Chapter 213: Summon The Magic Circle!

Brother Ron's incident was indeed just a brief interlude, yet it highlighted how far evolutionaries had come in just one month after doomsday. 

Novak, however, wasn't particularly moved by this. Since his recent job change, his abilities have surpassed those of ordinary players entirely. Still, it was evident that job changes provided an opportunity for most early-stage evolutionaries to reset to a similar starting point. Naturally, the rank and type of one's occupation influenced where that "starting line" actually fell.

The Red Star Mental Hospital remained unchanged. Within its eerie courtyard, crazed nurses wandered, yet Novak held back. At his level, after switching professions, he no longer gained experience from killing low-level dungeon creatures. Instead, he allowed Ian and Zezelia a chance to train—especially Yuzuru.

In a moment, under the wide-eyed stares of Ian and Zezelia, a ghostly figure materialized from the Ring of the Hell King.

As Yuzuru emerged, she instantly captivated attention. She raised her hand, conjuring a spectral flame that curled around her arm before launching directly at the charging nurse. 

Hellfire… or something even more potent?

Novak was taken aback, but then a familiar voice whispered from within:

"Honored Novak, this young lady's soul talent is exceptionally high—even by hell's standards, it's exceedingly rare! I taught her a few techniques that complement her abilities. This soul flame is perfectly suited for her! I assure you, I harbor no ulterior motives. By the Cosmic Will, I swear I would never harm her, or you!"

Novak raised his eyebrows. He knew Satan's cunning was beyond question.

But I have to say that Satan is really wronged.

He, the King Of Hell, has ever been so aggrieved. In fact, it is true. Satan really has no bad intentions. It's not that he doesn't have it, but he dares not!

Now, his only goal was to prove his worth to Novak. He couldn't risk any breach of trust or suspicion.

If Satan had tried to teach Novak skills directly, Novak wouldn't have trusted him. By guiding Yuzuru, however, he could demonstrate his usefulness more convincingly. 

Such considerations kept Satan on edge. Most of the time, Novak kept him sealed, blocking his perception of the outside world entirely—a state that left Satan feeling worse than death itself. Now, finally, a unique soul had come along and entered the Hell King's Ring. And, as he'd observed, she had a particularly close relationship with Novak.

For a devil as shrewd as Satan, pleasing someone indirectly—by supporting those close to his master—often proved the most effective tactic. So, he offered his skills to her willingly.

The entwining soul flame Yuzuru wielded was indeed powerful. Thanks to the King of Hell's teachings, her abilities had developed to an impressive degree. In an instant, the spectral flame engulfed the nurse, who let out a distorted scream before collapsing in a twisted heap.

Zezelia and Ian looked on in stunned silence.

"Master! Look how amazing I am!" Yuzuru exclaimed proudly, turning to Novak.

Novak nodded, smiling. It was clear that Satan had his uses after all.

"Master?" Ian's eyes were wide, tinged with envy.

The girl before him was a vision—dressed in a JK uniform, calling him "Master." She embodied the ideal of a fantastical JK maid one might only see in anime—absolutely flawless.

Ian couldn't help himself; he was overflowing with envy. He took out his frustration on the frenzied nurses nearby, sending countless throwing knives through the air that sliced them down instantly.

Meanwhile, Zezelia's paper figurines joined the fray, each displaying strange and varied techniques. The progress in evolutionary strength since the onset of doomsday was clearly visible—particularly in members of Group 001.

When Tempra Vale, the head of Red Star Mental Hospital, had first appeared, even the strongest among them—Crow, Meimei, and Ian—had been no match for him. Now, though they were still challenged in one-on-one confrontations, they had grown considerably stronger since those early days.

Novak kept an eye on the fight, only intervening to ensure the safety of his team. Ian and Zezelia occasionally stole glances at him, curious to see what the White Emperor could do after his career shift. Yet Novak remained on the sidelines, much to their disappointment, while he conversed with the ever-astute Satan.

"Can you sense the bloodline in Ian?" Novak asked.

"Respected Novak, of course I can. The breath of Hell runs through him—as well as this secret world forged by the Cosmic Will. This is... the aura of Zepar lineage!"

The sixteenth of the seventy-two demon gods of Hell—the Duke of Hell Zepar. 

Ian's ancestor.

And perhaps, in some twist of fate, even his brother-in-law, uncle, or who knows what other familial connections.

"The Duke of Hell Zepar left a Hell summoning circle here to call him. Soon, I will summon him myself. Thanks to the suppression of the Cosmic Will, his power won't exceed the limits of this Secret Realm. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Satan replied eagerly. In truth, he couldn't fathom Novak's intentions. Would he treat this summoning as he did with Aga Reiss, perhaps accepting a portion of his soul? Or would he take advantage of the opportunity to eliminate the Duke of Hell Zepar and claim an emperor's reward under the rules of the Cosmic Will? Satan wasn't sure.

But his thoughts were interrupted as Tempra Vale—the asylum director—let out one final death roar, tormented by dolls, soul flames, and telekinetic flying knives, until he succumbed at last. When Novak devoured him with the Blacklight Virus, a weakened form of B-grade demonic blood essence was all that remained as proof of his existence.

Without giving the fallen director another thought, Novak led the group through a hidden passageway that wound down to a massive basement. There, an enormous Hell magic circle stretched across the floor.

At the center of the circle, Novak revealed sixteen corpses he had prepared in advance, arranging them with careful precision. Blood dripped onto the sigils, and a blood-red light blazed, flooding the entire basement in an eerie glow.