As Min-Jae stepped through the gate, the place inside was nothing like he would have imagined.
It was a large hallway with very high ceilings—probably because the giants had to pass through, so it needed to be tall enough to accommodate them.
'It looks like a hallway for an expensive mansion. A mansion that's very large, even for humans,' he thought. But then he sensed it—a massive magical energy presence nearby. 'Is that supposed to be the boss? I wonder why it stayed inside when all the other giants were out.'
Without wasting time, Min-Jae walked ahead through the hallway. After a short distance, he finally reached a point where the hallway opened up slightly.
"Hmmm. What is a mere human like you doing here?"
Min-Jae immediately halted and looked ahead.
A muscular figure stood before him—about twice as large as the average adult human, with bluish-gray skin, long messy black hair, a scraggly beard, and glowing red eyes. He wore nothing but a long tattered white loincloth and was bound by thick chains wrapped around his body and arms, restricting him completely.
'I think it said something, but I don't really understand what it's saying.'
"I don't really understand what you're saying. Can you speak in... like, human language or something?"
"I asked, what is a mere human like you doing here?!" This time it was much louder—not that it wasn't loud the first time.
But at least Min-Jae understood this time.
"Now that's good. I can understand you. But who are you, and why are you chained up like this in a dungeon?"
"I have no reason to reply to a mere human like you," it replied with an even angrier and louder voice.
"Is that so...?" Min-Jae said, raising his hand as a Hollow Purple orb began to form. "You know, this thing can erase those chains... or erase you. Your choice. Now, it depends on your answer which one it will be."
"You dare threaten me, you insolent fool? Do you know who I am?!"
"No. That's what I'm asking you. Who are you?" Min-Jae said, and the Hollow Purple vanished from his hand.
The giant paused, then spoke with a more measured tone. "I am one of the Monarchs. The King of the Giants. That should suffice for a mortal such as you."
"Monarch? That's great. I also know a Monarch. What was it... the Shadow Monarch, right?" Min-Jae replied. 'Well, I know Sung Jin-Woo. If I remember correctly, he's supposed to be the Shadow Monarch, though I don't know the full lore. Annoying. Why does everything go back to the same person in this universe?'
The giant's eyes narrowed, the red glow flickering faintly. "The Shadow Monarch? ...You speak of Ashborn? Impossible. He knew no friends, only subjects."
'Ashborn? Who the hell is that... No, wait... If my assessment was correct and Sung Jin-Woo is actually the vessel of the Shadow Monarch, and he's mentioning Ashborn when talking about the Shadow Monarch, that would mean Ashborn is the real Shadow Monarch?! In any case, I need to go with the flow. This way, I'll be able to get more answers.'
"Well, it can't be helped. I am his friend," Min-Jae said. "Now, if you want to get free, answer my questions. If you're a Monarch, who bound you with these chains?"
"Those cursed chains… forged by the hands of the Rulers themselves."
'Uh, what the hell. What are these Rulers now? How annoying.'
"So the Rulers did this to you? Who are these Rulers again?"
The giant narrowed its eyes once more. "You say you are friends with the Shadow Monarch, yet you don't know who the Rulers are?"
"Well, you know him, right? He's not that much of a chatty kind of person. You know what I mean."
"Hmph… a fair point. The Shadow Monarch never wasted breath on the weak. If you truly walk beside him, then hear this—the Rulers are the ancient enemies of the Monarchs." It paused. "Release me. I need to meet the Shadow Monarch immediately. The upcoming war is going to be catastrophic. I will stand beside the Shadow Monarch if you free me now."
"A catastrophic war? What do you mean by that?"
"A war between the Rulers and the Monarchs."
Min-Jae was silent for a moment, processing the information. 'So there's a war coming. Between the Rulers—whoever they are—and the Monarchs. And Sung Jin-Woo, or Ashborn, is involved.'
"And what do you expect the Shadow Monarch to do in this war?" Min-Jae asked.
"He is the one who turned his back on the Monarchs once before. If he sides with the Rulers again, we will fall. But if he stands with us..." The giant's eyes burned brighter. "Then we may yet prevail."
'So Ashborn—or Sung Jin-Woo—was a Monarch who betrayed them? And now they think he'll do it again?' Min-Jae thought. 'This is getting complicated.'
"And what makes you think I'll free you?" Min-Jae asked.
"Because if you do not, the war will come to this world. Your world. And when it does, neither you nor your Shadow Monarch will be able to stop it alone. You need allies. I am offering to be one."
Min-Jae crossed his arms. "And if I free you, how do I know you won't just go back to destroying everything?"
"I have no interest in this pitiful world," the giant said with disdain. "My only concern is survival. The Rulers seek to erase us completely. If the Shadow Monarch stands with them, then all Monarchs will fall. But if he stands with us, then there is a chance."
Min-Jae stared at the giant for a long moment.
'This is way above my paygrade. I don't have enough information to make this call. But if I leave him here, the Rulers might come for him—or he might find another way out. And if I kill him, I might be making an enemy of the other Monarchs.'
He sighed. "I'm not freeing you."