Scene – Inside a cave, Malu, Desu, Eco, Suba, and Chei are fighting a monster.
The monster has four legs, two arms raised upward, a circular body, and its entire body looks like it's made of silver metal. It has eight black eyes.
Desu: "Power Blast!"
Scene – Desu thrusts his hand forward, and a blast hits the monster's face, but it barely affects it.
The monster's two hands begin to glow, forming a purple energy ball in each hand. It throws one toward Eco and Suba.
Eco dodges it, but Suba takes some damage as a small explosion occurs.
Chei: "KURKU MITARU!"
Scene – Chei uses his sword and, within a second, moves from the monster's front to its back, slashing it 20–30 times. The monster staggers and almost falls, but manages to stabilize itself.
Chei: "Damn! This monster is too tough!"
Malu: "Every creature has some kind of weakness…"
Scene – Suddenly, thick, heavy chains of black and white wrap around the monster's body.
The scene shifts to the cave entrance, where Rana is floating midair. One hand is on his chest, and his fingers are shaped like a gun.
The monster is crushed by the chains, which then vanish.
Desu: "W-What the hell?!"
Eco: "This person is a monster…?" (whispers)
Scene – Rana comes closer and notices a machine some distance away.
Rana: "What is that?"
Suba: "No idea. But that monster was guarding it."
Scene – Everyone walks toward it.
There is a glass crystal mounted on a thick rod. From the crystal, two wires extend to two spherical nodes. From those nodes, two more wires connect to capsule-like spheres, and from those capsules, wires run into the wall behind them.
Rana: "So… what now?"
Chei: "Maybe you're supposed to put your hand into the crystal."
Rana: "And what will that do?"
Chei: "I don't know."
Rana (thinking):
Hmm… so Dugu created this system. But why? What's the reason?
And why did he call me here for this?
If any normal person were in my place, it would be obvious that this machine was made specifically for me.
But why? Does he want my power? My mana? Aura? Magical energy? Or something else?
And what will happen if I put my hand inside that crystal…?
Malu: "What are you thinking about? Go on."
Rana: "Me? Why me? Any one of you could do it.
It's not like I'm the leader of this team or that I took responsibility for protecting you.
And this was found in your kingdom, so you should handle it."
Malu: "Our king gave you this task.
And anyway, we're only here to watch you. This is your job."
Eco: "Right."
Suba: "So go."
Rana: "Tsk!"
Scene – Rana walks over and puts his hand into the crystal.
The crystal immediately closes around his hand. Rana feels weak for a few seconds, but then returns to normal.
The crystal opens again. Meanwhile, the wires glow as energy flows through them, toward the back wall via the capsules.
Rana: "Ah…"
Scene – Rana is pushed slightly backward.
Rana (thinking):
What was that…? No damage? No effect?
Desu: "Alright, let's go back now."
Rana: "Huh? We're not continuing?"
Desu: "No."
Eco: "Our work here is done. From here on, our king will handle things.
If we stay, more trouble might appear. The information we've collected is enough. Let's return."
Rana (thinking):
Only an idiot would trust what they're saying.
So their only goal was to bring me here and make me put my hand into that crystal?
Still, I can't do anything about it now… but I'm sure whatever's going on is on the other side of that wall.
Scene – On the other side of the wall, inside a huge glass chamber, a dragon is revealed.
It is 15–18 meters long. Several dwarves and King Dugu stand before it.
The dragon's body is green and white, with blue and red eyes.
Dugu:
"Nice, nice! It's done! My creation is finally complete!
I've created the fifth elemental dragon all by myself! Hahaha!
This one is far more powerful than the other elemental dragons.
Now our kingdom will gain even more power once again!"
Dugu (thinking):
"And for Master… here's a little gift!"
Scene – A small bottle is shown, containing Rana's illusion aura.
Dugu (thinking):
Just as Master instructed, I've completed my task…!
Scene – Back in the palace, Dugu and Rana stand facing each other.
Rana: "So, I've done my part."
Dugu: "Nice, nice! That's exactly what I expected from the Illusion Master."
Rana:
"Haha… look, I don't know what kind of plan your dwarf brain is cooking up, or what you want to do.
But… you're bringing demons into this world. Do you even understand what that means?"
Dugu: "Demons?! I don't know anything about that.
Wait—where did you encounter a demon?"
Rana: "Inside the dungeon."
Dugu: "What?! I seriously didn't know there was a demon there!"
Rana: "…Hmm. Okay, fine. Then I'll be leaving."
Dugu: "Nice, nice."
Rana (thinking):
'Nice, nice'? Maybe that's just his catchphrase…
Scene – Rana leaves.
A shadow appears beside Dugu—it's Indrah (see Chapters 64 and 65 for details).
Indrah: "Where is that thing?"
Dugu: "Yes! Here it is, Sir Indrah."
Scene – Dugu hands the capsule to Indrah. Indrah vanishes into the shadows.
Scene – A room is shown. Indrah appears.
A man sits on a sofa, his face covered with a white scarf.
Another man is sitting on a chair near a table.
Indrah: "My lord, this is the energy you asked for."
Man on the chair: "Give it to him."
Indrah: "Yes."
Scene – Indrah hands the capsule to the masked man.
Masked Man:
"In return for your help, our debt is now settled."
Man on the chair: "Hmm." (nods)
Scene – The masked man leaves.
Indrah:
"My lord… who was that person? And why did we help him?"
That Lord:
"He is an extremely dangerous individual.
Just remember this—if you ever encounter him, either leave immediately… or stand on his side."
Indrah: "…Okay."
That Lord: "You may go now."
Scene – Indrah bows and leaves.
That Lord:
"Soon, a war is going to begin.
And from that war… I will rule this world.
This… world… does not… deserve… happiness…!!!"