"Woaahhh…"

    I blink repeatedly, barely able to believe what I''m wearing right now.

    I''m now wrapped in armor that looks as if it was forged from the abyss itself.

    It is a breathtaking fusion of gothic elegance and ruthless power. Even though my form is a little bit petite and frail, since I barely have any muscle at all, wearing this armor, even I feel powerful, like I''m ready to take over the world.

    Just me and the armor, yes, we can do it.

    Even Eris has to admit that too, that I''m both incredibly sexy and terrifying.

    The core breastplate is sleek and form-fitting, sculpted in dark, glossy metal of obsidian black color, trimmed in blood-red accents that glow faintly like molten veins. The shoulders flare outward in jagged pauldrons, protecting my shoulders and making me feel way bigger than what I really am.

    My arms and legs are all protected by intricately layered plating, the edges serrated. Dark red energy leaks from every joint and seam, as if the armor is barely containing the infernal energy within.

    As I look down, on my hands are the black gauntlets. They taper into clawed fingers, looking as sharp as blades. With these, I believe I can easily slit someone''s throat with just a finger flick or claw through the strongest armor.

    As I clench my fist, a surge of power shoots from my body to my palm, pulsing in crimson red lightning sparks. The sensation is both tingling and dangerous.

    And there''s a skirt part too, making this one hundred times cooler.

    The skirted lower armor fans out dramatically, composed of jagged black plates layered over a tattered crimson underrobe. As I move, same as before, each fold of the fabric and metal trails sparks of red sparkle with every step.

    And then there are the boots. They rise to mid-thigh, sheathed in black steel with veins of glowing crimson. Their stiletto heels are forged into dagger points so high that I gain nearly ten centimeters in height. As I move…

    Cling. Clink. Clang.

    The sound of boot-shod steel against the floor echoes like a dark anthem. So heavy, so powerful.

    And even though I''m not exerting any force at all.

    Every step still sends out some kind of shockwaves blasting outward.

    "Damn…" Eris mutters under her breath, still staring wide-eyed, stunned at the sight of lingering red lightning sparks curling off my gauntlets.

    She looks as breathless as I feel.

    This armor…

    It''s beyond incredible.

    I can''t stop smiling. I feel powerful, beautiful—like a queen, no, a goddess of destruction! Like I could take on the world and win.

    "Nyahahaha… I love this!" I whisper, turning slightly to admire the glow tracing my silhouette. "This is so cool!"

    But then—

    "Ermm… Felicia…" Eris says, calling out. "Y-you''re… um… burning the floor."

    "…Eh?"

    I blink.

    Slowly, I glance down.

    And then—

    "AAAAAAHHHH!! WHAT THE HELL?!"

    I scream as tiny black flames dance across the floor where I''ve stepped, each footprint marked by curling wisps of shadowfire, like infernal blossoms blooming in my wake. The embers shimmer, pulsing with eerie red light, and more appear with every step I take.

    "OH NO NO NO NO NO!" I flail. "I''M SORRY! I''M SO SORRY!"

    In a total panic, I clap my hands together like I''m praying to the gods. "D-Dress-chan! Please! Cancel transformation! Cancel transformation!

    There''s a whoosh of air, and black smoke instantly coils around me in thick, swirling tendrils that rise from my boots to my shoulders before sinking inward like ink in water. The metal vanishes, the glow fades.

    In its place, soft velvet and flowing lace settle over my skin once more.

    And just like that, the armor''s gone.

    I''m now back to wearing the gothic dress.

    I freeze for a beat… then slowly, very slowly, I look down again.

    The flames are gone.

    And to my complete disbelief…

    The floor is perfectly fine.

    There''s No scorch marks, no cracked boards, no blackened soot whatsoever.

    Just polished wood, gleaming like nothing happened at all.

    My legs give a tiny wobble as I let out a long, shaky breath.

    "Oh my gods…"

    My heart''s thundering in my chest.

    I seriously thought I just set our brand new mansion on fire!

    ---------------------------------

    In this world, equipment is ranked by power.

    Common.

    Uncommon.

    Rare.

    Epic.

    Legendary.

    Mythical.

    Sacred.

    And at the very peak… Divine.

    Even an Epic-rank weapon can sell for tens of thousands of crowns. To most adventurers, that alone is a lifetime''s fortune.

    Mythical-rank gear? That''s the stuff of legends. Worth millions. The kind of treasure nations might quietly kill for.

    And yet—Sacred equipment goes beyond even that.

    Unfathomably rare. Incomprehensibly powerful.

    So rare, in fact, that even the most brilliant blacksmiths in the world—those who''ve dedicated lifetimes to their craft—can only dream of reaching that level. The skill, the magic, the materials required… it''s simply beyond current technology.

    To find a Sacred weapon or armor, you''d have to delve into the deepest, most dangerous parts of the world and get extremely lucky. It''s so rare that even S rank adventurers would be fighting over it like vultures.

    And all of that means Divine-rank equipment is simply out of this world.

    Because it triumphs above all else.

    A single A-rank or S-rank warrior, if they possess just one piece of Divine-rank equipment, could wield the power to challenge an entire army, nearly unstoppable in their path, unless confronted by another Divine weapon holder.

    Celestial Hounds Guildmaster''s Euryphaessa.

    Eris'' Sheol.

    They are two of the few Divine-rank equipment pieces known to me right now.

    And now…

    "I think this dress is another Divine-rank piece," Eris says. "Compared to my Azazel''s Guard, which seems to have similar properties, this one is on a much higher level. The aura it exudes scares me. And not to mention, this thing even has a will of its own."

    "Yeah…" I mutter, gazing at the dress I''m still wearing.

    As soon as the armor appeared, I had a feeling it was stupendously, super strong.

    I sensed it was on that level.

    And apparently, Eris agrees too.

    After all, this is Alter''s dress, the one piece that protected the princess of a lost civilization.

    Of course, it has to be Divine.

    "But Felicia," Eris says suddenly, her voice dropping into something firmer—more serious. "Promise me you''ll never show that dress to anyone else."

    I blink, startled by her tone.

    Then a chill runs down my spine.

    She''s right.

    Of course she''s right.

    "I… yeah. I understand," I say softly.

    Because even without her saying it, I can already feel the weight of that warning.

    Something this powerful, this rare, isn''t something you flaunt.

    Not unless you''re ready to fight off the entire world for it.

    If I let people see it… if I show off something this valuable, there will be people who come after it. Who want to take it. Steal it. Kill for it.

    And not just me, Eris would be in danger too.

    Right now, I''m not strong enough to handle that kind of attention. Not yet.

    "I promise," I whisper, swallowing hard. "I won''t show anyone. I swear."

    Eris exhales, her expression softening. "Good girl," she murmurs, patting my head gently with that warm, gentle smile of hers.

    But then… she sighs.

    A deep, long sigh. The kind that carries something heavier.

    "Haah…"

    "Eris?" I ask, tilting my head. "What''s wrong?" Sear?h the Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    She pauses for a moment. Then chuckles, but there''s no humor in it.

    "I was just thinking… I wish I''d kept my Divine weapon a secret, too."

    "…Wait. You mean Sheol?"

    She nods, looking away. "Yeah. That."

    There''s a faint bitterness in her voice. A regret she tries to hide, but doesn''t quite manage.

    And before I can even ask the obvious question—

    "You''ve probably wondered why I left Shadow Fang, right?" she says quietly.

    My breath catches.

    I freeze.

    She knew?

    "You… you knew I was curious?"

    "Well, not exactly knew," Eris replies, eyes meeting mine with a calm, knowing smile. "It''s just if I were you, I would probably be super curious too."

    "I-I''m sorry…" I murmur, my ears drooping as guilt coils in my chest.

    But Eris gently shakes her head. "No. It''s fine."

    Then, to my surprise, she steps forward and takes my hand.

    "In fact," she says softly, "I''m the one who should be apologizing."

    "Eh?" I blink, looking up at her.

    Her expression catches me off guard. Her eyes shimmer with something deep, something raw.

    "Sorry for keeping secrets from you, Felicia," Eris says, voice barely above a whisper.

    Then she turns and walks toward the balcony.

    The door swings open with a soft creak, and the evening breeze flows in, carrying the scent of blooming flowers, sweet and faintly spiced.

    The sky outside is painted in crimson and gold, like it''s been set aflame.

    She stands there for a moment, framed by light and wind. And then, she turns back to me.

    "Hey," she says, her voice light now. "Want to take a walk? I''ll tell you everything. My past. The real story. No more secrets."

    I blink again, my heart skipping. "Y-you''re sure?"

    She comes back to me, squeezing my hands between hers.

    "Yes," she says firmly. "I''m sure. After all… it''s time."

    A thousand emotions stir inside me at once. My tail sways behind me, and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest.

    "Then… let''s go," I whisper.

    Eris smiles.

    "But wait," she says, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Can you keep this dress on? You''re just… so beautiful. I want to keep staring."

    "Hehe, okay!" I nod, cheeks warm. "But only if you wear your Shadow Fang uniform too!"

    "Alright, alright," she laughs. "As you wish, my princess."

    In a flash, she pulls her old uniform from the chest out again and changes. The dark coat settles over her shoulders like the wings of a raven, her belts snapping into place.

    Then, without warning, she sweeps me into her arms.

    "Wha—Eris?!" I yelp.

    Too late.

    "Hold on tight." Eris says.

    She then dashes and leaps off the balcony.

    We land in a gentle thud, cushioned by magic and strength, right in the heart of the mansion''s garden.

    Around us, the crimson flowers are in full bloom, their petals catching the wind, dancing like sparks in the fading light.