The giant sat carefree on his throne, an air of confidence radiating from him. His turquoise eyes held a cold, savage gleam, and his fingers drummed idly on the stone armrest. He wore finely made furs that spoke of high quality, yet even they seemed dull next to the rich golden locks that framed his face and the flawless skin that marked his physique.

Scott studied the towering champion with interest. He had never encountered a human of such size and wondered what sort of life he might have led on Earth. As with all the champions thus far, Hastur’s Gaze revealed nothing of the man’s status, but Scott wasn’t concerned. His gaze drifted to the assembly of beautiful women stationed beside the throne, his brows furrowing slightly.

At that moment, the giant’s voice boomed, breaking the silence. “You two have invaded my territory, and believe me, that’s no small matter,” he began, adjusting his posture with a flicker of authority. “However, I’m willing to overlook this—provided you become my subordinates,” he declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Scott’s frown deepened, while a curious smile played on Orion’s lips. Before either could respond, the giant continued. “I cannot guarantee everything, but should you choose to join me, I promise you an eternity of pleasure and power. No more worrying about fools seeking the bounties on your heads; not even the gods would be able to claim you from my grasp.”

Orion’s curiosity was piqued. “How could you possibly guarantee that?”

Scott glanced over, noticing the glint of intrigue in the mage’s eyes. Turning back, he saw the giant’s expression harden as if he were weighing his response.

“The Endless Bridge,” the giant declared after a pause, “lies beyond the gods’ control. Their powers hold no sway here.”

Scott’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”

“The administrator was the sole authority over the Endless Bridge until the connection between timelines was reestablished,” the giant explained, his voice steady. “Now, any being on the Territorial Rankings who claims their territory has inherited a share of that authority.” He leaned back, his lips curling into a slight smile. “All Territorial Lords wield a fraction of the administrator’s power in their territory. What greater influence could you ask for?”

The champion’s words echoed through the hall, the weight of his claim hanging in the air.

“When you say the administrator’s authority, do you mean authority?” Orion asked, his gaze sharp.

The giant’s brows knit, and annoyance flickered across his face. “Enough of this back and forth. State your answers—now.”

Scott didn’t hesitate. “I’m not interested.”

Orion sighed, shaking his head with a look of mild regret. “Unfortunately, neither am I. So, what happens now?

“You leave me no choice, then,” the giant declared, rising from his throne. The women flanking his seat took cautious steps back as he flexed his right hand, summoning a rippling distortion in the air. His piercing gaze never left Scott and Orion as he reached into the distortion, drawing forth a bloodred halberd of striking craftsmanship.

“My name is Ivan Dokogo,” he intoned, his voice echoing with finality. “Remember it, for it’s the name of your executioner.” Ivan ripped the halberd fully from the distortion, lightning arcing around him as if drawn to his very form. The distortion swelled, growing to three times the giant’s size, and a deep, guttural howl resonated through the throne room.

Scott watched as a monstrous five-headed hound, its hide as black as coal, emerged from the portal. All ten of its fiery eyes locked onto him and Orion with a bloodthirsty focus.

“You asked, ‘What now,’ right?” Ivan sneered, taking a step forward as the beast let out a sickening howl. “This is the part where you die. Mishka, destroy them!”

The beast’s howl reverberated, frothing at the mouth as it charged toward them with thunderous strides, intent on rending them apart.

Orion chuckled over the party communication channel. “Let me handle this good boy. You take the big man.” Without waiting for Scott’s reply, four magic circles spun around Orion, and a blackened bone materialized in his hand from his inventory. “Come here, boy. I’ve got treats for you.”

Mishka’s growl grew in pitch as it surged forward, barreling into Orion, who flew back into the wall with bone-crushing force, leaving a shattered trail. Unfazed, the beast charged after him, eyes blazing, eager to finish what it started.

Ivan chuckled darkly, watching the scene unfold. “Your companion is a fool if he thinks he can bait Mishka—a hellhound—with mere bones.” He took slow, deliberate steps toward Scott, cracks spider-webbing beneath his feet as his lightning aura spread, disintegrating everything in its path.

Scott looked away from the wreckage, his gaze settling on Ivan. “He can be eccentric, I’ll admit. But trust me, that pup of yours is as good as gone. My condolences.” His smile was faint as the Chains of the Abyss unfurled and the war hammer of the Mad God glowed, morphing into its true, fearsome form.

Ivan’s advance halted. The eerie, metallic screech of the war hammer and the uncoiling chains clashed with the crackling lightning, filling the chamber with a cacophony of power. Ivan’s grip tightened on his halberd, his smile vanishing.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. My Mishka—”

But before he could finish, a cacophony of howls erupted from across the room, followed by maniacal laughter and a chorus of bizarre taunts.

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“Come on, doggie. Just a little sample!”

“Here, boy, want to learn a trick?”

“Anyone tried hellhound meat before?”

“Stop trying to pat its head and get the sample already!”

“Hey! We need a stool sample! The scrotum’s covered!”

Ivan’s expression twisted in fury, his voice seething as he growled, “What are they doing to my Mishka?”

Ivan’s gaze drifted toward the massive hole the hellhound had torn into the wall earlier. All the voices within his domain echoed simultaneously yet distinctly, creating an eerie cacophony, as if someone were conversing with himself in layered, varying tones.

“I suspend all laws within my domain!” Ivan bellowed, and the field crackled in response. The lightning storm expanded, stretching into a three-hundred-meter radius. The women who had been poised beside the throne withdrew, watching the scene with a surprising calm.

Within the newly widened strike zone, lightning bolts converged, coiling into colossal, serpentine creatures that raced toward Scott, intent on devouring him whole.

“What a cheap imitation,” Scott said, unimpressed. “I’ve seen the real thing. Yours doesn’t even come close.” With that, the Chains of the Abyss shot forward, extending toward the sentient lightning serpents.

Ivan laughed scornfully. “Do you really think those flimsy chains can stand up to my—” His words trailed off, and his expression froze in disbelief. The chains had obliterated his lightning serpents upon contact, and an untraceable darkness began to seep into his domain, eroding it from within.

If I don’t take this seriously, I’ll die here. I can’t let that happen! Ivan gripped his weapon tightly, assuming a battle stance. In the distance, Mishka’s howl echoed, filled with a note of misery and agony. At that moment, Scott’s voice pierced through the chaos, chilling Ivan. “Are you sure you want to be looking away?”

The nihilistic darkness surged, swallowing Ivan’s domain in an instant, leaving him stranded in the void. The Chains of the Abyss rustled violently, filling the darkness with a low, ominous vibration.

“I almost feel sorry for you,” Scott said coldly. “So, I’ll make this quick. Sleep, and may you never awaken again.”

The chains whipped and thrashed harder, their movements reverberating through the void until silence took hold. In an instant, the darkness retreated, pooling beneath Scott’s feet. All traces of Ivan had vanished, as if he had never existed.

Moments later, footsteps echoed across the chamber, and Orion emerged from the massive hole in the wall, his robes spotless, showing no sign of battle or dust.

Scott glanced at him. “You done?” he asked telepathically.

Orion’s face lit up with excitement. “That big fella was quite obedient. I can’t wait to play with him again.” His eyes swept the room, noticing Ivan’s absence. “Looks like you’re done here, too…” His gaze lingered on the Chains of the Abyss coiled around Scott’s arm, an intense curiosity crossing his face.

Though the chains looked the same as they always had, something about them was unmistakably different—a mystery that both thrilled and vexed the mage.

“Did you unseal the chains?” Orion asked, his voice unusually serious.

Scott’s expression was unreadable. “Impressive. I doubt anyone else but you would’ve noticed.”

Orion’s eyes widened. “Wait, so they’ve been sealed all this time?” His tone was half disbelief, half intrigue.

Scott turned away, his gaze shifting toward the distant throne and the women who lingered, observing silently from afar.

“If you’re finished with your games, it’s time to make your intentions clear, Harem King,” Scott's voice rang out, his gaze pinpointing the smallest figure among the beautiful women assembled.

“That’s the Harem King?” Orion questioned mentally.

“Yes, but that isn’t her true form,” Scott replied without looking away.

A soft, delightful laughter filled the chamber, and the surroundings began to shift. The shattered walls and towering pillars faded, and even the throne started crumbling under the weight of the change. In an instant, Scott and Orion found themselves standing in a serene lakeside pavilion. Moonlight shimmered over crystal-clear waters, casting soft reflections amidst a sea of flowers, their fragrance mingling with the gentle night breeze.

Scott’s attention, however, remained fixed on the figures a few feet ahead. The assembly of beautiful champions had transformed—their calm expressions replaced with unmistakable hostility. The figure Scott had singled out shifted, growing taller and more captivating than all the others combined. She now floated a few inches above the ground, a pristine, near-transparent toga draping her graceful figure. Her large, feathery wings, a blend of silver and gold, extended behind her, while her hair—an otherworldly mix of silver and black—fell in soft waves. Her perfect beauty was almost unsettling, but a blood-red cloth tied over her eyes, painted with grotesque eye-like symbols where her own should be, added a disturbing contrast.

“Steady yourselves, my lovelies,” she commanded softly, cradling the arm of one of the women closest to her. “Do not taint this place with needless anger.”

Instantly, the harem returned to their tranquil state, eyes fixed impassively on Scott and Orion. Yet Scott and Orion had eyes only for the Harem King.

“How can someone’s voice be so flawless?” Orion mused mentally.

Scott didn’t respond, and Orion let the silence linger.

“My name is Viona Vidili Vandam,” the Harem King introduced, floating gracefully away from her entourage. She extended a hand toward Scott. “Your presence here is a blemish not even the clear waters of Lonart Lake can cleanse. I don’t like you at all.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Scott replied flatly, his expression impassive.

Viona smiled—an enchanting, genuine smile devoid of malice. She seemed ready to speak again when Orion interrupted. “Just curious—was all that for show? Some kind of test?”

She turned toward Orion with a mildly amused expression. “Though you’re not as offensive as this…” she trailed off, unable to identify Scott’s race. “No human should be able to suppress their lust as you have. I don’t like you either.”

“Thank you. It’s taken years of practice,” Orion replied sincerely.

Scott’s lips curved into a faint smile, a mirror to Viona’s expression. So, that’s why he asked if I was alright earlier, Scott realized. The allure here must have been overpowering, a force driving others to surrender to primal urges. It didn’t work on him, though. Having been refined in the nihilistic zone, he had no such desires to exploit.

Tension hung between them until Viona finally broke the silence. “I have a proposal for you two.”

“I’m not interested in being your subordinate,” Scott replied immediately.

“Nor am I,” Orion added, his voice calm but firm.

“I assumed as much after Ivan’s… unsuccessful attempt.” Her gaze settled back on Scott. “What did you do to him?”

Scott’s expression remained unchanged; his silence unyielding.

“It’d be wise to move on to the proposal itself,” Orion said. “You won’t get much else out of him.”

“Very well,” Viona replied with a sigh. “There are territorial wars raging all along this bridge, and I want both of you to fight under my banner—”

“Not interested,” Scott and Orion replied simultaneously. For the first time, Viona’s smile faltered.

She took a deep breath, regaining her composure. “Though I may not be certain I could eliminate you both, I can ensure you’d rather wish you were dead. I suggest reconsidering.”

Scott chuckled, stepping forward. “Now that’s more like it. We tend to thrive off threats.”

The Chains of the Abyss hissed as they uncoiled from Scott’s arm. Orion’s staff appeared in his hand, and he smiled with uncharacteristic brightness.

Viona sighed, a hint of exasperation flickering across her flawless face. “I really don’t like either of you,” she repeated.