The Shadow of the Demon Lord
The scene opens inside the SSS-rank Dungeon, where an eerie silence fills the air. The bodies of fallen S-rank and SS-rank hunters are scattered across the battlefield, their armor torn apart, their weapons shattered. Blood pools around their corpses as grotesque monsters feast on them. Among these monsters are:
Nightmare Lurkers – Shadowy creatures that consume souls, leaving nothing but empty husks.
Abyssal Devourers – Monstrous beings with endless stomachs, capable of swallowing hunters whole.
Dread Fiends – Mutated, armor-clad demons with immense strength.
Blood Revenants – Reanimated corpses of fallen hunters, enslaved by dark magic.
A deep, chilling voice suddenly echoes through the dungeon:
"Yes… feast, my slaves! Grow stronger! Let their power fuel your hatred! Soon… I, the Demon Lord of this Dungeon, the greatest calamity in history, shall bring this world to its knees! I will show them the true meaning of death!"
A dark aura erupts from the depths of the dungeon, shaking the ground itself. The monsters screech in excitement, devouring faster, preparing for the war to come.
---
The scene shifts to Elyria, where Zaren is impatiently waiting outside Corvin's father's shop. He shouts loudly:
"Corvin! Let's go! We're leaving for the raid!"
Corvin rushes out, slightly out of breath. His eyes sparkle with excitement.
"Yeah, bro! Let's do this!" he says, grinning. This was the moment he had always dreamed of—their first real mission as hunters.
Arriving at the Arcanum Guild, they find a tense atmosphere. Many A-rank and B-rank hunters are gathered, whispering among themselves. Fear lingers in the air. The Guild Masters and Vice Guild Masters of all three guilds stand at the front, preparing for departure.
Eldrin, the Vice Guild Master of Celestis, eyes Zaren with irritation.
"You're late. We were supposed to leave earlier, but we had to wait for you!"
Zaren shrugs. "Sorry, I was waiting for Corvin."
At that moment, the Guild Masters—Mario, Varric, and Noric—gathered together and glared at Zaren.
"Just don't slow us down," Noric mutters.
Zaren only smiles. They were his first real companions in this new life.
---
As the team begins their march toward the neighboring Kingdom of Velmora, Vice Guild Master Maria Lyren of Arcanum Guild walks beside Zaren. She watches him closely, sensing the immense power hidden within him.
"What an incredible aura..." she thinks to herself. Just then, Zaren turns his head toward her. Maria quickly looks away, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Zaren frowns. "I guess she hates me," he thinks. But in reality, Maria is beginning to develop feelings for him.
As they continue traveling, the other Vice Guild Masters approach Corvin, curious about his background.
"Hey, Corvin," one asks. "How did someone with your power end up living in a rundown shop?"
Corvin hesitates before sighing. "It's a long story…"
---
At the front of the group, the four most powerful SS-rank hunters—Zaren, Varric, Noric, and Mario—walk side by side.
Varric leans in close and asks in a low voice: "Hey, why did you join Arcanum Guild? Why not Celestis or Aetheris?"
Noric nods. "Yeah, with your strength, you could have joined any guild. Why choose them?"
Zaren smiles and answers truthfully. "Corvin wanted to join Arcanum. It was his dream, so I followed him."
Before Varric and Noric could say more, a voice cuts through the air.
"Are you trying to steal my SS-rank hunter from my guild?"
It was Mario Stormrider, the Guild Master of Arcanum. His sharp eyes narrow on them.
Varric and Noric immediately straighten up, waving their hands. "No! Nothing like that, Mario!"
Zaren watches the exchange and smirks. "So even they fear Mario… that must mean he's the strongest hunter in Elyria."
---
Meanwhile, back in the SSS-rank Dungeon, the Demon Lord sits atop his dark throne, his aura growing stronger by the second. A massive, terrifying monster kneels before him, trembling in fear.
With a flick of his hand, the monster disintegrates into dust.
The Demon Lord grins.
"Now… the real battle begins."
(Chapter 10 Fin)