[Balak's soldiers have appeared.]

Dungeon soldiers poured from the top-floor gate. The demons, previously locked in combat with the angels, panicked and retreated. Every single one of them was an S-rank soldier or higher. Some took the form of low-grade monsters like goblins, lizardmen, and harpies, but their firepower was top-tier.

"Kiek! I am the captain of Balak's goblin unit! Everyone, follow me!"

"Kiek!"

"Kiek!"

A green goblin with a longbow slung over his shoulder commanded his kin. He was the scout who had first discovered Yuslan's ice palace, earning his rank as captain. Although he had died a heroic death alongside his unit in the Collad Mountains, he had returned, freely showing off his newly evolved abilities.

[SS-rank Named Soldier Scout Unit Captain Berkuel has cast Secure Weakness.]

[Analyzes and displays the weaknesses of demons within the designated area.]

[Shared with all scout unit goblins.]

[Secure Weakness Usage Limit: 1/3]

Berkuel, who had been granted a name through Evolution, skillfully drew his bowstring and unleashed a rain of arrows. Caught in the middle, the angels looked back and forth between the demons and Balak's soldiers in confusion.

"Jeri-el, what should we do?!"

"...What in the world? To think dungeon soldiers are suddenly helping us. I don't understand it, either."

"This is a disgrace. To receive help from mere dogs of the demons. We must deal with Balak's soldiers right—!"

'KABOOM!'

Just as they turned their hostility toward the dungeon soldiers, the upper floor shook. The Evil Dragon Kadumallian was casting Annihilation once again. The angels watched the compressing mana before looking at Zighart, who was facing off against the demons.

'That Main Force might be able to block Annihilation like before. But if that happens, we'll be receiving their help again.'

Anticipation slowly bloomed amidst their shame. However, the shield-bearer didn't even turn his head as he blocked the mid-level demons' skills. Jeri-el stepped forward, prepared to sacrifice himself. At that moment, a flash of light shot out from the top-floor gate and struck the Evil Dragon's entire body.

[The Spear of Judgment has been activated.]

[Divine Power Amplification Rate: 248%]

[The Spear of Judgment is being charged through Archangel Captain Eclat's Divine Power.]

A blinding flash of light erupted, Behel's Divine Power spreading in all directions with an overwhelming might that instantly turned the Siege-type Soldiers to ash. The Spear of Judgment, once wielded by Behel in the Divine Realm, was unleashing its power once again in the Celestial Realm. The angels blinked at the appearance of the unfamiliar angel and looked up at the gate. The first to react were Claire and Nariel, who had become high-ranking angels.

"E—Eclat?!"

"She has six pairs of wings?!"

Even though she had changed through Evolution, her familiar appearance remained. They gasped in shock, remembering the Eclat who had been exiled from the Celestial Realm. She was an angel who should have fallen after becoming affiliated with a dungeon. Yet here she was, revealing six pairs of wings and activating the Spear of Judgment as the Archangel Captain.

Eclat looked at the two with a bitter expression before shouting to the crowd.

"E—Everyone. I am Eclat, the new Archangel Captain succeeding Kamiel. I stand here having been directly acknowledged by Behel, the God of Light. Please lend your strength to Balak's soldiers. We are simply fighting to protect the Celestial Realm."

"What? I—if she was acknowledged by Behel, that means Eclat is the Archangel Captain now!"

"Then is this also Behel's revelation? But for the Celestial Race to help a Dungeon Master... It's hard to accept all at once."

The full story didn't matter. If Behel had personally appointed Eclat as the Archangel Captain, then Balak's support must also be the will of the god. Although the former Archangel Captain Kamiel still existed, the six pairs of wings right before their eyes proved the truth. Jeri-el checked the numbers of the Demon Realm Grand Army and quickly made a decision.

"We will follow the orders of the new Archangel Captain, Eclat. From this moment on, we will join forces with Balak's soldiers to fend off the Demon Realm Grand Army. Everyone, fight carefully so as not to confuse them with the enemy dungeon soldiers!"

The upper floors of Pletas had already been breached. With four SS-rank Dungeon Masters joining the fray, the angels of the Celestial Realm couldn't possibly hold them off alone. Following Jeri-el's orders, the angels began to merge with Balak's soldiers. Meanwhile, Claire and Nariel flew to the top-floor gate to meet the new Archangel Captain.

"Eclat, about last time..."

"It's fine. I've decided to just forget about the past. So you don't need to feel sorry."

"T—then?"

"First of all, I'd like you to call me Captain Eclat. After all, I am the Archangel Captain of the Celestial Realm now."

Thorns revealed themselves within her bright, blooming smile. The two angels flinched in terror and hugged each other.

"E—Eclat?"

"Why are you suddenly acting like this? We were never like this before. Right?"

"I'm going to change a bit from now on, too. I don't care about what happened in the past at all, so don't worry."

Eclat spoke words she didn't mean. Claire and Nariel had suddenly changed their attitudes during her trial at the Celestial Crystal Palace. In truth, the shock she received back then couldn't be easily forgotten. However, there was a piece of advice she had heard while evolving into an angel befitting an Archangel Captain.

'From now on, you are the Archangel Captain. You will lead all the angels of Celestial Realm Pletas. If those two who turned their backs on you before are still alive, welcome them as warmly as possible. After all, they'll be rolling around under your command from now on.'

The old days of their friendship were no more. Only a hierarchical relationship existed, like a boss and her subordinates. Eclat chuckled, sticking her tongue out as she thought of Taehyun, who would be on the top floor.

---

"To think that I, the king of monsters, would finally face off against demons. I will kill you all!"

"Kieeeee!"

"Defense mode activated. Protecting Balak's soldiers."

Balak's SS-rank soldiers strode across the battlefield. Even though they were facing soldiers of the same rank, a gap in firepower was widening. Having suddenly joined forces with the angels, Balak's soldiers took the initiative to fight against the Demon Realm's forces and secured the vanguard. Hee Cha, who had been watching the battle for a while, judged Zighart and Deshkar as the top priority targets for elimination and gave orders to her Main Forces.

"It's them. Take them out first. No matter how strong the firepower of Balak's soldiers is, if their core collapses, they'll be wiped out without putting up a fight!"

"Hee Cha is definitely right. Balak's soldiers must have been strengthened through Taehyun's special ability. The first targets to eliminate should be their Main Forces."

"That's what I'm saying. Even if they are SS-rank Main Forces, they won't be able to handle it if we push them with numbers."

The four SS-rank Dungeon Masters possessed a total of about fifteen Main Forces. Currently, only four of Balak's Main Forces had revealed themselves on the battlefield. Even if they possessed incredible skills through special abilities, it would be useless if multiple enemies ganged up on them. Tayvolk shot flames at Zighart, who was in the middle of fighting mid-level demons.

[SS-rank Hero Guardian Tayvolk has cast Volcanic Eruption.]

[Flames with the heat of lava are fired at the designated target.]

The flames flew, drawing a precise parabola. Zighart shoved the mid-level demons away and raised his shield, but his attempt was thwarted as other Main Forces appeared to his left and right.

"Good. First of all, that shield-bearer will be elim—!"

Just as they were cheering, a shield formed around them. The Main Forces who were casting skills at Zighart were instantly pushed back and panicked.

[SS-rank Mid-level Attacker Eleonora has cast Primeval Shield.]

[A shield with infinite durability is generated around the area for a set period of time.]

[Enemies within the shield are pushed out due to a knockback effect.]

[Primeval Shield Usage Limit: 1/2]

Soon, a woman appeared beside Zighart. She let her dark black hair flutter as she drew out her Divine Power.

"If we are at a numerical disadvantage, we have no choice but to match those numbers in battle. We will make you pay for underestimating our Balak. Look forward to it."

"W—what? Pilseus was the only SS-rank Attacker on the continent. How on earth did they raise their rank?!"

"That's not what's important right now. We need to get rid of that shield with infinite durability first!"

The Primeval Shield's range was extraordinary to begin with. Considering its infinite durability effect, removing it with a Dungeon Master's skill would be the wisest choice. Hantae Kang, the Dungeon Master of Fortune Seeker, cast an effect removal skill to eliminate the shield. At that moment, an assassin attempted a surprise attack from behind.

[SS-rank Hero Guardian God of Assassination Krodin has cast Eternal Rest.]

[A compulsive force that severs the opponent's life is activated.]

[Eternal Rest Usage Limit: 1/1]

A dagger imbued with compulsive force rushed in. A nearby Keeper urgently blocked it with a shield, but death was unavoidable. With a heavy thud, the SS-rank Keeper lost his life in an instant and collapsed. Krodin looked down at the pierced nape along with the shield and expressed his regret.

"Tch, if it weren't for this guy, I would have ended the Dungeon Master's life."

"D—damn it. When did he slip into our ranks? Melvia's vision skill was definitely active!"

"Hehehe. There's no way a mere Main Force could see through my stealth. Today, I'll show you exactly what kind of being the God of Assassination is."

"Ugh. Kill him first!"

The God of Assassination concealed himself once again. The surrounding Main Forces cast stealth detection skills again to pinpoint Krodin's location. At that moment, new Main Forces of Balak emerged from the direction of the shield.

"Hoho. If you live long enough, you see all sorts of things. My body had already returned to nature's embrace, yet to think I can live and move again like this. Is this also fate?"

"Tch. Stop making such a fuss. It's a creepy situation. What are you so happy about? Ugh. Anyway, if he was going to revive me, he could have at least fixed my back. That Guide guy really has no tact. Tsk tsk."

"You ask for a lot considering you don't even use your back that much. You should be grateful just that Taehyun revived you!"

These were the three Main Forces they had seen inside the Dispel Dungeon. The beings who should have definitely died while stopping Pilseus had appeared on the battlefield completely unharmed. The Myoin Tribe member at the forefront lightly stretched and exuded a fierce aura.

"Let's see how you measure up."

---

[SS-rank Named Guardian Great Fairy of Balak Mederia has cast Magic Bullet Bombardment.]

[Great Chieftain of the Myoin Tribe Hasla has cast Stream of Consciousness.]

[Great Elder of the Silent Forest Hamolton has cast Ancient Explosion.]

They were beings who had been annihilated within the dimension. He had personally confirmed it through a portion of the dimension's authority, yet they were now fighting against the Main Forces in perfect condition. Duke Nikunbel, who was observing the battlefield from afar, scowled and thought of the remaining Dimension Management Authority.

'If it's the authority to revive annihilated beings, it must be the Dimension Management Authority residing within Demonic King Kraktio's body. How on earth did he obtain the Dimension Management Authority? Taehyun definitely wouldn't have had the price to pay for it!'

Dozens of questions complicated his mind. The Dimension Management Authority was one thing, but Taehyun had already consumed all his mana stones to begin with. Yet, not only was he reviving annihilated beings, but he was also strengthening his forces by evolving them through Evolution.

—Demonic King Kraktio's demonic energy is being felt from the top floor.

"That's impossible. Kraktio is set up so he can never escape Kamiel's body. Even if he obtained the Dimension Management Authority, for him to be on the top floor..."

—It might not make sense, but it's the truth. He isn't directly participating in the battle, but he's revealing his presence by emitting powerful demonic energy.

"...Could it be?!"

Suddenly, the abilities of the Demonic Orb flashed through his mind. The four abilities of the Demonic Orb that only the Guide leading different races could draw out. Among them, the ability to absorb mana treated not only regular mana but also Divine Power and demonic energy as targets for absorption. If it was Demonic King Kraktio's mighty demonic energy, it would certainly be enough to gather the mana levels needed for Evolution.

'Just how did you obtain the Dimension Management Authority, Taehyun?'

Duke Nikunbel broke out in a cold sweat as he looked up at the top-floor gate.