Baldwin moved at an unbelievable speed, his form flickering in and out of sight, almost as if he were teleporting from one place to another.
At the same time, the shadows surged with him, racing across the ground like wildfire. But unlike fire, they were even faster—spreading, twisting, and reshaping at his will.
The darkness didn't just follow him; it paved a path ahead, forming a street of pure shadow beneath his feet, guiding his unstoppable advance.
At last, he reached a massive cave standing ominously before him. But this was no ordinary cave—it was a labyrinth.
At that moment, Baldwin's Demon King's Eye activated on its own. His vision shifted, revealing an eerie glow—a white energy radiating from deep within the labyrinth.
Looking at it, he couldn't help but think,
This energy… it looks just like Galinthias'.
Without hesitation, he leaped into the cave, his body instantly sinking into the darkness. He activated Shadow Travel, slipping effortlessly past monsters, walls, and deadly traps. He could see everything from above, as if he had become one with the labyrinth itself.
At last, he arrived before an enormous red door—ancient and foreboding. Carved into its surface was a statue of a man with a black beard, clad in a dark robe, wearing a crown.
Baldwin pushed the massive door open, stepping inside.
Before him stood a man, though he did not match the figure carved into the door.
"You possess a unique power—the power of shadows." The man's voice was calm yet commanding. "I am Rhadamanthus. It is an honor to meet you, young boy."
Baldwin's eyes narrowed. His lips curled into a smirk, but his voice was laced with irritation.
"You can call me Dons. But I'm not here for pleasantries," Baldwin said coldly. "Tell me—why does your power feel the same as Galinthias'? And why are you here?"
His red eyes began to glow, and from his body, red-black mist billowed out like living smoke.
The entire room trembled under his power.
"Hold on, young man! We have a misunderstanding here! Please, wait!"
"Hold on?" Baldwin scoffed, his eyes glowing fiercely. "After releasing that many monsters, why the hell would I hold back?"
"You misunderstand! The labyrinth started causing problems, so I came here to fix it!" Rhadamanthus explained quickly. "And you—you're from that village, aren't you? A labyrinth can bring prosperity to your people."
Baldwin's expression darkened. "I don't care! You feel just like Galinthias!"
Without another word, he leaped high into the air, summoning a lightning-forged sword, and swung it down toward Rhadamanthus with overwhelming force.
Seeing the attack, Rhadamanthus picked up his staff, raising it just in time to block the blow. Lightning clashed against magic, sending sparks flying.
"Listen, young one!" Rhadamanthus grunted. "I'm not here to fight, but… if that's what you want, I'll play along."
"Me either!" Baldwin smirked and jumped back, putting distance between them.
Without warning, he raised his hand like a gun and fired a bolt of lightning.
Rhadamanthus stabbed his staff into the ground, summoning a purple barrier just in time. The two forces collided violently, sending shockwaves rippling through the chamber. The impact shattered the stone walls, and dust erupted into the air, making visibility difficult.
"Young man! You're making a mistake—"
Before he could finish, Baldwin fired again.
How is he still seeing me through this dust? Rhadamanthus thought, his eyes widening. Who exactly is this boy?
He barely dodged, but the attack grazed his shoulder, sending a searing pain through his body.
Realizing Baldwin wasn't slowing down, Rhadamanthus pressed his palm against the ground, and from beneath the earth, a massive skeletal hand rose, reaching for Baldwin like a titan's grasp.
But before it could land, Baldwin's shadows reacted instantly.
Black tendrils surged up, forming an impenetrable wall. The skeletal hand shattered against the living darkness.
Rhadamanthus took a sharp breath. This boy… his shadow power is beyond anything I've seen.
"I have to inform Lord Hades about him…" he muttered under his breath.
He prepared to counterattack, but suddenly—
Something felt wrong.
Looking down, he saw it.
A hole—clean through his chest.
"Wha—?!"
And then—a flash of white lightning.
Rhadamanthus barely had time to process what had happened before the attack hit him head-on, consuming him in its overwhelming force.
As the dust settled, Baldwin stepped forward, his expression unfazed.
Rhadamanthus was still alive—but his body was fading, his form breaking apart.
With a weak chuckle, he sighed.
"Boy, you're strong…" he admitted. "Congratulations. You've won—against my clone."
Baldwin didn't respond. He simply stood there, watching him with cold indifference—as if this had all just been a game to him.
Then, finally, he smirked.
Is that so ?