The Adventurers' Guild arena of Valiant was overflowing with people that day. The roar of the crowd thundered, as if the ground itself trembled from the uproar.
On the highest tribune, Seraphina sat calmly. Her face remained expressionless, showing no emotion whatsoever, but her fingers that gripped the chair betrayed her tension. On her lap, Puff wriggled restlessly, her eyes darting constantly toward the arena below.
"He's so stubborn, even though we told him already," Puff muttered, her voice hoarse with worry. She turned upward, glancing at Seraphina who stayed silent. "Do you think Arzael will win, Seraphina?" Her tone was full of unease, as if begging for even a shred of reassurance.
Seraphina turned her gaze, eyes fixed firmly on the arena. "Of course."
A short, cold reply, yet enough to make Puff let out a long sigh. She smiled bitterly. "You act like you don't care about Arzael, but I know you're even more worried than me right now."
Seraphina gave no answer, only stared quietly, her heart in turmoil though her face stayed still.
In the center of the arena, Arzael stood tall. His body, now taller and more muscular than before, drew murmurs of awe from the adventurers. Before him stood Guildmaster Grokk, a giant of a man with a body like steel and an aura blazing like the sun. Dust and sand swirled at their feet, as if fearful of the explosive power ready to burst forth.
Arzael smirked faintly. "I want you to give me your all this time."
Grokk grinned widely. "Are you sure about that, kid? Fine, then."
Arzael shrugged. "Don't push yourself too hard, your back might get hurt."
Grokk only chuckled, then in an instant, his aura exploded. Like an uncontrollable storm, the energy spread throughout the arena. The ground shook, the air tightened, and many adventurers in the stands had to catch their breath.
"His aura…" one adventurer whispered, sweat trickling down his temple. "This isn't ordinary… this is a monster!"
"Oh right," Arzael's voice came calmly from within the pressure. "How do you release an aura like that?"
Grokk smirked. "You'll learn this at the Hero Academy later."
"Alright then," Arzael said, lowering his shoulders. "I'm ready."
Grokk raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Where's that fancy sword of yours, kid?"
"If I use a sword, it wouldn't be fair, would it?" Arzael smiled faintly.
"Hahaha, I see." Grokk clenched his massive fists, then dashed forward at terrifying speed. His body was like a falling meteor, crashing straight toward Arzael.
But—
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Arzael vanished. Grokk's strike smashed into the ground, creating a massive crater and kicking up thick dust that swallowed the arena. The audience gasped in shock.
Grokk quickly turned, sweat beading on his brow. Hm? He's faster than before? How?!
Suddenly—BAM! A brutal punch landed squarely on Grokk's face. The giant's body was hurled against the arena wall, leaving deep cracks in the stone.
The audience roared.
"No way! Guildmaster Grokk got blown back?!"
"That's impossible! That kid…!!"
From the VIP stands, Celia's eyes sharpened. "He's stronger than when we last met, isn't he, Alicia?"
Alicia, sitting beside her, clenched her knees, eyes wide. "Miss Celia… do you believe that he… could be the only one with limitless potential?"
Celia smiled faintly. "I don't need to believe. I've already seen it."
In the arena, Grokk rubbed his bruised face, but his wide grin never faded. "Kid… what's your secret, growing stronger with every passing moment?"
Arzael stared back, expressionless. "Pain."
They both vanished again. The audience's cheers shook the air as only the sound of impact resounded from every direction—BAM! BAM! BAM!—far too fast for the mortal eye to follow.
"Look at that! They disappeared! My eyes can't even track them!"
"Arzael is dominating! He's even… he's even overwhelming the Guildmaster!!"
Arzael appeared beneath Grokk, then WHAM! unleashed a crushing uppercut. Grokk's massive body was lifted into the air. Before he could fly far, Arzael grabbed his leg and SLAM! smashed him into the ground. The arena shook violently. Without giving him time to recover, Arzael kicked him straight into the wall again.
"UOOOOOHHHHH!!!" The crowd went wild, some even standing on their seats.
On the stands, Puff bounced excitedly on Seraphina's lap. "Seraphina! Look! Arzael is dominating the fight! See?! Do you see?!"
Seraphina merely turned slightly. "You're too noisy, Puff."
Grokk gasped for breath, his body battered, but his booming laugh still echoed. "Incredible… you truly are incredible, kid."
In an instant, he disappeared again. This time, his fist turned into a sudden kick. Arzael, caught slightly off guard, staggered back a few meters after blocking. Grokk pressed the assault, seizing Arzael's body with one hand and WHAM! hurling him into the wall.
DUARR! The wall trembled violently. The audience froze, then roared again.
Puff shivered. "… Seraphina, don't you think Arzael might be a masochist?"
Seraphina gave a faint nod.
Grokk charged again, and Arzael surged forward as well. Their powers collided mid-arena. BOOOM! The clash created a shockwave that swept across the entire coliseum. Dust and sand burst upward, nearly throwing some spectators from their seats.
"EHHHH?! Seraphina! What's happening?!" Puff panicked.
In the arena, smoke and dust obscured the view. From within the haze, Grokk's voice rumbled. "Kid… just what are you? How can you be this strong?"
Arzael stood tall, his face calm. "I don't know either."
Grokk laughed maniacally, stomping the ground. His aura spiked sharply, stronger than before. The pressure was so immense that even the audience in the stands felt as if they would be blown away.
"WRRAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Guildmaster Grokk released that aura again!"
Seeing this, Seraphina straightened, her hand glowing faintly with mana. Celia, from the corner stands, had already drawn her bow, ready to fire a Binding Arrow if needed.
But Arzael remained composed. He bit his thumb.
[Skill Activated: Pain Conversion Lv.3] (+150% ATK)
[Skill Activated: Blood Manifest Lv.3] (+25% ATK)
Blood dripped from his finger, forming into a dark crimson gauntlet that pulsed as if alive. A dreadful aura radiated outward.
A translucent stat window appeared.
ATK: 98 → 270
Arzael smirked faintly. "Don't power up in the middle of a fight."
In an instant, he dashed forward. His blood-forged fist slammed into Grokk's face. BAAAAAM! The sound was like an explosion. The arena wall shattered into massive cracks as Grokk's body was hurled against the stone, breaking it to pieces.
The arena fell silent for a heartbeat—then erupted in deafening cheers.
Arzael looked at his hand. "Oh shit… did I just kill him?"
That night, at the inn.
Puff sat at the table, pouting. "Boss… you nearly emptied our coin stash, you know?!"
Arzael gave her a blank look. "Sorry."
"Imagine it—20,000 gold coins! Just to repair the arena you wrecked! You really… hahaha, but seriously, you almost killed the Guildmaster, boss! Good thing he just fainted. Well… maybe in a coma for a week." Puff snickered.
Arzael stayed silent, then stood up, stretching his body.
Puff widened her eyes. "Boss, where are you going? Don't tell me—you're heading to Hell again?!"
A month ago, Arzael had already told Puff and Seraphina that he could travel to Hell. But he never once mentioned the system or level-ups.
"Of course. I still have unfinished business."
"Boss, come on… you just fought the Guildmaster."
"Don't worry."
Finally, Seraphina spoke, her voice soft yet brimming with concern. "Be careful."
Arzael turned, nodding once. "I will."
[Skill Activated: Gatewalk Lv.1]
A red-black portal tore open, swallowing Arzael whole.
In an instant, he arrived in Hell—Layer 1. The crimson sky stretched endlessly, lava spires erupted, and storms of fire raged without cease. The air was heavy with sulfur and blood.
Arzael spread his hand. "Hello, my world."
A translucent quest panel floated before him.
Quest Remaining:
[Kill the Ruler of Underworld Layer 1]
Time Limit: 8 Months
Reward: ???
Failure: Death
Arzael grinned, his eyes glowing red. "I've returned."