"Ah, experimental subjects...

" Layla said, eyeing the man and the two figures behind him.

She knew they would encounter these individuals, victims of the witches' cruelty in the past- people who sought death above all else.

The man glanced up at the six shining lights above them.

"So, those are the holy stakes... Unfortunately, I can't allow you to clear this game.

"

If no one cleared this game, the entire Walpurgis Night would collapse, granting him the long-awaited death he desired.

The man turned to the two figures behind him and inquired,

"What do you think, Arven, Lensa?

"

"As long as we achieve our goal, Sir Gawain,

" replied Arven, a tall man with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Gawain... Don't tell me you're...

" Layla's eyes narrowed as she sensed danger.

"Fear not, I'm not the one you're thinking of. I'm just a shell that couldn't die. Though I've lost my strength and freedom, I've gained an undying body due to the witches' actions in the past,

" Gawain explained.

Two other experts arrived, both women. They were Elder Lincy and Elder Reana of the Walpurgis Night. They were aware of Layla's group's plan, having been informed about it beforehand.

"Shall we begin? If you can kill me, then that would be great,

" Gawain asked, a smile forming

on his face.

The two elders and Layla were prepared to fight against him and his men. Gawain desired to die while in battle, not to languish in this place forever. He would do anything to achieve it.

"Why don't we deal with the others first?

" Elder Lincy suggested, turning her head to the side. She was clad in a tight black suit, her green hair tied back.

Elder Reana and Layla braced themselves for the worst.

"Hmm...

" Gawain glanced to the side, narrowing his eyes. Arven and Lensa, who stood behind him, followed his gaze.

An army of human-like golems slowly advanced from the distance, their strength ranging from S-rank to SSS-rank, posing a significant threat.

Gawain sighed before refocusing his attention on Layla and the two elders who had just arrived.

"Isn't it quite interesting?

" he remarked.

"We wouldn't die even if those golems destroy us, as we've already tried it before. Though I can't say the same for you.

"

He stood calmly, pointing his finger at Eilan.

"I understand what you're trying to do here. You've seen the data from the experiments, right? You're attempting to improve upon it.

"

Layla narrowed her eyes, inwardly surprised that Gawain had instantly grasped their plan with just one look.

"You're striving to become immortal, just like us. I hope it doesn't bind you to this place as it has us, or else you'll only suffer,

" Gawain added. He then waved his hand and said,

"I hope today brings us death. The lives of countless people in Walpurgis Night are in your hands.

" Despair permeated the land as battles erupted everywhere. Countless ordinary people perished, and the survivors fought desperately for survival. The golems ruthlessly hunted down all living beings in the land.

Children cried out in despair as their blood stained the Walpurgis Night.

"Now!

" Gawain exclaimed.

A smile crept onto Gawain's face as he slowly drew his sword from its sheath. His aura intensified, and his powerful bloodlust filled the air.

Arven and Lensa, the experts behind him, also emanated overwhelming bloodlust.

Layla and the two elders beside her narrowed their eyes. It appeared they couldn't reason with them. A battle seemed inevitable at this rate, but they showed no intention of interfering with Eilan.

The plan progressed smoothly as long as they could halt these individuals and the golems.

Layla took a deep breath and remarked,

"There's little we can do. Gawain is a legendary knight from the past, when Morgan Le Fay still lived. Despite his strength waning from experimentation, he remains formidable, though not overpowering.

"

Elder Lincy and Elder Reana nodded in agreement. They had joined Layla's group because of their proposal to end the game and settle all unresolved matters of the Walpurgis Night.

"We must wait until Eilan integrates himself with the land to utilize the six holy stakes,

" Layla continued, glancing down at Eilan. She then shifted her focus back to Gawain.

"I'll attempt to keep Gawain occupied, though I doubt I'll last long against him.

"

Elder Lincy and Elder Reana directed their attention to the two experts standing behind Gawain.

"I am no longer Gawain. I am no Knight. I am just a man who yearns for death. Grant me my desire, or I shall be your harbinger of doom,

" Gawain declared as he advanced, his sword emitting a dark green glow.

With a swift motion of his hand, a massive energy blade shot forth from his sword.

Swoosh!

Forcing a smile, Layla dashed forward, circulating her energy to greatly enhance her strength.

As the energy blade approached, she pressed both hands beside it, her energy skyrocketing as lightning crackled from her palms.

Bang!

In the next moment, a colossal explosion erupted. Layla emerged from the smoke, hurtling directly at Gawain.

"This is going to be troublesome,

" Layla thought inwardly.

Boom!

The powerful experts clashed, sending shockwaves sweeping out.

Eilish and Kayla's group were forced to their knees. The pressure from the battle was intense, leaving them vulnerable.

Kayla spoke up,

"The elders are engaged in battle. This exceeds the level of combat we're equipped for.

"

Kim, a member of Kayla's squad, added,

"Countless golems are on their way. We'll be doomed if we don't escape immediately.

"

Their ability to fight the golems was limited by their strength. Faced with hundreds of golems simultaneously, their fate was inevitable.

"Eilish, we need to leave now! You can talk to him later!

" Kayla shouted, casting a quick

glance in Eilish's direction.

Gritting her teeth, Eilish stared at her brother.

Eilan stood amidst the chaos, seemingly unaffected by the battles raging around him.

Shadows danced at his feet, and the energy around him moved in a strange, resonating

manner with the land.

"Eilan!

" Eilish called out.

Eilan frowned, clutching his head in pain.

"I'm not your brother!

" he exclaimed, his voice sounding distorted as if multiple voices spoke at once, while the shadows around him writhed

wildly.

"No, you are Eilan! You're my brother!

" Eilish insisted.

"I am not your brother!

" Eilan's shout echoed, his hands clutching his head in agony, his

energy fluctuating wildly.

Eilish took a nervous breath, sensing something was seriously wrong with her brother.

"Eilan! Remember me! I'm Eilish, your sister!

" she pleaded desperately.

Her friends had perished while searching for Eilan's cure, and she refused to let their sacrifices be in vain. Bringing back her brother was their collective wish.

"This can't be! This woman must die!

" Eilan growled through gritted teeth, his eyes wild with madness. His bloodlust surged, engulfing the entire area in an instant.

Eilish and Kayla's group groaned in pain, struggling to catch their breath as the intense killing

intent bore down on them.

Layla, momentarily distracted from her battle with Gawain, was thrown back and crashed onto the ground, sending a massive shockwave rippling out.

Quickly rising to her feet, Layla dispersed the smoke with a wave of her hand. She turned to Eilan, urgency in her voice.

"Don't harm them! You'll provoke the Blood Lightning Monster! We can't afford to antagonize the rising star of the Athens Champion in our current

predicament!

"

Gawain gazed down with a disappointed expression, refraining from pursuing Layla. He muttered,

"Internal conflicts in this situation. I can see that the Walpurgis Night has no future now. Ever since the betrayal back then, the Walpurgis Night has treaded the path of destruction. All the secrets of the witches will be buried in this land.

"

Layla turned to Eilish, urgency in her voice.

"Forget about him for now! Your brother is not

him, so get out of this place!

"

"M-My brother isn't him...?! H-How?! It's definitely him, so how?

" Eilish muttered,

confusion evident in her voice.

"The lives of the people in Walpurgis Night will be lost! Can you bear the weight of those consequences?! I'm telling you, your brother is gone!

" Layla exclaimed loudly.

"All the people of Walpurgis Night... But that body is definitely my brother?

" Eilish lowered

her head, grappling with the revelation.

"Yes, exactly! Your brother is just a vessel! A vessel being used by obscrum! I promise, with my name on the line, I'll ensure you can talk to him later!

" Layla assured her.

"What do you mean?

" Eilish asked.

"There won't be a 'later' in this situation,

" Gawain interjected, pointing at Eilan.

"That man

has become a host for an elemental being. Without the elemental being, the man will perish.

"

"What?!

" Eilish exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.