Kurai moved forward in the dark silence. The depths of the underground smelled cold, gloomy, and dangerous. The system screen appeared for a moment, as if tearing through the dim darkness.
[System Update Complete]
Strength: 4
Speed: 3
Stamina: 3
Mind: 2
Magic: 1
Level: 2
He was startled when the screen suddenly appeared in front of him. "I felt like I was getting stronger, but… these numbers, are they that much?" he thought to himself.
He clenched his hands into fists. The burning sensation in his muscles, combined with the beating of his heart, kept him alive.
[New Quest: Go to Demon Tower]
Reward: Unknown
Duration: 1 Hour
He stepped forward, but this time not carelessly.
He saw a figure moving in the corner of the dark tunnel. He drew his sword lightly, holding his breath. This was very different from the reptilian creatures. Its skin was covered in black scales, its eyes were bright red. A demon… but one that seemed weak.
Kurai crouched down on the ground, crawling between the stones. His heartbeat quickened.
He slowly approached and charged. He stabbed his sword into the demon's back—but the demon suddenly turned and slashed Kurai to the ground with its claw.
"Gh—!" His chest burned. Without his armor, the claw had directly tore into his skin. He quickly recovered, searching for the demon's weak points with his eyes.
He parried the second attack, but his cheek was cut with the third. Blood flowed to the corner of his eye.
"This… is different from reptiles. It's strong."
He stabbed his sword into the ground, swiftly cutting into the demon's throat as it lost its balance, finally knocking it down.
[You've Leveled Up!]
New Level: 3
Earnings: 100 XP
Kurai breathed heavily. His shoulders heaved.
"Only one… but 100 XP? So they give a lot more than the reptiles…"
He leaned back against the wall. He was losing blood, but time was running out. The target was clear.
DEVIL TOWER
When Kurai stood in front of the dark silhouette of the tower, the sun seemed to have fled in fear.
The dark mist was swallowing the tower.
When he entered, he walked along the walls for a while, paying attention to the demons' watch positions. His steps were silent, his breathing was steady.
He caught a demon alone. He quickly approached from behind and stabbed his sword into its throat.
But… the demon managed to groan as blood gushed out. It echoed like a hum.
"Fuck…"
Two more demons appeared. Kurai retreated. His left hand was still bleeding from the previous fight.
He dodged to the side when the first demon's fist was thrown, but the second demon grazed his chest with its claw.
Blood. Pain.
He fell to the ground, rolling.
"Calm down. If you fall, you die."
He stood up. He stabbed the first demon with his sword.
The second demon rushed at him in anger. His claws tore into Kurai's shoulder, but Kurai didn't close his eyes as he dealt the final blow to his chest.
[Enemies Killed]
+160 XP
Kurai fell to his knees.
His breathing was ragged. His entire body was shaking with adrenaline.
The system screen reappeared.
[Mission Successful!]
New Mission: Go to the Secret Chamber of the Demon Castle
Reward: Unknown
When he stepped into the dungeon inside the tower, there was nothing but darkness and the sound of chains.
There was someone in the middle of the chains. A young girl. Her delicate face was pale, her eyes closed.
The chains extended to her arms, wrists, feet, and even her neck.
Although her body seemed weak, a stone-like power was emanating from within her.
Kurai realized that the screen had automatically appeared.
[Name: Lilith – Demon King's Daughter]
[Status: Chained | Unfed | Living]
"The Demon King's… daughter?" Kurai whispered. It made sense why the demons would imprison her. With their king dead, they must have wanted to eliminate the potential heir to the throne.
Kurai took a step closer. "How much power would I gain if I killed him…?"
Kurai slowly approached, But the moment he looked at Lilith's face… something changed. Those eyes… that face… No matter how evil Lilith was, her beauty shook Kurai's heart.
Kurai took out water from his bag. He gave Lilith a drink of water, her lips dry. Lilith jerked open her eyes suddenly. Her eyes widened in fear.
"You… are not human. The energy coming from you cannot belong to a human… Who are you?!
The demon blood on him had dried, but he was still all over him.
"The blood on you… is the blood of others! Y-or… did you come to kill me?!"
He tried to pull back, but fell to the ground when the chains tightened.
"Please! Don't come any closer! Are you going to kill me?! Please don't!"
Kurai froze.
His gaze fell on the trembling eyes. His heart stopped for a moment.
"Yes… that was the first thing I thought when I saw you."
He took another step. Lilith's breath caught.
"But then…"
He put his sword down on the ground, knelt down. He took out some bread and water from inside his jacket, and gently placed them in front of him.
"…I realized you were hungry."
Lilith still looked at him with fear. Her eyes darted to Kurai's sword, then to his eyes.
She reached for the water without saying anything. She grasped the glass with trembling fingers. She took a sip… then her hunger took over.
She started eating the food quickly.
When she had swallowed the last bite, she lifted her head. Her face was red with embarrassment.
"Well… I guess… I should have left some for you, right?"
Kurai shook her head slightly.
"It's okay. It was my last meal anyway."
Lilith's eyes widened.
"What? But why…?"
Kurai stood up, looking away.
"Because I felt you should live."
Kurai's stomach growled.
"There's a kitchen here, right?"
Lilith smiled slightly for the first time.
At that moment, the screen reappeared.
[Quest Expiration: 00:05:00]
Kurai's face suddenly became serious.
"I need to go to the secret room. Where is it?"
Lilith opened her eyes in surprise.
"M-my father's secret room?! How do you know about it?!"
"There's no time! Please, just show me!"
Lilith quickly turned her head, looking at the stone map on the wall.
"There's a secret door under the throne room… right under the throne. No one knows."
Kurai didn't hesitate for a moment.
He turned to the girl. He approached… and before she could speak, he gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
Lilith's eyes widened, her face suddenly burning.
"W-what are you doing?!"
But Kurai had already moved away.
As soon as he reached the throne room, he clenched his sword.
"These walls… can't hold me."
He broke through the floor and shattered the stone beneath the throne. The passage beneath sucked Kurai in.
[New Quest: Defeat the Enemy Quickly]
[Quest Time Decreases]
[Reward: Unknown]
[Duration: 1 Hour]
The lower floor of the Demon Castle… was a tomb that even time had not touched.
The stone walls were cracked, the seals were blackened. Dark energy was seeping up from the ground.
Kurai jumped onto the elevator suspended from the space beneath the throne. This mechanism, woven with chains, seemed to carry the lair of the ancient gods.
[New Area Discovered: Tomb of the Demon Kings]
The metal was cold when he gripped the chain. The steel that gripped his hand seemed to sense the fear inside him.
The elevator began to descend. Kurai was plunged into darkness that deepened every second.
Secret Floor: Hall of Nothingness
There was no door.
Just a huge arena. In the center... a person kneeling.
The demon... had horns.
Four giant horns jutted out from his head like stars. His shoulders were broad. His body was carved like stone. His eyes glowed like lava.
He was bound with chains, but... the chains were not his.
He was bound by his own will.
[You have entered the BOSS Area]
[Name: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Title: Demon ???]
Kurai's pupils dilated.
"I can't even see your name... What the hell is this..."
The demon slowly raised his head. His eyes locked on Kurai. In an instant, the chains tightened violently... and burst.
"Man… a warrior's shadow in a child's body. Why are you here?"
Kurai clenched his sword.
"I have come to kill you."
The demon laughed. His laughter echoed in his ears, stabbing coldly into his heart.
"Then… introduce yourself to me before you die. I am Arkaloth. In these forgotten lands, perhaps I will leave someone to whisper your name."
"I am Kurai."
"And I will never back down."
The Battle Begins
Arkaloth jumped up. The ground shattered as his feet touched the ground. Kurai reflexively jumped to the side, but it was too late.
BAMM!
He was hit in the shoulder. He felt a sharp pain that spread to his chest. His body somersaulted in the air, sending him flying backwards, hitting a wall and falling to the ground. Blood poured from his nose. His left arm spasmed.
[HP -87]
[Critical Hit Received]
"Damn, this thing is not a monster. It is a war god."
But there was no giving up. Kurai quickly stood up, grasping his sword with both hands. He heard his inner voice:
"There is no way I can win this fight right now. But..."
"...if I don't die, I will become stronger."
His sword glowed. He added a simple spell: "Flame Veil"
The tip of the sword emitted an orange glow.
Arkaloth paused for a moment.
"Fire... An ancient element stolen from demons. You deserve another hit just for daring to do it."
Arkaloth charged forward.
Kurai calculated his timing perfectly. He dodged to the side at the last moment, stabbing his opponent's leg with his sword, but...
TINGG!
It didn't cut. It was hard as if it wasn't muscle, armor... not even skin.
"I can't cut you… but…"
"… I can stop you."
Kurai stepped back, analyzing the area. There were chains on the ceiling, old seals on the floor. He noticed the remnants of the castle's magic.
"This is where he was sealed of his own accord. Maybe there's still some magic left that still works."
Arkaloth charged with rage. Each punch shattered the ground. Kurai kept dodging, examining the magic signatures. When he stepped onto the edge of a circle, a system window appeared:
[Partial Sealing Area]
To Activate: Blood and Spirit Energy Required
Kurai didn't think twice. He cut his own hand, stabbed the sword into the ground, and transferred that energy.
The area glowed.
Arkaloth paused for a moment.
"THINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING…"
ZIIINNNN!!
The star-shaped chains shot into the air again, grabbing Arkaloth's arms.
[Temporary Seal Active – 15 Seconds]
"NOW!"
Kurai charged forward with all his remaining strength. He raised his sword. There was no fear in his eyes. Only anger and determination.
He swung his sword at his neck.
This time, he was surrounded by magic. Flame, wind, and sharp magic all together.
IT EXPLODED LIKE LIGHT.
CLANGG!
There was no blood on his neck… but a mark was left.
Before the chains went out, Kurai prepared another spell.
"Element: Stone – Form: Spear – Target: Rib Cage!"
The ground split open, a giant rock spear was driven into Arkaloth's torso. Arkaloth roared. The chains were released. The area went black.
"I WILL RINSE YOU TO ASH!"
But at that very moment…
[Quest: Failed]
[Dungeon Time Expired]
[Initiating Auto-Evacuation]
A halo of light surrounded Kurai. Arkaloth was shouting:
"WE WILL MEET AGAIN, KURAI! ON THAT DAY, EVEN THE SKY WILL COLLAPSE ON YOU!"
Kurai's knees buckled as he stepped out of the dungeon. He knelt on the hard stone floor. His body felt as if it were on fire from within; his lungs burned like hot coals with each breath he took, and the air passing through his throat hurt like a knife cut. He placed his hands on the ground and bowed his head. His eyes were darkening, his pulse pounding in his ears.
Lilith came running down the stairs in a hurry. Her eyes widened when she saw Kurai, her face lit up with both surprise and joy.
"You… are alive," she said, her voice trembling. "You just disappeared! There was… a portal that shouldn't have been there, and then it disappeared!"
Kurai didn't look up, didn't respond. It was as if he hadn't heard Lilith's voice. His eyes were fixated on an old, overturned bookcase just beyond the dungeon entrance. A door, slightly ajar among the books, was visible, framed in stone. He got to his feet and staggered toward it. He pushed through the books and came to the door. He pushed with his hand—but the door didn't budge.
"Why won't this door… open?" he muttered. His voice was low, tired, and impatient.
Lilith came up behind him, her eyes fixated on the door. She froze for a moment, her breath taken away. Her lips trembled.
"This… an old passage that led to my father's chamber," she said in a whisper. "It was sealed with blood. Only his descendants…"
Lilith slowly placed her hand on the pale red symbols in the middle of the door. The heat seeping from her fingertips made the seals on the stone tremble. There was a soft murmur from the door—as if something that had been asleep for centuries was waking up...
A click echoed, then the stone door slowly, creakingly began to open.