Annan declared war on the Demon Lord.
He still had a few Magic Stones left and could have put it off a little longer, but... Tadel had given him courage.
The most beautiful elf in the world would never lie to him.
Annan appeared beside the Lava Lake with nothing on him and called out to the Demon Lord, "I'm not afraid of you!"
Just as Martin inevitably faced Aunt Susan and her broom whenever he caused trouble, Annan faced the Flame Phantom's retaliation. He was certain this was a dream, and once he thought, This doesn't hurt much, the blows felt no worse than tickles. He even began to enjoy being tossed around and let out a cheer.
After another attack failed to hurt Annan, the Flame Phantom grabbed him and hurled him into the Lava Lake.
"This is just a dream!"
Annan landed in the lava with a splash but did not wake up. Warmth surrounded him on every side, and when he surfaced, he discovered he could still breathe.
Annan poked his head out of the Lava Lake, stared at the Flame Phantom on the shore, took a mouthful of magma, and spat it at the phantom.
So much for the Demon Lord!
The Flame Phantom watched Annan, then gradually faded and vanished from the Dream Realm.
Was the curse broken? Annan wondered. But he still had not escaped this hellish place.
Annan swam to shore and climbed out of the Lava Lake. His clothes were still spotless, neither wet nor burned. He sat on the shore for a while, but the Flame Phantom did not reappear.
It seemed the Demon Lord's shadow had finally receded.
Annan looked around the lava Dream Realm, where he was now alone. Silence and loneliness crept over him. He even wondered