The Final Volume: A Tiny World in the Dust - The Gate Opens

The boundless sea—

On a certain isolated island, the very place where Jili had delivered his final ultimatum that day, a patch of space suddenly turned bloodred, then was torn completely apart. Three people emerged from within.

Me. Haoyue. Xiao Wu.

We were on the beach of the island—or rather, where the beach should have been.

The island, which had once held several small hills and was no small place, had been completely leveled by some kind of power. The ground was now an incredibly smooth expanse of rock.

It reminded me of an exceptionally high-end martial arts arena.

And in the very center of that arena, the strongest human was waiting, his long black hair fluttering in the sea breeze.

Gustav Mosiris Vanma.

The man stood alone beneath the vast sky, with rock and sea as his backdrop.

...Honestly, how extraordinary.

After devouring the World Devouring Worm, I had become absolutely confident that I could defeat Gustav. Even so, facing him still made my heart skip a beat. It was the instinctive awe one felt toward a true warrior.

Realizing this,

I raised a hand to signal the others to stop, then stood facing Gustav.

Only after confirming the three of us were there did he speak.

"You've finally arrived, Ye. The seven days are up."

"I'm truly sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Never mind. Tell me your choice."

"..."

I glanced back at them. They nodded.

That was all I needed.

"I'm sorry, but I must decline your master's generous offer. Like him, I will never submit to anyone."

"...I see. That was within Leader's expectations."

"If he expected it, then would you let us pass? My goal is Jili. I have no intention of fighting you."

"Of course. Leader is waiting for his guests." As he