Beyond the border zone surrounding the Present Realm, beneath the Depth Zone, deep within the Withered Zone.
Here, even the surging of the Depth Tide could be clearly felt.
Though he had become blind, Hedi could still sense the undercurrent of turmoil outside from that strange little skiff, as well as the terrifying power brewing in the deepest depths of the abyss, at the lowest level of hell.
"We're almost there."
The black-robed man rowing the boat spoke in a hoarse voice.
As layer upon layer of murky mist was scattered by the undercurrent, what appeared before the tiny lone boat was a terrifying world so vast it seemed to fill the entire abyss.
Hell within hell.
A supreme palace forged into one after piercing through sixteen depths, tempered by endless ages.
The territory of the King of Withered, a place known as the Fallen Kingdom.
At that moment, beneath the encircling Rainbow Light of the Hell Ladder, countless legions set forth toward the Present Realm along the roads every moment. Those masses of ash-black gathered together were like blood flowing through veins.
Rising bit by bit.
Until one day, they would completely cover the entire Present Realm.
A giant hand made of pale bones reached out from the deepest darkness and grasped the tiny skiff. But when its five fingers opened again, Hedi had crossed from outside the Fallen Kingdom to the deepest part of its layered palaces.
Beneath the austere, frigid gate.
Behind him lay the Stairway of Audience, formed from endless steps.
"Is this an exception made for a cripple like me?"
Hedi flicked the dust from his sleeve, seemingly mocking. Before him, the jester waiting there wore a grim expression, his gaze full of displeasure.
"You're late."
"Indeed I am, but I still came, didn't I?"