“So that’s why they fought so desperately.”

“Of course. Whether they die in battle or survive until the end, they return to hell once the ranking battle is over. That’s why they want to earn merits by any means necessary—to receive rest as a reward.”

Lee Shin finally understood why they had been so eager and cooperative.

But to think that all they could gain from it was just a brief moment of rest...

“Can they never escape from hell?”

“It’s not impossible.”

Gremory explained.

“When summoning humans to the battlefield, you can designate a specific person if you wish. That’s why they all tried to make an impression on you. If they catch your eye, they could be summoned again in the future.”

That was it.

Everyone had been trying to prove their worth and loyalty.

“If they are summoned frequently and accumulate a certain level of merit, they can be freed from hell and promoted to become a resident of the Demon Realm.”

“I see.”

“But remember, they were sent to hell for a reason.”

“Of course, I understand. It’s just that some of them seemed experienced and skilled. I think it would be useful to remember those individuals and summon them again.”

“That’s a good idea. But… you don’t intend to keep choosing only humans, do you?”

“I do.”

“You’ve seen firsthand how weak humans are compared to Hellhounds.”

“Yes. It took multiple archers just to take down a single Hellhound.”

“Exactly. Don’t let empathy or sympathy influence your choices—pick a stronger race.”

“It’s not about empathy. I’ve discovered a strength unique to humans.”

“A strength of humans?”

“Yes.”

“If you wish, I can prove that it’s not mere bluffing. Will you continue to be my opponent in mock battles?”

“Fine. I’ll personally show you just how weak humans are.”

And so, their mock battles continued.

Lee Shin played match after match, alternating between victories and defeats.

But once he fully grasped every unit and structure of the human faction, he no longer lost.

Gremory, who found herself losing repeatedly, gradually became flustered.

Lee Shin didn’t just play as humans. He experimented with orcs, elves, dwarves, and monsters as well, studying ranking battles from various perspectives.

After a total of thirty matches, he finally felt satisfied.

“I think I finally understand ranking battles now.”

“I-Is that so?”

Gremory looked utterly exhausted after playing thirty consecutive matches.

Out of those thirty, she had only won seven times—and those wins had come early on when Lee Shin was still adjusting.

Once he fully understood the mechanics, she could no longer defeat him.

“I’ll need to practice in other dimensional spaces as well…”

Lee Shin observed Gremory’s drained expression and continued.

“But for now, let’s stop here. If a challenge comes my way, I’ll face it in this First Battlefield—Asteia.”

“A-Alright.”

The twelve dimensional spaces available for ranking battles each likely had unique terrain features.

But for now, he was satisfied with mastering at least one.

Back at the palace, Lee Shin roughly sketched a map of the First Battlefield, Asteia.

Studying the map, he analyzed strategies and tactics.

‘The most preferred race was monsters, wasn’t it?’

The preference for monsters was said to be over forty percent.

The remaining preferences were, in order, orcs, elves, dwarves, and humans.

‘With over forty percent favoring monsters, the high-ranking demon challenging us this time is likely from a monster-based main race.’

Regardless, Lee Shin spent his time establishing strategies while considering various scenarios.

Only a few days had passed. But at last, the inevitable had arrived.

“I greet the 72nd seat of the 72 Demon Lords, Lady Gremory.”

A young man with stark white, bloodless skin arrived at the palace.

Though he observed proper etiquette, his expression was brimming with confidence.

From the throne, Gremory looked at the man and spoke.

“A high-ranking demon, Eltima.”

“Yes, Lady Gremory. I felt the time had come, so I have come before you. I, High-Ranking Demon Eltima, formally challenge your claim to the 72nd seat.”

To Lee Shin, his tone sounded as if he were telling her to hand over the throne immediately.

‘He already acts as if he’s won.’

The 72 Demon Lords.

Like Gremory, it seemed that position held a special significance for demons.

‘Hwang Byeong-cheol was the same way.’

Lee Shin suddenly recalled his old rival.

Eternal second place, Hwang Byeong-cheol.

In truth, when it came to pure skill, Hwang Byeong-cheol was the only professional gamer who could truly rival Lee Shin.

Even in friendly practice matches between pro teams, Lee Shin’s win rate against Hwang Byeong-cheol was only around sixty percent.

For someone to defeat Lee Shin in forty percent of their matches was an impressive feat—something only Hwang Byeong-cheol could manage.

But when they faced off in the individual league finals, Hwang Byeong-cheol had been particularly overexcited.

The dazzling championship trophy and prize money just within reach!

Drunk on the dream of defeating Lee Shin and becoming the new star of esports, he lost himself.

The result? A 3-0 loss in a best-of-five match, leaving fans who had anticipated an epic showdown utterly disappointed.

‘He took the bait every time.’

Lee Shin had meticulously exploited Hwang Byeong-cheol’s impatience, knowing that the moment he saw a chance at victory, he would lunge for it.

Ever since then, whenever they met, Hwang Byeong-cheol would fall into Lee Shin’s psychological traps. Thus, he remained an eternal second place.

Having faced countless challengers while reigning at the top, Lee Shin now sensed the same scent from High-Ranking Demon Eltima.

‘This might be easier than I thought.’

A foe easily intoxicated by the moment.

The kind of opponent Lee Shin loved to toy with the most.

Gremory spoke.

“Very well. By the laws set forth by the Demon God, it is impossible to refuse the challenge of a qualified contender.”

“How much magic power will you wager?”

Eltima’s voice sounded parched with thirst.

At that moment, Lee Shin boldly raised two fingers.

Seeing this, Gremory immediately answered.

“I will wager twenty thousand magic power.”

“Twenty thousand?”

Eltima’s eyes gleamed. It seemed to be more than he had expected.

“Are you serious?”

“Do you doubt my words?”

“No, of course not. Excellent. Twenty thousand—this is very good.”

A grin spread across Eltima’s lips. Gremory frowned at his dismissive attitude.

Meanwhile, Lee Shin continued to observe Eltima’s expressions, analyzing his thoughts.

‘He must have assumed we’d bet the minimum—ten thousand.’

Since they wagered more, he was visibly pleased.

It seemed Gremory’s repeated losses had caused others to underestimate her.

“The battleground will be the First Battlefield—Asteia.”

The only battlefield Lee Shin had practiced and analyzed. There was no other choice.

“Very well.”

“Then, let’s begin immediately.”

Gremory rose from the throne and placed a hand on Lee Shin’s shoulder.

Flash!

Their figures vanished.