A grand introductory cutscene played out, accompanied by majestic BGM, as the Seventh Abyss Boss Monster approached step by step.
Newbies of Dungeon Strategy Log: 72 Dungeons often said that the entrance scene of the Seventh Abyss Boss was enough to make their palms sweat.

I could guarantee that the tension I felt now far surpassed that.
This wasn’t a game—it was reality. And inside were five of the Abyssal Lords.

The doors closed behind me, and I took in the vast chamber before me.
It was much larger than I’d anticipated, its ceiling so high I couldn’t even begin to gauge its scale.

The massive Round Table in the center was already surrounded by numerous Dungeon Lords.
Beside and behind each Lord stood solemn attendants, maintaining a respectful silence.

Among the seating, some were far from ordinary—they looked more like thrones fit for kings.
Seven in total. Seats reserved specifically for the Abyssal Lords.
My gaze naturally moved to each one in turn.

Waving at me with a playful smile was the Succubus Queen.
Then there was the Lich King, silently glaring at me with soul-piercing eyes reminiscent of decay.

Past these all-too-familiar faces, I shifted my gaze again.

Thud.
A single movement sent a tremor through the air as the giant filled my field of vision.
There’s something called cosmic horror—that primal fear one feels when confronted with an incomprehensibly massive scale.
At this moment, I understood exactly what that meant, as the sense of insignificance and helplessness washed over me.

[Lv. 94]

He was over 20 meters tall, easily claiming most of the available space.
Honestly, it was almost more surprising that they had a chair big enough to fit him.

This was the Fourth Abyssal Lord, Darlon the Giant King of the Millennial Frozen Tomb.
The pale green of his level indicated a mild friendliness toward me, and I felt the smallest bit of relief.

“Is that him? The new Seventh?”
“Yep! That’s him!”

Next to the Giant King were a pair of figures who couldn’t have been more different.
Their tiny forms and carefree attitude stood in stark contrast to the towering presence beside them.
They sat close together, giggling playfully, their behavior deceptively childlike for beings occupying such high seats.

[Lv. 95]

The Third Abyssal Lord, Ren and Rin, the Reversing Twins of the Twin Stars Tower.
As I’d seen in the game, they shared a single level despite being two distinct individuals.

Their heights were less than half mine, but I knew all too well that their true nature was far more massive than even the Giant King’s.
In my opinion, Ren and Rin were the most troublesome opponents. With their ability to discern truth and lies, they could expose everything about me.
Luckily, their level was an even deeper green than the Giant King’s, which eased my nerves.

My gaze drifted to the right, where a woman with a sharp glare stared daggers at me.

Her jet-black dress blended perfectly with the shadows, and her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist.
The twin horns protruding from her head resembled those of a demon, yet were distinct in some indescribable way.
For now, she was in a polymorphed human form, but her true self was far grander than even the Giant King.

[Lv. 97]

This was the Second Abyssal Lord, Roxanne Dietrich, the Dragon Lord of the Ten Pits of the Abyss.
For a moment, I found myself fixated on her level.
She was undeniably the strongest entity in this room, her level faintly tinged with red.
It wasn’t hostility, but it wasn’t mere caution either—she viewed me as a threat.

‘…So much for trying to tap into her treasure hoard.’

The Dragon Lord’s domain was essentially one enormous dragon lair filled with treasure.
If I could befriend her, even scraps from her leftovers could become legendary artifacts.
But that first impression had gone terribly wrong.

Still, it was better to be regarded as a threat than to be completely ignored. At least she wasn’t trying to kill me yet.

Apart from the Abyssal Lords, their attendants ranged from Level 80 to 89.
Unsurprisingly, every pair of eyes in the room was locked onto me.

Maintaining a semblance of calm, I walked toward my seat at the Round Table.
With all the unwelcome attention on me, I leaned back into the empty throne.
Charlotte and Balutak quietly took their positions behind me.

“Hello, darling~.”

From the seat diagonally across, Roscha waved at me, her smile as bright as ever.
I nodded curtly, doing my best to keep my face expressionless.

It hit me then. The simple yet staggering truth that someone as insignificant as me was now sharing the same space as the most powerful figures in this world.

“Everyone’s here now except for the deputy,” said a deep, resonating voice.
That low, cave-like rumble belonged to Darlon. The sheer scale of his voice naturally drew my gaze. Even his smallest movement seemed capable of commanding attention.

“Shall we begin the meeting?”
“Not yet.”

Roxanne interjected, folding her arms with a disinterested expression.
Her legs were crossed, and her posture oozed authority—arrogant yet undeniable. With her rank as the Second Abyssal Lord, no one dared to question her.

“It’s been a century since we’ve gathered. Shouldn’t we follow proper protocol?”
“…Hmm. And what do the others think?”
“I agree with the elder.”
“Same here.”
“Well, what a rare moment of unity.”

Kalandas and Roscha both nodded in agreement.

While the Abyssal Lords conversed freely, the 72 Dungeon Lords stood silently, watching and gauging the room.
As I’d seen earlier, they couldn’t speak unless granted permission.
It must have been stifling, and I felt the same way even while seated.

I had no idea where to direct my gaze.
I didn’t even breathe, but somehow it felt like the room was suffocating me.

“Until the deputy arrives, let’s take some time for conversation.”

Darlon’s golden eyes settled on me as he spoke.
At that moment, every gaze at the table turned my way.
It was indescribable—like being crushed under the weight of unseen pressure.

“What, are we going to have Barghore introduce himself?”

Roscha spoke, her voice light and teasing, with a faint laugh at the end.
I really wanted her to shut up.
It was already nerve-wracking trying to maintain my silence and stoic act.

“First, let us welcome the new Seventh Abyss Lord. I believe we all share in the excitement of having a new comrade to fulfill their duty.”
“…”

Silence carried weight, and for now, it was my greatest tool.
It lent an air of authority while also serving as a defense against Truth Detection.
Sometimes, saying nothing was better than saying something stupid.

“I didn’t expect the new Seventh to be a single entity. I heard you took down Valmonk with a single blow.”
“I could do that too.”

Roxanne’s cold voice cut through the air as she glared at me.
I hadn’t even done anything, yet I felt wrongfully accused.

I knew her personality well.
Her hostility was as simple as it was instinctive. She just didn’t like new power threatening the status quo.

Darlon cleared his throat and turned back to me.
“Barghore, would you mind answering a few questions? Everyone here is quite curious about you.”

His golden gaze swept around the room, seeking agreement.
Roxanne raised her chin, and Ren and Rin nodded so eagerly it looked like their heads might fall off.
Kalandas and Roscha simply watched me in silence.

Satisfied, Darlon smiled faintly.
“I’ve always wondered… If you, a single entity, were to fight alone, how far up the ranks do you think you could go?”

What kind of bullsh*t question was that?

I thought I’d misheard.
Suddenly, I felt like I was back in the army, where a senior soldier would ask a rookie which of his comrades he thought he could beat in a fight.
And now, that same ridiculous question had come from an Abyssal Lord.

Of course, the Abyssal Lords were among the strongest beings in the world.
Their pride was built on that strength, and my answer could easily spark a war.
On the other hand, if I backed down, it would look like I was surrendering my authority.

“I hear you’ve already met Roscha and Kalandas. Could you beat either of them? Or perhaps you think you could surpass the twins and even Roxanne herself—”

“Shut up.”

Roxanne’s glare sharpened even further, her eyes locking onto me instead of Darlon.
Seriously, why was she always coming at me when I hadn’t done a damn thing?

“That creature is the Seventh. Have you forgotten my rank?”
“But, Lady Roxanne, he did claim a single-entity dungeon. He ascended to the Seventh Throne alone.”
“So what?”

Roxanne stood up abruptly.
Click. Click.
The sound of her heels echoed through the room’s tense silence as she approached me.
She stopped directly in front of me, her presence oppressive.

“Shall we test it right here and now?”
“….”

One flick of her hand, and I’d be reduced to ashes, not even a bone left behind.
For the love of all things holy, someone stop her.

I looked around, but everyone just watched with rapt interest.
Even Roscha was smiling brightly, as though she found the situation amusing.

The thud of the stone doors opening saved me at the last possible second.
Naturally, everyone’s gaze shifted to the silhouette stepping into the room.

‘I almost died just now…’

Roxanne could obliterate me with a sneeze.
Swallowing my relief, I turned my attention to the newcomer.

The figure was clad in a neat suit, but the moment I saw their face, a deep sense of unease washed over me.
Their long, elongated head resembled an octopus, with five pairs of eyes stacked vertically.
Several tentacles dangled from their body, dripping with sticky mucus.

“I greet the Lords of the Abyss.”

[Lv. 92]

This… thing was the Old One’s Deputy, Bliz.
Even by level alone, it was nearly on par with the Abyssal Lords.

I tried to look away from its grotesque appearance, but that’s when the notification appeared.

[The Old One’s Ancient Relic (No.3)]
[Enhancement Chance: 0%]
[※ Warning! Applying enhancement will destroy the target!]
[If enhancement fails, cooldown resets.]
[Would you like to enhance the Old One’s Ancient Relic (No.3)?]
[YES/NO]

At first, I thought it was a mistake. Maybe Bliz was holding an artifact.
But no. The notification wasn’t for an item—it was for Bliz himself.

The name Ancient Relic said it all.
I knew about No.5 and No.4 relics, having seen them before.
But now, one of the remaining unknown relics was right in front of me, alive and serving as the Old One’s deputy.

If I tried to enhance him, Bliz would vanish instantly.
But I couldn’t act recklessly here.

Bliz sat in the final empty seat, and Roxanne returned to hers, addressing him.
“It’s been a while, Bliz.”
“The master sends his regards, Lady Roxanne.”
“Tell him I’m always fine.”

Bliz greeted the Abyssal Lords in order. From where I sat, it was awkward to watch.
Still, thanks to him, Roxanne’s anger toward me had abated.
If he hadn’t shown up, I might have actually been incinerated.

“Are you the new Lord of the Seventh Abyss?”

Bliz addressed me after greeting Roscha.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Bliz, deputy of the Old One.”
“Likewise. I am Barghore.”
“Feel free to speak informally.”

We shook hands, but I couldn’t stop staring at the level above his head.
It had turned from white to an almost pitch-black shade.

…What the hell did I do?
It wasn’t a bug, was it?
There was no way Bliz was that afraid of me.

“Bliz… why do you fear him?”

Roxanne’s sharp voice rang out, her gaze darting between me and Bliz.

Bliz hesitated, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke.
“If Lord Barghore intended to kill me, I would die instantly. No method of resistance would matter.”

The room fell into stunned silence.
The fear he felt wasn’t ordinary—it was the fear of certain death.

For Bliz, my enhancement ability was an unavoidable instant kill.
To the other Lords, who didn’t know that, it probably looked like overwhelming strength.

“Well, then… are you saying Barghore is the strongest among us?”
“At least, from what I can see…”

Bliz’s hesitant words only added to the suffocating tension.

“There’s not a single Lord here who could defeat him alone.”

Ah.
This situation was getting really uncomfortable.