‘This Demonic Energy is potent.’ Raon narrowed his eyes as he studied the energy flowing inside the dimension. With Demonic Energy far denser than Mana, it seemed both swordsmen and magicians would struggle to exert their full strength. – “It will be worse than you think.” Wrath frowned as he gazed at the Black Tower. – “As I said before, the Demonic Energy flowing in that dimension is genuine, drawn straight from the Devildom.” He shook his head, saying this war would not end easily. – “As long as you’re human, your strength will be heavily suppressed within that dimension.” Wrath warned him that not only Demons and monsters but the Demonic Energy itself had to be treated cautiously. Raon tilted his head, watching the Black Tower churn with Demonic Energy. Wrath was right—it was foul enough to crease his brow, but not overwhelming. – “That’s because you’ve been sucking up this king’s Authorities!” Wrath smacked his shoulder and yelled. – “You carry my Authority and others’ as well—if you’re pushed back by this filth, you may as well die! For you, this Demonic Energy could even become strength!” He raised his fist, saying if Raon faltered, he was unworthy. Raon chuckled and nodded. – “Still, even tainted, it’s rare to see Demonic Energy of this magnitude….” Wrath scratched his head, muttering it was not something humans could do. ‘Do you know something?’ Raon was about to turn toward him when— “There’s too much Demonic Energy, and it’s vile.” Chamber flicked her lollipop into the air and stood before the dimensional gate. “Shall I reduce it a little?” She traced a triangle with her fingers. The black sky split in half, sucking away the Demonic Energy around the Black Tower. “There’s too much to erase it all. Then….” She clicked her tongue in distaste. “Breaking it will be better.” Placing her palms together like in prayer, she summoned countless flames and frost blades from above, carried down by the wind. Though each looked small, their power rivaled the ultimate spells of high mages. Monsters touched by the flames crumbled to ash, and Demons pierced by frost froze solid before shattering apart. “Let’s call this our declaration of war.” Chamber stretched her hand skyward. A rainbow-glimmering staff appeared. As she gripped it and swung downward, the Black Tower and the surrounding space split vertically. Even the Black Tower, shielded by flames of Demonic Energy, could not withstand her magic. Its lower walls shattered, spilling black blood as the Demons inside were cleaved in half. The tower itself did not collapse, but every Demon within its lower levels was slain. It was a terrifying display of magic—Chamber alone had annihilated the entire lower floors. Yet despite a direct strike, only minor cracks appeared in the middle floors, while the upper floors remained completely unscathed. The higher the level, the sturdier the structure seemed. “Huh? Even after all that, the middle floors still stand?” Chamber let out a hollow laugh. “This isn’t a human-built fortress, clearly.” She frowned, saying it made no sense to resist spatial severance. “Well, I’ve reduced the Demonic Energy. Now we begin in earnest.” She raised her staff, prompting the allied forces of Zieghart, Owen, and Balkan to charge into the dimension toward the Black Tower. Though the thick Demonic Energy weakened their Aura and bodies, their momentum grew even greater. As the coalition trampled over the corpses of Demons killed by Chamber, aiming for the tower’s entrance, the middle floors’ gates opened—and colossal monsters leapt out. Warbeasts—artificial creatures created by Black Tower Demons from the flesh of giants. Their Demonic Energy wasn’t that strong, but their physical power was overwhelming, enough to trouble even elite swordsmen. And not just Warbeasts—uncountable hordes of monsters poured forth from the shadows behind the tower. Most were lower-level beasts, but mixed among them were upper monsters that even Masters would need to be wary of. “Hold the line! Do not let them near the tower!” A huge, red-haired brute raised his shield and shouted. It was Zeppel, the Beastmaster, known as the Tamer of Monsters. Warbeasts the size of buildings, thousands of monsters, and Black Tower Demons interspersed among them—the sight was like gazing into hell itself. Karoon scoffed as he swung his blade. A Warbeast’s massive body split cleanly in two. “I stand at the front.” At his shout, the coalition forces of the Five Kings roared forward like waves, crashing into the Black Tower’s defense line. Though the coalition’s raw power was overwhelming, the Warbeasts and monsters reinforced their bodies with the dimension’s Demonic Energy, fighting evenly. “The upper-floor Demons aren’t moving.” Raon frowned at the still Black Tower above. “They want to fight from their own nest.” Chamber snorted in disdain. “The reason this dimension is so thick with Demonic Energy is because they’ve been stockpiling what flowed from Montiro—Demonic Energy and Deathly Energy alike—for decades. If it’s this heavy outside, inside the tower it will be far worse.” She shook her head, warning the battles within would be brutal. “So the Tower Lord is waiting inside?” Raon fixed his gaze on the unseen summit. The black mist hid details, but just looking sent chills down his spine. “Exactly. A coward by nature.” “Unless it’s for something he wants—an item or spell—he’ll never leave that tower.” “Which is why I can’t unleash my finishing spells. If I start chanting, the Tower Lord could strike mid-cast.” She clicked her tongue. “I’ll go first and cut down more Demonic Energy inside. You catch your breath and then follow.” Chamber strode calmly into the Black Tower’s dimension. Raon bowed at her back, then turned. He crooked his finger at the Light Wind swordsmen. “W-wait! Hurry, put these on and eat!” Dorian threw fresh uniforms and recovery medicine from his pouch to the group. “Let’s hurry in. I’m itching.” Martha slung on her uniform, licking her lips. Runaan swallowed her medicine and nodded. “I’ve never wanted to fight this badly. I won’t waste this feeling.” Burren tightened his grip on his sword. ‘They’ve grown indeed.’ Raon smiled faintly, seeing Burren, Martha, and Runaan turn tension into resolve. ‘Their self-belief outweighs fear now.’ – “Indeed. True strength comes not from raw power, but belief in oneself.” Wrath curled his lip upward in satisfaction. Raon sighed softly, glancing at Mark Gorton. ‘I had hoped Sir Mark would be the first to reach Grandmaster.’ Given his years of effort, Raon had wanted him to awaken first. But he hadn’t. – “Hmph. That one will awaken differently.” Wrath narrowed his eyes at Mark. – “Yes. What was bound will erupt even stronger. It will be a good thing.” ‘If so, that’s a relief.’ Raon raised a thumb to Mark, then approached Rensia. He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled softly. “You’ve done your part. Now trust us and wait here with the others.” He gestured to the tower. “We’ll return after destroying it.” “Yes. I’ll wait here.” Freed at last from despair’s chains, Rensia smiled brightly like a girl her age. “Please… I’m entrusting you.” As Raon bowed, Roenn appeared behind her. “Of course. I’ll protect her well.” Roenn nodded and took her hand— Buildings collapsed, and survivors who had escaped monsters stumbled out. The beasts roared, spewing flames of Demonic Energy toward the fleeing people. Burren slashed, sending blue wind to slice the monsters into pieces. The shaken survivors bowed. “It’s nothing. I’m glad you’re safe.” Burren shook his head. A boy around twelve waved at her. It was Perrin—the guide who had brought them food and drink when they first arrived. Rensia’s eyes widened. He rushed toward her. “I’m glad you’re safe too! Come this wa—huh?” As Rensia moved, Raon blocked her path. He pushed her behind him, hiding her from Perrin’s sight. “P-Perrin is fine. He grew up with me, always helped me….” Rensia shook her head. “With the barrier gone, Demons can’t hide their Demonic Energy anymore.” Raon’s mouth twisted as he saw black energy flicker in Perrin’s eyes. “He’s a Demon. A strong one at that.” Though hidden in a child’s body, he could not escape Raon’s gaze. “N-no! You know me, Rensia! Tell them!” Perrin knelt, pleading. Roenn sighed sadly at the boy he once trusted. But his hand moved mercilessly. Perrin shrank, weeping, offering no resistance. “W-wait! Perrin would never… please, just a moment—” Rensia grabbed Raon’s sleeve— A burst of Demonic Energy exploded from her chest. Blackened blood gushed out. Rensia toppled, vomiting dark blood. Raon caught her, inspecting the wound. The black heart embedded in her chest had ruptured, gravely harming her real heart. He ground his teeth and forced divine power of darkness into her. He hadn’t let down his guard, yet it happened. Meanwhile, Roenn drove his blade into Perrin’s chest. “That girl. All the black hearts in Montiro are mine. If I die, it’s better she dies too.” Perrin cackled grotesquely, saying he detonated it remotely. – “Damn wretches, even at the end!” Wrath seethed, exhaling blue frost. Raon poured divine power into her, but her body was already too damaged. “S-sprinkle holy water!” Dorian doused her wound, but her face only paled. At last Raon used every drop of divine power he had. The bleeding stopped, but her condition remained dire. Rensia weakly raised her trembling hand. “I-I’m sorry. He was one of the few I trusted….” “It’s fine! Don’t speak. Just breathe.” Raon kept pouring holy water and medicine. “Forget me… just protect my siblings….” She barely finished, then collapsed unconscious. Alive, but on the edge of death. Roenn bowed deeply, regretting his failure to act sooner. Raon gripped her hand one last time, then entrusted her to Roenn. “There are healers inside. I’ll save her.” He carried her away gently. Even near death, she thought first of her siblings. Raon’s heart ached. Drawing a long breath, he approached Perrin. “Did you think you’d be safe? Even if I die, the Demons will hound you to the end.” Raon thrust [Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation], [Glacier], and [Garunua] into his mana circuits. “Nothing will—gahhhhhh!” Perrin shrieked as heat, frost, and wind tore through his circuits, bringing unbearable agony. Within a minute, he begged for death. Raon ignored his pleas. “Watch from here as the Black Tower falls.” Burning fury in his eyes, he strode to the dimensional gate. “Not until that tower is rubble will we stop.” He raised his hand, commanding the Light Wind. Burren bit his lip and nodded. “Don’t worry. We’ll smash every pillar.” Martha drew her sword, grinding her teeth. Runaan lowered her head, whispering her name. Dorian stomped in frustration, while Krein clawed at his hair and screamed. “Light Wind, advance.” Raon drew Heavenly Drive and stepped into the Black Tower’s dimension. The swordsmen followed into the world of darkness. The oppressive Demonic Energy weighed on them. But their fury consumed it, turning into strength. His [Wrath]—the Authority of a Monarch of the Devildom—devoured Demonic Energy as fuel. A black-skinned Demon charged atop a Warbeast. The beast’s colossal fist came crashing down. Raon swung Heavenly Drive, imbued with wrath. The Warbeast and its rider were split in half. Unstoppable, Raon carved through all monsters and Demons blocking his path to the tower. Each swing burst monsters apart, severed Demon necks, leaving only black blood and scattered Demonic Energy. His overwhelming might and chilling fury even froze Owen’s knights and Balkan’s mages in place. A red-haired middle-aged man with a black shield blocked his path. “Beastmaster Zeppel.” The floor master commanding this defense. He was clearly here to stall. He threw down his shield. It devoured the ground’s Demonic Energy, rising as a towering wall that blocked the coalition entirely. It looked nearly impenetrable. Raon swung [Revolving Sky]. The whirling flames cleaved through the Demonic Energy wall and cut straight into Zeppel’s body. “T-this shield… the Tower Lord’s arti—” Zeppel’s eyes bulged as the shield shattered in one blow. He fell, lifeless. Raon stepped on the corpse and stood before the Black Tower. He unleashed the Azure Sky Drive of the Azure Sky Sword. The blazing sky imbued with wrath split the Demonic Energy, slamming into the tower’s center. The cracked middle walls shattered, and the Demons inside were burned alive as they fell. “Even if I die here….” Raon’s eyes glowed coldly as he watched them perish. “Not one of you will escape.”