"..."
Raon dispelled the heat filling the tunnel so everyone could enter, then turned his gaze westward.
"Why are you looking that way? Is something there?"
Martha tilted her head, wondering why he was looking in a different direction.
"It's nothing."
Raon slowly lowered his gaze and entered the tunnel where the heat had subsided. Palenthun had said there were stairs shaped like swords, but all that remained were grotesquely melted lumps of iron. It seemed they had all melted in the intense flames.
'I can sense demonic energy now that we're inside.'
Unlike outside, upon entering the Gray Hammer Guild's base, he could feel Balrog's demonic energy rising from deep below. However, it wasn't as thick as the heat here. It felt more like the aura of a martial artist.
"Ah..."
Seeing the sword stairs he had made himself destroyed, Palenthun bit his lip until it bled, his emotions seemingly intensifying.
"Oh, no one's here..."
He clutched his head as he looked at the underground village melted by lava and flames. It seemed he had fallen into despair as his last hope crumbled.
"Damn it! Damn it all!"
As Palenthun pounded the ground with his fist and let out a terrible cry, red-skinned demons sprang out from the flames and lava that had devoured the village.
"Kyaaaak!"
"Kiaaaa!"
Though they were no bigger than goblins, they moved faster than skilled swordsmen and clutched burning spears in their hands. In terms of strength alone, they were upper-tier monsters.
"W-what are those? Red goblins?"
Dorian stepped back with a gasp, seemingly frightened by the unfamiliar monsters.
-Red Beths have appeared, so it's confirmed.
Wrath snorted as he looked at the red-skinned demons.
'Red Beths?'
-They're the lowest-ranking demons who are enthralled by Balrog's power and serve them. As I expected, the ones down here are Balrogs.
He waved his hand dismissively, saying there was nothing more to see.
'In other words, they're small fry.'
Raon swung his Heavenly Drive sword down at the charging Red Beths. With a thunderous boom, the tip of the blade touched the ground, and a blue flash erupted, shattering the Red Beths' bodies into pieces. All that remained were the fiery footprints where they had stood.
"Worthless scum!"
Burren unleashed a furious gale that split apart the Red Beths and the flames they had created.
"Acting tough for goblins?"
Martha snorted and thrust her sword down, crushing the Red Beths into the ground before they could even approach.
"They're ugly..."
As Runaan planted her Snow Flower in the ground, frost spread in all directions, freezing the arms and legs of the Red Beths trying to attack from behind.
"Kiaaaak!"
"Kiiiik!"
Just as the Red Beths sensed their disadvantage and tried to flee back into the lava, a blue light flashed. It was Sheryl. The massive sword strike that rose from her twin blades split apart the Red Beths and the flames they were hiding in.
"Sir Palenthun."
After confirming all the Red Beths had vanished, Raon approached Palenthun.
"The monster that attacked this underground village seems to be down in that tunnel below."
He pointed to a large cave that had appeared in the ground split by lava and flames.
"Hmm..."
Palenthun's lips trembled as he looked at the ground where his comrades' blood had congealed.
"I-I don't think I can go."
He wasn't afraid of the Balrog, but of the worst-case scenario where all his comrades might be dead.
"Don't worry."
Raon grasped Palenthun's shoulder and gave a warm smile.
"If they're alive, we'll rescue them no matter what."
He nodded, telling Palenthun to trust him.
"I-it'll be alright!"
Dorian supported Palenthun, forcing a smile.
"Our leader always keeps his word."
"That's right. Our boss may look pretty, but he acts like a true martial artist."
Martha curled her lips into a smile, telling him to watch closely.
"Yes. I'm sure we can save them..."
Runaan spread a frost barrier to keep Palenthun and the others from tiring in the heat, and bowed her head. The fact that she spoke longer than usual showed she was being considerate of Palenthun in various ways.
"Show some respect to your elders!"
Burren frowned at Martha and Runaan.
"I apologize for the children's rudeness. However, those words are all sincere. I too will do my best to help."
He performed a sword salute, reassuring the anxious Palenthun.
"They've grown well."
Sheryl nodded gently as she watched Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian from behind.
"To think those clumsy kids have changed like this."
She smiled deeply, seemingly pleased with the growth of the children she had once seen as so young.
-Th-that's right!
Wrath nodded while covering his mouth.
-They've really grown well! They were all so silly before, but now...
He sniffled, saying he was moved.
'You didn't raise them, so enough.'
Raon grabbed Wrath's tail and pulled him forward.
'That Balrog who abandoned his demon king title isn't down there, right?'
Even though he had reached transcendence, defeating a demon king-level monster would be impossible. He needed to be certain.
-If that one had come to the human world, he would've already popped out and gone to see your old man.
'To that extent...?'
-Plus, he likes to show himself off, so we'd know for sure.
Wrath shook his head, saying that Balrog wasn't down there.
'Then it's no problem.'
Raon said he could handle it as he rotated his wrist.
-You must have sensed the Balrog's energy down there? Yet you say it's no problem?
Wrath tilted his chin, seemingly intrigued.
'You said it yourself. You're Balrog's weakness.'
Raon smiled as he adjusted his grip on the Heavenly Drive.
'So he should fear me too. If not...'
He twisted his lips as he raised Glacier's cold energy above his hand.
'I'll just have to make him fear me.'
-Khu!
Wrath curled his lips upward.
-It's been a while since I've heard an answer I like!
He clapped his hands, seemingly pleased with Raon's confidence.
'But why did Balrog appear here?'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Wrath.
'Didn't you say it takes various measures to enter or leave the Devildom?'
-That's right. It's not an easy task.
'Then how did the Balrogs come here?'
He couldn't understand how they had crossed dimensions that even demon kings couldn't easily traverse. Especially since this land had been used by dwarves for hundreds of years and hadn't disturbed the geothermal energy more than necessary. The very appearance of Balrog made no sense.
-You've become quite the pretender. Why else would they come?
Wrath snorted as if Raon already knew the answer.
-Some damned fools must have summoned them.
* * *
On the western hill of Bright Abundance Mountain. A white-haired man and a blue-haired woman emerged as the shadows of the rocks rippled.
"Who are those humans besides the dwarves?"
The white-haired man asked with furrowed black pupils.
"Probably..."
The blue-haired woman exhaled briefly before parting her lips.
"Light Wind Division Leader Raon Zieghart, Heavenly Blade Division Leader Sheryl, and the three squad leaders of the Light Wind Division."
"Raon Zieghart? You mean that monster who recently reached transcendence?"
The white-haired man lowered his eyebrows deeply.
"Yes. The only young martial artist with blonde hair and red eyes who exudes such an aura is Raon Zieghart."
The blue-haired woman bowed her head, saying she was certain.
"Why is he here? Is he connected to the Gray Hammer Guild?"
"A few years ago, we clashed with them over a drake that had accumulated demonic energy near here. They handed over the drake's corpse to the Gray Hammer Guild, so it's probably because of that."
She recited the past events in detail as if she had witnessed them herself.
"To think a brat who could barely face a deputy floor master has reached transcendence in less than 10 years. It's absurd."
The white-haired man muttered that it made no sense as he let out a sigh.
"What will you do?"
The blue-haired woman bent her waist as if ready to follow any method.
"What would happen if Raon Zieghart and Balrog clash?"
"Even though Raon Zieghart has ascended to transcendence, he is still at the beginning stages and cannot defeat the balrog. However, with the Heavenly Blade Division Leader, who is said to be on the verge of transcendence, they should be able to escape unharmed."
She narrowed her eyes, saying they could at least escape.
"Since I've come out of the tower after so long, it would be right to bring a gift for the Tower Master."
The white-haired man stained his nails black. He disappeared back into the shadows with a cold smile.
* * *
"Whew."
Raon furrowed his brow as he calmed the flames that had risen to his head.
'The heat is getting stronger and stronger.'
He had fire resistance, so he was fine, but he could see the others growing weary from the heat. Even though he was pushing back the heat with wind and cold energy, the flames and lava kept surging endlessly, making it hard to stay focused.
"Feels like swimming in lava. It's fucking miserable."
Martha gritted her teeth as she brushed back her sweat-soaked hair.
"Hmm..."
Even Burren seemed worn down by the heat, his hands trembling as he debated whether to unbutton his uniform.
"I-I see bead ice cream..."
Runaan, weak to heat, stuck out her tongue like a half-melted ice cream and slumped her shoulders. Yet even in this state, she didn't let down the cold barrier protecting Palenthun and the others.
"This is why you need a quartermaster like me!"
Dorian wiped the sweat from his brow and pulled out robes with fire resistance and bracelets made of water from his belly pouch. As they put them on, the faces of the exhausted people began to brighten a bit.
"Thanks. You saved us."
"See, I'm useful at times like this!"
"Yeah. Yeah."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan all praised Dorian with smiles.
"Hehe. It's nothing. Of course I..."
As Dorian chuckled and scratched his head, the red smoke obscuring their vision cleared, and the end of the tunnel came into view. A rumbling sound echoed. On the barren land where lava flowed, large and small demons stood in formation like soldiers.
Dwarves and human craftsmen stood on molten iron, hammering away. The irregular hammer sounds seemed to reveal their terror.
With a whoosh, blue flames gathered on the path of swirling heat in the abyss, forming a throne for the demon. The demon reclining on that lofty throne, resting his chin on the armrest, exuded an aura grand enough to dominate the world.
Five horns protruded from its forehead, and wings of flame blossomed on its back. In its bright blue eyes burned a desire for battle against the entire world.
The scene of small demons mocking humans while the great demon king watched lazily resembled depictions of hell from ancient tales and paintings.
"Oh my God..."
Dorian's sword-holding hand trembled, as if he never imagined he'd witness such a sight.
"Those bastards!"
Martha raised her sword, grinding her teeth audibly.
"Haa."
Runaan also lowered her eyebrows deeply in anger, spreading frost in all directions. It seemed she was trying to reduce the damage to the burned dwarves and people as much as possible.
-It's a fairly capable Balrog among its kind.
Wrath nodded, saying it was just as he had sensed from above.
'Indeed.'
Raon nodded. As Wrath said, the aura emanating from the Balrog seated on the throne surpassed his own. Even standing far away, it felt like his skin was being roasted.
"Raon. We can fight, right?"
Burren asked, chewing his lips. Though usually calm, he seemed to be angrier than anyone in such an unreasonable situation.
"Of course."
Raon nodded as he looked at the Balrog seated on the throne.
"Fight as you please."
As soon as he said to fight, Burren, Martha, and Runaan kicked off the ground. Even Dorian, despite his tearful expression, charged at the demons.
"I'll take care of the kids."
Sheryl smiled faintly, as if telling him not to worry, and followed behind the three squad leaders. Though the Balrog's subordinates below the throne were strong, with Sheryl's help, the squad leaders seemed able to handle them without much difficulty.
"Th-this is..."
Borgos, who had been leashed with chains of flame, widened his eyes as he watched the dying demons.
"Chief! Are you alright?"
Palenthun ran to grasp Borgos' hand, even as blood streamed from his own abdomen.
"P-Palenthun! How did you..."
"I came back! With the person the chief called for!"
He pointed his finger at Raon.
"Ah!"
Moisture gathered in Borgos' aged eyes.
"Raon Zieghart..."
He trembled his chin, more moved by the rescue of the other dwarves and craftsmen than his own survival. Just then, as Burren, Martha, and Runaan were driving back the demons and extinguishing the flames, a rough rumbling sound echoed. The blue flame throne crumbled.
The Balrog raised its massive body from the throne's debris. As it spread its wings of flame, its terrifying majesty spread throughout the underground. Its body was incomparably larger than when seated.
With each step of the Balrog's clawed feet, the flaming stairs undulated like waves, and the lava covering the ground bubbled as if about to explode. A powerful aura strong enough to shake heaven and earth erupted from the Balrog's body.
"Ahhh!"
"T-to this extent?"
"Insane..."
The dwarves fell to their knees in terror, the squad leaders trembled in fear of the aura, and even Sheryl's eyes were filled with shock.
"To bring such delicious prey..."
The Balrog looked down at Palenthun and chewed its jaw.
"I did well to let you go."
It spoke as if it had intentionally released Palenthun, raising a sword blazing with flames.
"Balrog."
Raon walked across the ground boiling with lava. With each step he took, the earth froze, painting a silver snowfield.
"What's your name?"
Raon stood before the Balrog like a great tree unmoved in a typhoon, tilting his chin sideways.
"I have no name to give to the likes of humans."
The Balrog simply said to fight as it curled its lips into a long smile.
"I see. Then..."
Raon nodded slightly and raised the Heavenly Drive in a diagonal slash. Frost gathered on the blade, emitting a silver glow that erased the heat. Swoosh! The harmony of the Celestial Thunder Arts and the Azure Sky Sword. Red lightning, like a flowing river in the silver sky, grazed the balrog's neck and passed.
"Die nameless."
As Raon lowered his sword, the Balrog's head fell. Quietly and elegantly. Thud.