Chapter 59: The Fang of the Ancient Derous, The Super Gravity of the Heavy Hole

"You're going to the Heavy Hole? Do you know how dangerous that place is?" 

The Second Generation Melk widened her eyes as Zed confirmed their plans. 

"We're aware of the risks. We'll handle them," Zed replied calmly. 

"Then… I'll write a letter. Please deliver it to my father, the First Generation Melk." She hesitated, then added, "Let's discuss your commission first. You mentioned Resurrection Knives?" 

"Yes. Two of them. I've brought the Resurrection Materials." Zed laid out the glowing ores and metals. 

The Second Generation Melk stared, awed. "These are pristine… But I have another idea." She vanished into the basement, returning with a stone chest. 

Zed tensed—the chest likely held the Fossil of the Fang of the Ancient Derous, a relic meant for Komatsu in another timeline. 

"What's this?" Mirajane leaned forward. 

"A material the master collected long ago. Sealed because—" The Second Generation Melk froze. "Wait… How did you know I'm a woman?!" 

"Your voice, posture… It's obvious," Mirajane smiled. "Why hide it?" 

"I… thought I was impersonating the master. Everyone knows him as male, so I…" 

"No need now." Mirajane pushed her toward a private room. "Let's restore your true self." 

"Wait! Take this." Zed tossed a healing salve. "For the scars." 

The Second Generation Melk touched her cheek—faded marks from childhood accidents. With a nod, she disappeared with Mirajane. 

Later 

Transformed in a flowing dress, her scars healed, the Second Generation Melk—now Melk II—blushed under their stares. "The master left this fossil. It's from the Ancient Derous, a Capture Level 6000+ beast. With it, I can forge knives surpassing Resurrection Knives." 

Zed examined the fang. "Will it hold Melk's Stars?" 

"Yes. Once you retrieve them from the Heavy Hole, I'll refine the blades." 

"Deal." Zed stood. "We'll return with the stars and your master's reply." 

Mirajane nudged the Second Generation Melk into the room, sensing her silent longing to shed her disguise. Though Melk II (as Zed now mentally dubbed her) possessed the strength to resist, she allowed herself to be guided—a mix of hope and anxiety flickering in her eyes. 

Outside, Zed waited, curious. The Second Generation Melk had always hidden behind boyish garb and scars, but her true appearance, he knew from lore, rivaled even Erina's elegance. 

The door creaked open. Mirajane emerged, tugging a flustered Melk II, now in a borrowed dress that fell mid-thigh due to her towering two-meter frame. The salve had erased her scars, revealing delicate features. 

"It's… too strange!" Melk II stammered, crimson-cheeked, before fleeing back to change. When she reappeared in her original attire, Zed noted the lingering wistfulness in her eyes. She'll adapt, he thought. Given time. 

The Ancient Derous's Fang 

Melk II reopened the stone chest, unleashing a cerulean glow. Inside lay a jagged fossil—the Fang of the Ancient Derous, one of the Eight Kings from an ancient era. 

"This fossil belonged to a predecessor of the current Ancient Derous," Zed explained. "Time has petrified it, but its edge remains sharper than any Melk Knife." 

Mirajane inhaled sharply. "An Eight King's relic… Even fossilized, its aura is overwhelming." 

Melk II nodded. "Master left it for me. Paired with Melk's Stars, it can forge blades unmatched in this world." 

Journey to the Heavy Hole 

With Melk II's letter in hand, Zed, Mirajane, and Tatsu departed for the Heavy Hole. As they neared, gravity intensified—threefold at the entrance, escalating rapidly within. 

"Tenfold gravity… already?" Mirajane gasped, her Demon Soul form flaring to withstand the pressure. 

Zed halted. "Stay here with Tatsu. Adapt slowly. I'll retrieve Melk's Stars and find the First Generation Melk." 

Leaping into the abyss, Zed vanished, leaving Mirajane under Tatsu's protective gaze.