"Challenger, as a bonus for being first here, I grant you one question."

Watching the stunned Ink Ash, the sphinx named Sphinx wore a human-like smile.

Ink Ash took a sharp breath, his expression grave. Slowly, he asked, "Dare I ask... are you the legendary... hybrid species?!"

*Thud!* Stumbling, Sphinx nearly tumbled off the cliff.

"Ahem. Ignorant yet fearless challenger—standing before me is your honor. Rejoice! I permit your cheers!"

Glaring at the untrustworthy hybrid, Ink Ash pressed rudely, "Hey, you skipped my question!"

"To pass me, you must answer one riddle correctly—"

Veins bulged on Sphinx’s forehead. Gritting his teeth, he added, "If not for the rules, I’d have attacked already."

The Great Demon King waved dismissively. "Too easy. Next one."

"I know it’s hard for you... wait, what?!"

Sphinx nodded to himself, ready to show generosity—then froze, dumbfounded.

Shrugging nonchalantly, Ink Ash replied, "No challenge at all. I refuse."

"Hah? Human, your arrogance is absurd!"

Sphinx’s sage dignity felt insulted. He demanded coldly, "Explain yourself."

Calmly shaking his head, Ink Ash answered, "I’ve always been this way."

"Uh..." The wise sage had no retort for such shamelessness.

After a quick thought, Ink Ash seized control. "You’ll jump anyway. How about a chance?"

"What chance? How do you know losers jump?!"

Smiling, Ink Ash held up three fingers. "Three tries. Answer one question right—I jump."

"Heh! Haha... Your ignorance is pitiful. Granted!"

Sphinx’s smile stiffened into loud laughter, eyes turning icy.

Rubbing his chin, Ink Ash glanced approvingly. "Good spirit. Start simple: recite my sentence perfectly—you win."

"Child’s play."

Sphinx eyed the death-seeking challenger oddly. *Don’t let him jump fast... toy with him slowly.*

Ignoring the hybrid’s thoughts, Ink Ash spoke rapidly: "Black fertilizer volatilizes, turns gray, and flies away!"

"What?!" Sphinx gaped, utterly lost.

Nodding kindly, Ink Ash slowed down. "Didn’t catch it? Again: Black fertilizer volatilizes, turns gray, and flies away!"

Hearing it clearly, Sphinx thought repeating it trivial—then faced brutal torture.

"Black fert— whoops! Black flow— whoops! Will fly and— whoops!"

For long minutes, stumbling sounds echoed on the cliff. Heartbreaking to hear... truly tragic.