"The power buildup is just about complete," Kairo Retsu said. "Once we break through the Dungeon, this accumulated force will be enough to form a massive Heaven's Mount… It will be the ideal habitat for Dalamadur."
"You really have no regard for the rest of this world," the Winged Lion said, shaking its head. "A monster this enormous… its mere existence would affect who knows how many lives. Though fortunately…"
"It won't affect humans anymore." The Winged Lion smiled. "After all, it seems you understand my purpose."
"Your purposes don't matter."
Kairo Retsu didn't even look at the Winged Lion—he only stared up at the barrier above, already beginning to shatter. "A purpose not yet fulfilled is just empty talk… not worth paying attention to."
"Winged Lion, you seem very confident… You completely dismiss our plans," Kairo Retsu said. "Haven't you learned from humans what awe means?"
"Awe?" The Winged Lion shook its head. "In the face of desire, awe is something that can be measured. I've seen it, and tasted it, many times."
"There's no point in talking. Why don't you tell me—what do you plan to do next?" the Winged Lion asked Kairo Retsu. "You want this Dalamadur to be revealed before the entire world, don't you?"
"As the final delicacy before the end, I'll fulfill your wish with utmost respect, and savor your flavor," the Winged Lion said with a smile. "Mmm… I think this is what humans call honesty."
"Then let me say it loud and clear!" Kairo Retsu's eyes gleamed with light. "I want everyone in this world to know of Dalamadur's existence—to witness its emergence! To behold the most colossal monster!"
"This is the King Eternal!"
Kairo Retsu pointed to the sky now visible through the fissures of the Dungeon. The sky outside, affected by the cracks, was already darkened with thick clouds—part of Dalamadur's natural ecology.
"And with Dalamadur's arrival, come the Doomstars—bright, scattered lights falling from the overcast sky."
"Where the Doomstars fall, all things will be shattered to dust!"
"I want the people of this world to see it with their own eyes… and witness the most ostentatious, most rarely seen form of Dalamadur!"
Kairo Retsu bared his teeth in a grin. "I want this Dalamadur… to shed its skin!"
"Hm?" The Winged Lion smiled, unfazed, and responded calmly. "And what does shedding mean?"
"After shedding its skin, Dalamadur is known among Hunters as Shah Dalamadur." Kairo Retsu explained to the Winged Lion all about Dalamadur and Shah Dalamadur. "If Dalamadur is the 'King Eternal'… then Shah Dalamadur is the 'Undying, Immortal Emperor of All Time!'"
Kairo Retsu gestured excitedly as he spoke: "After molting, Dalamadur's carapace becomes a vicious crimson, and due to its already unstable metabolic system, it becomes even more ferocious. The uncontrolled heat inside its body is enough to cause bedrock to glow red-hot from the searing temperatures… Like a crimson god of ruin."
"I… really love Dalamadur." Kairo Retsu spoke as if confiding. "Dalamadur carries both the symbolism of creation and destruction. And the serpent itself—the Ouroboros—represents infinity."
"Fitting for this moment!" Kairo Retsu looked up at the Winged Lion. "After all, right before me stands a demon of infinite desire… ready to bring about the end of the world!"
"Hearing you say that… I'm starting to like Dalamadur too." The Winged Lion chuckled. "But I'm not going to destroy the world. I simply want to create a feast that never ends… Don't you understand that feeling?"
"I think you—and Laios—both understand me." The Winged Lion continued. "Now then… the energy has fully gathered. Let's ascend to the surface."
A blissful expression crossed the Winged Lion's face.
"Let me see." Kairo Retsu rubbed his chin and checked on the status of the other Hunters. "Everyone's ready. Then…"
"Let's shatter the Dungeon!"
ROOOAAAAARRRRR!!!
With Kairo Retsu's command, the mountain—already nearing the ceiling of the Dungeon—continued its rapid growth. The Dalamadur coiled upward, reaching the summit, and unleashed a pale tornado breath at the top of the Dungeon.
That volatile force instantly destroyed the already fragile Dungeon barrier, allowing the enormous Dalamadur to push its body outside.
"What… what is that monster?!"
The allied armies stationed at the Dungeon entrance to repel monsters now found themselves face-to-face with the colossal head of Dalamadur.
Its mere breath stirred violent winds.
But the most striking thing… was the massive, menacing throne atop its head.
"It's… it's the Demon King!!! Demon King Laios!!!!!!"
Someone cried out in panic, pointing toward Laios.
Laios, still dazed from the impact of Dalamadur's charge against the Dungeon, was leaning on the throne resting, when the panicked voices reached his ears.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw a vast sea of soldiers and adventurers all staring directly at him. It made him feel a bit socially anxious… but also strangely thrilled.
"Look at that terrifying thing! It's like it crawled out of hell…"
"Damn it! He broke through the Dungeon!"
"Kill him now! Don't let him disrupt the spellcasters!"
Shouts continued to rise from every direction.
Laios began to panic as he realized artillery shells and magic blasts were already flying toward him.
Just as he wondered whether a Hunter's body could withstand the hits, Dalamadur let out a thunderous roar. The resulting shockwave destroyed all the incoming attacks from the various races.
Laios then noticed that the entire island seemed to be enveloped in a thin membrane… He hurriedly pulled out his telescope and saw that a massive fleet had surrounded the island, with many spellcasters from different races maintaining that shimmering barrier.
Facing the shattered Dungeon barrier, the outside world's response had been to gather all available barrier mages and seal off the entire island—trapping the demon within.
But—
"They always try to stop me," the Winged Lion sighed. "Too bad… this time is different."
In the very next instant, Heaven's Mount erupted from within the Dungeon, raising Dalamadur's massive body even higher. The bladed fins along its body scraped through rock, reducing it to debris, as it nearly emerged fully onto the surface.
Then, all at once, Dalamadur's titanic body launched upward. Its mass seemed to move slowly, but it crashed firmly into the new skyward barrier.
The newly created barrier, crafted by the combined efforts of countless mages, shattered instantly under Dalamadur's impact.
"Ah…" The Winged Lion wore a delighted expression. "Finally…"
"Finally, back on the surface…"
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