Miller was standing rooted to the spot like he was frozen still, his head bowed as he gripped his spear and muttered, "How could this be? How could my energy disappear just like that? This is impossible! Impossible!"


    The next second, Wilbur appeared in front of Miller, pointing the thunder cleaver at him. "The power of light is a middle-dimensionalw. You''re still considered weak in the face of absolute light."


    "I can''t believe I lost."


    "Do you admit defeat?"


    "No, I''ll never admit defeat. You may kill me now."


    Miller never wanted to admit defeat, but he knew that he was no match for Wilbur. Now that Wilbur had defeated him, death was the only way to protect his pride.


    Hagin fumed, "You idiot, Miller! How could you do that? I''m so disappointed in you! You''ve been stripped of all your duties asmander of the merfolk starting from this very second!"


    Miller barked out augh, keeping his head bowed. "What aughable life I lead. No matter how hard I work, even with all the scoldings and punishments you''ve given me, you show no mercy. I suffered so long to get the position ofmander, and here you are stripping me of it just like that. I''m not your ve, and you don''t deserve to be my boss! Listen up, Hagin! I, Miller, admit defeat right this instant!"


    Miller was thoroughly enraged. He was cornered, yet Hagin decided to humiliate him like this. It was only natural for someone to fight back when they were backed into a corner, losing all theirposure and calmness.


    "What? You admit defeat? Did you forget what you promised me before this?"


    "My apologies, Hagin. You once made a lot of promises to me as well, but they seem more like a joke now."


    Miller turned to leave after that. Hagin roared, "I dare you to never return to this realm!"


    "Oh, I''m noting back. I''m leaving this ce forever."


    "You!"


    Shock shed in Hagin''s gaze. He wanted to ask Miller to stay but could not take the words he had just said back.


    Hagin sighed. "It''s always that rotten temper of his."


    He turned to the old man and said, "Congrattions, you''ve passed this checkpoint. Come with me."


    "Don''t be too angry, Sir Hagin. All is fair in love and battle, you know. Where are we going, Sir Hagin?"


    "The dungeon."


    Wilbur exchanged nces with the old man. Neither of them knew why they were heading to the dungeon. They had passed eight out of nine checkpoints, and only thest checkpoint remained. The old man had thought that they would be challenging themanders, but they were heading to the dungeon instead. It must mean that themanders had nothing to do with the next challenge.