Fire Mage-Chapter 663: Bone Tree

Chapter 663: Bone Tree

While the others prepared for infiltration, Charles slipped through the Fortress, searching.

He’s not here. He must be in one of the other Demon Strongholds.

Thanks to his mission assignment, Charles gained access to the Demoness Archive. Surprisingly, many of the demons he had just seen at the tower were also there.

He spent over five hours inside, gathering intel.

One Stronghold is ruled by ’Pale Night,’ a Demon Commander. The other is ruled by ’Kaz,’ a Warlord. Both are peak Legend-rank beings who’ve ruled for thousands of years. And despite being granted permission by Devil Crow Nyxen to leave this dimension, they stayed.

No demon would remain unless something held them here—or someone.

He turned to a shelf filled with maps and tomes, memorizing every location, faction, and name tied to each stronghold.

When he left the Archive, dusk had fallen.

Time to disappear before someone notices.

His destination: the War Castle, 200 kilometers away—the closest stronghold.

After putting distance between himself and Blackiron Stronghold, Charles didn’t bother hiding anymore. He unfurled the [Fallen Angel’s Wings], then shot into the sky.

He encountered a few Chaotic Beasts and Nightmare Beings but avoided conflict, flying faster.

As he soared, the air grew thick with chaotic energy, pressing against his lungs. Vegetation appeared more frequently, clustering into forests.

An hour later, he halted mid-air.

A boundless forest stretched before him.

Ancient Thicket. A borderland between Blackiron Stronghold and War Castle—home to Legend-rank Magical Beasts, Monster Tribes, ghosts, and nightmare entities. For millennia, both Strongholds have used it as a hunting ground and energy source.

And there are four more like it in this dimension...

No wonder those Commanders refuse to leave. This place is a treasure trove.

Charles didn’t dare venture deep. He cast [Shadow Stealth] and flew low above the forest’s outer edge.

Hours passed.

Eventually, a castle emerged through the swirling purple fog—massive, fortress-like.

He descended slowly through the crimson-dark sky, landing on a clay-paved path.

...

Ancient Trinket

At the innermost core of the ancient forest, a mountain range stretched upward, touching the dark, cloud-laden sky.

A closer look revealed that the mountains formed a perfect circle, encircling a central plain that spanned nearly 50 kilometers in radius.

Atop one of the peaks, a shadowy humanoid demon suddenly appeared, his eerie dark wings unfurling against the stormy backdrop. He released a wave of wisdom power, announcing his presence to the entire region.

He stood about 190 centimeters tall, with goat-like horns curling from his skull. His face bore human features, framed by reddish-brown hair. His skin was ebony, and he wore a long, flowing black cloak.

"The clouds are blocking my vision," he muttered in the ancient Abyssal tongue and waved his hand.

In an instant, the dense white clouds blanketing the mountain dissolved, revealing a vast, foreboding landscape.

The silence didn’t last. Roars erupted from other mountain peaks—furious, guttural, ancient.

But a sudden gust of wind blew from the north, and the roars died, swallowed by a heavy stillness.

The demon narrowed his eyes, focusing on something in the distance.

Moments later, a monstrous winged lizard tore through the clouds—its black and red scales gleaming ominously. It flew toward him, its wings stirring the air like thunder.

It was massive—over 120 meters long and 50 meters tall. The demon looked like an insect in comparison.

A Chaos Dragon.

"I’ve been waiting for ten years, Azgan," the Chaos Dragon boomed in the ancient dragon tongue, hovering just above the peak. "What took you so long? Don’t tell me you forgot the Imperial Whiskey."

Azgan’s lips curled into a thin smile. "It’s not easy to avoid the Pale Night Witch’s gaze, Mirigon. One wrong move and centuries of planning would be reduced to ash."

"I see." The dragon’s wings beat slowly as it landed beside him. "Lead the way. I’ve got something urgent to report to the Lord of Chaos."

Azgan raised a brow. "Oh? I thought you came to alleviate your boredom. Did something happen?"

"You’ll know soon enough," Mirigon said, then shifted the conversation. "So, how’s your plan progressing? Have the humans found any weaknesses in the Dungeon’s structure?"

Azgan’s gaze turned contemplative.

"They claimed they’ve located the core of this Dungeon Layer using some obscure formula. Even tricked the Guardian’s perception for a second before retreating. If I give the order, they can break the Dungeon’s defensive array and breach the core room. That would allow the Lord of Chaos to enter and carry out the plan unhindered."

Azgan’s eyes widened.

’I never placed much faith in that dragon’s little experiment... but these humans—such unpredictable creatures. All for the sake of wealth.’

"Fascinating," Azgan murmured. "Looks like things are about to get interesting. Let’s go, Mirigon."

With that, the Chaos Dragon took flight again, and Azgan followed.

They soared toward the central plain. At its heart stood a palace of impossible beauty, crafted from shimmering gems and crystalline rocks. Though night cloaked the land, the palace radiated a rainbow light, illuminating the surroundings with brilliant hues.

As they approached, an oppressive aura thickened the air. The closer they drew, the more the atmosphere vibrated with a malevolent energy.

Two massive stone golems guarded the entrance. Each stood over fifty feet tall, their bodies carved with ancient runes, eyes glowing an eerie blue.

Azgan stepped forward and raised a black gemstone amulet. The golems scanned it, then slowly stepped aside.

"Let’s go greet the Lord," Azgan said.

The dragon flinched. "Me too?"

"Of course. Your mind might not withstand Our Lord’s gaze for long, but you won’t become a puppet. Just stay silent unless I signal."

Azgan’s words were firm but calm.

Mirigon exhaled and flapped his wings. In seconds, his colossal form shrank, reshaping into a two-meter-tall lizardman. He conjured a black robe from his space ring and draped it over his scaled frame.

They entered the palace.

Inside the Crystal Citadel, the air changed. The walls gleamed with intricate carvings and murals depicting the Abyss’s bloody history. Towering crystalline pillars refracted the multicolored light, creating a kaleidoscope of patterns.

Deeper into the palace, they reached a grand chamber. At its center stood a throne—not of stone or metal, but of pure chaotic energy, ever-shifting, ever-forming.

Upon that throne sat a figure cloaked in darkness and swirling mist.

Azgan stepped forward and bowed. "We’ve come to see Our Lord, Master."

A long silence passed. Then the figure’s voice rumbled from the mist.

"Opening the Gate repeatedly might draw the Devil Crow’s attention."

"A great anomaly has appeared," Azgan said. "I believe it holds knowledge that could help us counter the Devil Crow."

"An anomaly?" The voice grew intrigued. "Come back quickly."

The shadowy figure raised a hand. A shimmering barrier enveloped the entire palace, sealing it from divine and arcane interference.

Then, a blue crack split the air in the throne room and formed into a portal.

"Let’s go," Azgan said.

He stepped through the portal, and Mirigon followed.

Darkness greeted them on the other side. A freezing cave with jagged stalactites hung above, the air biting and silent.

"It’s cold," Mirigon muttered, eyes scanning ahead toward a faint, flickering light.

"Follow me." Azgan moved cautiously.

They soon arrived at a chamber—and froze.

A massive tree of bone and flesh towered before them. It stood over 200 meters tall, its trunk a grotesque pillar of titan bone. Branches of interwoven bones jutted outward, draped in fleshy leaves that oozed blood. Each leaf bore an eye-like pattern, all unblinking, all watching.

Mirigon shuddered. "I-Is that the Lord?"

A presence washed over him—millions of invisible eyes pressed into his soul.

Then, a whisper echoed from every direction, chilling and ancient.

"Why did you bring a lizard? You never act without purpose... so, speak."

Though Azgan had visited many times, the voice still made his blood run cold.

"My Lord, I bring good news. The Dragon’s followers found a way to reach the Fourth Layer’s Core Room and delay the Guardian. The time might be short, but every second matters."

"Who are these daring minds?" the voice asked, contemplative. "Not Winged Devils—they’re too proud. Elves? Demons? Dwarves? No... humans. Only they would sacrifice everything for knowledge."

The bone tree sighed.

"But why the urgency? You left your post, didn’t you?"

Azgan nodded. "Yes, My Lord. I sensed an anomaly in this layer. He may hold vital knowledge that could hasten our plans."

"A Taboo Existence?"

"No, My Lord. If it were, the whole layer would already be in turmoil. But this one... he’s searching for me."

"Hmm... Try to make contact. If you uncover even the smallest piece of useful knowledge, inform me at once."

Suddenly, a new spatial crack opened behind them. It appeared around five meters tall and looked more like a gateway to another realm than a teleportation portal.

A force pulled both Azgan and Mirigon backward without even giving them a chance to resist.

A moment later, they vanished, leaving the cavern—and the bone tree—swallowed in darkness once more.

...