Upon reaching the walls of the city of Yusbikers, the companions found Academy Director Soliver and his deputy, Carter, in conversation with the commander of the soldiers tasked with defending the city.
Yorichi cast his gaze toward the horizon, where he saw the Beast Rulers watching him—their expressions calm, yet betraying a deep sense of fear and awe.
Before he could utter a word, their supervising instructor, Yoshika Kiyotwa, spoke in her characteristic, steady tone:
"As you have heard, five Beast Rulers are lying in wait for us. Therefore, you are to engage the Goblin Ruler—he is the weakest among them. Is that clear?"
The students exchanged glances, a mix of relief and surprise on their faces; they had intended to do exactly that from the start, though they had kept it a secret among themselves.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Yorichi replied:
"As Central Command directs, we shall engage the Goblin Ruler, given that he is the weakest of the lot."
Yet, the expressions of the other students remained etched with profound fear—a detail that did not escape Yoshika Kiyotwa's notice.
After all, even if he were the weakest, the disparity in power remained undeniable—especially considering he was the ruler of the entire Goblin race across the Central Continent and parts of the Western Continent.
"Very well. Anyone who participates in this battle—even if they perish—will be exempted from the final examination and promoted directly to their second year. Consider this a gesture of apology for involving you in such a conflict."
Yoshika Kiyotwa's voice remained calm as she glanced down at her electronic tablet. The Human Empire—or the Central Continent—had undergone a technological revolution that spurred development across all industrial, commercial, and service sectors.
Seok kept his gaze fixed on Yoshika Kiyotowa for several seconds, searching for an answer to the question weighing on his mind following her announcement, before finally speaking up:
"Professor Yoshika Kiyotowa, since we are students participating in the battle—and are therefore exempt from taking the exam—could we leave Versalkin Academy earlier than the others?"
Yoshika Kiyotowa studied Seok with curiosity, then turned her attention to her electronic tablet, navigating the information with a level of proficiency that belied the fact she had only been using such technology for a month.
"Yes. The break was already pushed back by several days to accommodate both the millennium celebration of the Demon Realm's defeat and the final examinations."
"Technically speaking, then, you are free to begin your year-end break earlier than the students who will be sitting for the final exams."
The students let out a collective sigh of relief, followed by a ripple of murmurs among them.
"Awesome! All we have to do is fight—and even if we die, we'll just be brought back to life!"
"On top of that, we get the reward of being excused from the final exams, and we get to leave Versalkin Academy early!"
"That's a tempting reward. Surviving a fight against those monsters is well worth the risk!" "I'll be heading home once the upcoming celebration at Versalkin Academy concludes. Even after everything that's happened, they're still going ahead with the commemoration of the Demon Realm's defeat a thousand years ago!"
"Amazing! I'm so glad we were exempted from our final exams and got an early break. It's just fantastic!"
....
.....
...
The students' chatter filled the air, irritating Yoshika Kyotowa—who responded by unleashing an aura befitting an Emperor-level swordsman.
The pressure forced every student to their knees—everyone, that is, except for Giya and her companions, as the aura hadn't been directed at them. It was a clear testament to why she truly deserved the title "Sword Empress."
"Silence! The battle is about to begin, so you'd best be prepared. After all, we need intact corpses—not mere splatters of blood or scattered chunks of flesh. Try to keep your bodies in one piece; otherwise, it's game over for you!"
With that, Yoshika Kyotowa walked away, leaving the students behind—their faces drained of all color, gripped by sheer terror.
As it turns out, nothing is ever perfect; everything has its own flaws.
Meanwhile, Yoshika Kyotowa's words provided the answer to the question that had been weighing on the minds of Giya, Ryuichi, Lucy, Beatrice, and the rest of the group.
The reason they had been granted an early break wasn't out of any kindness—it was a prelude to their transfer to a rehabilitation center, where they would be treated for the trauma of having experienced a violent death. Every living being possesses a limited mental capacity, making it impossible to easily come to terms with the concept of death.
This reality infuriated Seok; after all, his childhood friend was currently in a rehabilitation center, recovering from the trauma of death—a trauma inflicted when he perished on Jeju Island.
During the war against the Scorpion organization, his rage intensified when he realized that those responsible were not their enemies or monsters, but rather students and professors.
His friend was left in a state of psychological turmoil, while those responsible were living, for the time being, in relative peace.
Seok closed his eyes, attempting to clear his mind, then muttered to himself in a cold tone, laced with a faint hint of murderous intent:
"Fine. If they die in this battle, they'll end up in a rehabilitation center. And if they don't... I'll kill them myself and send them to undergo a rehabilitation program in hell!"
As Seok remained lost in his thoughts, Jian Yi placed a hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention.
Looking toward the Beast Rulers—who had not moved from their positions—Jian Yi spoke calmly:
"Something isn't right. It seems that whoever intends to destroy the city of Yuspeakers is, in effect, allowing us the time to prepare for the confrontation."
Seok narrowed his eyes, glancing at Jian Yi out of the corner of his eye, while keeping his other eye fixed on the Beast Rulers. "Why do you think that? Do you know something we don't, or do you suspect there are traitors among us? I suggest you talk about the individuals who are working with the person primarily responsible for this problem."
Jian Yi felt slightly unsettled by Seok's words and the way he was looking at him, so he spoke in as calm a tone as he could muster:
"You're right; I do suspect that there are people working with him. Furthermore, I imagine you haven't failed to notice the fear and dread in the eyes of the beasts—am I not correct?"
"Yes, I noticed that—as well as the fact that they are allowing us time to prepare. After all, if they had wanted to destroy the city of Yusbikers, they could have done so long ago—or prevented you from discovering them in the first place. They are, ultimately, among the most powerful entities in the human realm, second only to the beasts of the northern and southern frozen continents."
Jian Yi took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the beast sovereigns who lurked nearby, showing no intention of attacking anytime soon.
Although the situation seemed favorable—as if luck were on their side—they could not help but feel a seed of doubt take root. How could creatures as formidable as "sovereigns" possibly feel fear?
While arrogance or conceit might explain their hesitation, the fear they displayed made no sense.
Yet, he sensed there was something else—something he had yet to grasp. The beast sovereigns did not appear to be at their best; it was as if they were contending with circumstances that made fighting difficult. But why?
He needed to figure this out to improve their chances of victory—slim as they might be.
Elsewhere, Beatrice, Lucy, and Previka were preparing for battle, with Lucy and Previka exchanging competitive glances.
Beatrice, meanwhile, remained calm—her expression a blend of indifference and disdain—before speaking in a composed, steady tone:
"Previka, you possess an ace that cannot be ignored or underestimated. See to it that you use it only when the moment is truly right." Upon hearing Beatrice's words, a mischievous smile spread across Previka's lips as she looked at the pair.
"Well, I suppose I won't do that, then. Yuta asked me not to a long time ago."
Previka spoke while glancing toward Lucy, who was staring back sharply as she cleaned her sword. Previka continued:
"Still, isn't it a bit strange how close Yuta has become to Beatrice Azwasen? He's always escorting you back to your room. Are you two dating in secret? Does he prepare your meals, adjust your clothes, and brush your hair for you? He's a seven-star boyfriend, isn't he, Luuuucy?"
A faint smile appeared on Lucy's face; she looked at Previka as if to highlight an achievement that remained beyond Previka's own reach.
"Oh, Yuta has rescued me like a gallant prince—twice! And we even spent several days together in the same hospital room. Besides, when he hugged me, it was his own choice. As for you—well, *you* were the one who initiated it!"
"And it's not just Beatrice—he treats Giya Guilford the same way, too. He's always helping everyone with their problems. Yuta is such a good person with a truly noble character!"
Lucy spoke with such pride and bravado—as if she were describing her own virtues—that it left Previka feeling deeply annoyed.
Nevertheless, she held her tongue; now was not the time to invite hostility from people she ought not to cross—people like Lucy and Beatrice.
Still, her expression remained one of clear disbelief as she gathered her thoughts. "Something illogical is happening."
Lucy looked at her, puzzled, as she slid her gleaming sword back into its scabbard.
"What do you mean by 'illogical'? Have you discovered something about the Monster Rulers?"
Previka glanced toward them, then tossed out a runestone—a recording device—which projected a three-dimensional image of their first encounter following the conclusion of the Magic Tournament.
Everyone watched the recording, though none could grasp how it related to Gia Guilford.
Beatrice and Lucy exchanged a bewildered look, and sensing their thoughts, Previka spoke calmly:
"I can't control what the stone displays. I'll need to buy another one, or perhaps ask Yuta—after all, my dear 'Pootalb' wouldn't turn down such a simple request from his beloved."
Ignoring Previka's provocative remark, Lucy steered the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"What are you trying to suggest? Are you implying a connection between Yuta Casiral and Gia Guilford?"
Before Previka could answer, a massive explosion rocked the entire area, drawing everyone's attention instantly toward its source.
"We'll talk later. The battle begins now! Humanity versus the Monster Rulers—who will emerge victorious?"
Previka spoke with an intensity that struck both Lucy and Beatrice as rather peculiar.
Atop the ramparts of the city of Yuspeakers, monsters surged forward at breakneck speed, striking terror into the hearts of all who beheld them.
"Prepare for combat! The battle is about to begin... Soldiers, advance!" The commander of the fifth battalion shouted at the top of his lungs, his gaze fixed upon his men.
The soldiers scrambled to ready their gear with frantic haste. Having completed their preparations, the regiment surged toward the monsters, unleashing spells, techniques, and special abilities—pouring out every ounce of their strength without holding anything back.
Yet, the monster lords remained entirely unscathed. They watched the soldiers with a mixture of contempt, annoyance, rage, and unease.
"Leave this to me; I'll take care of these wretched little flies!"
The Orc lord's voice was terrifying; standing thirty-five meters tall, his very tone was enough to cause physical pain to the soldiers' eardrums.
He swung his scepter toward them with a speed beyond their perception—and in an instant, they were reduced to pools of blood, never even realizing they had died.
Elsewhere, the battalion commander collapsed to his knees, his face drained of color and twisted in terror, having just watched his finest soldiers perish in a matter of seconds.
*Am I in a nightmare—what the hell is happening? If this is a dream, I want to wake up!*
These thoughts raced through the minds of the battalion commander and every single soldier under his command, without exception.
It was an impossible predicament: death stood directly before them, yet fleeing meant certain death under military law.
"A death that would strike down even the strongest and most formidable of men."
Seok spoke calmly, observing the soldiers—men who, having witnessed their comrades perish with such chilling ease, now found themselves unable to even stand. He then decided to continue on his way without saying another word; in his view, he was merely wasting his time and giving them false hope. He couldn't even guarantee his own survival—why, then, should he be responsible for ensuring the survival of people like them?
In the area designated for students, those from the "Legends" class were gathered at the forefront of the first-year cohort.
"The battle has begun! We must confront our enemies, no matter the cost!"
Yorichi spoke sharply, his gaze fixed on the Beast Rulers, who were fiercely battling the soldiers and mercenaries.
Elsewhere, three kilometers away From the city of Yusbikers, Yuta Kaseral and Inyusha gazed calmly toward the city.
"The beast rulers in this world are weak and cowardly. Had they been like the rulers of the world I once challenged, subduing them would have been a far more difficult task."
Inyusha remarked with a sneer, watching the battle unfold between the humans and the beast rulers.
Yuta continued to observe the scene, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Everything is proceeding exactly as I intended. However, Go hasn't provided any information regarding Previka or Siok; he mentioned that the data concerning them is rather peculiar—it will take some time to analyze and fully comprehend."
Turning his gaze toward Inyusha, Yuta spoke in a calm, measured tone:
"Once the first year concludes, I shall have a great deal of work and many tasks to attend to. I would like you to investigate the origins of Siok and Previka."
Inyusha looked at Yuta, noting his visibly exhausted and battered state.
"It seems there have been quite a few setbacks lately."
"Indeed, you're right. One doesn't always simply get what one desires; one must earn it through strength and endure the setbacks along the way. At times, such challenges are actually beneficial—if one truly wishes to achieve one's goals."
"By the way, you've performed your duties perfectly, Osama."
In the Asurin Forest—located on the Central Continent, within the Kingdom of Athrias—the rulers of the Orcs, Goblins, Black Serpents, and Wolves had gathered to renew a peace treaty that had been in effect for a full millennium.
Today was the day for its renewal once again. Furthermore, unlike humans, who delineate their own specific territories, the territories of monsters often overlapped; a single area—spanning, for instance, forty-five square kilometers—might be governed by several monsters of different species, or their domains might simply intersect.
Nevertheless, conflicts over territory were rare—with the "monarchs" being the sole exception to this rule.
These monarchs craved absolute power; although they spent most of their time residing within specialized dimensions, they still required the resources found within their territories—resources that only they, by virtue of their unique physiology, were capable of harnessing.
As for monsters of other ranks, their classifications varied according to their respective cultures.
"Having renewed our peace treaty for the fourteenth time, I wish you all a glorious millennium!"
The Serpent Monarch spoke cheerfully, casting his gaze toward the others.
The other monarchs remained silent. They knew that while the Goblin Monarch was the weakest among them, the Serpent Monarch was the most cowardly and cunning.
Still, they chose to engage with him; serpents are inherently devious, and making an enemy of him—cowardly as he might be—was not a prospect any of them desired.
"The Serpent Monarch is right. Seventeen thousand years have passed since our initial alliance; may our kingdoms continue to thrive in honor and prosperity!" "You're right, Ruler of the Lions. But I've heard of students from the Versalkin Academy and the Ghens Academy of Magic—names like Son Goku, the one called Arthur Folkin, King Arthur's son Junlvin, and a peculiar student who is the most dangerous of them all: Laud Genik."
Shock washed over the faces of the Beast Rulers as they listened to the Ruler of the Wolves.
How could anyone be more dangerous than Mlaider, the son of the Demon King?
"He stands right before you... an entity even more dangerous than Son Goku!"
Inuyasha spoke with arrogance, then launched an assault on the Beast Rulers, forcing them to flee toward the city of Yuspeakers.
"Run! He's a monster in every sense of the word!"
The Ruler of the Snakes screamed at the top of his lungs. Inuyasha responded with a chilling, terrifying smile, then spoke in a calm tone—yet his voice carried clearly to every one of them:
"Attack the city of Yuspeakers. It lies straight ahead. But give them time to prepare for the fight—otherwise, you'll die."
The Beast Rulers fled without a word; Inuyasha's presence was so overwhelming that it stifled any potential objection.
A faint smile touched Inuyasha's lips as he listened to Yuta, and he remarked with a mocking tone:
"You're still the same Yuta I know, even if you look completely different."
Yuta looked back at Inuyasha with a small smile.
"Perhaps you're right. A part of my former life might still be there—or perhaps not. But I intend to hold onto it nonetheless." "A strong person isn't someone cold, pessimistic, or devoid of emotion. Rather, it's someone who manages to hold onto a piece of their humanity—even when submerged in the deepest filth. Don't you agree?"
Inuyasha remained silent for a few seconds before responding to Yuta:
"True, you're right. But you're walking a razor's edge—one step away from becoming a demon yourself. Hold on tight; otherwise, the last remnant of your humanity—the very thing keeping the world from descending into total chaos—will perish."
Yuta gazed at Inuyasha with an empty, vacant look, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You're right. How about we play some video games until this war blows over? Watching people die has become quite dull, and besides—our comrades are out there; they'll handle things."
A look of genuine delight spread across Inuyasha's face as he heard Yuta's words.
"Alright, let's go!"
Elsewhere, deep inside a vast cavern, Reinhardt sat surrounded by pools of crimson blood.
Yet, he couldn't help but smile; he was recovering, thanks to the spirits stored within the 'Core.' In a sense, the Core of that fantasy world was like a USB drive—a repository of memories from a realm long since destroyed and lost to time.
He closed his eyes, saying nothing, as he recalled the final moments of his battle against that group.
Reinhardt looked back on them with clear contempt; their fighting style had been utterly base and unfair. Four combatants, all of his own rank, had ganged up on him—and even though they hadn't even tapped into their full abilities, he had felt his very life hanging in the balance. Yet, none of them attacked him—a fact that left him puzzled.
Throughout the fight, they never targeted his vital areas, and they even allowed him to catch his breath from time to time. Were they planning something?
A look of shock crossed his face as he recalled the beginning of the battle, when he had asked them what their objective was in fighting him.
....
Reinhart gazed at them for several seconds, scrutinizing each one, before asking:
"Who are you, and what on earth do you want from me?"
They all looked toward Reinhardt, faint, mocking smiles playing on their lips.
What could they possibly want from him? Was such a question even worth asking?
This thought crossed each of their minds.
Decimus spoke, answering Reinhardt's question:
"Isn't it obvious? Do you think you're the only one who receives missions from the Rulers? Just as you were tasked with improving your relationship with your son, Yurichi de Moliar—and helping him overcome his complex—we, too, have been given a mission that requires... well, I won't tell you!"
....
As realization dawned on Reinhardt, he seized the moment to slip away and tend to his battered body.
"They've received a mission from a Ruler, just like me. It seems the objective isn't to kill me, but rather to delay or weaken me."
Taking advantage of their momentary distraction—or so he thought—Reinhardt vanished, returning to his own private realm at the speed of light.
He opened his eyes, his face contorted with rage, while a golden aura erupted from his body like a blazing fire.
Reinhardt's presence—a volatile blend of his aura and pure killing intent—was powerful enough to erase an entire mountain as if it were nothing.
Minutes later, the dust settled, revealing Reinhardt, who had since changed his attire. Gazing up at the sky, he vowed his revenge:
"Amita Valeria, Iomi, Decimus, Hadrian... I will find you, and I will kill you all!" Reinhart took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, then turned his gaze toward the city of Yuspekers, sensing the terrifying power emanating from the Beast Rulers.
His expression grew serious, and he set off without a word—after all, talk would change nothing.
In the city of Yuspekers, Christian and Kazuhiro chatted as they watched soldiers and mercenaries battle the Beast Rulers.
Kazuhiro spoke with a tone of mockery and contempt:
"Humans are such peculiar creatures. They use their own soldiers and subordinates as fodder to protect their elite and those in power. So, is the plan devised by Yuta and Inyusha proceeding as intended?"
Christian turned toward him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Everything is going exactly according to plan. Reinhart is on his way, the students are in their designated positions, and reinforcements are about to arrive. So, how does the situation look to you?"
"It seems to be under control, but the war is far from over—the possibility of failure still remains."
Christian let out a soft laugh as he listened to Kazuhiro.
"True, there might be a chance of failure if we were facing the rulers of the fantasy realms or beings of even greater stature—but these are merely humans, possessing immense power yet limited perception."
Christian narrowed his eyes, his hand clenching into a tight fist. "There's still the esteemed 'Star-Hunter' Zendaya, the 'Final Patch' Bing Tao-xin, the 'Ice-Demon' Leghard, and the rest of the 'Three Esteemed Ones.' If we run into them, we're going to have a real problem."
Christian and Kazuhiro turned their gazes toward the source of the shout, realizing that Reinhardt had finally arrived.
Christian immediately headed off, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"I told you—when it comes to fighting humans, we've got everything under control. Still, don't underestimate them. You know Seol Ha-oran from the Hwa-yu Clan, right?"
"I know him. What about him?"
Kazuhiro asked, glancing at him with a puzzled look.
"He's an 'outsider.' Seol Ha-oran is an outsider—he's the 'demon' in our story, *I Am Inside My Novel*."
Shock washed over Kazuhiro's face as he took in Christian's words.
"You're joking, right? An outsider? That's dangerous!"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Christian's expression was filled with absolute confidence as he continued on his way—a sight that finally made Kazuhiro understand why Yuta had been so willing to help him.