Just as the name suggested, was a desolate stretch of wilderness, dotted with decaying trees and sparse vegetation. The sun hung high in the sky, its unforgiving light casting harsh shadows across the cracked ground. This was the Forsaken Land. It offered no mercy, no grace.
Igaris tread steadily across the brittle soil, his Silver dagger sheathed at his side. Behind him walked Evernight and the rest of his summons, their presence solemn and strong.
Evernight, graceful as ever, walked with her hands crossed below her chest. Her violet eyes, radiant and far-seeing, scanned the terrain ahead.
Suddenly, she paused.
"There’s something ahead," she said, her voice calm but firm. "A terrifying beast."
Even so, Igaris instantly went on high alert. He unsheathed Silver, the blade glinting in the light, and conjured a fireball in his left hand.
A crackling figure surged through the air—wrapped in lightning and fury. It dashed toward Igaris with deadly precision.
As the panther’s lightning-coated paws slashed through the air toward his chest, Igaris activated [Gale Wings], his body vanishing from the spot in a gust of wind.
He hurled the fireball straight at the ground where the beast had landed.
A shriek echoed through the plains as the explosion scorched the earth. The panther’s body was flung aside, smoke rising from its charred fur.
It struggled to its feet, revealing its identity.
"A Lightning Panther," Evernight remarked. "Known for agility and high burst damage. But... they used to be far stronger in the past."
Igaris stepped forward and placed a hand on the wounded beast’s side. The glow of his ability surged, and the Panther vanished into his Acquisition space.
"They maybe weaker than legends," he said, "but still useful to me."
Evernight tilted her head curiously. "Oh? Can you tell me, why do you seek so much power, my Liege? Power isn’t everything, if you don’t know."
Igaris walked forward in silence, then replied without looking back, "I can’t say for now. But know this—I’m not permanent in this world. And... we may not see each other again in near future."
Evernight’s eyes narrowed in concern. "What do you mean? Where will you go? Where are you truly from?"
As a Higher Angel from the Above, she could peer through illusions and sense truths most mortals couldn’t. Yet, Igaris’s words... unsettled her.
But Igaris didn’t answer. His heart weighed too heavy. He had a mission in his original world—one far beyond her reach.
He’d already started wondering: if no World Diver had ever taken a living being out of a dungeon, could he be the first?
So far, not a single World Diver had managed to bring any living beings into the outside realm. If it were possible, Orca would be flooded with supernatural beings by now.
Still, he believed. Infinite Acquisition wasn’t bound to his body—it was tied to his soul. And maybe that was the key.
Shaking off the thoughts, Igaris focused on the present.
Up ahead, a pack of wolves lurked near a cave-like structure. The ground bore the marks of recent hunts. There were at least two dozen of them.
"Alright, We attack at once."" he whispered, crouching behind a large tree.
His summoned beasts stood behind him, silent but ready. Their large bodies barely fit behind the sparse cover, but each was focused, awaiting his order.
Evernight gave a faint smile.
Even the newly-acquired Lightning Panther leapt into the fray with crackling paws.
The wolves in cave howled, sensing danger. They burst from the cave to confront the intruders.
But the moment they saw the towering beasts, glowing eyes, and swirling elemental energy—they faltered.
The mighty Imperial Griffin, now 5 meters long, swept into their midst like a cyclone. Wind Manipulation roared through its wings, scattering wolves like leaves.
The Fiery Lion followed, its mane blazing like an inferno, charging straight into the densest part of the pack with a deafening roar.
Igaris dashed in, using [Gale Wings] to close the gap.
Then with a powerful punch, he struck one of the wolves in the skull, sending it skidding across the ground.
He didn’t want to kill them.
He wanted to beat them into submission and acquire them all.
Within minutes, Igaris had acquired all eleven Dire Wolves.
Dire Wolves were larger, faster, and far stronger than regular wolves. According to Evernight, they possessed terrifying Thunder Summoning abilities—latent powers that could awaken once they evolved further.
Though weak for now, their potential was undeniable.
As they regrouped, Evernight suddenly turned her gaze toward the east.
"There’s a group of Summoners not far from here," she said, her voice laced with eagerness. "Let’s hunt them as well, my Liege. You could turn them into your slaves... or I could raise them as Undead." A demonic grin curled on her lips.
"Ouch!" Evernight flinched as Igaris knocked her lightly on the head. He was sitting on a tree bark, legs swinging casually.
His voice was stern. "Vixen, you can’t just go around turning humans into undead. And no, I’m not using my ability on them either."
"Why not?" she shot back, standing straight and pouting like a scolded child.
Igaris hesitated before answering, "Because... they’re human?"
Evernight clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"Tsk. Didn’t expect you to be so sentimental. Just because you’re the same kind, you’ll spare them? Even though they could be far more useful than beasts?"
Igaris didn’t reply immediately. Something about acquiring humans felt wrong. Not for any logical reason—but morally, it weighed on his conscience.
Still, provoked by her words and reminded of the cruelty he had already seen from many Summoners, he silently reconsidered. Maybe... some of them deserved it.
He stood and activated [Gale Wings], rising above the treetops with a sharp gust. His eyes scanned the surrounding terrain from high above. Within seconds, he locked onto his next target:
He had done some research before entering the Hollow Plains. This zone was dangerous—far more than the others.
Earth Golems, Wyverns, Wraiths, Darkness Sparrows, and even a few Dragons were said to roam here.
Dragons were undisputed apex predators. But Earth Golems? They were no less terrifying. Towering, ancient beings made of stone, with high defense and devastating strength.
And that was where he was going.
To bend them under his command.