Even though his body was forced to bow under that terrifying aura, Arzael stood tall. The veins in his neck tensed, cold sweat dripping from his temple. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from a thin euphoria mingled with danger. This sensation… the feeling that had always accompanied him at the brink of death.
'Is this overwhelming aura leaking from the fortress… coming from this creature?' he thought sharply.
Yet his gaze did not stop at the massive black-winged figure standing before him. He looked past that towering body, toward the black throne behind it. Upon the throne sat a mysterious humanoid, shrouded in thick shadows. It did not move at all, as though merely observing from the darkness.
Arzael's voice broke the silence, hoarse yet steady, slicing through the oppressive stillness:
"Who might you be?"
While waiting for an answer from the demon, Arzael activated the Threat Level system.
[Threat Level Activated]
A dark aura enveloped the demon, meaning its level of danger could not be identified.
"…Unknown, huh?" he muttered.
The answer came from the creature's mouth, in a voice deep, like stone ground down by relentless waves.
"Ignarok. Guardian, Layer 1."
In an instant, its body vanished from sight.
"Too fast—"
BRAAKHHHH!!
A massive claw came tearing toward Arzael. He barely managed to raise Crimson Edge, blocking the strike. But the force behind the blow was monstrous. A shockwave exploded around them, flinging Arzael like a ragdoll. His body was hurled dozens of meters, slamming against the obsidian floor, rolling helplessly.
Dust burst into the air, black stone cracking.
"Ghh—" With the last of his strength, he stabbed his sword into the ground, halting his tumbling body. His muscles screamed in protest, but Crimson Edge lodged deep, holding his entire weight in place.
[-743 HP]
[+76% ATK]
Arzael panted, his chest heaving. "Impossible… to win against this."
His hand moved reflexively, finger ready to summon the Gatewalk system. The retreat was always there. But another voice in his head whispered, soft, mixing with the rushing of blood in his ears. If he escaped now, the entire journey, every wound, every drop of blood he sacrificed… would mean nothing.
Arzael erased the thought. His jaw tightened. His crimson eyes glowed faintly with madness. He lowered his stance, braced his legs, then charged forward again.
Ignarok stood firm, his black wings unfurling. He did not pursue, did not press. His body was like a fortress, immovable and cold, as if guarding something far more important behind him, the humanoid figure on the throne.
'He's defending, not going all out. This Guardian…'
Arzael bit down on his thumb hard, fresh blood spilling out.
"Blood Manifest!"
The air quivered. Arzael's blood slithered outward, shaping into sharp crimson projectiles. At level three, the skill was far stronger, denser, radiating an energy that sliced the air apart.
With a flick of his hand, he hurled the projectiles toward the Guardian.
SHRTTTT!
A single flap of Ignarok's wings. Just one. All the blood projectiles scattered, disintegrating into crimson mist. Arzael's own body was thrown back, his chest crushed by the sheer pressure.
"What—?!"
Before he could regain his balance, a dark shadow appeared right behind him.
"Traitors must be eliminated." The cold whisper slithered into his ear, like maggots crawling into his brain.
Arzael's eyes widened. His body moved faster than his thoughts.
"Shadow Step!"
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared dozens of meters away. His knees bent slightly, breath ragged.
'What the hell was that…? I couldn't even see it move.'
He quickly summoned his system window.
[Available Stat Points: 25]
"Alright… 15 into AGI."
(AGI: 85 → 100)
"The rest into STR."
(STR: 98 → 108)
His body suddenly felt lighter. Joints moved sharper, muscles vibrated, his blood surged violently. A surge of power coursed through every vein.
Ignarok moved again, claws tearing through the air. Arzael waited for the last moment, pupils contracting, then unleashed his ultimate skill.
"Crimson Execution!"
[50% HP Sacrificed]
SLAAAAAAAAAASSSHHHHHHHH!!
A slash of crimson erupted from Crimson Edge, slicing through the air like a death scythe. The wave of energy crashed against the Guardian's body, shaking the fortress itself, cracks racing along the obsidian walls.
But, the wound on Ignarok was nothing more than a shallow scratch. In seconds, it sealed itself, vanishing as though it never existed.
"…Impossible."
BRAAKHHHH!!
A brutal kick smashed into Arzael's ribs. His body was hurled once more, slamming against the ground, black dust rising.
[-1567 HP]
[+200 EXP]
[Pain Conversion Lv.3 Activated] [+150% ATK]
Arzael staggered back to his feet, clutching his throbbing side.
"Arghh—guess I'll need Seraphina to give me a massage later," he muttered, bitterly.
But behind the grimace, his eyes narrowed.
'He… never strays far from the Ruler. This Guardian seems tethered to the throne. Could it be… the true body of the Guardian is actually the Ruler itself?'
A thin smile curled on his lips, blood dripping down.
'If that's the case… I'll confirm it myself.'
Arzael stepped forward slowly. Each footfall echoed against the obsidian floor. Ignarok tensed, wings flaring, claws ready to rend.
Arzael raised Crimson Edge, preparing to hurl it straight at the Guardian.
At that very moment, his lips whispered
"Shadow Step."
His body vanished in smoke, reappearing behind Ignarok. From that position, he swung his arm, throwing Crimson Edge with full force, not at Ignarok, but at the Ruler seated on the throne.
Ignarok's eyes widened. In panic, he blinked toward the blade. But Arzael was already waiting. He followed Ignarok's movement, his fist slamming into the Guardian's face. The crunch of bone resounded, breaking its momentum.
Crimson Edge flew unimpeded—
—and pierced straight into the Ruler's head.
…
DING!
[Quest Complete: Kill the Ruler of Underworld Layer 1]
Reward: Title (Ruler of Wrath: Layer 1)
Authority Layer 1 Acquired
Dark energy erupted, enveloping Arzael's body.
"Hm?"
The system flashed with crimson-black light.
New Function Unlocked
— Infernal Summoning: Wrath Layer —
Description:
As a Ruler of the Infernal Layers, you hold dominion over the legions tied to your throne. Every demon you slay and bind with Soul Shards becomes eternally chained to your will, their essence feeding your infernal authority. Your summons embody the very nature of the Layer you rule—whether Wrath, Greed, Envy, or beyond.
Unlike ordinary summoners, you do more than command them—you inherit their powers. Each bound demon grants you access to its unique abilities, merging their infernal strength into your own arsenal. The deeper your dominion, the more terrifying the powers you wield.
Summoning Rules:
Only demons personally slain by you may be bound.
Summoning consumes Soul Shards.
If a summoned demon dies, the Soul Shards are permanently lost.
Surviving summons may be dismissed and reabsorbed, returning Soul Shards.
No summon limit; only restricted by Soul Shard reserves.
Wrath Synergy (Passive):
For every Wrath Demon summoned, all Wrath-affiliated demons gain +2% ATK and +1% DEF.
When 10+ Wrath Demons are on the battlefield, they emit an Infernal Warcry, lowering enemy morale and resistance to fear.
When an Archdemon or higher is summoned, Wrath Aura manifests: *The battlefield itself trembles with firestorms and bloodlust.*
Unique Wrath Ruler Traits:
Infernal Chains → Bound demons cannot betray; their souls are chained directly to Arzael.
Wrath Resonance → Arzael may sacrifice his own HP/MP to empower summons temporarily.
Legion Commander → Summons retain their individuality, instincts, and past combat experience.
Annihilation Command → By spending double Soul Shards, Arzael can order a summon to self-destruct, causing massive AoE damage.
———
Skill Inheritance: When a demon is bound, Arzael permanently learns its signature skill, allowing him to use it even without summoning the demon.
———
Available Summons — Wrath Layer
-Lesser Wrath Demon (Fodder Tier) — Cost: 500 Soul Shards
Swarming berserkers.
Inherited Skill: Frenzied Surge — Arzael's attack speed briefly surges when his HP falls below 30%.
-Common Wrath Demon (Soldier Tier) — Cost: 1,200 Soul Shards
Frontline infantry of Wrath.
Inherited Skill: Ignite Weapon — Arzael can imbue his weapon with Wrathfire, dealing searing fire damage.
-Greater Wrath Demon (Elite Tier) — Cost: 3,000 Soul Shards
Pack commanders, hulking brutes.
Inherited Skill: Dread Howl — Arzael unleashes a terrifying roar, lowering enemy resistance for a short time.
-Archdemon of Wrath (Commander Tier) — Cost: 7,500 Soul Shards
Cunning generals of Wrath legions.
Inherited Skill: Wrathfire Tempest — Arzael summons a storm of Wrathfire, scorching enemies in an area.
-Demon Lord of Wrath (Guardian Tier) — LOCKED
divine guardians of Wrath's throne.
Inherited Skill: LOCKED
-Demon Ruler of Wrath (Throne Sovereign) — LOCKED
The apex sovereign of Wrath's Layer.
Inherited Skill: LOCKED
A satisfied smile curved Arzael's lips. "So that's how it works."
He looked at the trembling Guardian, his voice low, carrying newfound authority.
"Kneel."
The colossal being dropped to its knees. Arzael stepped forward, raising his hand—
SHREEEEKKK!!
Its head was cleaved clean off. Black blood sprayed, staining the obsidian ground.
Level Up! 54 → 55
DING!
[Demon Lord of Wrath Unlocked] — Cost: 15,000 Soul Shards
Inherited Skill: Infernal Cataclysm — Arzael unleashes a condensed eruption of volcanic Wrathfire, devastating armies.
Arzael stared at his hand, his fingers trembling lightly.
"…Is this… what they meant by 'Heir'?"
He tried the new system.
"Archdemon, come forth."
[-7500 Soul Shards]
The air fractured. From the black rift emerged two humanoid demons, each three meters tall. Their bodies glowed red-black, cracked like living magma.
Pyrrhas, wielder of the colossal axe.
Pyrrhos, wielder of the black long spear.
Both knelt, their voices heavy.
"My lord…"
A wide grin spread across Arzael's face.
'With this army… my revenge will be far easier.'
But then, the world trembled.
Arzael turned. The Ruler, whose head had been pierced by Crimson Edge, slowly rose. The sword was flung aside. Its body changed, black skin cracked open, glowing with molten lava. Its face split, reshaping, unleashing a catastrophic aura.
"WRAHHHHHHHHHHKKKKKK!!" it roared.
"MORTAL! You stole MY TITLE… YOUR REWARD IS DEATH!!"
All of Layer 1, infinite in scope, shook violently. Lava burst from every corner, storms of fire raged. This was wrath incarnate.
Arzael froze. "…What the hell… is this... Second phase?"
Pyrrhas and Pyrrhos stood before him, their massive frames shielding him.
[System Note: ANOMALY DETECTED]
Arzael's eyes widened. "Anomaly...."
His instincts screamed. Gatewalk! His hand shot up, ready to activate—
—but something else moved faster.
SRAAASSSHHHHHHHH!!
In an instant, before he could even blink—his head was gone.
The world spun. A blinding spray of crimson painted the obsidian floor, warm droplets raining everywhere.
His body still stood upright, twitching violently as if refusing to accept death. Blood erupted from the stump of his neck, gushing in heavy, choking waves.
Thud!
His severed head hit the ground, rolling once, twice—eyes still wide open, frozen in disbelief.
From that low, helpless angle, he saw the unthinkable: his own body staggering headless, still clutching for a fight… while the mighty Archdemons he had just summoned crumbled like shattered glass, dissolving into ash that scattered into the void.
"...What… the…" His lips barely moved, the words slurred, drenched in confusion and terror.
For a single, stretched-out instant, the underworld lingered in silence—like reality itself was mocking him.
No time to resist. No chance to understand.
Only darkness, swallowing him whole.