The terrain of the upper level shifted.

True to the shifting nature of the Tower of the Celestial Realm, the white city suspended in the azure sky instantly morphed into a dense forest, then a sweeping plain, and finally a winding, hilly road.

The Territory of Balak amplified the abilities of Taehyun's soldiers, and with Balak's Domain layered over it, the battlefield tilted heavily in their favor.

Deshkar, the rock-throwing golem, let out a thunderous bellow.

Once a core member of the Main Force who had dominated the Revived Plains, the golem had previously sacrificed itself to save Raviz and Inhye.

Now capable of wielding mana through Evolution, Deshkar provided relentless artillery support from the rear, specifically targeting mid-level demons.

Meanwhile, Siege-type Soldiers poured out of the gate on the top floor.

[SS-rank soldier Giant Catapult Drake has appeared.]

[SS-rank soldier Long-Range Catapult Cannon Drake has appeared.]

[S-rank soldier Binding Chain Drake has appeared.]

[The Rough Rock Tribe dwarves have appeared.]

While Siege-type Soldiers with egos could load and fire independently, the higher-ranked beasts required manual operation.

The dwarves, acting as siege engineers, scrambled to load the artillery and verify their firing coordinates.

"Range secured! Visibility is clear!"

"Move it, move it! Stop messing around and load the payloads, you punks!"

"To think we, a race of the earth, would set foot in the Celestial Realm. Ooh, look at that! That's Sharupim ore! You can only find that up here!"

Having perfectly, or at least adequately, finished their preparations, they angled their muzzles toward the mid-level demons clashing with the angels.

Commanding from the center, Tuperus narrowed his eyes to survey the battlefield. As the distance between the two armies widened, he barked his orders.

"Fire! Fire! Today, we wipe the demons off the map!"

Hundreds of muzzles spewed fire all at once.

Caught in the standoff with the angels, the demons were battered by the sudden bombardment, hastily throwing up defensive shields.

However, the firepower of the SS-rank Siege-type Soldiers was top-tier, capable of shredding even high-ranking demons.

As massive boulders rained down alongside the cannon fire, the shields' durability plummeted in an instant.

Long chains then pierced through the weakened barriers, striking the ground with enough force to crack the earth itself.

"Heave! Heave!"

"Yaaah!"

"Tuperus! Tuperus! Tuperus!"

The dwarves cheered raucously as they operated the Chain Drakes.

When the chains that had embedded into the ground pulled taut, the cracked earth gave way. Debris exploded upward, launching the demons into the air.

They frantically spread their wings to escape, but it was no use.

The high-ranking angels on the opposing side had already taken flight, raining focused attacks down on the airborne demons. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Meanwhile, Tuperus ordered the Siege-type Soldiers to reload, preparing for the next volley.

"Great Chieftain, about your earlier orders!"

"You mean about wiping out the demons?"

"Yes! If we're going by that logic, Taehyun is a demon too. Shouldn't we wipe him out as well?"

"Hmph. That demon punk doesn't count. We'll make a special exception for him this time!"

The Great Chieftain's will was absolute. The dwarves gathered in the center nodded in immediate agreement, not uttering a single complaint.

Looking pleased, Tuperus checked the rear gate.

[SS-rank Named Guardian Absolute of Space Raviz is casting Dimensional Gate.]

[The Rough Rock Tribe dwarves have been transported through the Dimensional Gate.]

Soon, the rest of the dwarves arrived from Myol.

They had scraped together every last bit of supplies remaining in the city and hauled them into the Celestial Realm.

"Great Chieftain, we brought everything as instructed. Should we immediately...?!"

Just as they were about to modify the Siege-type Soldiers, a squad of demons materialized before them. Possessing two pairs of black wings, the fiends glared with glowing red eyes, radiating thick demonic energy.

"So, you're the runts who've been bombarding us this whole time!"

"I'll tear you all to shreds!"

"Destroy their siege weapons first!"

Blades brimming with dark energy rushed forward.

Coupled with the unique demonic spells raining down from afar, it was a truly dire situation.

Tuperus was the first to dive behind a Siege-type Soldier, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Take cover if you don't want to die! This is also the will of the Rough Rock Tribe! Save yourselves first!"

"Yaaah!"

"Tuperus! Tuperus! Tuperus!"

Even turning tail and fleeing became a noble act of tribal will. Ignoring the fleeing dwarves, the demons prioritized destruction, rapidly chipping away at the Siege-type Soldiers' durability.

At that moment, a massive teddy bear dropped from the sky.

[SS-rank Keeper Ruler of Dolls Kuma Kuma has cast Ruler's Aura.]

[The gazes of all surrounding enemies are focused on Kuma Kuma.]

It was Kuma Kuma, having undergone repeated Evolutions.

The demons, having already chipped away half the artillery's durability, snapped their heads toward the bear, compelled by the irresistible aura.

"Grrr. Take that oversized toy out first!"

"Not a chance, kuma. Bring it on, all of you! Kuma kuma!"

"Ugh, you stupid bear! Why are you provoking them out of nowhere?!"

Demons rushed in from all directions as Kuma Kuma flared his aura, and Hicleu popped out from inside his front pocket.

It was a completely absurd sight. Tuperus stared blankly at the chaotic battle before snapping back to reality and checking his equipment's durability.

"Ignore them! We need to focus on the Siege-type Soldiers. Hurry up and start the repairs!"

"What the hell? We came all this way to save your asses, and you're just going to sit there and repair?!"

"Hmph. The true value of the Rough Rock Tribe lies in modification, not combat. Just sit back and watch!"

"Jeez. What are these shorties even babbling about? Just you wait!"

Hicleu, yelling in her sharp voice, drew back her bowstring.

Once a top-tier A-rank scout, her rank had skyrocketed through repeated Evolutions alongside Kuma Kuma.

[S-rank High-Rank Attacker Hicleu has cast Mark of the Weak.]

[A mark is engraved on the bodies of enemies hit by the arrows.]

[All damage taken is doubled for a certain period.]

Soon, dozens of arrows took flight.

The demons tried to dodge with their agile movements, but Kuma Kuma's relentless taunting thwarted their attempts.

The earth shook. A massive shockwave rippled outward from where Kuma Kuma slammed the ground.

With even the dwarves struggling to keep their balance, let alone the demons, the arrows easily found their marks.

[Mark of the Weak is created.]

[Mark of the Weak is created.]

[Mark of the Weak is created.]

Red marks illuminated the demons' bodies in rapid succession. Hicleu patted Kuma Kuma's plush belly in praise.

"I kind of liked that one, you big bear!"

"Of course, kuma kuma!"

Having spent so much time together, the duo was in perfect sync.

However, the Rough Rock Tribe dwarves paid them no mind, entirely engrossed in repairing their Siege-type Soldiers.

"Just a little more and the repairs will be done! We'll finish the modifications and show those punks the true will of the Rough Rock Tribe!"

"Yaaah!"

"Tuperus! Tuperus! Tupe...!"

"Shut up, you shorties!"

---

Duke Nikunbel had become the true power of the Demon World, hosting the Demonic King candidacy competition after Kraktio vacated the throne.

Though he was technically only a mid-level demon in the hierarchy, having earned his title through contributions in the war against the Celestial Realm twenty years ago, no one dared to challenge him.

He had developed the Demon World by summoning Dungeon Masters using a fraction of the Authority of the Dimension.

It was entirely by his command that they had continuously formed contracts with dungeons through the Demon World Auction and merchant guilds.

Because of this, even the high-ranking demons, the true powerhouses of the hierarchy, swore loyalty and served under Duke Nikunbel's command.

'Is this also a situation the Duke anticipated? Things aren't looking good. I need to take out Balak's Main Force first.'

Baldric Vinoer had always assisted the Duke closely, yet he still couldn't read his master's thoughts.

Drawing his sword, Baldric exuded the thick demonic energy bestowed upon him.

He was the one who had personally visited the dungeons to hand out invitations during the first Demon World gathering.

He had been nothing more than a low-level demon back then, but things were vastly different now.

"Found one. Looks like a magic swordsman. How should we handle him?"

"What do you mean, 'how'? We kill him. Not like we have any other options."

"Fair enough."

Soon, Attackers who appeared to be Balak's Main Force stood before him. Four in total.

Perhaps because they had fought together for so long, they seamlessly slipped into their respective combat formations. Gauging the swordsman in the lead, Baldric immediately recognized his high level of skill.

"It seems you've all raised your ranks through Evolution as well. I'm truly curious as to where on earth you gathered this much mana."

"Oho, seeing as you know about Taehyun's special ability, you must be pretty close with Duke Nikunbel."

"Naturally, since I assisted him directly. But enough talk—I'll need you all to die now."

"I already died and came back to life once, you son of a bitch. This isn't some cheap parlor trick! Do you think it's fun getting killed and revived over and over?!"

The man, Sihan, drew his shortsword. Simultaneously, massive ice pillars erupted from the ground around Baldric, surging outward to threaten them.

[High-ranking demon Baldric Vinoer has cast March of the Ice Pillars.]

[SS-rank Attacker Creator of Explosions Hendy has cast Advance of the Lava Giant.]

A massive foot descended from the sky. The flame-wreathed foot of the lava giant trampled the ice pillars and marched forward.

Meanwhile, Sihan and Turner flanked from the left and right, rushing Baldric.

Hendy and Inhye held the rear, sequentially casting buffs and enchantments to support the vanguard.

[SS-rank Attacker Crow of the Moonlit Night Turner has cast Screaming Earth.]

[SS-rank Attacker Wave Controller Sihan has cast Wave Sphere.]

[High-ranking demon Baldric Vinoer has cast Mana Barrier.]

Skills clashed simultaneously. Baldric blocked the incoming techniques and scowled.

'Three SS-rank Attackers. Is the last one a top-tier S-rank? Even for me, this many will be tough to handle alone. Should I hold out for backup?'

There were only four high-ranking demons directly serving the Demon World.

They were currently scattered across the battlefield, but if four of Balak's Main Force were gathered here, it meant the other fronts were vulnerable.

Baldric dodged the explosive magic and conjured a magic sword.

"Time is on my side. I'll hold out for as long as possible."

"...Tch. Kind of feels like we're the villains here, don't you think?"

"Stop grumbling and focus. We need to finish this quickly so we can go support the vanguard."

Their objectives clashed—one stalling for backup, the others rushing to provide it. Driven by the ticking clock, the battle escalated at a breakneck pace.

---

[Silent Forest Great Elder Hamolton has cast Ancient Blizzard.]

[A snowstorm from a snowy mountain rages across the entire designated area.]

[All entities within the area are inflicted with the Frozen status.]

[Ancient Blizzard Usage Limit: 1/1]

The swarming demons were met with an untimely winter.

With even the rear-guard demon mages frozen solid in ice, the angels facing off against them erupted into cheers.

"Now's our chance! Wipe them all out!"

"They're completely frozen! Push forward and end this!"

"I hate to admit it, but that's incredible. That elf's magic is leagues beyond ours."

A single wide-area spell had completely overturned the tide of battle. With this, the close-quarters combat on the plains belonged to the angels.

Hovering in mid-air, Hamolton pounded his lower back and groaned.

"Oof, my aching back. Without the branch of the World Tree, the pain is even worse. Let's wrap this up quickly so I can go rest..."

Just as he was gathering his mana, agonized screams rang out from the vanguard.

"You damn angels! I'll chew you all up and swallow you whole! Not a single one of you will survive!"

He possessed a physique twice the size of an ordinary demon, crimson-stained horns, and extreme cold spewing from his gauntlets.

A true powerhouse of the Demon World, on a completely different level from the mid-level demons, had revealed himself.

[High-ranking demon Koust Pobellan has cast Cold-Blooded Hell.]

[All angels within a certain range are inflicted with the Frozen status.]

[Begins converting the holy blood of the frozen angels into demonic energy and absorbing it.]

It was the second high-ranking demon, Koust Pobellan.

Judging by the freezing mana that had overwritten the Ancient Blizzard, he was undoubtedly a demon who had mastered elemental powers.

Hamolton frowned as he watched the demon accumulate dark energy.

"Tsk. Just when I thought we had some breathing room."

"You there, elf punk! I greatly covet your mana as well. Once I devour these fools, I'll eat you right up!"

"Tsk, tsk. Blinded by greed, you fail to see the bigger picture."

"Hehehe. What can a lone mage do... Ugh!"

Just as he was about to charge in a fit of rage, his jaw was rocked by a heavy blow. Koust blocked the ensuing flurry of strikes and hastily dropped into a defensive stance.

"Grrr. Who are you?!"

"We'd be sad if you forgot about us, moo."

"We'll be your opponents from now on, moo."

Before he knew it, the pure blood he had been draining from the angels was flowing back into them.

Two humans, no, two minotaurs, glared at Koust with resolute expressions, readying their weapons.

Meanwhile, Hamolton unleashed his stored magic and pointed toward Maurat and Gotman.

"Do I still look like I'm alone?"