The journey toward the northeast continued for several days.
Mountains passed beneath them.
Forests stretched endlessly across the horizon.
The weather itself gradually began changing the further they traveled. The air became warmer, lighter somehow, yet strangely heavier at the same time. Even the sunlight felt different here—denser, more alive.
Then finally they arrived.
A golden continent stretched before the Black Sun Syndicate.
Massive rivers of shimmering gold flowed between valleys and forests. Towering mountain peaks reached into the clouds like pillars holding up the heavens themselves. Sunlight reflected across every surface, bathing the land in an eternal dawn-like glow.
What stood out the most, however was the silence.
There were no monsters, No chaotic mana disturbances or bloodlust lingering in the air.
Everything felt controlled, balanced even
As if the entire continent itself existed under perfect authority.
The group descended slowly toward the ground.
The moment Eryndor's boots touched the earth, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He immediately raised one hand.
"No one moves."
The others instantly stopped.
Kaelus glanced around calmly while Rein cracked his neck.
Darius folded his arms.
Stellar quietly observed the surrounding area.
Eryndor stared straight ahead at what appeared to be empty space.
Then he spoke calmly.
"I take it you expected us?"
The air distorted.
Golden particles gathered together before the group.
Then a man revealed himself.
He had short golden hair, golden eyes, and dark skin. A glowing golden triangle rested on his forehead, radiating a strange divine warmth.
The man smiled faintly.
"Good observation, Eryndor Nasarik. Welcome, deities of the Black Sun Syndicate… to the Land of the Sun People."
The team remained cautious, but none of them reached for their weapons.
The man gestured forward politely.
"Walk with me, please."
They followed him across the golden landscape.
As they walked, the man introduced himself.
"I am David. One of the many tasked with preparing you for your ascension. I assume Seraphina briefed you on that?.
Darius placed both hands behind his head lazily.
"Yeah, she did."
The group eventually arrived at a city built between enormous golden trees and crystal-like structures. Streams of glowing water flowed through the streets while the people watched the newcomers with calm curiosity.
Kaelus glanced around carefully.
"So… we'll be training in the city?"
David shook his head.
"No."
"The real Land of the Sun People is not here. It exists in a different dimension."
Rein smirked slightly.
"That sounds interesting."
David's golden triangle suddenly glowed brightly.
A deep humming sound filled the air.
Then a massive golden gate appeared before them.
Golden symbols rotated across its surface while radiant energy poured from within.
David stepped toward it calmly.
"We're going to the real land now."
Without hesitation, the group followed him through the gate.
The moment they crossed over, the atmosphere changed completely.
A vast forest-like world stretched endlessly around them. Massive ancient trees reached high into the sky while warm sunlight filtered through glowing leaves overhead. Sand covered parts of the ground between rivers and enormous roots.
Hundreds of Sun People moved throughout the area peacefully.
Yet despite the beauty the pressure here was immense.
Every breath felt heavier, Every movement felt watched by something greater.
Eryndor narrowed his eyes slightly.
The soul energy in this dimension was unbelievably dense.
David continued walking and eventually brought them toward a giant treehouse structure built into an ancient tree larger than a mountain.
Inside a woman sat upon a throne.
The moment the group saw her, the atmosphere itself seemed to tighten.
She had long golden hair that flowed down her shoulders like liquid sunlight. Golden eyes filled with authority observed the newcomers carefully.
She radiated charisma naturally, Not forced or artificial but Absolute presence.
David immediately bowed respectfully.
"Matriarch. I have brought the Black Sun Syndicate."
The woman nodded calmly.
"Good work."
Then—
she stood.
BOOOOOOM.
A devastating pressure erupted from her body.
The entire room trembled.
To the team, it felt like a gigantic invisible wall had suddenly crashed onto their shoulders.
Dova's knee buckled instantly.
Darius grabbed his elbow immediately to stop him from kneeling completely.
Kaelus gritted his teeth.
Rein's muscles tensed.
Stellar's frost aura instinctively appeared around her body.
Even Eryndor felt the immense weight pressing against him.
Yet none of them fell.
The Matriarch smiled slightly.
"This…is the pressure of soul power." Get used to the feeling."
The pressure vanished.
Several of them exhaled heavily afterward.
The Matriarch returned calmly to her throne.
"In order to learn the power of the soul, one must first master their own state before attempting ascension. David and the others will ensure you are ready for the real weight of a god."
Then she snapped her fingers.
Five figures appeared instantly beside David.
The Matriarch gestured toward them one by one.
"This is Sera — the Third Sun Goddess."
A woman with tall black hair stepped forward. Her hazel-black eyes were calm but sharp. A glowing golden triangle rested at the center of her chest.
"This is Zeth — The Wandering Sword."
A tall man in white robes stood silently beside her. A white cloth covered his eyes while a sword rested calmly at his side.
"Var — The One of Magic."
A tall dark-skinned man with golden eyes and short golden hair nodded calmly. A sword rested behind his back.
"Feral — The Mythic Warrior."
A tall man with short white hair and blue eyes crossed his arms. His fierce gaze alone carried immense pressure.
"And Uriel — The Second Goddess of the Sun."
A woman with silver hair and silver-gold eyes stood elegantly beside them wearing silver and gold robes.
Finally, the Matriarch looked toward David.
"And you already know David…The First God of the Sun. The Freer."
The Sun People smiled calmly toward the Black Sun Syndicate.
Kaelus let out a low whistle.
"It seems we got our work cut out for us."
Alucard grinned.
"Most definitely."
David stepped forward once more.
"Each of us will teach the group one at a time. We'll begin from Sera… and work upward until me."
Then his expression became more serious.
"Go outside."
"Get used to the energy and air because if you cannot control your aura and emotions…gravity will increase on each of you. It can rise up to one hundred and fifty times gravity."
Isly rested her staff against her shoulder casually.
"I'm not complaining."
Eryndor smiled faintly.
"Yeah." Why would we?,That's what we came here for."
Rein cracked his knuckles excitedly.
"I don't mind starting right now."
David smiled.
"I like the spirit."
Then suddenly—
Sera appeared beside David instantly.
Her gaze moved across the entire team.
"Are you sure you want to start now?"
The members of the Black Sun Syndicate looked at one another.
Then together they answered without hesitation.
"Yes."