Chapter 192: Temptation Of The Devil!

The dark flames crackled in the air, radiating an oppressive heat that seemed capable of incinerating everything in existence. Novak exhaled slowly, steadying himself. He hadn't anticipated that the final trial of the abyss would culminate in such a confrontation.

Initially, the last true god of the abyss, Aga Reiss, Lord of Eternal Night, had been mysteriously banished by the will of the abyss itself. In his place, something far more ominous had emerged from the depths—Satan.

This name was not unfamiliar; it echoed across countless myths and legends. It was synonymous with pure evil, the embodiment of all that was dark and malevolent, the very root of corruption in the universe. Throughout history, villains and malefactors alike were often branded with this infamous title. 

But Novak wasn't sure if such a being truly existed. In his previous life, the notion of gods, hells, and the depths of the abyss were things beyond his concern. Even as a saint-level existence, the secrets of these realms were far beyond his reach.

Now, standing on the precipice of hell and facing the abyss directly, Novak found himself intertwined with those very myths. Satan, the alleged creator of hell. A betrayer of the abyss, perhaps?

Novak didn't know the truth behind these stories, but what he did know was that the figure before him—a legendary entity—was very real. And he would have to face it.

From the swirling dark flames, a shadowy figure materialized in the distance. The landscape itself seemed to conspire against him, with the blackened ground merging seamlessly into the sky, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

The figure that emerged from the flames wasn't imposing in stature. In fact, he was roughly the same height as Novak, and his features were not unlike those of a common devil. He wore an ancient, western-style aristocratic robe, and from his head, curved horns sprouted, reminiscent of a goat's.

What stood out most was the devil's face. Despite his fiendish nature, he was strikingly handsome—perhaps even more so than Novak himself, whose appearance had always been a point of pride. The devil's features had an eerie harmony, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics in a way that was both unsettling and mesmerizing.

Yet, what truly set the devil apart was his presence. The air around him exuded elegance, calmness, and wisdom, a stark contrast to the raging inferno surrounding him. The hellfire felt less like a destructive force and more like the cozy warmth of a heart in a noble's home. And this devil was the master of that home, the unquestionable lord of this infernal domain.

As the devil's dark eyes opened, they seemed to peer into the very soul of all that stood before him. With a slight turn of his head, he scanned his surroundings, his gaze sharp and penetrating. Novak's muscles instinctively tensed in response, but before he could act, the devil spoke.

In the purest grammar of the abyss, his voice was smooth and unnervingly casual. 

"I never imagined that one day, my consciousness would awaken here in the abyss once again, and that the 600th floor—thought to be lost—would reappear."

The 600th floor of the abyss? Lost? Novak's mind raced. Had the abyss's 600th floor truly disappeared? Was it possible that this level of the abyss had transformed into some hellish realm on another plane?

Novak remained silent, carefully gauging the situation. But even as he stood still, the plague virus and seeds of his spiritual infection quietly spread through the air, drifting on the currents of his breath, preparing for what might come next.

The man before Novak seemed completely oblivious to the impending threat, or if he was aware, he gave no sign of it. With a nonchalant wave of his hand, the hellish flames, which had once roared ferociously, began to smolder gently. A plush fur sofa materialized in the midst of the fire, and the man casually sat down, his eyes locking onto Novak.

"Come, my friend. Why don't you sit and chat for a bit?" he offered, his voice smooth and inviting. "I'm not one for violence, really. If you'd like, it's entirely possible for you to pass the final trial of the abyss... without any bloodshed."

Novak's eyes narrowed. If it had been any other creature of the abyss, like the Hydra he encountered earlier, he might have considered the offer. But anyone who took the devil at his word was a fool. Devils were renowned for their cunning, their ability to twist words and manipulate the hearts of others to their advantage.

"This is really surprising," the devil continued with an air of amusement. "I never imagined a human could come this far, pass the trials of the abyss, and approach a power that even gods covet! It's truly impressive... I must admit, I'm shocked. What a shame that my true body no longer exists. Otherwise, I'd love to see you again in another place, under different circumstances."

The devil paused, as though recalling something. "By the way, what's your name?"

Novak remained silent, refusing to engage. The devil, however, didn't seem to care and continued prattling on, as though this were a casual conversation between old acquaintances. His tone was almost reminiscent of Balkh, who had long since perished but left behind an echo of joy and relief in the will of the abyss.

Finally, the devil seemed to tire of his monologue. He rose from the sofa, grinning wickedly. "Well, well... the will of the abyss revived me, and that was a pleasant surprise. Now, there's one thing left that I didn't get to do the first time around." His grin widened. "Let's see just how far a mere mortal can go!"

In an instant, the devil's form was consumed by the inferno, his body morphing into a fiery silhouette. Without warning, he lunged forward, fists ablaze with the fire of hell. The flames surged, not only toward Novak, but engulfing everything in their path. The hellfire roared and raged, its searing heat licking at Novak's skin as it attempted to swallow him whole.

"Hmm?" The devil's voice cut through the chaos. "I sense the power of hell within you. How amusing... A mere human wielding hell's flames in front of the King of Hell? How utterly foolish. Do you truly believe you can ignore me?"

The hellfire, which Novak had once used to enhance his own strength, now threatened to become his undoing. The flames crawled over his body, seeking to consume him from the inside out. Yet, despite the all-encompassing blaze, something was amiss.

Novak quickly realized the flames weren't harming him. The inferno that should have been his demise failed to burn him at all. His body, untouched by the hellfire's wrath, stood unharmed amidst the infernal storm.

It was then that an impossibly deep voice resonated in his ear, carried on the crackling embers of the hellfire.

"Little one... Would you care to join me?" The voice was rich, magnetic, as if the devil himself were whispering his most enticing offer. "You've made it farther than any other. Right now, with a single thought, I could obliterate your body with the fire of hell. Your soul would be incinerated, leaving nothing behind."

The voice lingered, offering temptation. "But the authority of the abyss is within your reach. The control of the Abyssal Well lies just before you. All you need to do is nod, and it will all be yours. If you die here... well, even I would regret losing someone like you." 

It was the seductive murmur of a devil offering unimaginable power, wrapped in the guise of mercy.