Skyler wiped the sweat from his brow as he quietly sat at the center of a massive round table, surrounded by many powerful figures whose solemn eyes were fixed on him.
There was Principal Wen, his uncle Alistair, Duke Everlette—one of the six heads of the government—VP Doris, and numerous other elderly individuals he didn't even recognize.
Duke Everlette tapped the table, his silver eyes scanning Skyler from head to toe.
"He's clearly been through a lot—covered in injuries, too many to count. Did a villain—a dark alchemist—kidnap you? If so, how did you manage to escape the underworld?"
His voice was cold and sharp.
Clad in a finely tailored suit that exuded commanding presence, he looked nothing like his youngest son, Zack Everlette—the son he had abandoned for being useless.
Skyler noted quietly. Regardless, it seemed it was time to create a good story to put an end to this—and he was more than willing to pin all the blame on the Dark Lights.
He cleared his throat solemnly.
"I escaped after a life-and-death battle. The villains did kidnap me. There were only two of them, but they were incredibly powerful. They barged into my room and—"
Duke Everlette cut him off midway.
"He's lying. I have a lie-detecting skill."
Skyler's eyebrow twitched. Principal Wen, Alistair, VP Doris, and the others who had been listening grimly were left speechless. None of them had suspected he was lying. If not for Everlette's claim, Skyler's solemn tone and pained eyes would have entirely convinced them he was telling the truth.
Alistair rubbed his forehead, exhaling.
"Skyler, stop giving us a headache and just tell the truth. We are trying to help you—so we can hunt down those who hurt you and make sure this never happens again."
His voice turned cold, laced with steel.
"So the world understands the price of laying a hand on a member of royalty."
Skyler closed his eyes. He wanted to rest, but Duke Everlette's firm claim of having a lie-detecting skill complicated everything.
When he opened his eyes again, they were even more solemn—yet not a single person present believed his sincerity this time.
Who knew if he was acting again? It made Skyler want to storm into Zack's room and beat him up instead of his father, since he was clearly no match for the Duke.
Skyler stared at Alistair. Well, he just had to tell them the truth, right? So he would—just in a way that was not exactly the truth.
"But... those who harmed me are already dead. Gone. Every last one of them."
All eyes immediately snapped to Duke Everlette, who narrowed his silver gaze.
"He's telling the truth."
Skyler smirked. Of course he was. Those who harmed him were no longer alive—the souls of the damned, long dead. He tilted his head back with a hum.
"Also, I don't know who they were. All I wanted was to escape—and I did."
Duke Everlette frowned.
"He's telling the truth."
Silence followed—thick and heavy—filling the room adorned with minimal decor.
Alistair stared at Skyler. A sudden question surfaced in his mind, one so absurd it made him laugh. And yet, a nagging feeling urged him to ask it. He had to be completely sure.
"Skyler. Just say yes or no. That should be your answer—were you really in Hell?"
Everyone turned to Alistair, staring at him as if the prince had suddenly grown horns.
What an absurd question, they thought.
Sure, they all knew the concept of Heaven and Hell—it was embedded in ancient texts, myths, and old-world superstitions. But to ask if someone had really been there?
It was preposterous.
After all, how could one enter Hell?
There were no verified accounts—only dramatized stories passed down through generations. To most, Hell was a place of metaphor and punishment after death, not a place a living person could simply visit.
They would have much rather believed he had entered the Battle Royal. After all, that inhuman place was a kind of hell in its own right—brutal, lawless, and soaked in blood.
And yet, the question hung in the air.
Why? Because Skyler didn't answer.
The youth simply sat there, staring at Alistair with a wide smile on his face.
A chill ran down Skyler's spine.
They were truly related, weren't they?
He never expected Alistair to drop a bombshell on him out of nowhere.
He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, calm and composed—more excited and thrilled by the situation than nervous.
"Hmm? I wonder."
Alistair snapped at him.
"Yes or no."
Skyler crossed his fingers below the table. Should he simply tell the truth and be done with it? Suddenly, his ears twitched at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the room. Oho, he just had to buy more time.
"I have the right to remain silent."
The atmosphere grew dense with tension, every gaze locked onto him in confusion.
What did he mean?
The answer was simple—just say no.
So why wouldn't he? Before anyone could press him further, however, the door burst open and a group of figures stormed in.
Alistair stood up when he saw one of his brothers enter—a tall man radiating power and confidence. An excited grin stretched across his brother's face as he saw him.
"Why didn't you pick up your phone? I've been trying to reach you for an hour! I don't know how to send long-distance telepathy messages—I'm not as powerful as you!"
Alistair blinked, hurriedly pulled out his phone, and checked it—it had no charge.
"Oh, Nox, my phone's dead. But what's going on? Why are you here instead of guarding Argon's Guild in his absence?"
Nox chuckled, unnerving Alistair. Then he delivered news that even froze Skyler, who was secretly slipping out of the room.
"They did it!! They have cleared the 51st level of the Battle Royal—all thanks to the Lost Sapphire of Serenity and other mythic-tier weapons! Argon and the Lights from the other continents who entered the 51st level are gravely injured and receiving treatment—but they made it through the 51st level! Come with me—Argon wants to see you!"
Skyler's jaw dropped. What, what?! They have defeated the Immortal?? They have cleared the 51st level of the Battle Royal?
The level that had stayed uncleared until Max had conquered it? And all because he found the Lost Sapphire of Serenity, which was never discovered in the original story?!
He wanted to shout, 'nonsense'! He should have been the one to clear that level! But he knew Nox Thorne was telling the truth. Shit. It seemed he had officially screwed up the story—not just for Max, but for himself too.
'Good job, Skyler! Very bloody good job!'
Unlike him, everyone in the room lit up at the news. Even Duke Everlette's cold, stoic face held the trace of a relieved smile.