A Deep Breath

Three days passed quickly.

After all, Hell was dry, with nothing much to drink.

William and Lancelot had left the Palace only once, just to familiarize themselves with their escape route.

Once they found no problems, they sat facing each other in the demon's Palace, staring into space.

They never took out any human food, nor did they dare drink water. Fortunately, after becoming Epic-Class Professionals, water was no longer essential.

Mana alone was enough.

Mana of any kind could keep them both alive.

They had the Palace servants pour everything they brought into a Space Ring, as if the two had eaten it all. What they didn't know was that this made the demons in the kitchen think they were gluttons.

But the seven days of training before they came to this strange world had etched caution deep into their souls.

And with the arrival of the third day,

just as Great Demon King Belial's birthday celebration was about to begin,

powerful auras rolled in from afar, so oppressive that the many Professionals inside the Palace could barely breathe.

The Dark Lords were signaling their approach.

Before long,

streaks of light crossed the red night sky.

The Seventy-Two Gods and Demons had arrived together.

The twenty highest-ranking Dark Lords among them all radiated terrifying power.

As for the others, though they were all at the Legendary Tier, their strength was nothing to scoff at.

They appeared to be bringing birthday gifts, but they were also asserting their authority and dominion.

Above all, they did not want anyone looking down on them because of that contract.

Yet

when that imposing figure appeared, every guest fell silent. All but the twenty Dark Lords dropped to one knee to welcome him!

For he was Great Demon King Belial.

One of the Seven