the Ember lord

Chapter 36 – Eyes of a Monarch

Lee Hwan stood amidst the aftermath of battle, his body pulsing with power. He looked at Drake's motionless body, still standing but frozen in place like a statue.

"Why isn't he moving…?" Lee muttered.

He walked up and waved his hand before Drake's face—no response.

His aura was still there, strong, but his consciousness… wasn't.

"Tch… what the hell is going on?" Lee whispered, confused.

He had no idea that Drake's spirit had entered his Inner Realm, unknowingly trespassing upon the Dragon Monarch's domain. A realm not meant to be seen by outsiders.

Lee shook his head, brushing it off for now.

"System. Open the 10th Floor gate."

[Access to 10th Floor Granted.]

A towering gate formed before him, carved with fire runes, ancient dragons, and celestial flames.

But before stepping in, Lee glanced behind at the unconscious Flame Monarch's vessel, still buried in rubble, his aura flickering weakly.

"I didn't kill him," Lee muttered. "I could have… but I didn't."

He clenched his fists.

"Still not enough. Chronos is still ahead of me."

He remembered the Ranker List—Lee was Rank 16, while Chronos, the Vessel of Time Monarch, was at the top. The only one who had reached the 20th Floor.

Lee turned to the portal again, stepping into the flame-lit gateway with no hesitation.

[Entering 10th Floor...]

A sudden heat wave struck him. Volcanoes roared in the distance. The sky was molten red.

The 10th Floor… was a realm of constant battle.

The moment he entered, a system message echoed:

[Objective: Conquer the Arena of Ember Lords.]

[Victory Condition: Defeat 3 Elite Ember Lords and claim the Ember Throne.]

Lee cracked his neck.

"Three bosses, huh? Easy."

But then a voice whispered, not from the system…

"You're getting stronger, Lee Hwan."

He stopped.

It was the voice of the Dragon Monarch, faint, from deep within.

"But strength alone won't be enough… Not for what's coming."

Lee didn't reply. He tightened the gauntlet on his arm and stepped forward.

He had only one goal now—

Catch up and surpass Chronos.

To be continued…

Next: Chapter 37 – The Arena of Ember Lords