The air of the first layer of hell still lingered on his skin. The sting from his wounds slowly subsided, but the memories of the battle remained etched in his mind.
Three hours in hell had drained nearly all of his energy. His once-strong body now felt weak, almost helpless. Yet, Arzael's spirit had not given up.
"I guess my level is enough for now," he murmured softly, gazing far behind at the fading city of Kareth in the distance. "Now I have to go to the Kingdom of Eterna. Considering Eterna is heating up with the Alzareth Empire, this is a good opportunity."
His steps were heavy and slow. Every movement still carried sharp pain, yet his determination pushed his body forward.
Arzael knew time was both his enemy and ally. The longer he stayed in hell, the more experience and power he could gather. But at the same time, his fragile body needed rest and recovery.
Arzael's mind drifted back to that moment,the first demon he had slain. The creature's final words still echoed faintly:
"Heir... the underworld awaits you."
He shook his head slightly, puzzled.
"Heir? What could it mean...? Was it a warning? Or some twisted destiny?"
He glanced up at the gray sky covering the Overworld. The fresh air he breathed seemed to give him new energy after three hours of suffering in hell.
...
His footprints left marks on the damp ground of the dense forest, far from the bustling city and civilization.
Along the path, Arzael tried to heal by absorbing the blood and energy of wild creatures he encountered.
A small wolf sniffing around near a tree became his first target.
With a swift motion, Arzael stabbed the wolf with his new gleaming sword. The blade felt light in his hand but full of power that grew stronger with every kill.
The black wolf's blood flowed, and he immediately activated his Blood Reaving skill, feeling fresh energy rushing through him.
(+5 EXP) (+50 HP)
"My HP is starting to recover," he said to himself while wiping the wound on his arm. "The blood of this creature is quite potent... I don't know where this system came from, or from whom, but I don't care and won't refuse it."
After absorbing the wolf's blood, his body felt refreshed, the wounds faded slightly, and his breathing steadied.
He continued walking, pushing through the thick forest that was beginning to open up. The sounds of birds and rustling wind greeted him, signaling that the familiar Overworld surrounded him again.
Although his body was much better than when he left hell, Arzael knew a long journey still awaited.
In the distance, towering mountains and sparkling rivers shone under the sunlight. It was like a natural painting he had never truly enjoyed before because his childhood was always overshadowed by the palace and the curse.
"This is the first time I've truly felt free air in the Overworld," he whispered in awe. "At least for now, I have to enjoy this moment."
During the quiet journey, his thoughts drifted to the dark past. Arzael was the son of an emperor, but not a loved one. On the contrary, he was exiled and forgotten.
"They probably don't even know I am the emperor's son," he thought. "I was shunned, forgotten, and seemingly isolated from the world I was supposed to have."
He recalled the moments at the Alzareth Empire palace,the hateful stares from nobles, the insults and harsh treatment he received just because of the curse that clung to his body.
"If they knew I was still alive, I would have been hunted and killed already," he thought. "They fear my existence."
However, there was another side of him that kept growing and burning. The pain and neglect became fuel that strengthened his resolve.
"If they won't accept me as imperial blood, I will make them regret it. I will avenge the damned emperor, my brothers, and the cursed gods."
...
The day was beginning to lean toward afternoon when Arzael arrived at a wide plain leading to the gates of the capital city of the Kingdom of Eterna.
The large gates were made of white bricks and adorned with ancient carvings. Several guards patrolled in simple uniforms, none noticing Arzael's arrival.
He stood for a moment, staring at the gate that blocked the view of the large city beyond.
"Kingdom of Eterna... this is where I will begin a new chapter," he said quietly.
In his heart, he repeated his calculations:
"They likely don't know who I really am. I'm shunned and forgotten. Even in the empire, few knew my name, let alone here. So I am safe... for now."
Arzael's steps were steady as he walked through the capital's gate without resistance.
No guard recognized him, and no one suspected the figure who looked like an ordinary wanderer.
Entering the city.
The city looked ordinary. People walked calmly, various races lived together peacefully, merchants sold their goods, and children played in the streets. There was no sign of tension, riots, or preparations for war.
Arzael observed the surroundings carefully. He knew that behind the calmness, politics and conflict were still spinning around the rulers' tables.
But this time he chose to blend in, observe, and carefully plan his next moves.
"If I want to survive and rise, I have to learn about this world first," he thought.
His steps led him to the bustling market, where bargaining voices and the scent of spices filled the air.
Arzael took some time to study people's behavior, learn their customs, and find out about the powers present in this kingdom.
...
After a whole day of walking and absorbing blood and energy from wild creatures along the way here, his body had recovered significantly. The wounds that were once gaping were now closed, though the scars remained visible.
He sat in a corner of the city park, gazing at the darkening sky, accompanied by the hum of city life.
"This journey is just the beginning," he thought. "But I must be careful. My enemies could be anywhere, and I must not let my guard down."
With that conviction, Arzael began a new step in his life in the Overworld. He knew that to achieve his great goal, he had to gather strength, information, and allies. And the Kingdom of Eterna was the best place to start.