After absorbing the Spirit Turtle’s core, the eighth-rank grandmasters must have begun ascending the Skyward Stairway. As James had never fought against grandmasters at such a level, he could not be sure of their strength. He only knew that their existence alone was terrifying.

Even for Callan Maverick, James would feel a shiver down his spine whenever he was reminded of the strength Callan demonstrated as a grandmaster who had ascended the second stair of the Skyward Stairway.

During the Moun