Conquest Floor.
It is a floor made up of large domains—towering towers, majestic castles, and the like. When you defeat the Abyss Monster ruling such a domain, the conquest is considered complete; hence, it is called the Conquest Floor.
It’s essentially one of the single boss monster types.
What makes it a little unique is the presence of structures like castles or towers, and the Abyss Monster that fits such characteristics emerging from within.
There may be traps, and the boss monster reigning at the very top is particularly powerful. Because of these things, it’s a floor that requires extreme caution—but, looked at another way, that’s all there is to it.
In a way, it was a relief.
Compared to the giant island of the 51st Floor or the labyrinth of the 50th Floor…
On the 51st Floor, the inability to log out stirred up the fragility of the Bingija, while the 50th Floor’s labyrinth dragged Daphne and Hio into the Abyss completely unprepared.
Compared to those variable-laden stages, this one was straightforward: conquer the castle and kill the monster ruling it, and you’re done. In a way, it was a relief.
“……It’s huge.”
Of course, that didn’t mean it would be easy.
Even Sirbert was overwhelmed by the towering castle walls. It was a sight so grand that any person would naturally feel small before it.
‘When would you ever get to see castle walls reaching up to the very sky?’
Having only seen them on a monitor in the game, I knew there were high towers and soaring castles, but seeing it in person—it was overwhelming in its grandeur.
Even under these castle walls, Antiphus gave his orders, his expression unchanged.
“Find the entrance and move.”
With that, the Awakened split into two groups, moving in perfect order along the castle walls.
The walls were so tall you couldn’t see the top, and they stretched wide and thick.
Smashing through such walls was impossible. Using Sirbert’s telekinesis to carry everyone over was just as impossible. So, we first had to find the entrance—and that alone was a problem.
Depending on where you entered, just searching for the entrance could take over a day. That’s how vast the area was.
Once the entrance was found, that was when it would truly begin.
If the walls were this high, the castle within would be just as vast and towering.
Who knows what kind of Abyss Monster might be lurking within—caution upon caution was needed.
“Hurry. We must not let the Empire surpass us.”
But Antiphus felt no fear toward such monsters.
There was only one thing he wanted.
To show overwhelming experience, to demonstrate the gap.
That is how Antiphus Praman had always lived.
He was a man who had always lorded above others.
Being ahead was more than a duty to him; it was his natural daily life.
Of course, there was always an exception, just one throughout his life.
“Jijoncheonma.”
Yes.
No matter what he did, the one man who always reigned above him.
The man who turned a game, started on a whim, into an obsession.
The only one he never managed to surpass, no matter how close he came.
“Whatever it takes, I’ll conquer this floor before him.”
A brown madness flickered in Antiphus’s eyes as he muttered.
Luckily, the entrance to the castle was nearby.
“We found the entrance!”
***
It could have taken over a whole day, but they found the entrance in just a few hours.
“Good. Let’s go right away.”
He gathered the scattered Awakened, and immediately set out for the discovered entrance.
Compared to the Empire, they had only about 50 people, so they could move even faster.
And so, they arrived at the castle’s entrance.
The towering gates, though only slightly open, were wide enough for everyone to walk through in a line.
That was just how huge the gate was.
Inside…
That place—
“…Is this hell?”
It was a hellish sight, as someone muttered.
Inside the castle walls, a mist-like flow of jet-black energy.
Within that darkness, hundreds of shining eyes glared out.
“To be greeted like this right at the entrance…”
They hadn’t even entered the main castle yet—this was just the castle gate, and already, this many monsters, this much energy.
As everyone nervously swallowed, the first to step forward was, of course, Antiphus.
Gripping a massive greatsword in one hand, he strode ahead without the slightest hesitation. It was the stride of one certain he could not fall on a floor of this level.
Watching Antiphus’s back, the rest of the Awakened also began to move.
They, too, had resolved to stay to the end and see this conquest through.
Beyond the gigantic castle gates—
They walked into the thick, clinging darkness.
The Imperial faction led by Sword Saint Vitalianus.
The atmosphere here was in stark contrast to the Bingija’s camp.
Whereas the Bingija had rushed about as soon as they arrived, the Empire first set up tents and organized their camp, slowly adapting and preparing.
It was the obvious thing to do from their perspective.
Before going to war, establishing a base and setting up headquarters was basic strategy.
And with far more people than the Bingija side, they also had to worry about supplies.
Inside the command tent, a small commotion was brewing.
Airlights, having dramatically removed her hood, revealed a beauty that stood out even among elves.
“First, we need to find the entrance to the castle.”
At her calmly spoken, beautiful voice, the room began to buzz.
This much stir was to be expected.
Just the fact that such beauty had been hidden under that gloomy hood was shocking enough—but an elf, of all things.
‘Did elves, mystical beings from legend and story, truly exist in reality?’
And surely, elves were supposed to be gentle, love nature, and always be polite… yet—
“How long are you going to stand there gawking with those dumb looks? Thanks to your incompetence, I haven’t seen Hio’s face in days, you know?”
Despite her pure, elegant beauty, her expression was as if she were chewing something foul, and she spoke rudely right from the first meeting—completely at odds with the image of elves in their minds.
And yet, the priests of the Holy Nation seemed entirely used to it, skillfully averting their eyes.
“S-sorry…?”
Several in the command staff, cowed by Airlights’ presence, scratched their heads and apologized without realizing it.
‘Despite her rude way of speaking, they didn’t seem to mind. Why was that?’
No need to ask—it was because she was beautiful.
A beauty beyond comprehension, the mystique and unfamiliarity of the name ‘elf.’
And the subtle crimson aura that seemed to drift around Airlights without anyone realizing, drawing the focus of the entire tent to her before they knew it.
Each of her small movements, every expression and tiny gesture, made everyone unconsciously flinch and pay attention.
It was proof that Airlights’ allure was spreading without anyone noticing.
Of course.
“Indeed, truly worthy of being a Magician’s companion.”
With Sword Saint Vitalianus’s low, resonant voice, everyone snapped back to their senses.
Vitalianus’s gaze swept over the command staff in the tent.
Commanders of the Empire’s main knightly orders—excluding the First Knights—heads of skill-user battalions, high priests of the Holy Nation, and leaders of various units.
Finally, his gaze rested on Airlights.
‘Who was this woman who had so quickly captivated such people?’
The sweet scent she gave off without intent, the subtle crimson aura.
Somehow, it felt familiar, but he could not quite place her.
“You said your name was Airlights?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright. After we find the entrance to the castle?”
“After that it’s easy. Just climb the castle and defeat the Conqueror, and the floor is cleared.”
“That simple?”
“Even if you’re Sword Saint, it won’t be easy.”
“I can feel that already. The number of monsters is much greater than I expected.”
“Still, once the Conqueror is dead, the conquest will be complete and the floor will collapse. You don’t have to worry. Of course, there will be endless battles as you ascend the castle.”
Airlights spoke coldly, her beautiful face expressionless.
Her answer only added to the confusion.
Vitalianus, being someone who knew about the Bingija along with Sylvia, found it all the more curious.
The strong from the other world.
Those called Bingija were known to be soulless, and before deployment, Sylvia herself had confirmed that there were none among them.
Which meant that Airlights was not from the other world… So how did she know so much about this place?
It was as if she had experienced it firsthand.
“I see. You know quite a lot.”
“Hmph. I’m just telling you in advance, so you won’t bother Hio later.”
He found it curious, but in truth, it was not of great importance.
She was Magician Hio Pavlenko’s companion, after all.
Since they seemed quite close, it was possible he had told her.
“Then, as you say, I’ll select troops to search for the entrance. The rest should prepare the camp and rest.”
With that, Vitalianus turned his gaze straight ahead, beyond the tent entrance.
Where the castle walls were visible. Beyond them, a sinister, massive presence could be felt.
“It looks like a big battle is coming, so get plenty of rest.”
From the moment the entrance was found, there would surely be no chance to rest.
…It’s really time to go now.
***
Hio stood up, placing the unread magic books into the Pocket Dimension Pouch.
If there’d been a little more time, you might’ve mastered one of them.
“Seriously, why did I pick Blink of all things…”
He had fallen for the name.
When you think of Magicians, you think of Blink.
And Blink, of course, is a Magician’s signature.
The magic of teleporting across short distances—a space-type spell.
What he had overlooked was how brutally difficult it was to learn space magic.
Luckily, he’d studied the Magic Circle for summoning Aerial in Arilleia, so he recognized some of the runes.
Because of that, it was easier than expected, but he still hadn’t managed to fully master it.
“Are you going to take those magic books with you?”
“It’d be a shame not to. I feel like I could manage it if I just had a little more time.”
“Even so, will you really have time to study? You’re going to fight the Abyss.”
“You never know… I’ll take them, just in case.”
Certainly, 5th Circle magic was alluring.
Both the difficulty and the effects.
He wanted to learn them as soon as possible, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.
“…Well, do as you wish.”
He used a portal to head for Imenia.
He already knew from which Gate the expedition would depart, so he mounted the Phantom Steed and set off immediately.
Soon, the black Gate came into view.
Recognizing Hio, the Empire’s knights stood at attention, greeting him with nervous salutes, and he passed them by, heading straight into the Gate.
This was his first time taking part in a raid.
His first time entering a Gate, too, but there was nothing awkward about it.
He only felt a little irritated at the cursed Abyssal energy starting to seep in.
As soon as he entered the 52nd Floor, what he saw was a blood-red sky, massive castle walls, and the Imperial army camp stretched out below them.
Castle walls soaring to the sky like something out of a giant’s kingdom, with the Empire’s banners fluttering below.
It was a magnificent sight, something that would normally hold one’s gaze—but Hio’s attention did not stay there.
Before he could even process being inside the Abyss, an all-too-familiar aura rolled in thick from within the castle walls.
That was—
“…Death Aura?”
A power of death, deep and thick.
The power of the undead, where those already dead pretend to walk among the living.
Thousands, tens of thousands—perhaps even more—undead, their power merging, seeping out from within the castle walls.
Furnel, sensing and seeing the same as Hio, spoke in a trembling voice.
No way…
Death Aura, thick as if it were flowing liquid.
A countless number of undead, their presence rolling out from within.
A giant castle, completely swallowed by the Abyss.
That was the true nature of the 52nd Floor of the Abyss.
Necropolis…
A city of the dead.