Chapter 68 The Gathering at Demonic Bastion

Chapter 68 The Gathering at Demonic Bastion

That should be enough.

Kraush, having deliberately crushed Pendal in response to his full effort, now stepped off the chest of the flushed and shame-faced Pendal. But Pendal did not rise. It seemed less embarrassing for him to remain down, beaten.

Kraush turned to address the onlookers.

I am Kraush Balheim. I seek challengers to join me in conquering Nakcheon and ascending to the 8th floor.

All eyes snapped to Kraush.

Come whenever youre ready. Anyone well-versed in Demonic Bastion is welcome. If you desire the glory of ascending to the 8th floor, join me.

With that, Kraush turned away. Pendals gang rushed to his side, but Kraush paid them no mind. Instead, he thought of the woman who had been watching him throughout the fight.

Lakradiyon.

Perhaps the last light of Demonic Bastion, a swordswoman who, if Pendal was the darkness, was its shining beacon. All challengers of the Bastion admired her and hoped she would conquer it one day. During the year Kraush spent in Demonic Bastion, her name was the one he heard most often. However, by that time, Lakradiyon had already put down her sword and become a faded memory.

While Pendal remained in the darkness, Lakradiyon lost her light and crumbled. After letting go of her sword, she became nothing more than a merchant running a small shop in the Bastion.

[Wont he seek revenge if you just leave him be?]

Crimson Garden landed on Kraushs shoulder and asked. Kraush chuckled at the question.

Thats what Im counting on.

[A character as nasty as ever.]

Pendals skill, Lyoner, was an electric ability that, according to Kraush, Pendal had never fully utilized. Kraush intended to steal that skill for himself. Three conditions appeared before Pendal:

[Experience envy.]

First was envy, a condition ironically already met simply because Kraush was born a Balheim.

[Be acknowledged as more than a rival.]

Second, Pendal must fully recognize Kraush as a rival, no matter the method.

Very vague again.

The battle had not yet satisfied Pendals second condition. He hadnt truly acknowledged Kraush in his heart.

There will be more opportunities.

The moment Pendal acknowledges him as more than a rival. Kraush decided to patiently wait for that time. After all, as long as he stayed in Demonic Bastion, he would keep encountering Pendal.

Kraushs reason for recruiting a team for Demonic Bastion wasnt just because the place was tricky to navigate alone. It was also to entice Pendal. Back in the day, Kraush faced a similar situation due to being a Balheim. However, it wasnt Kraush who fought back then.

The one who faced Pendal was Anix Graiser, the archer. When Belorkin managed to obtain Rain Thunder Prime, Anix also came to Demonic Bastion, hoping for some spoils. Naturally, Pendal confronted them, and as a result, Anix crushed him. Despite repeatedly attacking Anix with no restraint, Pendal was ultimately demolished and fled the Bastion.

Because of such events, Kraush remembered Pendals tendencies, skills, and characteristics well it was one of his specialties. That knowledge allowed him to defeat Pendal with little difficulty. With anyone else, it wouldnt have been so easy.

The situation is entirely different now.

Kraush believed Pendal hadnt changed much since then.

If theres a worse outcome, so be it.

Of course, any worse outcome would hardly be favorable for Pendal.

In the darkness, Kraushs eyes softly glowed.

To put it bluntly.

The situation was not resolved as easily as expected.

Kraush watched Bianca, who was engrossed in a new book he had recently bought her. Unfortunately, nobody had shown up to join Kraushs assault on the 8th floor. Pendal had indeed been defeated by Kraush. However, Kraush was ultimately leaving Demonic Bastion, and Pendal wasnt going anywhere.

No challenger dared approach Kraush, now marked by Pendals enmity.

Youve got chocolate on your face.

Kraush wasnt particularly bothered and wiped Biancas face clean from the chocolate she smeared while eating.

Bianca moved her face this way and that, following Kraushs hand. She seemed accustomed to whatever he did for her. Then, she looked up at him.

Will you keep waiting?

Impressed by her quick wits, Kraush smiled.

Good. Im counting on your expert then.

The preparations were complete.

All that remained was the actual assault.

It was time to defeat Nakcheon and claim Rain Thunder Prime. And incidentally, Pendals skill as well.

The news that Lakradiyon, the Light of Demonic Bastion, had joined forces with a Balheim heir, spread like wildfire. It was no wonder, given that Lakradiyon had directly approached Kraush, who was always seeking partners for the assault.

After the Icarus team, including Lakradiyon and Pendal, had been decimated by Nakcheon in the past, Lakradiyon had not entered Demonic Bastion again and focused solely on honing her sword. Everyone believed she would eventually return to the Bastion, but she did not.

As Lakradiyons reputation began to fade, she decided to enter Demonic Bastion once more, this time with a Balheim heir.

Didnt Pendal just get crushed by the Balheim heir?

Is the Balheim heir that impressive? Or is Lakradiyon just riding on his coattails for fame?

Some were quick to downgrade Lakradiyons decision. But those who remembered her prowess in Demonic Bastion and the monstrosity that was Nakcheon shook their heads. They argued that if this were her only motive, she would have returned to the Bastion long ago.

Lakradiyon had seen something new in the Balheim heir a new light.

And everyone believed that.

Boom!

Upon hearing the news, Pendal slammed his fist onto the desk before him. In the dim light filtered by heavy drapes, Pendal, with a plaster on his chin, gritted his teeth in anger.

La, Lakradiyon, she sides with that bastard after seeing me like this?

Pendal felt betrayed by Lakradiyon. She had fallen before Nakcheon just as he had, and now she had chosen to ally with Kraush. He couldnt accept it.

Pendal harbored a deep-seated inferiority complex towards Lakradiyon. Unlike him, who was reviled for his brutality, she had always been a radiant light in her swordplay. Though she too had been broken alongside him, her persistence in wielding the sword was both foolish and frightening to Pendal. If she were to rise again, Pendals own downfall would be pitiable.

And now she was returning to Demonic Bastion, with the very Balheim heir responsible for his humiliation.

Grinding his teeth again, Pendal clenched his fist and struck his own face.

Dammit.

That was enough wallowing in inferiority. It didnt matter that he had been bested by the Balheim heir.

You think Ill just sit still?

There was only one thing Pendal had always aimed for the aspiration to defeat Nakcheon one day, the very reason he had formed Pendalord.

He would not let Nakcheon fall to anyone else.

No more hesitation from today.

Ironically, the news of Lakradiyon and Kraushs challenge to Nakcheon rekindled Pendals resolve. His eyes sparkled with renewed determination.

He strode past the broken desk and flung open the door.

His gang, gathered before him, flinched and hurried out of his way.

Im entering Demonic Bastion.

As his words echoed, one by one, the members of Pendalord turned to face him.

The man who had hesitated despite his ambition to challenge Nakcheon now finally spoke out.

The eyes of every member of Pendalord blazed with new purpose.

Boss, youve finally decided.

Ha, thats right! We cant let our prey be taken from us.

Our boss is ugly, but this is why we follow him!

Pendalords morale surged, and Pendal swallowed a bitter chuckle, his eyes narrowing.

Yes, well defeat Nakcheon first and claim Rain Thunder Prime.

It was the moment the entire Demonic Bastion moved into action.