Erwin imdiately straightened up.
"My lord," Erwin said at once, standing and bowing deeply.
Alex waved his hand.
"No need to bow."
Erwin nodded once, composed himself, and sat back down.
Raon walked past them and took the chair behind the table, leaning back casually.
Alex stepped forward.
"Raon," he said directly. "Take to Hephaetaestus."
Raon raised a finger.
"Wait."
He smiled faintly.
"Soone was expecting you."
Before Alex could reply—
A portal materialized beside Raon.
Hot air spilled out.
The scent of molten tal and magma filled the room.
From the portal—
A woman stepped through.
Violet hair cascaded down like flowing silk, shimring faintly as if lit from within by fire. Golden eyes burned intensely, like miniature suns forged in a furnace.
Alex’s lips curved.
"I knew you’d co, Miss Potato Fac—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His expression changed instantly.
"Lina..."
The woman stood still.
One of her arms was gone.
A jagged scar ran across her face—ugly and brutal—cutting through what should have been flawless skin.
She looked at Alex.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
Her aura surged violently.
"You ca too late."
The room temperature dropped.
Azreal’s eyes sharpened, wings twitching faintly.
"Who are you to raise your voice at us?"
Alex raised his hand calmly.
"Wait."
Azreal closed his mouth instantly.
Lina’s shoulders trembled.
Tears began streaming down her face, burning trails of light as they fell.
"Our predictions were wrong," she said, her voice shaking. "The attack ca fifteen days earlier than expected."
Alex’s gaze darkened.
"Continue."
"L–Lord Hephaetaestus’ ergency defenses..." She swallowed hard. "They were breached easily."
She paused.
The silence scread.
"A massacre happened."
Zara’s fingers tightened slightly.
"Most of his believers are dead," Lina continued. "Those we managed to save... their faith is already wavering."
Her voice cracked.
"We won’t last long. No matter what you do now."
She clenched her teeth.
"Belial will replace him soon."
Her shoulders slumped.
"We’ve already lost."
She wiped her tears roughly.
"There’s no point in fighting anymore."
She turned toward the portal.
"You can go back," she said quietly. "We don’t need you anymore."
She stepped forward—
Alex grabbed her wrist.
Firm.
Unyielding.
"We lose only when I say we’ve lost."
Lina froze.
"And I will not give up on the weapon. No matter what."
She turned back sharply.
"So that’s it?" she snapped. "You only care about that weapon?"
Alex t her gaze calmly.
"You’re right," he said. "I do care about that weapon."
She stiffened.
"But I also made a promise to Hephaetaestus," Alex continued. "And I intend to keep it. No matter what."
His grip tightened slightly.
"So take to him," he said flatly. "Instead of crying and throwing a tantrum."
Lina trembled.
Then slowly—
She took a deep breath.
Her emotions settled.
She nodded once.
"...Co with ."
She turned and stepped back toward the portal.
Alex moved imdiately.
Behind him—
Zara, Azreal, and Erwin stepped forward as well.
Raon’s voice cut through the room.
"Not so fast."
Everyone turned toward him.
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Raon stood up from his chair, his relaxed deanor fading into sothing more official.
"As one of the Tower Managers," he said evenly, "I can’t allow these three—"
He pointed toward Zara, Azreal, and Erwin.
"To accompany you to et a god. They aren’t just ordinary beings you can et whenever you want."
The room went still.
"You know it’s not that easy," Raon continued. "Only a handful of top-ranked candidates are permitted to directly interact with gods."
His gaze sharpened.
"And these three haven’t even cleared the First Floor yet."
He adjusted his glasses.
"So I’m afraid they can’t go with you."
Raon sighed lightly.
"Just because it’s you, Lucifer, I brought them here in the first place. But I can’t go further than that."
He spread his hands slightly.
"I’m restricted by the Tower as well."
Zara clicked her tongue.
"I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy."
Azreal folded his arms.
"So we have to clear the First Floor first, huh."
Erwin stood silently.
For a mont, shock flickered across his face.
Then—
He rembered Alex’s words before entering the Tower.
’I won’t babysit you.’
’If you die, that’s on you.’
His jaw tightened.
His resolve hardened.
Alex looked at the three of them.
"Looks like I’m going solo on this one."
He smiled faintly.
"So you’ll have to clear the First Floor on your own."
Zara smirked.
"Don’t worry. We’re not complaining."
She glanced at him.
"We already knew what we were getting into."
"And I have no intention of letting you babysit ."
Alex chuckled.
"Now that’s what I wanted to hear."
Azreal nodded once.
"We’ll follow you soon."
"I’ll be waiting," Alex replied.
Then—
He turned toward Erwin.
His expression sharpened.
"Erwin."
Erwin straightened instinctively.
"You’re the one most likely to die on the First Floor."
The words hit hard.
"So I only have one thing to say to you."
Alex’s eyes locked onto his.
"Survive."
"And prove wrong."
"So that I won’t ever regret taking you with ."
Determination burned in Erwin’s eyes.
"I will prove myself worthy."
Alex shook his head slowly.
"I don’t want you to just be worthy."
His voice dropped.
"I want you to beco so strong that your na is whispered in fear here."
Erwin clenched his fist.
"I will et every expectation you have," he said firmly.
"Or die trying."
Alex smirked.
"Good."
Alex added with a smirk,
"But try not to die, okay?"
Erwin nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Alex turned back to Raon.
"Take them to the First Floor Protection Zone."
"Tell them everything they need to know."
"And let them clear the First Floor."
Raon sighed.
"Alright."
"But that’s all I’m doing."
Alex nodded.
"That’s all they need."
"Thank you."
Raon smirked.
"Don’t ntion it."
Then his eyes glead.
"Just don’t forget I helped you."
"So in return, whenever I give you a task—prioritize it over tasks from other floor managers."
Alex shrugged.
"I’ll see what I can do."
Raon snorted.
"That’s not reassuring at all."
"But I’ll take it."
A portal opened beside him.
Raon gestured.
Zara stepped through first.
Azreal followed.
Erwin paused for half a second, looking back at Alex.
Their eyes t.
Then Erwin turned and stepped into the portal.
It closed.
Alex exhaled slowly.
Finally—
He turned toward Lina.
"Take to Hephaetaestus."
Lina nodded.
Another portal opened.
The two stepped through.
The scenery shifted once more.
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