Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

"Oh dear, whose poor wretch is this, reduced to such a state?" Hanabi chuckled, her tone mocking.

Sambo immediately felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, even more biting than the cold wind in Beloberg.

"Why are you here?" he asked in an unfriendly tone, with a hint of wariness.

Hanabi squatted down and looked at Sambo's disheveled appearance with great interest.

"Giovanni told me that some interesting little gadgets have appeared."

She casually fiddled with her nails, the red nail polish shimmering in the snow.

"I haven't found him yet, but I've run into your ridiculous appearance first."

Fireworks spoke in a lighthearted tone, as if discussing the weather.

Sambo's face darkened. Hanabi's appearance was no accident; she always seemed to appear like a ghost when he was at his most vulnerable.

"A little brat like you dares to come to the current Belleburg?"

Sambo retorted, "Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble? It won't be long before that lewd meme explodes, and little brats like you are the most likely to get into trouble."

He lowered his voice, speaking in a deliberately mysterious tone.

Upon hearing this, Hanabi's lips curled into a playful smile, her eyes filled with confidence and disdain.

"Don't worry, it won't happen."

Her tone was confident, as if she had everything under control. "Since I dared to come, I'm confident I can manage the situation. It's just a mere Belloberg."

Hanabi stood up, dusted off non-existent dust, and looked relaxed and carefree.

Seeing Hanabi's confident demeanor, Sangbo felt even more uneasy.

This woman is always like that; you can never see through her true thoughts, and you can never predict her next move.

"whatever."

Sambo shook his head, giving up on trying to persuade her. He knew Hanabi's personality well; once she became interested in something, no one could control her.

Moreover, he is currently too busy to care about other people's business.

Hanabi chuckled softly, ignored Sambo, and turned to walk deeper into the Beloborg.

Her figure gradually disappeared into the swirling snow, leaving Sangbo alone in the snowdrift.

Sangbo gazed in the direction where Hanabi had left, his eyes filled with complex emotions—a mixture of apprehension and a hint of unspoken anticipation.

The appearance of this woman may bring unexpected changes to Belloberg.

He might also use this opportunity to help Belloberg out of his predicament, or even gain more benefits.

There was no other way; Belleberg was his stronghold, and he absolutely couldn't afford any trouble.

The yearning for pleasure that was ingrained in his bones surged up again, and Sambo's eyes gradually became uncertain.

Seeing that no one was chasing him anymore, he struggled to get up from the snowdrift, brushed the snow off his body, and began to plan a new scheme.

The perspective refocuses on the echoing corridor.

Hilva cleared her throat and began to patiently explain to Bai Qiong: "In the folklore of Beloberg, there has always been a saying about the 'Shadow of the Guardian.' It is said that 'the rift phantom draped in a solemn human form is the echo of the will of the guardians of the past.'"

She paused, looked at the white sky, and continued, "Simply put, the Shadow of the Guardian is also a type of monster, but it is different from other monsters. It is not born from the Rift, but is a special existence formed by people's strong will, as well as their longing and respect for the deceased Guardians."

"Formed from human intentions"

Bai Qiong stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, perhaps... I really can subdue it?"

A bold idea suddenly arose in Bai Qiong's mind.

Bai Qiong slapped his thigh, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Xiluwa, you're absolutely right! In that case, what are we waiting for? Let's set off right away!"

"and many more!"

March 7th suddenly interrupted, blinking her big, watery eyes and looking at Bai Qiong with a puzzled expression.

"Bai Qiong, you... how can you transform beings that are 'human' into your own ethereal spirit? I've never heard you mention this before. I only knew that your initial ethereal spirit was abnormal, but I never expected..."

Bai Qiong's expression froze instantly, his eyes flickered, and he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

He stammered, unsure how to explain the problem.

After all, the inner world system and how he was able to make girls his ethereal spirits through that method were things he found hard to talk about, and he really didn't want to explain these things to March 7.

Although March 7th now acts like a madwoman when it comes to that kind of thing, she is still the most vulnerable and purest part of Bai Qiong's heart.

Her existence is like a mirror, constantly reminding Bai Qiong that what he is protecting is that once beautiful and hopeful 12+ world.

Seeing Bai Qiong's hesitant and reluctant manner, San Yueqi became even more curious.

She pressed on relentlessly, clinging to Bai Qiong, and continued to ask, "And if your ethereal spirits are all human, then who is this... this piggy bank?"

She pointed to Topa, who was standing next to her looking annoyed and making a "humph" sound.

“She…she is Miss Toppa,” Bai Qiong answered, her voice trailing off.

“Miss Toppa?” March 7 tilted her head and repeated the name.

Immediately, her expression, which had initially held a hint of curiosity, turned gloomy, her little face clouded over.

I'm angry!

March 7th stomped her foot, the crisp sound echoing in the empty corridor. She put her hands on her hips, glared angrily at Bai Qiong, and looked aggrieved.

"Huh? You...you're not angry!"

Bai Qiong panicked and quickly stepped forward to comfort her, "I...I didn't mean to hide it from you..."

"That's not what I'm angry about!"

March 7th's voice trembled with a sob, tears welling in her eyes, "I'm just angry, why... why can she be an ethereal spirit, but I can't?"

She sobbed, her words broken and fragmented: "I want to... I want to be Bai Qiong's ethereal spirit... to be patted on the butt by Bai Qiong..."

"Ah this..."

Bai Qiong was completely dumbfounded. He never expected that March 7 would be angry about this.

He quickly reached out and gently hugged March 7th, tenderly comforting her, "March 7th, don't cry. I... I didn't mean that... It's just that, for now, Miss Topa's fighting power is enough. If it really comes to it, I... I'll make you my ethereal spirit too."

Hearing Bai Qiong's assurance, March 7's emotions gradually calmed down. She looked up at Bai Qiong, her eyes brimming with tears, and sobbed, "Re...really? You...you can't lie to me..."

"Really, I promise!" Bai Qiong said confidently.

March 7th then stopped crying and smiled, hugging Bai Qiong tightly and snuggling against him.

"Okay, okay, stop making trouble."

Bai Qiong gently patted March 7's back. "Let's hurry up and set off to find that... Shadow of the Guardian!"

“Yes!” March 7th nodded vigorously. “Then let’s go take a look together. According to my deduction, Echoing Corridor was once the castle fortress of Beloborg, and also the place where countless Great Guardians strategized. It is very likely that there are such special Overlord-level Ether Spirits here.” Hilva spoke again, bringing the topic back on track.

Subsequently, Bai Qiong and his group of four embarked on a journey to find the Shadow of the Guardian.

Along the way, the four of them traversed the winding passages of the Echoing Corridor.

The surrounding environment grew increasingly gloomy and oppressive, with a bone-chilling cold permeating the air.

“I’m telling you, even though I’ve been here before, it still feels really eerie now,” March 7 said, her voice trembling as she held onto Bai Qiong’s arm tightly.

After all, there are indeed many shadows of the past here, and in a sense, these things are indeed similar to ghosts.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. Even if we encounter some ethereal spirit, or even a real rift monster, there's nothing to be afraid of," Bai Qiong comforted her, while secretly becoming more vigilant.

Pella, on the other hand, maintained a serious expression, constantly monitoring her surroundings. As an intelligence officer for the Silvermane Guard, her perception of danger far surpassed that of ordinary people.

"Everyone be careful. This is the depths of the Echoing Corridor, and we could encounter danger at any moment," Pella warned.

Not long after Pera finished speaking, a strange noise suddenly came from ahead.

"Shh, something's up!" Hiluva immediately signaled everyone to stop.

The four held their breath and cautiously moved toward the direction from which the sound came.

After turning a corner, they finally saw the source of the sound.

Not far ahead, a tall figure stood quietly.

It was a humanoid monster, draped in a tattered cloak, holding a staff in her hand. A thin layer of black mist surrounded her body, emanating a chilling aura.

"This...this is the Shadow of the Guardian?" March 7's eyes widened, his heart filled with shock.

The monster before them, though resembling a human in appearance, exuded an incredibly powerful sense of oppression.

"That's right, it should be her. It seems to be just an ethereal spirit, not a real rift monster."

Hilva sighed, "Bai Qiong, you should go and subdue her!"

"Hmph!"

Topa scoffed.

"Topa, don't underestimate it!" Bai Qiong quickly reminded him, "This Guardian's Shadow doesn't look simple!"

Just then, the Guardian's Shadow spoke.

Star Core Promise Hil

watt"

The voice of the Guardian's Shadow still echoes in the air.

Bai Qiong frowned, his doubts deepening. It...speaks? Why can I understand it? Xiluwa's expression was grave, her eyes flashing with complex light, as she said to Bai Qiong, "Don't act rashly, prepare to counterattack."

Bai Qiong began to wonder, could Shiluwa not hear it? Or was it that only I could hear it?

He gripped the Ether Coin tightly in his hand, watching the Guardian's Shadow warily.

Hilouvarendau

"—The Guardian's Shadow spoke again. This time, it mentioned the Landau family."

And didn't she just mention Silva's name? And it seemed to carry a certain... accusation? Damn!