Rensia collapsed to the ground, as though all strength had left her, relieved that her part was finally over. “You really endured well.” Raon smiled and nodded. “That’s right. Even Chamber said the most important thing was that you endured.” Martha praised her proudly and pulled Rensia into a hug. Runaan smiled more naturally now as she stroked Rensia’s head. It seemed she was starting to use words like “handsome” and “beautiful” as simple compliments. “Then, shall we take a look?” “You should see with your own eyes the results you achieved, shouldn’t you?” Startled, Rensia was lifted by the waist as Raon kicked off the fountain. Stepping through the air like stairs, they rose up to look over Montiro. From the fountain, a path of flame spread out, meeting five silver orbs to form a red pentagram. The crimson blaze was not satisfied with just forming the pentagram—it drew a vast circle that wrapped around all of Montiro. Inside the immense circle, five red stars shone brightly. This was the true form of [Lamp That Awakens the Darkness]. Rensia clasped her hands as she gazed at the pentagram encircling Montiro. “It’s the magic [Lamp That Awakens the Darkness]. Your role was the greatest in making it possible.” Raon lowered his finger, pointing at the flames forming the pentagram. “…Did I really help?” Having lived her whole life bound by the Black Tower’s grasp, Rensia still didn’t realize the magnitude of what she had done. “Yes. Without you, this magic wouldn’t exist.” Raon nodded, telling her she did very well. Rensia let out a faint smile of relief and brought her hands together. “And the true effect of that magic begins now.” As Raon snapped his fingers, the jewel in Rensia’s necklace shattered, and the flames forming the pentagram began turning blue. In that instant, a deafening sound erupted like thousands—no, tens of thousands—of glass panes shattering at once. From beneath Montiro, a blackened pentagram magic circle surged upward. As expected of a barrier that had hidden the Black Tower’s existence and concealed the Demonic Energy and Demons, the magic circle itself exuded a sticky, revolting aura like filth. – “Such a vile stench, just like those fiends.” Wrath scowled in disgust. – “I want to freeze that foul energy right this instant!” He waved his hand furiously, urging Raon to shatter the magic circle. “That’s the barrier that bound your arms and legs.” Raon bit his lip thinly. Rensia’s eyes trembled violently in fear. “There’s no need to be afraid anymore. It will vanish now.” Following Raon’s gesture, [Lamp That Awakens the Darkness] descended and collided with the Black Tower’s magic circle. Two magic circles of different nature and color clashed, unleashing a shockwave as though Montiro’s land and sea were collapsing. The blue flames and black Demonic Energy fiercely resisted each other, but before long the black energy was consumed by the azure fire, and cracks began appearing in the Black Tower’s magic circle. The barrier installed over Montiro was not meant for combat, but to conceal the Black Tower and gather Demonic Energy. In contrast, [Lamp That Awakens the Darkness] was created specifically to erase the Black Tower’s barrier quickly—its victory was inevitable. At last, the black pentagram barrier that ruled Montiro melted away under the azure flames and was completely destroyed. As the Black Tower’s magic circle crumbled, the once-clear sky began to dim. From the earth, Demonic Energy squirmed upward like worms, while the emerald sea turned as black as sewage. Though the barrier was destroyed, it was as if the beautiful land had been transformed into hell. Rensia’s jaw quivered in disbelief. “As I said before, you can’t always be happy. This is the true face of Montiro, which had been filled with laughter and joy.” Raon shook his head as he looked at Montiro buried in darkness. Rensia bit her lip, unable to turn away from the corrupted city. “You’ve changed too. Before, you would have blamed yourself.” Raon smiled faintly at her eyes. “It’s thanks to you, Raon, and everyone else.” Rensia pointed to herself, Martha, and Runaan. “Because of the swordsmen, I learned it wasn’t my fault—it was the Black Tower’s. And that I must always have courage.” She nodded calmly, saying she had learned a lot through this ordeal. – “A wise child indeed!” Wrath let out a puff of admiration. – “She’s far better than you and the others! I’d want to raise her myself!” He waved his hand proudly at Rensia. Despite living in such hell, Rensia still thought of others before herself. As Wrath said, she might have stronger mental strength than even him or the Light Wind swordsmen. – “What a pity. If she were a bit younger, she could’ve become great, whether as a warrior or a magician.” Wrath clicked his tongue regretfully. ‘Magic might not be too late for her.’ Raon chuckled as he shook his head—when the ground beneath the fountain began to split slowly. It wasn’t simple collapse; a black dimension was opening beneath. Wrath narrowed his eyes at the slowly widening rift. – “Though corrupted, that’s true Demonic Energy at its root.” He licked his lips, saying he could sense the aura of the Devildom from within the crack. ‘True Demonic Energy….’ Raon strengthened his grip as he descended back to the ground. ‘The battles ahead won’t be easy either.’ When Raon landed with Rensia, the dimensional rift had only opened to the size of a fingernail. The Demonic Energy inside was so strong that it would take considerable time for the gate to open fully. Trevin came running with the Iron Division swordsmen, waving his hand. His body was battered, but he had won and returned stronger. “It was tough. No, it was very dangerous. A high-ranking floor master suddenly appeared.” Trevin exhaled deeply, saying the fight was almost even, but he had managed to seize momentum and win. “That’s why I trusted you.” Raon smiled, saying he never doubted him. The next to return was Mark Gorton. “Thankfully, I preserved my life.” He bowed cautiously. Unlike the Iron Division, he looked unscathed, but mentally more drained. “Did you have a duel?” “As expected, you can tell.” “I was fortunate. My opponent lacked patience.” “In sword-draw duels, luck alone can’t win.” Raon squeezed his shoulder, saying he won with skill. The third group to arrive were Dorian, Krein, and the Light Wind swordsmen sent with them. They collapsed, gasping as though at death’s door. “Why did you send us toward the statues!” “I thought I was going to die!” Dorian and Krein glared at Raon resentfully. “It was really tough!” “We defeated Warlock Foresen, then a Demon came, then after defeating the Demon, endless monsters came!” The other swordsmen squeezed their eyes shut, exhausted. “But you succeeded, didn’t you?” Raon tilted his chin. Unable to refute, they blinked vacantly. “None of you died, and you returned stronger, right?” Dorian lowered his head slowly. “Then that’s enough.” Afraid to argue further, he averted his gaze. “Hey! You promised we’d argue together!” Krein complained bitterly. “Argue together, huh….” Raon stepped toward him with a chilling smile. “Krein, you’ve grown bold, haven’t you?” “We’ll see back home.” Realizing he had misstepped, Krein bowed immediately, but Raon’s cold smile remained. “You’re all here before me, I see.” The fourth to arrive was Burren, waving his bloodstained hand. “Did you reach Grandmaster?” He hadn’t expected Burren to reach that level after Martha and Runaan. “I was lucky. I managed to awaken at the very end.” Burren smiled modestly. “Rensia gave me inspiration. Breaking through walls is all about image.” He lifted his chin toward Martha and Runaan, hinting at them. Though feigning modesty, he clearly wanted to boast. Raon shook his head, stepping aside. “Martha and Runaan reached Grandmaster too.” He pushed them forward. Burren gasped as he felt their equal pressure. “Oh my! Did you think you were the only one? Cute, little brother.” Martha snickered, patting his head. Runaan wagged her finger up and down. Burren flushed red with embarrassment at his earlier boasting. “Don’t end up like him.” Raon grinned at Rensia. “W-wait! Then we have three Grandmasters now?” “No, four. Division Leader Trevin counts too.” Krein shook his head. “Even for us, having one Transcendent and four Grandmasters is too much.” Trevin tilted his head, astonished. “With this power, even if outnumbered, we won’t lose against the Five Demons.” Mark Gorton agreed, saying no force matched their strength now. “Sir Mark, doesn’t it trouble you?” Burren looked at him. “I moved past envy and resentment long ago. I only wish to congratulate you.” Mark Gorton applauded Burren, Martha, and Runaan. Lastly came Balkan’s Morel Kazan. Untouched and proud, he nodded. Raon bowed with a smile. “The lamp is lit properly. Well done, Palace Lord of Light Wind.” Unlike before, Morel spoke respectfully. “Now we only need that gate to open.” “Yes. It will take some time, please rest.” “You all, take medicine and recover your strength.” He narrowed his eyes at the rift. “Because once it opens, the true war begins.” Like a giant prying open castle gates, the earth split apart, revealing a dimension flowing with crimson-black currents. Unlike previous rifts, this one created by [Lamp That Awakens the Darkness] was vast—Montiro itself wasn’t even half the size of the Black Tower’s dimension. The colossal gate split Montiro in two, releasing crimson-black Demonic Energy like a tidal wave. Its stench alone made Raon’s Aura roil. – “At last, true Demonic Energy.” Wrath inhaled deeply, eyes gleaming. ‘True Demonic Energy?’ – “I thought they were mere imitators of demons. But this—this is real. The foes within will be on another level.” The sea and land of Montiro split, fully opening the dimension to the Black Tower. Demonic Energy surged endlessly, covering the sky in oppressive gloom. Raon stepped toward the rift’s edge. The dimension mirrored Montiro like a reflection. Un white land, that one was pitch-black, with rivers of lava, and from its depths rose an enormous upside-down tower. “So that’s the Black Tower.” Raon bit his lip as he stared at it. The tower itself spewed Demonic Energy like a living being, surrounded by massive monsters screeching with spread wings. As he steadied his breath, the first floor of the tower opened with a deafening roar. A gate fit for giants swung wide, unleashing countless monsters. Beasts, humanoid fiends, demons from legend—red eyes filled the land. Then the second floor opened, releasing Demons with crimson-black weapons. They stood in formation, glaring across. From an upper floor, a black knight astride a dragon soared out. At its roar, monsters and Demons charged. “Just fighting them all will exhaust us.” Martha exhaled sharply. Runaan sighed at the oppressive aura. “C-can we handle this…?” Dorian’s chin trembled. Rensia swallowed dryly, stunned at the endless tide. Raon shook his head calmly. “This fight isn’t ours alone.” At his words, dozens of magic circles bloomed in Montiro’s black sky. Blue light shone as armored knights bearing lion crests stepped out. At the command of Greer de Owen, third prince of Owen, the knights drew their swords and slashed through the monsters. “It has been a while.” “You’ve become a swordsman beyond honor.” From another circle came Duke Tartan, resting his sword on his shoulder with a grin. The monsters shifted left, startled by Owen’s knights—only to be met by another blue circle. At Princess Jayna of Balkan’s order, her mage corps detonated dozens of prepared spells. The oncoming horde turned to ash. Jayna bowed slightly in respect. Raon nodded lightly, acknowledging her. After seeing her growth over the past month, she was now worthy of recognition as a princess. The black knight’s dragon roared and dove. With its blackened spear aimed at Raon, it plummeted. Just as it closed in, a frigid slash cut through. It was Karoon. His blade severed both dragon and rider’s head. The Central Martial Palace elites followed, cutting down monsters and Demons without hesitation. (T/N: I think I made a mistake from s. Instead of True Martial Palace, Karoon’s Palace should be the Central Martial Palace, right?) Karoon spared only brief words before striding straight into the rift. “So that’s the Black Tower.” At the familiar voice, Raon turned. Chamber was smiling at the sight. “Filthier than I imagined.” She clicked her tongue. “Best to clean it up, don’t you think?” At her clap, entire lower floors of the tower, along with waiting monsters and Demons, were torn from existence as if cut from space itself. Dozens of Demons vanished without her even chanting. Chamber laughed, biting her lollipop. “Let’s go. We’re cleansing the whole tower today.” She chewed calmly, unshaken. Rensia trembled at the countless allies now before her. “I told you. It’s not me—it’s us who are strong.” Raon smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Today, that tower disappears from this world.”