As the cheers hushed, the figure on the throne in the elevated seat stood up. It walked nearer to the railing, raising its chest toward the sky. Lyrian couldn't quite discern the creature's origin, yet its aura and appearance exuded might, threat, and an unyielding danger. It was enough to stir his excitement.

Perched upon its head was a crown crafted from molten magma and dark stone. Its chest protruded and its shoulders bulged, while its waist maintained a slender profile. The lower body and legs compensated for this, resembling those of gazelles. The ankles were almost half the length of the legs, sturdy and robust like a bodybuilder's, but fashioned from magma and stone.

With a lengthy tail tapering to a blunt arrowhead-like tip, the being bore an imposing presence. Two colossal swords, each the length of its 9-foot stature, were sheathed on its back. Its maw parted, and it uttered words that jolted all the examinees, Lyrian included. "Small humans! You've journeyed this far, yet you die here!" The words thundered forth in a gravelly, deep, and raspy tone, sending shudders through many examinees that were present.

*Ding* [Blackstone Tower Dungeon Quest: Defeat the final boss to clear the dungeon]

[Quest reward: ...]

'Perfect timing...' Lyrian thought to himself, walking forward.

Suddenly, he felt someone grab his hand from behind. Looking back past his shoulder, he saw that it was none other than the leader of the Dark Horse group, Uis.

Lyrian looked at the boy's hand, then back up at his face, with a questioning expression of his own. To this, Uis replied, "If you think you are going to do what I think you are, then I must stop you." In a calm and composed tone.

Lyrian fully turned around, "You are going to stop me?" He said in a serious tone, his words sharp like the edge of a knife. historical

"Not just me, but all four of us. We have decided that this decision of yours is going to cost the entire group, so it is against our rules. Like we said before, those who go against us, full get elimin--"

The boy was abruptly cut off by a scoff. Lyrian didn't say anything to the others, simply looking at their faces. Nelmis of the White Knights stared at him with a rough expression, Spade too looked at him, except with but a smile on his face. Finally, Silvus only looked forward nonchalantly, serenity seemingly dwelling in his eyes.

Lyrain scoffed once again, making that twice, as he turned back around and began walking towards the king's seat box where the final boss was. As he began to walk there, the king had already been speaking the entire time.

"This arena is one created by our gods! Those who wished for us to escape this domain! However, we refuse to leave this ravine, no! We will stay as Magma Dwellers until the end of time itself, for it is fun for us."

As the king spoke, the crowd erupted into thunderous roars each time he ended off a long sentence, making the ground shudder as if a cavequake was about to happen.

"What's in it for life, if not fun!? We shall stay here and fight to be the king of the Magma Dwelling species until the end of time immemorial! That is what gives us satisfaction!"

A boom of unified cheers exploded as the king said his last sentence, *Kaaraahh!*

"That is what gives us purpose!"

*Kaaraahh!*

"That is what gives us salvation!"

*Kaarahhh!!*

As the king looked around, rejoicing in his giant entourage of beasts, he finally caught a glimpse of the boy who arrogantly walked towards him without a single person behind him.

"King!" Lyrian shouted, waving both of his hands in the air, as the king squinted his eyes to get a close look at the boy.

"Whatever plans you had in mind, scrap them! I want to end this quick, so how about you fight me one versus one!"

Lyrian's words echoed throughout the arena, quickly followed by a resounding wave of astonishment that swept through the crowd. Even examinees who didn't know Lyrian's plans were taken aback in shock.

The king, not knowing what to say, slightly stumbled on his words before speaking, "What did this puny human bean just say? Hahaha!" He retorted to the crowd, resulting in an enormous ball of laughter across the entire coliseum.

"Fight me, weakling!" A figure suddenly appeared beside Lyrian.

Surprised, Lyrian looked to his side to see... Silvus, stood there as he stared at the beast. 'Silvus? He wanted to fight it as well?' Lyrian thought to himself.

At that moment, Silvus actually turned to look at him, which was unexpected, and said, "You aren't going to get all the glory, peasant." He was serious and cold.

"Yes! Yes! Me as well! I too will fight you!" Another voice exclaimed from the other side of Lyrian, as he turned to look, and saw Spade staring at the beast with a smirk on his face.

The examinees went wild in shock as Uis suddenly shouted, "Are you guys insane!? I thought that poor brat was a fool, but you two as well!?" He screamed at the top of his lungs in frustration.

Suddenly, at the same time, both Spade and Silvus looked back at Uis with chilling gazes of serious intention. At that moment, Uis realized he was speaking completely out of line. He felt shivers go down his back as his body became slightly limp and he stared at the ground, beginning to sweat from his forehead.

ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm 'I--I got too comfortable... I can't forget what kind of status those two hold.' He thought to himself, terrified of what was going to happen next now that he almost called those two fools.

Just then, the king began to speak, "One versus one!? Hahaha! That is called a duel, brat! But a duel is not what you deserve. A duel is something for the worthy, for those who deserve respect! You, especially teamed up with two others, are not worthy of dueling me!"

Both Spade and Silvus were slightly surprised by this, but Lyrian was most disappointed. He stared at the sky before yelling, "You goddamn idiots!"