Chapter 193: Sss-Level Jewelry: Ring Of The King Of Hell!?

As the flames coiled around Novak's body, he felt their searing heat, yet his mind remained sharp and focused. He had learned to value each of his lives—every one of them hard-earned. After all, each time he died, he had to claw his way back from the first floor of the abyss to the 600th. One misstep, and his journey could end in an untimely death.

Though he had perished countless times before, each return brought a fresh wave of torment. It was a relentless cycle of agony. But it was this very experience that gave Novak an acute awareness of his situation. He could sense that this projection of the Hell King, Satan, relied heavily on the hellfire now surrounding him. If he refused this offer, there was a real possibility he might not survive.

Still, entering a pact with a devil like Satan wasn't just dangerous—it was like walking into the jaws of death. Trusting a devil was akin to courting disaster. Any contract with one, especially one as infamous as Satan, was a step toward inevitable doom.

But Novak knew he needed to understand Satan's true intentions before making any move. Only by grasping the full scope of his opponent's abilities and plans could he hope to win. He had to prepare for what would likely be another return to the past, another round of challenges against the Hell King.

At last, Novak spoke his first words to the ruler of hell, his voice calm but filled with curiosity: "What cooperation?"

From the endless flames, a face appeared, smiling wickedly. Satan's figure moved closer, stopping just 30 centimeters from Novak's face, hovering in the blazing inferno.

"My true body is long dead," Satan began, his voice dripping with deceitful charm. "But I was born in the abyss, and so, I left a trace of my life essence here. That trace allowed me to resurrect. Now that it has been activated, as long as I preserve it, I can return fully to life.

Here's the deal—I want you to take my soul out of the abyss. In return, I will use a special secret method to fool the will of the abyss, ensuring that you complete the trial successfully. You'll pass the abyss trial, and I'll be free from its chains. Fully resurrected."

Satan's grin widened as he continued, "Don't worry. I cannot, and will not, harm you. In fact, I am the King of Hell. In Hell, I've left behind remnants of my power, treasures even the gods covet. These treasures drive them mad with desire! When the time comes, I won't forget to share a portion with you."

Novak listened, keeping his expression steady, even as his mind whirled. Satan's words were intoxicating—filled with promises of unimaginable power, riches, and glory. Yet, deep down, something about the offer reminded him of those empty boasts. It echoed like the famous claim, "I shall return," a promise that had been equally grand yet hollow.

Still, it was hard not to feel the pull of temptation. The prospect of obtaining the treasures of the Hell King, of acquiring the job transfer scroll for becoming the Abyss Master—without the need to fight further—was almost too good to be true. It was the kind of deal that could end his struggle in one stroke, a gamble between life and death where victory seemed guaranteed.

Novak's eyes glinted with feigned interest. He had to admit, Satan's offer was undeniably tempting.

However, was the King of Hell truly dead?

Seeing the flicker of hesitation on Novak's face, Satan extended his hand slowly, revealing something resting on his palm. He offered it to Novak with a knowing smile.

"This should be enough to show my sincerity," he said, his voice dripping with persuasion. "When the time comes, my life mark will merge with it, and once I'm free, this will belong to you."

Novak stared at the object, surprised, before turning his gaze to the ring Satan handed him:

[Hell King's Ring: Solomon's Lord of the Rings (SSS)]

- Accessory: Ring

- Bonus Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution +50%, Spirit +200%! All attributes +3000!

- Seventy-two Demon Gods: Contains the soul marks of Hell's seventy-two most formidable demon gods. You can summon and command them to a certain extent.

- Master of the Ring: Skill learning requirements reduced by 80%! All skill cooldowns -50%! All skill energy costs -50%!

- Hell King Form: Enter Hell King Form. All attributes receive an additional +100%! While in this form, all skill cooldowns are reduced to 0 for 15 seconds.

- Gate of Hell: A divine treasure infused with a part of Hell's essence. In Hell, all your abilities are greatly enhanced. You can open the Gate of Hell at any time to travel there.

- Equipment Requirements: None.

Note: Wear it and claim the throne of the Hell King!

What...!?

Novak's eyes widened in disbelief. It felt like a jolt of lightning had shot through him. 

SSS-level?!

Only gods could dream of possessing an SSS-tier treasure. Novak recalled how in his past life, he had been mercilessly killed by Hell Rose while competing for a lesser item, the Dark Umbilical Cord. And now, here it was—an immensely powerful SSS-level artifact, practically within his grasp!

What kind of treasure was this?!

Instinctively, Novak licked his dry lips, the searing flames of Hell seemingly draining the moisture from his body. Yet, even though his outward appearance showed amazement, inside, his thoughts remained hidden.

Satan noticed the desire glimmering in Novak's eyes and smirked. The Devil King, master of manipulating human hearts, was at the peak of his game. His methods might appear simple, but they struck directly at a person's deepest desires and weaknesses.

The suffocating flames of Hell amplified the pressure to submit. The temptation was overwhelming, a force no living creature could resist. No one could!

But beneath Novak's outward shock and greed, his heart remained far more composed. He knew that a devil's allure was merely a tactic, a calculated display of power and persuasion. 

Suppressing the greed that threatened to rise within him, Novak let out a mocking laugh and spat out a defiant response:

"Hump! I could just kill you and take the ring myself. Die!"

Without hesitation, Novak's mutated claws lashed out in a ferocious strike. But the moment his claws met the blazing flames, a wave of unbearable pain surged through his body like a jolt of electricity.

"Think carefully, little one..."

Satan's voice echoed from within the inferno, calm and condescending, as if the devil king hadn't even been fazed by Novak's assault. The agony tore through Novak, wrenching a scream from his throat, though internally, his mind remained remarkably clear. 

He couldn't help but feel a little helpless—this devil king wasn't just a manipulative trickster, he truly wielded terrifying power. The hellfire alone could end him if he wasn't careful.

Realizing this, Novak decided to play along for now, curious to see what other cards Satan had up his sleeve. After enduring the torment for a while longer, he clenched his jaw and nodded, his expression filled with feigned reluctance.

"Fine... I accept your offer."