199 THE GIGA CODEX AGAIN
Leo's transformation sutra, besides strengthening him could summon an avatar guardian to protect him in times of need.
In retaliation, Leo unleashed a barrage of magic missiles. The projectiles struck the soldiers with pinpoint precision, dropping them to the ground one by one. Screams filled the courtyard as the once-proud army of Eoloth crumbled before a single mage—the Demon of Gullee.
Lord Kabana paled as he gripped the stone railing. "What do we do now, Hanna? He's unstoppable."
Hanna's expression was grim. "We have no choice. We must call Gubana. He's the only one who stands a chance against a demon like this."
Lord Kabana hesitated. "But Gubana is guarding the—"
"If Gubana doesn't come," Hanna interrupted sharply, "Eoloth will be destroyed, and whatever he's guarding and studying there won't matter anymore."
"No, we are not finished yet," Kabana declared, his voice laced with confidence as he cast a spell.
The ground beneath them trembled violently, and a surge of magical energy erupted from the training grounds. Glowing chains materialized, shooting toward Leo and his apparition guardian with lightning speed.
"This is the strongest magic array we possess," Kabana sneered. "Not even Man-tier mages can escape these chains!"
The chains wrapped tightly around Leo, forcing his apparition to vanish in a shimmer of light. Yet Leo remained calm, his expression unshaken by the predicament.
"This array is cheap and lousy," Leo said, his voice steady. "Breaking it is child's play."
With a mere thought, he summoned his control panel, an invisible interface only he could perceive. His mind moved swiftly, and the magic codes of the array unraveled under his command, and in moments, the chains disintegrated, freeing him.
Lord Kabana's eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible?!"
Unbeknownst to Kabana, Leo had already learned the secrets of this array.
Rabama, his friend and ally, already shared the knowledge and workings of the magic array here with him beforehand. Leo spent hours the previous night decoding the spell's intricate structure.
Overcoming it with his unique programming magic was simple.
"We're out of time," Hanna urged, her voice tense. "We need Gubana's help now!"
Kabana exhaled shakily, nodding. "You're right. I'll message him."
"Do it now," Hanna pressed.
A few moments later, he looked up. "It's done. Gubana is on his way."
Hanna's eyes flickered toward the battlefield below, where Lilleo Gullee stood amidst the wreckage of soldiers.
"Let's hope Gubana gets here in time," she muttered. "Otherwise, this fortress will fall by dawn."
"He'll be here in time," Lord Kabana said affirmatively.
"I need to go get our medical team up here," Hanna said.
"Yes, go quickly."
-----
[The night before]
Hanna carefully moved Kabana's arm off her waist, his soft snores filling the quiet room. Sliding out of bed without a sound, she draped a cloak over her shoulders and slipped out of the chamber.
The fortress was still in the dead of night, its corridors dimly lit by faintly glowing lanterns. She moved with purpose, her steps quiet against the cold stone floor.
A message had come through her System—her first contact with other players of the Realm of Sins from outside Eoloth since she came here. She needed to know who they were and what they wanted.
Hanna stopped in front of Rabama's door and pushed it open without knocking.
Rabama, sitting upright on his bed, blinked at her in mock surprise. "Hanna? What are you doing here at this hour?"
She gave him a sharp look. "Did those newcomers tell us to meet here?"
"Yes, we called you," Siphonia said, stepping out from behind a curtain with Leo close behind.
Hanna's eyes narrowed but not surprised. "What do you want from me?"
"We want to help," Leo replied simply, his tone calm yet firm.
Hanna crossed her arms. "You can't help me. If you're smart, you'll leave Eoloth while you still can."
Leo smirked faintly. "We can handle ourselves. You don't need to worry about us."
Siphonia tilted her head with curiosity, "What's the treasure you're after? Maybe we can help you get it."
"Yes, tell them!" Rabama interjected eagerly. "They're trustworthy people."
Hanna shook her head, sighing. "You're so naive, Rabama. This world isn't like ours. It changes people. These are not your friends."
Leo took a step forward, his gaze steady.
"Look, we're not asking for trust. Think of it as cooperation. You've been here for over a year and haven't succeeded, right? Maybe you can't do this alone. You need people like us to help."
Hanna hesitated, her sharp gaze flickering between the three of them. Finally, she exhaled. "There is something you might be able to do."
"Great. Let's start there," Leo said. "But first, tell us what exactly you're looking for in this fucking place."
She hesitated again, but after a long pause, she spoke. "The Giga Codex."
Rabama frowned. "What's the Giga Codex?"
"It's a grimoire. A small part of it left behind by the creators of this world. And one of them is here, in Eoloth. But don't ask what it contains, I am clueless too," she explained.
"You wasted so much time here for something you are unsure about?"
"How do you know it's here?" Siphonia asked.
"Because it's my mission," Hanna said flatly.
"Then let us join your mission," Rabama offered eagerly.
"No," Hanna said sharply. "I already have partners waiting for me outside Eoloth."
Rabama's expression soured. "Partners? Are you sleeping with them too?"
Hanna shot him with an exasperated look. "Not that kind of partners. We are in a party."
Leo leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Fine. Where is the Giga Codex?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why should I tell you? What if you steal the Giga Codex for yourselves?"
Leo shrugged. "I don't need to keep it. I just want to read it maybe once or twice. Then it's yours to keep."
Hanna considered this for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But if you get nothing useful out of it, I'm taking it and leaving."
"Deal," Leo said. "Now, where is the Giga Codex?"