Far beneath Demon Realm skies, inside the volcanic throat of Vhor'kai Rift, three massive beasts sat like well-trained house pets, attempting seriousness.
Too bad their master was in a mood.
The newly evolved Abyssal Behemoth—now a full dragon—flexed its obsidian wings dramatically.
Molten rivers glowed like arteries.
Ash drifted like black snow.
Everything was destruction and intimidation—
—until its lieutenants spoke.
Feral Magilion cleared its throat, mane crackling blue-white flame:
"...So, Lord Behemoth—what exactly is our strategy?"
Bladeback Drake leaned in eagerly.
"Ambush? Raids? Territorial dominance?"
Titan Gorilla pumped a massive fist.
"No offense, boss, but… HOW are we punishing the tiny demon baby for humiliating you?"
The cavern went dead silent.
The Abyssal Behemoth Dragon slowly turned its golden gaze toward them—
ancient, burning, divine—
And then, with absolute seriousness, growled:
"Step one: find his wooden stick."
The three lieutenants stared.
"Step… what??"
The dragon snarled like insulted pride itself.
"That stick defeated me once. Obviously, it is a divine weapon."
Bladeback whispered:
"I think it was just a stick, boss…"
Feral Magilion whispered back, horrified:
"Shh—he's sensitive."
Titan Gorilla muttered:
"I can make a stick. I'll punch a tree."
The dragon roared so loudly the cavern cracked.
"IT WAS NOT A REGULAR TREE!"
The three immediately bowed.
"SORRY SIR!"
The dragon paced in magma like a villain planning world domination—or something much pettier.
"First… we locate the boy. Then we return the shame he inflicted.
Piece by piece.
Battle by battle.
Until—"
It paused, claws flexing—
"…until he cries. Again."
Vhor'kai Rift was once a continent-wide scar—formed during the First Divine War when fallen angels shattered Heaven's Gate as they fell into the Mortal Layer.
Most believed the Rift was just a wasteland.
A graveyard.
It wasn't.
Deep below the molten shell, countless ancient beasts slept—creatures untouched by gods, immune to holy laws, born from Primordial Abyss energy—before Creation and Destruction were ever separated.
The Abyssal Behemoth discovered the Rift centuries ago—drawn by instinct, rage, and the promise of evolution.
A place made for monsters who refused extinction.
A place forgotten by gods.
A place where humiliation could turn into evolution.
Above the Rift, a roar rolled across continents—raw, ancient, undeniable.
Monsters of A-Rank and above stirred, awakened, responding.
Some fled.
Some bowed.
Some simply trembled.
But all understood one thing—
A new apex existed.
✦ Asura's Dorm Room— Demon Academy
Hallway outside Asura's dorm.
Keith paused at the door.
"Ready?"
Selene crossed her arms.
"I can already tell he's not here."
Keith sighed.
"…Maybe he changed."
Selene needed half a second before bursting into a soft laugh.
"Oh please. He's Asura. Sneaking out is his hobby."
Keith nodded with equal disappointment and affection.
"Yeah. You're right."
They pushed the door.
The second the door opened—silence.
Inside, seated like a perfectly-behaved student, was… Asura.
Uniform perfect.
Bed made.
Innocent face activated.
Except… Keith and Selene were certain they heard three additional voices right before the knob turned.
Keith blinked.
Selene narrowed her eyes.
The Asura inside smiled too stiffly.
"Oh wow hey I sure was just studying like a normal well-behaved academy student haha—"
Selene pointed immediately.
"Illusion," Selene said instantly.
Clone Asura froze.
"…Excuse me?"
"You're not Asura." Selene said flatly. "I KNOW Asura."
Clone Asura tried to recover:
"Haha that's silly, of course I'm—"
Keith held up a hand.
"Selene."
She turned to him.
"That is not an illusion," Keith said firmly.
Selene hesitated.
"What?"
Keith nodded slowly.
"I'm immune to illusion magic. If this were one, I'd know."
Selene blinked.
Then stared at "Asura" again—
"...Oh."
She bowed slightly.
"My apologies… Young master."
Clone Asura exhaled—in victorious relief—
Even though Selene's eyes clearly still didn't buy it.