Richard couldn't help but glance back repeatedly, as the married couple continued staring at them with intense killing intent.

He could only rub his head, understanding their anger.

Who could possibly hold back their fury after being deceived like this by the kidnappers of their son?

While walking through the temple corridor, Grace suddenly handed the two rings she had received from John to Richard.

"Just keep everything," she said.

This shocked not only Richard, but also Gray.

"Grace, you need them too," said Richard.

"You need more. I'll gather some for myself during the contest later," Grace replied.

Her expression clearly showed she had no intention of splitting it.

Although Richard felt somewhat happy, he was also somewhat uncomfortable. But this was Grace's own decision.

"Gray, when does the contest begin?" Richard asked Gray to distract himself.

"Not yet, probably after midday. People haven't fully arrived," Gray replied.

As they continued walking, they arrived before the cell imprisoning the giant humanoid creature with a single eye— the Giant Demon— whom Richard had previously seen through his wave.

Seeing it directly was different. Aside from its overwhelming aura and terrifying appearance, Richard felt a faint instinctive fear rising within him the moment he looked at the creature.

His human instincts seemed to label the Giant Demon as a natural threat, even though in reality, the creature shouldn't have the strength to threaten him.

With a height reaching 30 meters, the Giant Demon's cell was naturally enormous.

"Will it stay chained even if someone challenges it to a fight?" Richard asked jokingly.

But Gray and Grace actually nodded.

"Seriously?" He couldn't help finding it strange.

"Even chained, only a few people can kill it. If it's unchained, the battle would be extremely difficult," Gray said, his eyes trembling slightly as he looked at the giant.

Richard saw many people gathered in front of the cell.

But all of them were only watching— or more accurately, observing the Giant Demon to broaden their knowledge.

None seemed willing to challenge it.

The Giant Demon merely sat with its head lowered, appearing asleep even though its eye remained open.

If someone wished to challenge it, they could simply step inside.

The gap between the bars was wide enough for a human to pass.

Naturally, Richard felt tempted, but he still wanted to observe and wait.

"Who has ever killed the Giant Demon?" Richard asked, looking at both Gray and Grace.

"The last one was Sean Thundervale," Gray answered.

"And before that?"

"Lady Rebecca also managed to kill it."

Hearing even his mother had done it, Richard fell silent.

Then Grace suddenly added through her Sixth Sense, your father did as well.

"Oh…"

Richard simply nodded after hearing that.

If Rebecca succeeded, it wasn't surprising that Edward Skylight also did.

Even the White Ancestor had said he was a genius.

Unfortunately, his personality didn't meet the clan's expectations.

"Do you want to try it?" Grace asked Richard.

"What about you?" Richard asked back.

"I'm certain I wouldn't succeed right now." Grace shook her head, making Richard roll his eyes.

"Can you predict without trying?"

If the gap was huge, maybe. But the gap between Grace and the Giant Demon should be extremely narrow. It was even possible that overall, Grace was actually stronger.

"I can feel it. The Giant Demon's body is too tough. My strongest attack wouldn't kill it," Grace replied.

"But you could weaken its strength, and your laser attack might have a chance to finish it."

When it came to his laser attack, Richard knew its success rate would reach 100% if he used enough Spirit Nature.

Unfortunately, the Spirit Nature he had left was almost gone.

Then he noticed the writing engraved on the wall next to the cell:

(Forbidden to use Spirit Nature energy when activating an artefact!)

That was one of the rules.

Using certain artefacts was allowed, but only with the user's own Aether as the energy source.

"Let's wait a little longer," Richard said.

"Gray, so you went ahead first…" A voice suddenly came from behind them.

Richard turned around instinctively, finding a light-blue-haired woman wearing a tight dark-blue dress.

She was the woman Gray had met yesterday and last night.

Richard didn't know what happened after they drank together. But seeing they weren't together in the morning, Gray likely failed to bring her to his room.

Now, the woman clearly looked displeased— obviously because Gray hadn't waited for her and instead chased after Richard.

"Elise, forgive me, I accidentally ran into an old friend. Let me introduce you— this is Richard. He's the one who caused a stir in the Eastern Region. He's only seventeen." Gray immediately tried to divert her irritation by introducing Richard.

And indeed, the name shocked Elise, who was said to be from the Holy Snow Clan.

She observed Richard from head to toe.

Richard felt as if he were a rare artefact that fascinated the woman.

But her gaze didn't contain any ill intent— just curiosity toward his talent and reputation.

"Are you truly that young?" she asked with interest.

"Elise, of course Richard is that young. I didn't recognize him either since ten years ago he was just a little kid." Gray answered on Richard's behalf.

This was actually unnecessary. Richard's age wasn't a secret and was publicly known. But Elise probably found it hard to believe.

"I wasn't asking you," Elise retorted.

Gray: "…"

"Richard, I've heard about you since ten years ago," Elise said in a friendly tone.

"That's surprising. I thought the Central Region was so far away and filled with geniuses that someone like me wouldn't be worth mentioning," Richard replied with a thin smile.

"Don't pretend to be humble. I know you're aware of your own talent. Even the Ancestor of my clan spoke about you when He appeared. If you ever have the chance, you may visit my clan. We will definitely welcome you warmly."

Richard didn't expect Elise to be this friendly.

Gray was stunned as well, blinking repeatedly.

"Uhm…" Richard cleared his throat.

Though Elise's friendliness was purely goodwill toward a talented junior, he still felt uncomfortable.

There was Grace beside him, and there was Gray who was pursuing this woman.

When Richard looked at Grace, he noticed she lowered her head slightly, as if something was weighing on her mind.

"Miss Holysnow, I will visit if the opportunity comes," Richard replied formally, avoiding calling her name directly.

Elise nodded lightly.

As time passed, more people arrived.

They clearly came for the contest, but gathered here to see the Giant Demon.

Many among them were young masters of noble clans, including nobles from the Central Region.

Their talent and strength were decent, but after seeing the Giant Demon, none dared step forward to challenge it.

Perhaps the gap between them and the Giant Demon woke them up to the reality of certain defeat.

'Looks like it's time,' Richard thought, feeling his hands itch for battle.

Grace watched him as he thought about it, as if she sensed his intention through the faint emotion appearing on his face.

After considering for a moment, Richard stepped forward with his hands in his pockets.

If Rebecca and Edward could do it, then so could he.

In fact, he believed even more than that.

At first, no one paid him any attention, thinking he simply wanted a closer look.

But he kept walking forward, passing the front row of spectators.

"Is he going to fight?"

"Seems so, but who is he? I haven't seen him before."

"I've seen the portraits of young Magi from the Eastern Region, but I don't remember seeing him."

"There's no way he doesn't understand the Giant Demon's power, right?"

"Of course not. From his aura, he's a Peak World Realm Magus. He must know. Looks like he's confident and wants to try."

"True. Maybe he just wants to gain experience. If he's confident he can survive the Giant Demon's attacks, there's no harm in trying."

"…"

In a short time, Richard arrived before the cell.

One more step and he could enter.

But strangely, the Giant Demon still had its head lowered.

Even if it were asleep, it should sense someone approaching.

Richard then stepped inside the cell.

The opponent was chained, so he stayed relaxed and didn't draw any weapon.

Once he crossed the bars, the Giant Demon finally raised its head.

Its enormous single eye locked onto him.

Richard noticed the eye shifting color— turning blood-red, similar to Grace's, but far more sinister.

It seemed to be the activation signal of that eye.

"Eh…" Richard was stunned as he looked down, realizing stone had suddenly wrapped around his feet, preventing him from moving.

And the stone was extremely hard— hard enough that he doubted he could break free quickly even with his powerful physique.

But the Giant Demon clearly wouldn't give him time.

Richard saw its massive hand— even though chained— swing toward him with frightening speed, generating pressure strong enough that he believed an ordinary World Realm Magus would instantly explode from the impact.

Even if his feet weren't restrained, he still might not be able to dodge.

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