Chapter 303

Duran Mountains — Southern Entrance

A cold wind swept down from the jagged peaks, carrying the faint scent of pine and distant smoke.

Leon sat perched on a weathered tree stump at the mouth of the valley, legs crossed casually, masked face tilted slightly upward as though he were merely enjoying the afternoon breeze. The crimson glow behind the slits of his mask remained steady, unreadable.

Beside him stood Rees, arms folded. Enid clung to Leon’s hand with both of hers, knuckles white, worry etched deep into her delicate features.

High above, Fruela balanced effortlessly on the highest branch of an ancient black pine, eyes narrowed, tracking every flicker of movement in the canopy—birds scattering, animals freezing mid-step as they looked around, even the smallest rodents bolting for cover.

Further along the ridge, Dredis crouched in the shadow of another tree, black assassin garb blending perfectly with the bark. He watched the strange group below with growing confusion.

’What in the nine hells are they doing? Sitting here like they’re waiting for something ? I don’t understand why he brought me with him...? What is he even planning to do ?’

Enid’s voice trembled as she squeezed Leon’s hand tighter.

"Master... I-I still don’t think this is a good idea. How are we supposed to fight so many demons—"

"What did you find, Dusk?" Leon interrupted smoothly, voice calm, almost bored.

*Swish—*

The air rippled like disturbed water.

Dusk materialized directly in front of Leon, kneeling on his knees immediately.

"Master. I located two demons. One is massive—twelve feet at least, four arms, pure muscle, blue hide drenched in blood.

The other is smaller, almost human in shape except for the horns and tail. He moves using some kind of short-range teleportation—blinking in and out faster than the eye can track. They were arguing over patrol duty while casually killing two human adventurers. And..." Dusk’s slit pupils narrowed. "The blue one knows you’re here, Master. A crow told him"

"I see... so he knows." Leon gave the slightest nod.

’Master didn’t even look at me... yet knew the exact moment I arrived. My aura was completely suppressed, invisible even to those demons. But master sensed me anyway.’

"Very well," Leon murmured.

He rose smoothly from the stump and stepped toward Dusk, placing one hand on his head.

"Did you place the bead I gave you ?" Leon asked with a neutral expression.

"Yes, Master. Right in the center of where I saw them."

Leon’s hand lingered for a heartbeat longer before dropping away. He turned.

"Rees. Is the spell ready?"

Rees inclined his head.

"Yes, Sir. A full-domain barrier has been constructed across the southern entrance of that valley. Nothing enters. Nothing leaves. Not without your permission."

Dredis’s eyes widened behind his mask.

’Bead? Barrier? What the hell are they talking about? What kind of trap are they setting ? Are they planning to fight the demons here like this ?’

Leon’s masked face tilted skyward.

"Very good..." A slow, dangerous smile curled beneath the mask. "Then let’s get this party started and greet our guests with some lite fireworks."

He raised both arms high.

The moment his palms clapped together—

"KABOOM."

A blinding spear of white-gold light erupted from the heart of the valley.

It stabbed straight upward, tearing through the canopy, punching a hole in the clouds themselves.

Fruela’s pupils shrank to slits. Dredis nearly fell out of his sockets as soon as he saw this.

"Wow..." Rees spoke with a neutral expression and a smile spreaded across Dusk’s face.

Then—

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!*

The explosion was apocalyptic.

A blooming sphere of raw destruction swallowed half the mountainside in a single heartbeat. Trees vaporized into ash. Boulders melted into glowing slag. The shockwave rolled outward like a tidal wave made of sound and force, flattening everything in its path before rebounding off the invisible barrier Rees had woven across the valley mouth. Barely any small monster survived inside the mountains.

Every single hair on Dredis’ body stood straight as he couldn’t understand what just happened and only one thing was coming to his mind again and again...

’Who the hell is this guy ?’

The entire human kingdom felt it.

Windows rattled in distant cities.

Candle flames guttered and died.

Livestock panicked.

Mage Tower — Top Floor...

*Crack*

Old man Gris, Elder Archmage of the tower who was giving lecture on magic to thirty students, snapped his head toward the window mid-lecture.

The sky outside had turned momentarily brighter than noon.

"Hmm...?" His wrinkled brow furrowed deeply. "What was that?"

*Knock-knock.*

The door opened a crack.

"The class is dismissed," Gris said without turning around, voice suddenly cold steel.

The students exchanged bewildered glances.

"Huh?"

"What happened?"

"This class never ends early..."

"I think Lord Gris is unwell."

"I said the class is over. Get. Out." Gris shouted this time.

The room emptied in seconds.

Ruben the nephew of king Adwin stepped inside the moment the last student fled, his expression grim.

"Ruben," Gris began without preamble, "did you—"

"Yes, Elder. The shockwave originated from an explosion in the southern Duran Mountains. I’ve already prepared carriages. The king has been informed—he’s mobilizing an army as we speak. We leave immediately."

Gris turned slowly.

"Where is Dreulis?"

"Elder Dreulis will be riding with us. Already waiting in the carriage."

Gris began walking toward the door.

"Someone has discovered the village." His voice was low, dangerous. "Did you breathe a word of it to the king?"

Ruben’s face paled.

"No, Elder. I swear on my life."

Gris studied him for a long moment.

"Hmm. Our plan dies if the demons realize we knew about the village. Who do you suspect caused this ?"

Ruben’s jaw tightened.

"There was... a man at the meeting. White mask. Called himself the king of a place named Gotham.

Introduced himself as Michael Jackson. No detectable aura. But when he looked at me..." Ruben’s voice dropped. "I felt... small. Like an insect under glass. I’ve met kings. Cruel ones. Brave ones. Greedy ones.

But this one was... different. He didn’t care about anything in that room. Not the throne, not the negotiations, not us. I believe there’s a very real chance he’s responsible for this."

Gris nodded once.

"Good. Then we go see for ourselves how he uncovered the demon village... and what he intends to do with it."

They descended the spiraling stairs of the Mage Tower in silence.

Outside, a black-robed figure waited inside the lead carriage.

"Dreulis, my good friend," Gris greeted as he climbed in. "How are you?"

The figure slowly raised his head and drew back the hood.

A polished skeletal skull stared back at them.

Twin blue flames danced in the empty sockets. Arcane runes glowed faintly across the bone.

"I have sensed the explosion," Dreulis rasped, voice like wind through dry leaves. "This magic is... odd. No known spell scatters mana in such a pattern. It defies every theorem we have."

Gris settled into the seat opposite the lich.

"Then perhaps it is time we met the man who caused this."

The carriage door slammed shut and wheels began to turn.