Chapter 17 – The World Begins to MoveThe Fall of the Hundredth Floor – The News Spreads
The news spread across the world like wildfire.
The 100-floor dungeon had fallen.Not over years.Not at the hands of legendary armies.
But by a single team.
Crystal orbs, watchtowers, and ancient magical relics all reacted at once. In every major kingdom, the same image appeared:
Arin's team stepping out of the dungeon gate—and behind them, the gate collapsing forever.
"This… is impossible," whispered a court mage in the Northern Kingdom."The dungeon core… it's gone," another said, his voice trembling.
In the adventurers' guilds, stunned silence reigned—then chaos erupted.
"New legends are being born!""No… these ones are already legends!"
In Elina's hand rested the Holy Ice Staff, responding to her with gentle reverence.Beside Leon floated the Legendary Grimoire, its pages turning on their own, as if joyfully welcoming its true master.
And Arin…
The very air around him bowed.
The Kings' Realization
The exiled king—the one who had once cast Arin out—stood motionless in the center of the throne room.
"It's him…" he finally said."The boy I banished."
There was no anger in his voice.
Only fear.
"And now it's too late," another ruler added."The world has answered him."
The council members exchanged grim looks.
The awakening of a hero always meant something.
But three awakened beings at once…
That was destiny itself moving.
In the Depths of Darkness – The First Move
Far away, beyond all maps.In a place where light had never reached.
Within a throne room built of bone and shadow.
The Demon Lord slowly opened his eyes.
"Interesting…" he said calmly, his deep voice echoing."The hero has awakened."
A kneeling shadow-creature trembled before him.
"My lord… not only him.The saint and the sage have appeared as well."
The Demon Lord smiled.
"Then the game has begun."
A single movement of his finger.
In a distant land, above a city, the sky cracked open, and a dark seal appeared in the air.
"Send out the first warlord," he said softly."I do not want war yet."
"Just… a message."
Back to the Team
Arin stopped for a moment.
"Did you feel that?" he asked quietly.
Elina nodded, the icy glow of her staff flaring."Something moved."
Leon closed the grimoire.
"Not something, tesó," he said."Someone."
Arin smiled—but his eyes were hard.
"Then we'll answer."
The wind rose around them.
The world was no longer asking if they were ready.
The world was counting on them.