As always, no one could interfere with Valan and Sraka's battle. Staying clear of them was the best move.

Strangely, their fight was completely even. Why is that strange, you might ask? The ceremony had empowered the Evil God Worshippers and the demons.

The Evil God's power would periodically seep out of the black hole. Sraka was strengthened by this energy as well. In spite of that, Valan and Sraka's fight was dead even. It was as if nothing had changed.

Isn't that strange?

However, Sraka hadn't been strengthened at all. Why? Because he was a Grandmaster. He was essentially a giant bowl that was filled to the brim.

There was no room to put anything else in, and there wasn't enough of the Evil God's power to increase the size of the container. At the very least, this applied to Grandmaster Sraka.

In other words, Valan and Sraka's fight was no different from last time.

'I'm a bit stronger,' Valan thought.

'I'm getting pushed back again,' Sraka thought.

Ultimately, their match wouldn't be decided easily.

Meanwhile, Kang Oh and the detached force battled Nemeth and Umtara's forces.

Burkan and Dion were forced to fight Nemeth together, as he'd been strengthened by the Evil God's power. He was just that strong.

"Repent in death!" Nemeth's body unleashed destructive energy.

Divine Explosion!

Boom!

The explosion scorched the area with a massive 'boom'.

"Ugh."

"Tch!"

Burkan and Dion were caught in the explosion, and rolled onto the floor.

"Submit!" Nemeth punched the floor, and the ground split as if there'd been an earthquake.

Burkan and Dion quickly righted themselves, and then leapt into the air.

However... a portion of the detached force fell into the cracks.

"Uhaaahk!"

Kuhaahk!

Of course, the demons were no exception!

"Are you alright?" Dion, who'd landed on the floor, checked on Burkan.

Burkan landed on his own two feet, and then assessed the battlefield. It wasn't looking good. The Evil God Worshippers and the demons were too powerful. The gladiators just couldn't match up to them.

However, there were those who shined on the battlefield.

For instance, Kang Oh! He relentlessly swung his jet-black greatsword and purple longsword, and engaged Annihilation Umtara, who was surrounded by demons. Sephiro, Bart, and Helena were backing him up.

Then there was Saru! He and the Rakan Priests engaged the Evil God's followers while aiding the gladiators.

"Brothers, maintain formation and aid our troops! Don't worry about the demons! The gladiators and I will stop them!"

Bam!

Saru kicked a demon's head, causing it to explode. It was enough to make people feel that he was Mahakan's true successor.

Of course, Nazaran wasn't even in the running anymore, as he'd betrayed them all. But even if Nazaran was still in the running, Saru would've certainly led the Rakan Church in the future.

Anyhow, Burkan wanted to trust in Kang Oh and Saru.

"Dion, we have to lure Nemeth away from the battlefield. At this rate, his AoE attacks will slaughter our troops," Burkan said.

Nemeth's attacks were not only destructive, but had an extremely wide radius. Even if he wasn't focusing on them, his attacks would kill some members of the detached force.

The gladiators that'd fallen into the cracked earth were a good example of this.

They needed to lead Nemeth away from the detached force before they incurred even greater casualties.

Of course, that would mean that Burkan and Dion wouldn't be able to command the detached force. But it would be alright.

Kang Oh and Saru were there!

"Master Valan will take care of Sraka, so if we keep Nemeth busy, Kang Oh and Saru should be able to take care of the rest."

"Understood."

Burkan and Dion continued to battle Nemeth, but steadily led him further and further away from the battlefield.

Now, only Kang Oh and Saru's detached force, as well as Umtara's forces, remained in the heart of the battlefield.

"Lord Rakan!"

"How dare you say that heretical name here!?"

"Die, you bastards!"

"Jaila! Jaila!"

The brutal battle continued.

The gladiators charged at the demons, while the Rakan Priests dealt with the Evil God Worshippers' wicked spells! Meanwhile, the mind controlled Franco civilians rushed at them like starving zombies.

"Give them a taste of the Great Jaila's power!"

"Guaaahk!"

Umtara's Annihilation energy swept through the gladiators, leaving only screams in its wake.

"You bastard!" Darion furiously swung his gladius, unleashing a Fighting Spirit's Aura at him.

Kyaha!

A demon, which was covered in a thick shell, protected Umtara like a living shield.

Boom!

Unfortunately, his aura wasn't able to pierce through its shell. However, Bart and Helena immediately followed up with their own attacks.

Helena's eyes glowed blue, and a blast of lightning shot out of her staff.

One Thousand Forked Lightning!

Bart used his specialty, 'Fusion'.

Light's Judgment + Flaming Spear!

Judgment of Fire!

Crackle!

Roar!

The mighty lightning and fire swept through the ground.

"Kuhahk!"

"Kyahaaa!"

Their combined might was tremendous. As expected of the Numbers!

Add to that the Rakan Priests' combined holy spell.

Rakan's Great Sword!

A sword of light fell from the sky.

Boom!

Once it pierced the ground, the sword of light released a wave of holy energy. However, it didn't do too much damage to the Evil God Worshippers and the demons, as they were supercharged with the Evil God's power.

"Aah, Lord Jaila!"

"Please lend me your strength!"

The Evil God Worshippers threw off their black robes, and their bodies turned to bronze. Bronze was the metal that represented Jaila! A dark red pattern lined their now bronze skin.

Wheel of Everlasting Pain!

Hellfire!

Fallen One's Hand!

Impending Doom!

The Evil God Worshippers cast wicked spells or curses. However, the power of said spells was shocking.

"Ugh!"

Black spots covered Terry's face, a gladiator known for his good looks. Soon enough, his entire body was dyed black and he died. What a futile death.

The curse, Impending Doom, had killed him on the spot.

"Kill as many of them as you can!"

Cubam, a gladiator called the Attack Dog, rushed at and killed a demon, even though his entire body was coated in Hellfire, or black flames. What incredible willpower! Unfortunately, he wasn't able to escape unscathed.

"Brothers, let's fight and die together!" Saru yelled, a vein popping out in his neck.

His voice was both strong and warm. Just hearing it improved the troops' morale.

"Of course!"

"Uwoooh!"

The 100 Fighters normally possessed tremendous willpower, so much so that they would never give up a fight. Though the Evil God Worshippers tried to frighten them or cause them to hesitate with their wicked spells and curses, it didn't work.

But when their unbreakable willpower and Saru's voice were combined... Things began to turn around.

Plus...

Kang Oh grinned.

Gurgle.

It was as if his stomach was rumbling.

'Now then, let's feast!'

The battlefield was the best of restaurants for a predator like himself. After all, there was plenty of prey here.

Kang Oh's body transformed.

Devil Trigger!

The vicious beast began hunting its prey.

* * *

The Protectors of the Continent Brigade were fighting for their lives.

Kuhaaa!

Roar!

The five super demons, which were more than 30 meters tall, spewed flames from their mouths that turned the entire battlefield into an inferno.

"Guaaaahk!"

"S-Save me!"

"I'm on fire."

"Priest!"

That wasn't all!

Whenever they swung their four arms, dozens of soldiers would go flying like a broom sweeping dust away. Several troops were trampled by their giant feet too.

"You bastard!"

"Die, you monster!"

The soldiers thrust their swords and spears at them, and shot arrows at them too, but it was all for naught. Any player that wasn't a ranker had no chance of even damaging them.

Their skin was so thick that most attacks wouldn't even leave a mark. They also possessed incredibly high magic resistance.

Ultimately, the brigade's elites were tasked with eliminating the five demons.

The Brilliant Paladin, Barus, Judge Odir, Saintess Tasla, Battle Priest Taylor, etc., as well as the paladins and priests at their command!

The Earth Mage, Lucius, who was one step away from becoming a Master, as well as his Battle Mages joined in as well!

The Weapon Master, Baldor, and his elite troops bravely fought against the demons too.

The Nedav Chieftain, Aman, and the Great Forest's warriors worked with the Kasten mercenaries to fight off one of the super demons.

Finally, the elite players, or rankers, took on the demons too.

"Yahoo!"

"Hey, he's mine!"

Their faces lacked anxiety or fear. It was only natural. They were playing a game right now.

They also lacked teamwork. However, they compensated with their individual skill.

Sometime later...

They were somewhat able to suppress the giant demons. The battle between the two opposing forces had become tense like a tug of war.

However, the situation changed completely once the Evil God's Disciples entered the fray.

"Brothers, spread pain throughout the world, and show it the greatness of Lord Jaila!" Slaughter Lubatchi's voice resounded throughout the battlefield.

He began to command their forces.

Large-Scale Command!

"Worshippers, I want each of you to control ten demons a piece. Kill every last one of them! I want the low-ranking members to fight without regard for their lives too. Lord Jaila will be pleased!"

The demons, which had previously fought without direction, were now moving according to the Evil God Worshippers' wills.

"Jaila!"

"Jaila!"

They had obviously gotten a lot more dangerous.

"Huhehehe. Kill them all!" Garup laughed bizarrely, baring his sharp, bronze teeth.

The Evil God's Fourth Disciple, Cannibal Garup!

He had lost his life to Valan. However, he was revived using the power of Ilunati's Snake just a short while ago.

Garup had, just like the others, gotten much stronger by absorbing Jaila's power, and had even gained a new ability to boot.

Demon Metamorphosis!

Bulge!

His body swelled and was covered by black fur, and horns sprouted from his forehead. His sharp, glinting claws were the definition of 'deadly weapons'.

"I'll enjoy eating you all!"

Thud!

Garup leapt into the air and landed in the heart of the battlefield. Then, he began slaughtering the brigade's soldiers.

There were other powerhouses here besides Lubatchi and Garup.

His face was covered by a bronze helmet, and his hands and feet were in chains like a prisoner.

"Uoooh!" He let out a bestial cry. However, his movements were like that of a well-trained martial artist.

They were both precise and powerful.

Swish, bam! Bam! Bam!

His fist caused the brigade's troops to explode.

However...

Mahakan grimaced. He knew right away who that was. How could he not!?

"Nazaran!"

He was none other than his first disciple and the Steel Monk, Nazaran! That was the identity of the man wearing the bronze helmet.

"It really is you!" Mahakan groaned.

Nazaran was his disciple. His first disciple at that.

How could he not love him? It was just so unfortunate that he'd chosen the wrong path. Plus, it was his responsibility to punish him for his mistakes.

"General Hannibal," Mahakan said to the old man at his side.

Hannibal was an old man with gray hair, but his eyes were sharp and he had a commanding presence about him. He definitely wasn't someone normal.

General Hannibal! He was the resplendent star that protected Altein!

"Yes?"

"I'll have to join the battle myself. I leave command to you."

"That won't be a problem." Hannibal nodded his head.

"Hoo."

The High Priest of Blood and Iron, the Supreme Commander of the Protectors of the Continent, and the Master Monk; Mahakan, who was called all these things, stepped forth into the battlefield.