This was a vast world.
Anyone standing amidst it would scarcely realize they were on a mountaintop, yet they were—at the very peak.
On an immense square paved in what seemed like white jade, clouds drifted around like mist, creating a setting that felt like the legendary realms of gods and immortals. Ancient, Eastern-style buildings rose around the mountain's edges, radiating an awe-inspiring and dignified grandeur.
One by one, beams of light flashed, and figures appeared across the white jade square, as if they were immortals descending from thin air. But their clothing didn't fit the image of ethereal beings.
Some wore modern outfits, while others donned ancient robes, resembling sword-bearing warriors of old. Others were clad in Taoist robes with traditional hairpins or in ancient armor, reminiscent of long-past soldiers and generals.
Yet they all shared one thing in common—their lively banter.
"Good to see everyone on time!"
Clare, the I'm Really Not A Sword Fairy of Chat Group No. 001, looked around with a smile. She wore a traditional chivalrous robe and had a sheathed long sword strapped to her back. With her natural charm, the outfit suited her, giving her a look that truly mirrored the legendary Sword Fairy. Although her short hair clashed with the aesthetic a little, no one seemed to mind; her achievements spoke for themselves.
The sword on her back—her latest claim to fame—was a powerful B-grade weapon unrestricted by level requirements. The members of Chat Group No. 001 had gritted their teeth in envy when she first showed it off, and seeing it now made them green with envy all over again.
As they focused on the mission ahead, they knew that Somi, this sacred mountain, was Clare's exclusive mission area. Other group members could only join her to contribute, as the real rewards of this task were reserved for her. Somi's nature as an exclusive realm was similar to Ian's but different in key ways.
While the Duke of Hell held power comparable to an Emperor in hell, and may even be a half-Divine Grade devil duke.
But because of the existence of the Abyss, and the ring of the Hell King, fear is engraved in his bones.
Somi, however, held no such weaknesses.
"Those monsters in the Demon Locking Tower are something else," muttered Anouk. "If it weren't for Relius stepping in, we'd probably be in some big toad's belly by now!"
Anouk sighed on the sidelines.
This guy is wearing a long gown, with a special white snake tattoo on his body, as if climbing on his body.
A towering man with a crew cut—AuRelius—gritted his teeth and replied, "Hey, could you at least add some gratitude to your words when you talk about your savior?"
"Enough with the chatter," someone urged. "Our time on Somi Mountain is limited. Let's get going!"
"Yeah! I don't want a close encounter with that giant toad again!"
As Ray Theon, the so-called "Whiplash of the Skies" of Group 001, spoke, a familiar white light appeared before his eyes.
In the next instant, a figure in casual clothes appeared on the square—Novak.
He had only just opened his eyes and hadn't yet taken in the grandeur of the surrounding mountains or the magic of the Somi Token in his hand when a series of excited shouts erupted around him. Almost immediately, he felt someone clutching his leg.
"Brother White Emperor! Finally!"
The sudden embrace nearly startled him off balance, but Novak caught himself and glanced down to see Ray Theon wrapped around his thigh. Novak's mouth twitched.
In his past life, Novak had seen this so-called "Whiplash of the Skies" on the forums—a tall, rugged man wielding an S-tier or even SS-tier enchanted whip, who struck fear into demons and held his ground on Kepler and the trial grounds of gods and demons alike. To see him now, though, was... jarring.
Novak glanced at the man still gripping his leg with a tight hold. Ray Theon's image as the steadfast "Whiplash of the Skies" seemed thoroughly shattered. For a moment, Novak was sorely tempted to test out his newest abilities on him, but he suppressed the urge, took a deep breath, and said, "Look, I know we're on familiar terms, but this is... a bit much."
Zezelia, standing nearby, chuckled. "Brother White Emperor, you don't realize how much Ray owes you! Your friendship with the god of trade, Zogwort, helped him get the Thunderwalker's career scroll ahead of schedule. If it weren't for that, he'd still be stuck in the investment task~"
Wait—so that's why this guy is practically worshipping me? Novak blinked, realizing that his casual connection with Zogwort had saved Ray a lot of trouble.
Ray Theon quickly scrambled to his feet. "Brother White Emperor, just say the word. Whether it's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I'm there with you!"
Novak raised a brow at him. "It's my first time here, so you tell me—where are we headed?"
AuRelius chimed in, "Our original plan was the Demon Locking Tower. It's where Somi imprisons captured monsters, and it's the largest dungeon in the Somi secret realm! Besides that, there's the Tranquility Pavilion, Heavenly Fire Alchemy Room, and other places—sword mounds, unexplored maps… Plus, yesterday, Second Brother killed a monster in the tower and scored a monster inner core that permanently boosted all his attributes. Pretty nice drop."
Ray glanced over sheepishly, muttering, "Can we please stop calling me 'Second Brother'...?"
But Novak had already stopped listening. His eyes brightened at the mention of attribute increases. This Somi-masen Mountain was beginning to look like a treasure trove.
"Alright then," he decided, "we're going to the Demon Locking Tower~"
The towering structure of the Demon Locking Tower, perched on the side of Somi-masen Mountain, rose up before them, a massive, majestic ten-story pagoda reaching into the sky. At the entrance, a swirling vortex of energy—representing the Cosmic Will—awaited them.
Clare had gone off on her own to the master's retreat room, while Novak and the rest approached the entrance vortex of the Demon Locking Tower. A notification flashed in Novak's vision:
[Would you like to enter the Hell-Level Dungeon: Somi Demon Locking Tower (Recommended Level: 10–89)?]
Reading the level recommendation, Novak felt a slight twitch in his eyelid.
'Another Hell Level….'