Extra's Curse: Servants Of Will

Now he was completely sure — the Realm of the Dead Eye of the Fallens was filled with chaos. There was no doubt about it.

Beyond the final walls stood towering mountains. White mountains, covered in snow, as if a white blanket had been spread over them. The sight made him question reality itself.

How could there be snow here, in the Realm of the Dead Eye of the Fallens?

As curiosity deepened in his heart, he could not help but ask Amane, the Lady of Flowers.

"Amane, do you know about those mountains?"

She slightly turned her head, looking toward the white mountains beyond the second wall, and replied calmly, "I don't know much. From what I know, those mountains are called the Magical Mountains. Another name they bear is the Mountains of Prophecy. They exist in any world ruled by the Great Unknown Beings."

Ibaan repeated the name in his mind, feeling a strange familiarity with it, though he ignored the thought for now.

He guessed that by Great Unknown Beings, she meant the rulers of the unknown — beings like herself.

Amane continued speaking as she flew forward. The walls stretched endlessly as they flew straight through the open space between them, Amane leading the way.

"And it is said that within them are mirrors known as the 'Glass of Prophecy,' which allow one to see their future."

Ibaan's eyes widened.

'Glass of Prophecy?'

"Anyway, we've reached our destination."

A huge cave came into view. Water flowed down from its opening, while thick darkness wrapped around it completely, as if something disturbing lay within.

Two more towers appeared in his sight, making his thoughts stir.

'Wait… there are more towers beyond the walls?'

Or perhaps even more. It made sense — there were more Ladies and Lords of the monster rank.

And if the white mountains existed, then perhaps demons ranked creatures once lived here too… though they might already be dead.

Just as they descended, Amane shifted back into her human form. Ibaan landed on his feet, the Utopian's Duke shimmering in his hands.

"Follow me inside, Master Ibaan," Amane said without looking back as she walked into the cave.

Ibaan followed her, curiosity growing with every step.

As they entered, an earthy smell filled his nose. The sound of chains clinking echoed through the thick darkness.

Suddenly, a purple light flared as the Lady of Flowers raised her hand.

Ibaan's eyes widened.

Before him stood a familiar figure — the filthy Beast-monster Uman. Its body was broader and larger, covered in its own bloody liquid and riddled with wounds. Its eyes were dull.

It spoke, "You bitch—"

Amane moved her hand.

A long sword, burning deep red, pierced through a wound that exposed the creature's core — a core that looked as if it had been forcibly dragged into place, making the pain far worse.

The Lord of Monsters roared in agony.

Amane turned to Ibaan, her gaze cold. "Finish him, Master."

Before Ibaan could act, the creature spoke through pain.

"You know what you're doing? He will deliver justice. Make no mistake, Amane."

"I know," she replied calmly. "It is His will."

Ibaan wasted no time.

He twisted the Utopian's Duke and hurled it straight into the exposed core of the Lord of Monsters.

The creature roared as sparks burst from its core. At the same moment, panels flickered into view.

[You have destroyed a Lord of Monsters' core: Lord of Filth, Gadu]

[You have slaughtered a Lord of Monsters: Lord of Filth, Gadu]

[You have received a Lord of Monsters' core: Lord of Filth, Gadu]

…

[You have received Gadu's Soul Skull]

…

[Congratulations, you have ascended to Adept Branch]

Ibaan's heart thumped.

Once again, he did not return to the real world after killing a Lord.

At first, he had believed that slaying a Lord would send him back — but that was not the case.

Now he was certain.

His body had fully entered the Realm of the Dead Eye of the Fallens.

Hopelessness filled him as the weight of his choices and their consequences crushed down on him.

After a long silence, he asked quietly, "Amane… could we fly to those white mountains?"

Amane looked back at him with a warm smile. "Maybe, Master. Maybe not. We still need to slaughter a special Lord — the only demon still living. But there's no harm in trying."

Ibaan's eyes widened.

'There's a demon?'

But where? In the mountains?

He had believed the highest rank was Monster — not Demon.

How ironic.

He asked quickly, "Are there beings beyond demons… like devils? And is the demon in the white mountains?"

Amane sighed softly. "No. The demon is the last living being besides us. All other demons and devils are in deep slumber, including the Lord — the Dead Eye of the Fallens."

She pointed toward the sky.

"Do you see the eyes? The smaller ones are devils. The larger ones are demons. And the single great eye above them all… that is His."

She paused, then walked behind him and continued, "As for the demon's location — he resides in the first tower."

"First tower?"

"Yes. Inside the first wall."

Ibaan's eyes widened. He was certain he had already entered the tower within the walls.

Was there another one?

Before he could ask, Amane spoke again. "There are two towers inside the walls. One belongs to the Lord of Beasts. The other belongs to the Lord of Beasts, Monsters, Devils, and Demons."

She shook her head slightly. "He is far too dangerous. We cannot face him yet. We must train."

Ibaan fell silent.

'So there really is another tower…'

He sighed quietly. It was obvious — facing such a being would not be easy. He needed training, and he needed to understand the powers of his newly awakened branches.

Without wasting time, they took to the sky once more.

As Ibaan rose to the height of the towering walls, the magical mountains filled his vision.

His soul and mind ached as they drew closer.

For a moment, his thoughts went blank, his consciousness fading.

Then—

Reality glitched once again.