Days passed as the survivors of the great battle prepared to conquer the Crimson Spire. The battle had been too bloody, too brutal, but, above all, too short to feel real.

  The remaining generals soon surrendered to Shifting Star, allowing Nephis to consolidate her power and speed things up. The cost in human lives had been far less than he had hoped, and the cooperation offered by each only increased with time.

  Together, they not only cleared the catacombs, finishing off the fearsome undead king, but their preparations for their final battle grew much more robust within a few days. In the end, it took no more than a week for the army of nearly five hundred sleepers to stand before the towering Crimson Spire.

  Seishan regarded the group of warriors coldly, then spoke to the small, bck-haired girl at his side.

  “I can't believe we're actually here, let alone that you're still here, Aiko.”

  The small woman frowned, seemingly annoyed, then gave a pyful smile.

  “You were supposed to be the one who never made things random, Seishan, which forced me to beg you to come to my joint… or leave. What changed this time?”

  “I wouldn't say anything. I just… I think there's only one winning outcome.”

  Her words were measured, as her eyes focused beyond the small army, on a seemingly lonely spot inhabited only by shadows.

  “Now what are you looking at?” – Aiko asked strangely.

  “Nothing, just a strange feeling I had.”

  “…Whatever you say.”

  At that instant, Changing Star's voice echoed throughout the battlefield.

  “Get ready!”

  As her words echoed in the air, a swarm of nightmarish creatures emerged from the depths of the arena to confront the invaders. The time for bloodshed had begun.

  "You'd better leave now. You don't want to die before you become a millionaire."

  "Don't say it twice." Backing up that statement, Aiko ran out of the room.

  Seishan looked at her with amusement, gd to have been able to share a few words with the small woman. Although they had rarely interacted directly, she was happy to be able to have a normal conversation before her possible death. No, she wouldn't die, for her, her sisters, and her mother. She would return.

  Around her, other warriors braced for impact. Effie, the hunters from the outskirts, the st castle guards, and the surprisingly still-alive Gemma accompanied her. She wasn't afraid, only worried about the cost of her victory.