Arzael slowly approached the castle, each step accompanied by the pounding of his heart, sharp and cold like needles piercing his chest.
The collapsed black stones of the ruined fortress radiated both scorching heat and chilling cold, a suffocating contradiction that pressed against his lungs. A thin wind swept past, carrying the scent of scorched iron, blood, and burnt earth.
"What is this… this pressure," he muttered under his breath. His breathing grew heavier, chest constricted.
The aura radiating from within the castle was so dense that every step forward felt like defying gravity itself.
And yet, he kept walking.
The closer he got, the more fear and tension gnawed at his body. But beyond that, adrenaline surged through his veins.
Each second felt like a war against reality itself.
Then—
Ding!
A mechanical chime echoed inside his mind.
[Quest Accepted: Kill the Ruler of Underworld Layer 1]
Time Limit: 1 Year
Reward: ???
Failure: Death
Arzael halted. His crimson eyes narrowed. "Just as I thought… this is the ruler's domain."
He stared at the quest panel for a long moment. His breath left him in a slow, mocking sigh.
"No option to refuse, huh?" He exhaled deeply.
"A one year time limit… I wonder just how strong the ruler of this Layer is."
His pupils glowed crimson, lips curling into a faint, bitter smile laced with determination.
"Death if I fail…" he murmured flatly. "Perfect."
But he knew it wasn't time yet. "Not now. I need to grind, brutally."
Arzael turned away, leaving behind the suffocating aura of the castle, and walked toward the blazing plains.
Hours later, Underworld Layer 1 echoed with the clash of steel.
"SHRUKK—!"
Crimson Edge sliced through the horned demon's body. Black blood spurted, staining the scorched ground.
Arzael spun sharply, leaping toward another demon. His movements were agile, his blade merciless, every strike brimming with lethal intent.
Demon after demon fell. Horns shattered, wings torn, hardened skin sliced apart as though it were wax under a hot knife.
Hours passed. Dozens of demon corpses piled up. Black smoke rose from their bodies, absorbed into the system.
Arzael sat atop the mound of corpses. His breathing was steady, though sweat slicked his brow. He gazed at the system screen.
Status
Level: 24
Name: Arzael
Race: ???
HP: 1650
MP: 650
STR: 51
AGI: 38
VIT: 42
INT: 29
LUK: 10
Available Stat Points: 25
Arzael wiped Crimson Edge, still dripping with thick black blood. His lips curved into a sinister grin.
"All right. Let's do this."
His fingers moved swiftly, allocating points.
+4 STR, his arm muscles tightened, a surge of raw energy coursing through him. His grip on Crimson Edge grew firmer.
+2 AGI, his body felt lighter, steps sharper.
+3 VIT, his chest and back pulsed with reinforced vigor. His HP climbed.
+6 INT, his thoughts sharpened, vision keen, processing faster.
+5 LUK, an uncanny sensation washed over him. Fate itself seemed to glance his way differently.
[Updated Status]
Level: 24
STR: 55
AGI: 40
VIT: 45 → HP: 2250
INT: 35
LUK: 15
"Five is always the best number," Arzael muttered to himself.
Arzael rose. His veins throbbed, his blade felt weightless.
"Good. That's enough." He lifted his gaze toward the crimson-black sky. "Time to head back."
[Skill Activated: Gatewalk Lv.1]
The red-black portal opened. He stepped inside.
In the blink of an eye, Arzael collapsed onto his bed at the inn. Seraphina and Puff were still asleep, their faces serene.
Arzael closed his eyes. "Hah… finally."
Within seconds, exhaustion consumed him. He drifted into sleep.
Hours later, a small voice stirred him awake.
"Boss…wakey wakey..."
As his eyes opened, he was startled to find Puff's face right in front of his nose. Her pink eyes stared at him intently.
"Boss, you stayed up all night, didn't you?" Puff blinked innocently.
Arzael only grunted. He turned his head slightly, spotting Seraphina standing at the window, her white hair gleaming under the morning sun as she gazed over the city of Valiant.
He rose slowly. "Come on. We need breakfast, then the guild."
They headed to the guild after their meal. Puff perched lazily on Arzael's shoulder this time.
The moment they stepped inside, they saw a familiar figure.
Celia, the long haired green elf, stood at the receptionist's desk. But this time, she wasn't alone. At her side were two companions: a burly dwarf with a thick brown beard named Thorak, and a petite red-haired mage girl with short hair and a comically oversized wizard hat, Alicia.
Celia turned, smiling instantly. "Ahhh… Arzael. What a coincidence." Her tone dripped with flirtation.
"Hm?" Arzael only stared at her.
"Hey, lady! If you mess with Arzael again, Seraphina will blast you!" Puff barked sharply.
Alicia's eyes widened. "Th-the rabbit… it talks?"
Celia only laughed. "Hahaha, adorable." Then her eyes returned to Arzael. "Why don't you join our party? We're short on people."
Arzael raised an eyebrow. "join your party?"
"We're going to hunt a dragon," Celia said casually, as if it were nothing. "But our party needs more members. So… what do you say? You and your girlfriend want to come along?"
Seraphina, standing beside him, stared at Celia coldly. Arzael glanced at her briefly before turning back to Celia.
"Hunting a dragon Huh?" he said flatly.
Puff spun around. "Boss, that's dangerous!"
Arzael's gaze lingered on Seraphina. That alone was enough. Even with her blank expression, she understood. She gave a faint nod.
"Very well," Arzael said at last. "We'll join."
Celia clapped her hands lightly. "Perfect! Let me introduce you. This is Thorak, an A-Rank adventurer. And this is Alicia, B-Rank adventurer."
Thorak smiled warmly. "Pleasure to meet you. Let's work well together."
Alicia gave a small bow. "Alicia."
Arzael only nodded.
Celia handed him the quest sheet. "Our target… a Black Dragon dwelling in the Crystalline Spires. A threat to the city of Blissvale."
Arzael stared at the sheet for a long moment. His pupils narrowed.
His hand clenched into a fist. "A black dragon…" His voice was low, sharp. The air around him seemed to tense.