inside. I see the hard roof of underground cities with glistening webs of spells. I have seen those spells before in the forbidden city where they imprisoned Kyo. Without any more thought, I jump into the hole and use a flight rune to delve on to the roof.
"Master, use the dagger to cut the spell," Mogrok shout.
Hmm? The dagger? I look into my coat. I found this dagger when I first came to this world. Then, let's try this. I start marking cutting away the strings of spells near the ice. I don't want to make a big hole on the roof. When I finish, the circular piece of the spell underneath my feet is still alive. I wonder what I should do. I pick up the circular piece with the tip of the dagger. It comes off easily.
"This might come in handy later." I fold it and put it inside my pocket. I look up and shout, "Come down. It's ready."
***
This is impossible. Iver is baffled when he looks at the metallic roof of the underground city. This is not good at all. How did this girl do this? No, they are done for. He doesn't dare to get down through the hole.
"I am sorry for underestimating you." Iver trembles thinking of the things that might happen to them if Lord Bagoodi ever finds out. "Come out. The gate isn't far away. If we walk without taking rest, we will reach in a half and one day."
Kresi isn't listening. She waves at Kyo. "Kyo, I am going to break this. Climb on Mogrok. Deia, you should also let Mogrok carry you. The last person can take a walk through the snowy land alone and use the gate."
"Kresi, don't do it. Lord Bagoodi will ki-"
Kresi presses her palm on the metallic roof and mumbles, "[Break]"
It shatters under her feet. She falls through the ground. Mogrok jumps in with Deia and Kyo. He stretches his arm and grabs his master through the air.
Iver sees this all. He forgets about getting his broken channel healed. He runs away from the place with all of his strength. He doesn't want to imagine what kind of things that inhuman lord will do him if Lord of the underground cities hears that it was him who brought these people here. He shouldn't have followed this crazy Mirin. She has lost her mind completely.
Under the ice, there are 9 cities. The 3-star city is most famous for casinos. Once someone walks into the casino city, they are easily lost in the city of gambles. The city is full of dazzling lights that dazes the newcomers easily.
But, something isn't right today. For a while, they have seen hearing strange noises above the 478th gambling bar. The officials of the city arrive immediately beneath the spot to deal with the problem.
Officer A: It must be a fat spirit beast causing trouble above.
Officer B: Should we go and check above?"
Officer C: It's too cold up there.
Office A: It might go away after a while.
Officer B: Lord Bagoodi doesn't like disturbances like this. We should go and chase it away.
Officer A: Can you fight with a 7th middle realm beast?
Officer C: I suggest that we wait and see for a while.
Before they can decide on their next action, the ceiling begins to crack above their heads. They widen their eyes in shock.
Officer B: What kind of spirit beast...
Officer C: It won't crack. It never cracked before.
Officer A: Is it the end of the world?
Suddenly, it shatters away. A huge spirit beast with a thousand tentacles drops on the ground with a tumultuous vibration. Mogrok places the harbinger, God, and the seer on the ground.
"Master, we have reached."
In 1-star city, Andareanesi Bagoodi is awakened by the distant sound of shattering. A small piece of the spell is taken away from the roof of the underground city. His mate, Giana, chuckles when she sees the dark expression on his face. "Trouble in one of your sin cities?"
His thin lips curve into a smile. "She's here."
Her eyes become bright when she hears his words.
"Let's greet the child. It's been a while since we saw her."