Chapter 184: Baphomet's Bloody Arena!

The world was vast. 

But unlike the previous chaotic, noisy, and blood-soaked abyssal realms, this place felt strangely orderly. It was so well-organized that, if not for the blood-red sky and crimson moon—manifestations of the Abyss Well—Novak might have doubted he was still within the abyss.

Though a beautiful dream of being elsewhere would have to wait for another time, he knew that right now, it was wishful thinking.

He stood in a massive square. The ground was a smooth expanse of obsidian, polished to the point it almost resembled an arena or a ring.

Novak was suspicious, but before he could dwell on it, a figure materialized in the distance.

The figure stood at about two meters tall, seemingly no different from any ordinary demon. However, the key distinction was its head—a real bull's head.

Minotaurs weren't an uncommon race, but in this abyss, they were regarded as ferocious, battle-hardened warriors. With their extraordinary strength and speed, they were true butchers on the battlefield.

What truly caught Novak's attention, though, was the faint aura of black demonic energy emanating from the bull-headed figure.

'Lord of Beasts?'

Could this be a true god?

Novak could hardly believe that he was facing an actual god at this moment. In all his life, he had never imagined that such a day would come.

The figure stood motionless, its dark eyes fixed on Novak with a curious gaze.

"The Abyss's will informed me of your arrival," it said, its deep voice reverberating like a bell, causing an involuntary ringing in Novak's ears. "I thought perhaps it was mistaken. Someone actually passed the abyss trial and made it to me? You are only a few steps away from mastering the power of the abyss! Though those few steps are far more difficult than the previous two hundred layers."

Novak remained silent, carefully assessing the creature before him—studying its abilities, strength, and authority while mentally searching for ways to counter it.

The beast lord, intrigued by Novak's progress, continued to speak.

"The will of the abyss tasked us with stopping your intrusion and testing your worth," the beast lord said. "However, we are true gods. Facing a mere human in an equal state would be unfair."

It paused before adding, "Therefore, the abyss left the nature of the test up to us. No strict rules. I can do as I please."

Novak's eyes brightened. 'No need to fight?' 

How ideal would that be?

But as if sensing Novak's momentary hope, the beast lord—now revealed as Baphomet—chuckled darkly.

"I am the god of beasts and barbarians! The law of the jungle is my creed—the strong devour the weak. So, human, if you wish to descend deeper into the abyss, you must defeat me!"

With a thunderous laugh, Baphomet unleashed a torrent of pitch-black demonic energy and charged at Novak with terrifying speed.

Novak didn't even have time to process Baphomet's poor sense of humor before he was forced to react. His body moved like lightning as he dodged the incoming attack.

Boom!

A massive tremor shook the ground, sending shockwaves radiating outward. The force was so intense that even Novak's movements became distorted under the pressure of the impact.

But it wasn't the strength of the attack that surprised Novak.

Was this... a god?

'Is that all the power a god has?' 

Novak couldn't believe it. He felt confident that, if he had chosen to, he could have withstood the terrifying blow just now.

As the berserk bull demon rushed toward him again, Novak swallowed hard.

'Maybe I should give it a shot.'

After all, he still had his ability to reverse time. If things went south, he could always restart—return to the past and climb through the two hundred layers of the abyss again.

Novak had grown accustomed to it.

'Hmm, you get used to it.'

Seeing Baphomet charging at him, Novak didn't retreat. Instead, he threw his fists forward with sudden force. This time, he didn't rely on his Biohazard abilities, opting to use his own fists.

Baphomet's eyes gleamed with a wild fighting spirit as Novak countered the attack.

When their fists collided, the impact sent Novak flying backward from the force. But that was all. The terrifying beast lord staggered back several steps, shaking his thick arm. 

Clearly, Novak's punch had caused him some trouble.

But… this was supposed to be a god!

Even if it was a level 10 god, with all the power and bonuses that came with being divine, it shouldn't have struggled so much, right?

Novak didn't understand why, but he didn't dwell on it. His form blurred as he vanished once more, the injury he sustained already healing thanks to his monstrous resilience. 

Now, the razor-sharp claws of the Biohazard were unleashed, showcasing Novak's devastating prowess in close combat.

Blood sprayed, power clashed—the raw essence of battle was on full display.

It was the most primal form of combat artistry. And for Baphomet, the Lord of Beasts, this was exhilarating. It was his greatest passion.

"Hahaha! Fascinating human! Among those in this realm, you are the strongest I've encountered! I might even call you the greatest. If you keep this up, boy, you might actually kill me!"

The beast lord's mocking laughter only fueled Novak's excitement further. He could feel Baphomet's strength steadily weakening.

Seizing the moment during the brutal melee, Novak launched a decisive punch, and in one fluid motion, he drove his Biohazard claws deep into the heart behind the beast's muscular chest.

Boom!

The enormous body crumbled to the ground.

Yet Novak felt as though he were in a dream. 'Dead?' 

'Is it really dead?'

He hadn't even needed to use his time-regression ability, and he had managed to kill one of the six true gods. 

Could it be that enduring the baptism of over two hundred abyssal layers had made him that much stronger?

Novak pondered this possibility, but a nagging feeling told him something was wrong. There was no notification from the will of the abyss after he had slain Baphomet.

Slowly, disbelief spread across his face as he looked up.

The Minotaur, who had just fallen, was standing again.

"Hahaha! Human, what's with that expression?! I love it! Let's go again! Come on, fight me! I haven't had enough! Challenge me again! Try to defeat me!"

In a flash, Baphomet appeared before Novak and threw a punch straight at him. Novak barely had time to defend himself, raising his fist to block.

But then, a sharp, sickening 'crack' echoed through the air.

Novak's bones shattered. His flesh tore as the blow pulverized him, sending him flying through the air, blood spraying everywhere.

Not only had the Minotaur resurrected, but its power had surged, growing even more fearsome and overwhelming than before.

'How is this possible?'

'How can I fight against this?'

For the first time in countless battles, Novak felt frozen in both body and mind.