Wihgrat, Emperor of the Elves, clenched his fists as he read the report before him. His subordinates' disobedience alone was infuriating, but this—this reckless interference with Lee Seong-jun—was far worse.
That man wasn't just a guest. He was their final hope.
"Human, Lee Seong-jun is special."
Those words from the ancient spirits echoed through his mind. "Special" wasn't nearly enough to describe it. The aura surrounding him was beyond comprehension—something even the most exalted beings could never replicate.
It wasn't luck that had saved their dimension from ruin. It was will.
A power born from facing despair head-on and conquering it.
'He alone possesses the strength to defy the destruction coming to Rusotu.'
Wihgrat had ruled for centuries, meeting emperors of countless races—the proud Suin, the stubborn Dwarves—but none of them could twist fate itself. Only Lee Seong-jun could. That was why he had cast aside his pride and pleaded for an alliance.
And yet… everything had gone wrong because of Archduke Ehrag.
'A ridiculous contract… one designed for him to lose.'
The final ordeal of ascension was never meant to be overcome. Even Wihgrat himself had failed it long ago.
For someone like him, who yearned for unity between Earth and Rusotu, this situation was a disaster. His brow furrowed deeply.
'…There's no other way.'
The elves had always prided themselves on reason and restraint, but this time the line had been crossed. Wihgrat could no longer stand idle.
'Before that cursed contract is sealed, we will ally with Earth and Lee Seong-jun—by force, if I must.'
His decision made, he turned to his aide. "Summon the ministers. Tell them, by imperial command, an emergency council is to convene in the Great Hall."
Meanwhile, at the heart of the World Tree, Lee Seong-jun stood in silent awe.
"It's even more magnificent than I imagined…" he murmured.
The air itself brimmed with life. Each breath filled his lungs with pure energy, as though the tree's vitality was seeping into his very soul.
If this much power is leaking outward, he thought, then what must lie within?
An elf approached, bowing respectfully. "Lord Seong-jun, I have been instructed by Archduke Ehrag to open the path."
Without a word, Lee Seong-jun nodded. The elf stepped forward, chanting softly in a forgotten tongue. The vines covering the great roots stirred, parting to reveal a spiraling passage of light.
Thump. Thump.
Each step echoed like a heartbeat as Lee Seong-jun entered the core. The vines behind him sealed shut, isolating him completely.
A pulse of green light surged—and the world shifted.
Before him appeared a tiny, radiant being—a fairy, wings shimmering like glass.
"You're not an elf."
The fairy tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
"A human? …No. A Demon King."
Lee Seong-jun smiled faintly. "Are there conditions for the trial?"
"No. I only serve as a guide. But…" The fairy studied him for a moment. "You're already qualified. There's no need for tests. I'll grant you the final ordeal directly."
"That's fine," he replied without hesitation. The sooner he finished, the better. Wihgrat's warning about looming destruction still echoed in his mind.
The fairy nodded.
"You seem pressed for time, so I'll be brief. There are no retries. If you fail—or abandon the trial—it ends there. Be certain of your resolve."
"I understand."
Despite the warning, Lee Seong-jun felt no fear. He had already surpassed enlightenment, mastered the Reverse Heavenly Sword Art, and even defied the natural order itself.
But complacency was death.
'I'll face this with everything I have,' he resolved.
The fate of Earth had already been twisted once, averting its doom. But such change always demanded balance. More calamities would surely follow—and they might not spare his loved ones next time.
He needed strength. Enough to face the universe itself.
"Let's begin."
The fairy raised her hand. Roots coiled around him, enclosing his body in living wood. Green light erupted from the walls as the chamber shook violently.
Kugugung!
The massive stem ascended, carrying him toward the heavens.
In a quiet lounge far from the chaos, Anna stirred her tea calmly, though her mana swept across the palace like an unseen tide.
"There are many guests today," she murmured, her tone dry.
Her senses traced the pulse of power spreading from the World Tree. Wihgrat was moving—perhaps preparing for war. The tension across the capital was unmistakable, yet she remained seated, expression unreadable.
Not an external invasion, she thought. This is something else.
The truth was, she cared little for the affairs of elves or their dimension. Her only duty was to protect Earth, and that obligation was bound by oath alone.
Dragons did not concern themselves with ants.
Still… this time was different. Because Lee Seong-jun had chosen to intervene, so too would she.
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "It can't be helped. I suppose he's worth it."
She gazed out the window at the emerald sky of Rusotu. "Come back soon."
Then the world trembled.
KUUUUUNG!
The earth quaked violently.
"Elves, evacuate!"
"What's happening!?"
The ground split and wooden buildings collapsed, though the elves' swift coordination prevented major casualties. Within minutes, the tremors ceased—but unease lingered.
"Why did an earthquake occur under the World Tree's protection?"
"Something's wrong. Look—the aura…"
Though the tree still stood tall, unseen forces churned deep within it.
"…It's faster than I expected," Anna muttered.
This wasn't a natural quake. It was the harbinger of destruction—the calamity Wihgrat had foreseen.
"Annoying," she sighed, rising from her seat. "But I suppose I'll have to act."
Her wings of mana flared as she soared toward the palace.
THUD!
The great doors of the council hall burst open as she landed before the gathered elves.
"Since everyone's here, I'll be direct," she declared coldly. "Mobilize every available force. Head to the World Tree—now."
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned to her as Wihgrat cautiously asked, "May I know the reason for such urgency?"
Anna met his gaze. "Because destruction is coming."
Gasps erupted around the chamber.
"What!?"
"Your Majesty, is this true!?"
Anna said nothing more. Her mana surged, shaking the air. Even weakened, her presence as a dragon overwhelmed the hall.
KUUUGUNG!
The elves struggled to breathe as an ancient, primal fear seized them—the instinct of prey before a predator.
Anna's voice was calm, but her words thundered through the hall.
"Prepare yourselves. The end approaches."