I walked down the palace hallway, the floor echoing beneath my feet. In my hands, Celes' head hung still—her silver hair flowing, swaying with each step.
Her blood had long since dried, but the symbol of her destruction was still fresh.
My destination was clear—the training grounds.
As soon as I passed through the black iron gates, my gaze fell on two figures in the center of the arena.
Selena, standing resolute like a warlord, watched with a cold, piercing gaze.
In front of her, Nana, her body still unsteady, but the determination in her eyes was beginning to form.
She held a sword and shield—a classic choice, but one that signaled her intent to defend and fight.
The training had begun. But I knew this was more than just a training session.
This was a process of formation. The formation of a new tool or monster beneath me.
Nana surged forward, attacking without hesitation.
Her sword swung with precision, her shield closing the gaps in her body well enough—her movements showed a talent that was beginning to be honed. But for her opponent, it wasn't enough.
Selena stood firm.
Without flinching, she raised her double axes and—CLANGG!—deflected Nana's attack with ease, as if facing a gentle breeze.
The impact sent Nana flying several steps back. But before she could catch her breath, Selena countered—her movements swift, heavy, and deadly.
This was no ordinary training.
It was a brutal duel.
Barbaric and merciless.
Blood splattered the stone floor of the arena. Cuts began to appear on Nana's arms and shoulders, but she stood still—though her body trembled, her eyes showed no fear.
Meanwhile, Selena, her face cold and emotionless, stepped forward again.
In this place, the only way to grow was through bloodshed.
The training continued.
Nana's body was now covered in wounds—scratches on her arms, blood dripping from her temples, her breathing labored. But surprisingly, her eyes hadn't faded.
The look still burned.
Not with strength, but with determination.
I stepped forward, the sound of my footsteps suddenly silencing the arena. Even Selena halted her attack, glancing at me briefly before taking a few steps back.
I stood before Nana, who was half-kneeling, her body trembling with pain.
"Staying alive with such strength isn't enough," I said quietly, but with intensity.
I looked at her deeply, then said,
"I have a martial art for sword and shield. Something no human will teach you."
A faint smile spread across my face.
"This technique will allow you to survive not just as a warrior—but as a demon."
Hearing my offer, Nana fell silent for a moment. Her eyes closed, her breathing regulated. When she opened them again, her gaze had changed—filled with unwavering, steely determination.
"Give me that technique," she said firmly, blood dripping from her chin, but her spirit unwavering.
I smiled faintly.
"Listen carefully. This technique was not taught to me by humans. It is a technique I created myself. Its name is Cheondan."
I stepped closer, touched her forehead, transferring the technique's memory directly into her mind.
"This technique has five levels. Each one will mold your body and soul into both a shield and a sword on the battlefield."
[ [First Stage – Defensive Bastion]
"Don't die. Hold on. Strike when the enemy is off guard."
In this initial stage, you learn to defend. Use your shield as a wall, your sword as a distraction.
Shield Wall: You will become a living wall—immovable.
Sword Slash: A swift slash that forces your opponent back without exposing your defenses.
[Second Stage – Sword and Shield Harmony]
"The shield and sword are not two tools. They are one body."
Offense and defense merge. You will dance between slashing and blocking.
Shield Bash: Slam into your opponent with your shield, opening an opening, then slash.
Whirlwind Slash: A wide, spinning slash after blocking, striking multiple enemies at once.
[Third Stage – Fortress Strike]
"Solid as a fortress, deadly as lightning."
A perfect balance of offense and defense.
Shield Fortress: A protective fortress while you prepare your final strike.
Breaker Strike: Distract with your shield, then destroy it with one swift, powerful strike.
[Fourth Stage – Crimson Valiant]
"A hero bleeds. A true hero doesn't just attack, he defends to the end."
Shield Guard Break: The pressure of your shield shatters your opponent's formation, opening a path of destruction.
Radiant Slash: Your sword is imbued with energy after blocking an attack, slicing and blasting enemies.
[Fifth Rank – Eternal Vanguard]
"You are no longer a warrior. You are the embodiment of war itself."
Invincible Wall: Your shield becomes an absolute barrier, blocking attacks comparable to meteors.
Vanguard's Fury: A series of deadly slashes that appear after your shield blocks, filled with destructive energy.]
I looked at her. "Master this, and you will no longer be just a human. You will become an unwavering shield of darkness, and the decisive sword of humanity's destruction."
Nana simply nodded. Not a single complaint escaped her. Only a fire began to burn within her.
After I finished instructing Nana on how to train the Cheondan technique, I turned to Selena, who still stood majestically at the side of the arena.
Our eyes met, and I smiled faintly.
"After this, I will also impart a deadly martial art technique to you," I said in a calm, yet compelling tone.
"Because you are my Warbringer.
And you must be far stronger than even the heroes."
Selena simply nodded, her expression still cold. Still, her eyes blazing—as if anticipating a new power that would ignite her demon blood.
Without further words, I turned.
My footsteps echoed as I walked out of the arena.
My destination was clear—the portal arena.
Zereth was waiting for me there. And the time was almost up.
"How far have you come, Zereth?" I asked coldly, my footsteps echoing in the ritual hall filled with ancient magical symbols.
Zereth immediately bowed deeply.
"It will be over soon, My Lord," he replied respectfully, his voice almost trembling.
Around us, the demons were busy speeding up the ritual. Incantations in the language of the underworld were chanted, dark magic swirling in the air like a dense, invisible storm. The temperature of the room dropped dramatically, and a blood-red light began to radiate from the magic circle in the center of the altar.
Fifteen minutes passed.
A burst of energy erupted from the center of the ritual.
WHOOMMM—!
The air trembled. And the room seemed to split open.
A giant portal opened, emitting a dark light mixed with a deep purple. The aura from the other side felt familiar, warm, and repulsive.
I stepped forward, staring intently into the vortex of light.
Beyond the dimensional gateway—a village.
Serene and peaceful.
The Mortal Realm.
Without even glancing at Zereth, I opened my mouth.
"Prepare our troops," I said quietly—but the aura around me immediately surged wildly, filling the air with a suffocating demonic pressure.
"Because we will be going there soon."
My dark aura pulsed like the newly awakened veins of hell.
Zereth immediately knelt, his voice deep and firm.
"Yes, My Lord."