"This! What is this!"

Acrina’s eyes widened. She covered her mouth, her face etched with utter disbelief. After forming the contract, her level hadn’t just doubled—her base stats had skyrocketed over tenfold! It was utterly inconceivable!

And if she, as the contractor, wielded such power, how much stronger must her master be? Surely beyond even a Demon God’s reach.

"Alright, stop spacing out. Let’s check the second floor," Kuber said.

"Yes, Master."

The three pushed open the door behind the hall. Pitch-black void greeted them. A spiral floating staircase materialized ahead.

Unexpectedly, Kuber had assumed it would ascend—but this one coiled downward.

A moment’s thought clarified it. Though the Labyrinth resembled a tower outside, its interior defied logic—size and structure bore no resemblance. Its true form must be an other-dimensional space.

But was an intelligent monster like Acrina born within it? Curious, Kuber asked as they walked, "Acrina, were you born in this Labyrinth?"

"No, of course not. I was born in a place called the Abyssal Realm."

Hearing this, Acrina froze for a second, then rushed to reply. She hadn’t expected her master to care about her past.

"The Abyssal Realm?"

Kuber stroked his chin, racking his brain. He’d never heard of it—only the Demon World, where Illusion Fruit grew.

"Yes. The Abyssal Realm is ruled by monsters. My tribe was invaded by an immensely powerful Dragon. I died fighting it to protect them. When I awoke, I was in this Labyrinth. A strange, irresistible voice commanded me to guard the first floor. But after bonding with you, Master, that voice vanished."

Kuber’s head throbbed. What nonsense! So many absurdities to unpack. This Labyrinth hid deeper truths.

Shaking it off, they reached the staircase’s end. Kuber pushed the door open—

*Whoosh!*

A whistling sound sliced the air. Kuber waved his hand instantly, erecting a barrier that shielded them all.

*Thwack-thwack-thwack!*

A dense rain of arrows slammed into the barrier.

The scene shifted. No more winding Labyrinth corridors—only an endless desert under a blazing sun. Scorching wind swept the dunes, exposing bones and crumbling ruins beneath the sand.

An army of tens of thousands in armor spread across the wastes.

"Hoo-hah!"

At its head, a general on a warhorse—golden armor gleaming—raised his blade high.

"Hoo-hah! Hoo-hah! Hoo-hah! Hoo-hah!"

The roar shook the desert. Morale peaked. The general lifted his sword again. Silence crashed down.

Two seconds passed.

His blade slashed toward Kuber.

"KILL!!!!"

BOOM~~

The army erupted. Like a tsunami, they charged—unstoppable.

"Holy crap!"

Kuber flinched, wondering if he’d warped to a battlefield. But closer inspection revealed the truth: no humans here. Just empty armor suits. Another monster type.

"Master, shall I intervene?" Acrina asked cautiously.

"No. Just watch."

Kuber refused firmly. Relief washed over him—no moral weight here. Real humans might’ve given him pause.

The army closed in, terrifyingly fast.

Kuber stayed calm. He stepped forward, arms spread, eyes shut. Magic surged wildly around him. His clothes fluttered. He floated upward.

Crackling energy arced across his body like lightning.

He snapped his eyes open. Pitch-black void filled his sockets.

"Ultra-tier magic! Eternal Dark Sun!"

A colossal magic circle flared in the sky.

The weather twisted. Daylight died.

The sun vanished.

A black sun—hundreds of meters wide—descended slowly.

The charging army halted. Empty armor turned upward, gazing at the sun’s destructive aura.

Impact.

A kilometer-high curtain of black light exploded outward. Apocalyptic. It devoured the desert in an instant.