Worldscribe guided Damian back into the bastion, this time diverging from the straight path that led to the dungeon entrance. As they moved through the hallways, Damian noticed many noteworthy individuals clad in gleaming armor. Their gazes lingered on him for a few seconds, but no one stopped them.
Passing through a structure reminiscent of the academy but distinct in atmosphere and purpose, they finally arrived near a room. Damian sensed no monsters inside—let alone an emperor-rank creature—and for a good reason: the monster wasn't behind the doors.
Instead, a staircase awaited, spiraling downward into the depths. The descent was arduous, taking 20 to 30 minutes. As they moved deeper, Damian began to hear roars and felt a massive surge of raw mana—like a fire tornado scorching his skin. Amid the tumult, he discerned several other mana signatures: second-rankers, and even a few third-rankers.
