The Demon Lord’s Arrival

The hunters marched toward the entrance of the SSS-rank dungeon, tension gripping their hearts. Each of them had the same thought—if the SS-rank and S-rank hunters before them had failed to defeat the boss, how could they possibly succeed?

A heavy silence hung in the air until Corvin broke it. "Guys, don't worry. We'll make it out of here."

Varric, Mario, Noric, and Zaren exchanged glances before nodding with determined smiles.

But as they neared the dungeon's gate, a sudden wave of oppressive energy washed over them. Their bodies stiffened.

Zaren's eyes widened in horror. Oh, God… what is this aura? This is no ordinary dungeon.

Maria trembled. "Something powerful is inside."

Mario clenched his fists. "Don't be scared, guys. We're not weak, right?" He forced a grin, trying to encourage the group.

But Corvin wasn't fooled. The sheer power of the aura made his instincts scream—this boss was beyond anything they had ever faced. Even among S and SS-rank hunters, none of them might be a match for it.

Still, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. If this is the end, we'll face it together.

Inside, a horrifying sight greeted them—bloodied corpses of hunters and shredded remains of monsters. But there were no living creatures in sight.

A sudden realization hit them.

"There are no monsters left," Noric whispered.

A chill ran down their spines.

Then it happened.

An overwhelming pressure came from the depths of the cave, paralyzing them on the spot.

Step by step, they moved forward—until they saw it.

A massive throne, constructed from bones and skulls, stood at the far end. Seated upon it was a towering figure—the Demon Lord.

He tore into the head of a monster, his razor-sharp teeth crunching through its flesh. Blood dripped from his mouth as his glowing red eyes fixated on the hunters.

The oppressive aura thickened, making even the strongest among them tremble.

The Demon Lord casually tossed the mangled head aside and stood up.

Maria's voice shook. "We can't win… he's too powerful."

Varric swallowed hard. "This… this is beyond anything I've ever seen."

Mario clenched his fists, sweat pouring down his face. He can kill us in an instant.

The vice guild master of the Celestis Guild collapsed to his knees and lost consciousness.

Zaren's thoughts raced. How do we even fight something like this?

Then, in a flash—

The Demon Lord vanished from his throne.

A sharp gust of wind struck them as he reappeared before Mario, slamming a fist into his stomach. The force of the blow cracked the dungeon floor.

Mario coughed up blood as his body flew backward, crashing into the stone walls.

"Humans, you're so weak," the Demon Lord sneered. "This isn't even fun."

Mario groaned in pain, struggling to get up.

But the nightmare wasn't over.

Before anyone could react, the Demon Lord appeared behind Varric.

So fast! Varric thought in terror.

A blade flashed.

Varric's arm was severed. He screamed in agony before a brutal punch sent him flying.

Maria gasped, trying to ready a spell—

But the Demon Lord was already in front of her. A single punch to her stomach sent her skidding across the ground, coughing up blood.

The vice guild master of Aetheris Guild, a healer, rushed to aid them. His hands glowed as he worked to heal the wounded.

But the Demon Lord's eyes locked onto him.

In an instant, he appeared behind the healer.

A blade gleamed.

The vice guild master's head rolled onto the floor.

Noric screamed, "NOOO!"

Consumed by rage, he charged forward—

But the Demon Lord only smirked. "You're nothing to me."

A brutal punch sent Noric soaring through the air, crashing against the cave wall.

Just when all seemed lost—

Zaren struck.

In a blur, he appeared behind the Demon Lord and delivered a devastating punch.

The Demon Lord was sent flying for the first time.

Mario shouted, "Good job, Zaren!"

Corvin joined in, landing another powerful blow.

Blood dripped from the Demon Lord's mouth.

But he only laughed.

"Cheap tricks."

Then, in an instant, he was behind the guild master of Arcanum Guild.

A single slash.

The guild master was split in two.

Maria screamed.

Zaren and Corvin's rage boiled over, their auras surging with immense power. Their eyes burned with fury.

The Demon Lord grinned. "Yes… give me more."

Then—

Slash!

His hand was severed.

For the first time, the Demon Lord's grin faltered.

Corvin delivered a powerful punch, sending him flying.

The Demon Lord regenerated instantly, but before he could react, Corvin was already in front of him. Another punch landed.

The Demon Lord smirked. "Not bad."

Then a roar echoed.

A massive dragon loomed behind Corvin, unleashing a fireball.

Corvin barely dodged, but the impact sent him rolling across the ground, bleeding.

Zaren rushed to his side. "You okay?"

Corvin gritted his teeth. "I'm fine."

Meanwhile, Maria and the others wept for their fallen comrades.

Zaren turned to Lumis, his system.

"Activate Flame Sword."

A brilliant sword of fire appeared in his hand, its power shaking the air around them.

Maria's eyes widened. "What is that?!"

The Demon Lord chuckled. "Interesting. What's your name, human?"

Zaren's gaze burned with fury. "Zaren. And I'll kill you."

He vanished.

The Demon Lord barely had time to react before Zaren appeared behind him, his flame sword slashing through the air.

Four dragons' heads fell in an instant.

Maria gasped. How is this possible?!

Varric, still bleeding, whispered, "This man… is no ordinary human."

The Demon Lord sneered. "Impressive. But you cannot defeat me."

A single slash tore through Zaren's chest.

"ZAREN, NOOO!" the hunters screamed.

As he fell, Corvin caught him. "Are you okay?!"

Zaren winced in pain—then, before their eyes, his wounds began to heal automatically.

Everyone froze.

Maria whispered, "As expected… he can heal himself, too."

Zaren's eyes turned yellow. His aura expanded, shaking the dungeon itself.

Corvin grinned. "Bro… your eyes."

The Demon Lord smirked. "Come at me, brats."

Zaren and Corvin charged.

Their combined power overwhelmed the Demon Lord for the first time.

Punches and slashes rained down on him.

"HOW CAN TWO HUMANS DEFEAT ME?!" the Demon Lord roared.

Then, in a desperate move—

He landed a crushing blow on Zaren. Blood spattered across the floor.

Corvin rushed to shield Zaren.

The Demon Lord's sword pierced Corvin's chest.

With a wicked grin, he sliced Corvin in half.

Zaren's mind shattered.

Memories of Corvin flooded his mind. Their training. Their laughter. Their friendship.

Tears streamed down his face.

The Demon Lord raised his sword for the final blow.

But before it could land—

Zaren stopped the blade with a single finger.

Silence.

The Demon Lord's eyes widened in shock.

Zaren's eyes turned red.

Lumis, the system, spoke:

[New Unique Skill Acquired: Red Eye]