Chapter 214: Summon The Duke of Hell Zepar! The Horror Of The Demon God!

The blood-red light reflected across each face, amplifying their tension.

Zezelia, having missed the initial exploration of Red Star Mental Hospital, knew only fragments of the hospital's dark secrets from stories shared in Group 001's chat. Yet, Ian's reaction was telling—his face was unusually grave as he stared at the scarlet-lit basement with evident unease.

Outlined above the blood-soaked magic circle, a strange and mysterious energy began to pulse, rising slowly. The dim firelight within the basement did nothing to dispel the darkness; instead, it cast an eerie, chilling atmosphere that seeped into their bones.

Each of them could sense it—a powerful entity had been awakened in this basement.

Only Novak observed the unfolding scene calmly. At the heart of the blood-red circle, an ominous, black vortex began to swirl into existence.

Yuzuru stared, horrified, as the vortex materialized. She had sensed this aura before—a terrible familiarity that filled her with dread. 

However, compared to before, her master's fluctuations at the time of teleportation are undoubtedly a lot worse.

Hell, as she now understood, was indeed part of the abyss itself—a lost 600th layer. And the aura emanating from the vortex was unmistakably tied to that infernal realm.

Suddenly, a deep, mocking laughter echoed through the basement.

"Oh, the scent of the main world is sweet, and this proving ground feels so familiar. Flesh and mortals, are you ready to offer sacrifices to the Duke of Hell?" 

In the dark, the words—spoken in the purest Abyss tongue—echoed. Only Novak could fully understand the words uttered by the figure emerging from the shadowy vortex, wreathed in blood-red hellfire.

As the magic circle's red light dimmed, a new figure appeared, standing where the swirling energy had been. The laughter moments ago had been his.

The figure, clad in blood-red armor, was vaguely humanoid at first glance. But beneath the armor's blood-soaked hue, it became clear that this was no human. Shrouded in blood-red wings, with claws and talons jutting out from beneath the armor, the creature's form was unmistakably demonic—only vaguely resembling a human.

[Hell's Sixteenth Duke: Duke of Hell Zepar (Level 14—BOSS)]

"Mortals, dare to summon the great Duke of Hell? Then state your wish and offer your tribute. If not, prepare to face my wrath and accept your death. Do you understand?"

Through the figure's blood-red helmet, only his scarlet eyes glinted, cold and menacing. But to Novak's surprise, this time he spoke in the unmistakable language of the Faeloria Country.

Ian was transfixed. This... this creature was the source of his bloodline—the origin of everything! The curse that plagued his family, his lost sister, and the doomed fate of every woman in the Bart family—it all led back to this demon!

Hatred surged within Ian, his intent to kill as sharp as a knife.

The Duke seemed to notice Ian's intense stare. His scarlet eyes blinked with surprise before focusing on him curiously. "Ah... interesting. My bloodline? So, your surname is Bart?"

Ian locked eyes with the demon, his killing intent unmistakable.

"Is my sister in your hands?" Ian demanded.

The Duke of Hell's eyes gleamed with twisted amusement. "Interesting, truly interesting. I hadn't anticipated that this realm, the Trial Field of Gods and Demons, would allow you to inherit even a sliver of my power. But tell me, what do you think you are? Speaking to me like that?" 

The full extent of the Duke of Hell's arrogance, coldness, and malice radiated as he sneered. Blood-red light, mingling with searing hellfire, instantly condensed at his fingertips.

"Rika will be my masterpiece and my bride! And you... I'll kill your body, trap your soul, and leave you helpless to witness the day that comes. Hahaha!"

Finally, sated by the satisfaction of asserting his demonic supremacy, the Duke of Hell glared at the group with renewed disdain.

"Initially, I hadn't planned to kill you all. But now, with such insolence in my presence, no sacrifice will save you from your fate."

[Dungeon Update: Nightmare-level 'Red Star Mental Hospital' has triggered hidden conditions. Difficulty level escalated to Hell-Level (unique)]

The universe's ominous notice did nothing to ruffle Novak, who fixed his gaze on the arrogant red-armored figure. When Novak finally broke his silence, his words weren't even directed at Duke of Hell himself:

"Hey, didn't they say devils are supposed to be clever and conniving? Why does this idiot seem dumber and more arrogant than the most brainless brute in the Abyss?"

"Honored Novak," came a reply within his mind, "because this fool has no idea what kind of presence he's standing before."

"Well put," Novak replied with a smirk.

"Receiving your praise brings me more joy than I've ever felt."

The exchange, spoken in Abyss Language, went unheard by the others. But the Duke of Hell, still standing in the hell teleportation circle, froze, slowly turning his eyes toward Novak, a faint realization dawning in his gaze.

Novak's smile was calm, almost amused, a faint mockery dancing in his eyes. He watched as the Duke of Hell's grin faltered.

"Human, do you think you can play god before the Duke of Hell just by knowing a few words of Abyss?" The duke began to taunt, but as he looked down, something caught his eye.

It was a dark ring on Novak's finger, wreathed in flickering hellfire—a ring bearing the mark of Hell's King.

In an instant, the Duke of Hell froze, his mouth agape. The sneer drained from his face as his eyes grew round with shock. "Pretending before the Duke…" he stammered in disbelief, his voice trailing off.

But just then, Novak moved. His body blurred as he struck the Duke of Hell with a kick, his foot enveloped in the black-light virus's pitch-black tendrils. The blow smashed into the Duke of Hell's lower abdomen, sending him hurtling like a crumpled shrimp to the far end of the basement.

And yet, to everyone's astonishment, the once-terrifying figure scrambled upright with almost frantic haste. Without a shred of defiance, he fell to his knees before Novak with a loud thud.

"Your Majesty… Your Majesty, please have mercy…"

The transformation was so rapid that even Ian and Zezelia stared in stunned silence.