"Are you going to keep her here?" Eleanor asked.

"Yes, I will keep her here for half an hour at least. She’s becoming a bit too much these days," he said with a wry smile.

Eleanor simply shook her head.

Isaac didn’t say anything more. His real body stepped out from the Mirror World with Eleanor. They moved through the corridor.

As they walked, Isaac could feel the faint noises from outside.

They exited the building and stepped into a completely different atmosphere.

The area near the entrance of the Great Dungeon had been sealed off. Barricades had been set up, and guards were stationed at every point where someone might try to push through. Beyond those barriers, a large crowd had gathered. The public wasn’t allowed inside, but that hadn’t stopped them from coming.

People stood shoulder to shoulder, craning their necks, whispering, pointing. Some of them had climbed onto nearby apartments’ roof just to get a better view. The air was charged with excitement.

Right beside the dungeon entrance stood the administration building. On top of it, a massive screen had been set up, large enough that even those at the back of the crowd could see clearly.

The screen would livestream the competition.

The same feed would be transmitted across the city, into homes, halls, and estates. The entire event was being broadcast.

Something like this was possible due to Awakeners with specialized Talents. Like Streaming, visual projection, and enhanced perception.

Isaac’s gaze lingered on the screen for a moment before shifting away.

He was more interested in the people.

The Lords and their teams had already gathered near the entrance. There was no need for introductions at this point. Everyone here knew who the others were.

Isaac’s eyes moved slowly across them, not in a rushed glance, but with careful attention.

Strong.

That was the only word that came to his mind, and even that felt like an understatement.

Every single subordinate here was an Overlord.

Each team had two or three Apex rank Overlords standing at the front. Their presence was heavy and powerful.

Behind them were the High rank Overlords.

Ordinarily, that difference in rank would have mattered more. But not here.

These High rank Overlords were equipped to the teeth with armor, weapons, and artifacts of enormous power. Their Classes and Talents weren’t simple either. These were individuals who had been cultivated, trained, and strengthened with intent.

They could fight an average Apex rank Overlord without being immediately overwhelmed. That alone said enough.

And the Apex rank Overlords leading them... were not average.

Isaac let out a quiet breath and shifted his gaze toward his own team.

The difference was obvious.

Other than Avery and Sera, there wasn’t a single Overlord among them. On paper, it wasn’t even a comparison.

But Isaac didn’t look concerned.

Every single member of his team had an SSS+ rank Talent at minimum. That wasn’t something that could be measured as easily as rank. And their species... each one stood at the peak among the Apex rank species.

The Lords approached him soon after.

Their expressions were polite, and warm. A few exchanged greetings with Eleanor as well, though their attention kept drifting back to Isaac.

Their subordinates, however, were far less subtle.

Isaac could feel their gazes. Some were sharp, and others were dismissive. A few didn’t even bother hiding their disapproval.

It made sense.

From their perspective, Isaac had weakened his own team by bringing in someone unknown like Sera. Not only that, but he had done it openly, as if it didn’t matter.

It was a slap to their face, his competitor. They were angry.

To them, it looked like arrogance, or stupidity.

Still, it made him easier to defeat.

The Lords themselves weren’t too angry.

His decision had removed one competitor. That was all that mattered to them right now.

As for the damage to their image when Isaac had invited Sera, they didn’t seem bothered. That could be corrected later. When Isaac lost here, then whatever embarrassment they felt would be returned in full.

Every team was preparing to enter the dungeon when Lord Hass stepped forward.

"I hope everyone here remembers that this is just a competition. There is no need to fight each other with your lives on the line, or sabotage others to the point where they suffer serious or life-threatening injuries," Hass said.

"Indeed, Lord Hass is correct," Fafnir added with a nod.

Everyone present understood the risks. The Great Dungeon wasn’t a controlled environment. Even for Apex rank Overlords, things could go wrong quickly if they acted recklessly.

Isaac stepped forward slightly.

"Then, we shall start the competition," he announced.

The reaction was immediate.

The crowd erupted into cheers, the sound rolling outward like a wave. Even from within the restricted area, it was impossible to ignore.

The members of each team had already formed a Party through the System. Without that, entering the dungeon would scatter them randomly across the first area. That wasn’t something anyone here wanted.

One by one, the teams began to move. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The six Lords’ teams entered first, followed by the Third Priest’s group.

Finally, it was Isaac’s turn.

"Good luck," Isaac said.

Emily smiled. Alice nodded. Averon looked tense yet excited. Sera had a calm expression. Avery was looking at everyone, perhaps worrying if she could protect everyone. Eleanor had a firm gaze.

"We will be back soon," Emily replied, then entered.

Others followed.

...

The Lords moved into the administration building soon after.

Inside, a special viewing area had been prepared. The meeting hall had been cleared, and the large screen now displayed the dungeon’s interior.

Different teams appeared on different sections, shifting as the items prepared by awakeners with Livestream Talent tracked their movements.

Isaac took a seat among them.

He had a calm expression.

Truthfully, he was worried.

He had taken a risk with this competition. A large one.

On paper, his team was weaker. That wasn’t something he could deny.

But if he hadn’t done this, the outcome would have been worse.