Blue skies and white clouds, steep cliffs—still the same familiar view. The only difference was the girl’s trial run, flowing smoothly.

"Question: What creature walks on four legs at dawn, two at noon, and three at dusk? When it has the most legs, it moves slowest and weakest."

"Hmm... humans."

"Congratulations, challenger! Push open the gate. Proceed to the next trial."

"Is that it?"

Lily stepped smoothly onto the final stair. Before her stood an ancient bronze gate. Unconsciously, her hand touched it.

Blinding light swallowed her instantly. When she opened her eyes again—hell greeted her. A sea of corpses and blood stretched endlessly.

"What... what happened here?!"

Staring at the gruesome severed limbs, smelling the thick blood in the air, her pupils contracted sharply. Without days of life-or-death combat training, she’d have vomited already.

Even so, her face paled. She stood frozen, lost.

Master... where are you now? Lily... Lily’s so worried!

"Run... run now!"

"No, we can’t possibly win—"

"How can humans ever—Aaahh!!"

Just as Lily panicked, chaotic shouts erupted ahead. Ragged soldiers fled wildly in the distance.

Before they took three steps, a shadow flashed. Blood sprayed. Headless corpses collapsed.

"Gah!"

Watching lives vanish before her, Lily clamped a hand over her mouth, silent.

Before her, fiery beast-eyes stared coldly.

Head held high, radiating human-like disdain. Fresh blood dripped from its hooked beak. Black claws gripped torn flesh.

Eagle head, lion body, wolf tail—a griffin. A legend not of this world.

Murderous intent flared in its gaze. But instinct screamed danger. The griffin froze mid-strike.

It studied the girl—pathetically weak, yet radiating peril.

Hesitating, the griffin chose retreat. It had enough food.

With a warning screech, it seized its prey and flew off.

"Phew... close call. Why didn’t it attack? Could it be—"

Lily looked down at her Wooden Sword, master-modified. Memories clicked. Clutching her chest, she whispered, "Master... you saved Lily again..."

"Achoo! Who’s thinking of me?"

At that moment, the Great Demon King—freshly smashing an ugly eagle head, spirits high—rubbed his nose, puzzled.

The Sphinx seized his distraction. Eerie green light flared on its ram head. "Poison Flame Burn!"

"Damn it! Don’t you know this Demon King... hates having his thoughts interrupted most?!"