In a realm far, far removed from ordinary civilization, several entities stood in a luminous chamber. The place felt sacred yet cold, as if detached from the common flow of reality.
"He has grown stronger since being cast into Hell," one entity said, its voice echoing softly yet sharply.
Another entity gazed intently, as though calculating a strategy. "Why don't we just intervene ourselves?"
The first entity patted its companion on the shoulder. "Not yet. We cannot kill him. His existence… is not directly tied to this reality. If we act now, everything here could descend into chaos."
They gradually vanished, the surrounding light fading as they disappeared.
...
At one of the inns in the capital of the Valiant Alliance, Arzael stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His body was taller, more muscular, his face sharper and more striking, far removed from the boy who had once been cast into Hell.
He wore nothing but black trousers. The warm glow of the oil lamps highlighted the contours of his muscles, honed through relentless leveling in Hell and brutal training over the past three months.
Arzael brushed his white hair back, meeting his own gaze.
'It's been more than three months since the Alzareth Empire threw me into Hell… so much has happened.'
In his mind, he traced the path of those three months: cast into Hell, wandering into the Eterna Kingdom, meeting Seraphina, being expelled from Eterna, meeting Puff, journeying to the Valiant Alliance, grinding levels in Hell, fighting monsters, refining his abilities and skills to near perfection. Every pain endured, every drop of blood spilled had been transformed into power.
"Status."
Suddenly, a translucent interface floated before him.
Status
Level: 52
Name: Arzael
Race: ???
HP: 7150 / 7150
MP: 1250 / 1250
STR: 98
AGI: 85
VIT: 75
INT: 77
LUK: 39
EXP: 1035 / 5400
Available Stat Points: 15
Active Skills:
Shadow Pierce (Lv. 4)
Gatewalk (Lv. 1)
Blood Reaving (Lv. 4)
Blood Manifest (Lv. 3)
Crimson Execution
Shadow Step
Passive Skills:
Cursed Blood
Pain Conversion (Lv. 3)
Arzael's crimson eyes glimmered as he surveyed his status. "Not enough," he murmured.
Without another word, he left the bathroom, still clad only in his black trousers. Puff and Seraphina sat in the room, calm as usual. Puff bounded with excitement as Arzael stepped out.
"Already showered? Wow, Boss, why aren't you wearing clothes? Look, Seraphina… you're being so rude," Puff exclaimed, her voice cheerful yet incredulous.
Seraphina turned her gaze away, her brows furrowing slightly. "Correct."
Arzael offered only a faint smile, showing no shame. "We've been living together for over three months now; there's no reason to be embarrassed," he replied flatly.
"No way, Boss…" Puff pouted, her ears folding back.
Arzael exhaled softly, then slipped into a tight, long-sleeved black shirt, covering his muscular frame.
"That's better. Ready to receive your adventurer's Rank S rewards?" Puff cheered, visibly proud.
She gazed at Arzael with admiration, while Seraphina remained still, expression neutral, though her eyes briefly flicked toward him.
In just over three months, Arzael and Seraphina had risen to Rank S adventurers, something that even Guild Master Grokk had taken years to achieve.
Seraphina finally broke the silence. "Aren't you tired of wearing full black?" Her tone was flat, unreadable.
Arzael shrugged casually. "Though black absorbs more heat, it intimidates enemies more effectively."
"So you're aiming to be a villain, Boss?" Puff chimed in immediately, her ears and tail twitching.
She giggled, then leapt onto Arzael's shoulders. The three of them exited the inn and stepped into the crisp, fresh morning air, heading toward the Valiant Guild.
"Boss, you're taller now. Three months ago, Seraphina's height barely reached your ear, but now she only reaches your shoulder. Right, Seraphina?" Puff's wide eyes studied them carefully.
Seraphina merely nodded, expression unchanged.
"You have a keen eye, Puff," Arzael replied lightly.
Upon arriving at the guild, whispers spread across the hall as all eyes turned toward Arzael and Seraphina. Their aura was different, stronger, commanding respect.
They approached the receptionist with brown hair. She smiled, then hurried to the Guild Master's office.
Moments later, Guild Master Grokk appeared, a large, imposing man in his fifties, muscular and with a piercing gaze.
"Finally, you've arrived."
Without further ado, he put the Rank S Guild Card in the table, followed by a cascade of gold coins landing before them.
"Congratulations. You two have become Rank S adventurers," he said, clapping his hands.
The entire guild erupted in applause. A thunderous cheer filled the hall.
"Honestly, kid, it took me ten years to reach Rank S. You? In just three months!" Grokk eyed Arzael seriously, assessing the young man's potential.
"That's my bosz, u know?" Puff proudly shouted from Arzael's shoulder.
Grokk inclined his head, scrutinizing Arzael intently. "Your strength… grows continuously. Your potential… is terrifying."
"And remember, in two weeks you'll be taking the Hero Academy exam. Many competitors will come from beyond Illumina. Don't underestimate them," Grokk added, patting Arzael's shoulder.
Arzael merely nodded.
"Oh, and if anyone invites you on an Umbra Continent expedition, refuse. Otherwise, you might end up slaughtering every creature there," Grokk added, half-joking.
"Noted," Arzael replied briefly.
The Umbra Continent was known as a mysterious land, home to colossal creatures unlike any in Illumina or elsewhere. The world now felt like a mere pond compared to it. None who went on an expedition there ever returned alive. Arzael gazed toward the ceiling, the shadow of that place looming in his mind.
Moments later, Celia and Alicia entered the guild, eyes immediately locking on Arzael and Seraphina.
"Congratulations, you've both achieved Rank S," Celia said. Her tone was calm but filled with awe.
Alicia, standing behind Celia, gawked. "Eh? They're already Rank S?! So fast! I only just reached Rank A!"
"Hey, lost child, stop causing a ruckus!" Puff shouted from Arzael's shoulder.
A brief scuffle ensued between them.
Arzael looked at Grokk, a faint, sly smile crossing his lips. "I want to challenge you to a duel, like before. Are you willing?"
Grokk raised an eyebrow, then grinned broadly. "Of course. I've been waiting for this."
The entire guild erupted in excitement. Adventurers watched with wide eyes, some holding their breath.
Celia gave a small, approving smile. "Time to see just how far your strength reaches."