"Sto–Stop…!" One of the ethereal mages who maintained the rune diagram shouted at Master who was approaching.
Without stopping his control over the rune diagram, he saw the horror that transpired. His brethren were slain one by one. Yet, he couldn't let go of his duty. If he did, the sealing dome would be unraveled. His comrades maintaining the rune diagram had the same feeling as him. He now watched as the last of the defenders fell, and one of the invaders walked toward them.
Master had deactivated both the Lightning God Incarnation and the Earth Titan Suit once the enemies were down. Only the ones who maintained the sealing dome were left.
"Stop!" The ethereal mage said to him again. "Do you know what is behind this dome? If you open this dome, you will unleash calamity over this country."
"I don't intend to unleash calamity over this country," Master said. "I intend to unleash it upon this world!"
He pointed his magic staff and cast Waves of Hellfire. At the same time, he threw Lightning God Barrage and Wind God Blades. His summoned minions joined him in beating the wounded mages. The ethereal mages didn't last long against the onslaught.
"I still think he doesn't need us in this operation," Soundeffect again sent a message to GraphicZ.
"Stop that!" GraphicZ chided.
Without the ethereal mages maintaining the rune diagram, the sealing dome started unraveling from the uppermost part.
"Should we worry about the demons behind that dome?" Mistress asked. She was readying herself to cast a spell once the dome was down. Without the sealing dome, the demons inside would be more troublesome than the defenders they had defeated just now.
"There is no need," Master said as he took out the Infernal World Crystal. "This artifact is a ticket for a safe passage. Every demon would see the one carrying this item as friendly."
Hearing that, everyone crowded around Master.
"… You are all on my party list. There is no need to be so close to me to be considered friendly by the demons," Master told them.
The dome finally finished unraveling. There was nothing behind the dome except a crimson portal. Those with the knowledge, mana sense, and ability to detect killing intent, knew it was not the case. Soon, a horde of demons materialized around the crimson portal. These demons watched the players with attentive gazes.
Master walked forward. The ominous dark light from the Infernal World Crystal flared brighter as he came close to those demons. The demons moved to the sides and let him pass.
Master continued to walk unhindered until he arrived before the crimson portal. The dark light from the Infernal World Crystal was so dense now that he was as if holding an orb of black mist. The crystal was no longer visible.
An interface appeared before him, asking if he wished to use this crystal on the underworld portal. When he clicked yes, a second box appeared asking him if he was sure about this action.
Master snickered. He was amused by this pointless warning from the world system. He again clicked yes.
The display box disappeared. The black orb in his hand turned crimson. It then split into multiple crimson threads that went into the portal. As these threads entered the portal, the portal grew in size. The growing speed increased as time passed. The whole cavern shook as the portal continued to grow.
Master walked back to the others as the cavern shook. Concern could be seen in their faces as they watched several stalactites fall from the cavern's roof due to the shaking.
"Let's go," Master told them and cast the second part of the Dark Portal spell.
"We don't wait here to welcome the underworld forces?" Mistress asked.
"This cavern is not large enough to house the underworld forces. The whole mountain will fall. You don't want to be here when that happens. Now, enter the portal, or I'll leave you behind!"
Soundeffect need no encouragement. He was the first to dive into Master's dark portal. The others followed behind him.
After the last of his underlings had entered the dark portal, Master glanced another time at the underworld portal that was still growing. The top part of the portal almost touched the cavern's ceiling by now. He then stepped into his dark portal.
*
Master came out at the place where he had placed the first dark portal. The dark portal vanished then. The others who had come out before him were gazing in the direction of the mountain with the underworld portal. Master turned in that direction as well.
What he saw was the mountain in the distance breaking parts by parts. After a few more seconds, a loud cracking sound was heard. Following that was the massive split they saw in the middle of the mountain. The tall and thin mountain was like a sword that was broken in the middle. The top half then fell to the ground below.
As the mountain was split in half, they saw the top half of the crimson portal. Those who watched couldn't believe it had grown to a size that large.
The tremor didn't stop. Instead, it was intensifying. The mountains around the one with the underworld portal started shaking as well. Soon, cracks were also seen on them.
All these mountains started tumbling. Their rocks fell to the ground below and even covered the river of lava flowing around the place. After a few minutes of the massive earthquake, all that was left around the area with the underworld portal was a humongous crimson portal amidst a land filled with broken fragments of the mountains.
The tremor had stopped. Silence returned. The colossal crimson portal just stood still.
When everyone was wondering if anything going to come out of that portal, a giant hand pierced out of it. Accompanying the hand was a strong pressure they could feel even when they were so far away. A voice that could split their heads resounded inside their minds.
"Finally…! It's time for the conquest of the upper world to begin!!"
