Chapter 5
Deep inside the dungeon, an eerie silence surrounded Scarlate.
Suddenly, a heavy and ancient voice echoed inside her mind.
"Who are you? Your mana… it is unbelievably pure. And this amount… I have never seen such vast mana in my entire existence."
Scarlate's heartbeat quickened for a moment, but her expression did not change. "And who are you?" she asked calmly.
A dark, prideful laugh vibrated through her soul.
"I am the Demon King, the ruler of all demons. Long ago, I was sealed inside this dungeon. I struggled for centuries but could not break free. Yet the moment you stepped into this place… the seal shattered."
The air felt heavier.
"I am free because of you."
There was a brief pause before he continued, his voice filled with irritation. "I attempted to possess your body, but I failed. Your mana is too pure. It rejected me completely."
"Oh," Scarlate replied simply.
The Demon King's tone turned furious. "'Oh'? That is all you say? I am the Demon King! Entire kingdoms once trembled at my name. You should be afraid!"
Scarlate's golden eyes remained steady. "Why should I be afraid? You are inside me. If you could not possess me, then you cannot harm me either."
For the first time, the Demon King fell silent. His pride was wounded.
"My fate is truly miserable…" he muttered bitterly. Then his voice became cold. "But listen carefully. As you grow stronger, the seal that binds me will weaken. One day, I will be completely released."
A faint, fearless smile appeared on Scarlate's lips. "Then before that day comes, I will kill you."
The Demon King laughed — slow and dark. "We shall see, little princess."
The next morning, golden sunlight spread across the royal training grounds.
King Gazel stood tall, his sword gleaming under the sun. His eyes were sharp, yet filled with fatherly pride. "Show me your swordsmanship, Scarlate."
"Yes, Father," she replied respectfully.
Without warning, the King attacked.
His strike was swift and powerful, carrying years of battlefield experience.
Clang!
Scarlate blocked it effortlessly.
Not only that — she countered with astonishing speed. Her movements were elegant, precise, almost flawless. Her blade stopped just inches from the King's neck.
For a brief second, the world seemed to freeze.
King Gazel's eyes widened.
That speed… that control… that overwhelming pressure—
And then he felt it.
A faint, terrifying presence hidden beneath her pure golden mana. Dark… ancient… watching.
His grip tightened around his sword.
"What was that…?" he wondered.
Scarlate stepped back calmly, lowering her blade as if nothing unusual had happened.
But in that moment, for the first time—
The King was truly shocked.
For a brief second, he had clearly felt it.
Not just her mana.
Something else.
Something ancient.
Something that did not belong to this world.
His eyes lingered on her a little longer than usual.
"Scarlate…" he said slowly, trying to hide the tension in his voice.
But she simply smiled softly, as innocent as ever.
"Yes, Father?"
The pressure was gone.
Completely gone.
As if it had never existed.
King Gazel said nothing more.
Yet deep inside his heart—
A seed of doubt had been planted.
And far within Scarlate's soul, in the darkest corner—
A faint whisper echoed.
"Interesting…"