The black Coffin was "embedded" in the Ice Wall.
It took several of them prying with all their strength to open it, revealing an Emptiness within.
"Marcelo and I will go first."
Joaquin gave the order.
"No problem, boss." Marcelo took two running steps and jumped straight into the Coffin.
"Take Xu Yuan with you—and be careful."
Joaquin turned to Sara.
"Don't worry," Sara said with a nod.
Only then did Joaquin pat Xu Yuan on the shoulder. "This Alternate Universe has a fixed entry point. It's one of the safer ones. Just follow Sara when it's your turn."
"This Coffin can transport us there?" Xu Yuan found that hard to believe.
He hadn't sensed any spatial energy fluctuations.
On the contrary.
The Coffin radiated an intense sense of ill omen, as though it held a powerful curse.
"Watch this!"
Marcelo waved at Xu Yuan as if showing off.
He and Joaquin pulled the lid shut from inside.
Several breaths passed.
Sara stepped forward and opened the lid.
The two men were gone.
"...Why does that feel like a magic trick?" Xu Yuan murmured.
"Look here." Sara pointed to a spot on the Coffin.
A line of strange, twisted writing was inscribed there.
"It's written in the language of this Alternate Universe. It means, 'All who dare desecrate the king's tomb shall, at the end of the Dark Age, be engulfed by an endless tide of monsters and suffer eternal torment in pain and despair.'"
Sara spoke.
"You can read that world's writing?"
"No. Scholars in the Returners' Alliance worked it out."
"Then won't we be cursed if we lie inside?" Xu Yuan asked, spreading his hands.
"This curse is the most powerful force in that Alternate Universe. Its might can alter any event, but unfortunately, it's existed for too