A moment later, the air rippled again.
Dahlia, Arden, Dion, and Eliza stepped through the Demon Gate one after another.
They froze the instant their feet touched the ground.
The sky above them was dark red.
The land was cracked and black, with sharp rocks everywhere. No trees. No grass.
Just heat, pressure, and thick demonic mana pressing against their skin.
Dahlia slowly looked around. "So… this is what's behind the Demon Gate?"
Dion swallowed. "Yeah. This definitely doesn't look like a vacation spot."
Arden took a careful step forward, eyes sharp. "The mana here is heavy. Way heavier than outside."
Eliza didn't say anything.
She simply stood close to the group, eyes scanning the shadows.
Then they saw him.
"Master!" Dahlia called out.
Garion turned his head and looked back at them. "Huh. So you four came in."
He glanced them over once, calm as always. "Good. You didn't waste time."
Arden's gaze immediately dropped to the ground.
