A few minutes before Aeera was captured, Aeera's team fought fiercely against the monster leaders and their troops. Rasya and Rania, who had fought against the monster king, admitted that their strength was nothing compared to that of the monster king, Horus. Furthermore, Horus possessed seven powerful forces, namely the seven beast leaders who served as Horus's right-hand men.

The strength of these monster war commanders was no ordinary opponent; they were the elite of the game. Furthermore, the team with Aeera had a difficult time fighting each beast leader. Furthermore, their troops also assisted and overwhelmed them.

This was a life-and-death battle.

Sera fought Obisia. Obisia's body grew, its tails resembling creeping roots, and they continued to stab Sera from all sides. Sera used her magical powers to block every attack from Obisia's sharp tails. Sera summoned her summon, which was the same size as Obisia and had several legs. Sera climbed atop her summon.

Boom! The energy attacks collided. Sera drew her sword, searching for an opening to cut Obisia's tails.

Whoosh!

Klang!

Powerful energy surrounded Obisia, so Sera's weapon still couldn't penetrate Obisia's defense. The tail attacks continued to attack Sera, and Sera twisted her body, searching for an opening.

Sera found one!

Sera saw that the thick skin covering Obisia's giant body wasn't entirely covered in large scales. Some parts weren't protected; perhaps her weapon could penetrate them. They were located beneath her body. Sera watched as Obisia's tails continued to attack her.

Obisia's attack came again.

"You're doomed, human!" Obisia shouted, attacking Sera from all sides with all her massive tails.

Whoosh!

Sera's chance.

She generated powerful energy, and from the tip of her sword, a beam of energy shot through the sky. At that moment, a giant bird-shaped summoning creature flanked Obisia's body from behind and shackled her.

"What the hell is this!" Obisia screamed in surprise, restrained by a summoned creature that suddenly appeared from behind her.

Obisia's tail became erratic, and an opening opened beneath her body. Sera seized the opportunity with full force and speed. Sera lunged with her sword like a bullet, piercing the opening in Obisia's stomach.

BRUSH!

AAAHHHHH!

Obisia screamed, and the immense energy emitted from the sword pierced Obisia's body, destroying it.

Did Sera succeed?

Sera was exhausted and passed Obisia's body, which exploded with a bang. As Sera looked at Obisia's remaining body, a bolt of energy struck her rapidly, sending her crashing to the ground.

BOOOMM!

It was an attack from Cyton, who had defeated Regas. Cyton was indeed the strongest, and now, seeing Obisia defeated, he lunged at the exhausted Sera. Cyton immediately noticed Aeera's body, whose barrier had cracked, as Sera couldn't maintain the energy protecting her.

Cyton shot out and grabbed Aeera's body, a thin energy still blocking Cyton's hand. However, Cyton was able to break the barrier and reach Aeera's body, grabbing it. Aeera was in pain, and her divine mana energy could not be maintained. At that moment, Cyton witnessed the moment when all the demons were defeated, and Kenan nearly killed the leader of the Demon army, Shodam.

Cyton smiled; it didn't matter that one of his troops had been defeated and died. He could still gain Horus's recognition if he obtained the two most powerful items.

***

"Stop, or I'll crush this poor girl! Ha... ha... ha...!"

Aeera felt herself being gripped tightly by Cyton's giant hand. Now, the exhausted team could only watch as Aeera was captured without their knowledge. This was because everyone was busy fighting their own battles.

The remaining team tried to rescue Aeera, but they were blocked by a massive army of monsters. No one could help Aeera, blocked by the remaining army of monsters and their leader.

Kenan halted his attack on Shodam, just one step away from finishing his fight with Shodam. However, his body felt weak now. Kenan saw Aeera in pain, her mana having been drained by Cyton, pressing the energy of his grip on Aeera.

"Stop! Don't hurt Aeera!" Kenan shouted.

"Ha.. ha.. ha.. so your weakness is this woman. She summoned you, so you must be connected. I'm smart. Ha.. ha.. ha..! Unlike those stupid devils. They were destroyed, leaving nothing but their stupid leader!"

Cyton's words infuriated Shodam. The two had fought before, ending in a draw. Shodam didn't expect Cyton to deter his enemy by holding the witch who summoned him hostage.

"Let go of Aeera! I'll spare you!" Kenan shouted, feeling his energy draining. This was because Kenan and Aeera shared mana energy.

"You still dare threaten me, human! If you threaten me one more time, I'll crush this witch's tiny body!"

AAAAAAHHHH! Aeera screamed.

Cyton snarled and slightly tightened his grip on Aeera's body.

"Yes! Yes! I won't threaten you again. Let go of Aeera. You can kill me, but don't ever hurt her!" Kenan shouted.

"Ha.. ha.. ha.. interesting! Beg, human! Beg me, kneel, and ask me to release this witch!"

Shut up! Kenan knew he was being toyed with. That's right! Kenan had had enough of being toyed with and bullied by his schoolmates. He remembered what had happened, causing him to have a mental breakdown. Being asked to kneel, being stepped on, being beaten, and being insulted. All of it came flooding back to him.

However, he had done it then out of necessity and fear. Today, he would do it to save a woman he needed to help. Aeera's dream was to become the most powerful witch in the world. Kenan didn't want to destroy her dream, even for a moment. Kenan had been able to heal her wounds by becoming someone she trusted deeply.

In the air, Kenan, floating, lowered himself to his knees.

"No! No! Don't do that, Lord Kalandra!" Aeera screamed and cried. The one who would help her save this world and give hope for humanity to be free from the enslavement of demons and monsters. Now, she was begging for her own safety.

"Let me die, Lord Kalandra! But you must save this world!" Aeera screamed, tears streaming down her face.

Kenan smiled, "No, Aeera! This world is no more important than you. I'm not fighting to save your world. Instead, I came here to see your smile. You are my purpose in coming to this world, Aeera!"

"Ha... ha... ha...! How touching. Humans are always foolish, deceived by their emotions. Beg, human, or I will destroy this witch's body!"

Kenan lowered his head.

"No, Lord Kalandra!"

Cyton gripped Aeera, but Aeera held back the pain so Kenan wouldn't hear. However, Kenan felt it. They had shared mana energy and feelings. Kenan couldn't hold back his tears and couldn't fight his helplessness.

Kenan bowed his head and pleaded weakly.

"Please save Aeera. I promise I won't return to this world. I only ask that Aeera live well!"

"Smart human! Smart human. I like your style, ha.. ha.. ha..!"

Aeera cried as she saw Lord Kalandra being humiliated. "Lord Kalandra, please don't do that. You must destroy the demons and monsters!"

Kenan couldn't answer, tears welling up in his eyes.

"You all see, the summoned beast has surrendered. If you want this child to survive, hand over the two items you carry. Then, I will spare them all!" Cyton's voice echoed.

Aeera's team stopped and surrendered. They couldn't possibly win. Aeera was still shedding tears, their struggle fruitless. All her confidence was shattered.

Princess Kalya took out her Golden Compass, also choosing not to let Aeera die. The wounded Regas also took out the Key of Heaven.

Ramau the beast took the two items and handed them to Cyton. Cyton was delighted and would become King Horus's favorite.

Ha... ha... ha...! He laughed and looked at the remaining demon leader, Shodam. He had an idea.

"I have an interesting game. Shodam, defeat the summoned beast with your strength. I will give you one item. As for you humans, try to survive three of Shodam's attacks. If you survive, then I will release this girl!"

No!

The monster broke its promise.

The game began.