The moment Atte gained "qualification," things unfolded just as he had imagined. The various forces of the Old World, along with multiple Plague Lords, all took action.
The Monastery had received the highest-priority wanted notice, so the Warden personally went to apprehend the wanted criminal.
After learning that Atte had already obtained the Cancer Palace that would allow him to ascend to Plague Lord, the Lord of Respect could no longer sit still. The lord, who had not left the sleeping palace in ages, rose directly and headed for the Skin Factory's gate with the strongest forces of the Tumor Knights.
Emperor Pride, in his full-power state, had returned at top speed after interrupting his duel with Yi Chen.
Pilvina of the Abyssal Skin Factory, who should have slept until the end of "World Infection," also awoke because of the arrival of multiple Plague Lords.
The Duke's merchant caravan arrived at this moment as well. He seemed to have smelled a business opportunity—or perhaps he had come to watch the performance that had not been completed last time.
Unfortunately, the target had already seized the qualification and left.
Even when the Warden used his unique world authority to locate Atte directly within the Old World, there was no response at all, as though the other party had left this world.
But "World Infection" had yet to be completed, and Atte could not possibly have gone to the Human World that was currently being infected. That narrow passage could not withstand someone like Atte, who had obtained the qualification and become a Quasi-Plague Lord.
Just as the various Plague Lords turned their gazes toward the Duke, wanting him to obtain Atte's location through a "trade,"
a candle doll with a white candle atop its head and the scorching heat of an