Elise and Teebone headed for the imperial formation. As befitting an empire boasting immense wealth, not only the knights, including the Titans, but also thousands of infantry troops were positioned in the valley below.

Sigh it really is far. And that damn sly one. How could they send us all the way here just because of one slip of the tongue? Do you think this is reasonable by any common sense?

Elise gasped for breathher words dripping with irritation. Due to nearly five hours of travel, she was at the height of exhaustion.

Clang. I share the same sentiment as you, Lady Master.

Lady Master? Me?

Yes. Are you not the mistress of the master?

Mistress

Elise tasted the word slowly.

Hmm, hmm! Ive been called by many titles, but this one feels quite pleasant. Indeed, someone of my dignified presence requires a fitting title.

Hm, if its about dignity, the one known as the saintess might be a bit higher up still. Ive been researching those around the master, and truly, the word elegant suits her

Hey

Yes?

Should I just cook you into bone soup? Your bones would probably make a very rich broth.

Elise slowly raised her magical power.

Kukukuku!

Red drops of blood the size of fists began rotating slowly around Teebone.

Yup, compared to Lady Master, saintess or whatever, its not even worth mentioning. Clang, clang.

Right. Its good you realized that now.

With her pride inflated, Elise dispersed the gathered magic power. Then, with a somewhat improved mood, she hummed a little tune and walked towards the command tent where the main forces of the empire were gathered. Of course, she didnt forget to wear the mask symbolizing the Unknown, as in this affair, Elise was merely an understudy for the Unknown.

***

There had been a minor incident with the guards at the entrance, but Elise managed to resolve the matter peacefully. She arrived at the personal tent of the noble appointed as the supreme commander of the expedition.

So. The barrier surrounding the giants fortress will weaken tomorrow night, and we should strike then. Is that what you mean?

Hobier, a retainer sent by Duke Beinschtern. A man of impressive bulk, with a double chin and a golden mustache.

Its even more remarkable to see him chomping down whole chickens laid out on the table.

Yes. If we want to get ahead of the martial artists, itd be wise to act swiftly. It seems like theyve noticed something is up with the barrier, too.

The barrier

Hobier stroked his mustache. While the story smelled fishy, it wasnt something he could completely ignore, especially since the masked figure had displayed such magnificent bravery against the giants on the ramparts.

While Duke Beinschtern mentioned that a person named Gang Jinhyuk is difficult to deal with and advised maintaining a distance. This one hasnt been fully assessed yet.

What kind of temperament they hold.

Or the possibility of being swayed.

Nobody had yet tested the waters.

If I could possibly recruit them

If so, the achievement of recruiting a grand mage could be as significant as seizing the giants fortress.

After all, werent mages renowned for their incomparable long-range firepower, essential alongside knights and Titans as one of the empires three pillars?

The contingency plans weve prepared will allow us to handle any surprises, even if they do try anything funny.

The decision didnt take long.

Thank you for the information about the fortress. By the way, I heard youre with a man named Gang Jinhyuk. Is that true?

Yes. Weve been helping each other out. Although hes become a bit temperamental lately.

Hmm. Thats curious.

Whats curious?

As Elise tilted her head, Hobier proceeded as if hed been waiting for this moment.

I dont know why youre with him, but theres a limit to what a single player can offer. Moreover, why would a grand mage of your stature be bound to a mere individual?

Hobier subtly emphasized the empires capacity to provide much.

By elevating her and hinting at a brighter future simultaneously, surely she would be persuaded.

As if she would dare refuse our offer.

And at that moment.

Youre saying you could help me achieve my wish if I join you?

The awaited answer flowed from the other side.

This was a commitment.

Of course. Whatever you wish for, we will make it happen.

Hobier proudly patted his chest. However,

Its impossible.

Elise quietly shook her head.

What do you mean impossible?

You could never grant my wish. Ah dont be too hurt by this. Its not just you; others wouldnt be able to either.

Unbelievable Are you unaware of our capabilities? We represent the highest power of the central levels of the tower. We are the Empire.

You dont even know what I desire, do you? Ill say it once more, its impossible for you.

Then youre suggesting that Gang Jinhyuk can? That a single man can accomplish what even we cannot?

The power of the empire backed by countless troops and bountiful lands stood unquestionably immense.

How could one equate it with a single man?

But Elise replied with a certainty that had never been so firm.

Even with all of you combined, you cannot match the tip of his toes.

The strongest and most dreadful rankerforever confident and silently ascending ever higher.

If there is someone in this tower who can fulfill my wish

A faint smile graced Elises lips.

Its him and him alone.

***

Time passed quickly.

As the hour foretold by Jinhyuk approached, both the empire and the martial artists were on high alert, careful to verify whether the fortresss barrier was indeed weakening, just as Elise and Wal-young had said.

This time I will definitely take down that cursed Giant King and seize the foothold.

Before the Cheonma Sect comes out in full force, we must erase the empire from the map. Only then will we stand a chance against Cheon.

While each harboring their own plans, they awaited midnight.

And when the full moon was high in the sky,

Wooong!

A transparent barrier surrounding the fortress began to tremble faintly.

Undoubtedly, some anomaly was occurring within the barrier.

Dispatch the Titans! Determine the nature of the broken curse, then immediately send the main forces!

Hobier shouted until his throat was raw.

Each clan leader, form a separate unit with your peak fighters. If we can break through the barrier, we can take down the fortress in half a day.

Baek Seol-lin and Namgung Cheon quickly assessed the situation and made their decisions.

The tranquil forest was now shrouded in a tense atmosphere of war.

***

At the same time,

Jinhyuk was heading towards the giants fortress on his own.

After entering the interior of the barrier, he felt a strange sensation binding him.

[You are affected by a status abnormality!]

[The senses of front, back, left, and right are distorted.]

[Due to the 7-star barrier Magic Rift, part of the curse did not activate.]

[If you proceed deeper, additional curses may overlap.]

It had been exhausting to draw a barrier to weaken Phantasmal Paradise for the entire day.

Aside from the issue of time and materials, it was tough to find a gap in the 12-star barrier.

It looks like the curse Ive neutralized causes skills to activate randomly.

Even though he couldnt prevent the curse causing the distortion of sensesa particularly tricky onehe wasnt disappointed

No matter.

That alone would suffice as bait for the empire and martial artists.

Jinhyuk lightly tapped on the calf of a giant.

You know the deal, right? If by any chance you give the wrong passphrase and summon the guards

Dont worry.

Im not worried. If you try to pull something, Ill make it so you can never use your juniors second generation again.

The giants gait as it walked away was certainly unnaturalsurely because it had suffered a significant blow to an area where it shouldnt have.

Tecrosh.

A deep, sonorous voice echoed through the air.

Only through the mouth of a giant would the secret route disclose itself.

It was for this reason he had captured a giant while scouting yesterday.

Kukukuku!

A slender passageway, barely large enough for a giant to fit, appeared in a part of the towering fortress that stretched up hundreds of meters.

Indeed, thats why having inside information was best.

Now that Ive done my part, Ill be on my way.

The giant began inching away backward.

Hmm. Sorry, but thats going to be a problem. I dont like leaving loose ends.

Whatafter all this, youre going to kill me?

Youre a giant, and Im human. Its clear that were enemies to each other. Plus, you plan to alert the guards as soon as Im inside, dont you?

Theres only room for affection with those worthy of it, not with someone like you, who could stab me in the back at any moment.

Hiiek!

In terror, the giant turned to flee, thinking to shout and warn its companions.

But instantly,

Chzzzzk!

Frozen mute by an ice-bound throat, the giant could utter no more words.

That makes for a fairly scenic statue.

Jinhyuk muttered as he inspected the 7-meter-tall ice sculpture.

While his sense of direction was distorted, the ice sculpture crafted with Glacial Shaping had no discernible flawsas if such minor restrictions meant nothing to him.

And then, the ground shook.

Koooom!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The hefty vibrations came through clearly.

Enemies!

Those human dogs have come in swarms!

Inform the king. Enemies approach!

Rough shouts echoed half a beat too late.

Finally, the two forces had taken the bait.

The empire, the martial artists, and the giants alike.

The pieces of the chessboard had started moving for real.

I should hurry too.

Jinhyuk moved awkwardly, still needing some time to adjust to the jarring sensation.

Step by step.

How long had he been walking down that passage, enveloped by darkness, before light began to seep in? And soon, he was bathed in a radiance so intense it was blinding.

A garden full of golden roses and in its center, a towering white tree.

Like the last paradise depicted in an apocalypse, the sight was breathtaking.

Yet, in the midst of such suffocating beauty, Jinhyuks expression was rigid.

An intense chill ran through him.

Every sense was on fire, and he could feel the flow of every single cell.

Others might not know, but Jinhyuk understood the danger of standing before this tree.

[The coin exchange is open.]

Therefore, all that remained was to prepare at least a minimum of defenses.

Swiftly scanning the items on the exchange, Jinhyuk searched

for the hidden piece that would help him overcome this challenge.