《DEMON CASTLE》 CHAPTER 01 For the war of the God of Destruction, your purpose¡ªblessed by Him¡ªis the annihilation of the worlds! Grow, and fulfill your duty! It was only one sentence, but it was followed by a sensation that enveloped him, like the pain of his death. He could still feel the burning heat of his blood from the knife wound, but everything came to an end when he found himself in an unfamiliar environment. Three months passed in the night sky, and creatures he had never seen in his life appeared in the distance. Aside from that, his vision had also changed¡ªeverything was in black and white, and energy similar to gas shimmered like a mirage at every point. The sudden shock of such an event made him reach for his head, but something was strange. There was no sound, no sense of touch, no smell¡ªhe could only see, and even that vision was not the same as before. He looked at his hands. They were black and white, showing only the skeletal structure of a human hand. He should have been terrified, but he couldn''t be¡ªhe didn''t even know why. In a moment when he had no idea what had happened to him and tried to hurt himself to awaken, despite knowing he had been stabbed, a floating window appeared before him, fifty centimeters in both length and width. A mechanical clicking sound echoed in his mind, frightening him. However, this feeling was brief, and after a few seconds, as he calmed down and checked his surroundings, he slowly looked at the floating window that moved with him, as if it were connected to him. He saw unfamiliar but understandable lines: [Transfer successful]Name: HazardFinal Race: Demon King Arc LichLevel: 1Life: 100Power: 30Agility: 20Mana (Miasma): 350Stamina: -Talent:Reanimation of the Undead:You can raise the dead using dark mana, based on the level of the deceased.Negative Energy Bullet: (Inactive)By consuming a chosen amount of dark mana, release a dark energy bullet that causes damage based on the mana spent. (It may also cause confusion and paralysis in the target, depending on their level and willpower.)Corpse Explosion: (Inactive)When activated, the corpses within a 100-meter radius can be made to explode.Skill: - This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Hazard stared at the window with an odd look. Whatever this was, it felt somewhat familiar, and he could relate several things he remembered to it¡ªsystems and reincarnation. But such a reincarnation, especially into a skeletal form, was completely unexpected. Just then, the system window began to display new messages that caught his attention. [Your soul, along with 4,999,999,999 other souls, has spread across 5,000 worlds to fulfill the will of the God of Destruction and Darkness. The God of Destruction expects you to take control of the world you are in to move to the next level and enter the War of Eternity.] The weight of the information was overwhelming. The numbers and all of this could only be summarized in a book for easier understanding, but Hazard, now realizing he was but a pawn in a much grander existence, felt a little anxious. But he was a dead being now, so his body could not express such reactions. Only seconds later, the system window changed again. [Place the Demon King''s Altar in an appropriate location.] A holographic green design appeared, showing the outline of a pool with several tall, five-meter-high skeletal arches above it, resembling a tomb. It was strange and terrifying, freezing Hazard in place for a few seconds. Everything was happening so fast, and there was no one who could keep up with such rapid changes. After only a few moments, he began to move. His bony, fleshless face clattered, but it had no meaning. After a few minutes of walking, he finally reached an abandoned village in a barren mountain, and there, he built the altar at the center of the destroyed village. [Are you sure you want to place your altar here?]"Yes." A burst of light and dark mana followed, causing a small earthquake that shook the ruined village houses. The altar, a pool filled with the darkness of the night, had a depth of thirty centimeters. The bottom of the pool, with magical circles, had arches resembling iron gates with skull designs on top. This eerie and sinister appearance could inject fear into living creatures and made the weak animals nearby flee rapidly. Hazard, seeing the animals'' reaction, wasn''t particularly surprised. He, too, had been caught off guard by the altar''s strange appearance, but it wasn''t a major concern. The most important thing now was the faint scream that came from inside a half-destroyed hut, drawing Hazard''s attention CHAPTER 02 Jake had dug his own grave. His sick mother and sister had nowhere to go, and the Forbidden Mountain, located in the borderlands of Kesslovania, was the only place with medicinal herbs to treat them. But after losing his father in the war against Vlad, who had been impaled by Duke Grahad, one of the Round Table knights, he had no money to purchase the herbs, nor could he afford to treat his plague-stricken family. He had no choice but to take them to the Forbidden Mountain, searching for magical plants for days, but he had found nothing so far. Meanwhile, his mother and sister were burning with fever, lying on torn, old clothes in a small, dilapidated house barely standing. Despite being a fourteen-year-old boy who could one day step into his father''s shoes and join the ranks of the Empire''s knights, his fate took a different turn due to his uncle''s betrayal and the theft of their possessions. This was the path he found himself on. The plague was a curse from Vlad for his defeat by the Round Table knights, which had spread across the lands of Duke Sir Lancelot and Duke Sir Bedwyr, causing massive casualties in the southern regions of King Arthur''s empire. Today marked the tenth day since Jake was preparing to leave his temporary home in a deserted village, abandoned due to the monster attacks from the Forbidden Mountain. He was startled by the appearance of a white skeleton without clothes, with two white horns on its head and a crown-like protrusion from its skull, which immediately caught his attention and fear. Skeleton monsters weren''t particularly dangerous, and even a fourteen-year-old like him, who had learned basic swordsmanship, could defeat it with a stick or even bare hands. But this was no ordinary skeleton. The horns, the crown design, and the aura of death surrounding it, were enough to dry the resilient weeds that had somehow managed to grow in this cursed area. Jake was consumed by fear and gripped the broken sword, once brought back from the battlefield by the knights who fought alongside his father. It was his father''s second sword; the main sword, if it had been found, was not given to him because noble knights passed on their main weapons to other knights to preserve their memory. Jake was angry about this, but he knew there was nothing he could do¡ªthose swords were made of rare and valuable materials, and to inherit his father''s main sword, he would need to be eighteen and take the knight''s test. He wasn''t even approved by Baron Seka, a local noble, to do so. Still, the fire of rage and hope didn''t die within him. He gripped the broken silver sword tightly, ready to strike if the strange skeleton drew closer to their hut. But what happened next threw him back, causing the entire hut to shake. A massive, terrifying altar suddenly appeared, making him almost wet himself with fear. The trembling only grew as his eyes met the dark sockets of the undead''s skull, and he nearly passed out from terror. Only his will to protect his family kept him standing. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Even if it meant death, he had to protect his family¡ªentrusted to him by his father before he went to war. The eyes, once green and beautiful, were now black and white. Even the boy''s hair could not be distinguished as he shakily held the broken sword, pointing it toward Hazard. A sigh escaped from within, something Hazard wanted to do, but now it was completely impossible. There was no air in his lungs, and, in fact, he didn''t even have lungs anymore. Hazard took his gaze off the boy and looked at the altar. [Archlich Demon King''s AltarYour primary mission is to protect your altar. If the altar is destroyed, you are no different from the other monsters, and you will lose all system benefits.] [Archlich Demon King''s AltarAvailable summons:"Common Demon Undead"Level: 1 NormalLife: 9Power: 6Agility: 4Mana (Dark): 0Stamina: -Cost: Five gold coins"Undead Demon Swordsman"Level: 2 NormalLife: 20Power: 12Agility: 7Mana (Dark): 0Stamina: -Skill: Swordsmanship FCost: Fifteen gold coins"Undead Demon Archer"Level: 3 NormalLife: 17Power: 8Agility: 12Mana (Dark): 0Stamina: -Skill: Precision FCost: Twenty gold coins] A little strange, but understandable. The main question was how to obtain gold. At that moment, the system assisted Hazard. [By killing any creature or converting gold from your world, you can obtain the system''s gold currency.To upgrade your altar, you must sacrifice the souls of heroes, unlocking higher-level powers and increasing the Demon King''s rank.] A bit more reasonable and simpler, but killing any creature?Looking back at the young boy with the broken sword in his hand, attempting to approach him slowly, Hazard could swear that if the skeleton had a face, it would have been smiling devilishly. Just a minute later, Jake, the fourteen-year-old, lay on the ground, blood spilling from his throat where his sword had struck. He trembled and slowly died, his spirit leaving his body. The undead took one last look at him as it entered the hut, where Jake had extended his bloodied hand, trying to stop it from entering, but his current state prevented him from doing anything. [You have defeated a Level 1 Ordinary Human, 10 gold coins gained.] Seeing the system message, Hazard felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Before him stood two women, one ten years old and the other about thirty-five, burning with fever. Hazard no longer had any regard for human life. Killing a fourteen-year-old child without any guilt came easily to him, as the hunger for power and self-interest led him down the path that was in line with his demonic nature. Once again, it didn''t take long before Hazard, with sharp, bony claws, stepped out of the hut and headed toward the altar. [Creature: Twenty-seven gold coins] The time had come to summon several undead to assist in the growth of this new Demon King. CHAPTER 03 The abandoned village, once lifeless due to the monstrous outbreak in the Forbidden Mountain between the Empire and Castlevania, had now stirred back to activity. At its center, where a grand altar stood, a skeleton draped in a tattered robe sat at the edge of the dark water basin, his hands submerged as he read the floating system messages visible only to him. The system had numerous capabilities, and within just five hours, he had grasped them all. His favorite feature was a chatroom with nearly a million online users. "Where is this place?""I fell from a building, and now I''ve turned into an orc.""This place is crawling with strange monsters! Can someone help me?""I''m so confused by what''s happening. Can anyone explain?""I was almost killed by a human! What''s going on here?""I killed a human in self-defense. Does that make me a murderer? I had no choice!""Uh¡­""Uh¡­" The flood of messages was overwhelming, but the information Hazard had gathered¡ªcombined with the system''s explanations¡ªconfirmed that five thousand worlds had each been assigned a million Demon Kings of various races. The chat function likely connected the Demon Kings within each world. Another feature that captivated Hazard was the trading and exchange system between Demon Kings. At the moment, the marketplace contained nothing but stone and wood at cheap prices. However, since these materials were readily available around him, he had no need to purchase them. Just then, he felt a faint tremor in the ground, causing him to rise and assume a defensive stance. As the vibration grew closer, he finally saw its source. The ruined village lay in a valley, and its only entrance was a narrow passage where a black wolf-like creature stood. It bore a striking resemblance to a dog, making it difficult for Hazard to determine its exact nature¡ªuntil the system came to his aid. [Elite Hellhound, Rank 2] Health: 50Strength: 25Agility: 40Mana (???): 5Stamina: 17Talent: Enhanced Sense of SmellSkills: Strong Claws (D), Powerful Jaws (D), Scouting (E), Wild Rage (E), Hunter''s Instinct (F) Terrifying. The creature resembled a wolf with short black fur, a grotesque face, and uneven fangs. It stood a meter tall and stretched three meters in length¡ªa formidable opponent for the current Hazard. [Status: Hazard] Final Race: Demon Arc Lich KingLevel: 1Health: 100Strength: 30Agility: 20Dark Mana: 350Stamina: -Talent:Undead Resurrection: Allows the resurrection of dead creatures using Dark Mana, proportional to the strength of the deceased. From a statistical standpoint, the Hellhound was far stronger than any undead unit he could summon. Its superior close-combat strength and agility sent a shiver through Hazard. Realizing the danger, he immediately summoned two demonic undead warriors. "Demonic Undead (Basic)" Level: 1 (Common)Health: 9Strength: 6Agility: 4Dark Mana: 0Stamina: -Cost: 5 Gold Coins Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Two white skeletons with small horns protruding from their skulls emerged from the altar, bowing before Hazard. However, he had no time for formalities and quickly summoned another undead. "Demonic Undead Swordsman" Level: 2 (Common)Health: 20Strength: 12Agility: 7Dark Mana: 0Stamina: -Skill: Swordsmanship (F)Cost: 15 Gold Coins As it materialized, the altar exuded a faint black aura. This undead resembled the others but had longer horns and wielded a half-meter-long rusty sword. Hazard glanced at his remaining gold¡ªonly two coins left¡ªbut there was no other choice. The Hellhound fixated on a pile of three bloody corpses, clearly drawn in by the scent of blood. However, it moved cautiously, sensing a threat from both Hazard and the altar. Realizing the creature''s intelligence, Hazard knew this wouldn''t be an easy battle. He couldn''t afford to abandon his loot, but his mind wasn''t that of a one-day-old undead¡ªhe still retained the memories of a forty-year-old human. Strategizing quickly, he stepped back toward the altar, ordering the two basic undead to drag the corpses farther away. The Hellhound hesitated at this unexpected move. Such offerings were typically given to Hellhound packs by intelligent creatures to prevent conflict. Reassured, the Hellhound cautiously approached the corpses and began dragging them away¡ªcompletely unaware of what was about to happen. Hazard felt it¡ªhis connection to the corpses was faint but present, growing stronger the closer they were. Now, with the prey in the Hellhound''s jaws, if he had a face, he would have been grinning wickedly. [15 Mana Consumed] The Hellhound growled, yanking the corpses¡ªonly to feel unexpected resistance. In the blink of an eye, the dead bodies moved, their motions defying the natural structure of their anatomy. They began gnawing at its limbs. A thunderous snarl erupted from the beast as it thrashed violently, tearing at the corpses. But the undead did not relent. Even with shattered jaws, they continued biting. Even with broken fingers, they dug into its flesh. For ten grueling seconds, the Hellhound fought off the undead clinging to its body¡ªonly to find itself in even greater peril. Hazard, having successfully resurrected the three corpses as basic zombies, lunged at the weakened beast, wrapping his skeletal legs around its throat and pounding its skull with his fists and elbows. The assault continued, choking and pummeling the Hellhound. With its prior wounds and the relentless blows, the creature''s health dwindled to a mere nine points. The final blow came when the demonic undead swordsman arrived, delivering a clean slash across its throat. [You have defeated Elite Hellhound, Rank 2. Reward: 87 Gold Coins] Gold! Gold! Gold! The sound of coins being added to his inventory filled Hazard with delight. His glowing eyes fixated on the Hellhound''s corpse as he reached toward it. [Resurrection failed. The selected target''s level is higher than the caster''s.] A painful notification that made Hazard scowl¡ªbut it was logical. If someone could resurrect legendary creatures at a low level, this ability would be completely broken. After a moment, he ordered the basic undead to carry the Hellhound''s corpse closer to the altar. As for the remains of the zombies? His plans grew more intriguing by the minute. Hours passed, and by the time Hazard finished his preparations, the entrance of the village¡ªnestled between the mountains¡ªhad become a deathtrap. The dismembered zombie corpses lay ten meters from the twenty-meter-wide passage. Two demonic undead archers stood in strategic positions, each guarded by a swordsman. Hazard grinned at his creation. The hours he spent scouting for the perfect base had paid off. This abandoned village wasn''t built here without reason. Glancing at his remaining fourteen gold coins, he let out a sigh¡ªif he could. A swordsman and two archers had drained his funds once again. The archers, similar in stature to the swordsmen, stood at 1.8 meters tall, with longer arms and thinner bones. Their crude wooden bows and low-quality arrows weren''t impressive, but they were certainly better than throwing rocks. Time flew, and though he felt no fatigue from lack of sleep, he marveled at the stars in the sky. A radiant celestial body, encircled by two glowing rings and three moons, illuminated the night. The game had only just begun. CHAPTER 04 Morning had arrived, marking the first full day that Hazard had spent in this world. So far, three more Hellhounds had entered¡ªfirst one, then two at the same time, which had resulted in the deaths of both Undead Swordsmen. However, the rewards of these battles were unquestionably worth it. As dawn broke, Hazard realized that the Demon Kings might also sleep at night, leading to fewer spam messages. With this in mind, he entered the chat to gather useful information. However, what truly shocked him was the number of online users: 870,432. Nearly 130,000 Demon Kings had perished. The sheer magnitude of this loss unsettled him, but his undead nature quickly quelled any fear. Now, his drive for survival pushed him to grow stronger and ensure his own safety. The chat was bustling with discussions, and the most critical topic was the Heroes. These were beings whose souls had been summoned into this world, taking control of various creatures. Most heroes possessed weak bodies, but a few had acquired powerful vessels. All of them had been discovered while confronting Demon Kings. According to the shared information, heroes had an uncanny ability to locate Demon Kings and an unwavering determination to battle them. The Demon Kings had now split into two factions: Those who had defeated heroes, absorbing their souls and enhancing their abilities.Those who had lost their shrines and were now little more than intelligent beasts. A third group also existed¡ªthe 130,000 who had already perished at the hands of powerful heroes. Hazard''s gaze grew heavier. The previous Hellhound attack had revealed a crucial truth: the number of these creatures was only going to increase. He glanced at his gold coins¡ª284 in total. A decent sum. The summoning would now begin. About twenty kilometers from Hazard''s shrine, underground tunnels stretched deep into the earth. Inside them, Hellhounds roamed, dragging their prey¡ªmostly humans¡ªinto the caverns. Among them moved a creature that walked upright with ease¡ªa werewolf clad in black leather armor, meticulously documenting the Hellhounds'' activities. Observing their numbers, the werewolf''s pupils narrowed. Hellhounds were the dominant hunters within a hundred kilometers¡ªnot because of sheer numbers, but because of their quality. The 256 Hellhounds in this den were rare and slow to reproduce. Every morning, all of them would return to their lairs. If any were missing, there was only one explanation: death. This signified the emergence of a stronger predator in the Forbidden Mountain Range, and it deeply troubled the werewolf, prompting a Rank 1 Lord-class combat unit to mobilize. Meanwhile, Hazard felt a sense of relief as he inspected the fortifications at the valley''s entrance. After summoning eight more archers and the remaining Undead foot soldiers, he was left with four gold coins. His army now consisted of ten demonic Undead warriors and ten demonic archers. Checking the chat again, he discovered that most people had already encountered Heroes, and new information had surfaced. Power rankings were categorized as: Common, Elite, Lord, Overlord, Warlord, and Mythic. Each tier was further divided into four or six sub-ranks¡ªexcept Mythic, whose subdivisions remained unknown. Reviewing this system, Hazard realized how unlucky he had been. From the very start, he had been attacked by Elite Rank 2 enemies. However, the rewards had been worthwhile, so he had no complaints. His gaze fell upon the three Hellhounds impaled with arrows. One had managed to get close to an archer, breaking the undead''s arm before being restrained. The other archers had swiftly finished it off, but the injured one perished in the process. The battle was swift, and another day passed. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. By morning, thirty Hellhound corpses lay by the shrine, and Hazard''s Undead army had significantly grown. Of the new recruits, twenty-six were from the previous day alone¡ªa clear indicator of the increasing intensity of future attacks. In total, he had amassed 2,340 gold coins. The newly appearing Hellhounds were visibly stronger and occasionally dropped slightly more gold. Learning from his past losses, he no longer intended to waste units. Instead, he summoned archers and positioned himself at the wooden and earthen fortress, acting as a tank. During one particularly intense assault by five simultaneous Hellhounds, Hazard had to personally engage, using his wooden shield to counter the only one that had evaded the rain of arrows. It was struck down in the second volley. Now, his archer army had grown to 80, alongside 46 standard Undead soldiers, who handled repairs, corpse retrieval, and defense on the walls with wooden shields. This morning, Hazard felt secure. His army had expanded considerably. When he spotted six Hellhounds from the Abyss, he felt like gold was raining from the sky. The reason Hellhounds kept increasing in number was simple¡ªtheir missing kin were never returning. If this pattern continued, their numbers would soon either multiply drastically or stop altogether. Hazard understood this behavior well, which is why he planned to use this flood of gold to summon Undead Swordsmen. As the battle commenced, the six Hellhounds charged in a frenzied rage. But Hazard wasn''t idle. To prevent them from fleeing, he impaled one Hellhound on a tall wooden spike behind the fortress. The stake had entered through the lower body and exited through the mouth. Hazard found the scene unsettling, but he could only imagine what it meant for the other Hellhounds. After the battle, Hazard returned to the shrine and summoned 36 Undead Hellblade Swordsmen. But then¡ªa commotion erupted from the fortress, 300 meters away. Without hesitation, Hazard ordered the swordsmen to follow him and rushed toward the site. Arriving within forty seconds, he was met with an unpleasant sight. Nearly 30 archers had been annihilated, along with 18 standard Undead. And the culprit was still present. A three-meter-tall, pitch-black figure stood in black leather armor, its long, razor-sharp claws gleaming. Hazard instinctively shuddered. [Zhigu, the Black Werewolf ¨C Rank 1 Lord] Zhigu''s stats were nearly double those of a Hellhound, and its agility allowed it to dodge many arrows. The sight of his fallen troops banished Hazard''s fear, replacing it with pure rage. He quickly grabbed a bow, nocked an arrow, and took aim. Unlike skeletal archers¡ªwho only fired at stationary targets¡ªHazard could predict his enemy''s movements. As the werewolf killed another archer and lunged at the next, Hazard released his shot. His body, now far from human, had grown six times stronger and more precise. The arrow pierced Zhigu''s back, drawing a deafening howl. But Hazard recognized the sound. This was not pain¡ªit was a call. He quickly drew another arrow, but this time, Zhigu didn''t repeat its mistake. Grabbing a wooden shield, it charged at Hazard. Now, it was a battle of skill. Hazard''s weapons?Two rusted iron swords¡ªthe remains of fallen Undead Swordsmen. Zhigu''s first claw strike sent Hazard flying even though he blocked it. After tumbling across the ground, he checked his system. Half his HP was gone. Meanwhile, Zhigu still had 140 out of 200 HP. The difference in strength was overwhelming. Just as the werewolf prepared to lunge, ten arrows struck it, slowing its movement. Not all the archers were dead. With renewed determination, Hazard retreated toward the shrine, feeling the tremors of approaching reinforcements. Zhigu tried to block the arrows with wooden shields, but it was already wounded. Then¡ª36 Undead Swordsmen swarmed him like a tidal wave, ripping him apart. [You have slain Zhigu, the Black Werewolf ¨C Rank 1 Lord. Reward: 9,000 gold coins.] Hazard''s mouth hung open. This wasn''t just gold¡ªthis was a dream come true. And now, he was certain. He could survive the next assault. CHAPTER 05 Immediately at the altar, Hazard summoned three hundred archers and set out toward the fortress. The available forces consisted of 18 ordinary demonic undead, 35 demonic undead swordsmen, and 342 demonic undead archers. Only five minutes had passed, and after clearing the battlefield, a massive wave of hellhounds descended upon the fortress. The battle was intense, with arrows raining down, and the swordsmen using wooden shields effectively as tanks, preventing the enemy from advancing. This allowed the archers to easily eliminate large numbers of hellhounds with each wave of arrows. By the end of the demonic hound assault, the remaining forces were: 2 demonic undead swordsmen15 ordinary demonic undead336 demonic undead archers The swordsmen unit had been almost entirely wiped out, but the victory was undoubtedly worthwhile. The bodies of the slain hellhounds piled up, forming a spiked wall filled with arrows. After some time, the arrows were retrieved, replenishing the archers'' supplies, and the gathered corpses totaled 167 hellhounds¡ªa significant number. The strategic positioning and effective use of terrain had proved invaluable. For a moment, Sun Tzu''s name crossed Hazard''s mind as he placed his hands on his hips. "He would surely be proud of me." Meanwhile, elsewhere in a different realm, a mysterious being observed humanity''s battles against apocalyptic scenarios, casually scratching his ear with his little finger while rewarding his chosen representative with a coin. Night had fallen, but the situation in the Forbidden Mountain''s southern section¡ªcontrolled by the hellhounds¡ªwas unlike any other night. A massive, organized attack by an army of demonic undead was underway. An additional 233 archers and 469 swordsmen had joined the ranks, and under Hazard''s leadership, the army advanced. Some hellhounds had already retreated, leaving a trail of blood. Hazard, protected at the heart of the army, quickly pushed into the hellhound territory, overwhelming them with sheer numbers. Soon, he found himself standing before a cave that descended into the earth. Stolen novel; please report. [Hellhound Lair - Lord Rank 2 Threat - Exploration Value: Medium to High]This was once a mine used by Castlevania 400 years ago. After losing the Great War, many of Vlad and Mordred''s monstrous followers scattered across the mountains, and a group of hellhounds managed to settle in this Fire Gem Mine. Hazard pondered his next move. Entering the mine would mean losing the advantage of numbers. However, he recalled a strategy to smoke the rats out of their hole. Leaving a few swordsmen at the entrance while the archers aimed at the cave''s mouth, Hazard and his warriors searched the mountain for alternative exits¡ªfinding none. This mine had only one way in and out, which was perfect. He had already ordered the collection of wood and flammable materials. Striking an old sword against a suitable stone, he created fire and set it at the cave entrance. Thick smoke quickly filled the mine, though some of it escaped. Within minutes, another wave of hellhounds¡ªabout fifty¡ªemerged, only to be swiftly slaughtered. While they could survive in extreme heat and withstand fire, they still needed to breathe. As the mine became engulfed in smoke, suffocation forced them out¡ªstraight into the army''s deadly embrace. Hazard was pleased, but it wasn''t over yet. A new figure emerged from the darkness. [Greater Hellhound - Lord Rank 2]During the war, the Hellhound King, Cerberus, had commanders of varying ranks, including ten-thousand-leaders, thousand-leaders, and more. This Greater Hellhound was a thousand-leader, exiled along with its remaining forces, and had lived in Castlevania''s Fire Gem Mine ever since. Hazard acknowledged the danger but remained unfazed. Under the barrage of three hundred arrows, the beast took a defensive stance. Its tough hide made it a true tank, prioritizing endurance over agility¡ªunlike werewolves. Yet, Hazard knew its weaknesses: eyes, abdomen, lower flanks, hamstrings, and Achilles'' heel. Three volleys of arrows struck true, bringing the massive creature to its knees. Standing before the beast, Hazard gazed into its arrow-pierced eyes, raised his sword, and plunged it into its right eye, finishing the job. [You have defeated the Greater Hellhound - Lord Rank 2! Reward: 15,000 gold][You have cleared the Hellhound Lair - Lord Rank 2 Threat][A Shining Silver Treasure Chest has been obtained!] Satisfied with the rewards, Hazard entered the mine. Before becoming a hellhound lair, this was a Fire Gem Mine, making it a place worth exploring. Navigating its winding paths, he discovered several one-inch red gemstones but nothing else of value. Gathering the hellhound corpses, Hazard and his army returned to the altar, seeking the security of a safe place¡ªready to open the Silver Treasure Chest. CHAPTER 06 [Shining Silver Treasure Chest][200,000 Gold Coins, Level 2 Hellhound Camp Blueprint, Level 2 Flaming Eye Tower Blueprint, 200 Fire Gems] The number of coins was high, along with several interesting items whose functions Hazard had roughly seen in previous chats. Hazard glanced around the altar''s surroundings. It was small and encircled by steep mountains. He then decided to build the Flaming Eye Tower near the fortress and place the camp in front of the mine. The cost of both was extremely high, but he could afford it. Behind the fortress, in the safe zone, a black tower with a height of fifty meters emerged, with a single flaming eye at its center. The construction cost was 80,000 gold coins, 1,000 stones (which had already been gathered by skeletons based on information from other Demon Kings), and 120 fire gems. Its functionality was as follows: [Flaming Eye Tower: Ability to detect living and moving beings within a 10-kilometer radius. Can instill fear in targets below the Lord''s level.] The Hellhound Camp could wait for later. The more pressing matter was the extraction of fire gems. Within a day, 300 ordinary undead were summoned, costing 1,500 gold. Two hundred of them were assigned to mining, while the rest, along with previously summoned undead, worked on construction around the fortress and altar. The number of combat forces also increased, adding 3,000 archers and 700 swordsmen, bringing the total forces to: 315 Ordinary Demon Undead1,171 Demon Undead Swordsmen3,569 Demon Undead Archers After deducting 9,000 gold coins for tools required for mining red fire gems (each worth between 1,000 to 2,000 gold in the market), 30,000 gold remained. Hazard wasn''t idle either. He increased his patrol squads, each consisting of ten archers and five swordsmen, with at least fifty squads spread across the surrounding areas. Additionally, he began constructing stone walls atop the cliffs around the altar to secure high ground for defensive purposes. Despite these favorable conditions, something still troubled him¡ªmany other Demon Kings had already upgraded themselves, with some even reaching the third level. Meanwhile, he remained stuck at the first level due to not encountering any heroes. Even those Demon Kings on the verge of death were unwilling to sell the hero souls they had acquired. While sorting through the carcasses of hellhounds, system messages appeared, reporting the death of a patrol unit. The fact that the entire patrol had been wiped out so quickly alarmed Hazard, prompting him to issue a mental command for all undead to retreat. His undead forces had several advantages over other races: Endless staminaLow costNo need for sleep or foodAbsolute obedience This saved him a fortune, as food expenses had bankrupted half of the Demon Kings¡ªespecially those belonging to gluttonous races without hunting grounds nearby. After issuing the retreat command, there were no further casualties, but the Flaming Eye Tower reacted toward the north, signaling the presence of hostile entities. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Realizing their location, Hazard rose from his bone throne and gathered his forces to investigate these enemies. Of course, if he mobilized thousands, no one would believe it was merely an investigation. To the north of the altar, 10 kilometers away, a group of ten young individuals¡ªeight boys and two girls¡ªdressed in simple peasant clothing, marched forward. Some carried swords, others bows. Their leader, a 17-year-old boy named Alfred, wielded a staff adorned with several leaves at its tip as he led them up the mountain. "Alfred, this is the Forbidden Mountain! If a Demon King has survived here, he must be strong!" The small-framed archer girl, standing close to Alfred, grabbed his arm and spoke with concern. "I know, but we need to defeat them to grow stronger. Besides, they were reincarnated into this world just like us¡ªbut unlike us, they had to start from scratch, while we already have trained bodies." "But you''re only a Level 2 Druid, and Kashan is just a Level 2 Swordsman. The rest of us are still Level 1. If that Demon King has reached Level 2, there''s no way we can defeat him¡ªespecially if he has a strong race. Not every Demon King reincarnates as a slime or a goblin. Those two we killed before were weak. This one feels different. That fear I felt earlier worries me." Alfred listened to her concerns, then glanced at the others. They were all heroes reincarnated into the bodies of villagers from the southern border of the empire. Together, they had already defeated two Demon Kings and were now hunting their third target. However, his team''s morale was no longer as high as before. They feared this particular Demon King. Before reincarnation, Alfred had been the leader of a delinquent gang in his school district. Now, he faced three choices: Retreat to the village.Boost team morale.Eliminate Suya, the dissenting girl, to instill fear and ensure obedience. "The undead patrol we fought earlier was weak. Their king must be weak too¡ªjust like the last two. I''ll immobilize him with Vine Magic, and Kashan will strike him down. This time, since Kashan and I are Level 2, someone else should land the final blow to level up. Whoever contributes the most will get that chance!" Alfred smirked, manipulating his team''s morale by dangling the promise of a level-up while ensuring disobedience would be punished. Suya could only clench her bow in frustration. She joined Tessa, the other girl in the group, since they both had to play the role of archers according to Alfred''s plan. "Everything is going fine, Suya. No need to worry. Alfred is strong and makes good decisions. Besides, thanks to his father, he''s the future village chief." Suya bit her lip but remained silent. However, at that moment, a large number of undead soldiers emerged¡ªhorned, wielding wooden shields and swords. Hundreds of archers followed, quickly forming a surrounding circle. Suya was in complete shock, as were Alfred and the rest of the team. A force of 100 swordsmen and 300 archers had them completely surrounded. Unlike the previous undead patrol they encountered, these undead had approached in complete silence. "Archers in the center! Swordsmen, raise your shields!" Alfred quickly gathered in the middle with the two girls, while the others assumed a defensive turtle formation. "Suya, Tessa¡ªkeep your eyes open! Look for an undead that stands out! Once we find it, we''ll attack! Boys, don''t let us get hit before that! Kashan, same plan as before¡ªI hold it, you cut its head off!" Kashan, a boy with curly hair and brown eyes, tightly gripped his massive two-handed sword and nodded. However, after five minutes, no arrows were fired, and no unique undead appeared. "Why aren''t they attacking? Are they scared?" Alfred was confused. The archers were only 100 meters away, perfectly surrounding them. "We''ll slowly back away and escape the encircle¡ª" Before he could finish, a loud noise erupted¡ªa synchronized march of countless skeletal joints scraping against each other, the impact of a thousand hard objects hitting the ground, the sound of countless arrows being drawn. "They''re coming?" Alfred shut his eyes and focused, using a skill he had acquired from defeating the Slime Demon King¡ªMagic Sensitivity. He detected a dark, magical presence nearby and turned toward it. Atop a mountain peak stood an undead figure, taller than the rest, with massive horns and draped in a thick, black beast-hide cloak that radiated intense magical energy. "That''s him?" Alfred felt uneasy, realizing this one was different. Before he could react, the undead tightened their formation, and hundreds more emerged, completely sealing their escape. Their fate was sealed. CHAPTER 07 Beside the altar, Hazard began converting the spirits of heroes into system points. [Heroic Spirit Level 1 absorbed by the altar ¨C 3 points gained][Heroic Spirit Level 1 absorbed by the altar ¨C 4 points gained][Heroic Spirit Level 1 absorbed by the altar ¨C 3 points gained][Heroic Spirit ¡­][Heroic Spirit Level 2 absorbed by the altar ¨C 21 points gained][Heroic Spirit Level 2 absorbed by the altar ¨C 25 points gained] Hazard then glanced at his status window. He had previously absorbed the Mana Sensitivity skill stone, allowing him to detect mana radiation within a 200-meter radius with ease. Name: Hazard Final Race: Demonic Archlich King Level: 1 Health: 100 Strength: 30 Agility: 20 Mana (Miasma): 350 Endurance: - Points Available: 72 Talents: Undead Resurrection:Can enslave dead creatures by consuming dark mana proportional to their level. Negative Energy Orb (Inactive):Releases a dark energy orb using 10 dark mana, dealing 30 damage. It may also cause confusion and paralysis depending on the opponent''s level and willpower. Activation Cost: 10 PointsCorpse Explosion (Inactive):Selected corpses within a 100-meter range can be detonated. Activation Cost: 10 Points Skills: Mana Sensitivity ¨C Rank D Ability to perceive mana radiation within a 200-meter radius. The cost of evolution required activating all skills, and Hazard had the necessary points. As he confirmed the evolution, a wave of heat surged through his entire being. Minutes passed, and as the dark aura surrounding him dissipated, he examined his new stats. His appearance had slightly changed¡ªhis bones had darkened, golden blood-like veins had formed on them, his horns had grown longer, and his height had increased to 2.2 meters. Name: Hazard Final Race: Demonic Archlich King Level: 2 Health: 200 If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Strength: 60 Agility: 40 Mana (Dark): 700 Endurance: - Points Available: 52 Talents: Undead Resurrection ¨C Same as before. Negative Energy Orb ¨C Now active. Corpse Explosion ¨C Now active. Summon Death Scythe (Inactive):A weapon imbued with dark mana, inflicting powerful cursed wounds. Any living being struck by the scythe will, upon death, become the caster''s slave if the curse remains active.Consumes 50 dark mana per minute.Activation Cost: 100 PointsSummon Vengeful Spirits (Inactive):These spirits can attack both physically and spiritually. Upon death, they explode, dealing significant damage to living beings.Activation Cost: 100 Points (Consumes 20 dark mana per spirit summoned) Archlich King''s Second Form (Inactive):Doubles all abilities for 10 minutes. Cooldown: 6 hours. Activation Cost: 100 Points Skills: Mana Sensitivity ¨C Rank D His stats had doubled, marking a significant advancement. Additionally, the altar had grown larger, unlocking new features. Available Units for Summoning: Undead Elite Demon Swordsman Level: Elite Level 1 Health: 60 Strength: 45 Agility: 20 Mana (Dark): 10 Skills: Swordsmanship (Rank E), Protection Shield (Rank E), Charge (Rank E) Cost: 200 Gold Coins Undead Elite Demon Archer Level: Elite Level 1 Health: 45 Strength: 25 Agility: 60 Mana (Dark): 20 Skills: Accuracy (Rank E), Cursed Shot (Rank E), Speed Boost (Rank E) Cost: 300 Gold Coins Undead Demon Mage Level: Elite Level 2 Health: 50 Strength: 30 Agility: 25 Mana (Miasma): 150 Skills: Negative Energy Orb (Rank E), Undead Resurrection (Rank E), Negative Energy Shield (Rank E) Cost: 500 Gold Coins Hazard''s head spun upon seeing the costs, but he noticed an upgrade option for the archers and swordsmen he had already summoned. Upgrading them required the same amount of gold but did not add more mouths to feed¡ªthough that was irrelevant to him since his soldiers required no sustenance. Checking his resources, he saw that he had 30,850 gold coins. He could afford to summon new forces, and that was exactly what he intended to do. He began summoning undead mages. After spending 10,000 gold coins, 20 figures in black, glossy robes emerged from the altar. Their skeletal faces were barely visible under their hoods, and their long horns pressed against their head coverings as they bowed. [We bow before the King of Death!] Hazard was startled¡ªnot by their feminine voices, but by the fact that they were communicating telepathically. [Troops under my comm¡ª] Mid-sentence, he remembered their abilities and the pile of Hellhound corpses stacked in the fortress. [Enslave the corpses. Return to me when you''re done.] [Your wish is our command!] The 20 mages rose and moved toward the corpses while Hazard prepared for the next summoning. Minutes later, 50 elite swordsmen and 30 elite archers materialized. The main differences between them and their weaker versions were their increased height, better weapons, the addition of iron shields for the swordsmen, steel daggers for the archers, and high-quality iron armor for both. Hazard then checked his remaining gold¡ª1,450 coins. A wave of sorrow washed over him at his sudden poverty. However, he quickly turned his gaze toward something far more rewarding¡ªthe newly risen Hellhound undead troops. These 257 Hellhounds, each originally Elite Level 2 in life, had been revived as Elite Level 1 units. This meant he had just gained an army worth 51,400 gold coins for free. Hazard composed himself and commanded the mages to oversee the fortress and mine. Meanwhile, he and his newly mounted forces, riding atop demonic hounds, began venturing beyond the 10-kilometer radius surrounding the stronghold. CHAPTER 08 In the capital of the empire, within the grand royal hall of central Camelot, armored knights stood guard while white-robed priests chanted the sacred teachings of the church. At the center of the hall sat a round table, surrounded by ten individuals. Duke Bedivere, the swiftest warrior of the empire and commander of its most powerful military force, was blessed by the Lady of the Lake. He was the victor and husband of Olwen, the daughter of the giant king Ysbadadden, and the wielder of the legendary magic spear, the Wall-Piercer. Clad in a full suit of armor with a flowing blue cape, he sat with a noble presence. At fifty years old, he had lost none of the beauty of his youth. To his left was Duke Percival, the Mountain-Splitter, donning full plate armor with a golden cape. At forty-five, he still bore the handsome features of his youth. Beside him sat Duke Galahad, the Perfect Knight, the Banishment of Demons, and the Healer of the People. Blessed by the heavens, he wore gleaming white armor adorned with a red cross. To Bedivere''s right sat Duke Gawain, known as the Knight of Maidens, the Elite of the Round Table, and the Guardian of the Empire, clad in full armor and a black cape. Beside him, Duke Gareth, the Knight of Wisdom and Insight, more talented in magic than swordsmanship, wore a crimson cape over his polished armor. Further to the right sat Archduke Lancelot, the Unrivaled Knight, the Undefeated Warrior, the Eloquent Speaker, and the Knight of Love. Draped in a sky-blue cape, he exuded an aura of elegance. The last to sit at the table, shining in pure golden mithril armor, was none other than King Arthur¡ªthe Warrior King, the Mad Bear, the Unifier of the Empire, and the Final Word. Opposite Arthur, the seat of an old man named Merlin remained empty, his absence weighing heavily upon the meeting. Arthur, after surveying those present, turned his gaze to the noble knights standing around the hall. Among them were Duke Lionel, Duke Tristan, Duke Brunor, Duke Bleoberis, Duke Lacot, Duke Kay, Duke Elyan, Duke Lebel, Duke Degonet, Duke Bruce, Duke Safir, Duke Ector, Duke Lucan, and Duke Palamedes. Though they were powerful in their own right, they lacked the influence or responsibilities required to earn a seat at the Round Table. As Arthur''s gaze fell upon them, they bowed their heads in deference. Despite the absence of war, every man in the room was clad in full armor, armed and ready. It was an ironclad rule of the Round Table¡ªany knight attending must always be prepared for battle, never fearing the fight against evil. As the meeting began, Arthur''s eyes flickered from Lancelot to Merlin''s empty seat. "Merlin has been absent for too long," Arthur declared. "Deliver my message to him: if he refuses to attend, I will appoint another sorcerer as the King''s Mage in his place." Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Bedivere spoke next. "At a time when Mordred''s mercenary army advances, and now that he has allied with Vlad the Impaler and taken control of the Dark Dragon Tribe, Merlin has deprived us of his knowledge to face them. I suggest mobilizing his apprentices in Camelot to find him rather than dismissing him outright." Duke Gareth slammed his iron gauntlet onto the table. "Merlin is the King''s Mage. We cannot exile someone of such power over a few mistakes. The old man will surely return in a few days." "Vlad, Mordred, or even the King of the Dark Dragons¡ªit matters not. My blade will cleave them in half!" Percival declared. "The greater crisis is the sudden appearance of countless monsters, some of which belong to unknown races. We must find a solution." "Percival is right," another duke added. "In my lands, thousands of strange creatures have emerged, bringing chaos." Duke Gawain stood. "I call upon all those who have faced a similar crisis in their regions to report it now, so we may coordinate our response." "The death toll is rising," Galahad said gravely. "The church struggles to heal the wounded and cleanse dark curses. The financial burden on the people and the church has become unbearable." Arthur raised his hand, calling for silence. "Galahad, summon the Pope to attend our council. Unlike Merlin, his presence is voluntary, but inform him that his presence is required. As for financial losses, taxes will be suspended for two months." His gaze returned to Lancelot, who averted his eyes. Arthur rose from his seat, stepping toward him and resting a firm hand on his shoulder. "Regarding the mysterious creatures, Lancelot, you will take command of the northern front and cleanse our lands of Dietrich''s forces. The rest of you will secure your own territories. Percival and Bedivere shall oversee the southern front, while the others will reinforce their armies. If there are any objections, speak now¡ªincluding you, Lancelot, for you will be facing Dietrich''s sorcerers and Valkyries." Lancelot let out a quiet but audible sigh before rising. "Obedience to the king is my duty. I will carry it out to the best of my ability." Without another word, Lancelot left the hall. His son, Galahad, unaware of the tension between him and Arthur, followed soon after. The rest of the knights began to disperse. As Bedivere approached Arthur, he leaned in close and snapped his fingers to create a soundproof barrier. "Few know of the Queen''s betrayal, but if your anger toward Lancelot erupts, it will ignite a civil war. I implore you¡ªtreat Lady Guinevere with kindness and do not exile her from Camelot. Our intelligence reports suggest that Mordred seeks to capture her. If that happens, the morale of our people will shatter." Arthur''s veins bulged, his face turning red with fury. A single strike from his hand could easily kill a lord. Minutes passed before Arthur placed a hand on Bedivere''s neck, pressing their foreheads together. "Never leave my side, Bedivere," Arthur murmured. "If Excalibur is drawn, it will not return to its sheath until millions have perished. This sword is not a blessing¡ªit is a curse, driving me closer to madness each day. The Lady of the Lake, that wretched mother of Lancelot, has damned me. Tell Gawain to strengthen the Imperial Guard, for even my trust in the Round Table has waned. As for Guinevere, she is your responsibility. I cannot bear to look at her for now¡ªlock her in the high tower until this crisis has passed. After that, her fate will be decided." Bedivere bowed deeply before departing, leaving Arthur alone in the grand hall. When the doors reopened, the servants hesitated at the sight of him. Not daring to enter before he left, they waited. Arthur''s eyes, once void of life, slowly regained their fire. "This old man is too short-tempered," he muttered to himself. CHAPTER 09 Two days had passed, and during these two days, Hazard had put in all his effort to search the surroundings. As a result, he managed to locate two Hellhound nests. Through these efforts, he acquired 700,000 gold coins, a level 1 Fire Castle blueprint, a level 2 Fire Wall blueprint, a level 2 Building Upgrade blueprint, a level 3 Fire Furnace blueprint, and 500 Fire Gems from all the treasure chests and by slaying the hellhounds. This made Hazard even more eager to continue hunting the hellhounds. Among these demonic dogs, there was also a level 2 hero spirit. But there was another kind of loot as well: the corpses of two large hellhounds and 500 smaller ones, with the 500 hellhounds being added to Hazard''s army. After that, Hazard returned to the shrine and started building. The Fire Castle seemed beneficial to him, and though he had plenty of Fire Gems, he didn''t particularly enjoy fire due to his undead nature. So, he decided to put the Fire Castle up for trade. A demonic entity named "Terror," an Archdemon of Fire, exchanged it with him for a Dark Castle blueprint. Hazard was satisfied with the trade and proposed exchanging gems, which Terror accepted. During their chat, they realized that Hazard''s region had an abundance of fire-elemental dungeons, while Terror''s region had dark and undead dungeons. This led them to establish an equal business relationship. Since Hazard lacked a suitable manager for the Fire Furnace, he traded the Fire Furnace blueprint to Terror in exchange for a level 2 Building Upgrade blueprint. He also exchanged the level 2 Fire Wall for 4 level 1 Ghost Towers and all of his Fire Gems in return for Death Gems. Through their exchanges, Hazard learned that Terror was a level 3 Demon King on the verge of reaching level 4¡ªa well-known and talented figure among the Demon Kings. Hazard looked at his own level 2 power and realized that if he could encounter more heroes, he might be able to surpass the average Demon King level. The Expansion of Hazard''s Stronghold Another day passed quickly. Hazard''s shrine was now almost invisible, hidden within the darkness. A 200-meter-tall Dark Castle surrounded by black flames now stood in its place. On the surrounding mountains, four towering 50-meter-tall Ghost Towers had been constructed. A few kilometers away, in front of a mine where ordinary demonic undead were extracting Fire Gems, Undead Sorcerers were issuing orders. Meanwhile, Hazard had just completed the construction of the Hellhound Camp and immediately upgraded it. He now reviewed the list of units available for recruitment: [Hellcat - Rank 2] Health: 20 Strength: 15 Agility: 35 Mana (Demonic): 5 Stamina: 15 Talent: Strong Leap The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Skills: Strong Claw (E), Wild Rage (E), Hunter''s Instinct (F) Cost: 100 Gold [Great Hellcat - Elite Rank 1] Health: 35 Strength: 20 Agility: 40 Mana (Demonic): 5 Stamina: 20 Talents: Strong Leap, Night Vision Skills: Strong Claw (D), Wild Rage (D), Hunter''s Instinct (F), Beastly Roar (F) Cost: 300 Gold [Hellhound - Elite Rank 2] Health: 50 Strength: 25 Agility: 40 Mana (Demonic): 5 Stamina: 17 Talent: Enhanced Sense of Smell Skills: Strong Claw (D), Powerful Jaws (D), Scouting (E), Wild Rage (E), Hunter''s Instinct (F) Cost: 500 Gold [Greater Hellhound - Lord Rank 2] Health: 600 Strength: 350 Agility: 80 Mana (Demonic): 200 Stamina: 450 Talents: Enhanced Sense of Smell, Leadership, Battle Roar, Hardened SkinSkills: Fire Claw (B), Strong Claw (B), Powerful Jaws (B), Scouting (C), Wild Rage (D), Hunter''s Instinct (D) Cost: 20,000 Gold Hazard''s gaze was heavy as he looked at his remaining gold. The construction of the Hellhound Camp and its upgrade, along with the Ghost Towers, the castle, and its enhancements, had drained almost all his resources. His initial 700,000 gold had been reduced to 180,000, out of which 150,000 had been spent on summoning 500 elite archers. Now, he had only 30,000 gold left. After some thought, the Hellhound Camp began to tremble, and a colossal beast emerged¡ªa 4-meter-tall, 12-meter-long Hellhound. The strongest member of Hazard''s army so far. Mounting his new giant Hellhound, Hazard set off toward his shrine. Unexpected Encounter - The Imperial Knights On his way back, however, the Flame Tower sent out an alert, enraging Hazard. He had lost contact with three patrol squads, and the only possible explanation was that someone had bypassed his magical barriers. With that, Hazard issued an order to his 500 elite mounted archers, who had learned Rank F Riding Skills within the past day, and headed toward the location revealed by the flaming eyes. Meanwhile, 10 kilometers away, a group of 50 armored warriors, led by a man in white armor, were discussing. "Commander, do we really have to risk our lives searching for a few reckless brats?""Yes.""But sir, this is the Forbidden Mountain! We have no obligation to intervene!""The village chief''s son was part of the missing group, and his daughter is married to a noble. That noble is refusing to pay his taxes until the Empire fulfills its duty to protect civilians or at least recovers the bodies of the villagers.""What rank is this noble? How much power does he really have?""He''s a minor Baron¡­ but he once fought alongside the Grand Duke Percival." At this, the captain''s expression darkened.A Grand Duke was one of the highest-ranking nobles, just below royalty. "Then I guess we have no choice¡­""Exactly. I don''t want to be here either, especially with my daughter''s wedding coming up. But this region is full of rogue hellhounds from Vlad''s army. We might all die here." Just as the captain was about to speak again, the ground began to tremble. "Shields up!" A rain of 300 arrows descended upon them. The Battle Begins One by one, notifications appeared: [You have slain an Elite Rank 1 Human Knight. +60 Gold][You have slain an Elite Rank 2 Human Knight. +90 Gold][You have slain Commander Alex, a Lord Rank 1 Knight. +10,000 Gold] Within moments, Hazard''s forces had wiped out the Imperial knights. Now, his attention turned toward a Level 3 Hero Spirit that had been hiding among them. Without hesitation, Hazard returned to his shrine, ready to claim his next powerful addition to his army. CHAPTER 10 In front of the altar, a soul was freed from Hazard and took its place within the altar. [Level 3 Hero''s Soul absorbed by the altar. 124 points gained.] Name: Hazard Final Race: Demon Archlich King Level: 2 Life: 200 Strength: 60 Agility: 40 Mana (Miasma): 700 Endurance: - Available Points: 203 Abilities: Undead Resurrection:Can raise dead beings into servitude by consuming dark mana proportional to their level. Negative Energy Bullet:Consumes 10 dark mana to fire a bullet of dark energy, dealing 30 damage. (Can also cause confusion and paralysis depending on the enemy''s level and willpower.) Corpse Explosion:Activates selected corpses within a 100-meter radius to explode. Summon Death Scythe (Inactive):A weapon imbued with dark mana that inflicts venomous wounds and a powerful curse. Any living being wounded by the scythe, if still affected by its curse (including bleeding and tenfold pain) upon death, will become a slave to the caster.Consumes 50 dark mana per minute.(Activation cost: 100 points.) Summon Vengeful Spirits (Inactive):Spirits that can physically harm enemies and explode upon death, dealing significant damage to living beings.Consumes 20 dark mana per spirit.(Activation cost: 100 points.) Demon Archlich King''s Second Form (Inactive):Doubles all abilities.Duration: 10 minutes, cooldown: 6 hours.(Activation cost: 100 points.) Skills: Mana Sensitivity (Rank D):Can perceive mana radiation within a 200-meter radius. After reviewing his available points, Hazard activated the Vengeful Spirits skill and Second Form but hesitated to activate the Death Scythe, believing he wouldn''t need it in close combat. Instead, he preferred to rely on Negative Energy Bullets and Vengeful Spirits to defeat his enemies from a distance while enjoying the sight of accumulating gold. Then, he checked his army list: 300 standard demonic undead3,500 demonic undead archers1,150 demonic undead swordsmen50 elite swordsmen530 elite archers20 demonic undead sorcerers1 giant hellhound257 undead hellhoundsGold balance: 24,290 coins Hazard now felt powerful, eager to claim another soul to increase his level. Meanwhile, he continued trading fire gems for death gems, earning about 30 fire gems per day from the mine. Each noon, he made the trade in secrecy, knowing that both he and his undead found the presence of death gems soothing. He suspected that Terror also had a similar attachment to his own gems. Now possessing 300 death gems, Hazard lay on top of them, enjoying the moment. But then, he discovered a soul trading section in his exchanges. Within it, people were actively buying and selling hero souls at outrageous prices: Stolen story; please report. Level 1 souls: 2,000 gold coinsLevel 2 souls: 20,000 gold coinsLevel 3 souls: 100,000 gold coins Undoubtedly, the sellers were devils. But Hazard felt he could afford such costs. He began deploying his cavalry, searching for another dungeon, yet even after a full day, he found nothing. His gaze repeatedly returned to the direction the knights had come from. Allowing his giant hellhound to feast on the flesh of its fallen kin¡ªcorpses that he could not yet resurrect¡ªHazard took 500 elite mounted archers and his guards and set off toward the knights'' origin point. Southern Empire Border ¨C Village of Herin At dusk, the villagers gathered at the town center, anxious for their missing teenagers¡ªyoung heirs who were meant to aid in their work and bring future generations. The village chief, a 60-year-old man with blonde hair and blue eyes, attempted to calm the worried parents. "Sir Alex and a team of fifty elite knights left two days ago to find our children. Stay calm and pray to God that they return safely." "But the knights left their horses behind! We can use their horses and follow them!" "Yeah, let''s go!" The chief sighed, wondering if the villagers had brains filled with crops instead of sense. He slammed his wooden staff against the ground. "Horses panic in the Forbidden Mountains due to the breath of hellhounds. Only trained warhorses can remain calm there. If regular horses were viable, the knights would have ridden them!" Still, the villagers murmured in distress. "But¡­ our children¡­!" "We have to do something!" Ignoring their pleas, the village chief returned to his home. He sat before a painting of his late wife, whispering: "If only you were alive, Alfred wouldn''t have turned into such a reckless boy." Meanwhile, Hazard stood atop a green hill, looking down at the village below. He then gazed at the sky. [Not yet.] Midnight ¨C Village of Herin The sky was dark, and the villagers were asleep, except for three teenage girls gathered outside. Each had Rank 1 normal power. "We should''ve gone with Alfred to help!" "Yeah, so we could get lost too?" "That place is insanely dangerous! We warned them, but they didn''t listen. This is what happens." "But Kashan and Alfred are strong. They''ll defend everyone." "Even elite knights fear the Forbidden Mountains. What can newly promoted Rank 2s do?" "Sir Kenyu was with the search team. He''ll probably track the Demon King and find them." As they chatted, a rustling sound came from a nearby bush. They turned toward it¡ªonly to see nothing but the midnight breeze. "Guys¡­ I''m scared. Let''s go home." "We''re in Imperial territory. Nothing will happen to us." "Still, let''s go just in case." "Hmm¡­ fine." Hazard observed them from afar, watching as they unknowingly walked away from his elite undead archers. He then ordered his forces to advance, his mana scanning all villagers. Total villagers: 280 4 elite Rank 1 individuals1 elite Rank 3 individual Raising his hands, Hazard summoned vengeful spirits. From his body, 30 black wraiths emerged, moaning with agony as they spread toward the village. Village Chief Kamel''s House Unable to sleep, Kamel thought about his missing son when he heard unusual noises. Peering out the window, his blood ran cold¡ªtall, shadowy wraiths with razor-sharp claws and fangs were entering homes. Screams erupted. Panicked, Kamel rushed for his druidic staff¡ªbut it was missing. A chill ran down his spine. Had someone taken it? With his last reserves of mana, he cast a protective spell¡ªa five-meter-tall dandelion-like flower grew from the ground, releasing explosive white spores that hunted and destroyed spirits on contact. Relief flooded him¡­ until five black energy bullets struck his guardian flower. Then, a massive hellhound emerged, ripping the weakened flower from its roots and tearing it apart. Kamel knew it was over. Turning, he saw the source of the dark energy¡ªa horned undead in black robes and a fur-lined cape, standing on the wind. The giant hellhound grabbed Kamel, carrying him to the undead king¡ªHazard. As Kamel was thrown before him, he saw his people being slaughtered under the moonlight. Hazard placed a cold, skeletal hand on Kamel''s head. Kamel tried to resist, gathering his last scraps of mana¡ªbut Hazard gave him no chance. A Negative Energy Bullet formed in Hazard''s palm¡ªthen sank into Kamel''s skull. The village chief fell dead. [Village of Herin ¨C Rank 2 elite threat eliminated.][Glowing Bronze Treasure Chest acquired.] CHAPTER 11 [Shining Bronze Treasure Chest][80,000 Gold Coins, Level 1 Greenhouse Building Blueprint, Level 2 Super Farmland Blueprint, 50 Life Gems] Hazard glanced at it with a bright look and then started selling the Life Gems, earning fifty thousand gold coins. His total gold balance was now 156,000, and he could finally afford to buy a Tier 3 Spirit. He had already obtained three Tier 1 Spirits, but they had only given him 9 additional points. After purchasing and absorbing the Tier 3 Hero Spirit for 110,000 gold coins¡ªwhich had increased in price due to high demand¡ªhe also unlocked the Death Scythe Skill, and a prompt for advancement appeared immediately. [Advancement to Tier 3 is now ready][Proceed with evolution? Yes / No] The choice was obvious. After selecting it, Hazard felt as though he was drowning in a deep sea, but the sensation only lasted for ten minutes. Since he knew he was an undead and didn''t need to breathe, he remained calm. Once it was over, he looked around and checked his status. Name: Hazard Final Race: Demon Arch-Lich King Level: 3 Health: 400 Strength: 120 Agility: 80 Mana (Dark): 1400 Stamina: - Skill Points: 81 Abilities: Undead Resurrection:Consumes dark mana to resurrect dead creatures, binding them to servitude based on their level. Negative Energy Orb:Expends 10 dark mana to release a dark energy orb, dealing 30 damage. Additionally, depending on the enemy''s level and willpower, it may inflict confusion and paralysis. Corpse Explosion:Activating this ability detonates a selected corpse or multiple corpses within a 100-meter radius. Summon Death Scythe:A weapon infused with dark mana that inflicts poisonous and cursed wounds. Any living creature wounded by the Death Scythe, if killed while still under its bleeding curse and tenfold pain effect, will become the caster''s slave.Consumes 50 dark mana per minute. Summon Vengeful Spirits:Summons vengeful spirits capable of inflicting physical damage on enemies. Upon death, these spirits explode using dark energy, dealing significant damage to living creatures.Consumes 20 dark mana per spirit. Demon Arch-Lich King''s Second Form:Doubles all abilities for 10 minutes.Cooldown: 6 hours. Death King''s Aura (Inactive):Doubles the stats of all undead under your command within a 1-kilometer radius.Consumes 200 mana per minute.(Activation Cost: 1,000 Skill Points) Curse of the Death King''s Aura (Inactive):Inflicts 72 curses on all enemy creatures weaker than you within a 1-kilometer radius.Consumes 200 mana per minute.(Activation Cost: 1,000 Skill Points) Death King''s Domain (Inactive):Any unauthorized creature within 1 kilometer takes 20 damage per second.Consumes 200 mana per minute.(Activation Cost: 1,000 Skill Points) This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Skills: Mana Sensitivity D Hazard was satisfied¡ªhe could now compare himself to a Greater Hellhound. After carefully reading through his Tier 3 abilities, he noticed that most of them focused on controlling territory and the surrounding area, but their mana costs were extremely high. He guessed that Tier 4 would require 10,000 points, and Tier 5 would demand 100,000 points¡ªinsane numbers given how difficult they were to obtain. After some internal struggle, he discovered that Terror had reached Tier 4, completely killing his excitement over reaching Tier 3. Minutes passed. As the walls of blackened stone and soil were completed, he looked at the corpses scattered around. Raising his hands, he used most of his mana to resurrect three Greater Hellhounds. Then, he turned toward the knights he had slain, resurrecting them, along with the village sorcerer and a few elite warriors. Even the ordinary villagers were brought back to life by the resurrected sorcerers. The only corpses that could not be revived were those of the heroes, which were instead devoured by the Greater Hellhounds. Hazard was pleased with his fodder army. The strength of resurrected creatures was only one unit lower than when they were alive, which was still better than nothing. Only after finishing his resurrections did Hazard return to his altar to evaluate his new forces. "Demonic Undead Death Knight" Rank: Elite Tier 3 Health: 100 Strength: 75 Agility: 60 Mana (Dark): 100 Stamina: - Abilities: Resurrection of the Fallen, Soul Prison Skills: Swordsmanship C, Defensive Shield C, Charge C, Command D, Horsemanship D Cost: 1,000 Gold Coins "Demonic Undead Giant" Rank: Lord Tier 1 Health: 300 Strength: 300 Agility: 30 Mana (Dark): 250 Stamina: - Abilities: Giant''s Strength, Giant''s Roar, Giant''s Death AuraSkills: Black Thunder B, Crusher C, Defense C, Combat C, etc. Cost: 15,000 Gold Coins "Demonic Lich" Rank: Lord Tier 1 Health: 100 Strength: 80 Agility: 50 Mana (Dark): 800 Stamina: - Abilities: Undead Resurrection, Spirit Summoning Skills: Negative Energy Orb B, Death Magic C, Negative Energy Shield C, Flight D, etc. Cost: 20,000 Gold Coins The new units were expensive, but Hazard felt they were worth it. With 46,000 gold coins left and two farming blueprints, he realized he had workers who didn''t need food or rest. However, the food market was controlled by Demon Plant Kings and Demon Lords with vast hunting grounds, meaning entering this industry would guarantee his bankruptcy. After listing the blueprints for sale, he successfully sold: Level 2 Super Farmland for 60,000 gold coinsLevel 1 Greenhouse Building for 25,000 gold coins Now, Hazard was certain that the food market was not profitable for him. Instead, he decided to focus his forces on the Fire Gem Mine. [If only all lairs were as valuable as the first mine¡­] After selling the blueprints, his gold balance reached 131,000 coins. The altar, now larger than before, began to glow deep within the fortress. Suddenly, six gigantic skeletal figures emerged. Hazard watched with satisfaction as the six-meter-tall undead giants, clad in solid bone armor and wielding massive iron maces, knelt before him. [The will of our Lord is our command.] Hazard tried not to be shocked, but their deep, powerful voices in his mind completely derailed his thoughts. [Two at the castle gate, two at the fortress entrance, two at the Fire Gem Mine.] [Fulfilling your will is our duty.] Hazard motioned for them to leave. Then, he summoned twenty Death Knights. One by one, twenty figures clad in full armor, draped in long black cloaks, emerged from the glowing altar, each mounted on an armored skeletal horse. Their black horns jutted out from beneath their helmets, as did their steeds''. [Our lord''s will¡ª] [Go outside. I''ll join you soon.] The Death Knights said nothing and marched outside while Hazard prepared for the next summoning. CHAPTER 12 The altar shone, and then an evil lich emerged¡ªstanding two meters tall, with long horns and a skeletal black body streaked with gold. It bore a striking resemblance to Hazard himself and knelt before him. ["Lord of Death, I praise you. Deliver me from misguidance and guide my path."] Hazard gave it a strange look. Why did every unit have its own unique dialogue? Whatever the reason, he didn''t bother to respond and simply ordered it to rise. ["Your name is Zal, and from now on, you are in charge of command and daily management."] ["I am grateful that you have granted a name to this nameless being. I will dedicate my utmost efforts to your realm and repay your trust with diligence."] ["Good!"] With that, Hazard left him and ascended to the upper floors of his fortress. At 180 meters above the ground, Hazard observed his soldiers, who were constantly engaged in their duties. Patrols were being conducted regularly, constructions were underway, and knights were receiving twenty fur cloaks taken from twenty elite undead swordsmen. After donning the cloaks, they looked up at Hazard standing atop the tower. Feeling their respect, Hazard turned his gaze toward the distant village. ["The path to conquest is not difficult."] A month passed in the blink of an eye. The number of Demon Kings had dwindled to 264,000, meaning that nearly seventy-five percent had been eliminated. The remaining ones were mostly at the second level, with a significant number at the third and fourth levels, and only a handful at the fifth. Meanwhile, Hazard''s fortress had advanced to the third level, now towering at 500 meters. Its enhancements extended over a 10-kilometer radius, and its curses against enemies were, in Hazard''s opinion, well worth their exorbitant cost. During this time, Hazard''s decision to explore more of his domain led to the discovery of 47 additional dungeons containing hellhounds. Except for one, all had been cleared. Twelve of these dungeons contained fire gem mines, prompting Hazard to recruit a large number of ordinary undead to work in them. In total, the month''s revenue amounted to 17,000,000 gold coins. After repairing the army''s losses, 16,560,000 gold remained. Constructions included: A Level 4 Temple of the God of Death: A massive structure standing 40 meters tall with an area of 1,600 square meters. A throne-like seat was positioned at its far end.Effect: The temple granted a 20% boost to all undead stats within a 50-kilometer radius and a 10% boost even outside this range. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Though useful, the cost of its construction and materials was high, and since Hazard had yet to obtain a Level 4 blueprint, he had to trade ten Level 2 blueprints. Other useless blueprints were also exchanged, resulting in the following acquisitions: 120 Level 1 Vengeful Spirit Towers35 Level 3 Undead Tombs (Each produced one randomly chosen Level 3 undead per day) According to Hazard''s settings, since the generated undead were weaker than demonic undead, only skeletal giants were produced. After heavy expenditures and trading the remaining fire gems, Hazard was left with 6,010,700 gold coins. Summoning 980 demonic undead knights and 49 liches reduced it to 4,051,000 gold. Meanwhile, the number of undead hellhounds grew to 14,000, including 50 greater undead hellhounds. Additionally, 13,470 elite archers were summoned, all mounted on undead hellhounds, while the 50 greater hellhounds guarded the liches. Now, atop his fortress, Hazard observed his remaining 10,000 gold coins and reviewed his army: 300 ordinary demonic undead3,500 demonic undead archers1,150 demonic undead swordsmen50 elite swordsmen14,000 elite archers20 demonic undead mages220 undead giants6 demonic undead giants1,000 demonic undead knights50 demonic liches14,000 undead hellhounds50 greater undead hellhounds1 massive undead hellhound (Cerberus, Hazard''s mount) For a month, there had been no encounters with heroes, yet Hazard hadn''t assembled this army without reason. Then, he received the long-awaited report from the 220 Level 1 Undead Giant Lords he had sent out: ["You have defeated the Rank 2 Lord-Class Colossal Hellhound of the Ten Millennia" ¨C Reward: 200,000 gold]["You have cleared the Rank 2 Lord-Class Threat: Hellhound Den"]["You have obtained an Ultra-Rare Shining Silver Treasure Chest"]["800,000 gold, Blueprint for Level 3 Hellhound Den, Blueprint for Special Level 3 Building, and 1,000 Fire Gems acquired"] Hazard smirked and turned his gaze toward the remaining 164 undead giants. Their sheer numbers and synergy had enabled them to clear a dungeon far superior to the others, located 100 kilometers away. After claiming his rewards, he sold the Hellhound Den, exchanged the 1,000 fire gems for death essence, and upgraded his fortress to Level 4. This increased its height to 800 meters, making it even more massive and terrifying. The protective barrier, which now absorbed surrounding mana, became so resilient that even a Level 1 Warlord-Class Powerhouse couldn''t break it. Hazard then leaped from the terrace of his designated chamber. Using the Rank C Flight Skill, which he had learned from several knight groups who had trespassed into his domain, he landed atop Cerberus, his massive undead hellhound mount. A thousand demonic undead knights, each clad in fur cloaks made from greater hellhound hides, rode behind him. They were followed by 14,000 elite archers, each mounted on undead hellhounds. At this point, no force¡ªshort of a Warlord-Class Powerhouse or higher¡ªwould dare face such an army head-on. CHAPTER 13 "Count, Count!" A thirty-year-old man sitting in a leather chair behind his wooden desk glanced toward the door at a man who had just entered, panting heavily from excessive running. "What happened?" He was cold, a man in his thirties with immense wealth, power, and a domain so vast that proposals from noblewomen filled his trash bin. His handsome face, amber eyes, black hair, and chiseled jawline made him a supermodel in the world of women. "The two-hundred-man search regiment that went to the Forbidden Mountain hasn''t returned!" Count Frank C. Solar raised an eyebrow and put down the paper in his hand. "That''s the third search team, isn''t it?" His servant nodded in confirmation. "The noble houses under your command have been severely affected by the loss of their elite knights. They demand that you personally lead an expedition to the Forbidden Mountain to investigate." "If I march with my army, it might cause diplomatic issues with those demons and break the temporary peace from our side. That would bring a lot of trouble for me¡­" "But Count, if you don''t act¡ª" "Interesting news is spreading in the surrounding cities. New and large guilds are forming, some with powerful individuals that intrigue me even more. According to the intelligence I bought, they call themselves ''Heroes''." "Yes, you''re right. Many guilds have been established by these so-called heroes. Their goal is the extermination of the Demon Kings¡ªmonstrous beings that, according to them, have invaded our world from another dimension." The Count gazed at the mirror reflecting the vast expanse outside his grand palace. "What if this disappearance is related to those creatures called Demon Kings?" "That''s a plausible assumption. Reports indicate that these creatures have caused destruction in the Empire, Castlevania, the Land of the Dead, the Ice Mountains, and the Frozen Plateau. Based on our intelligence, these Hero Guilds are eliminating them at an alarming rate." "Then we won''t have a problem. If these guilds act, we''ll just send a few heads rolling and claim ignorance. Secretly, hire all the guilds to uncover the truth behind the missing search teams." "But hiring all of them won''t go unnoticed!" "I know. Just make sure it doesn''t trace back to us. Have one of those incompetent nobles appear as the employer. Worst case, we get rid of a nuisance." "Understood. I''ll carry out your orders." The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The door closed, and the Count returned to his documents. Tax profits from trade and the sale of monster parts and magical resources had surged, thanks to the Hero Guilds. With King Arthur''s support for these groups, they were growing in power rapidly. "We just need to send them into dangerous places and increase their casualties. That way, they won''t get out of control." ¡ª In the Golden Eagles Guild, located in the heart of Solar''s grand trading city, heroes¡ªwho had taken over various bodies¡ªwere either forming teams to hunt a Demon King or eliminate monster nests. Among them, a lone hero sat quietly, dressed in simple cloth with minimal iron armor covering only his weak spots. He watched the other members. The lowest-ranked hero present was Level 2, with many Level 3s and 4s, while the guild leader was rumored to be Level 5. He himself was a Level 4, recognized as an elite among the city''s heroes. However, he was isolated¡ªbecause on his last Demon King hunt, all his teammates had died. He had returned alone after slaying the Demon King, and many believed he had found something valuable in the Demon King''s treasure and killed his own team to keep it for himself. "Ahhh, this damn lonely life¡­ What the hell am I supposed to do?" Just then, a young girl''s voice reached him. "Um, hello. Do you have a moment to talk?" He turned to see three teenage girls¡ªtwo wizards and one priest. The problem was that the priest was only Level 1, while the other two were Level 2. He wouldn''t have even glanced at such a low-ranked team before. But that was back when his peers still formed parties with him. "What do you want?" The girl who spoke was a fire mage, standing in front of an ice mage, who was her twin sister, and the priest, their friend. "We wanted to see if you''d team up with us." "To hunt a Demon King?" "Yeah!" Alas gave them a serious look. "Do you have any experience fighting them?" "No!" Alas confirmed his suspicion, then stood up and walked toward the guild''s exit. "So, does that mean you''re in or not?" He raised an eyebrow and looked back at them. "You''re joking, right? You expect me to carry a bunch of dead weight and boost your levels for free? Go scam some other unlucky girl." "But without you, even Demon Kings aren''t a threat to us!" Alas clenched his long, narrow golden sword and laughed at her words. "If they weren''t dangerous, three of my Level 4 teammates wouldn''t have died to one." With that, he left. The other guild members who had been listening to their conversation could see the sorrow and anger in his face. Some began to doubt the rumors about him, though others still believed he was playing a role. "Nina, Tina, let''s go find a tank." The priest girl, with long golden hair down to her waist, blue eyes, and a long golden robe, spoke. "Even with all the bad rumors about him, I still wanted to give him a chance to clear his name." The ice mage placed a hand on her twin sister''s shoulder. "Still, we would''ve been using him too." "Ahhh, I know¡­ but it would''ve been mutually beneficial¡­" ¡ª At that moment, on the second floor of the guild, a large door opened. A towering, 2.5-meter-tall man with dark skin, long braided African hair, and a massive, battle-scarred muscular body stepped out. He placed his hands on the railing and looked down at the adventurers below. "All members of the Golden Eagles Guild, along with the other guilds in the city, are being sent to investigate the disappearance of a group of knights in the Black Mountain. The bounty for uncovering the truth¡ªwith proof¡ªis ten million gold Arthurian coins. Everyone must participate. This is a full-scale operation, and there''s a chance a Demon King is behind this." The three girls smiled. An adventure had practically fallen into their laps, and they might even earn some rewards from it. Meanwhile, Alas, standing at the guild''s entrance, listened to the announcement. He muttered a prayer for whoever their enemy was and started heading home¡ªthe home that once belonged to the original owner of his body. CHAPTER 14 Hazard was watching his army as the third village was being raided. [So far, we have a thousand corpses, but only twenty of them are usable...] Cerberus raised his head and carefully sniffed the air. Hazard, who was riding him, noticed his unusual behavior and turned his head in the direction Cerberus was looking¡ªtowards the forest beyond a kilometer of open field. [The village raid is complete. Casualties: none, my lord.] Hazard then looked at the knight on horseback. [Good. Gather the army and set an ambush one kilometer west. I believe a force is approaching us from the east.] [Your command is my purpose, my lord!] Hazard turned his gaze toward the east. He could swear a foreboding presence was approaching from that direction. Yet, with the miasmic mana glistening in his eyes, he looked at the knight and ordered: [Leave the corpses in the village.] And then, the sky and earth bore witness to the devilish grin on his face. ¡­ Twenty kilometers away, an army of twenty thousand was marching forward, including approximately 8,500 champions from the city of Solar. Some rode horses, others walked, and some were in carriages. As they approached the location indicated in the reports, their commander¡ªa man clad in black, his face concealed¡ªwas drawn to something. "The smell of burning and blood ahead." Four figures, each radiating an aura that was unmistakably beyond ordinary, rode closer on horseback. The first was the master of the Blue Swallow Guild, a woman with a harsh face yet an athletic physique, a three-meter-long spear strapped to her back. The second was the lord of the Wrath of Solar Guild, a one-eyed man with two axes resting behind him. The third was the head of the Golden Eagle Guild. And the last was a girl known as the Saintess, exuding immense magical power. The one guiding them was a local baron named Oscar. His small domain contained three villages. He had been forced into this mission by orders from a noble of higher rank, whose identity he hadn''t even discerned. Nevertheless, as he observed the army under his command, he smiled. Never before had he wielded such a formidable force, yet his smile was bitter. Three villages under his rule¡ªand from the distant horizon, thick black smoke rose to the sky from the last of them. He knew all too well what was at stake. If he lost more taxpayers, just like the village taken from him a month ago due to his failure to ensure its safety, he could lose everything. His father-in-law had also perished in that village. His anger boiled over. "Double the army''s pace! If the foot soldiers lag, whip them!" His serious command was met with laughter from the four guild leaders, which only fueled his fury. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "What are you laughing at?" The leader of the Golden Eagle Guild unsheathed his sword and pressed it against Oscar''s throat. His champion level was five, equivalent to a rank-four lord. Oscar, a mere rank-one lord, couldn''t even blink before the sword was at his neck. "You''re just a scarecrow pretending to lead. Don''t think this army is yours to command however you please." Seeing the killing intent in their eyes, Oscar didn''t dare move. He continued forward, muttering curses under his breath. "Percival..." One hour later¡­ As the army of champions and local soldiers emerged from the forest, they were met with a burning village. In its center, a mountain of corpses was piled high, with crows circling above, feasting on the dead. Oscar scanned the scene. "If we had arrived earlier, the enemy army would still be here!" The four guild leaders ignored him and passed by, sending their people to investigate the area. "Damn it!" Oscar spurred his black horse forward, following them to the mound of bodies. These villages were part of his domain¡ªhe knew their population. Something was wrong. "Why are there so many bodies?" Minutes later, the four guild leaders stood before the corpse pile, giving orders while conversing among themselves. "The cause of death¡ªarrows, deep claw wounds, and bites from large beasts..." The Golden Eagle leader turned to the others, noticing the Blue Swallow master gripping her spear tightly, eyes fixed on the surrounding forest. "This was a fast, mixed army. Large beast tracks and arrows¡­ I have a bad feeling about this." "Hah! If you''re scared, turn back. This could be the work of forest monsters. The Demon King''s domain is far from here, but the arrows are still suspicious." The Saintess, hearing the Wrath of Solar leader''s words, let out a growl. Her gaze fixated on the ground beneath the pile of corpses. "I don''t know what this means, but... do any of you feel the presence of the Demon King?" The Golden Eagle leader looked at her as if she were mad. They always felt the Demon King''s presence, growing stronger with proximity. But this¡­ required absolute focus. "What do you mea¡ª" The Golden Eagle leader''s eyes widened, followed by the other leaders and everyone nearby. Oscar, standing at the village entrance, watched the 5,000 champions searching the area. "A bunch of rookies... If we had arrived sooner, we might have saved them. Now I have to answer to the Viscount, and I''m sure he''ll strip me of my rank." Oscar cursed all four leaders¡ªuntil he heard an explosion louder than any he had ever witnessed. The shockwave sent him flying from his horse, rolling thirty meters across the ground. When he looked up, he saw soldiers and champions soaring through the air, their bodies torn apart, limbs scattering in all directions. His head rang from the explosion. Blood and shattered bones were hurled in all directions. The force was like a razor-sharp blade slicing through metal, and the flying bones struck with such speed that each impact triggered smaller detonations. The miasmic mana corrupted anything alive upon contact. Struggling to his feet, Oscar scanned his surroundings. No one in the village remained standing. The survivors had been blasted over 300 meters away, their fates determined by the strength of their bodies. "Anyone who can hear me, grab your weapons! Prepare to fight!" His instincts as a knight who had fought alongside Duke Percival in grand wars kicked in. Such explosions could only be caused by high-level fire mages or the giant bats of Vlad. Yet, despite his orders, the champions paid him no mind. Those who could still move lacked the mental capacity to process what had just happened. Through the blood-drenched mist settling over the battlefield, Oscar spotted his loyal horse''s corpse¡ªits neck impaled by a thin bone shard. The animal lay in agony, twitching and whimpering in its final moments. Before he could comprehend it, he was suddenly kneeling beside his horse, pressing his hand against its wound. But he had no healing abilities. The Saintess was nowhere to be seen. The clerics who had accompanied them¡ªnone of their white-and-gold robes were visible. Only blood. A sea of blood and shattered bodies. Oscar turned back to his horse, staring into its lifeless eyes¡ªuntil an ominous presence from the village center sent a chill down his spine. Where the pile of corpses had been, a skeletal, blackened hand with golden veins burst from the ground, followed by the entire figure of an undead¡ªa towering, horned entity drenched in blood. It raised its hands toward the sky. For seconds, Oscar could only stare in horror, frozen¡ªuntil a sharp pain seared his neck. Looking down, his eyes widened in disbelief. His own horse¡ªits lifeless, blackened eyes now bulging with engorged blood vessels¡ªhad sunk its teeth into his throat, tearing at his flesh. CHAPTER 15 Hazard felt his mana was depleted after activating the second wave of his Corpse Explosion skill. He could no longer even focus on the system notifications. He simply issued a command, granting his entire army full autonomy. Despite being several meters underground, the explosion had severely drained his life force. Time passed under his own will, and when his black-and-white vision returned, he saw Cerberus towering over him, gazing into the distance. As he stood up and looked at the sky, he realized it was nighttime, and his mana had significantly recovered. However, what truly caught his attention was something else entirely. The sheer number of heroic souls left him unable to focus on anything else¡ªhe could only stare at the count. Nearly 8,500 heroes had been present in the human army, and every single one of them had perished. In addition, his gold balance had reached approximately 3,680,000. After calming himself, he could only survey the surroundings. Ten minutes later, he mounted Cerberus and commanded the remaining elite mounted archers¡ªwho had been scattered across the battlefield, having slaughtered all living creatures¡ªto retreat to his shrine. The corpses were also collectible, but due to the loss of 5,800 cavalry units along with their mounts, Hazard''s army had suffered considerable damage. Despite all the ambushes and hit-and-run strategies, the enemy''s level had allowed them to eliminate a significant portion of his forces. However, considering his profits, he didn''t care. He gazed toward the sky and the distant horizon, spotting a tiny magical crow. As soon as it realized it had been noticed, it fled. Hazard merely continued on his way¡ªan explosion of that magnitude was bound to attract many eyes. And indeed, it wasn''t just the crow watching him. Perched atop a massive tree in the forest, a man clad in golden fabric with minimal yet strategically placed gleaming iron armor¡ªwhich protected his weak points¡ªwas observing him from 50 kilometers away. With a unique Rank A skill, "World Eye," he had a clear view. "They''re all dead¡­ The rookies from the Solar Wrath Association, the elites of the Golden Eagle, and even the Saintess¡­" Alas ran a hand across his face before breaking into insane laughter. "You damned fools! Now you''re all dead! The entire city of Solar has no champions left! Who''s going to fuel this now?!" With a wicked grin, Alas turned his gaze to the new skill he had obtained from the Demon King''s loot chest¡ªthe Eye of Envy. [Eye of Envy - Rank S] Grants the ability to copy the skills and talents of stronger beings through eye contact, lasting for one week. Alas scanned through the list of all the skills he had copied, then turned his gaze back to the Demon King, who was vanishing into the distance. "Your skills belong to me now, too." The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. At the Shrine Upon reaching his shrine, Hazard began offering the heroic souls for absorption. [Level 1 Heroic Soul absorbed - 4 points gained][Level 2 Heroic Soul absorbed - 24 points gained][Level 3 Heroic Soul absorbed - 258 points gained][Level 4 Heroic Soul absorbed - 1,280 points gained][Level 5 Heroic Soul absorbed - 9,670 points gained] After half an hour, allowing the shrine to process the absorption, he began unlocking third-tier talents¡ªeach costing no more than 1,000 points. Then, he selected the evolution option. Minutes passed. His bones darkened, his crown grew, his horns extended, and golden veins became more pronounced across his body. Name: HazardFinal Race: Demonic Arch-Lich KingLevel: 4Health: 800Strength: 350Agility: 200Mana (Miasma): 3,000Endurance: -Total Points: 264,500Talents Undead Resurrection Can reanimate corpses by consuming dark mana, proportional to the deceased entity''s level. Negative Energy Orb Releases a dark energy orb, dealing 30 damage per hit.Can cause confusion and paralysis, depending on the opponent''s level and willpower. Corpse Explosion Detonates one or multiple selected corpses within a 100-meter radius. Summon Death Scythe A weapon imbued with dark mana, inflicting cursed wounds with intense poison and agonizing pain (10¡Á normal).If an enemy dies while the Death Scythe''s curse is active, they become a slave of the caster.Consumes 50 dark mana per minute. Summon Vengeful Spirits Summons spirits that can physically harm enemies.Upon death, they self-destruct, dealing significant damage to living beings.Costs 20 dark mana per spirit.Advanced Abilities Demonic Arch-Lich King''s Second Form Doubles all abilities.Duration: 10 minutes | Cooldown: 6 hours. Aura of the Death King All undead units within 1 km receive double stats.Consumes 200 mana per minute. Curse of the Death King''s Aura All weaker enemies within 1 km suffer 72 curses.Consumes 200 mana per minute. Domain of the Death King Enemies within 1 km suffer 20 damage per second.Allied undead regenerate 10 HP per second.Consumes 200 mana per minute.Locked Abilities Summon Abyssal Undead (Inactive) Can summon undead from the Abyss, depending on level and mana usage.Cooldown: 24 hours.Activation Cost: 10,000 points. Abyssal Dead Domain (Inactive) All undead within range transform into Abyssal variants until the skill is deactivated.Consumes 500 mana per minute.Activation Cost: 10,000 points. Summon Twin Deaths (Inactive) Summons two undead beings equal to the caster''s level, lasting 10 minutes.Cooldown: 24 hours.Activation Cost: 10,000 points.Skill: Mana Sensitivity (D-Rank) Hazard admired his new skills. The Abyss-related abilities at level four were clearly no joke, and Twin Deaths intrigued him the most. However, his work wasn''t done yet. As his new skills activated, the evolution option appeared once again¡ªand the galaxy itself bore witness to Hazard''s sinister grin. CHAPTER 16 Upon regaining consciousness, Hazard opened the system window. Standing before the system window, Hazard now had two skeletal wings, each two meters long, extending from his back, along with two new horns growing from the sides of his head. Name: Hazard Final Race: Demonic Arch-Lich King Level: 5 Health: 1800 Strength: 950 Agility: 450 Mana (Miasma): 10,000 Endurance: - Available Points: 234,500 Talents: Undead Resurrection:Can raise dead creatures into servitude by consuming dark mana proportional to the creature''s level. Negative Energy Orb:Consumes 10 dark mana to release a dark energy orb that deals 30 damage. (Depending on the opponent''s level and willpower, it may also cause confusion and paralysis.) Corpse Explosion:Upon activation, selected corpses within a 100-meter radius can be detonated. Summon Death Scythe:A weapon infused with dark mana that inflicts a powerful poisonous wound with a deadly curse. Any living being wounded by the Death Scythe will become the caster''s servant upon death if the curse remains active.(Consumes 50 dark mana per minute.) Summon Vengeful Spirits:Vengeful spirits capable of inflicting physical damage to enemies. Upon death, they self-detonate using dark energy, causing significant harm to living beings.(Consumes 20 dark mana per spirit.) Second Form: Demonic Arch-Lich King:All abilities are doubled.Duration: 10 minutesCooldown: 6 hours Aura of the Death King:Doubles all stats of undead creatures under your command within a 1-kilometer radius.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Curse of the Death King''s Aura:All enemy creatures weaker than you within a 1-kilometer radius are afflicted with 72 curses.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Domain of the Death King:Any unauthorized entity within a 1-kilometer radius takes 20 damage per second, while allied undead recover 10 health per second.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Summon Abyssal Undead Creatures:Allows the summoning of deadly undead creatures from the Abyss based on level and mana expenditure.(Cooldown: 24 hours.) Domain of the Abyssal Dead:All undead creatures within the affected area are temporarily evolved into Abyssal variants while the ability remains active.(Consumes 500 mana per minute upon activation.) Summon Two Identical Deaths:Summons two undead creatures of the same level as the caster for 10 minutes.(Cooldown: 24 hours.) King of the Death Element: (Inactive)Gains a deep understanding of death and access to all death-related skills.(Activation cost: 100,000 points.) Immortal Resurrection: (Inactive)As long as mana remains and health reaches zero, the caster can resurrect by sacrificing one of their creatures in its place.(Cooldown: 1 month)(Activation cost: 100,000 points.) This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Summon the Eye of the Death God: (Inactive)Grants access to the Eye of the Death God, allowing the caster to perceive all living entities within a 100,000-kilometer radius for one minute.(Cooldown: 1 month)(Activation cost: 100,000 points.) Skills: Mana Sensitivity: D Hazard hesitated upon seeing his new talents. With the remaining points, he could only activate two of them. After two hours of deliberation, exhausted from thinking, he finally chose to activate Immortal Resurrection, as it was crucial for his survival, and Summon the Eye of the Death God, which would help him monitor nearby threats. Then, he turned his gaze to the altar and the list of new units¡ªonly to become furious. Summonable Units: Undead Demon General Level: Lord - Level 2 Health: 600 Strength: 350 Agility: 260 Mana (Miasma): 700 Endurance: - Talents: Undead Resurrection, Soul Prison, Command, Summon Spirits Skills: Swordsmanship B, Defensive Shield B, Charge C, Leadership C, Riding D, Cost: 10,000 gold coins, 10 Death Gems, and a prerequisite of 5,000 undead per summon. Undead Demon DragonLevel: Overlord - Level 2 Health: 2000 Strength: 1200 Agility: 300 Mana (Miasma): 950 Endurance: - Talents: Dragon''s Power, Dragon''s Roar, Death Aura of the Dragon, Dead Dragon''s Fire Skills: Death Domain A, Fear Domain B, Crushing Claw B, Hardened Bones C, Combat C, Cost: 300,000 gold coins, 250 Death Gems, and one Level 4 Hero Soul. Undead Arch-LichLevel: Overlord - Level 3 Health: 500 Strength: 250 Agility: 200 Mana (Miasma): 5,000 Endurance: - Talents: Undead Resurrection, Summon Spirits, Fear Domain, Master of Death Magic Skills: Negative Energy Orb A, Death Magic B, Negative Energy Shield B, Abyssal Summoning C, Flight C Cost: 500,000 gold coins, 300 Death Gems, 10,000 undead per summon, and two Level 4 Hero Souls. Even though the Level 4 summons were somewhat reasonable, the Level 5 summons had costs that were beyond his imagination. High-Tier Summons: Great Undead Demon GeneralLevel: Overlord - Level 4 Health: 3,000 Strength: 1,500 Agility: 650 Mana (Miasma): 3,000 Endurance: - Talents: Resurrection of the Slain, Soul Prison, Command, Summon Spirits, Fear Domain, Death Domain, Guide of Death Skills: Swordsmanship A, Defensive Shield A, Charge B, Leadership B, Riding D Cost: 1,000,000 gold coins, 1,000 Death Gems, and 100,000 undead per summon, plus ten Level 4 Hero Souls. Undead Demon Dragon KingLevel: Warlord - Level 1 Health: 5,000 Strength: 2,500 Agility: 700 Mana (Miasma): 2,000 Endurance: - Talents: Dragon King, Dragon''s Power, Dragon''s Roar, Death Aura of the Dragon, Dead Dragon''s Fire Skills: Dragon Domain A, Death Domain A, Fear Domain A, Crushing Claw B, Hardened Bones B, Combat B, Cost: 2,000,000 gold coins, 2,000 Death Gems, and one Level 5 Hero Soul. Demonic Death KingLevel: Warlord - Level 2 Health: 4,000 Strength: 2,200 Agility: 1,000 Mana (Dark): 7,500 Endurance: - Talents: King of Elements, Domain of the Death King, Undead Resurrection, Summon Spirits, Fear Domain, Death Elemental Spirit Skills: God of Death Mode S, Negative Energy Orb A, Death Magic A, Negative Energy Shield A, Abyssal Summoning A, Master of Time B, Flight B, Cost: 5,000,000 gold coins, 10,000 Death Gems, 1,000,000 undead per summon, plus two Level 5 Hero Souls. Hazard understood the power of these units, but their costs were staggering. The sheer number of Death Gems required was overwhelming. After some contemplation, he rose from the altar. He had wanted to summon a dragon, but he lacked the necessary hero souls. Instead, he focused on a different priority: increasing the undead population for future summons. Hazard turned to observe the 700,000 undead soldiers heading toward the mines. He still had 100,000 gold coins, but he planned to keep them. Finally, feeling exhaustion despite being undead, he lay in the dark waters of the altar to absorb its dark energy¡ªuntil he realized someone was watching him from 50 kilometers away. CHAPTER 17 The sound of footsteps on dried blood and scattered body parts in every direction made the fifty-member search team freeze in front of what could no longer be called a village. They stood in horror, staring at the surroundings. A young, blue-eyed, blonde-haired female knight removed her silver helmet and sighed, shaking her white cape, now stained with blood. "A twenty-thousand-strong army, without a single intact corpse, and most of them missing¡­ Only a monster could have done this." As she spoke, an elderly man in armor approached her and pointed towards the center of the village. "Baroness, considering the significant damage in the village center and the scattered bodies, this creature must have a powerful explosive ability and the capability to fly." Baroness Henrietta, the wife of Baron Oscar, was a hardworking woman who had endured countless hardships to establish a knighthood order despite not being of noble birth. She had faced a difficult life but had achieved great success. Now, however, she and her knighthood order¡ªthe Knights of the White Sky¡ªwere looking despairingly at the land where her husband was last known to be. "We''re heading to Solar to report this to the Count. Even a Viscount wouldn''t be able to handle such an incident alone." All of her knights placed their hands over their armor and hearts. "For the Light!" She, too, performed the knighthood salute. "For the Light!" Tears welled in her eyes, but she could not allow herself to shed them. With difficulty, she dragged herself towards the horses stationed outside the blood-soaked site. She could never have imagined that her husband''s killer was merely a few dozen kilometers away, testing his newly acquired abilities. Hazard extended his right hand forward, channeling all his mana into summoning the dead from the Abyss. A purple void opened before him, expanding and trembling violently. Hazard watched with fascination. He had only left himself fifty mana to sustain his own existence, but his gaze remained fixed on the dark lightning crackling from the violet portal¡ªdespite lacking eyes. A second later, a long, clawed, black hand emerged. Soon after, a beautiful, nude woman with black hair and black eyes stepped forth, approaching Hazard. Unlike third-rate protagonists or awkward virgins in the presence of women, Hazard felt no embarrassment. Though he had no clear recollection of his past life, even the woman''s alluring form and flawless skin held no appeal for him. He attributed this, at least in part, to the fact that he was now undead. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. As she approached, a thousand knights surrounding Hazard instantly drew their swords, forming an impenetrable barrier around his neck. Thousands of blades poised to strike from every direction locked her in place. Hazard, momentarily pausing, called upon his system to analyze the entity before him. [Madian, Rank 1 WarlordAn undead entity from the Abyss, possessing high intelligence and comprehension. Her specialty is mind-affecting magic, with exceptional skill in dream manipulation. She is distantly related to the succubi of the demon race.] Realizing that the entity posed no threat to him due to his undead nature, Hazard signaled his knights to lower their weapons. Madian stepped closer but did not kneel or bow before him. Instead, she began running her hands across his skeletal frame. Hazard felt nothing from her touch. Gripping her hand, he effortlessly pulled her closer, his superior strength evident despite her being a Rank 3 Warlord. Staring into her eyes, he tightened his grip, causing her beautiful, human-like face to distort in pain. Her lips stretched unnaturally, her mouth opening wide as she let out a piercing scream. Though Hazard was immune to her sonic attack, his bones developed slight cracks, and he lost a fifth of his health. Seeing this, he grabbed her by the throat and lifted her, attempting to slam her into the ground. [You need to understand the strong dominate the weak!] Before she could hit the ground, Madian vanished from his grasp. Hazard turned his gaze towards the portal, but it had already disappeared. Suddenly, a hand slammed into the back of his skull, and before him, Madian appeared again, driving her knee into his exposed cranium. Before he could react, another Madian swept his legs from beneath him, sending him crashing to the ground. In just a few moves, Hazard realized he had lost half of his health. But the real issue was the three identical copies of Madian surrounding him. Hazard, from his prone position, observed them carefully. His undead vision and mana sensitivity allowed him to identify the original from the fakes. Madian and her clones lunged at him, attempting to finish him off. However, the clones'' heads were severed in an instant by the surrounding knights, turning to ash upon death. Meanwhile, the real Madian was pinned down by dozens of knights. Hazard, having correctly identified the original, stood up and approached her. A knight planted a boot on her back, gripping her long black hair¡ªso long it touched the ground¡ªand yanked it upward like a rope. [You almost killed me!] With a powerful kick to her face, he inflicted significant damage, causing her expression to contort in agony. She reverted to her true nightmarish form, but Hazard was no stranger to her transformations. Placing his foot on the back of her head, he forced her face into the dirt, muffling her sonic attack into the ground. Once her attack subsided, Hazard lifted her by her hair again. She had returned to her human appearance, blood dripping from her lips¡ªbut she was smiling. [Why are you smiling?] No response. Hazard truly considered killing her on the spot and claiming gold in exchange. However, the cost of acquiring a Warlord-ranked entity was enormous. If he were to buy such a warrior, it would cost him a fortune. Minutes passed, and he remained indecisive. Even in the Demon Kings'' Store, there was no contract or seal strong enough to bind a Warlord-class entity. Frustrated, Hazard returned to his castle''s balcony, issuing one final command. "Release her outside my domain. Anywhere beyond the ten-kilometer perimeter of my rule." CHAPTER 18 Hours passed as Hazard examined the skill stones. He had nearly five thousand skill stones and began learning all martial skills with weapons. He felt he could now call himself the god of martial skills at rank C, as most of the skills were at this rank¡ªfrom maces to daggers. There were also many magical skills, and he preferred to learn all of them: magic of ice, water, fire, wind, earth, light, darkness, fate, and many more. However, all were at rank D, except for a single rank A skill stone belonging to the Holy Element, which was practically useless to him as it would harm him as well. Still, he decided to absorb it. Skills such as identification, cartography, truth verification, blacksmithing, woodworking, translation, and even poetry¡ªHazard had practically become an encyclopedia. Yet, despite possessing the skills, he still needed considerable experience to control them properly. After exhausting the skill stones and their duplicates, which slightly increased his skill levels, he began experimenting. The first was dark magic, the closest element to death magic. As he released it, he started healing himself, satisfied with the process while standing on the terrace of his castle. The castle was 800 meters high, allowing him to see for kilometers¡ªif the towering black mountains, like skyscrapers, didn''t limit his view. Only after fully regenerating his bones did he realize two hands were caressing his long, fifty-centimeter horns. Standing three meters tall, those hands seemed small to him. As he turned, he saw Madian, fully healed, clinging to one of his horns. At 180 cm tall and weighing 60 kg, she was practically a weight on him, but the demon horn and Hazard''s strength were not something to be shaken by such a weight. Seeing that Madian had returned, Hazard activated his iron magic, summoning chains from nothing and fully restraining her. At that moment, Madian attempted to multiply, but Hazard''s anti-magic activated¡ªalbeit weakly. Even so, she successfully split into four copies, surrounding him before slowly approaching. Observing this, Hazard decided not to threaten Madian further in order to understand her intentions. As she got closer and realized that Hazard showed no hostility, she reverted to one form, stepped in front of him, and gazed into his empty eye sockets. Hazard couldn''t understand her actions, but they shocked him. Madian climbed onto the massive chair on the terrace and nestled into his arms. Seeing this, Hazard felt as if a small, helpless child had sought refuge in him. He regretted summoning her the way he had and began searching the Demon King''s marketplace for appropriate clothing. Fortunately, within minutes, he found a lightweight, Roman-style white dress for a mere gold coin. However, what he received was drenched in human blood, which made sense to him¡ªafter all, which Demon King would bother tailoring? Cleaning the garment with purification magic, he carefully guided Madian to wear it. Once she was dressed, he gently stroked her head. Madian, having never experienced such an act in her hundred years of wild life in the Abyss, immediately embraced him tightly and released a violet secretion magic toward him. Hazard, now possessing some knowledge of various magics, observed the violet aura seriously. Knowing it wouldn''t harm him, he felt reassured and accepted it, experiencing a sense of calm. But what happened next was strange¡ªhe felt sleepy. An emotion that had been absent from his new life for months. After not sleeping for so long, he welcomed sleep with open arms and drifted off. [You have tamed a level 1 Warlord-rank Madian.] Meanwhile, Alex, from an extremely distant vantage point, was trying to analyze the Undead Army''s movements and find a safe way to approach. However, he failed to notice the humanoid female figure behind him. Only when he heard breathing did he turn around¡ªonly to be met with a mouth full of teeth and overwhelming darkness that swallowed him before he had a chance to think. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. As time passed, Hazard felt himself awakening. Wondering how long he had slept, he checked the Abyss Summoning cooldown and saw that he had slept for twenty hours. His gaze shifted from the system to Madian, who was curled up on his lap, still asleep. Stroking her, he prepared to get up, but what he saw next shocked him¡ªa level 4 Hero''s soul, along with a glowing rank A skill stone called "Fusion," filled him with joy. But had he known that his target also possessed an S-rank skill, one he had failed to obtain, his joy would have turned to sorrow. Checking the system logs, he realized that Madian had been tamed and that he was the one who had defeated the level 4 Hero. This earned Madian even more affection from him. Seeing that she had protected him in his sleep, he allowed her to rest a little longer. Madian was an undead creature, but as a dream specialist, she could relieve mental fatigue by casting a spell to sleep. With a few more gentle strokes, Madian awoke. Stretching like a kitten, she locked eyes with Hazard. Understanding that she couldn''t communicate telepathically, he gestured with his hands to ask about the Hero and where he had been killed. But Madian misunderstood his intent. Instead, she attempted to bring something up¡ªHazard quickly took her to the terrace''s edge, where she vomited out a nearly digested skull, corroded by powerful acid. Realizing the fate of the Hero''s body, Hazard checked to ensure no undead had been harmed before returning to his seat, gazing at Madian, who was now clinging tightly to him. Meanwhile, the undead on the ground all looked up in confusion at the falling object. Seeing that it was just a skull, they resumed their tasks. Hazard, after taking note of his stock of Fire Gems, which needed trading, and ignoring the constant messages from Horror, descended the castle and exchanged a red gem for a Death Gem. Despite significantly increasing the mines'' efficiency, he had never been able to deplete Horror''s stock, which made him admire the creature immensely. But after some browsing in the system, he noticed a new trade window. Opening it, he found that he could now trade across ten Demon King channels, allowing him to profit from material exchanges. However, he had no time for that now. He headed toward the Heroes'' equipment, ordering the liches and mages to sort them by quality, intending to sell everything. As he had discovered, even tattered, bloodstained clothing was marketable. At that moment, the sun rose. Seeing this, Hazard realized that hours had passed since the Abyss Summoning cooldown ended. Thus, he resumed summoning the dead from the Abyss. The portal opened just like before, maintaining its usual size, making Hazard suspect that another Madian was about to appear. His suspicion was confirmed when a new Madian emerged¡ªhowever, its arrival was anything but peaceful. Without hesitation, it attacked the first Madian beside Hazard. Hazard paid no mind. At his command, the knights'' swords struck without a moment''s delay, skewering the newly summoned Madian. Thick black blood flowed as it gasped for breath. After withdrawing the swords, the injured Madian could barely move. Meanwhile, Hazard noticed his tamed Madian preparing to strike but stopped her and handed the wounded one to his knights. Even with her multiplication ability, she couldn''t escape them. Approaching the struggling, blood-spewing Madian, Hazard infused her with his dark mana''s healing properties, stopping the bleeding. However, he lacked the mana for a full recovery, so he called upon two nearby liches to complete the healing. Once restored, the new Madian was no longer as defiant. Hazard, prepared this time, had purchased several more dresses for his Madian. He pulled one out, cleaned it with purification magic, and dressed the new one, who stared at him in surprise with her Abyss-black eyes. Yet, as Hazard gently touched under her chin, a system message appeared: [You have tamed a level 1 Warlord-rank Madian.] Two Warlords at the cost of mana¡ªif the Demon Kings knew, they''d surely be pulling their hair out in frustration. CHAPTER 19 A month had passed, and Hazard was lying on his castle bed in the highest tower, surrounded by thirty mares that had dozed off around him. ["Is there seriously no other damned dead creature in the Abyss?!"] Hazard was deeply frustrated. Throughout the month, he hadn''t encountered any armies, nor had any heroes come after him. Essentially, he was just trading jewels with terror and selling off clothes and equipment to gather enough money to summon a single unit. But after that, his reserves were completely drained. Escaping from the mares¡ªhalf of whom were naked¡ªhe made his way to the terrace. In the sky, he spotted an Undead Demon Dragon accompanied by a Level 4 spirit, which had cost a significant number of Death Jewels. "Undead Demon Dragon" Level: Lord Level 2 Health: 2000 Strength: 1200 Agility: 300 Mana (Miasma): 950 Endurance: - Talents: Dragon''s Power, Dragon''s Roar, Dragon''s Death Aura, Dragon''s Deadly Flame Skills: Death Domain A, Fear Domain B, Crushing Claws B, Hard Bones C, Combat C, Cost: 300,000 gold coins, 250 Death Jewels, and a Level 4 Hero Spirit A forty-meter-long skeletal dragon with twisted horns on its head and a long tail hovered in the sky¡ªtruly a creature worthy of the name "dragon." Hazard felt good about the dragon in the sky, but not about his food supplies, which consisted of hero corpses. With the arrival of the mares, Hazard had realized they were completely carnivorous and had repeatedly pulled Cerberus out of their mouths. The bodies of the heroes were not just sacrifices; his thousand elite undead humans had already died twice before. However, since Hazard had been feeding only hero corpses to Cerberus, he discovered that its level had increased from Lord Level 2 to Lord Level 3. This proved that hero corpses could also be used for upgrades and were not just food. Hazard then descended to the ground using his new wings'' flight ability. He briefly reviewed his skills, which had been condensed into simplified names, each clearly indicating its function. Name: Hazard Final Race: Demonic Archlich King Level: 5 Health: 1800 Strength: 950 Agility: 450 Mana (Miasma): 10,000 Endurance: - Skill Points: 34,500 The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Talents: Undead Resurrection:Can resurrect dead creatures by consuming dark mana, appropriate to the level of the entity. Negative Energy Orb:Releases a dark energy orb at the cost of 10 dark mana, dealing 30 damage. (Can also inflict confusion and paralysis depending on the opponent''s level and willpower.) Corpse Explosion:Selected corpses within a 100-meter radius can be detonated. Summon Death Scythe:A weapon imbued with dark mana that inflicts toxic wounds and a powerful curse. Any living creature wounded by the Death Scythe, if they die while still under its curse (which includes heavy bleeding and tenfold pain), will become the caster''s slave.(Consumes 50 dark mana per minute.) Summon Vengeful Spirits:Spirits capable of physically damaging enemies. Upon death, they explode with dark energy, dealing significant damage to living beings.(Consumes 20 dark mana per spirit.) Demonic Archlich King''s Second Form:Doubles all abilities.Duration: 10 minutes | Cooldown: 6 hours Death King''s Aura:Doubles the stats of all undead under your command within a 1-kilometer radius.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Death King''s Aura Curse:All enemies weaker than you within a 1-kilometer radius suffer seventy-two curses.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Death King''s Domain:Any entity in a 1-kilometer radius without permission takes 20 damage per second, while allied undead regenerate 10 health per second.(Consumes 200 mana per minute.) Summon Abyssal Dead:Can summon deadly undead creatures from the Abyss based on level and mana consumption.(Cooldown: 24 hours) Abyssal Dead Realm:All undead within range are affected by the Abyss and temporarily evolve into their Abyssal counterparts as long as the skill remains active.(Consumes 500 mana per minute.) Summon Twin Deaths:Summons two undead creatures at your level for 10 minutes.(Cooldown: 24 hours) King of the Death Element: (Inactive)You possess deep understanding of death and can use all death-related skills.(Activation Cost: 100,000 points) Immortal Resurrection:As long as you have mana, you can resurrect by sacrificing one of your summoned creatures.(Cooldown: 1 month) Summon Death God''s Eye:Grants vision of all living beings within a 100,000-kilometer radius for one minute.(Cooldown: 1 month) Skills: Master of Elements A Master of Magic A Master of Combat Skills A Master of Potions A Saint A Master of Crafting & Blacksmithing A Translator A Combination A Afterward, the thirty mares, who were under his command and required to wear clothes outside the castle, followed him. Since Hazard considered them his property, he had grown possessive of them. Even though there were no living beings in a fifty-kilometer radius besides Cerberus, he was still obsessively cautious. It was a new day, and the cooldown for Abyss Summoning had ended¡ªtime for a new summoning. This time, Hazard focused on summoning two creatures since he was deeply dissatisfied with the mares constantly filling his room. As he consumed mana, two portals opened¡ªlarger than any before, even bigger than the ones used for the mares. That alone was a good omen. As massive legs and arms emerged, Hazard and the mares retreated, while his knights took defensive stances. Two colossal fifty-meter beings appeared, their muscular, black bodies adorned with a single massive eye, staring at Hazard with a murderous gaze. But upon recognizing him as the strongest individual surrounded by a legion of the dead, they bowed, kneeling on their right legs. Hazard was elated.["Two Death Cyclopes, Lord Level 4, have submitted to you."] He readily accepted, causing the two creatures to rise at his command. The Death Cyclopes'' strength lay in their immense vitality and power. Wild and violent by nature, Hazard had only one place in mind for them¡ªthe guardianship of the Sanctuary Hall deep within the castle. After assigning their duty, he watched as their colossal steps shook the ground as they marched toward the castle. The key difference between a normal Cyclops and a Death Cyclops was that the latter utilized the death element instead of earth and had no need for sustenance, freeing Hazard from the burden of feeding such massive beings. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Cerberus howling at the castle gates, frightened of the Cyclopes. Seeking refuge with Hazard, Cerberus was unfortunately caught and "tasted" by the thirty mares surrounding it. ["Ahhh, damn it! Let him go!"] Hazard never had a single day of peace because of the mares. However, due to their high mental power, mana reserves, and agility compensating for their lower health and strength¡ªalong with their Warlord rank¡ªHazard tolerated them. Even so, he utterly despised the way they ate¡­ or even the fact that they ate at all. CHAPTER 20 Another day passed, yet our view remained fixed on the entrance of the Black Mountain, where Count Frank C. Solar stood, his gaze filled with deep fury as he stared at the Black Mountain, which lay at the border of his territory. Beside him stood viscounts, barons, lords, and all his banner-men, accompanied by their armies. Behind him stretched a sea of steel and flesh¡ªthree hundred thousand heavily armed soldiers, fully prepared to march into the Black Mountain. This massive force had prompted border guards Vlad and Mordred to each send a messenger to their respective commanders. At the front of the army, standing before Count Solar¡ªwho was clad entirely in silver armor, with only a narrow slit in his helmet revealing his piercing eyes¡ªwere the two messengers. One was a werewolf, the other a vampire. Yet even through that small gap in his helmet, his wrath was unmistakable to them. The vampire, who was far from the noble bloodlines of aristocratic vampires and was known as a wild vampire, wore no clothing at all. He was Vlad''s envoy. Yet despite his crude appearance, he was not to be underestimated, as his strength was at the level of a Lord-2. The werewolf, a Lord-3, was Mordred''s envoy, dressed in the simple hunting attire of his kind. "You filthy, demonic creatures, it would be best if you vanished from my sight! I have refrained from spilling your vile blood only to preserve the fragile peace! Do not test my patience!" Mana surged from the Count, and as a Warlord-Level 2, he effortlessly overwhelmed the envoys, forcing them to their knees. However, the werewolf, through sheer force of will, managed to half-rise. "The terms of the peace treaty, Article Four! No party is permitted to bring more than one hundred individuals into the Black Mountain border!" The vampire did not remain silent either. "Anyone who violates the agreement must pay full reparations for all damages, regardless of any future treaties!" The Count unsheathed his sword, its brilliance illuminating the surroundings like a star in the night. "Vlad and Mordred shall never see the day when another treaty is written!" In that moment, the envoys understood his intent and attempted to flee, but it was already too late. A slash of mana cut through them, severing both in half at the waist with ease. As the vampire desperately tried to crawl away with his hands, a silver sword pierced his heart. The weapon belonged to Baroness Henrietta, whose report had led the Count to gather all his bannermen in search of the entity responsible for slaughtering the Army of Heroes. Their pursuit had brought them to the Black Mountain, and the Count''s fury burned ever hotter due to the disgrace he had suffered in the eyes of the other nobles. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "Forward!!!" The Baroness turned to see the Count raising his sword, leading his army forward. In her heart, she knew that she would soon claim vengeance for her husband. Mounting her white steed, she took command, leading five hundred knights of the White Sky in perfect formation amidst the vast sea of knights. As they advanced, the thunderous sound of metal boots and the resounding chants of soldiers echoed through the land, causing all nearby monsters to flee in terror. However, such a massive army did not escape the watchful eyes of the Hazard scouting squads. ... Hazard, meanwhile, was admiring his new attire¡ªa grand cloak made from the hide of a colossal Hellhound, a Lord-2-ranked beast. He had almost forgotten about it until a lich informed him that the beast had been fully butchered. Now, the skeletal remains of the Hellhound stood before him. Hazard raised his hand, and after consuming three thousand dark mana, he watched as the massive, thirty-meter-long, ten-meter-tall Hellhound undead gazed back at him. [Gatekeeper of the Fortress Entrance] However, he did not pay it much attention, having no interest in riding a creature composed entirely of bones. Instead, he observed the Temple of the Death God, which amplified the power of the dead by twenty percent within a fifty-kilometer radius and ten percent beyond that¡ªa fact that filled him with confidence. Meanwhile, 120 Vengeful Spirit Towers lined the walls and fortress, serving as the backbone of his defenses. As he moved, he carefully monitored his troops, having received reports from his patrols that a significant army was approaching his home. He was fully prepared to welcome them. [700,000 standard demonic undead units, 3,500 demonic undead archers, 1,200 demonic undead swordsmen, 50 elite swordsmen, 10,000 elite archers, 20 demonic undead mages, 340 undead giants, 6 demonic undead giants, 1,000 demonic undead knights, 50 demonic liches, 1 demonic undead dragon, 9,000 undead hellhounds, 50 large undead hellhounds, 1 colossal undead hellhound, along with other beasts including 30 mares and 2 Death Cyclopes.] Even he felt an itch of anticipation at the sheer size of his army. With his forces perfectly arranged, he eagerly awaited their arrival. ... Five hundred kilometers away, a vampire count stood atop his castle, his black hair flowing as he drank the blood of a young female human knight. His moment of indulgence was interrupted by the arrival of a massive suicide bat crashing into his balcony. He turned towards the creature, letting the lifeless knight''s body drop, her head striking the ceramic floor with a dull thud. "What is so important that you dare to disturb me?" The bat bowed its head. "Count Maximian, with the utmost respect, according to urgent reports from our scouts, Count Solar''s forces have violated the peace treaty and crossed into Black Mountain from the Empire''s borders." Maximian needed a moment to process the information. Even then, he struggled to believe it. "Are you telling me that a mere count is single-handedly breaking the treaty?" "His banner-men''s army, three hundred thousand strong, is advancing toward the plains. If we do not act, they will soon reach our walls." The Count closed his eyes, then stepped toward the fallen knight''s body. He cut his finger with his nail, allowing a single drop of his blood to fall into her mouth. "Spread my words to all my bannermen¡ªwe shall gather at the Death Plains!" Then, as he gazed into the glowing red eyes of the resurrected knight, he whispered: "We shall show them the true power of darkness!" The bat flew off, soaring into the sky, where it joined tens of thousands of other three-meter-long suicide bats. Together, they let out a deafening chorus that echoed across the land. "War is coming! War is coming!" CHAPTER 21 Over the Black Mountains, in the dark sky filled with gray clouds, hundreds of witches in black, tattered robes flew on their enchanted broomsticks. They appeared young and beautiful, each wearing a characteristic conical hat. Their formation was arranged in groups of seven, with the foremost squadron led by a single figure whose attire was slightly more elaborate than the others. Hajna carefully observed the landscapes below. The Black Mountains were not an ideal place for war or reconnaissance¡ªscattered monsters and the extreme heights of the crumbling peaks had caused most of the civilized races to abandon the area after the Great War. "Hajna, if we keep going this way, we''ll reach the Empire''s borders. Conflict will be inevitable, and we didn''t get paid for that." Hajna turned her gaze toward her deputy, whose eyes and hair were both brown, before returning her focus to the view ahead. "If we don''t return with solid proof of our efforts, there''ll be no money, and even the nobles of the Death Plains won''t hire us anymore." "How many times have we had this conversation? We don''t need to sacrifice ourselves for a few more coins and fame!" "And what, starve to death instead? If the Empire doesn''t have a green or golden dragon in its army, then we''re practically safe. And if our rookies die by magic? That just means fewer mouths to feed!" "You''re impossible!" Hajna laughed and increased her speed, but suddenly, she sensed weak magical fluctuations nearby. Her eyes scanned the ground, where, a few kilometers away, a 50-meter tower of skulls and blackened materials began to tremble. Soon after, ghostly figures started emerging from it, spreading out in all directions. More towers, seemingly hidden in the surroundings, also released their specters, which began targeting them. "What the hell is that?""Hajna, what should we do?""These aren''t Empire troops or anything similar! Fighting them isn''t¡ª" Before she could finish her sentence, the thunderous roar of a dragon echoed through the air. "A dragon?!""Captain, look!" Turning her gaze, she saw a 40-meter-long skeletal dragon with two twisted horns speeding toward them at near-sonic velocity. Its aura and roar alone cast multiple curses upon them. Hajna struggled to keep her composure as she watched her hundred-strong battalion fall from the sky like dead birds. "Damn it!" As she turned to flee, her black robe''s collar was suddenly grabbed. With terror, she glanced back. A figure clad in a dark purple robe stood before her¡ªan undead being with blackened bones, golden streaks, and two long, twisted horns, a mark of power and dominance among demons. "A¡­ a Warlord-class being¡­" "Witches on broomsticks¡ªhow fascinating!" And with that, darkness consumed her vision. A fortress of ice loomed over the cold, white mountains. Hajna found herself clad in gleaming white noble robes¡ªgarments she had not worn in decades. "Why¡­ am I in an ice castle?" Then, a familiar voice rang out. "Oh, Captain, you''re here? The Ice Queen has summoned the Wandering Witches. You''d better make your way to the hall." Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. It was Luci''s voice. Her youthful, cheerful face stood before Hajna. "Luci¡­ can you tell me what''s going on? We were supposed to be in the Black Mountains¡ªwe were¡ª" "What are you talking about, Hajna? The Black Mountains? That filthy land full of lowly monsters? No way¡ªus witches would never¡ª" Hajna stepped forward and gripped Luci''s shoulders tightly. "This¡­ is this time travel?" "Time travel? Are you crazy? Even the forgotten Legendary Tier can''t do something like that. You don''t seem drunk, but if you want, I can attend the meeting as your deputy to keep you from messing up." "Luci, what''s today''s date?" "The 30th of the Ice Blossom Month, Year 240 after the Winterfall¡­ Why are you asking? You''re acting really weird!" Hajna''s expression darkened. "No, no, no. Tomorrow, the Witch Battalions will be ambushed and wiped out by the Colossal Golden Dragon. We have to stop the deployment!" She pushed past Luci, trying to rush to the hall, but no matter how much she ran in her ice-heeled shoes, it was useless. Then she turned back¡ªonly to see not Luci, but a woman with long black hair and dark eyes in a white dress, gazing at her. "You¡ª" "Captain! Captain!" Hajna''s eyes snapped open. Luci was in front of her again. The surroundings were dim¡ªa stone underground chamber, illuminated by several flickering turquoise-blue torches, resembling a dungeon. "Ah¡­ I thought they''d finished you off for good!" "What do you mean? Wait¡­ where are we? Is this a prison?" Hajna sat up, scanning the other cells¡ªfilled with their captured comrades. "We''ve been imprisoned. Nearly half of us are missing, and the rest have broken limbs or serious injuries from the fall. Even I¡­" Following Luci''s gaze, Hajna saw her own broken leg. "No¡ªit has to be treated, or I''ll die from internal bleeding¡ª" "We have bigger problems, Captain. And most importantly, something''s been done to you, but I don''t know what." "What do you mean? What are you talking about?" "When I woke up, everyone who''s here was already here. But they just brought you in recently. And when you were unconscious, your face looked¡­ strange. Like you were in pain or struggling for something¡ª" "Well, if I spent five hours running in my dreams, I probably didn''t have a great sleeping expression." Their attention was suddenly drawn to the center of the cells. The undead they had seen before stood there, observing them with a curious gaze. "Who are you?" He approached the bars of the enchanted metal cell. This was a prison deep within the Demon Fortress, and Hazard was quite pleased with its effectiveness. "That''s the question I wanted to ask you, Hajna¡ªthe former wanderer of the Winter Lands!" Hajna was shocked by the revelation of her identity, but recalling the dream she had seen, she quickly understood what had been done to her. "You used mental magic on me." Hazard, recognizing Hajna''s sharp situational awareness, saw potential in her as a valuable piece on the board. "Good. But now, it''s time to answer my question!" Hajna met the glowing, miasma-filled eyes. "You already know who I am¡ªso what other answer do you need?" "Why were you in my domain? And do you have any ties to the Empire''s knight army?" Realizing that Hazard was likely one of the scattered remnants of the Great War, Hajna confidently stepped forward. "You are one of Dark Prince Vlad''s forces, aren''t you? With your power, you must have been among the nobles during the Great War. We''re mercenaries hired by Count Maximian to scout, estimate enemy forces, and assess their strength. If you ally with Count Maximian in this upcoming battle, Dark Prince Vlad will surely forgive you for your scattered exile." Hazard pondered the new information and turned to Luci. "You must be Luci¡­ Tell me, do you agree with what he says?" Hajna glanced back at Luci, who trembled in fear. The power gap was enormous¡ªshe was merely Elite Tier, while Hazard was Warlord Tier. She had two choices: deny Hajna''s words and save herself at Hajna''s expense, or affirm them and let Hazard determine their fate. "H-He''s telling the truth. Dark Prince Vlad is ruthless, but for a Warlord like you, he''d surely make an exception." Hazard, still skeptical, found himself intrigued by this Count Maximian. "Is this Count Maximian gathering forces to fight the Empire''s knights?" Hajna hesitated briefly before answering. "The Dark Army under Count Maximian is already marching toward the Empire''s forces¡ªto battle in the Obsidian Mine Valley." Hazard''s eyes flickered. "The Obsidian Mine?" Obsidian was extremely valuable among Demon Kings for its magical conductivity and durability. "Take me and my army to the Obsidian Valley, and I''ll help Count Maximian in battle. In return, I''ll spare you for trespassing in my domain." Hajna, delighted, eagerly nodded. "Of course! Of course!" CHAPTER 22 In the northern continent, where nothing but cold storms, snow, and ice could be found, a towering ice fortress, nearly three thousand meters tall, shone brightly. Its towers and the surrounding city alone covered an area of eight hundred kilometers. At the top of the fortress, in an opulent hall, dozens of individuals knelt, all facing a massive, yet empty, ice throne. Suddenly, snow began to swirl in the air, taking shape into a two-meter-tall woman. As she appeared, her white hair and gem-like blue eyes shimmered. Her youthful, pale skin was adorned with a regal, elegant blue dress. She struck the floor with her ice staff. "The imperial army, led by the bastard Lancelot, is rampaging at our borders! And you useless pests¡ªwhat are you doing?!" The sharpness of her voice silenced the court''s generals. The sorceress general, the dwarf general, and the valkyrie general¡ªsome of the most formidable figures¡ªcould only tremble. "If you have no answers, I''ll be more than happy to feed you to Dietrich''s bears!" Her gaze locked onto only one individual: a three-meter-tall man with dragon wings on his back. He possessed an otherworldly beauty, sharing a resemblance with the Ice Queen. He stepped forward, standing firm before her, eyes unwavering. "Young dragon, you''d better have a good reason for not kneeling before me!" The young dragon chuckled. "Young Queen, when His Majesty Dietrich himself is present in the court, your orders hold no weight." At his words, the Ice Queen turned swiftly, sensing a faint presence behind her. The moment it was discovered, that presence released its power, revealing itself¡ªalready kneeling. "I welcome His Majesty." Dietrich, a man with a similar appearance but radiating an overwhelming heroic aura, his golden eyes commanding absolute authority, stepped forward. Wearing his battle armor, he sat upon the Ice Queen''s throne and placed his hand gently on her head, stroking her hair. "We greet the King of Winter!" At once, all the generals and courtiers¡ªexcept for the kneeling Ice Queen¡ªrose to their feet, only to bow deeply once more in reverence. "Lucius, go visit your grandfather and tell him I request an audience." The young dragon simply nodded and leaped from a massive window, transforming mid-air into a fifty-meter-long white dragon, soaring northward. "Dwarf General." A heavily armored dwarf, clad in black steel, stepped forward and knelt. "Go to the Frozen Hills and drag the Dwarven King out of his mines. Tell him to assemble all his forces at the border." "Your command will be carried out immediately." "Lagertha." A towering woman, two meters tall, with powerful muscles, clad in a full set of Scandinavian-style white armor, knelt with a three-pronged spear in hand. "Increase patrols in all the cities." "My sisters await your command!" This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Sorceress." The sorceress general stepped forward and knelt. She had long hair braided into bunny-like ears and appeared no older than a twelve-year-old girl. Yet, her youthful form could not hide the thousand years of wisdom within her. "Are the runaway sorceresses still increasing, or have you regained control?" The sorceress general trembled slightly. The desertion of sorceresses to become mercenaries was a disgrace to her. "With increased funding and fewer divisions, the remaining sorceresses receive substantial salaries, and the number of deserters is decreasing." "Then I want the sorceresses to sabotage Lancelot''s forces¡ªslow their advance until I can force Siegfried and the giants of Isbadaden to join the war." "It shall be done." "Dietrich¡­" His gaze shifted to the Ice Queen, who had lowered her head. "You are dismissed." Minutes passed until only the two of them remained in the grand icy hall. "If I recall, I told you not to attack the Empire''s borders. I need time to finalize peace with Siegfried." Tears welled up in the Ice Queen''s eyes. "You were gone for centuries¡­" "Centuries to beings who live for thousands of years are but a blink in the river of time, my child." "But those centuries¡­ they were a lifetime for me." "Come here." He pulled her into an embrace, gazing into her jewel-like tearful eyes. "Your mother entrusted you to me years ago. You should stay out of unnecessary trouble and not put your life at risk. The humans of the Empire extend their lifespans to seek greater power¡ªthey strive for immortality. Arthur and Lancelot could even surpass Merlin." "Merlin? The Storm''s Wrath?" "Storm''s Wrath? Ha! That old man merely wields lightning as if it were an extension of his body. You should visit your mother''s tomb and return to your estate. Once this war is over and a peace treaty is signed, I will return the throne to you." Hearing this, the Ice Queen felt a deep sting. To her father, she was unworthy. She knew Dietrich wanted to protect her, but she also sensed his doubts. "Father, I can fight! I am close to reaching the Heroic level!" "My daughter, you are unaware of many things. You are a crucial target in this war, and Lancelot will undoubtedly seek to eliminate you. Do you know why Arthur, despite his many hidden conflicts with Lancelot, has never gotten rid of him?" "Because of the powerful faction supporting him?" "No, my dear. It is because his Warlord-level power completely suppresses even Heroic-level beings. The Western Duchy, the King of the Red Orcs¡ªwho came from an unknown continent seeking conquest¡ªwere all crushed by Lancelot. His legendary sword swings, capable of destroying dozens of orc ships in a single sweep, are not myths¡ªthey are reality." *"But you¡ª" "Hahaha! Those little warriors mean nothing to me, unless they all attack me at once!" The two laughed together¡ªa scene no one under their command could have ever imagined. "However, my daughter, the real crisis is not the Empire''s army¡­" The Ice Queen lowered her gaze. "The Demon Kings are being subdued. Soon, they will either perish or bow before us." "Unfortunately, it''s not that simple. That''s why I dismissed everyone earlier. Many of them are already lurking beneath our lands. The auras in those depths threaten even someone like me." Then his golden eyes shone. "But don''t worry. If Siegfried allies with us, nothing will stand in our way!" ... Far to the north, a massive warrior, clad in Viking-style heavy armor, stood atop the skull of a hundred-meter-tall giant. He pulled his axe from its shattered head and wiped his long white beard. "Damn giant." He felt the earth tremble and turned. Two more giants¡ªeach eighty meters tall¡ªknelt before him. "Your victory marks the dawn of a new era, led by a stronger chieftain." "What is the name of the new chieftain of the Icebone Giants?" The warrior wiped his axe with a cloth and revealed nearly forty necklaces¡ªeach bearing the symbols of different giant clans. "Siegfried, uniter of all giant tribes and the landless King of the North." The two armored giants, radiating near-Warlord auras, grinned. "We bow with utmost respect to the King of Giants!" Siegfried smirked and tore the rare mineral-like symbol of leadership from the dead giant''s neck, placing it around his own. "Is there another nearby giant tribe?" The giants grinned and pointed in different directions. "Sixteen hundred giant steps northeast." "Two thousand giant steps north." "Take your tribe fifty thousand steps south and join the gathering at our current encampment." The giants nodded, knowing they now followed a man whose name¡ªdespite his long absence from southern civilization¡ªhad never been forgotten. Siegfried, the one whom legends claimed no man before or after could ever surpass in strength, courage, and honor. CHAPTER 23 On top of a peak near the Obsidian Valley, Hazard sat atop his undead demonic dragon, with Hezhna beside him, staring at the battlefield where two armies were about to clash. "Three hundred thousand humans against two hundred thousand creatures of darkness? What do you think the outcome will be?" With centuries of experience and countless battles in her mercenary days, Hezhna quickly analyzed the situation. "Human forces excel in warfare with their numbers and advanced magic. Their coordination has always kept the dark forces from gaining the upper hand. But on the other side, there''s Count Maximann, the infamous vampire. If Maximann disregards his own losses and sacrifices his main forces for this battle, the result is clear." "Count Maximann... You seem to have complete trust in him!" Hezhna simply lowered her head, but then she looked straight into Hazard''s hollow eye sockets with a serious gaze. "Who are you, really?" Hearing that, Hazard averted his gaze from her and looked back at the battlefield, which was soon to be drenched in blood. "So, you''ve finally figured it out." Hezhna immediately activated her protective and escape spells, but she hesitated to make a move. "You don''t know Count Maximann. You have no clue about the Obsidian Valley! You belong to neither the Empire nor the Dark Faction. So, tell me¡ªwhere are you from? Because I''m sure you''re not from the North either!" Hazard merely raised two bony fingers, and with a simple sound, all of Hezhna''s spells were nullified. The overwhelming gravity forced her to the ground. "Such pathetic mistakes... But surely, someone like you must have some guesses about my identity." Hezhna gave a bloody smile. "You''re a Demon King! A rapidly growing, powerful being hunted across the entire continent! No kingdom tolerates self-proclaimed kings like you!" Hazard nodded at her words. "And what about the so-called heroes who hunt us?" Hezhna hesitated for a moment. "You mean the Adventurers'' Guilds?" If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Hazard let out a sinister laugh, his shark-like white teeth clashing together. "Did you know that all of them are possessed by the spirits of beings from another world? All of them! This land of yours is nothing but a battlefield for two greater factions to wage war!" Hezhna fell silent. If what he said was true, it would explain the sudden support from nobles and powerful figures for the guilds and the mass enlistment of their ranks. "That''s a lie..." "Then what do you make of my existence? Someone who has only lived in this world for a few months and has already reached the rank of Warlord?" Hezhna shuddered upon realizing that the being before her was only a few months old. "And it''s all thanks to those foolish heroes who willingly threw themselves at me. And this battlefield before us!" She watched as Hazard stepped closer to the battlefield. "This will help me evolve even further!" Hezhna remained silent. A being who could reach Warlord rank in mere months would surely reach the legendary ranks in no time. Countless thoughts ran through her mind, forcing her to consider various possibilities. She closed her eyes. "How many of you are alive right now?" Hazard glanced at his system window, checking the remaining numbers. "Around 40,000. But you should know¡ªperhaps only a three-digit number are at my level, and only a single-digit number above me." Hezhna shivered upon hearing that there might be a thousand beings as strong as her. Conquering a kingdom would be as easy as drinking a glass of water for such a force. "If... If we¡ª" "If you''re about to say you want to serve me, then let me tell you¡ªhalf of your people are already my absolute slaves." Hazard casually created a spatial distortion behind him, opening a portal from which fifty undead witches emerged. They looked just as they had in life but were now of a higher rank than before. Proud of his ability to enhance undead through his mastery of necromantic magic, Hazard looked at Hezhna. "Tell me, what difference is there between you and them? They''re even stronger than they were in life." Freed from the gravity magic, Hezhna inspected one of the undead witches before turning back to Hazard. "Then why have you kept us alive until now? Do you think I won''t figure it out?" Hazard smirked, impressed by her intelligence. "Yes, that''s exactly why. These witches¡ª" He tapped one of their heads with his skeletal finger. "They''re nothing but puppets. They lack your intelligence and memories. So tell me, how can I trust you to serve me for eternity?" Hezhna frowned. The reason why people proudly became mercenary witches was to earn more money and use advanced magic beyond just ice magic, which their commanders often forbade them to practice. But the creature before her demanded eternal servitude¡ªsomething she could never agree to. Yet, she wasn''t in a position to refuse. The sight of her sisters'' lifeless, doll-like bodies reminded her of what would happen if she did. "So, what''s your decision?" "We sign a blood contract." Hazard frowned but then approached her, purchasing a blank magical contract scroll. He inscribed a list of one-sided conditions before handing it to her and opening a portal. "Once the contract is sealed in blood, wait for me at the castle entrance. Until then, enjoy the company of your new friends." With a look of disgust, Hezhna left, accompanied by Hazard''s undead puppets, leaving him alone with his undead dragon to observe the battlefield. "Who do you think will win?" The dragon, lacking the intelligence to analyze, simply rested in its usual draconic manner, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn''t fall asleep. "Lazy." Hazard then turned his gaze toward the valley before him, where the two armies had finally begun to move. CHAPTER 24 Count Solar and Count Maximian stood against each other, both clad in different yet equally noble and magnificent full-body armor. "Pathetic human, you''d better have a good excuse for invading neutral lands." "Filthy creatures of darkness, it is better to cleanse you than to listen to your words!" "So, it seems only blood shall be spilled!" "And the blood spilled shall be avenged!" Both then turned back to their respective armies. Maximian, somewhat bewildered, gestured toward the nearest viscount. "Was he talking about the blood spilled in the Great War?" The viscount, whose armor was similar but slightly less grand, glanced toward the imperial army. "I''m not sure, but it seems to be about the twenty-thousand-man human army that recently vanished overnight at the border." Maximian simply smirked and then roared at his army, composed of vampires, demons, werewolves, and many other dark creatures. "The usurpers dream of plundering our lands! They seek war under the ridiculous pretense of blaming us! Children of darkness, tell me! Will you flee from war?" "No!" "Tell me! Will you surrender your land to your enemies?" "No!" "Then, are you ready to seize their lands instead?" "Yes!" "Do you wish to repay their invasion of our lands with the blood of their children?" "Yes!" "Will you enslave their women and dedicate their lands to the Prince of Darkness?" "Yes!!" "Then show no mercy!!!!!" "Huah! Huah! Huah!" Count Solar, standing two kilometers away, trembled from the deafening war cries of the dark creatures and the pounding of weapons against shields, the rhythmic thuds of spear butts against the ground. His soldiers were shaken even more. "Priests, activate the reinforcements!" If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Soldiers of the Empire, know this: today, we shall avenge the twenty thousand souls of our people, the plundering of four villages, and the massacre of all their men, women, and children! Know that when we fall, Mother Earth shall guide our spirits to heaven, and the angels themselves shall bear witness to your courage on this day! Send the filthy souls of these creatures to hell!" The imperial soldiers raised their swords and weapons toward the sky. "For the Empire!" Count Solar drew his gleaming sword and, mounted on his armored steed, pointed it toward the opposing army. "For the Empire!" Hazard, watching from afar, felt the only thing missing was popcorn. It was a sight to behold¡ªknights charging atop their armored warhorses, lances and swords clashing against the hellhounds. Blood spurted like fountains in every direction. But the battle was far from over. An hour in, the shrieks of colossal bats filled the air. Some swooped down, snatching knights from the ground and dropping them from great heights onto the imperial forces below. Others tore their prey apart mid-air, and some even hurled themselves suicidally into the imperial army like living missiles. The Empire did not stand idle. Numerous knights mounted on pegasi and griffins took to the skies to hunt down the bats. But soon, fiery imps from the dark faction joined the fray, overwhelming the imperial knights with their sheer numbers. Count Solar, overwhelmed by the chaos, ordered his mages and archers to eliminate the airborne threats. Meanwhile, Maximian, sipping the blood of a captured knightess, commanded his Blood and Shadow Knights to flank the enemy while ordering his foot soldiers to advance. The battlefield was a whirlwind of destruction, and even from kilometers away, Hazard could feel the waves of magical energy surging through the air. He observed with keen interest, analyzing the troops and their tactics. Hours passed, and by midnight, the human army had retreated to its nearby encampment, while the dark faction did the same. Hazard, seeing the battle had reached a standstill, mounted his dragon and soared toward his fortress, scanning the surrounding regions on his way back to ensure no enemy forces lurked near his mines or territory. Five hours later, he arrived at his castle and found fifty witches surrounded by undead demonic knights and undead sorceresses. As he landed before them, he saw Hegena approaching him. Her action could have cost her life, but Hazard ordered his knights and dragon not to interfere. She handed over a blood magic contract, and Hazard smirked. "I see you all have agreed." Hegena lowered her head in shame, regretting that she had led her coven to this fate. Hazard then sliced open a golden vein on his arm, allowing the thick, tar-like golden fluid to drip onto the contract. The contract shimmered into tiny lights and was absorbed into both Hazard and the living witches. "You will patrol within a hundred-kilometer radius of the castle. Each of you will be accompanied by an undead sorceress. If necessary, you will prioritize your own survival above all else. Your mission is to protect the sanctum and monitor the surrounding regions." Hegena fell to her knees, her sisters following suit. "We will comply." With that, Hazard turned away, for it was time to summon Abyssal beings, and he intended to wager a thousand mana from his ten-thousand-mana reserve. Portals to the Abyss cracked open, and nearly a thousand small, ball-sized creatures with a single eye and two wings emerged. Hazard watched them with amusement, though their weak stats couldn''t even match a common undead. He simply needed to siphon a little mana from a nearby Lich, who proudly offered it to his master. As a surge of mana was released, the eyeball creatures fell to the ground, and Hazard instructed the Liches: [Control them for reconnaissance. Assign them their duties.] Seeing the Liches get to work, Hazard flew toward his castle''s terrace. Upon entering, he was greeted by thirty mares, who eagerly surrounded him. After a long day, Hazard retired to his bed, allowing the mares to lull him into the best dreams he had become addicted to. CHAPTER 25 Hazard stood atop his favorite mountain peak, gazing down at the battlefield alongside his dragon, who once again pretended to be asleep. In the center of the battlefield, corpses had become a feast for crows and vultures. Two armies, each having lost half their forces the previous day, stepped onto the field once more, but this time, it seemed the battle would be decided by their commanders alone. Count Solar unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Maximan."You will pay for yesterday''s blood!" Maximan spun his spear in the air."Your tongue is too long¡ªlet me do you a favor and shorten it." ... Hazard watched the duel between the two warlord-level fighters with interest. He could say with confidence that even if they joined forces, he could still defeat them. The battle radiated intense magical waves, and Solar''s powerful sword techniques were clearly visible. However, Maximan''s agility and raw strength placed him on another level. After an hour of intense combat, Count Solar''s severed head rested atop Maximan''s spear, while the victor drank his blood. With Solar''s defeat, his forces ceased their attack and began retreating. Maximan''s dark forces, too, withdrew to their own territory at his command. As both armies departed, Hazard''s gaze fell upon the corpses and, more importantly, their equipment. However, he noticed that forces from both sides were collecting the dead. Despite his great interest, he chose not to intervene or reveal himself. He knew that if either side discovered his existence, he would be swiftly eradicated, just like other demon kings before him. Some time passed. Seated upon the throne in his fortress''s highest chamber, he gazed greedily and regretfully at the remaining points needed for his next upgrade. Yet, he held no regrets about staying out of the war. The consequences of interfering in such conflicts were not trivial, even for some of the most powerful beings. After a few minutes, he left the chamber and, following a trade filled with dread, purchased a new structure and placed it in the sanctuary hall. [Building: Death Spirit Guardian ¨C Level 4]A vengeful archlord-level spirit ensures that no enemy within a hundred meters can approach the building''s core. Hazard nearly coughed up blood upon seeing the cost¡ªbut even if he had blood in his golden veins, he would have been immune to such things. The construction required only a Death Jewel and a significant amount of gold, completely depleting his balance. But when the structure finally appeared, Hazard nodded in satisfaction. Above the massive sanctuary, a dark crystal core pulsed like a heartbeat, releasing waves of dark mana with each throb. A towering twenty-meter-tall specter, wielding a death scythe, floated in the air. A black crown rested upon its head, while its tattered black robe fluttered ominously. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Satisfied with its power, Hazard left the fortress. Along the way, he rescued Cerberus from yet another mare''s jaws and ordered it to hunt nearby. A hellhound appearing on a battlefield or in its vicinity wouldn''t arouse suspicion¡ªsomething that reassured Hazard. With a simple nod to the flesh-covered beast, he made his way back to the fortress. If things continued like this, the day when even Cerberus''s skeleton wouldn''t be found due to the mares'' hunger would soon arrive. Upon returning, he checked the undead giants being produced in the tombs. These provided him with a significant number of lord-level troops at no cost. Satisfied, he finally retreated to his bedchamber, allowing himself to sleep once more in the embrace of the mares. ... High above the fortress, Hezhna soared through the sky alongside an undead witch. She looked at the creature, once considered her sister, with disgust. "You don''t understand anything anymore, do you?" There was no response, only a sigh escaping from Hezhna''s lips. She then turned her gaze toward the demonic undead dragon, which lay coiled atop the fortress crown, feigning sleep. "This demon king''s power has grown too much. It''s only a matter of time before either the Empire or the Darkness learns of his existence... If he doesn''t reach the legendary level by then, he''s done for." She scouted the surrounding lands for several kilometers but found nothing unusual¡ªonly undead moving in and out of the fire jewel mines. Returning to the fortress, she saw her other sisters arriving as well, none accompanied by an undead witch. The witches continued their night patrols, returning only to replenish their mana. Luci, standing nearby, approached and whispered into Hezhna''s ear. "Our food is running out." Hezhna frowned. This moment had been approaching for some time. Even though they ate sparingly, food and water were still essential. "No wine to lift their spirits, no decent food or water... Someone is bound to make a reckless move soon." She simply nodded and headed for the fortress. This issue needed to be reported to Hazard. She at least expected the demon king to provide them with sustenance. Upon reaching the fortress, she was stopped by two demonic undead giants, each equal in power to her. She couldn''t even communicate telepathically with them, as their resistance to mind magic was too high. She had no choice but to turn back. Meeting Hazard without prior notice or entering through his balcony, as he had said before, was tantamount to courting death. Flying too close to the fortress was forbidden, and if the bone dragon spotted them, it would surely attack. With no other choice, she returned to the small houses where they were stationed¡ªeach shared by two witches. Upon arrival, she longed for a hot bath, but such luxuries didn''t exist. Instead, she simply removed her clothes and collapsed onto the bed, watching Luci drift into sleep. "One day, we''ll be free..." Unaware that a small, eye-like creature was observing from the corner of the room, she soon fell asleep. Every word, every movement was being watched by the Eyes of Death. Hazard, having awakened in his chamber, lay among the sleeping mares. Receiving the reports from his liches, he could only sigh in frustration. The undead witches, due to their lower levels, had little intelligence compared to the living witches under his command. Those with centuries of experience had forced him to trade fire jewels for gold coins, searching for things he never imagined he would spend his wealth on. CHAPTER 26 Morning had arrived, and Hezhna, upon hearing a knock at the door, found a deathly Lich standing before her. She wore only a thin nightgown, but she felt no shame, knowing that the Lich before her was devoid of emotions. ["His Majesty has summoned all of you to gather in the castle''s reception hall."] Hezhna stared at the Lich in confusion. The reception hall? Why? There was a dead man ruling this castle¡ªshe couldn''t comprehend the reason. "Just me?" The Lich, hearing this, allowed her to step outside and see that every identical house had a Lich standing before it, speaking to its occupant. "So, everyone¡­" An hour later, all the living witches were seated in the reception hall around a massive, dark table. After a brief wait, Hazard appeared, clad in his usual dark robe, and took his seat at the head of the table¡ªhis chair noticeably different from the others. Resting his hands under his chin, he spoke. "You all worked well yesterday. Since it was your first day under my rule, I wasn''t prepared to properly care for you." Hearing this, Hezhna felt relieved. At least this implied that the Demon King didn''t intend to treat them like unpaid laborers. However, doubts lingered¡ªwhat kind of food could a dead man possibly provide? She was aware of creatures that mimicked the living and roamed around, but she also knew they were undoubtedly monsters. Keeping her skepticism in check, she patiently watched Hazard until she heard the sound of footsteps. Humanoid women, dressed in white yet modest clothing, entered the hall, carrying silver trays. They began setting the plates down on the table, though their inexperience was evident, as it took them some time to finish. It was the first time Hezhna had seen them up close. The sheer power radiating from each of them made her spine tingle so intensely that she couldn''t stop sweating and trembling. This reaction was the same for all the witches. They were in complete shock at the overwhelming strength of the Demon King sitting before them. If just one more level of heroism were added to this power, it could successfully defend its realm against both the Darkness and the Empire. Yet, their doubts and fears were quickly replaced by hunger as the scent of an unfamiliar yet tantalizing aroma filled their nostrils. The table was adorned with an array of exotic dishes¡ªFrench, Mexican, German, Indian, Chinese, and even Persian cuisine. The witches stared at the food in astonishment. Silver goblets filled with red wine sat beside their plates. The moment they drank, their cheeks flushed red with warmth. Hazard observed as they ate with refined manners like nobles. Tapping a finger on the table, he said, "Relax. Pretend you''re alone. Help yourselves. There''s no need for formalities when it''s just us." Hezhna had restrained herself until now, eating with the elegant etiquette she had been taught. She savored the food, its exquisite flavors unlike anything she had ever tasted before. Tears welled in her eyes. However, upon hearing Hazard''s words, the rest of the witches abandoned all manners, grabbing food with their hands like drunken tavern-goers. They drank wine straight from the bottles instead of pouring it into their goblets. Rather than feeling pleased, Hezhna found herself embarrassed by their behavior. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. An hour passed. She had finished her meal and looked around at her sisters, now completely intoxicated¡ªsome passed out on the floor, others slumped over the table or in their chairs. Curious, Hezhna turned her gaze to Hazard. "May I ask where you got such food?" Hazard could only smile¡ªif he had the ability to. Instead, resting his hands under his chin, he answered, "That''s a secret." Hearing this, Hezhna simply nodded. The taste was phenomenal. Based on her sense of taste, the meat wasn''t human. She was also certain that there was no poison or harmful substance in the food, as she and her sisters had signed a contract making Hazard their official master. And a master wouldn''t harm their own property¡ªat least, not if they were sane. Hazard couldn''t answer her truthfully, as he himself was puzzled. When he had purchased the ingredients from the Demon Kings, knowledge of how to cook these dishes had suddenly flooded his mind like a storm. He had spent the entire night preparing the familiar meals from his past life, regretting only that he couldn''t taste them himself. But seeing the satisfaction on the witches'' faces reassured him that he hadn''t ruined the recipes. The cost of feeding fifty people, including fine wine, had been covered easily with just a single fire gem. The act of cooking had brought him a sense of vitality. He sighed, reminiscing about his past life¡ªtraveling to different countries for missions, dining on local delicacies, and always cooking for himself in solitude. "¡­You seem like you have something to say." Hazard shifted his gaze back to Hezhna. "I''ve prepared land for you and built a large tent. I think you''ll like it." Hezhna frowned upon hearing this but said nothing. At that moment, Hazard left, entrusting her with the task of waking her sisters and meeting him outside the castle that night. Later that night, Hezhna and the other witches, now sober, stood before a massive, deep-red tent that resembled a circus tent. Entering, they found an enormous space, completely enclosed to shield them from the freezing mountain air. The atmosphere inside was warm and comfortable. Beds were scattered throughout the vast tent¡ªsome hanging from the ceiling, others at various heights, and some on the ground. Hezhna stared in astonishment at Hazard, who stood at the center. "From now on, you will live here. I want each of you to write a book every week¡ªon principles, purity, circles, or elemental execution, whichever subject you are most knowledgeable in." He gestured to a section of the tent where dozens of bookshelves stood, filled with thick, blank tomes. "One book per person, per week. Try not to repeat topics, and help each other produce the best collection. History, geography, and literature are also acceptable. Those books are all blank¡ªI expect every one of them to be filled by next year." The witches frowned slightly, but such a task posed no danger to their lives. With Hezhna leading them, they stepped forward to face Hazard. "If we stay here and write these books¡­ what about the patrols?" Hazard placed a hand on Hezhna''s shoulder and, as he left the tent, spoke. "Your sisters will handle the patrols. I don''t want you going hungry, so I''ll provide you with extra food. You can find barrels of wine in the western corner of the tent. Meals will be served at three fixed times¡ªyou''ll be notified when to come to the castle for them." Hezhna simply nodded, then turned to her sisters. The moment Hazard left, they grabbed their staffs and raced through the tent, competing to reach the highest spots. She smiled and glanced at Lucy. "Maybe¡­ this isn''t so bad after all." Lucy smiled back before joining the others in their playful competition, while Hezhna stood at the tent''s entrance, gazing outside. Outside the tent, Hazard reviewed his list of forces. The loyalty of the witches, which had been at 10% the night before, had now risen to 80%. He spread his arms and activated an Abyssal Summoning Portal¡ªsmall, but singular. As the portal materialized, crimson blood began to drip from it. Hazard stepped closer, watching curiously. The portal was closing, but his summoned entity had yet to emerge. He debated his options. Then, as the portal shrank further, he made a decision. He leaped into the abyss. A decision he would soon regret. CHAPTER 27 After passing through the portal, a wave of regret engulfed him. The energy of the Abyss was corroding him terribly, even though he was still within the spatial tunnel leading to it. Purple lightning, like vigilant sentinels, struck him relentlessly, punishing the intruder of the portal. However, as soon as he emerged on the other side, they vanished as if they had never existed. Yet, the sight before Hazard truly made him regret his crossing. The Abyss was anything but welcoming. Dragon-like creatures soared in the sky, their power clearly at an epic level or even beyond. In the distance, a colossal being stood, so massive that only its ankle was visible beneath the dark clouds, emanating a level of strength that Hazard couldn''t even begin to comprehend. War was everywhere¡ªmassive and powerful creatures were tearing their enemies apart with weapons or their own limbs, devouring them without hesitation. But Hazard had no time to waste. Swiftly, he located the entity he was meant to summon¡ªa massive black dragon. But it wasn''t the one. Beneath it, the dragon was feasting on a slain purple dragon, but that one wasn''t it either. Hazard, sensing the summoning mana thread, looked beyond the two creatures, only to realize that both dragons were above Warlord-level strength. "Epic!" Seizing the opportunity, he attempted to resurrect the fallen epic dragon, but he failed. A second later, he noticed something¡ªhis summon was clutched in the black dragon''s grasp. It was a small purple dragon, no larger than a grown dog, its scales damaged and bloodied, yet its golden eyes locked onto Hazard. The black dragon, a creature of Abyssal lineage, noticed Hazard upon seeing the small dragon''s gaze and prepared to unleash its abyssal-consuming flames. Every danger signal in Hazard''s mind blared at once. Without hesitation, he took flight, activating the second form of his Evil Arch Lich King mode, which doubled his stats and pushed his power to the lower end of the epic level. Strengthening himself further, he swiftly summoned the Scythe of Death and clashed against the massive three-hundred-meter-long black dragon''s claws, sending himself flying hundreds of meters backward. Regaining his stance, he saw the black dragon ignore him entirely, swallowing its previous breath as if it were nothing, and preparing to devour the small dragon in its grasp. Immediately, Hazard summoned two identical clones of himself and activated the Cursed Aura and the Domain of the Death King. He shifted his focus from harming the small dragon to combating the black dragon instead. With the activation of his abilities, a flood of golden system messages about slaying Abyssal creatures flooded his vision, but he ignored them. In mere seconds, vengeful spirits and countless spheres of negative energy shot toward the black dragon, forcing it to release the small dragon and acknowledge its opponent. As it exhaled another fiery breath, its wings spread wide, and various magical formations began forming around it, forcing Hazard into a difficult position. However, upon seeing the portal beginning to close, he broke away from his clones, allowing them to distract the black dragon while he grabbed the wounded small dragon. As he passed by the lair, he cast a sorrowful glance at the two large purple dragon eggs resting nearby. Then, making his decision, he turned back. By the time he returned, one of his clones had already been destroyed, and the other was on the verge of death. He was at a crossroads. Without hesitation, he tossed the unconscious and injured small dragon into the portal and rushed toward the eggs. Cradling them in his arms, he turned back¡ªonly to find the black dragon standing before him, abyssal-consuming flames surging from its maw. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Damn it!" Acting instantly, Hazard conjured every magic barrier he could, layering them in front of himself. The abyssal-consuming fire shattered the shields like delicate glass. Slipping through the flames, he activated his spatial magic and appeared next to the portal. Without a second thought, he leaped inside. But the moment he did, a strange sensation washed over him. Glancing at the system notification, his expression twisted in shock¡ªit showed that he had lost 90% of his life force in an instant. Looking down at his body, he realized that half of his lower torso was missing. Fear gripped him. Yet, before he could react, the Abyssal dragon''s roar echoed behind him. Turning around, he saw a stream of fire chasing after him through the portal. If this were his past life, his pants would have changed color several times. But as he passed through the portal, he crashed onto the ground, rolling away while pulling the small dragon to safety. The portal sealed shut behind him. However, a tiny wisp of abyssal fire had slipped through. Upon touching the ground, it began consuming it at an atomic level, reducing it to nothing. Hazard trembled at the sight. If he had a heart, it would have exploded from the sheer rush of adrenaline. Finally, his gaze landed on the wounded yet beautiful purple dragon¡ªan entity at Warlord-level strength. Recognizing its race as a Death Lightning Dragon, it lay its head on the ground, embracing the two eggs as if it were their mother. ¡­ Hours had passed. The witches sat in the hall, silently watching Hazard. His injuries were severe¡ªburns covered his entire skeletal body, with fractures and cracks marring his once-regal form. Hegna didn''t even dare ask any questions. She could sense that the aura surrounding Hazard was not one to engage with. Minutes later, a significantly smaller meal than before was placed on the table. None of the witches dared to comment, eating in silence. Standing before them, Hazard finally spoke. "What''s the nearest place with a large population and weak defenses?" Hegna and the others exchanged glances before she cautiously asked, "May I ask why?" Hazard felt a surge of anger but chose to explain. "The heroes¡ªor as you call them, the Adventurers'' Guild. Where are there a lot of them?" Hearing this, Hegna exchanged whispers with Lucy before responding. "Solar had the most nearby, but we received news last month that they were all wiped out." Her gaze sharpened slightly as if realizing who was responsible for their destruction. She then continued. "The next closest city is the Obsidian Towers in the south, ruled by Count Maximan. To the northeast, there''s the World Gate City¡ªa commercial hub. Several months ago, organizations disguised as trading guilds appeared there suddenly, which, considering the information you''ve given us, are likely hero associations in disguise." Hazard pondered for a moment. Witnessing the battle between two faction commanders had given him some confidence, but his time in the Abyss had shown him he was far from even reaching the mid-tier of strength. "The trade city sounds better." Hegna nodded. The World Gate City was a bustling trade center where merchants from the west exchanged goods with the east and vice versa. Occasionally, items from the Dark Lands or the frigid north would appear, making it a crucial trade hub within the southern empire. Unlike the Dark Cities, which were mostly fortresses with minimal trade due to scattered monsters, merchants could only travel safely with heavily guarded military caravans, which came at exorbitant costs. Hazard waited for the witches to finish their meal and discussed the World Gate City with Hegna for some time before returning to his room at the highest floor of the castle. There, he found the small dragon nestled in the arms of the mares, sleeping soundly. The Death Lightning Dragon had a sleek and sharp physique, devoid of any sense of bulk. Hazard then turned his gaze to the two other purple dragon eggs, embraced by the mares. Touching them, he once again sensed the vibrant life pulsing within. He eagerly awaited the day they would hatch and, like their parents, ascend to the epic tier. CHAPTER 28 In the bustling commercial city known as the "Gateway of the World," home to a population of four hundred thousand and countless more temporary residents engaged in trade and daily activities, the marketplace was as lively as ever under the midday sun. The constant exchange of goods and coins flowed like an endless river. Yet, amidst the crowded streets and bazaar alleys, one could always spot groups of individuals dressed in identical attire. These people were members of trade guilds, operating collectively and with remarkable expertise¡ªan ability that often left independent merchants envious. Admission to these guilds supposedly required an interview, but most traders believed the selection process was arbitrary. Many successful applicants had no prior experience in commerce, further fueling suspicion. Although numerous guilds existed, only a handful of seasoned merchants had uncovered the secret behind their success. These guild members employed strange tactics during transactions¡ªboth before and during deals¡ªto unfairly maximize their profits, leaving their trade partners at a significant loss. One such independent merchant, Musialin, found himself at the brink of ruin. He had lost a large portion of his goods to the GP Trade Guild and was particularly distressed over an heirloom necklace that protected him from mental manipulation. Upon arriving in the city, he had set up his usual stall in the mid-spring district, paid the city''s land tax, and aimed to sell off his stock within a week. However, despite offering high-quality eastern garments, he hadn''t sold a single item. Musialin was on edge. In the past, he would sell most of his goods at high prices within a week and offload any remaining stock to westbound traders at reasonable rates. But this time, he had made no sales at all. Accepting his losses in frustration, he decided to move north to another trade city. Just as he prepared to leave, two individuals wearing matching outfits approached him. Recognizing them as trade guild members, he listened as they offered to buy his entire stock. Desperate, Musialin eagerly accepted and followed them to the guild''s office. It wasn''t until he found himself signing the contract that his protective necklace activated, snapping him out of a trance. His eyes narrowed as he reviewed the agreement¡ªhis entire stock was being purchased for less than a quarter of its actual value. Stunned, he wondered how he had come so close to signing such a terrible deal. When he looked up, he found himself facing a beautiful woman, dressed in noble attire, watching him with mild surprise. "Aren''t you going to sign?" she asked. Musialin set down his ink pen, his eyes flickering toward his necklace. He stood abruptly, intending to leave, but the two guild members blocked his way. "If it''s about the price, I can raise it," one of them said smoothly. "How does five Arthurian gold coins sound?" At that moment, Musialin nearly erupted in anger. Not only had the price not improved¡ªit had actually decreased. He had no idea what was happening, but he wasn''t going to stay and find out. Pushing past the guards, he fled down the stairs and out of the building. He immediately sought out the city guard, but with the shift change at dusk, they were difficult to locate. Before he knew it, he found himself cornered in an alley by a group of guild members, all dressed in red. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "If you tell anyone, we will find you," a young man in his early twenties warned, gripping Musialin''s shoulder. "And we''ll make you wish for death." Shaking with fear, Musialin managed to escape and rushed to the tavern where he was staying. Alone in his room, he pieced together what had happened¡ªhe had been subjected to a mental attack and only survived thanks to his necklace. His frustration boiled over. He was now certain that the GP Trade Guild had sabotaged his sales and manipulated him for their own gain. Midnight arrived, and Musialin, exhausted, decided to sleep. But just as he settled in, the sound of warning horns and distant screams shattered the silence. He rushed to his window and froze in shock. In the far distance, magical explosions ripped through the city, reducing buildings to rubble. Cursing his ill fortune, he quickly packed only the essentials and attempted to escape the city. The main roads were chaotic, with people stampeding over one another in a desperate rush. Instead, Musialin slipped into the narrow alleyways, hoping to slip out unnoticed. Then he heard it¡ªthe thunderous roar of a dragon. Looking up, his heart nearly stopped. A forty-meter-long skeletal dragon with massive twisted horns hovered in the sky, unleashing its terrifying cry. Musialin fell to his knees, his eyes locking onto the figure astride the dragon¡ªa being draped in a deep purple robe. Though its face was hidden, two enormous horns protruded from its head. Musialin could only utter one word: "Demon¡­" As he struggled to stand and flee, a terrifying aura washed over him. His vision blurred, cracks of pain spread across his body, and he could see eerie, ominous energy radiating from the dragon rider. With a final surge of dread, darkness swallowed him. Above, atop the skeletal dragon, Hazard surveyed the city, his cursed aura and dominion spreading like a plague, harvesting gold coins as life after life was snuffed out. He briefly wondered if his thirty necromancers had managed to seal all the city exits. A quick glance confirmed his suspicions¡ªno one could escape. Soldiers who came too close simply collapsed, their brains liquefied by mental assaults in mere seconds. With a satisfied smirk¡ªif he had the ability to smile¡ªHazard turned his gaze toward the city''s great fortress, a massive structure though still dwarfed by his own castle. Raising his hands, he summoned vengeful spirits, sending them swarming toward the keep. His target was every soul within the fortress, including a high-ranking warlord, whom he spotted sprinting toward the upper levels. Hundreds of wailing spirits rushed in, consuming lives and turning them into golden coins. If Hazard could laugh, he would have. Instead, he merely watched as the fortress lord¡ªa battle-worn man in golden armor¡ªemerged to confront him. Hazard unleashed a barrage of dark energy blasts, watching as the knight sliced through them with ease. The man''s holy-infused sword shimmered with golden light, effortlessly cutting through the malevolent projectiles like butter. Hazard almost burst into laughter. He had faced countless mages before, all of whom either dodged his attacks or summoned magical barriers¡ªpredictable tactics he was fully prepared to counter. But this time, as he saw the knight conjure a shield, his eyes widened. A radiant, holy barrier stood between them. For the first time, Hazard felt a flicker of surprise. He barely had time to react before the knight lunged forward. The skeletal dragon roared, snapping its jaws at the warrior. But Hazard''s attention was elsewhere¡ªtoward the depths of the fortress, where many had begun fleeing underground. He could already guess what they were trying to reach. Gazing up at the moonlit sky, he grinned wickedly, swearing by the shadows cast upon the land. CHAPTER 29 Arsalan, the guard and captain of the city, was supposed to be patrolling as usual. However, he found himself in an unimaginable situation. Surrounding him, soldiers stood at a distance of a hundred meters, all staring at a humanoid female figure in a white dress, standing at the northwestern gate. Around her, within a hundred-meter radius, the ground was littered with headless corpses¡ªmen, women, children, elderly¡ªwithout distinction. The entity remained motionless, and even magical attacks could not approach within a hundred meters of her. With fear gripping him, Arsalan shouted to the soldiers and elite-level mages around him, all of whom were top-tier warriors, while he himself was at the Lord level."Nobody gets close! We have to wait for Count''s reinforcements! Until then, prevent any civilians from approaching the gate!" The well-trained soldiers, after taking deep breaths, scattered in different directions to carry out their orders. However, some remained frozen, staring at the entity in front of them, fear overriding their military discipline. "That thing is at least Warlord-level! We should escape through the other gates!""I don''t want to die!""We can''t defeat it!" Seeing their morale crumble, Arsalan sheathed his steel sword and shield, moved behind them, and pointed his sword at them."You swore to protect the citizens of this city and the Empire! Either move forward and fight this invading creature, or obey the orders of your superior!" When the three soldiers in front of him failed to respond, Arsalan''s anger flared. A plan sparked in his mind, and without hesitation, he threw the three hesitant soldiers toward the monster. "Hey, what are you doing?!!!""Have you gone mad?!""Damn you, bastard!" Ignoring their protests, Arsalan, at his Lord-level strength, effortlessly hurled them through the air toward the creature. The female-like entity turned her gaze toward the first soldier. Ignoring his screams, his head exploded the moment she looked at him. She then turned to the second, then the third. When her gaze shifted to a fourth, Arsalan had already reached her and hurled his shield forward. The entity effortlessly knocked it aside with such force that it embedded into the ground. She turned to look at him¡ªbut his sword was already plunged deep into her heart. Seeing his attack succeed, Arsalan twisted the blade violently, then, wasting no time, pulled it out and swung for a decapitating strike. With expert precision, he severed her head, sending it flying. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the lifeless body before him, before being snapped back to reality by the cheers of the soldiers and approaching civilians. "Hurry to the other gates! These creatures can be killed¡ªyou just need to avoid their gaze! Move fast! For the Empire!" Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. The soldiers raised their weapons in unison, while the civilians sought to flee. However, the soldiers did not allow them to abandon the city entirely. "For the Empire!" Arsalan, knowing he would receive a great reward for this achievement, glanced at the three headless soldiers among the fallen. From a military standpoint, he had the right to execute them on the spot for disobeying orders. Yet, despite everything, he felt guilt for their deaths. However, he had killed a Warlord-level entity and saved many soldiers and citizens in the process. Just as he was beginning to process the situation, the expressions of those around him darkened in horror. Confused, Arsalan turned around and saw the creature''s body melting into a black, tar-like liquid that began to rise. Not hesitating for even a second, Arsalan unleashed his fastest and strongest sword technique, "Comet Slash." His strikes landed on the tar-like mass¡ªbut it regenerated instantly. The black substance solidified, revealing a monstrous, worm-like being with a massive conical mouth. The sight was so horrifying that most of the civilians fainted, while the soldiers, who had been ready to liberate the other gates, now trembled in terror. Before their eyes, Arsalan, their captain, screamed in agony as he was crushed and consumed within the gaping maw of the black worm. At none of the city''s twelve other gates had such progress been made¡ªnone had forced the entity into its true form. Yet, the piles of corpses elsewhere suggested an even grimmer fate. Meanwhile, deep within the underground vaults of Hazard Castle, a knight in full armor was effortlessly sliced in half, as if he were butter, by the enchanted sword of Count Hazard. His weapon, a legendary blade of hardened steel, inlaid with gold and silver, bore intricate mythical engravings. Without hesitation, Hazard executed two more Lord-level knights in the same manner before reaching the end of the grand hall. There, he locked eyes with a middle-aged red-haired woman and her two teenage daughters, both standing behind their mother in terror. The woman, Count''s wife and a Lord-level mage, swiftly conjured a magical circle, known as the Laser Flame spell, which could amplify raw magical energy multiple times. However, before she could release it, the spell suddenly turned against her and instantly obliterated her own head. Satisfied with his mastery over magic, Hazard then shifted his gaze to the two weeping daughters, who knelt beside their mother''s corpse. As they sobbed, he evaluated whether they could be of any use to him. He had just slain both their parents, yet within five seconds, he reached a conclusion. Without a word, he walked past them. The girls, too distraught to react, didn''t realize that, in their moment of mourning, they had been frozen solid by ice magic. With a slight gust of wind, their bodies shattered into thousands of pieces. Hazard then arrived before the massive steel vault door, five meters tall. Summoning his Death Scythe, he effortlessly sliced through it. Inside, he was greeted with an enormous trove of gold and jewels, bringing a satisfied grin to his face. However, his true delight came from the system''s notification: [Gold Source Found][By absorbing the gold into the system, you can gain 1.5 million gold coins.][The commercial city "Gates of the World," a high-value Warlord-level threat, has been conquered.][Obtained: Grand Shining Mithril Treasure Chest] After absorbing the gold into the system and storing the jewels in his inventory, Hazard was about to relish the thought of the many heroes he had slain in this city. Yet, rather than a smile, his jaw merely twitched, producing an unsettling clicking noise¡ª A sound that, if heard by a weaker being, would haunt their nightmares forever. CHAPTER 30 A day had passed, and the flag bearers of the Count''s city had rushed from all over his territory to aid him. However, nothing remained but ruins and blood upon the ground¡ªthere was not a single trace of a human or any other living being. Among the ten viscounts standing in their battle armor, one wore a wizard''s robe. He dismounted from his horse, gazed intently at the black blood on the ground, and placed his hand upon it. He then began chanting a spell¡ªone that could reveal the past of a specific target in the form of a dream. The nine other viscounts and their flag bearers watched him closely, their eyes searching for answers, knowing his unique abilities. But what they did not realize was that he had now become a prisoner within his own vision. The young viscount, a wizard and a follower of the God of Wisdom, was once recognized as a prodigy for reaching the rank of Lord at such a young age. He was now reading the past of the blood through his mental magic when he encountered a scene¡ªa soldier, wearing the uniform of the Count''s army, stood before him, driving his sword into his own heart before twisting it to behead himself. The viscount did not flinch at such a sight, for he knew he was witnessing the perspective of whatever had attacked the city. The soldier''s luxurious cloak and ornate armor identified him as a city guard captain, which piqued the viscount''s interest. However, moments later, he realized that the entity he was observing had not lost consciousness¡ªit was still fully aware, its mind filled with incomprehensible screams, as if it were a child crying to its parents about its pain. The creature turned toward the guard captain with its countless eyes, then, in an instant, twisted its many teeth around him, shredding him apart. Its many tendrils lashed out in all directions, dragging every living being into its massive maw, swallowing them whole without discrimination of age or gender¡ªlike a black hole consuming everything. The viscount, witnessing such horrors, could not stop his tears for the trapped children. He attempted to escape the vision, but upon opening his eyes, he found himself staring into an abyss¡ªtwo massive eyes before him, imprisoning him in darkness. More eyes with black pupils began appearing from all directions, staring at him. Realizing he was under a mental attack, the viscount swiftly countered, chanting all protective spells of the God of Wisdom''s temple. In the real world, the other viscounts and barons, seeing his kneeling form and completely white eyes, noticed blood-red tears streaming down his face. They immediately cast all possible healing and reinforcement spells while summoning priests for assistance. After five minutes, the young viscount returned to himself, but his pupils were no longer the same. His eyes were now those of a dead man, his skin beginning to age. The other viscounts instinctively stepped back, urgently summoning more priests. But what they did not realize was that the young viscount''s consciousness was completely gone. The one responsible stood at the front of the temple altar, accompanied by roughly thirty other beings. His blank white eyes returned to normal after a few seconds, and he licked his lips while gazing at the altar''s grand entrance. The doors creaked open, revealing his master stepping past the Death Sylcopes. Raising both hands, his master unleashed waves of dark mana, forcing everyone to retreat. Even the Sylcopes, with their singular massive eyes, watched him with intense caution. Hazard couldn''t even see their shocked expressions. His mind was occupied with the final requirement for his ascension. The moment his King of the Death Element skill activated, a black mist of dark mana enveloped him. An hour later, he regained consciousness and checked his system window¡ªunaware that his height had now reached five meters, golden streaks had further spread across his body, his bones had grown sturdier, and another pair of massive skeletal wings had sprouted from his back. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Name: Hazard Final Race: Half-God of Death Level: 6 Health: 4,000 Strength: 2,400 Agility: 1,500 Mana (Dark): 25,000 Stamina: - Total Points: 45,670 Abilities: King of the Death Element You possess a deep understanding of death and can utilize all death-related skills. Eternal Resurrection As long as you have mana, if your health reaches zero, you can sacrifice one of your subordinates to resurrect in their place.Cooldown: One month Summon the Eye of the God of Death Grants vision of all living beings within a 100,000-kilometer radius for one minute.Cooldown: One month Summon Hell''s Undead Army (Inactive) Summons 10,000 hellish undead creatures, two levels weaker than yourself, for one hour.Cooldown: Six monthsActivation Cost: 1,000,000 points Death Chain Lightning (Inactive) Unleashes lightning imbued with the Death Element, dealing fatal damage and draining the target''s life force relative to their level.Cost: 1,000 Dark Mana per boltActivation Cost: 1,000,000 points Summon the Throne of the God of Death (Inactive) A divine throne that enhances undead creatures by 100% within a 10-kilometer radius while weakening living enemies by 50%.Warning: Cannot move while using.Cooldown: Six monthsActivation Cost: 1,000,000 pointsSkills:Master of Elements (A)Grand Wizard (A)Martial Arts Master (A)Potion Master (A)Saint (A)Blacksmithing and Crafting Master (A)Linguist (A)Alchemy (A)...and more. Hazard could have cried for an entire night upon seeing the activation costs, but he was undead¡ªsuch emotions were beyond him. Scanning his Final Race, he realized he had entered the second half of his evolution. At this stage, he considered himself mid-to-high tier, though he suspected Tier 10 might be the highest level. Then, he checked the Rank 6 Units, and if he could have shed tears, he would have. Demonic Undead Hero Level: Warlord Rank 2 Health: ~6,000 Strength: ~3,000 Agility: ~1,400 Mana (Dark): ~7,000 Stamina: - Skills: ??? Traits: ??? Automatic Growth Cost: 5 trillion gold coins, 5,000 Death Gems, and one Rank 5 Hero Soul Demonic Undead Colossal Dragon King Level: Warlord Rank 4 Health: 12,000 Strength: 5,000 Agility: 1,500 Mana (Dark): 5,000 Stamina: - Traits: Dragon King''s Domain, Summon Kin, Dragon''s Might, Dragon''s Roar, Death Aura, Undead Dragonfire Skills: Dragon''s Realm (A), Death''s Domain (A), Fear Domain (A), Crushing Claws (A), Hardened Bones (A), Aerial Combat (A), and more. Cost: 20 trillion gold coins, 10,000 Death Gems, and 20 Rank 5 Souls Demonic Shadow of Death Rank: ??? (Epic) Health: - Strength: - Agility: - Mana (Dark): - Stamina: -Trait: EX Rank Amplifier Cost: 100 trillion gold coins, 100,000 Death Gems, and one Rank 6 Hero SoulLimit: Only one can be summoned At that moment, despite all physical limitations, the world itself could testify that a single black tear formed in Hazard''s eye sockets. Because at that very moment, he felt as if the system had just flipped him off with the ridiculous summoning costs. CHAPTER 31 Another day had passed, and Hazard was gathering resources to craft new maps. The previous day, he had summoned four more Death Silkops through the Abyss Summoning and placed them as guards at the entrance of the castle and its gates. Today was another opportunity, but he was occupied with more important matters, as the treasure chest of the Gateways of the World city had not disappointed him. [Large Shining Mithril Treasure Chest] 10 million gold coins2,000 Life JewelsLevel 5 Teleportation Portal Building BlueprintLevel 4 Trade Market Building Blueprint By accounting for the city''s casualties, the treasury''s gold, and selling numerous skill stones he had acquired, he managed to gather 65 million gold coins. He easily spent 15 million to construct a teleportation portal beside his castle and gazed at it with admiration. If not for the Space Jewel, the cost would have been lower, but such a gem was exceedingly expensive. He had no choice but to pay an exorbitant price to the Demonic King of a strange race. Nonetheless, in front of him, a colossal fifty-meter-high doorless gate materialized, formed from an absence of light. As Hazard approached, he sensed that the portal required coordinates to activate. However, it could only connect to another portal. If he attempted to set coordinates without another portal, the safe transportation of creatures and objects passing through would be left entirely to chance. Because of this, Hazard had no regrets about spending gold. He knew that in times of crisis, he could, like other Demon Kings of level five and approaching level six, offer substantial sums for assistance or provide aid himself for immense profit. He was aware of the risks, but as he had heard, 90% of the time, such cooperative endeavors were successful, and some had even forged lasting trade and military alliances between powerful Demon Kings. This was something he strongly desired. Hazard also knew that by attacking a city of such magnitude, he would not go unnoticed by the two powerful factions in the north and south. Soon enough, these two forces would dispatch armies to eliminate him as a potential threat¡ªarmies that he alone could not defeat. Following this, he sold the Level 4 Trade Market Blueprint for 500,000 gold coins. He was deeply convinced of its strategic value but lacked the means and subordinates of the right race to utilize it effectively. Afterward, he went to his altar and began summoning. This time, unlike before, he did not make the mistake of spending level four and five souls, as he had now fully grasped the cost requirements for summoning high-level units. Additionally, he felt resentment toward the trade city, as it had very few high-level heroes. In the end, he only stored two level five souls and twelve level four souls, absorbing the remaining souls¡ªmostly level one and two¡ªinto the altar. Next, his attention turned to the units he had not yet summoned. Summonable Units [Demonic Undead General] Level: Lord Level 2 HP: 600 Strength: 350 Agility: 260 Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Mana (Miasma): 700 Endurance: - Talents: Resurrection of the Fallen, Soul Prison, Command, Summoning of Spirits Skills: Swordsmanship (B), Protection Shield (B), Charge (C), Leadership (C), Riding (D), Cost: 10,000 gold coins, 10 Death Jewels, and requires 5,000 undead per summon [Demonic Archlich] Level: Overlord Level 3 HP: 500 Strength: 250 Agility: 200 Mana (Miasma): 5,000 Endurance: - Talents: Undead Resurrection, Spirit Summoning, Realm of Fear, Master of the Death Element Skills: Negative Energy Orb (A), Death Magic (B), Negative Energy Shield (B), Abyss Summoning (C), Flight (C), Cost: 500,000 gold coins, 300 Death Jewels, and requires 10,000 undead and two level four hero souls per summon [Demonic Undead Grand General] Level: Overlord Level 4 HP: 3,000 Strength: 1,500 Agility: 650 Mana (Miasma): 3,000 Endurance: - Talents: Resurrection of the Fallen, Soul Prison, Command, Spirit Summoning, Realm of Fear, Realm of Death, Death Guide Skills: Swordsmanship (A), Protection Shield (A), Charge (B), Leadership (B), Riding (D), Cost: 1 million gold coins, 1,000 Death Jewels, and requires 100,000 undead and 10 level four hero souls per summon (Additional units omitted for brevity...) If he could sigh, he would have, but now was not the time. Instead, he summoned ten Demonic Undead Generals and one Demonic Archlich. As they emerged, the altar trembled. The ten generals, clad in full black armor, were on foot rather than mounted like knights. Auras of power and dominance radiated from them, and their long black cloaks billowed as they unsheathed their black cursed steel swords, kneeling before Hazard. They spoke through magic, just like him. "We salute the eternal majesty of the King!" Hazard was taken aback by their response but simply ordered them to make way for the Archlich. When the Demonic Archlich arrived, even the generals'' auras were completely overshadowed. Clad in a black, eerie robe, gripping a skull-topped staff, he struck the ground and knelt before Hazard. "My king, this lowly Archlich is at your command!" Satisfied with their presence, Hazard entrusted the overall governance of his domain to the Demonic Archlich and instructed him to command the generals for better military stability. Then, he moved on to his next summon¡ªthe Demonic Undead Grand General. If the Archlich exuded an oppressive aura, the Grand General radiated an intense, suffocating presence. Emerging with a fragmented sword, she wore intricately detailed black armor, adorned with carvings of the dead. At first, Hazard failed to notice the long, white hair flowing from beneath her helmet. "Bestow your orders upon me." When Hazard finally focused past the armor, he noticed her hair¡ªand understood why her voice had been feminine. "A heavily guarded obsidian mine exists northwest of here. Gather the necessary forces after scouting, and launch an attack at night." The Grand General placed a cold black gauntlet over her chest in acknowledgment and left the altar. Hazard then turned to the final remaining unit¡ªthe Demonic Undead Hero¡ªand, driven by curiosity, summoned two of them. What appeared shocked him. One was a mummified warrior, clad in gold-and-black full mithril armor, carrying dual Damascus swords. The other was a female undead, dressed in light orichalcum armor, wielding a curved scythe-like spear and a golden star-patterned shield. She wore a horned black helmet. Neither kneeled¡ªsomething that immediately made Hazard tense up. The spearwoman was the first to step forward, analyzing Hazard carefully. And Hazard, in turn, examined her. CHAPTER 32 A short time had passed¡ªabout two hours¡ªwhen he regained consciousness near the altar and realized that two champions were around him, transferring a large amount of their mana to him while waiting for him to wake up. After that, he glanced at both of them and stood up, and at the same time, the two, who stood three meters tall, knelt before him. At that moment, he knew they had accepted him as their master, which meant he had achieved his goal. He struggled to process the vast amount of information stored in his memory that he had obtained through the Eye of the God of Death. The amount of information was overwhelming, and he lacked the ability to process it all at once, so he decided to ignore it for the time being and focus on his champions instead. "Since you have accepted me, I want you to search the surrounding areas along with the elite knights and archers for dungeons, lairs, and mines. If you encounter any danger that poses a serious threat to you, retreat immediately and return." The two champions nodded in acknowledgment and, with a gesture from Hazard, left the hall, while Hazard prepared for a grand summoning. In just one hour, he managed his army, which he felt urgently needed proper alignment, and sacrificed his coins for it. [Army Composition] 700,000 ordinary demonic undead units100,000 demonic undead archers100,000 demonic undead swordsmen10,000 elite swordsmen10,000 elite archers1,000 demonic undead mages100 demonic undead giants1,000 demonic undead knights100 demonic liches1 demonic undead dragon100 demonic undead generals1 demonic arch-lich1 grand undead knight2 demonic undead champions400 undead giants9,000 undead hellhounds50 greater undead hellhounds1 colossal undead hellhound accompanied by a greater hellhound30 mares6 death cyclops3 baby thunder dragons of death1,000 death eyes After rounding off the number of his units, Hazard checked his remaining resources and saw that he still had 24,200,000 coins left. He realized he could summon even more, and since he needed more workers for the obsidian mines, he summoned 1,300,000 additional ordinary demonic undead to work in the mines and cover construction in his expanding territory. After that deduction, he had 17,700,000 gold coins left and was unsure what to summon or purchase next. From his perspective, ordinary undead were ideal for mining and construction because they were connected to his mind, and with his A-rank master builder skill, he could instruct them to build houses, walls, towers, and fortify the mines. Their greatest advantage was that they required no rest or food, saving him from purchasing a construction-based creature camp. After some thought, he decided to buy suitable clothing for himself, as he felt that wearing a demonic lich''s robe was not appropriate. However, after searching for an hour, he found nothing better than his lich robe. Instead, he upgraded all the Vengeful Spirit Towers and strengthened their materials. He also upgraded the Tier-2 Flaming Eye Tower to Tier-3, allowing it to detect up to 100 kilometers away. Meanwhile, the Spirit Towers grew to 100 meters tall, their spirit capacity increased tenfold, and their coverage extended up to 10 kilometers. Satisfied, he looked at his now-empty treasury. A feeling of lightness washed over him, as if a weight of nearly twenty million gold coins had been lifted off his shoulders. But then, his eyes fell on a message¡ªsomething he never expected to see. "Terror has warned him that his territory is under attack and might need his help." Hazard''s mind went on high alert when he saw that his Death Jewel producer was in danger. Among all the Demon Kings in the trade, none had been as honest in business as Terror. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Terror had even once suggested sharing their locations and providing military assistance to each other, but Hazard had declined because Terror had reached Level 6, and he had seen him active in more than ten channels, proving his growth. Seeing the message, Hazard quickly replied:"I''ll help if necessary." Terror responded:"Thanks. Actually, four Level-5 Demon Kings are coming to help me, but having a Level-6 like you as backup would be reassuring." Hazard relaxed a little. "So, you figured it out?" "Obviously. We both trade in over ten channels. You''re selling skill stones like grains of sand, so I assume you''re exploiting the wars of Lancelot and plundering imperial cities on the border of the Winterlands and the Empire, right?" "I don''t know what you''re talking about." Of course, Hazard was lying. He had already learned from Hezhna about the Empire''s strained relations with Grand Duke Lancelot, who was sent to fight the frozen northern lands. Terror continued:"So, you must be on the western shores or another continent. Whatever, I''ll let you know in an hour if I need you. If I do, I''ll pay you 10,000 Death Jewels for your help." "Not enough." "You greedy bastard. The attackers themselves are walking banks of gold." Hazard found this reasonable but added another condition: "I also want ten Level-5 Souls." He felt nervous¡ªwould Terror accept? Level-5 Souls were rare even in the Demon Market, and he needed them to summon high-level forces. After a brief pause, Terror replied:"Fine. Ten Level-5 Souls, but no Death Jewels." Hazard figured he could still get Death Jewels later and that Terror was just trying to lighten the deal. "No, I still want the Death Jewels." "Damn you. Fine!" The flames in Hazard''s eye sockets flared with black mana. He rushed out of the castle and activated Abyssal Summoning, knowing he had little time and needed a powerful creature as backup. From the corner of his vision, he saw his two champions and shouted as he amplified his mana for a massive single-unit summon: "Hold on, you two! We''re going somewhere else!" But as he waited, nothing emerged. The summoned being, which should have been at least 100 meters¡ªpossibly 200 meters tall, did not appear. Cursing, Hazard jumped into the portal. As he emerged on the other side, where lightning raged across the Abyss, he activated various elemental shields and took minor damage before arriving in a wasteland of fire and blood. There, he saw a massive Behemoth, a ram-like creature standing 100 meters tall and 400 meters long¡ªand it was being brutally beaten. Hazard turned to see its attacker¡ªan entity he had encountered before. A colossal 300-meter giant, its body made of enormous skulls, wielding eight massive black hammers, pounded the Behemoth into the ground, shattering its bones completely. The behemoth died instantly. The giant then turned to Hazard, its mana thread connecting to him. Angered by the disappearance of its prey, it pounded its chest and roared at Hazard. Then, in an instant, eight massive hammers came crashing toward him. Hazard, realizing the creature was stronger than him, fled back through the portal. On the other side, Hythar and Pharaos were waiting. Hythar asked, "That must have been a portal to the Abyss. What did you summon?" Hazard sighed, "The summon led me to a being stronger than myself. It refused to obey, but I managed to recover some loot." He tossed the Behemoth''s corpse aside. Hythar examined the tough purple skin."You didn''t kill it. Your summon did, right?" Hazard nodded, then activated a massive portal. "You two can evolve and grow stronger. Follow me. This war might be profitable." Hythar hesitated, but Pharaos, silent as ever, followed without question. Meanwhile, Hezhna, watching from a large tent, saw Hazard activate a massive gate and step through with two Warlord-class beings. Her entire body trembled. Curiosity faded. She retreated into the tent. At that moment, Hazard received a message from Terror. And as he stepped through the mana barrier, he and his two undead champions vanished. CHAPTER 33 A stone fortress stood strong as the fierce and cold northern winds battered against it, resisting with unwavering might. Inside the fortress was a woman just as unyielding as the stronghold itself. She had golden hair, piercing indigo eyes, and the sky-blue skin of an ice elf. She sat at a table surrounded by her commanders, listening intently to the details of a battle unfolding just a few kilometers away¡ªa brutal conflict in which her soldiers fought for their lives. Clad in full battle armor, with a helmet adorned with two metallic feathers protruding from the sides, she was prepared to join the battlefield at the right moment. However, her commanders held her back, fearing for her life. The enemy had been mysteriously eliminating their most renowned commanders, striking them down with strange and unpredictable tactics. As a result, they dared not make a move until they could locate the enemy leader. Markinz Algota Sio Altz, a fearless woman and a leader among the Winter Knights known as the Valkyries, could barely contain her frustration as she heard of the losses her troops were suffering. She slammed her gauntleted fist against the iron table, bending its sturdy surface with a single strike. "If that underground demon can take me down with some trickery, then waiting here is useless! A million soldiers are fighting to the death down there, and we, their sworn commanders, are sitting here?! Every moment we delay, hundreds more will perish, and hundreds of families will mourn!" The counts and viscounts under her command could do nothing but lower their heads under her fierce gaze. Most of them were ice elf knights and sorcerers, and Markinz ruled over their entire race under the northern king, Dietrich, sovereign of the North and Winter. "I want all my banner-men gathered near the cursed cave where that wretched demon has slaughtered countless innocent villagers! May his soul freeze in the cold of our vengeance!" "Victory to the North!" Her banner-men saluted and left the grand hall of her fortress. She stepped onto the terrace and gazed upon the vast ranks of her forces stretching fifty kilometers toward the cave. More troops arrived every moment, while bodies were carried out of the cave entrance. "I will keep your heart frozen and imprison your soul within it forever. You will suffer the eternal curse of the ice elves!" A week had passed since the battle began. The cries and wails of mourning families in the city beneath her castle tormented her¡ªpeople who had lost loved ones fighting for her cause while she remained inside. An hour later, she stood in the depths of the underground battlefield, feeling uneasy in the intense heat radiating from the molten lava around her. But such discomfort did not faze her. As she neared the battlefront and heard the battle cries, she leaped forward, forcing all her banner-men to follow. As soon as she and her warriors of the fifth warlord rank entered the fray, the towering red-skinned demons¡ªgiant, humanoid monsters clad in armor and wielding massive axes¡ªfell like paper, despite their heavy iron armor. They retreated deep into their lair. Algota and her banner-men, wielding swords forged from the sacred frozen lake of the North, cut a bloody path through the demons, spraying their purple and black blood in every direction. Before long, only demon corpses remained in their path¡ªuntil a powerful force struck her head, making blood pour from her nose and ears. She struggled to understand what had hit her, but soon realized she was under a mental attack. At that moment, a hybrid army emerged from other tunnels and assembled in the underground battlefield before her. The cavern was dark, but her sorcerers cast light spells, illuminating the battlefield like daylight. And then, she saw Terror¡ªa ten-meter-tall demon with two enormous, bat-like red wings, its muscular frame clad in cursed heavy armor. Its fanged maw jutted from beneath its helmet, and in its hand, it wielded a seven-meter-long hammer, weighing at least ten tons. It struck the ground with a force that sent tremors rippling through the battlefield. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. A cold sweat formed on Algota''s brow as she glimpsed the demon''s rank¡ªWarlord, level 7. It was on the verge of reaching legendary rank, and as a Chaos Demon, it would likely grow even stronger as the battle raged on. Before her fear could take root, Count Alexia, one of her closest and most loyal nobles¡ªwho had been acting strangely in recent months¡ªspoke up. "Markinz Algota, we have eleven noble warlords here, plus the twins. With a thirteen-to-one advantage, defeating it isn''t impossible!" She turned to Alexia. The count had always been a strong ally, though his recent behavior had raised suspicions. Still, she agreed with his assessment. Their warlords were slightly lower in rank, but they could not afford to let Terror reach legendary status¡ªthat would spell true disaster. Nodding in agreement, she issued commands to organize her army. She saw that Terror was doing the same on his side, rallying his demonic forces. In minutes, the two armies were positioned, locked in a tense one-kilometer standoff. Terror roared, enraged that the enemy had disrupted his excavations for new forges and killed thousands of his kin. He raised his hammer and bellowed: "Demonic soldiers! Battle is but a game to us! These long-eared ice rats are nothing!" Swinging his hammer, he sneered. "They are nothing more than winter rabbits who have burrowed into the wrong den! Teach them that they entered the demons'' lair of their own will, but they shall leave only in our grasp!" The demon horde howled with laughter, slamming their weapons against the ground in excitement. Terror grinned¡ªhe knew his soldiers well. Unlike the noble-ranked demons who fought for honor, his horde thrived on bloodshed and mockery, drawing strength from their enemies'' fear. Hearing their jeers, Algota sensed her soldiers'' morale wavering. But before she could even speak, giant winged demons launched themselves into the air and crashed into her troops, reaping ice elves like wheat with their massive war hammers and axes, like grim reapers harvesting souls. Despite her 5-to-1 numerical advantage, the power gap was enormous. The demonic infantry surged forward, bombarding them with magic, while her banner-men struggled to maintain the defensive line. High-ranking commanders engaged the airborne demons in desperate combat. The battlefield descended into chaos, blood splattering in every direction. Within ten minutes, the ice elf soldiers were wading ankle-deep in blood, and Algota found herself locked in combat with Terror alongside her noble warlords. Each swing of Terror''s hammer sent warlords flying, killing dozens of ice elves each time it struck the ground. Realizing the battle was slipping away and her forces were breaking, Algota unleashed her family''s hereditary skill¡ªa war cry infused with ancient magic. Terror turned in shock as a wave of spectral energy erupted from her. The "Noble Valkyrie''s Cry" was no ordinary war shout¡ªit not only empowered her forces but also summoned the spirits of fallen ice elves, who clawed their way from their corpses and tore into the demonic ranks. Terror could hardly believe his eyes. His army, which had been dominating moments ago, was now being pushed back as the revived spirits fought alongside their living brethren. Roaring in frustration, he swung his hammer at Algota, but ten warlords, now twice as strong, blocked his attack, giving Algota time to retreat. However, as she turned back, another mental attack struck her, making her cough up blood. Then, she saw them¡ªfloating eyeballs with crimson pupils and bat-like wings, each three meters in diameter. More of them emerged, staring down her warriors, causing instant death upon locking eyes with them. But just as Terror''s victory seemed inevitable, Count Alexia gripped Algota''s shoulder. "Reinforcements have arrived!" At first, she doubted him. No faction had responded to her calls due to the war in the South. But then, the entire western wall of the battlefield began to collapse, revealing a network of tunnels. As dust and rubble settled, Algota sensed the approaching presence and, in disbelief yet relief, whispered: "Dwarves!" CHAPTER 34 Dwarves!!!! As the call echoed, the sound of goats'' war cries filled the air. Massive, fully armored war goats leaped out of the tunnels, each carrying a dwarf warrior armed with various weapons. With incredible speed and force, they crashed into the demonic forces, breaking through their ranks from the flanks and causing widespread terror among the demons. Following this, war chariots drawn by six goats each emerged, equipped with automatic crossbows that skewered both airborne and ground-based demonic troops. The Demon King Fenrir, witnessing the carnage, attempted to divert a war goat but lacked the strength to stop its chariot. As the battle raged, he heard the dwarven war cries as they emerged, clad in their battle armor, forming ranks against the demons. Seeing them, he swore he had witnessed such a moment in a past life, in a movie. The armored dwarves formed a shield wall, thrusting their spears outward while hammer-wielders and melee fighters took position behind them, gazing at the disorganized remnants of the demonic army¡ªsurvivors of the goat cavalry and war chariot onslaught. "Shield to shield!" The dwarven war cry echoed across the battlefield, dominating the bloody conflict. Meanwhile, demon officers screamed orders to regroup, and Fenrir commanded his forces to intercept the chariots that were reaping his troops. Then, suddenly¡ªlike a thunderclap¡ªa massive explosion rocked the battlefield, sending thousands of demons plummeting. Fenrir turned his gaze toward the dwarven lines, where he beheld ten thousand dwarves armed with arquebuses, primitive gunpowder rifles. Smoke still lingered in the air when the fifty-thousand-strong shield and spear wall of dwarves let out a battle cry in their native tongue: "Unfal kul af fijal!" (Sons of the Mountain!) Their shields rose. "Charge!" At that moment, the already struggling demonic army faced the full fury of the dwarves, their morale crumbling as they began to retreat. Terror watched, paralyzed by the sheer destruction, knowing the end was near unless something drastic changed. He placed his last hope in a single entity, granting access to his gate, which began glowing deep within his domain. From it, three undead entities emerged. His only hope now lay in them. Then his eyes caught sight of a lone warrior, mounted atop a colossal, blood-colored armored boar, wielding a massive hammer. Approaching him, Terror cursed his wretched luck. Thorin Ironhammer, King of the Dwarves, spotted the Demon King of Carnage, engulfed in fiery energy, struggling to mount an effective counterattack due to the relentless assaults of the Ice Elf Counts. With a glare, Thorin activated an ability, growing tenfold in size, matching the stature of his demonic adversary. Raising his now-enlarged hammer, he swung it toward the Demon King''s head, roaring: "Your points are mine!" Terror finally understood why the northern dwarves had appeared so suddenly. Desperately, he tried to block the strike¡ªbut was sent flying several meters. He realized with horror: Thorin was a Rank 7 Warlord¡ªa Hero. "Damn heroes!" Thorin laughed, swinging his hammer from below, launching Terror''s weapon into the sky. Spinning, he followed up with a crushing blow that shattered Terror''s jaw and sent him flying a hundred meters away. His vision blurred as he realized... King Fenrir''s severed head was now mounted on a spear. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. The Demon King of the Abyssal Bear, his colossal corpse trembling as it collapsed lifelessly, had been slain. The Demon King of the Abyssal Eye, having exhausted his mana, teleported away in retreat. The Gargantuan Bat Demon King, now with only one remaining wing, attempted to flee. Death was closing in. With the demon commanders either dead or fleeing, the demonic forces, leaderless and demoralized, broke into full retreat. Then, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the battlefield: "You just gonna stand there and watch?! HAZAAAARD!!!!" The demonic tongue carried power over the soul, silencing the entire battlefield. Every allied force¡ªdwarves, elves, and more¡ªturned their gaze, searching for the one named Hazard. Then, in the sky, they saw three undead entities. Leading them was a towering figure, cloaked in dark purple robes with golden veins glowing beneath. Two sets of enormous bone wings, spanning twenty meters, spread behind him. Behind him stood two heroes¡ªHythar and Pharaos¡ª who gazed upon the battlefield as if witnessing a mundane scene, veterans of colossal wars. "Hahaha! Hazard, what do you think about all this gold?" Hazard was stunned by the sheer scale of the army before him. Ninety percent of the enemy forces were at the elite level or higher¡ªmillions of them. It was a walking gold vault. But the real problem was how to defeat them. Hazard knew he could no longer be ignored. Spreading his arms, he activated his abilities: [Summon Twin Deaths] Two identical clones of himself emerged, wielding the same power. Then, all three unleashed their field abilities. Death King''s Aura: Doubles the stats of all undead under your command within a 1-kilometer radius. (200 mana per minute.) Death King''s Cursed Aura: Inflicts 72 curses upon all weaker enemies within a 1-kilometer radius. (200 mana per minute.) Death King''s Domain: Any entity within a 1-kilometer radius without permission takes 20 damage per second, while allied undead regain 10 HP per second. (200 mana per minute.) Field abilities weren''t usually effective against massive armies since priests and support casters could neutralize them quickly. But activating them was essential to balance the battlefield. As his two clones entered the second phase of the Abyssal Arch-Lich King, all three summoned their Reaper Scythes and charged into the enemy army, leading an onslaught of vengeful spirits. Elgotha and Thorin felt certain of victory. But then¡ªa being of power rivaling the Demon King of Carnage appeared. No¡ªthere were three of them. The fields they activated put immense pressure on the priests. Thorin smirked, recognizing a Level 6 Demon King. More points. But Elgotha paled, fearing catastrophic losses. Thorin didn''t wait. He swung his hammer¡ªaiming to crush Terror''s skull. But before the strike could land, two undead champions materialized at blinding speed. Hythar blocked Thorin''s charge with his shield, using an impact skill to push him back. Spinning his scythe-like spear, he swept Thorin''s legs out from under him. Pharaos, wielding twin curved swords, unleashed a masterful S-rank sword technique, forcing the Count-level dwarves to retreat. Elgotha couldn''t believe it. Two mere Rank 1 Warlords... displaying such monstrous skill and power?! Meanwhile, Hazard soared above the battlefield. Resurrection activated. Dead soldiers and creatures rose once more, now evolved by Abyssal magic. For the first time, Hazard used Abyssal Dead Realm. A werewolf soldier, resurrected into an abomination with four arms, charged into the Ice Elves, ripping them apart with ease. Then¡ªCorpse Explosion. The abyss-infused corpse detonated with a deafening boom, triggering a chain reaction among the undead army. Wherever Hazard and his clones moved, the dead erupted like bombs. Blood and flesh rained across the battlefield. Hazard had no time to watch. He joined the slaughter. Even the elite Ice Elf twins, early Rank 1 Warlords, were but fodder¡ªhis scythe carved them apart like livestock. Elgotha finally intervened, shattering Hazard''s scythe handle with his sword and kicking him away. Hazard, momentarily stunned, retaliated¡ªunleashing a barrage of negative energy spheres. As the battle turned into a maelstrom of death and carnage, thirty watching entities took notice. CHAPTER 35 Algota charged at Hazard with his own sword for the final attack, but such a thing was far from reality, as two of Hazard''s clones stood in his way. However, each could only hold him off for five minutes, merely tiring him out a little. The only damage Algota had sustained was from the negative energy bullets, which ignored all techniques except for those of the sacred and light elements. Algota had run out of patience. Hazard, who had grown weaker in the middle of the battle and retaliated in turn, was now brought to his knees before him. The battlefield was once again under the control of Algota''s allies, but the casualties were immense, and the Bat King had been impaled on a spear. The dwarves had pushed the undead champions into a corner, and Thorin, along with the counts, was on the verge of slaying the Demon King. Algota stood over Hazard with a bitter smile, looking down at him. The undead had no hand left, and his bones were filled with cracks."Tell me, why did you interfere in this war, huh? What could have possibly made you aid this demon?" Algota was familiar with the undead, given that many tombs lay within his domain, and he knew of the high intelligence of powerful undead. However, he also knew that such beings had no desire to leave their tombs, which made him curious as to why this high-level undead had involved himself in a war outside his resting place. Hazard did not look at him. Instead, he could only see the remnants of the battle. Only he and his two champions, along with Fear, remained. Though Fear had stationed a small force to protect his altar, even they were useless against the remaining 400,000-strong army of the ice elves and the 20,000 winter dwarves. Despite this, Hazard witnessed his champion, Pharaous, as his head was severed by Count Alexia and fell to his knees before collapsing onto the ground. Even in death, he spoke no words. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hyther''s spear was shattered as he resisted the hammer blows of Tryon with his shield. But that, too, broke, and he fell to the ground. As he tried to crawl away and escape, the massive hammer came down, completely crushing the lower half of his body, accompanied by his agonized scream. Hazard merely looked at Fear, then cursed him loudly. "If you had this many enemies, you should have just given up on your damned altar or invited more people!!!" Fear said nothing. Leaning against a mountain of corpses, he coughed up a mouthful of black blood. He instinctively reached for his broken horns, but one of his hands was shattered, and the other was severed. He lacked the strength to do so. "Without the altar, I''m as good as dead¡­ I invited Kaya, but¡­" Algota could no longer stand the voices of these demons. Since he had not received an answer to his question, he raised his sword to behead Hazard. Meanwhile, Tryon, enjoying Hyther''s cries of terror as he was about to join the Void River, picked up his hammer and made his way to claim Fear''s rewards. Algota''s sword swung, and Tryon''s hammer came crashing down, but only one succeeded. A sword was stopped by another sword, while a massive skull was shattered by a hammer. Hazard turned toward Algota, whose sword had been halted by Alexia. "Markins, if you let me kill this creature, I''ll be greatly indebted to you!" Hazard let out a small chuckle. Alexia, with the soul of a champion, clearly did not want a sixth-tier Demon King¡ªwho carried thousands of points¡ªto be slain by someone who would gain nothing from killing him. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Algota was slightly shocked and stepped aside. To him, it made no difference who killed Hazard at this point. Everyone had witnessed that he had defeated him, and Hazard no longer had the strength to defend himself. He allowed the blade to cut through his neck, sending his skull flying. Alexia was overjoyed, just like Thorin, but her expression soon turned grim. She had gained no points. She was certain she had just beheaded a Demon King, yet she had not received a single reward. This confusion lingered in her mind for the next three hours as their army finished cleansing the battlefield, destroying the Demon King''s altar, and returning to the city with mountains of loot. Knowing the nature of the undead, Algota ordered the burning of all remaining corpses. Then, he gazed at the undead champion with a shattered waist, locked in a carriage under heavy guard, being transported to his castle. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Thorin, who had been arguing with Alexia but stopped once Algota approached. "King Thorin, son of Laurin, I sincerely thank you for your aid!" Thorin merely bowed his head, as hearing his traitorous father''s name soured his mood. "The northern tribes must unite against any threat. However, regarding the dwarven casualties, I demand blood compensation for their families. Additionally, I request permission for the dwarves to purchase land in your territories." Algota sighed and agreed to Thorin''s request. He knew that wherever dwarven blood was heavily spilled, that land became sacred to them and was considered blessed by the dwarven god of war. As he gazed at the corpses of the high-level demons, the dwarves were loading them onto their carts along with the bodies of their fallen kin. "Their bodies must be worth a lot to you," Algota remarked. "Yeah, we can craft some good potions and magic staves from them. If you''re interested, we''ll set up a solid market in two months." Seeing the Dwarven King leaving after that, Algota gave a respectful bow. Despite all the bloodshed and battles, at least the ice elves and dwarves would no longer treat each other as they had in the past. The past could finally be left behind. Thorin, noticing there was nothing left to do, turned to the caged undead. "Its master isn''t dead. Extract information from it¡ªfind out where they live. If it''s nearby, we must eliminate them before they can lick their wounds." Algota was slightly surprised at that statement and glanced at the heavily pulverized corpse of the so-called master in the distance. Regardless, it did not change his plans, as he intended to interrogate the captive about the location of their tomb and its treasures. "Alright, I''ll do my best." With that, the armies began to depart, and a group of engineers started examining the remaining underground structures. However, none of them had any idea that, three hours earlier, thousands of kilometers south, in a place where an ordinary demonic undead was unloading carts of fire gems into a warehouse, something had begun to burn black. The creature transformed into a five-meter-tall being with black bones, glowing golden veins, and two pairs of massive skeletal wings sprouting from its back. "Resurrection of Immortality¡­." Hazard stood in his new form, his fury unquenched even after his revival. Then, the system made things worse for him. [Due to the use of the Resurrection of Immortality and the distance between the caster and the subject, all abilities are restricted by 90% for two days.] Enraged, Hazard kicked the cart over and glared toward the castle. This disgrace was unacceptable. As he approached the castle gates, two demonic undead giants opened the massive doors for him. Thirty mares rushed to him in a frenzy, surprisingly weeping as they climbed onto him. He was left stunned, but then a voice behind him caught his attention. Turning around, he saw Hegena standing there with a troubled expression. "While you were gone, several giant dark bats flew over the territory, and we couldn''t stop them¡­." Hearing that, Hazard had no patience for more bad news. Ignoring Hegena, he strode toward his altar. He had gained 40 million gold coins from the battle, and the fire of vengeance burned in his eyes. He was simply waiting for the day he could exact his revenge. However, he had few souls at his disposal, and they were all low-level, merely absorbed by the altar. He needed an army¡ªan army that did not require souls yet possessed high ranks. An idea suddenly struck him, and without hesitation, he rushed toward a building that he had long ignored. CHAPTER 36 [Hellcat, Normal Rank 2] Life: 20 Power: 15 Agility: 35 Mana (???): 5 Endurance: 15 Talent: Strong Jump Skills: Strong Claw E, Wild Rage E, Hunter''s Instinct F Cost: 100 gold coins [Elite Large Hellcat, Rank 1] Life: 35 Power: 20 Agility: 40 Mana (???): 5 Endurance: 20 Talent: Strong Jump, Night Vision Skills: Strong Claw D, Wild Rage D, Hunter''s Instinct F, Beast Roar F Cost: 300 gold coins [Elite Hellhound, Rank 2] Life: 50 Power: 25 Agility: 40 Mana (???): 5 Endurance: 17 Talent: Strong Sense of Smell Skills: Strong Claw D, Strong Jaw D, Scouting E, Wild Rage E, Hunter''s Instinct F Cost: 500 gold coins [Lord Large Hellhound, Rank 2] Life: 600 Power: 350 Agility: 80 Mana (???): 200 Endurance: 450 Talent: Strong Sense of Smell, Leadership, Battle Roar, Tough Skin Skills: Fire Claw B, Strong Claw B, Strong Jaw B, Scouting C, Wild Rage D, Hunter''s Instinct D Cost: 20,000 gold coins Just look at this! He had 40 million gold coins, and such forces existed that were far more effective than the weak resistance of skeletons and the fear they instilled in enemies¡ªboth in terms of speed and their unique strategic capabilities. Moreover, his army had only a few of these creatures due to a lack of food. But that was only until hundreds of thousands of rotting corpses were lying in a corner of his lands. A night attack¡­ An attack carried out by creatures swift and specialized in darkness would terrify his enemies. He quickly performed the summoning, causing the altar to tremble as he summoned an army of 100,000 elite large hellcats. Then, he checked his channels for information. The first thing he saw in the main channel saved him time. Honko - Evil Eye[Terror is dead! The Northerners killed Terror!] Alhambra - Phantom Demon[Terror is dead?!] This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Junk Soo - Demon Orc[If he''s dead, then who will forge weapons?!] Frank - Demon Golem[What happened to your allies?] After that, the main channel of Hazard was in chaos. Terror controlled a significant portion of weapon forging, practically making him the blacksmith for a hundred thousand demon kings. His subordinates were also all producers. The Bat King produced explosives.The Fenrir King crafted light armor.The Demon Bear sold high-quality raw materials. And now, they were all dead. The last remaining member of their alliance began to reveal everything. Once he finished speaking, the entire channel was enraged, but none sought revenge. Too many demon kings in the North had died because their cities were scattered and, like the South, mostly militarized. Moreover, if a large war broke out, a person riding a massive ice dragon wielding a giant axe would occasionally appear and wipe out entire demon armies in a single swing¡ªstriking fear into them. Hazard, outside his castle, had originally planned to spend 10 million to buy information but abandoned the idea, seizing the opportunity instead to purchase design blueprints from other channels. He quickly built a Level 4 Smithy, which alone was worth 3 million gold, with an additional 2 million gold spent on its construction requirements. A massive four-story building with 2,000 square meters of space appeared next to the castle, filled with molten forges and blacksmithing workshops. Hazard then spent 5 million gold on rare metals and assigned them to his Demonic Archlich, who led ordinary undead to the smithy while Hazard shared his will with all of them¡ªallowing them to understand his crafting techniques and begin blacksmithing. However, Hazard didn''t leave immediately. While messaging Evil Eye, he was looking for a way to craft a high-quality robe for himself. "Evil Eye, you''re from the Terror Alliance, right?" "Yeah, who are you? Hazard the Demon Undead?" "Obviously. Have you heard anything?" "Terror said you''d come to help. Where were you?" "I got there, but I was nearly killed myself, so I ran away." "The others aren''t responding to me. They''re dead, aren''t they?" "Yeah, they''re all dead." "Ahhh, damn it... Alright, what do you want? If you''re trying to invite me to your alliance, let me tell you upfront¡ªI''m not joining any damn alliance unless you''re Level 7." Hazard struggled to hold back his laughter. Level 7? In all his channels, he had never seen anyone at that level before. Still, he had to keep up his act to convince Honko to help him, so he continued playing along. "I need to go back there, but I don''t have a teleport skill. Since you escaped, I assume you do." "So what?" "Give me your gate coordinates and send me to where Terror kept his gate." "Why should I?" "Revenge?" "Risk my life for revenge? Are you stupid? I barely escaped!" "Sooner or later, they''ll come for you too. I''ve gathered an army. After activating Terror''s gate, I''ll burn down everyone in those tunnels and then their cities!" "What''s in it for me?" Hazard sighed in frustration. Evil Eye should really be called Envious Eye. "You must''ve allied with Terror for a reason. What was it?" Minutes passed. "...I''ll take you there, but you need to sign a soul contract that you won''t tell anyone and that you''ll do it if you can." "Just tell me what it is. I don''t care about your weakness, and I''m not interested!" "Not without a contract." "Damn it! Just tell me what you want, or I''ll take my revenge out on you!" "Fine, fine! I want Refined Dark Jewels!" Hazard paused. He had never heard of Refined Dark Jewels before, but Evil Eye''s next message snapped him back to focus. "Terror made a deal to give me 1,000 Refined Dark Jewels after I helped him. But now that he''s dead, I have nothing." "Fine." "Fine? What do you mean fine? His storage is probably looted by now! How do you plan on finding them?" "I told you¡ªI''m burning down their cities and looting them." "And if you fail?" "Then I''m dead, you idiot!" "That still doesn''t get me anything!" Hazard sighed in exasperation. "I''ll sign a contract with you stating I won''t tell anyone, and if I find 1,000 Refined Dark Jewels, I''ll give them to you. Happy?" There was a long pause before Evil Eye''s response came. "Make sure there''s no loophole in the contract. If you find 1,001, you could keep the extra. Do you think I''m a fool?" Hazard smirked. Seeing his trick exposed, he rewrote the contract and purchased two soul contracts for 1,000 gold each. Signing it with his soul signature, he sent it to Honko, King of the Evil Eyes. Minutes later, at the transfer gate, in a realm covered by black mist, a five-meter-tall undead clad in a dark purple magical robe stepped out. Golden veins shimmered beneath his cloak, and two pairs of 20-meter-long skeletal wings spread from his back. Standing before him was Honko, the massive Evil Eye, overseeing 5,000 Evil Eyes that carefully watched Hazard¡ªwith full confidence. The sight before Hazard warned of danger. If all 5,000 Evil Eyes used their instant death skill on him at once, he''d surely die. But as thirty Warlord-ranked mares arrived, Honko''s confidence wavered, and he lowered his altitude. It was now clear who the king and who the soldier was. CHAPTER 37 Honko, the Demon King, was an elite among demon kings, renowned for his exceptional prowess in magical attacks. His rank rose swiftly with the help of his forces, and his casualties in wars or in defense against heroes were practically nonexistent. Such success led to both envy and admiration from many other demon kings. However, fate did not recognize him as the main protagonist. At that time, the Doppelg?nger Demon King, a being capable of transforming into creatures it had previously consumed, launched an invasion into Honko''s territory. Cursing his own misfortune for having his domain near the strongest Level Five Demon King, he found himself besieged by behemoths, dragons, hydras, and all manner of rare and powerful creatures attacking from both land and sky. His army of one hundred and fifty thousand demonic eyes had been reduced to just a tenth of its original size. Their adversaries possessed bodies highly resistant to magic, and the souls of the Doppelg?ngers were so complex that his demonic eyes, which relied on spiritual attacks, found themselves trapped, unable to withdraw as if sinking into an inescapable swamp. Honko recalled his last resort¡ªaccepting an invitation to join an alliance, an offer that had been sent to him long ago. The Level Six Demon King, known as "Havoc of Terror," had invited him to become a member of his alliance. Soon after, Havoc, accompanied by another Level Six Demon King¡ªa breathtakingly beautiful Succubus¡ªarrived through a teleportation gate, leading armies of demons and orcs. From that moment on, Honko witnessed only the downfall of the Doppelg?nger Demon King''s forces until the enemy leader himself was the only one left, cornered in front of his altar, begging for his life. Honko never learned of the Doppelg?nger''s fate, as the Succubus Demon King lifted the altar and its surrounding land, taking the defeated demon king to her own domain with Havoc''s assistance. Though Honko was satisfied with his survival, he found himself infuriated by Havoc''s control and commands. However, due to a contract sealed with their souls, he had no means of resisting. As the days passed, Honko made an astonishing realization¡ªthe Succubus Demon King, better known as Queen Succubus Kaya, had reached Level Seven. Fear gripped him, for he knew a power struggle would soon erupt within the alliance. However, his worries proved unnecessary. Kaya was merely a customer of Havoc''s forged weapons, purchasing them to equip her army of orcs and giants. Her military aid to Havoc had no deeper motives. She was a mercenary, fighting for Level Six demon kings in exchange for a hefty price. With her formidable orc army, she became the first player on this server to reach Level Seven. Only one day had passed since Kaya''s ascension when Havoc found himself embroiled in a massive defensive war. Seeing this as an opportunity to grow stronger, Honko had no doubt that Havoc''s overwhelming power, coupled with their alliance''s forces, would ensure an easy and predictable victory. However, unforeseen variables led to their utter defeat¡ªHavoc and all members of the alliance perished. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Yet, two individuals did not appear on the battlefield: Kaya and the Level Six Undead Demon King, Hazard. Honko bore a deep grudge against them. Now, one of them had come for him. Hazard, the Level Six Undead Demon King, claimed to have fought in the battle and barely survived. Now, he sought revenge for his own losses. After an hour of negotiation, during which Honko secured terms that guaranteed his own safety and profit, he finally laid eyes upon the undead entity. Hazard''s name and rank were befitting of a being with such an aura. The chilling aura of death and the sound of wailing souls sent shivers down Honko''s spine. [Alone, huh? I guess¡ª] As Honko began crafting a more profitable plan in his mind, he noticed something¡ªthe portal was still glowing. A figure emerged¡ªone resembling a human woman but possessing beauty nearly on par with succubi. As she radiated the power of a Warlord, Honko trembled but quickly steadied himself. [One? A Warlord is certainly a high-ranking unit, but I and my four generals are also¡ª] A second one appeared. [Ha-ha, well, it''s only natural for a Level Six Demon King to¡ª] A third one appeared. [I can still hold them off. Sure, he''s at the peak of the Warlord rank, but¡ª] A fourth one appeared. [I think I can take him on one-on-one, right? My Evil Eye of Envy is a stronger race than the Undead¡ª] A fifth one appeared. [H-hmph! My army isn''t just standing here for decoration!] A sixth one appeared. [Are they ever going to stop?] The seventh one appeared. Honko felt a cold sweat trickling down his back, and for the first time, he found himself speechless. And yet, they kept coming. By the time the last one emerged, thirty Warlords, plus one at the peak of their rank, stood before him. The proud glow of his demonic eye was nowhere to be found. Lowering himself to the ground, he kneeled. "Oh, great lord! Honko and his army are entirely at your service!" [As if you ever fought in that war! You''re just here for the spoils of Havoc''s defeat!] Hazard had no interest in dealing with a bootlicker. He approached Honko, fully aware of his personality. "Teleport us so I can bring my army." Honko''s pupils constricted. Despite his massive demonic eye, his reaction did not go unnoticed. "With thirty Warlords by your side, isn''t that enough?" Hazard, unwilling to waste more time, grabbed Honko''s upper eyelid and pulled his massive eye close. "No questions. Just take us to that damned place! I''ve wasted enough time on your useless contract!" Honko trembled, realizing that the thirty Warlords had now also turned their piercing gazes toward him, their master''s anger clearly reflected in their expressions. Meanwhile, his own demonic subordinates¡ªhis Evil Eyes of Envy¡ªwere subtly inching away, showing no intention of defending their king. [Damn it! You all¡ª] A sharp blow landed on his eye, sending a wave of pain through him. "Next time, it won''t just be a punch. Move it!" "Ahhhhh! Fine, fine!!!" A massive magic circle glowed beneath Honko, Hazard, and the thirty Warlords. Without making any unnecessary movements that could disrupt the delicate spell, they vanished. Hazard had his reasons for being in such a rush. His scouts were constantly encountering enemy patrols, and skirmishes were breaking out everywhere. The enemy''s identity was as clear as day from the reports given by Hezhna. "Darkness that devours the light¡­ You will soon understand that in the end, only death shall consume all of existence! To stand against death¡­ is to embrace it!" CHAPTER 38 Hours had passed since the end of the war in the underground plains, and the elves were gathering and burning even the smallest body parts they could find.Fingers, hands, and countless feet lay scattered, their owners unidentifiable. Giants took two full hours to burn, and the sheer amount of equipment filled the fifteen-kilometer path from the entrance of the caves leading to the Demon King''s altar. Ice elves and dwarves hurried to finish their tasks as quickly as possible, eager to return to the warmth of their homes. Alfred, Jacob, Tom, Jerry, Richard, Alexander¡ªdifferent names, yet whether they had families waiting for them or not, fate made no exceptions. A flash of light exploded beside the altar. Hazard appeared, unfazed by who would stand against him now. The pride of an undead was always their most dangerous enemy¡ªand their most faithful companion. Over time, Hazard had realized this but could never overcome it. Days and weeks passed, and he only grew more aware that as he became stronger, the undead curse of pride within him deepened. Eventually, finding no cure for it, he decided to embrace it in a way that would ensure his own survival. Now, with the terror of his rival dead, there was no need to keep his trump cards hidden. As he arrived, thirty mares and Honko stood at the center, while five hundred elves, young and old, stopped their work and turned to stare. But their gazes didn''t last long¡ªsoon, their heads swelled and burst. Honko, standing beside Hazard, heard the elves'' screams as they fled, and the tiny, slimy mouth beneath his eye curled into a grin. The thought of getting his hands on those enriched dark gems drove him mad with excitement. He was so lost in his greed that he failed to notice a mare behind him, opening its mouth wide enough to swallow him whole. Jagged, yellow, saw-like teeth spun within shifting black gums, reaching the perfect size in mere seconds. Hazard, while examining the Gate of Terror, injected his mana and sent one last message to Honko. "If you thought I was the only one who could kill you¡­ your soul will burn in hell¡ªif they even let you in." Honko snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Hazard''s voice, turning to ask what he meant¡ªbut all that awaited him was a massive maw that consumed him in one bite. "Now that you''ve eaten him, I hope you''ll let Cerberus go¡­" Hazard glanced at the most gluttonous mare, who belched loudly after noisily chewing up Honko. Then, mimicking Hazard, it raised a thumb in approval. He didn''t believe it for a second. Instead, he activated the still-intact gate¡ªan ancient, special structure now under his control¡ªby infusing it with mana. "If there are any enriched dark gems, they''ll be of more use to me than to you." This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. The portal activated. Hazard had never expected them to leave it intact, the very foundation of his entire gamble. Meanwhile, Markins Elgota was drafting a long letter about his victory, the triumph of his champions, and the acquisition of the long-forgotten ancient teleportation gate. He anticipated great rewards and gratitude from a powerful recipient. But had he foreseen that the same gate would not bring him rewards, but rather an army hunting down his weary, war-torn soldiers, he would have regretted his greed and failing to destroy it. Hazard sent a mental command to his liches, an effort that drained a considerable amount of mana, then turned his gaze to the mares, who played with their prey. He watched as a lord-rank commander, born into nobility due to his talent and potential, spent years training at the academy, married into an aristocratic family that had appointed him as one of their knight-commanders, and had two children with his beautiful, kind wife. Now, at fifty years old, two mares, in their humanoid forms, gripped him¡ªone by the arm, the other by the leg¡ªpulling him in opposite directions. "He''s about to tear apart¡­" And so he did. The display of warlord-level strength sent the mares into a feeding frenzy. Abyssal creatures devoured like wild beasts, especially when their prey had been vanquished in battle. Their abyssal instincts overwhelmed them, and they fed as they always had. Hazard felt no pity for the dying ice elves and fleeing dwarves whose desperate screams echoed for help. He kept his eyes locked on the portal, waiting for what he had anticipated. Elite hellcats emerged. Towering two meters tall from head to toe, four meters long, their massive bodies boasted sharp fangs, powerful claws, and thick muscles flexing beneath their black and crimson fur. Hazard stepped aside as the army of hellcats poured through like a flood. Their overwhelming numbers momentarily dimmed the portal''s light. Alarmed at the possibility that only a third of his forces would make it through, he injected more mana into the gate to sustain it. But then, he felt his body growing weaker¡ªdrained from losing so much mana. It reminded him of the dangers of using Eternal Undeath. But the wounded, humiliated pride of the undead disregarded all fear and caution. Now was the time for revenge. The undead curse of immortality, bound to their pride, allowed no other path¡ªonly vengeance and restoration. As a hundred thousand hellcats stormed through, Hazard became so drained that he had to summon a lich from the portal. The lich appeared, finding only his master on the ground. The hellcats and mares had already spread out, seeking out every last enemy. Hazard stared at the lich, uneasy about what he had to do, but he had no choice. He placed a hand on its skull, drawing in its miasma mana, and slowly rose from the ground. The lich''s flaming eyes met his master''s until they flickered out, and the creature crumbled to ashes. "May your soul find its way into the cycle of reincarnation." Then, Hazard followed his army, listening to the distant sounds of battle and tracking the trail of blood. Soon, he reached the surface¡ªa wintery forest with towering trees. From there, he gazed at his army. They were all staring at a massive city in the near distance, illuminated by the moonlight in the cold night sky. "What are you waiting for?" Hazard''s voice rang out, and the elite hellcats¡ªintelligent enough to understand that attacking a city of such magnitude without orders was unwise¡ªgrinned at the sound of their master. They readied themselves to leap toward the distant city as they heeded Hazard''s command: "Show them the disgrace of annihilation! Take no prisoners! Spare no one!" CHAPTER 39 Hejna patrolled the dark mountainous skies of the forbidden zone and quickly realized the gravity of the situation upon noticing a significantly larger number of patrol groups of bats and even werewolves. This meant that the matter had escalated, as the werewolves were the messengers of Mordred, and the bats belonged to Vlad. Now, both princes of darkness had become aware of the hostile force within their territory. Meanwhile, a massive undead army, a hundred thousand strong, commanded by the great demon undead general, had secured several astonishing victories near the obsidian mines. With a little thought, it was obvious why both princes were so concerned. On the other hand, the empire was beginning to doubt whether their main enemy during this short period of unrest was truly the faction of darkness. Numerous adventurers and mercenaries were patrolling the borders, leading to conclusions that reminded Hejna of his youth¡ªwhen he was entangled in multi-front wars. Despite the boiling of his blood, he felt no joy. Those days were gone, and now he wasn''t sure whether his king could withstand these threats. But regardless of what happened, there was little he could do¡ªor so he thought, until he saw the very people he had prayed all day not to encounter. A colossal battalion of witches soared through the air on their broomsticks, cackling and hooting. Two thousand witches erupted into cheers, resembling a swarm of youthful-looking old hags on a hunt for boys who had maintained their vows of celibacy. Upon seeing them, Hejna didn''t know which god of his world to pray to. As he rushed toward the center of the undead territory and the castle, he desperately hoped that the commander of this vast battalion of witches was not the one he feared. Because if it was, then a far greater threat loomed over the entire region, especially in the absence of Hazard and the Thirty Mares. Hejna, accompanied by an undead witch, attempted to keep pace. However, given the witches'' ability to share magic among themselves, they had greater speed. The undead witch sacrificed herself, boosting Hejna''s speed momentarily, but she soon lagged behind, froze completely, and then shattered into snowflakes. "Morgan, please!" His fears were confirmed the moment he saw the magic at work. The commander of this massive battalion was none other than Morgan le Fay¡ªthe greatest witch, and once, for a brief time, the lover of Dietrich, the Winter King. However, due to her aggressive and warlike nature, she had been exiled from both the court and the North. "Well, well¡­ Look who we have here." Her enchanting voice froze Hejna in place, and in an instant, she appeared before him, her white wand in hand. She traced a delicate finger over Hejna''s red lips. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "My queen¡­" Of course, she was no queen, but among the witches, her status was so high that they regarded her as such. With her mature beauty, pale skin, silver hair, and sky-blue eyes, she was the perfect waifu material for any story. But in this world, there was no room for such things. "I see¡­ It''s Hejna. How long have you been stuck at this level?" Morgan''s hands slid behind Hejna''s head, and due to the overwhelming aura of her presence, he was unable to move. She kissed him on the lips. Power? Freedom? The vanishing of sorrow? The sensations her kiss awakened in Hejna were fleeting. But the searing pain that followed made him scream in agony. "Another child of mine¡­ has returned to my embrace." However, things didn''t go as she expected. Her magic failed, and she stared at Hejna in disbelief. "How¡­? You! You actually signed a slave contract!?" She could tell immediately. The marks of such a contract on a lord-ranked being were easily visible to someone of her caliber, especially an ancient entity like herself. There were a few ways to resist her magic, which turned others into her thralls. But in Hejna''s case, with the clear signs of a contract binding him, there was only one explanation¡ªhe already had a master. "How dare you?" Hejna trembled, searching for a way to save himself. "They enslaved me, my queen! Please, save me!" Morgan frowned. "Then why did you run from me? Are you seriously trying to lie to me? Do you think I can''t tell truth from falsehood?" Hejna had no answer. If she wished to take his life, he saw no way to escape. His only hope was Hazard, but he was nowhere in sight. The last thing Hejna saw was the queen''s hand striking him¡ªa slap so powerful that half his face was obliterated, and his neck, unable to withstand the force, snapped. "Filthy traitor." Morgan then turned and led her army toward a place teeming with powerful presences, unaware that her previous actions had drastically altered her fate. In front of the obsidian mines, the great undead general dismounted from his colossal bat and swiftly wiped its purple blood from his blade. The liches and generals gathered before him. "Victory is ours." "Only a few managed to escape." "The gods will be displeased with us." "Yes, their wrath was evident just moments ago." However, the great general raised his hands, silencing them all. "The Archlich has requested our return. It seems the crows are circling in our skies." The fire in their eyes flared. An enemy that dared defile their domain? Did they not know that the obsidian mines had been the graveyard of thirty thousand dark beings? Those who had merely defended a place the undead now rightfully claimed? Minutes passed, and the undead cavalry and infantry, accompanied by undead giants and the corpses of thirty thousand dark creatures¡ªnow reanimated as zombies of varying strength¡ªstood behind the great general. He rode a two-headed Hellhound, a zombie warlord-class beast. Anyone who saw this force would wonder how such an army had conquered a warlord-tier elite without even a single warlord-ranked specialist in their own ranks. Regardless, as the general led his army forward and reported his movements to the Archlich, his eyes burned with resolve. "The land that belongs to death will never accept the living as its masters. Any futile resistance upon the soil of the dead will only turn you into one of us." CHAPTER 40 The icy elves were both celebrating and mourning after their victory in battle¡ªone group rejoicing in their success and the removal of threats, while the other grieved for their fallen loved ones who were no longer by their side. Meanwhile, Markinz, having dismissed his standard-bearers and armies, stood alone with his weary fifty-thousand-strong force, gazing out from the balcony of his fortress while sipping from his goblet. "Many lives were sacrificed today, but with the current achievements, a brighter future awaits the icy elves." However, he was not talking to himself like a madman¡ªtwo men of half-human, half-icy-elf descent stood beside him. They were two powerful brothers who held noble titles under Markinz and, given their proximity to Algotha''s territory, had quickly noticed the existence of the teleportation gate. At Algotha''s request, they had come to him. Their names were Shibelang and Nibelang¡ªrenowned warriors across the entire continent, undefeated in battle, with no one left alive to recount their combat style. With scarred, hairless heads, in their fifth decade of life, and eyes that had long forgotten love, they sipped their wine from goblets while clad in heavy armor. Of course, Markinz did not expect them to respond or engage in casual conversation. The brothers held another title¡ªthe Mute Brothers, a name earned due to the tortures inflicted upon them by their foster mother. Their inability to speak had been both a curse and, at times, a blessing. While it was said that magic or miracles could allow them to communicate through sound, their lack of talent and magical affinity had barred them from early success in life. "Talking to myself after such a hard day... Ahh, if only I had your help, things might have gone better." The two brothers did not frown or show any discomfort at his words. They agreed with him, but it wasn''t as if they could have helped¡ªboth had been waging battles elsewhere with their armies. Due to their powerful physiques and the extreme significance of the ancient teleportation gate, they had rushed to Algotha immediately after their battles, still clad in their battle-worn armor. "Still, I''m grateful that you''re here. At least having my brothers by my side gives me more peace than if that duchess were to suddenly appear and steal all the credit in court. It was the icy elves who made sacrifices, not the Valkyries!" The two brothers nodded. Although Algotha wasn''t their blood sister, they had spent much time together in childhood despite being from different families. Algotha''s lively and outgoing nature had contrasted with the brothers'' introverted and wounded souls, yet she had embraced them as her own brothers. That decision had ensured that even at the rank of Duke, she had warriors powerful enough to stand behind her¡ªones who could make even a Duke hesitate before opposing her. "It''s been nothing but war, war, war lately... How long must people keep dying? They promise peace, yet we are forced into battle. How long must I hold my people and my children as they die in my arms...?" The two brothers, both slightly taller than Algotha, placed their hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. With their other hands, they signed in silent reassurance, promising their eternal support. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. At that moment, their loyalty was put to the test. Bells and horns blared across the fortress walls as the cries of war erupted once more. "Don''t tell me¡­ that damned Duke!!!" Yet there was no time to curse. He had already witnessed enough of his soldiers'' deaths for one day. "My brothers?" He turned his gaze to the two warriors, who each drew a massive warhammer from the rare spatial rings on their fingers. With a nod, they signaled their readiness to aid him. "Thank you, truly." At that moment, his regal garments shimmered, replaced by a full-body ice armor. With a mighty leap, he propelled himself toward the walls, while the two brothers followed, soaring toward the same destination. Upon the thick, ten-meter-high stone walls, elven soldiers who had been playing cards or chatting just moments ago were stirred by the sounds of scraping and movement. Rising from their posts, they peered over the long and towering barrier. But the sight before them was not their usual patrolling guards with torches. Instead, massive black creatures loomed in the darkness of the night, nearly invisible. "Attack¡­ we''re under attack!!!" The alarmed cries rang out, but dread gripped the hearts of the guards as horns and warning bells echoed from every station. The city was soon engulfed in the sounds of war, and the celebrations turned into chaos. "Oh no!" A station commander, ranked as a lord with senses keener than the elite soldiers around him, felt a cold sweat drip down his back. "We''re doomed..." The soldiers around him were confused. Each of them had undergone grueling training to earn their positions, and their commander, a man of such high rank and power, had never before shown such despair. They never got an answer from him. A horde of monstrous, hellish cats swarmed over them, tearing them apart like playthings. The city was in utter turmoil. The giant hellcats, with their incredible speed, spread through the streets, coordinating their attacks to catch the exhausted guards and city garrison off guard. Not even a full minute had passed since their arrival on the walls, yet the death toll had already climbed into the thousands. However, in key locations, warlords and city lords stood their ground, effortlessly cutting down elite-ranked enemies and rallying their forces under emergency protocols. That is¡­ if the enemy wasn''t already targeting key gathering points with their own forces. The city''s defense general, a warlord-ranked warrior, skewered five giant hellcats with his spear in one swift motion, completing his hundredth kill. But then, he noticed a hooded figure¡ªa woman cloaked in black¡ªapproaching him. "You... are you a demon?" With his heightened senses, the old man instantly recognized the sinister aura of ancient malevolence and lethal intent radiating from her. "The reason you are hunted without end is because of your meaningless slaughter¡ª" But his words were abruptly cut short as the figure before him began chanting in a rasping, furious voice. "Revenge¡­ revenge¡­ revenge¡­!" Her trembling voice didn''t make the words sound pitiful¡ªit made them terrifying. A nightmare for those with weak mental fortitude. The old man steadied his breath, ignoring the soldiers behind him whose heads were exploding one after another. He didn''t need to see their deaths; he was analyzing his opponent''s combat style, formulating a countermeasure in his mind. Then, the hooded woman''s gaze locked onto him. A fierce mental assault struck him, causing his head to heat up, his mind to swirl with nightmarish visions¡ªeach lasting less than a fraction of a second. "Haha! Tough luck! You won''t find a nightmare that can scare me, and my mind won''t break so easily!" With a powerful leap, he readied his spear for a strike¡ª But an explosion erupted in his path. As the dust settled, the undead figure emerged, towering over him. The old man, lying beneath, gasped weakly as the entity crushed his skull beneath its foot. Turning, the undead gazed at the dark mare beside it. "I will deal with the warlords. Focus on the lords." The dark mare nodded, watching as Hazard flew off into the distance, disappearing before landing elsewhere. "HAAAZAAARD!" CHAPTER 41 The great city of Altz, home to nearly five million inhabitants, was primarily composed of Ice Elves, along with a small number of merchant races. This city, located at the heart of the Winter Kingdom of Dietrich, was far removed from any danger or war, allowing its population to flourish over the past few decades. However, this peace lasted only until the appearance of demonic beings who called themselves the Demon Kings. With their arrival, no realm could maintain its former tranquility¡ªespecially his own, where, after months of effort, he had slaughtered every Demon King within his domain, save for one. This lone demon had carved labyrinthine dungeons underground and commanded a vast force of immensely powerful demons that guarded his lands. As time passed and this thorn in his side grew ever larger, he had no choice but to summon all his bannerlords. Counts, Viscounts¡ªall answered the call of their Marquis, whom they revered. A vast army, unlike any he had ever needed to muster, assembled before his gates. Once fully prepared and after sealing off all exits from the underground dungeons, they launched their attack, securing a hard-fought victory. However, despite its triumph in the Battle of Light, the city of Altz never imagined that true darkness would descend upon them in the aftermath of their glorious victory. Screams and cries filled the city as children, women, and the elderly¡ªtoo weak to withstand the assault of the elite packs of massive Hellcats¡ªfell one after another. The city''s mages desperately unleashed enormous magical explosions in self-defense, trying to counter these sinister creatures that hid in the darkness, their keen eyes mocking any attempt to evade them. The frequent use of flare-like spells, as well as fire and light magic, illuminated the city, yet it had a disastrous consequence¡ªfire. In the end, many were forced to bite down on bullets just to endure, hoping at least to catch a glimpse of their hidden foes in the night. Yet they never expected that their adversaries were creatures accustomed to volcanic environments, and by using fire, they had handed their enemies a greater ally than even darkness. Still, the soldiers placed their hope in their commanders, the commanders in their generals, and the generals¡­ had already perished, leaving none to place their hopes upon. Hazard, after slaying the last Ice Elf Warlord-ranked general¡ªwho was an exceptional archer¡ªgazed toward the most devastated part of the city. The explosions and screams made one thing clear¡ªan intense battle was raging there. Algota, along with the Silent Brothers, was engaged in a group battle against six Nightmares. Three against six¡ªa clear numerical disadvantage. The immense pressure forced the loyal and desperate soldiers of Altz to do everything in their power to relieve even a fraction of that burden, but none succeeded. Among the six adversaries, two were in terrifying monstrous forms, the likes of which had never even haunted their nightmares, while the other four retained humanoid forms more beautiful than anything they had ever dreamed. The Silent Brothers wielded massive war hammers, struggling to clear a path for Algota so he could unleash his most powerful strike with his greatsword, hoping to slay their foes one by one and reduce the pressure. However, killing these humanoid creatures was no easy feat. Their first target was quickly surrounded, and they successfully severed its head¡ªonly for it to rise again, this time without any apparent weaknesses. With an ear-splitting scream, it summoned five more of its kind to the battlefield before resuming the fight with several times its original strength. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes into an hour. The relentless swinging of their massive hammers and the extreme exertion took its toll, slowing the Silent Brothers considerably. Algota found no openings to attack, forced instead to fight alongside his brothers against a barrage of mind magic, gravity spells, acid attacks, telekinetic assaults, and the bizarre, lethal fighting techniques of the Nightmares, who wielded claws and fangs. Eventually, all three were forced into a defensive stance, becoming the last line of resistance against their foes. Outside Hazard''s castle, after scouring the palace and plundering vast amounts of gold, jewels, and rare artifacts, he surveyed his remaining forces: [1,680,530 common demonic undead units, 76,070 demonic undead archers, 43,120 demonic undead swordsmen, 6,845 elite swordsmen, 7,542 elite archers, 650 demonic undead mages, 12 demonic undead giants, 890 demonic undead knights, 78 demonic liches, 89 demonic undead generals, 1 demonic arch-lich, 1 great demonic undead knight, 1 demonic undead champion, 3 undead giants, 230 undead hellhounds, 31 large undead hellhounds, 1 colossal undead hellhound, 30 Nightmares, 6 death cyclops, 3 newborn lightning dragons of death, 200 death eyes, 12,870 Hellcats, 2,487 elite undead Warlords.] The fire in his eyes blazed with fury. His army was reduced¡ªsome by half, others by a third, and some units had been completely annihilated. No matter where he looked, he could not find his demonic undead dragon. His aura flared with rage, forcing him to establish a telepathic link with his arch-lich. [Which bastard killed my dragon?!] For several seconds, there was no response¡ªuntil finally, a hurried voice echoed in his mind. [My king, you must hurry. We have no advantage here. The only thing keeping the enemy from reaching the altar has been the Spirit Towers so far.] Hazard burned with greater fury than ever before. It seemed his thirst for vengeance had blinded him to the attacks on his own domain, and now the consequences¡ªhis enemies reaching his sacred altar¡ªwould leave a scar he knew he would never forget, not even in the afterlife. Yet, he could not leave just yet¡ªhe had not yet claimed the treasury, as the city''s ruler still lived. Algota, overwhelmed by the onslaught of newly arrived Nightmares, had been forcibly separated from the defensive formation he had established with his brothers. Not by choice, but because the Nightmares had deliberately split them apart¡ªa move that sealed their victory within the next minute. The Silent Brothers, exhausted, fell to their knees, closing their eyes and resigning themselves to death. Their despair was evident¡ªfor before them stood a towering undead with massive horns and two pairs of long, skeletal wings. Despite their surrender, their sister could not believe her eyes. She had been certain¡ªjust hours ago¡ªthat this undead had been beheaded. Yet here it stood, emitting only slightly less mana than before. "Impossible! I saw you die with my own eyes!" Hazard, pressed for time, had no patience to argue. He needed to be elsewhere, but he could not let such a strong foe die without hearing his final words. "The dead are those who rise from death itself. Believing that death can befall the already dead is nothing but folly." With that, he gave a signal. A Nightmare approached from behind, thrusting its hand through Algota''s back, seizing his heart. Algota, too weak to resist, could only watch in horror as his own heart was torn from his chest, held before his eyes, and then pulled away. His last sensation was the sickening sound of something being chewed¡ªa sound he had no doubt was the consumption of his own heart CHAPTER 42 [The Great Winter City of Altz, a Threat Level 5 Warlord stronghold with extremely high exploration value, has been conquered.][A colossal treasure chest of supreme-grade Mithril has been obtained.] Hazard wasted no time and opened it.Inside, he found 30 million gold coins, two thousand water and ice gems, a special blueprint for a Level 5 Ice Castle, and an Epic-grade Ice Crystal item. He paused, picking up the Ice Crystal, examining it carefully while listing the Ice Castle for sale at twenty million gold coins. [Ice Crystal]Rarity Level: Epic Doubles magical attack power for ice-element spells+1500 ManaGrants access to Ice Prison, an S-rank spell (one-month cooldown) His pause grew longer. As someone who could wield Master of Elements, he had the capability to cast ice-element spells as well. With this realization, he now had a powerful safeguard for defending his territory, knowing that the enemy advancing toward his castle would be no easy opponent. After securing the Ice Crystal in the safest place he had¡ªinside his empty ribcage¡ªhe turned his gaze toward the two kneeling brothers, their faces twisted in rage as they stared at the corpse of their adopted sister. With a simple command, two more undead stallions ended their lives just as they had Algotha''s. Believing the task to be complete, Hazard circulated his mana, transforming all three into his eternal undead slaves. However, Warlord-tier zombies did not stumble about clumsily like their lesser counterparts. Watching their disciplined movements, Hazard strode toward the teleportation gate. But frustration flared within him¡ªhis remaining mana was too low to perform another Resurrection on the rest of the corpses. "The world itself is against me¡­ but I will be the one who emerges victorious!" He then checked his gold reserves: 57 million gold coins from aiding Terror in battle.86 million gold coins from slaughtering the entire population of Altz and looting the treasury.30 million gold coins from Altz''s grand treasure chest.18 million gold coins collected by his soldiers during his absence from defeating enemy patrols and battling in the Obsidian Mine¡ªwhich itself contained treasure. [A brilliant Mithril-tier treasure chest has been obtained.] Without hesitation, he opened it. [15 million gold coins, one ton of Obsidian Stone, a Level 4 Miner''s Camp, and an S-rank Obsidian Shoulder Guard.] The shoulder guard materialized before him. Two vampiric beast skulls adorned the shoulders, marking it as part of a unique undead-themed armor set¡ªa design that pleased him. [Obsidian Shoulder Guard]Rarity Level: S +950 DefenseObtain the full Obsidian Knight armor set to unlock the "Obsidian Knight''s Command" skill. After several minutes, his undead stallions and three Warlord-tier zombies reached the portal. He leaped through it, leaving behind approximately 13,000 giant Hellcats and hundreds of thousands of corpses. Little did he anticipate that among these creatures, an elite Hellcat with exceptional talent would consume multiple Warlord corpses, ascend to Lord-tier, and assume control of the abandoned army. In time, this monstrous beast would uncover an individual buried deep within the ruins of the Ice Castle¡ªand with their aid, it would become a nightmare feared as much as the legendary Cerberus, Guardian of the Gates of Hell. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Upon passing through the gate, Hazard''s skeletal face (if he had one) would have twisted in displeasure. A full-scale war was raging¡ªbut there were no screams, only laughter. The eerie, maniacal cackles of young women echoed so loudly that weaker creatures with keen hearing would have gone mad just from the sound. Hazard''s gaze shifted. His soldiers below Lord-rank were utterly useless. The 2,000-strong coven of witches dominated the skies effortlessly. A particular white witch¡ªexceptionally powerful and of Epic-tier¡ªwas locked in an intense duel with the Grand Undead General and the Arc Lich. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Hazard knew he couldn''t face an Epic-tier entity in his current state. There was no time to call for help from other Demon Kings. Summoning his own Epic-tier ally was also impossible¡ªin recent battles, he had failed to acquire a Sixth-tier Soul, leaving him with only a handful of Fifth-tier Souls. With no other choice, he activated his Epic-tier item''s ability, unwilling to allow an Epic-tier entity to rampage within the heart of his domain. Upon casting S-rank Ice Prison, a glacier formed instantly, encasing Morgan¡ªwho had been on the verge of victory¡ªin an icy tomb. Shocked, Morgan scanned the battlefield, seeking the source of the spell, but Hazard had already left, retreating to his castle''s altar. "If I can''t take you down with quality, then I''ll do it with quantity!" He checked his gold reserves again: [188,780,230 Gold Coins] The next action he took would shock anyone who witnessed it. As the altar trembled, a wave of terror spread among his enemies. 10,000 Demon Liches emerged from the darkness. [Demon Lich] Rank: Lord (Level 1) HP: 100 Power: 80 Agility: 50 Mana (Miasma): 800 Endurance: - Abilities: Undead Resurrection, Soul SummoningSkills: Negative Energy Orb (B), Death Magic (C), Negative Energy Shield (C), Flight (D), etc.Summoning Cost: 20,000 Gold Coins each "Forward! Our enemies have invaded our lands¡ªshow them the wrath of the dead!" The Demon Liches, driven by rage, ignited their blood-red eyes and took to the skies, launching their attack. Hazard prepared to leave, but at that moment, he received a notification¡ªthe Ice Castle had been sold for twenty million gold coins. "...?" Initially planning to save his Heroic Souls for his own ascension, he reconsidered. With no other powerful entity to safeguard his territory in his absence, he accessed the summoning menu to find the strongest summonable being using his current funds and Fifth-tier Heroic Souls. [Demonic Death King] Rank: Warlord (Level 2) HP: 4,000 Power: 2,200 Agility: 1,000 Mana (Miasma): 7,500 Endurance: - Abilities: King of Elements, Death King''s Domain, Undead Resurrection, Soul Summoning, Fear Domain, Death Elemental SoulSkills: Death God Mode (S), Negative Energy Orb (A), Death Magic (A), Negative Energy Shield (A), Abyss Summoning (A), Master of Time (B), Flight (B), etc.Summoning Cost: 5 million gold coins, 10,000 Death Gems, 1 million corpses per summon, 2 Fifth-tier Heroic Souls With a single tap, the altar quaked violently. A colossal skeletal hand emerged from the depths, followed by a crowned skull forged from black metal. Then, towering at fifty meters, the Demonic Death King stood before Hazard, its height ten times that of its summoner. There was no time to waste. "Go forth! Join the battle outside!" The Death King tilted its head, glaring at Hazard with disdain. "The etiquette of the dead in this world is¡­ lacking." Hazard immediately realized his mistake. Not all powerful undead were blindly obedient. "My domain is under attack by an Epic-tier enemy, and I summoned you to aid me. If you refuse, you won''t get another chance to discuss etiquette!" The Death King paused, then smirked. "Ah¡­ a battle of this scale¡­ awakens forgotten memories from before my time in the River of Oblivion. But you lack the means to support me properly." Hazard''s flaming eyes burned fiercely. "Then tell me what you need, damn it!" With a single command, he spent his remaining 15 million gold coins, causing the entire castle to shake. And then, the Death King¡­ began to glow. "Now, witness the power of a true Death King!" CHAPTER 43 Three million demonic undead of average rank launched an assault outside the castle, led by Hazard and the Death King. Morgan, having broken free from the ice prison much faster than any other being due to his high magical affinity with ice, had already cleared out the meddlesome Archlich. He was now facing thirty Abyssal Mares, whose relentless mental attacks had begun to wear him down. Hazard glanced at the White Sorceress, whose small body still bore the curves of a mature woman like her sisters, before turning his gaze toward the Death King standing beside him. "Demonic Death King" Name: The Nameless Wandering King Level: Upgraded from Warlord Level 2 to Epic Level 1 (Current level is restricted) Health: 10,500 Strength: 4,800 Agility: 3,000 Mana (Miasma): 60,000 Endurance: - Talents: King of Elements, Death King''s Domain, Undead Resurrection, Spirit Summoning, Realm of Fear, Death Element Spirit Skills: Death God''s Mode (S), Negative Energy Orb (S), Death Magic (S), Negative Energy Shield (S), Abyssal Summoning (S), Master of Time (A), Flight (A), etc. Seeing the insane leap in the Demonic Death King''s stats, Hazard, who had entrusted complete control of his forces to him, felt a renewed sense of hope. Meanwhile, his opponent had become ensnared by the newly joined Abyssal Mares¡ªbeings that had adapted to the Abyss and survived battles against Epic-tier creatures. The sight of a fifty-meter-tall undead of Epic rank twisted his once-beautiful face in horror. "Damn it, Vlad! You said there wouldn''t be any Epic-ranked enemies!!!" The fear of losing his life made him scream in terror, disregarding the Witch Sisters around him as he fled at full speed. Seeing him run, the Witch Sisters attempted to join him, but their escape was far from easy¡ªthey were quickly restrained by Liches. Even Morgan wasn''t safe; Hazard, along with all Warlord-ranked creatures, the Death King, and the Undead Grand General, were chasing after him. Hazard swore that he would not let Morgan die an easy death¡ªnot after he had slain the dragon that Hazard cherished as his first. Morgan, with nearly forty creatures in pursuit¡ªone at peak Warlord level and another matching his own rank¡ªknew that stopping meant certain death. He pushed his speed to the limit, but thirty simultaneous mental attacks invaded his mind, forcing him to halt for a single second. Blood gushed from his mouth. Regaining his senses, he realized that even that single moment of hesitation had sealed his fate. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. At that instant, a long sword slashed at him. He blocked it with his legendary-grade magic staff, saving himself, but he couldn''t withstand the force behind the strike. He was sent crashing into a towering black mountain, embedding himself within it. Dizzy and struggling to rise, he spotted the Warlord-ranked undead at the peak¡ªwielding a scythe cloaked in a sinister aura, ready to strike. He barely dodged the fatal blow, retaliating with a sword of ice conjured in a tenth of a second, aiming for the undead''s side¡ªwhere he had spotted a thirty-centimeter crystalline core. If he could shatter it, the resulting magical explosion would obliterate the undead''s item from within. However, his attack failed. Another undead, merely at Lord rank, intercepted him with masterful swordplay. "Damn you all!!!" His scream made perfect sense¡ªthirty Abyssal creatures, now in their true forms, descended upon him, their razor-sharp fangs aiming to tear him apart. "I am Morgan Le Fay! I am the Queen of Sorcerers! I am¡ª" His body trembled with blood loss, his limbs growing weak. Hazard couldn''t understand why Morgan was shouting his name and titles in the face of death, but he was satisfied when a notification appeared before him. [Congratulations! You have defeated Epic-ranked Level 1 Queen of Sorcerers, Morgan Le Fay. You have obtained 10,000,000 gold coins.] With that, Hazard felt he could finally take a deep breath¡ªif he still had breath to take. However, his war was far from over, as his forces in the north and south were under attack by multiple patrols. As he stood up, he noticed the Death King staring in a certain direction. "What are you looking at?" Following his gaze, he spotted a familiar sorceress atop the mountain¡ªright where Morgan''s corpse was being devoured. "She was here all along? Is she¡ª" "Hegena!!!" Hazard flew toward her at full speed, landing in front of her small body and checking her pulse. It was weak, but she was alive, bringing him relief. "Why do you care so much? She''s just a Lord-tier¡ª" The Death King landed beside him. "I promised to protect her!" At that, the Death King''s gaze shifted. "A true king never breaks his promises. At first, I did not see a king in you... but now, perhaps I can believe in you. However, this alone is not enough to convince me." Hazard gave the Death King a strange look, finding his dialogue overly clich¨¦. Nonetheless, he bought the best healing potion on the market for a million gold coins and administered it to Hegena, following up with his own Holy Healing Magic¡ªeven as his hands burned from the sacred energy. "She''s a useful subordinate. The only person in this damned world I could talk to freely." Rather than being moved by Hazard''s sacrifice, the Death King was far more shocked by something else¡ªan undead, and not just any undead but a demonic one, using holy magic. Then, the Death King spoke words that left Hazard stunned. If an undead knew about this, the consequences could be dire, as if a hero had uncovered his secret. "God of Destruction!" Hazard said nothing, but the Death King paced around him with heavy steps. "Hazard, the one who has become my king¡­ Do you know who made me a wandering, nameless ruler?" Seeing the banners of death rise, Hazard stopped tending to Hegena and turned to the Death King. "Will you hear me out?" Like an NPC, the Death King ignored him and continued his tale. "For years, I lived in peace with my family and my people. The bountiful climate of my kingdom ensured that no citizen ever went hungry. By selling surplus food and livestock to neighboring nations, we amassed great wealth. We had no need for a strong military, for we were under the protection of a powerful empire¡ªmy brother''s empire. "But you can probably guess what happened next, can''t you? Millions of demons appeared, carrying with them the plague of annihilation. My world lasted no more than ten years before it was destroyed by that colossal, god-slaying octopus." Then, he drew his sheathed sword. "Now answer me this¡ªwhy should I serve the messenger of the god who destroyed my life?" CHAPTER 44 "Why should I serve the Apostle of a god who ruined my life?" Hazard didn''t know how to respond to the epic-ranked being standing before him, nor how to save himself from its wrath. However, after a moment of patience, something came to his mind. "Hahaha! You''re standing against me with your current level of power? It''s time to kneel!" With that, he stripped the Death King''s command over his forces, watching as his power regressed to Warlord Rank 2. "Kneel now!" However, the Death King remained standing. Even with his power diminished, he didn''t move an inch, as if the only key to his motion was an answer from Hazard. "Damn it! From now on, I''ll never summon a Warlord-rank entity again!" Hazard knew he couldn''t control such a being by force. Releasing someone with terrifying potential for growth was not in his best interest. Still, he hesitated for a moment, his eyes flashing with a realization. "Nameless King! I never volunteered for the God of Destruction''s plan! I didn''t become his Apostle by choice! And I won''t lie to you, nor will I treat you like a king, because I can summon multiple kings like you! My plan won''t end with the Forbidden Mountain either! To survive and grow stronger, I might even wipe out this entire planet from my enemies¡ªjust like that god-killing octopus you mentioned!" If he had lungs, he would have taken a deep breath. Finally, his opponent moved, raising his sword in the stance used by Italian Crusader knights. "Your honesty is a fitting answer. But a king will never kneel or bow unless defeated by a stronger king! Fight me! The victor shall decide the fate of the other!" With that, he charged at Hazard, slashing downward. Hazard, with his enhanced perception surpassing that of ordinary humans, quickly summoned the Reaper''s Scythe to block the attack. However, the force behind the strike forced him to redirect it instead, leaping upwards and spinning his scythe to target his opponent''s neck. But his enemy was no ordinary foe. The Death King swiftly stepped back, executing a perfect spin, channeling tremendous kinetic energy into his colossal fifteen-meter-long sword as he swung it toward Hazard. "Damn you!!!" Hazard knew he couldn''t block the strike. With most of his skills on cooldown and inaccessible, he placed his scythe in front of him. The impact produced a shattering sound, cracking the weapon and deflecting the sword just enough to sever all of Hazard''s wings. "You!!!" The realization that he was yelling like a third-rate villain in the middle of battle only fueled his rage further, making the fire in his eyes burn even brighter. "If not for this damned Eternal Resurrection effect¡­!" Dodging the Death King''s rapid, heavy strikes, his anger grew with every passing second. But his fury was useless against the calculated swordplay and immense battle experience of his opponent. "Your movements are too open!!! You''re too slow!!!!" The Death King''s words were sharper and deadlier than a viper''s bite to an undead who had just suffered such humiliation. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "I''m a king, not a warrior! You''d better prepare yourself!" The Death King sneered¡ªhe understood what those words truly meant. "So, in the end, you''re just a coward!" With that, thirty undead mares, the Grand Undead General, and other zombie Warlords joined the battle. However, Hazard, who had stepped aside to assess his severe injuries, cursed his opponent under his breath. "Prepare yourself for what''s coming¡ª" He had to cut his sentence short because he couldn''t believe what he was seeing. The Death King roared, unleashing green flames that engulfed his enemies. But this was no ordinary attack. Hazard instantly lost control over the undead he had resurrected, their black eyes turning an eerie shade of green. "Oh, shit!" A massive bat Warlord, a colossal two-headed hellhound Warlord, and three ice elf and half-elf Warlords now stood against the thirty undead mares and the Grand Undead General. Meanwhile, the Death King flanked them from the other side. Hazard, regaining his mana, checked his skill, which was now ready for activation. With that, two identical clones of himself appeared, unleashing a devastating chain of domain skills in succession. "Die!" A barrage of negative energy projectiles and various elemental attacks¡ªincluding holy attacks, which dealt the most damage to the undead¡ªrained down upon the Death King, forcing him back fifty steps. Seeing the now-hostile zombies, Hazard let the undead mares destroy them. He knew he couldn''t reclaim control over them, nor could he resurrect them a second time. With the Grand Undead General by his side, Hazard launched into a ferocious battle against the Death King, aided by his clones. The Grand Undead General''s sword dance, combined with his flowing silver hair, was far more mesmerizing than the colossal Death King''s movements. However, he wasn''t powerful enough to match his opponent. His sole purpose in the battle was to find and expose a weakness in the Death King for Hazard to exploit. "You will not defeat me!" Sensing that the undead mares had finished their task and that no more zombie corpses remained, Hazard grew even more enraged. Now, with his forces freed, he intensified his attacks with greater force than ever before. The battle against a Rank 2 Warlord had dragged on so long that Hazard was now terrified of the Death King''s monstrous potential. Yet, in the midst of their clash, he failed to notice the awakening of a certain sorceress. Hajna, regaining consciousness through unbearable pain, opened her eyes to see blood pooling around her. The sounds of magical explosions and devastating attacks drew her attention to the battlefield. A fifty-meter-tall undead giant in shattered black armor stood against Hazard and his two five-meter-tall clones, alongside a fully armored swordsman¡ªwhom she recognized as the Grand Undead General¡ªand thirty undead mares. "What¡­ happened¡­?" Then, she remembered¡ªher patrol during the unusual crisis, her conversation with Queen Morgan, and... the grievous injury that had left her with no hope of survival. "No, Morgan is coming now!" She struggled to stand, attempting to fly toward Hazard to warn him of an impending danger. However, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed torn white, bloodstained fabric. Her mind raced through possibilities. Then, her gaze fell upon a distinct white magical broomstick lying near the tattered clothes. "Morgan¡­ lost?" Her eyes snapped back to Hazard, just in time to see him sacrifice one of his clones to block an attack, then hurl a massive boulder at the Death King. "Just die already, damn it!" With that, her gaze locked onto their enemy¡ªan entity unlike anything she had ever seen. Unlike previous Warlords, this one didn''t make her tremble at the sight of its power. This realization prompted her to check her own strength. "I¡­ I evolved?!" Her hands trembled as she grasped the significance of her breakthrough. Something monumental had propelled her to the Lord Rank. Whether it was Queen Morgan''s kiss, which had flooded her with magic in an attempt to enslave and empower her, or the excess energy coursing through her from whatever liquid was in her stomach¡ªshe wasn''t sure. "Lord Rank¡­" Gripping the legendary magic broom in her hands, she smiled despite her quivering lips. She was eager to test her newfound powers with the same staff once wielded by the greatest Witch Queen. Little did she know that she would soon surpass that title. If only she knew that one day, the army of witches under her command would cast their shadow over entire continents, and that with their laughter alone, they would inject terror into the very soul of every planet they set foot upon. CHAPTER 45 A massive stone, weighing at least ten tons, struck the Death King''s head, causing it to tilt slightly to the side. Meanwhile, five mares gripping his right ankle pulled him backward, forcing the Death King to the ground. However, he swiftly transitioned into a form of mixed martial warfare and began rolling over himself. Hazard, completely taken aback, flew farther away. Meanwhile, the mares could no longer withstand the immense weight of the fifty-meter-tall Death King, and their bones shattered under the pressure. Unable to resist or evade, they were forced to revert to their original forms. The battle raged on for at least two hours until Hezhna had fully adapted to her newfound mana level. From the sky above the battlefield, she observed the warlord creatures below. "Ice Island?" She pondered to herself, unable to suppress the wild curiosity of what level of high magic she could now wield. Above her, a mass of ice began to form from tiny snowflakes. As it grew larger, she carefully regulated her mana to keep it at the brink of activation, then restarted the process to solidify it further. By leveraging this technique¡ªwhere converting snow into ice was significantly more efficient and required less mana¡ªshe created a more effective shrapnel-like spread upon impact. However, halting mana flow mid-elemental formation was extremely risky; the spell could fail or, if explosive, cause unintended collateral damage. Nevertheless, with her legendary magical broom acting as a highly effective catalyst and centuries of experience, Hezhna had no such concerns. On the ground, Hazard stood atop a distant mountain, recovering his mana while contemplating how to handle the enormous problem currently thrashing his mares. "Maybe I should just let him go? He can''t break through the domain''s defenses¡­ but if he escapes, he''ll return with a powerful army, likely regaining his legendary rank¡­ And surrender isn''t an option, so how do I¡ª" Suddenly, a howling sound filled the sky, carrying with it a chilling wind. Hazard looked up, and his jaw dropped at the sight above. A colossal mass of ice, the size of a football field with a thickness of thirty meters, loomed in the sky. It was visible from hundreds of kilometers away, provided no obstacles were in the way. Hazard felt the deep cold pierce his very soul, but upon seeing the caster responsible, he was reassured. Yet, this spectacle raised new questions in his mind about the accuracy of power rankings. If a being like the Death King¡ªranked as a level 2 Warlord¡ªcould stand against such a vast number of warlords, including someone at the peak of the Warlord tier, then witnessing Hezhna¡ªstill early in her Lord rank¡ªcast such an immense spell raised doubts about how rankings truly worked. "Mastery... experience¡­" The answer was simple, and he quickly deduced it. The key differences between him and them were mastery¡ªthe refinement of skills through techniques like Hezhna''s¡ªand experience, much like the Death King''s, who Hazard suspected had once been at a legendary rank while alive. It made him wonder who had managed to defeat him back then. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The howling of the ice mass grew louder as it descended. Seeing this, Hazard swiftly issued retreat orders to his mares and the Grand Undead General. As the massive structure fell, he activated his gravity magic¡ªa skill from his Elemental Lord mastery¡ªusing all his mana to slow the Death King''s evasive movement. "You cannot defeat me with your tricks!" If Hazard had the ability to smirk, he would have. Instead, he directed his gravity spell onto the ice mass, increasing its speed by twenty percent. With the Death King unable to dodge, he raised his sword above his head. The sky and earth bore witness to the skeletal smile stretching across Hazard''s face. Then, impact. The ground trembled. Mountains cracked and crumbled, burying some of the mares beneath avalanches. However, Hazard was unconcerned; in their original forms, they had no bones and could easily reform from beneath tons of rock and dirt. His gaze shifted between the remaining mares and the Grand Undead General, until Hezhna approached him, flying on her newly acquired enchanted broom. "Does this help repay my debt for the gift you gave me?" Hazard turned to face her. If he had a face, his expression would have screamed, Which gift are you talking about? However, upon seeing the white magical broom emitting its distinct, cold aura, he activated his appraisal skill. The moment he noticed its legendary rarity, his gaze shifted back to Hezhna''s bright, excited eyes, which now reflected the realization of her promotion to the Lord rank. "Ohh, that gift... Hmm, yeah, I suppose! But only a little, just a little. Still, congrats on your promotion!" Hezhna immediately realized that Hazard had completely forgotten about the legendary treasure he had given her and was about to sigh. However, she knew Hazard relied on her loyalty and spirit, and this was an opportunity¡ªan advantage she could use to ensure she kept such a valuable artifact for herself. So, she continued her act. "Thanks! But I''ll make sure to fully repay my debt for saving my life and gifting me such a treasure!" Hazard internally cursed himself. He then imagined himself using the white magical broom¡ªa five-meter-tall undead with black bones, golden veins, multiple wings, long horns, and a unique cloak¡ªriding a tiny, sleek broomstick. He quickly banished the thought. The mere idea was humiliating. "Hmm, sure, but it''s not over yet..." His gaze fell upon the massive ice mass, now fractured due to the uneven ground. The cracks trembled and expanded¡ªa clear sign of something. Hazard ascended above it and peered down. The fractures rapidly spread, and then, a gigantic hand burst through them, reaching skyward. However, just as it attempted to pull itself up, Hazard summoned his scythe and severed the mana-depleted, weakened hand, its protective skill no longer active. "You''ll remain buried here forever, nameless vagrant!" The ice shook, and a voice that seemed to rise from the depths of hell roared: "Servant of the God of Destruction! If you believe in your power, then face me in sacred single combat!" Hazard landed on the ice, but a thought crossed his mind¡ªone that would shake even the spirits of the stars. "I accept!" "Don''t think that, in my current state, I''m incapable of defeating you!" "But!" Hazard began walking on the ice. "You will wait until I reach the Legendary rank. Until then, you will defend these borders against the darkness lurking nearby. Now, do you accept?" Hezhna and the Grand Undead General''s eyes gleamed with realization. By unleashing such a force in this region, Hazard could buy time to prepare himself for three fronts¡ªassigning two to the Death King. He wasn''t sure if the Death King could truly withstand the dark forces, but given his strength and potential, Hazard had no doubt that, for a while, he would be their nightmare. Even if they defeated him, they would believe he was their true enemy and waste time hunting him, leaving Hazard free to build his army and focus solely on the empire. The answer the Death King gave would determine the fate of darkness¡ªan era that would later be remembered for decades as the Years of Despair. CHAPTER 46 "You must wait until I reach the epic level, and until then, you will defend the borders against the darkness on this side. Now, do you accept?" A hysterical laugh echoed from beneath the ice. "You will use me, thinking such a plan will benefit you! But know this¡ªit will be a curse upon your existence. The day will come, and when it does, you will regret this decision!" Hazard remained silent, knowing that such a threat was not empty. When the time came, a fierce battle awaited him. But with the plans in his mind, he chose to believe in his power and the probability of his progress. "I hope you still exist by then so you can make me regret it!" With that, Hazard saw no need for a soul contract. He knew the nameless King of Death well enough¡ªdespite being a ruler in his own domain, his martial prowess and vast experience hinted at many hidden secrets about him. "My existence will not be erased before that day, but know this¡ªI will not wage war against humans!" As Hazard departed with his troops, black steeds emerged like liquid from beneath the rocks. He shouted, "Angel or demon! Whatever plunges my domain into chaos shall face my wrath. Even the humans roaming my borders will not be spared. I have no need for you to fight against humans¡ªmy army and I alone will be enough!" "I hope so..." A week later, as Hazard finished repairing his fortifications and buildings, he listened to Hegna''s report from the highest floor of his castle. "The 1,200 witches who were imprisoned have all pledged their loyalty to me, just as you requested! The next piece of news¡ªThe King of Death managed to conquer a small military city with 50,000 guards all by himself..." While checking his system messages in the empty room, Hazard glanced at Hegna. "So? What''s wrong with that?" "The castle is in the center, between the borders of two dark princes'' territories... I''m certain that with such deep infiltration in enemy lands, especially in a small fortress, he won''t last long." Hazard stood up and approached Hegna. "Show me the map." With great control over his ice magic, Hegna conjured a detailed map of the small fortress conquered by the King of Death. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "This..." "That man is either a genius or a madman!" Hegna was confused. What led to such a statement? He tried to think like Hazard, like an undead, until his eyes widened in realization as he stared at the map and the surrounding cities. "The Black Watchtower Fortress... Due to its difficult mountainous terrain and distance from supply lines, it has always had a small population... Its purpose..." "To control the valley¡ªa strategically vital location, as it''s the shortest route between the capitals of the two princes. If the two royal armies want to support each other in the shortest time, they must pass through this gorge. If this fortress is reinforced, it could severely delay one of the armies... especially while the King of Death and his new army are rampaging through the other prince''s lands. Such a place is not suitable for a prolonged siege either¡ªthe enemy is undead, requiring no food or water, whereas the dark army does. The narrow and harsh terrain greatly benefits the defenders... He''s not just trying to stall the two princes¡ªhe wants to prolong the war and sow discord among their nobles to destroy them both!" Hegna was astonished by Hazard''s foresight and tried to respond. "There''s no way the nobles will betray Vlad. The vampire faction holds the most power, and Vlad himself is a pureblood vampire who turned them¡ªhe practically controls the life and death of the nobles under him. The same goes for Prince Mordred... He, too, is a pureblood vampire, and despite having many werewolf nobles under him, they worship him like a god because of the divine blood of Fenrir, the Wolf God, flowing in his veins." Seeing that conventional logic wouldn''t work here, Hazard sat down in his chair. "It would be easier if everything played out like before. That way, you wouldn''t be caught off guard, and you wouldn''t have to worry about them." Still unsure of what Hazard meant, Hegna moved on to the next report. "As you ordered, our scouting units on the empire''s side, accompanied by a black steed, managed to wipe out all those pesky flies. However, as you predicted, our patrols have decreased in number, and the empire has begun assembling a massive army to confront us." Hazard looked around his room, always filled with those bizarre, crazed creatures. He found peace in their presence, but he couldn''t explain why. Somehow, he had grown used to them¡ªand strangely, he even missed them. "The forges are running nonstop, producing weapons in mass quantities. However, the best items produced are only at grade C, and nothing above that level has been crafted yet." Hazard couldn''t deny his mistake¡ªpurchasing blacksmiths had been a blunder. Now, the smiths charged three times the material costs to sell their items, and he had foolishly thought that simply sharing his skills through thought-sharing would lead to success. But fate had played a trick on him. "The obsidian mine is highly active, and thanks to the miner''s camp you finally agreed to build after much insistence, our daily obsidian extraction has increased by ten stones." Hazard, tired of Hegna''s sarcasm, gestured for him to conclude the report. Meanwhile, in the Demon Kings'' channel¡ªwhere 25,202 of them remained, all ranked fifth or higher¡ªa heated discussion was underway regarding the selection of a server-wide leader to unify and command them all. At that moment, the first level-seven Demon King revealed himself, claiming to be the best choice for leadership¡ªan assertion that made Hazard uneasy. "Level seven¡­ I haven''t even unlocked a single level-six skill despite all these battles, yet he has already reached level seven?" Of course, he didn''t know the reason¡ªa massive army stood under the banner of that level-seven Demon King. An army from another continent. An army that was uniting. And as their new leader had promised¡­ The orcs were preparing to plunder! CHAPTER 47 Duke Lamorak, a warrior knight known as the "Knight of the Storm," was praying in a grand cathedral when the massive doors swung open. "I told you not to interrupt me during my prayers." A knight, dressed in the same noble fabric as the duke, lowered his head as he approached. The duke, with his handsome face and curly hair, turned to face him, clad in noble white garments, standing before a colossal golden statue of an angel holding the scales of justice¡ªa figure who had stolen the hearts of many maidens. "Duke... Marquess Tor, your brother, requests your support in military and border affairs." Lamorak turned back and continued his prayers, clutching his star-shaped emblem. "If I go to aid my brother, the noblemen whom I have ignored during recent crises will call me biased and withdraw their support. You know that the bastard Gavin does not even bother to hide his hatred for our family and my late father, even in these troubled times." The kneeling knight, one of the duke''s closest protectors and privy to many secrets of King Pellinore''s family, nodded. "I will tell the messenger that his problems remain his own." Lamorak smirked during his prayer, always entertained by the reasoning of the knight who had grown up beside him and fought alongside him in countless battles. "You may go. The Holy Father will arrive soon for the blessing; be here for it." The knight rose, bowed, and left the cathedral. As he stepped out into the vast city of twelve million people, he observed the paladins, too numerous to count even by estimation, engaged in training and battlefield maneuvers. Among them, the Red Thunder Knight, Fusard, strode through their ranks. As he passed, every paladin drove their sword into the ground and knelt before him. The knight made his way to the public square to deliver his lord''s message to the messenger. A week had passed¡ªtwo weeks of rest granted to Hazard after his last war, allowing him to rebuild his army to its former strength and even greater power. [5,000,000 ordinary demonic undead units, 150,000 undead archers, 100,000 undead swordsmen, 20,000 elite swordsmen, 10,000 elite archers, 1,000 undead sorcerers, 50 undead giants, 2,000 undead knights, 10,500 demonic liches, 100 undead generals, 1 grand undead knight, 1 undead champion, 1 Death King, 500 undead colossi, 1,000 hellhounds, 35 greater hellhounds, 1 colossal undead hellhound along with a greater hellhound, 30 mares, 6 death cyclops, three infant thunder dragons of death, 30,000 death eyes, 11,750 hellcats, 600 undead witches, 1,300 witches, 1,000 undead miners, 324,763 warlord-rank elite undead.] If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. However, his coffers were empty. Many buildings, including towers and sections of his walls, had been damaged. With human armies gathering and marching toward his territory, he could no longer sustain himself by hunting their patrol squads. Still, his income from the gemstone mines was substantial and could increase further. Yet, Hezhna had advised him not to sell obsidian, predicting that he would need it soon. Hazard himself had no intention of selling it¡ªhe sought a blacksmith to forge the missing pieces of the Obsidian Knight''s armor rather than searching for them, hoping to unlock its benefits. Meanwhile, he discovered that his obsidian miners¡ªblue-scaled kobolds, ordinary creatures resembling one-meter-tall werewolves with lizard-like tails¡ªhad been secretly consuming the obsidian. Upon catching them in the act, he slaughtered them all, resurrected them, and evolved them into elite undead miners. Theft ceased, and mining efficiency doubled. "My king, the army awaits your command." Hearing the voice of his grand general, Hazard descended from his castle''s balcony. Over the past two weeks, thanks to his Abyss summons, he had spread eyes and ears across all neighboring territories. No movement within his domain escaped his notice. Hezhna descended beside him. "The Death King crushed Count Maximan''s army, and it is said that the count himself perished in battle." Hazard recalled the duel between the two counts. The vampire count had been experienced and formidable, yet the Death King was on an entirely different level. Even now, the number of subordinates under his command exceeded three hundred thousand, including a double-digit number of warlord-ranked undead¡ªan achievement in mere two weeks that even many demon kings, with far greater system assistance and time, had failed to reach. Hazard was pleased with his success. The Death King''s massacres continuously filled his treasury with gold and the souls of fallen heroes. Soon, with his help, Hazard could activate his first sixth-tier ability. "His rampage will end either in glorious victory or in our demise¡­" Hazard understood that the Empire had yet to summon its main armies, as he had not yet presented himself as an equal threat. True peace would not come. If the two Dark Princes'' factions joined the conflict, they would crush him from three sides. He now stood before his army. Yet, the force before him was not what most would expect¡ªit consisted of five hundred undead lord-ranked colossi from ancient tombs and three thousand undead of varying ranks, meant to serve as bait. Overhead, ten thousand liches hovered, awaiting his command and carrying the true might of his force. Hazard did not dwell on it long. He took to the skies, his army following. However, he was unaware that the Death King was not his only means of amassing gold and hero souls. To the north, under the command of a massive hellcat and an undead spearwoman riding it like a ghostly wraith, hellcats were terrorizing the villages of the northern kingdom, depriving the eastern people of sleep. CHAPTER 48 Marquess Thor rode at the front of his one-million-strong army, mounted on his horse. His armor, like that of other noblemen, was highly ornate, yet he was no war-mad fanatic. In fact, he despised wearing armor and going to battle in this decade of his middle age. There was a time when he had longed to join the war and become a knight, having spent years in his foster family after his mother''s death. However, due to financial hardship, he had been a shepherd until his true family discovered that he carried their blood¡ªhis father had lain with a servant, his mother. The true heirs of the family, recognizing him as their blood, could not allow him to continue living as a mere shepherd. Since they did not see him as a threat to their status due to his half-noble lineage, they granted him rank and power. It was Lamorak who made him his loyal bannerman. Nevertheless, Thor was disinterested. Accompanied by only four counts out of ten¡ªtwo of whom had died, while the other four refused to acknowledge him and outright scorned him for being only half-noble¡ªhe led reluctantly. Thor had no interest in politics. He would have preferred to remain by his peasant wife, now titled Marquess, and focus on raising his children. But the relentless attacks on his noble territory by skeletal monsters and demonic creatures¡ªattacks that had already cost two counts their lives, wiped out an entire commercial city, and devastated a great army¡ªforced him to muster his forces under the pressure of his four remaining counts. Thor gazed around, bored. But his eyes were unlike those of others¡ªgolden eyes that could see ten seconds into the future. His knightly instructor had recognized his talent as extremely rare, yet even with such an ability, his failure to break into the rank of Warlord made him useless as a Marquess. This had long since drained his enthusiasm for knighthood, even though attaining the rank of Lord was a dream for 99.99% of his people. "Such an accursed land at the border of my domain¡­ why couldn''t my brother have assigned me a more peaceful place?" The four counts behind him frowned. Every land had been established by the noble ancestors of their houses, and before uniting into a single empire, each had ruled independently¡ªlike King Pellinore, Thor''s own father. But luck had not been on the side of their former lord. Despite being one of Pellinore''s great commanders¡ªa man whom Duke Gavin deeply loathed¡ªhe had been ensnared in a web of conspiracies after Pellinore''s death, leading to his demise. With Thor''s unexpected rise and no heir left from their former lord, the throne that once belonged to a powerful military commander and defender of humanity''s borders against the darkness fell into the hands of a man who feared war. "Your Excellency, I hope this campaign ends soon, as supplying an army of this size has placed an enormous burden upon us. Without Count Franz to handle logistics, I suggest we avoid setting up camp tonight." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. An elderly count with a face marked by hardship and hands calloused from endless swordplay approached Thor on his armored warhorse. His long white hair contrasted sharply against his black armor. "I hope so too, Count Antonio, for I have no great desire to linger in these cursed lands. However, our men will grow weary, and exhaustion is a greater threat than hunger." Count Antonio smirked, for most of the army had been trained under his military academy''s methods. "Your Excellency, our soldiers are all trained professionals. That concern only applies to peasant and shepherd conscripts." Thor sighed. Yet another jab at his past, one met with smirks from the other three counts. "Then I would be delighted if Count Antonio took command, for this shepherd intends to set up camp tonight and grant his weary, noble body¡ªone that once carried royal blood¡ªa well-deserved rest." The four counts scowled. This was not the response they had expected. But Thor had little interest in noble politics or their schemes. Still, he always made sure to respond to their mockery with sharp words of his own. The one-million-strong army continued its march, guided by their mages, even through the night. Many soldiers were displeased by this, yet none dared voice their concerns, for according to military law, even the slightest attempt to incite disorder or disrupt the army''s morale was punishable by death. As the moon reached its peak, the sound of metal boots and warhorses still filled the Forbidden Mountain like it was daylight. Meanwhile, Hazard, observing his enemy''s forces through his many Eyes of Death, was uncertain whether his troops could withstand such an overwhelming wave of foes. He scanned the darkness with his spectral vision, noting that the shadowy forces remained unresponsive to the massive army before them, entirely preoccupied with the Death King and other undead rulers. "Summoning will reset in one more minute¡­ perhaps I should¡ª" A wild idea formed in his mind, making his body tremble. He glanced back at the ten thousand liches behind him and checked his connection to approximately five thousand structured undead, who would serve as bait. "If luck is on my side..." Then, sending forth his bait troops, a force of giants and various other undead creatures, he clashed against the empire''s ten-thousand-strong vanguard. Count Antonio, stationed at the front of the main army, laughed at his lord, who was camped ten kilometers behind him. "When the glory of this battle is mine, you will regret your choice and blame yourself for it." With that, he dispatched more troops to eliminate the undead blocking their path, deeming them no real threat. Meanwhile, Hazard stood atop the mountains, rubbing his hands together as his liches took flight, forming a net-like formation over the enemy army with himself at the center. Spreading his arms wide, he activated the second state of his demonic Arc Lich King transformation. Then, as his clones entered their second states, sharing their mana with him, he invoked Twin Death Summoning and Abyssal Summoning¡ªunaware of the chaos his summons would unleash upon him and, ultimately, his world. CHAPTER 49 Abyss, a realm so terrifying that even the demons of hell dared not step foot in it. Occasionally, beings were found in the Abyss that had a history of destroying countless worlds¡ªbeings like the one before whom a magical portal suddenly appeared. Towering at two meters tall, clad in full black armor with a long cloak made of materials unknown even to some gods, this entity had participated in multiple divine wars. At a legendary level, he exhaled heavily. "The scent of blood!" His heightened senses, so powerful that he could detect the scent of blood even through an interdimensional portal, told him everything he needed to know. "Responding to the call of the dog of the God of Destruction¡­ Have I truly fallen this low?" Yet, even he¡ªwhose sword was stained with the blood of multiple gods¡ªknew he could not stand against the greatest god of the Abyss. "My duty is to aid you in your war, yet the time for payment will soon arrive!" With that, he glanced at the army behind him¡ªan army so vast that its end could not be seen. Before him stood ten thousand epic-ranked warriors, and behind them, millions of warlords, all a testament to the immense power of Agrim, the Devourer, King of the Fallen. "Elizabeth Bathory¡­" At his call, a stunningly beautiful humanoid woman appeared before him in an instant, clad in exquisite crimson armor. Though of the vampire race, she was at the peak of the epic rank. She immediately knelt. "At your command, O King of the Fallen! O mighty supreme and¡ª" Agrim paid no heed to her words. He grabbed her by the collar of her noble armor and dragged her toward the portal. "Aid this summoner in his war, and I shall spare your life." Elizabeth, helpless against Agrim¡ªthe one who had annihilated her world¡ªwas dragged along the ground like a mere hamster. She frantically nodded. "Yes, yes! Whatever you desire, whatever you¡ª" Agrim didn''t even allow the annoying insect¡ªwho delighted in bathing in the blood of maidens and torturing them¡ªto finish her flattery. With a swift motion, he hurled her into the portal. With that, the overwhelming presence of a powerful observer vanished, and Agrim resumed his path to his original destination, his army of fallen warriors following behind him. His target? The domain of none other than a mythical-ranked being¡ªone who had surpassed the legendary rank centuries ago. "An insult and intrusion will not go unanswered." And thus, in the coming weeks, a war broke out that shook a small portion of the Abyss for years to come, just as it had in so many other parts. Hazard felt a pang of anxiety. The delay in the summoning, the relentless barrage of attacks from enemy mages and archers, and the fact that the liches¡ªwho had been holding back the assault with their magic¡ªwere now forced into a defensive position all weighed on him. He suddenly realized that his summoning might fail. However, as a strand of crimson hair passed through the portal, a being clad in a breathtakingly beautiful set of matching red armor emerged. Feeling the sheer power radiating from this entity, Hazard trembled. Now in a new world, Elizabeth surveyed her surroundings, unfazed by the magical attacks striking her¡ªmere warm-ups for her. She focused her gaze on Hazard. "Make a contract with me! Quickly!" If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Hazard was taken aback. He couldn''t understand why she was demanding a contract. "Wh¡ª" Elizabeth grabbed him by the collar of his robe. "If I don''t bind myself with a contract, he''ll sense it through his mark on my soul and pull me back. Please!" Hazard was confused, but since soul contracts were simple magic for anyone ranked Lord or higher, he created one. "The terms are simp¡ª" Before he could finish, Elizabeth, standing at the peak of the epic rank, signed it instantly¡ªwithout even reading it. That made Hazard wonder: Who had placed a mark on the soul of someone at the peak of the epic rank that terrified her so much? "Can you kill them?" Hazard''s contract only prohibited her from harming him and his forces. He didn''t want to lose an ally of this caliber over unnecessary restrictions. Elizabeth felt the contract''s spiritual chains binding her to Hazard¡ªchains similar to those that marked the servants of the God of Destruction. This prevented her from being forcefully summoned elsewhere unless by a god. "That bastard! I swear I''ll have my revenge!" She then followed the scent of blood. As a vampire, its aroma tantalized her senses. Turning to the army of one million humans engaged in battle with the undead forces, she smirked. "If you''re going to offer a gift, at least make it luxurious!" With a wave of her hand, the blood of the wounded and slain soldiers surged like spears, piercing the bodies of their comrades before flowing toward her like lightning, leaving behind dry corpses. Count Antonio, who had initially scoffed at Hazard''s trap, believing that even this ambush could not defeat his million-strong army, froze. His confidence shattered the moment a sinister portal opened, and a beautiful yet overwhelmingly powerful woman in crimson armor stepped forth. His gaze fixated on the river of blood forming before his army¡ªgrowing larger and faster by the second. "May the gods have mercy on the empire." An instant later, a spear of blood exploded his head. His blood followed the spear''s trajectory, piercing the next soldier in line. Hazard observed the battlefield. The sheer amount of gold and heroic souls pouring into him overwhelmed his senses, making him recall the election for the Overlord. Perhaps reaching Level 7 wasn''t so far away anymore. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance in the election. Meanwhile, a sixth-rank spirit manifested within his being. "This is unreal¡­" He recalled the ability to summon an epic-ranked entity from the altar. If he had blood, it would be boiling. But now, the battlefield was only filled with dried corpses¡ªnot a single drop of blood left. Elizabeth smirked. "Thanks for the meal¡ª" Suddenly, just as she was about to drink the blood, a terrifying sensation overcame her. "Another vampire progenitor in this world¡­ That would disrupt the balance." Hazard froze. An aura beyond the epic rank had suddenly appeared. "Who are you?!" Elizabeth collapsed, blood seeping from her ears and nose. A frail-looking old man in a tattered black robe now floated before Hazard. His black hair and crimson eyes pierced through him¡ªnot just his body, but his very soul. "Servant of the God of Destruction¡­ Ten thousand years ago, he sent his minions to this world as well. They all perished. Do you believe you''ll be an exception?" Hazard was too shocked to speak. But when Elizabeth disappeared from his list of subordinates¡ªmeaning she was dead¡ª his shock deepened. "What can I do for you?" The Vampire Progenitor snapped his fingers. Elizabeth''s dried corpse, along with all the other bodies, burst into flames. He condensed all the spilled blood into a tiny enchanted bottle. "The gods'' laws forbid godless mythical beings from interfering in their affairs. However, if you reach the legendary rank, there will be no punishment for your execution. But¡­" He tapped Hazard''s skull with his nail. "Summoning from the Abyss at your level will draw the attention of powerful entities. Now that a mighty one knows this world''s coordinates¡­ you are no longer safe." Hazard remained silent. He sensed that this mythical being''s speech was far from over. "If you reach the legendary rank and defeat me, you may continue your Abyssal summons. Otherwise, if you do it again¡­ I will erase both you and everything you possess." Hazard had no words to defend himself. He now understood that certain divine laws existed, but he could not fully comprehend them. "Fine¡­" With that, Abraham, King of Darkness, smirked and vanished¡ªas if neither he, nor the million-strong army, nor Elizabeth had ever existed. "What the hell was that?!" Hazard was utterly bewildered. Too much had happened in mere moments. Facing a mythical entity and realizing that with a mere flick of his hand, he could be erased¡­ his undead pride and fury ignited. Elsewhere, in the Abyss, Egrim the Devourer paused in his march. "It seems¡­ the cost of this debt will have to change." CHAPTER 50 Hazard was passing through the gate of his fortress, surrounded by thirty mares, as he looked at Hezhna, who had responded to his summons."So you''re saying you don''t know who he is?"Hezhna shook her head, but it seemed as though she had remembered something."A being above the epic level... I don''t really know who he is, but there are rumors about why the Dark Princes don''t call themselves kings. Of course, they''ve been asked before, but their answer has always been that they don''t deserve to be called kings." Hazard pondered for a moment, recalling that when the entity killed Elizabeth, it had made a reference to the progenitor of vampires. Given that both princes of the darkness faction were vampires, he reached a conclusion."So... he is the true king of darkness?" Hezhna also understood Hazard''s words, but she could not believe that Hazard had survived an encounter with a legendary-level being that many had long forgotten."Tell me, is there any rumor about someone at the legendary rank?" Since Hezhna had already thought about it before, she quickly recounted the rumors she had heard."In the north, there''s a rumor that Siegfried has the ability to defeat legendary beings. Along with him, there''s the legendary elder of the greatest giant tribe. In the empire, the Golden Dragon King, who has been asleep for centuries, is said to be at the legendary level¡ªassuming we don''t count King Arthur, who, with his legendary sword, might be able to challenge a legendary being." With that, Hazard realized that each faction on this continent might have hidden powers behind them, and he was still far from reaching the pinnacle of strength."When I reach the epic level, the King of Death will come for me... and if I reach the legendary level, that old man... It seems that with every level I break through, I have to take a test of power..." Then, reaching the altar, he received the report from the liches, who had been chasing a small fleeing army of ten thousand from the empire.[Master, we left a handful alive as you ordered.][Good work. Now return.] Standing before the altar, he sacrificed all the hero souls except one, preparing for his first epic-tier summoning.His excitement was so high that he disregarded the heavy cost, emptying all the death jewels from the Vault of Dread and his gold reserves. "Demonic Shadow of Death" Rank: Epic Tier ?Health: -Power: -Agility: -Mana (Miasma): -Endurance: -Talent: EX Amplifier[Summoning Cost: 100 million gold coins, 100,000 death jewels, one level-six hero soul; only one unit can be summoned.] The gate gleamed, and its radiance grew brighter and brighter until a dark mist emerged from it. In an instant, the mist darted into Hazard''s shadow, disappearing.Startled, Hazard tried to understand what had happened, until he suddenly felt an increase in his mana. He quickly checked his stats. [Name: Hazard] Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Final Race: God of Death (Second Half) Level: 6 Health: 4,000/3,850 Power: 2,400 Agility: 1,500 Mana (Miasma): 26,500/700 ¡ú 51,500/25,700 Endurance: - Total Points: 2,785,091 He stared in amazement, as his base mana had doubled completely. However, Hezhna was utterly fixated on him, realizing that Hazard was now exuding even more magical pressure than Morgan. Hazard then examined his talents. Some might have considered sacrificing hero souls and forgoing high-rank summons a mistake, but Hazard had just realized that his first goal should be reaching the epic level. According to the Dark King, legendary beings might not be able to harm him, but epic-tier entities could still pose a threat. And since the King of Death had not yet reached the epic tier, Hazard could maintain the upper hand against him. Infernal Undead Summoning (Inactive) Can summon ten thousand infernal creatures, two levels weaker than himself, for one hour.Cooldown: Six months(Activation Cost: 1,000,000 points) Chain Lightning of Death (Inactive) A death-element lightning attack that deals deadly damage upon contact and drains the target''s life force based on its level.Each chain lightning attack costs 1,000 mana.(Activation Cost: 1,000,000 points) Summoning the Throne of the God of Death (Inactive) The Throne of the God of Death increases undead creatures'' power by 100% within a ten-kilometer radius and reduces the strength of living opponents by 50%.Note: The user cannot move while using it.Cooldown: Six months(Activation Cost: 1,000,000 points) Now able to activate two talents, Hazard made his choices, having already decided beforehand. Infernal Undead Summoning: Can summon ten thousand infernal creatures, two levels weaker than himself, for one hour.Cooldown: Six months Chain Lightning of Death: A death-element lightning attack that deals deadly damage upon contact and drains the target''s life force based on its level.Each chain lightning attack costs 1,000 dark mana. He was still about 200,000 points short of unlocking his third level-six talent, and he knew that the fastest way to obtain them was through war. Since the Dark King had forbidden him from summoning from the Abyss, he chose the Infernal Undead talent, as it would allow him to summon ten thousand lord-ranked demons in times of crisis. Each of these demons, due to their race, could even stand against human lords. However, he also saw another potential in this ability. As for the second talent, he had activated it because he lacked powerful destructive magic. Then, stepping out of the fortress, he raised his hand to the sky and cast a Chain Lightning of Death. With that, reality seemed to crack¡ªan ear-splitting sound erupted as a thick, black lightning bolt surged through the sky, seeking a target. But, finding none, it began to dissipate near the upper atmosphere. Seeing the destructive power of his new magic, Hazard felt satisfied with his investment in it. He could hardly wait to test it against the King of Death. Meanwhile, 600 kilometers south of Hazard''s fortress, the King of Death looked up at the sky. Sensing the immensely powerful death magic, he sheathed his sword, raised his other hand, and channeled miasma mana around it. The result? The resurrection of fifty thousand werewolf corpses."Such extravagant magic¡­ it will be useless against me." _Far to the south, thousands of kilometers away from Hazard, the Dark King lay down inside his damp cave, resting inside his coffin. But before drifting into slumber, he sent two messenger bats to his two disciples, carrying a simple message. However, that simple message would cause much greater trouble for Hazard. CHAPTER 51 Lamorak, as part of his daily routine, was kneeling in the church before the golden statue of an angel, holding his twelve-pointed star emblem in both hands. As his trusted knight entered, he let out a deep sigh from within. "What happened?" Foussard looked unwell, his expression weary, and his tone exhausted as he responded. "The army of Markinz Tor has been crushed by a being at the peak of the Epic level. According to reports, this Epic-level entity was summoned and serves under the Demon King, who himself possesses power equal to the early stages of the Epic level." Lamorak clenched the star emblem in his hand and rose to his feet, though his gaze never left the fifteen-meter-tall golden statue. "What about my brother?" "Markinz Tor had set up camp slightly away from the battlefield with his elite forces for the night. Count Antonio took command and led the advance. Among them, only a handful managed to escape the pursuit of the Demon King''s forces and survive. I believe that Markinz Tor being the sole noble survivor was deliberately arranged as a message from the Demon King." Lamorak turned around and, with the same face that had stolen the hearts of many maidens and instilled fear in numerous villains, walked slowly toward Foussard. "Two beings at the Epic level¡­ Asking for King Arthur''s help would only give those bastards an excuse to mock the descendants of Pellinore even more than they already do. Send letters to Duke Aglovale de Galis and Duke Percival, requesting military support¡ª" "Lamorak, your brothers would never abandon a war that threatens the bloodline of Pellinore¡­ But their territories are in worse condition than you think. I wouldn''t expect them to send significant aid." Lamorak kissed his star emblem and let it dangle from its golden chain around his neck. His glowing eyes slowly lifted, locking onto Foussard''s gaze. "The Lord desires nothing but goodness for His servants, and this is a test we must emerge from victorious to earn His favor!" Foussard turned away, leaving with a hopeless sigh, speaking his final words as he departed. "I hope you won''t punish me for spending some of the treasury funds on hiring mercenaries and adventurers." At that, Lamorak smiled. "I trust your experience and judgment. Better to spend our coin than lose the lives of God''s faithful!" With that, Foussard left the church, leaving behind Duke Lamorak¡ªthe man who only left the church for war and even met his own wife only during communal prayers. Many whispered that his fanatical devotion had kept his wife, who had been a pawn in a political marriage, untouched. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "Oh Lord of the Stars! Even if heaven and earth are entwined by demons, it will be my faith that keeps my sword raised until the end of time! So watch over me! Guide me! For I am Your servant, the punishment upon the unbelievers! I am Your servant, the savior of the devout! Lead me, O Lord!" Behind the closed doors, Foussard sighed at the sound of Lamorak''s passionate prayers and continued on his way, for the Duke had a past¡ªa past that explained his intense devotion to the gods and divine powers. Meanwhile, in the forbidden dark mountains, Hazard stared at the system chat, and, as was his habit when enraged, attempted to fling the screen aside, only for it to simply slide away and pass through his hand. "Kaya, you damn demon #$#$, you''re causing me trouble too?!!" His anger was, of course, directed at the voluntary vote among server members to elect a leader¡ªsomeone who could unite them before their numbers reached four digits. Most of them had already realized that a similar tragedy had happened before in this world, and that the previous generation had failed to conquer it. "He''s got power too easily!! If anyone is even slightly a threat to him, he''ll erase them!! Why don''t they understand?!" Hazard felt that losing the election¡ªwithout even a single vote¡ªwas the greatest humiliation he had ever faced. He began blaming even the most irrelevant factors for his defeat. "What was I even thinking¡­? Of course, I didn''t work hard enough or show off enough to expect¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence upon noticing new messages in the server chat, where discussions about the rising number of Demon Kings were growing. A wicked smile spread across his face. [Mahout, Chimera Demon King: "Have you heard? There''s a Demon King in the southern empire who has two Epic-level beings under his command?"] [Apollo, Spirit Demon King: "There''s a lot of talk about him in the Realm of Darkness too. He even managed to defeat a former Epic-level fighter from the northern faction!"] [Soraya, Apocalyptic Flower Demon King: "But he''s still not as famous as Kaya on the continent."] [Mahout, Chimera Demon King: "You''ve always been a Kaya supporter! Who knows, maybe you''re getting something from him? Are you part of his continental alliance?"] [Apollo, Spirit Demon King: "Three days ago, you were hyping him up like crazy before the election!"] [Soraya, Apocalyptic Flower Demon King: "I''ve never even heard of the one you''re talking about. Besides, our continents are separate! That''s why supporting my own continent''s Demon King is the right decision, isn''t it?"] [Apollo, Spirit Demon King: "¡­"] [Mahout, Chimera Demon King: "¡­"] As their conversation continued, Hazard realized that his actions were not going unnoticed. Deciding to take advantage of the misunderstanding, he resolved to ascend to the Epic level and rally his continent''s Demon Kings under his banner¡ªpreventing a foreign Demon King from ruling over them. "If he finds out about the Abyss Summoning potential, he definitely won''t let me live¡­" With that, he observed the movements of his army from the highest terrace of his fortress¡ªunaware that millions of kilometers away, on a continent half the size of his own, in vast plains with a densely populated center, millions of green-skinned orcs, noble red orcs, a few royal white orcs, and some black orcs were kneeling before a succubus demon. Behind her, a massive army of various demonic creatures gathered as she coiled her whip. "With the alliance of the Demon Kings and the native tribes of this continent, the conquest of this world is no longer a distant dream." But even she was unaware that an ancient orc shaman¡ªone with a legendary rank¡ªwatched her indifferently from within the orc ranks. What she didn''t know was that this shaman, due to his allegiance to a god who was a subordinate of the God of Destruction, could not harm the envoys of the Supreme God. Furthermore, since her rank was below the Legendary level, he was forbidden from interfering in the affairs of mortals¡ªunless the individual was aligned with the enemy gods. "The gods desire nothing but destruction¡­ Was the first time not enough for you?" CHAPTER 52 The King of Death, having trampled over an army of two hundred thousand from the faction of darkness, cast aside his colossal, cracked sword and turned his gaze toward his own three-million-strong army."Two million more, and that will be the moment when the Hound of Destruction will bark relentlessly." Of course, none of his enemies had survived to inform him of the latest news regarding the Hazard forces¡ªif someone had, his plans would have certainly changed."A world without injustice and war cannot be achieved easily¡­ I hope to eradicate the dark beings and demons so that I can witness an eternal smile on every human child''s face..." Meanwhile, in the south, within two different yet grand castles, each towering two thousand meters high, standing in two capitals at the peak of two legendary sagas¡ªone amidst a bloodbath, the other training his newlywed wife in swordsmanship¡ªboth saw the bats carrying letters flying near them. Recognizing the familiar scent of blood, they took the letters and, upon reading them, their eyes emitted a furious glow of wrath and intent to kill. The City of Golden Towers within the empire was in chaos. Rumors of two legendary demons being discovered in a neighboring duchy had driven most of the populace to sell their homes for a fraction of their value and flee. Meanwhile, the remaining citizens faced a food crisis, with merchants and farmers having abandoned the city. Only greedy opportunists remained, selling resources at exorbitant prices. Inside a tavern¡ªperhaps the only place where the crowd had not dwindled¡ªthe city''s heroes had gathered. At one table sat the five-member group of Level 4 heroes: Elric the swordsman, Hamon the spearman, Jacob the shield-bearer, Asra the mage, and Freya the healer. They had defeated many Level 3 and 4 kings, rising from nothing through sheer strength to their current status. Unlike most groups in the tavern, which contained at least one non-human member, this fully human party was rare. At an average age of twenty-two, they were ready to use their accumulated wealth to hire an archer. However, archers and hunters were not easy to find among heroes¡ªhigh-ranking locals were either in the military or charged steep wages. Thus, their only long-term option was to buy a slave with exceptional archery and tracking skills. As in any magical world, elves were the best candidates for this. However, elves came from another continent, making their procurement difficult for traders, and their price was notoriously high. After two hours of internal debate, the group finally agreed to visit the slave market outside the city, where greedy traders still thrived¡ªhaving resumed operations after decades of illegal arms and drug trafficking, thanks to King Arthur''s changed stance on slavery. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Upon arriving at the slave market¡ªresembling an aviary but with cages containing humans, demi-humans, and other humanoid races¡ªthey searched in vain for an elf. As night approached, they decided to return the next day, hoping traders might have new stock. But perhaps it was luck¡ªor misfortune¡ªthat a hand landed on Elric''s shoulder. "You looking for an elven slave, kid?" An old man with rotting teeth¡ªevidence of poor hygiene¡ªapproached. However, his clean and elegant clothing told a different story. Elric paid little attention; their mission required a professional archer and tracker near the Cursed King of the Dark Mountain. If they could find an elf with such skills, nothing would please them more. "Lead the way." The merchant grinned at the 25-year-old and led the group behind the main market street, where sick and injured slaves¡ªunfit for sale in the main market¡ªwere kept. He pulled aside a heavy blanket covering a small cage, revealing a frail, wounded girl with severed ears. "A common forest spirit with a lifespan of five hundred years. Her size may fool you, but she''s nearly thirty¡ªolder than all of you. Her previous master was a pervert, which left her in this state. When he tired of her, he sold her off. Before being captured, she was supposedly a rural hunter who even managed to kill a professional mercenary while escaping. Given what you''re looking for, this one''s a perfect match. But she needs healing, though with a high-level healer in your group, that shouldn''t be a problem." Hearing her story and seeing her condition, the group felt pity for her. Having spent only a year in this world, their faces openly displayed their emotions¡ªeven before a man who licked his lips upon seeing their expressions. "Elven slaves are incredibly rare these days, and smuggling them past the stormy ocean is a nightmare. The costs have skyrocketed!" He eyed the pouches hanging from their belts. "The price for this slave is five thousand gold coins." Hearing this, the group''s eyes widened¡ªone gold coin could feed a family of four for three months. "Oh, bad luck..." Seeing their dismay, the merchant grew confused. Their gear indicated that such a price wouldn''t even dent their pockets. "I can give you a fifty-coin discount since you secure the roads, but no more." Still, they showed no interest and began leaving. "Fine! How much do you have?" Elric stopped and held up two fingers. "We just bought new gear and can only spare two thousand." The merchant nearly wept blood. Holding back his anger, he watched as they walked away. He still had plenty of unsold stock, his guards had been bought off by wealthier traders, and he suddenly recalled the dark rumors surrounding some heroes. Swallowing hard, he shouted: "2500! Final offer!" Still, they did not turn back. Desperate, he was forced into a tactic he had never faced before¡ªone common in the heroes'' previous world: high-discount bargaining. Of course, had he known that the very same money would disappear that night¡ªalong with his savings chest¡ªdue to a tracking spell, he would have fled the city long ago. CHAPTER 53 A week passed swiftly, and Duke Lamorak had gathered an army of nearly ten million soldiers, with the help of both bannermen and mercenaries, as he advanced toward the Forbidden Mountains. "Foussard, do you know that such battles are welcomed by the songs of the star angels, celebrating the arrival of every brave soul into God''s embrace? A feast awaits the fallen on the other side, a sight beyond our imagination!" Foussard, riding alongside him on his black Pegasus, clad in luxurious armor that was no less grand than the ten marquises behind him, sighed and gazed into the distance. "I hope we can negotiate by demonstrating our strength because, with the current power of the Demon King, one could say he stands as an equal against the other factions. If we can reach a suitable agreement with him, there might be benefits in store for us." Foussard had expected Lamorak to be angered, but what happened next confused him. "If the lives of the faithful are safe, then I, as a servant of God, will spare no cost. But if that demon has set his sights on our souls, I shall bring divine retribution upon him!" Foussard was slightly bewildered, yet he felt relieved by such a mindset. He had feared Lamorak''s extreme fanaticism, dreading that he might preach like many bishops and call people to a bloody war. However, Lamorak''s strategy seemed more focused on defending his own lands. Nevertheless, Foussard knew the reason behind Lamorak''s calm demeanor toward the Demon King¡ªit was because he had spared his brother''s life and instead threatened the South and the Dark Faction. The Southerners, after all, would never come to the negotiating table unless they were forced to. "I hope a negotiation takes place." Meanwhile, in the south, near the Demon King''s fortress, two armies stood facing each other. It was expected that one would belong to the Dark Faction, but that was not the case¡ªboth were undead forces. The Death King stood with an army of five million undead against Hazard, whose forces numbered only sixteen thousand. [5,000,000 ordinary demonic undead, 150,000 demonic undead archers, 100,000 demonic undead swordsmen, 20,000 elite swordsmen, 10,000 elite archers, 1,000 demonic undead sorcerers, 50 demonic undead giants, 5,000 demonic undead knights, 10,500 demonic liches, 100 demonic undead generals, 1 grand demonic undead general, 1 demonic undead champion, 1 Death King, 1 Death Shade, 300 undead giants, 1,000 undead hellhounds, 35 large undead hellhounds, 1 colossal undead hellhound alongside the large one, 30 nightmares, 6 death cyclopes, three baby thunder death dragons, 30,000 death eyes, 8,970 hellcats, 1 great hellcat, 600 undead witches, 1,300 witches, 1,000 undead miners, 5,675,230 undead of warlord to elite rank] Hazard looked at his forces, having increased his knights by three thousand over time. His five thousand demonic undead knights stood at the front, supported by ten thousand demonic liches and 300 undead giants as cannon fodder. He faced the Death King and his 5.5-million-strong army, unable to fathom how he had gathered such a force. But a more pressing issue existed¡ªHazard had yet to reach the Epic rank, and no hero of any renown, due to his infamous reputation, would aid him at this time. Now, the Death King had broken their agreement, arriving earlier than promised with his entire army. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Nameless King¡­ our agreement was not for this time." Hazard felt a chill down his spine sensing the Death King''s Epic level, but the Death Shade doubled his mana, giving him a slight boost in confidence. Still, the Death King had the upper hand in every statistic, placing Hazard in a dire situation. "The time has come. Yesterday, I fought in a grand battle against one who called himself Genibas¡ªa legendary sorcerer wielding dark powers and immense fire attacks. Most of my army burned in a sea of flames, but in the end, I emerged victorious, and these undead are the fallen from that war. However, before escaping, that Epic sorcerer warned that two Dark Princes were amassing their forces and would come for you after slaying me. Not wanting to be a shield for the Hound of Ruin, I brought my army here." At last, Hazard realized what the explosions his scouts had reported yesterday had been. Now, he faced news that the two Dark Princes had joined forces to eliminate him. However, another urgent matter loomed¡ªdrawing his colossal sword from its sheath, the Death King continued. "Our battle will take place now! If you can defeat me, my army will be yours!" With that, his royal aura erupted, shaking the ground and sending tremors through everyone''s bodies. "Death King, you must know that a fight between us benefits neither of us. If what you say is true, the Dark Army will soon arrive!" Yet, before Hazard could react, the Death King vanished and reappeared in front of him in an instant. "Saving the lives of the children is enough for me!" With that, Hazard swiftly summoned the Reaper''s Scythe to block the attack, but he could not entirely deflect it¡ªhe was sent crashing into the middle of his own army, injuring dozens of knights in the impact. "Damn you! You brought this upon yourself!" At that moment, his mirrored deaths appeared, and chain lightning of death surged as all battlefield skills¡ªincluding buffs, debuffs, and temporary undead transformation¡ªactivated. As the Death King attacked, his army charged forward, while Hazard''s knights, mounted on skeletal warhorses, galloped at full speed, strengthened by Hazard''s power. "You dare face me with such numbers?! You have no hope of survival!" With that, the Death King absorbed the lightning into his sword with incredible skill and then swung it toward the lich army, wiping out hundreds of liches and their souls in a single strike. Hazard''s hope shattered upon witnessing this. His liches and knights had greater raw power due to the Abyss enhancement, and his domain buffs strengthened his two clones, giving him a fighting chance. But now, he sensed the presence of numerous Warlords in the Death King''s army¡ªsixty Warlords suddenly emerged on the right flank. As the two armies clashed in the center and left, the undead knights demonstrated the effectiveness of their cavalry while the liches bombarded enemy ranks with magic. However, the right flank was a complete disaster, leaving Hazard frozen in place. In just ten seconds, his entire right-wing¡ªcomposed of 1,500 knights¡ªwas obliterated by 100 undead giants. Only the liches'' relentless attacks prevented the center and left from being completely encircled, all while Hazard struggled desperately against the Death King. In those mere ten seconds, their exchanged blows¡ªboth magical and physical¡ªhad already exceeded triple digits. Seeing the dire state of his forces, Hazard had no choice but to summon thirty special creatures. However, this greatly weakened his forces in the north, where they faced Duke Lamorak, commanded by the Grand General. CHAPTER 54 In the north of the Hazard territory, the Grand Undead General stood at the head of an army, leading 150,000 demonic undead archers, 100,000 demonic undead swordsmen, 20,000 elite swordsmen, 10,000 elite archers, 1,000 demonic undead mages, and 100 demonic undead generals, each commanding sections of the force. They had arrayed themselves against a distant ten-million-strong army. At that moment, the Grand General was speaking with Hezhna, who had been ordered by Hazard to stall the empire''s army with all available witches, including even undead witches, as much as possible. This delay was crucial for Hazard to resolve the matters in the south so the Death King could join them. Initially, there was no problem, as thirty warlord-ranked stallions were present to assist them. However, with their sudden recall, Hezhna trembled like a leaf, shifting her gaze between the Grand Undead General¡ªstanding calmly at the front lines, his long white hair flowing in the wind¡ªand the ten-million-strong army of Duke Lamorak, famed for having the largest number of paladins capable of using holy magic¡ªthe undead''s greatest weakness. "So what miracle is supposed to happen now?" Her eyes were on the Grand Undead General, but he had only positioned his forces strategically¡ªtaking higher ground, forming a U-shaped formation, and blocking the army''s flanks with whatever resources he had to maximize the use of his vast number of archers. Yet, with every passing second, the Duke''s army grew clearer, and the presence of forty warlords, including one near-epic warlord, sent shudders through Hezhna. That near-epic warrior was none other than Duke Lamorak himself, leading from the front. Minutes passed, and as the ten-million-strong army closed to three kilometers, an envoy from the empire marched forward. The Grand Undead General, recognizing Duke Lamorak as the opposing commander, mounted a noble undead steed from a previous battle and advanced to meet them. Hezhna and eight undead generals followed him, stopping in the middle of the battlefield before the ten-member delegation of the empire. The delegation included: Duke LamorakSir Foussard, the Grandmaster of the Thunder KnightsTwo veteran marquises, loyal flagbearers of Lamorak, battle-scarred and built like giantsThe Cardinal of the Central Ducal ChurchThe leader of the White Owl Mercenaries, a force of 200,000 elite troops, many of whom were lord-rankedThe leader of the Adventurer''s Guild, bringing 100,000 championsTwo generals sent by Lamorak''s brothers, each commanding 50,000 elite lord-ranked warriorsAnd finally, a mysterious figure who had arrived minutes earlier. Clad in a white cloak, he approached Lamorak and declared he had come to repay his debt to House Pellinore. From the old voice alone, Lamorak instantly recognized him as his childhood mentor, though none of the others present could even sense the true aura he concealed. Despite the overwhelming odds, Lamorak did not fear battle¡ªbut he still preferred negotiations first. However, in the south, events were taking an entirely different turn. Hazard threw aside his broken scythe and attempted to sever the Death King''s warlords'' connection using the powers of the Elemental King of Death. Yet, the link was far stronger than he had anticipated. A moment later, the Death King''s sword struck him down, sending Hazard crashing into the heart of the undead army, breaking countless lesser undead who lacked the strength of their demonic counterparts. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Then, the tide of undead swarmed over Hazard, as he desperately searched for an escape while enduring their relentless attacks. The Death King loomed over him, his massive blade descending, slicing Hazard''s body in two. "In the end, we are all doomed! The Succubus Queen and the orc armies will slaughter this continent! You''re fighting for a lost cause!" The Death King remained indifferent, lifting Hazard''s upper body with one hand while crushing his lower half underfoot. "Orcs? With the summoning of the Lionheart Knights from other dimensions, they won''t be a problem. But letting a hound of destruction like you live¡ªthat would lead to a far worse fate for this world!" Hazard was prepared to resurrect himself, yet he had no hope of continuing the fight¡ªhis resurrection would erase the Shadow of Death, rendering him powerless. However, at that very moment, the air itself cried out, and dozens of portals began to open. "Genibas!" Hearing that name, the Death King''s voice roared with fury as he tossed Hazard aside and mobilized his army toward the portals. His forces had only lost 100,000 elite undead, while Hazard no longer had an army left. "Sit back and watch, young one!" The Death King stood at the front, watching as an endless army emerged¡ªtwo-meter-tall werewolves alongside giant wolves stretching over a hundred meters long, savage vampires mixed with pale, moonlit nobles with glowing crimson eyes. Then, at the front of the werewolves, a towering man, clad in pitch-black armor of incredibly rare materials, wielding a five-meter-long spear, stepped forward. Simultaneously, at the head of the vampires, a regal figure in ornate crimson armor, carrying a thin, three-meter-long sword radiating a bloody aura, emerged. Both were at the peak of epic rank. Behind them, a figure in a long black cloak, radiating mid-epic power, appeared. Yet the onslaught did not end¡ªanother epic-ranked warrior, a demonic dwarf with an enormous battle axe, stepped forward, leading a force of war chariots. Hazard shuddered, feeling the presence of four epic-ranked warriors¡ªan overwhelming force backed by an army of nearly eighty million, stretching across the land and sky. Yet, despite their numbers, the enemy forces did not advance¡ªinstead, they watched in silence. Bats screeched through the skies.Mercenaries slammed axes against shields.Werewolves howled.Vampires bared their fangs.Fiery imps ran wild, waiting for the signal to be unleashed like starving wolves. Hazard watched in horror. When the thirty warlord stallions arrived, he ordered them to take him back to the fortress, for no place was safe anymore. He placed his last hope in the fortress''s defensive systems. Yet, in his final moment before departing, he saw the Death King standing at the front of his army, gazing at him. Then, the Death King spoke directly into his mind: [I could have taken your life, but I didn''t. If you survive, ally yourself with the humans. To grow stronger, you need the faith of the living.] With that, the mental link was severed, and the Death King raised his sword. In response, his undead legions roared and howled with fearless defiance. CHAPTER 55 Upon reaching the castle, the waves of slaughter and the announcement of coins gleamed in Hazard''s account, but the army of the Death King was also collapsing with every passing moment. Hazard rushed to the altar, knowing that after yesterday''s battle between the Death King and the Archmage Jenibas, the required number of heroic souls for the upgrade was close to completion¡ªeven though heroes on the side of darkness were scarce. With his half-body resting in the embrace of a mare before the altar, and a massive scythe-wielding guardian standing above it, each passing second saw the altar absorbing every soul that was acquired. Then, as the required number was reached, the altar emitted a final radiance, and Hazard, ceasing further collection, activated the last level-six talent. [Confirm Evolution?] [Yes/No] Wasting no time, he pressed "Yes," and as an intense heat surged through his body, the world around him turned black. For the first time, a vision appeared before him. In a realm resembling the Abyss but brimming with an overwhelmingly powerful death energy, the dead lurked everywhere. However, what puzzled him was that all these creatures were at epic levels or even higher. More striking than their strength was their sheer number¡ªmillions of undead, wailing in despair, their fiery eyes hollow with endless anticipation. Their long wait seemed unbearable, and as soon as Hazard appeared, their burning eyes locked onto him, their pleas echoing in his mind: [Summon me!][War! Give me war!][I have rotted for centuries¡ªgrant me glory to shine once more!][You are free, so free us!][Grant me eternal death!] The scattered undead lunged at him, but Hazard lacked the power to summon them or offer aid. Besides, these undead were ancient¡ªtheir distorted appearances, their decayed weapons, their grotesque movements, and their fragmented minds made it clear that eternal existence in this place had driven them to madness. Then, suddenly, he was back in the castle. As he regained his sight, he realized he had grown to an eight-meter height, with eight massive horns, dark skeletal limbs lined with thick golden veins. However, his wings were gone, replaced by four powerful arms, making him even deadlier in close combat. [Name: Hazard] [Final Race: Death God (Second Half)] [Level: 6] [Health: 10,500] [Strength: 6,000] [Agility: 2,500] [Mana (Miasma): 101,500] [Endurance: -] [Available Points: 504] Abilities: Hell''s Undead Summon: Summon ten thousand hellish creatures two levels weaker than yourself for one hour. (Cooldown: 6 months) Chain Lightning of Death: A death-element lightning strike that deals lethal damage to any living being and drains their life force based on their level. (Activation cost: 1,000 Dark Mana per strike) Summon Throne of the Death God: A throne that, within a ten-kilometer radius, enhances undead by 100% and weakens living enemies by 50%. (Note: Cannot move while using. Cooldown: 6 months) Legendary Mastery (Inactive): Fully prepares the user for ascension to the Legendary level. (Activation cost: Sacrifice 10 Epic-ranked beings [1/10]) If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Skills:Master of Elements (A), Master of Magic (A), Master of Combat Skills (A), Master of Potions (A), Saint (A), Master of Forging & Crafting (A), Translator (A), Fusion (A), and more... With the conditions for his evolution changed, Hazard contemplated his next move. Having slain Morgana, he had completed one of the ten required sacrifices¡ªbut where would he find the remaining nine? His gaze shifted toward the battlefield, focusing on his newly unlocked summons. "Mercenaries of the Death Heaven" Level: ??? Health: - Strength: - Agility: - Mana (Dark): - Endurance: - Talent: - Summoning Cost: 100,000 Points "Royal Guards of the Death God" Level: Low Epic Health: 20,000 Strength: 9,000 Agility: 12,000 Mana (Miasma): 30,000 Endurance: - Talents: Death''s Royal Domain, Undead Resurrection, Spirit Summoning, Death''s Realm, Death Worship Skills: Weapon Mastery (S), Death Magic (S), Curses (S), Teleportation (A), Command (A), Battlefield Control (A), and more¡­ Summoning Cost: 500 million gold coins, 1 million Death Jewels, 1 Level-6 Hero Soul (Max summonable: 2 units) Hazard examined the two new summons and briefly paused to let the remaining souls collected by the Death King''s army be absorbed by the altar. However, as he approached the 100,000 threshold, the soul acquisition rate slowed drastically¡ªbad news for Hazard. "Just hold on a little longer!" Never in his life did he imagine wanting the Death King to survive, but now, the Death King had become his shield, sending waves of gold and souls his way. As the death rate on the battlefield slowed to one every ten seconds, Hazard finally reached 100,000 points and initiated the summon. The altar shone intensely and trembled before birthing a creature¡ªa massive, 60-meter-long skeletal worm lined with five-meter-long fangs, with a grotesque, human-like face at its front. "M¡­Master Death¡­immortality has driven me mad¡­ He has given the sky to his daughter''s fabrics¡­ What is he doing¡­? Your war¡­ from which war? Save me, I who once¡­ sought refuge in his sister''s chastity!" Hazard could barely make sense of its broken speech, nor endure the tremors of its massive body. Yet, he quickly checked its stats. "Ashar, the Butcher Reaper" Level: Low Epic Health: 15,000 Strength: 5,000 Agility: 40,000 Mana (Miasma): 30,000 Endurance: - Talents: Rotational Acceleration, Undead Resurrection, Spirit Summoning, Death''s Realm, Butcher Skills: Teleportation (S), Butchery (S), Berserk (S), Hunter (A), and more¡­ Satisfied with its incredible speed and epic rank, Hazard wasted no time. He grabbed Ashar by the head and soared toward the battlefield, summoning 5,500 liches with all his remaining resources and sending 5,000 of them into the fight. Meanwhile, in the north, the situation had turned chaotic. Merlin, the white-robed man, was captivated upon seeing the epic-tier staff in Hezna''s hands. "That staff belonged to Morgana, as far as I recall. It''s truly strange to see it in your hands¡­ but it suits you far better than that old hag. A noble lady such as yourself deserves even greater treasures!" Feeling the presence of an epic-tier being, Hezna was both thrilled and unnerved. Upon recognizing the man''s long white beard, she confirmed his identity¡ªArchduke Merlin, the Wrath of Heaven, the Grand Mage of the Empire. With his peak epic power, there was no doubt that a single attack from him could wipe out the entire undead army. However, Merlin was not a warmonger, and knowing his personality gave Hezna a glimmer of hope. Even so, she had no intention of handing over the staff¡ªit was more precious to her than life itself. "Hahaha, you flatter me. But isn''t there a more pressing matter at hand?" Following her gaze, Merlin spotted the Grand Undead General and Lancelot standing together, shaking hands. "Oh, it seems they''ve reached an agreement¡ªnothing to worry about_" Merlin was mid-sentence when suddenly, Lancelot and the Undead General turned and drew their swords, attacking each other. "Ah, youth¡­" [Two minutes earlier] Lancelot stood before the Grand Undead General. Upon seeing the long white hair, the divine engravings on the feminine armor denoting a Paladin, he felt his heart stir for the first time¡ªnot for worship, but for something else. "I am Duke Lancelot, descendant of Pellinore, Duke of the Southern Golden Plains, Grand Master of the Star Paladins, and Honorary Cardinal of the Star." The Grand General, taken aback by the titles, struggled to find words. Tasked by Hazard to face such an army, he needed to at least stand on equal ground. "Grand Undead General, nameless commander of the glorious army of the True Death King, victor of the Obsidian War¡­" He paused, unable to recall more, and simply raised his head. "The Obsidian War¡­ So, the obsidian mines were conquered after all?" Lancelot''s eyes gleamed. CHAPTER 56 "The obsidian mines now belong to us. Do you need to buy obsidian?" Lamorak, witnessing the great general''s immense confidence and his calm demeanor in the presence of the released aura and direct gaze, admired him even more. "Obsidian is a good source for connecting energy flow and storing magic in artifact creation, but if it''s near humans, it causes corrosion and disease in living cells..." The general stood firm, unswayed by the lack of a direct response to his question, insisting on an answer as if he did not care about the difference in power. "If you need to buy obsidian, the king is currently occupied, but whatever you tell me is as if you told him directly¡ªI have full authority from him." With that, Lamorak assessed the undead female general before him as more significant than he had initially thought. "If the price is reasonable, why not? We could even establish a friendly relationship through trade!" The political cards were being laid on the table, and each roll of the dice carried different meanings and strategies. "You wish to intimidate us with your army and return to your lands victorious with a profitable deal?" Of course, the general wished to say this, but he held back. The rumors of Elizabeth B¨¢thory''s existence had been told to him by Hazard at the height of legendary status. Given the legendary old man and the war in the south, he had no doubt that if war erupted in the north, with the bluff of no support behind it, defeat would be inevitable. However, someone could not bear to let the conversation between the duke and the general, the leader of the witches, and Merlin remain without tension. "Duke! These demonic creatures from the depths of the Abyss have been summoned to destroy and devour this world! In the south, they are under attack by the united army of darkness, and there is no way they can withstand us! Do not ally with them!" With that, Duke Lamorak, who had been awaiting the undead general''s response, turned back and saw the leader of the Hero Association¡ªanother of his old friends. "Henry..." Lamorak uttered the name of his old friend in disappointment, for Henry had always walked the path of faith alongside him, praying at sunrise. However, the once-glorious and righteous Henry had changed a year ago, ceasing his prayers. On the very first day, Lamorak personally sought him out, fearing something bad had happened. But when he found one of his paladin warlord commanders in his own bed, surrounded by several naked prostitutes, it felt as if he had lost his blood brother. He stripped Henry of his rank and had since despised the new man he no longer considered his brother in faith. "Leader of the Hero Association, I warn you not to interfere in my conversation!" Lamorak deliberately emphasized the word "Hero" because he knew that just as heroes sought to kill demon kings, demon kings also aimed to eliminate powerful heroes. By saying this, he had successfully positioned the heroes as a third faction in the battlefield. As he predicted, upon hearing the word "Hero," the undead general tightened his grip on his sword, and the fire in his eyes burned brightly beneath his helmet. "Duke Lamorak, know that we do not fear battle, even if your numbers are tenfold! However, even if you seek peace, I will maintain war against the heroes in your army!" Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. With that, Duke Lamorak sighed. As he noticed the mischievous grin on the old man beside him, along with the young-looking witch and her strikingly legendary staff, he ignored Henry''s shouting and responded. "As you may know, the obsidian mine was in neutral lands, yet it was the darkness that had been utilizing it. During the time we did not control the mines, and to prevent unnecessary bloodshed while seeking compensation for the servants who have already perished in previous battles, I demand fifty tons of obsidian as reparations over five years." Hearing such a request and the extended timeframe, which demonstrated the opposing side''s goodwill, the general contacted Hazard. However, the only words he received were "Do not fight" and "Help," making him realize that a true crisis was unfolding in the south. "Your request has been accepted by the king. However, this is not the trade relationship you spoke of." Lamorak pondered for a moment but did not know what the undead needed until the general spoke. "We possess a great number of fire gems and seek a trade for death or darkness gems. How about such an exchange?" "Death or darkness gems? The church has buried a stockpile of them. I would be more than happy to sell them to you!" With that, Lamorak extended his hand. The general stared at him for five seconds before shaking it. But this act enraged someone even further. "Paperwork¡ª" Lamorak was in the middle of his sentence when someone stepped forward, pointing toward the central cardinal of the Star group. "Does your god permit you to shake hands with heretics and forget the vengeance for the slain humans?" With that, the cardinal glanced at Lamorak and smirked. "In the presence of Duke Lamorak, the honorary cardinal, I am merely a witness." Lamorak smirked. "Henry, how can you forget..." "If you do not wish to fight, know that the heroes will not abandon the people and will take revenge for those lost!" William, the Star Cardinal, then shifted his gaze. Since he was merely one of Lamorak''s pawns, he stared at him intently, knowing that if such statements from their own group members spread, and Lamorak did nothing, the consequences would be dire. "Oh, Henry, you truly..." With that, Lamorak turned back to the general. "Nameless undead general, conqueror of the obsidian war, I challenge you to a sacred duel of equal power as the representative of my army!" If the general had the ability to smile, he would have done so. But lacking enough facial muscles made it impossible. Nevertheless, he understood what was going through Lamorak''s mind and unsheathed his sword. "Duke Lamorak, this forgotten paladin accepts the sacred duel with you as the representative of my army!" ¡ª Meanwhile, in the south, another story was unfolding. Hazard prayed that his opponents would be as peace-seeking as Lamorak. However, upon arriving at a battlefield filled with craters from explosions, blood and bones scattered everywhere, and an innumerable army surrounding two individuals, he realized the situation was far worse than he had imagined. ¡ª "Thirty minutes earlier" The King of Death, watching Hazard flee, glanced at the warlords beside him. Among them, Count Maximan stood tall with his spear, part of his armor shattered, and began to speak despite the stark height difference between him and the king. "My king, with the arrival of the princes, I know that this will be my true end. But know that in this short time, I have realized many mistakes in my life, and I am deeply grateful for your guidance." As the undead army howled, the King of Death looked at Count Maximan and the other warlords¡ªmost of whom were nobles of the dark faction. "Know this, my children: for us, death is an honor. For by fighting to the last breath¡ªthough we may no longer breathe¡ªwe can save countless innocent lives. For those of us who bear responsibility for others, death in battle is a path to peace, rest, and the immortality of our names!" With that, the warlords and even the dark lords gazed upon him. Knowing that this might be their last moments of service to their king, Maximan was the first to break. "My king, if I were granted another life, I would be your sword until the end of time!" One by one, the other nobles followed. "My lord, wherever I am, wherever you may be, your shield will never abandon you in the face of your enemies!" "Great King, know that your armor shall not perish after you! Know that your protector shall give his life for you eternally!" "My king, though only a day has passed since I have served you, sharing in your emotions and goals has saved me from delusion and guided me to the true path. If there is anything I regret in this life, it is not having more time to serve you!" As the other warlords and lords declared their loyalty, the King of Death set his gaze upon the opposing army. "Meeting you has been an honor I will never forget until my soul is obliterated." And in that moment, as the King of Death took his first step forward, he created the legendary army that bards in taverns and historians in academies would remember for centuries as the "Army of Weeping Spirits." CHAPTER 57 Blood and flesh covered the battlefield, at the center of which stood the King of Death, while Count Maximan lay on the ground, limbless. Four hundred meters away, the Army of Darkness watched their farewell, as four legendary-ranked warriors surrounded the King of Death from all sides. "My king, I do not wish to lose the honor of standing in your army!" "My child, you have fulfilled your duties, and it was an honor to fight by your side. Now, rest in peace and let this old man finish the battle." "My king..." With those words, the flame in Maximan''s eyes, which had once taken down two warlords single-handedly, dimmed and faded. The King of Death cast aside his broken sword and used his mana to forge a blade made of pure death, along with armor that rapidly drained his energy. "You''d better attack now because if I fall, you will have no shield left!" With that, Hazard and three other legendary-ranked warriors appeared in the sky, followed by thirty mares and five thousand liches. The other legendary-ranked warriors included a heavily armored figure wielding a colossal sword and emanating a powerful miasmic mana, another shrouded entirely in a cloak that failed to conceal his aura of undeath, and finally, a massive bone worm that trembled and writhed in a grotesque manner. "I did not expect you to survive! But now, all of you can die together!" At that moment, all except the bone worm raised their hands toward the Army of Darkness, as death lightning crackled around their fingers. The four legendary-ranked warriors of the Army of Darkness immediately sensed danger. "Activate the barriers!" "Magical shield!" But they were either too slow, or the lightning was too fast. Three bolts of death-lightning, like dragons, descended upon the seventy-million-strong army, instantly vaporizing all beings below the warlord rank. Within five seconds, the magical shields and barriers began to shatter¡ªeven those protecting the legendary ranks. Seeing this, Vlad turned to Mordred with a furious glare. "You bastard! I told you we should''ve taken down his fortress first!" But his anger was met with Mordred''s murderous intent. "If the old man hadn''t ordered me to cooperate with you, your head would be on a spike atop my banner!" Their bickering, however, only gave Ashar enough time to carry out Hazard''s command, targeting the legendary-ranked dwarf. "Haha! My bone worm¡ª" The dark dwarves, known as the Fallen Dwarves, prided themselves on their resilience. Among them, King Laurin was especially renowned for his impenetrable defense. Yet, before his aging eyes could follow Ashar''s movements, he was struck with a devastating blow. His defensive barriers, reinforced armor, skin-hardening spells, weight-enhancing abilities, and every defensive magic and artifact he possessed were completely ignored. The impact sent him flying, blood gushing from his mouth as he felt his ribs and elbow shattered. He had no chance to hit the ground, as two sharp bone hooks pierced his chest, lifting him into the sky while his hammer slipped from his grasp. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "They gave me wine in the harem so I could play dolls with the eunuchs!" Laurin had no time to decipher the insane words of the undead monstrosity attacking him. He struggled to defend himself from the dozens of metal hooks that lashed at him every second, but his blood splattered like a rainbow. Darkness began to consume his vision. "You bastards! This was not part of the deal!" Just then, Janibas appeared above the flying bone worm, conjuring a spear of dark flames. In midair, he aimed to decapitate Ashar. But instead of severing his head, Ashar''s body twisted unnaturally, flying towards Janibas like a magnet. "What in the world is this thing?!" Janibas¡ªone of the most brilliant minds among the Dark Scholars, a creator of countless chimeras¡ªcould not comprehend the nature of this creature. Yet, if he had known, it would have been even more terrifying, for this entity was born before the world itself was formed. "I arranged a wedding for my grandfather, and you bring dates to the feast?" The insane voice echoed in his mind, corrupting his thoughts with every second. Feeling his sanity slipping away, Janibas immediately teleported far away, abandoning Laurin to his fate. "Princes, this is bad!" But the princes were struggling under the immense force of the death-lightning. At that moment, three enormous portals opened above their army. "Come forth, Army of the Abyss!" Hazard, exhausted from fending off warlords and overlords, activated his demonic summoning ability. With the aid of his two clones¡ªdisguised in demon-market garments to deceive the Army of Darkness¡ªhe unleashed thirty thousand abyssal demons of lord rank, their roars shaking the battlefield. "Kill them all!" Seeing the abyssal portals, the two princes teleported immediately to destroy them. They feared these portals even more than those of the Abyss itself. However, it seemed Hazard himself did not fully grasp the consequences of his actions. As waves of abyssal demon lords emerged, a gargantuan hand¡ªmountainous in size¡ªextended from one of the portals and struck the ground. A tremor rippled through the battlefield as Hazard shuddered, sensing power beyond even the legendary rank emanating from that hand. "You fool! You''re going to destroy this world!" "Summoning abyssal beings wasn''t enough for you?!" With that, the two princes rushed toward the portal, trying to close it. However, black, bark-covered magic spread from the enormous hand, absorbing their blood, while ten million of their nearby dark forces instantly turned to ash. "The Demon King of Life!!!" Janibas screamed, and his followers swore they had never seen him flee so fast. But it was far from over. Another legendary-ranked warrior suddenly appeared¡ªa wise old human sorcerer who summoned an army of lightning to strike at the hand. Another figure also emerged¡ªsomeone Hazard had only recently encountered: Abraham, the progenitor of the vampires. Upon arrival, Abraham cast a murderous glare at Hazard and immediately attempted to obliterate the portal. Yet, the chaos did not end there. A deafening roar shook the heavens as a thousand-meter-long golden dragon descended, tearing into the colossal hand with savage fury. Hazard, overwhelmed by the events unfolding, trembled as two legendary-ranked warriors arrived to contain the catastrophe. But then, a voice echoed in his mind. [Child, keep the portal stable.] He instantly recognized the ancient and mighty voice. [I will try my best!] With that, realizing that a powerful demon was supporting him, Hazard redirected his attack toward the princes, grievously wounding Vlad and forcing Mordred into a defensive stance. However, this enraged Abraham, who finally lost his patience. In an instant, he teleported beside Hazard and severed his head. "You dog of the Abyss¡ª" At that moment, the world itself seemed to weep. Time halted. Then, reality rewound. Hazard found himself standing once again, his severed head inexplicably restored, the battlefield as it was before Abraham''s arrival. It was as if Abraham had never existed in the first place. CHAPTER 58 Time rewound, and with Abraham''s disappearance, it was as if everyone in the battlefield had paused. Vlad and Mordred stared at Hazard in disbelief, while the golden dragon, caught off guard for a moment, was seized by its wings and pulled into the portal. At that moment, Merlin screamed as if he had lost his dearest friend. But the end had not yet come, for after golden blood spilled from the portal, an infernal army emerged¡ªan army of demons, many of whom held the rank of Warlord. However, the portals seemed to have weakened, as thirty thousand Lords had now stepped forth. Despite the presence of nearly a hundred demonic Warlords¡ªbattle-mad beings¡ªthe chaotic army beneath them looked up and, like a starving pack, launched their attack. ["Hahaha! A legendary golden dragon! Well done, child of destruction! As your reward, the infernal army shall be at your command!"] With that, Hazard, who had already felt a mental link to the Lord-ranked demons, now sensed a new connection to the Warlords. He let out a sinister laugh as the portal closed, causing psychological damage to many of the mercenaries in the dark army. Yet, this was not the end, for with the corpse of the dark dwarven king thrown before Hazard by Ashar and Janibas fleeing, only two princes and a newly arrived mage remained. Seeing the two wounded princes and the mage, whose mana was nearly depleted, Hazard spread his arms, allowing a flood of negative energy bullets to form behind him, all directed at Vlad, while two of his clones targeted Mordred. As for the mage, he did not know who he was¡ªuntil a mental message from the general appeared in his mind. Choosing not to engage with him, he realized he couldn''t even if he wanted to, as the sorrowful old man quickly fled the battlefield. Meanwhile, within the million-strong dark army, which had fallen from eighty million to fifty million, the Warlords shouted in an attempt to reorganize their forces. But with thirty monstrous Warlords falling, a massive black gelatinous creature with jagged teeth forced the already demoralized dark army into retreat, much like their comrades who had been devoured while screaming endlessly. However, upon their return, they found only a high-level demon army before them¡ªripping apart and feasting on the souls of every being they slaughtered. Amid this nightmare, the commanders, caught in their own horrors, noticed a fierce battle erupting between werewolves and vampires in the heart of both armies, extinguishing any remaining hope of victory. Yet, a battle was taking place a few kilometers to the north¡ªone that witnesses swore they had never seen before. It was a duel of unparalleled skill, where the sheer mastery of swordplay and footwork was displayed, using only the swordsmanship available to those limited to the Lord''s realm. ["You have incredible skill!"] Lamorak, deflecting the general''s blade to the left with a gliding motion of his own sword, swiftly spun his two-handed longsword in a vertical arc, aiming for his opponent''s wrist. But the general, reading his movement, spun to his left, releasing his sword and lunging with a punch toward Lamorak. Perhaps he did not expect Lamorak to catch the falling sword mid-motion and, with a swift pivot of his footwork, hurl the sword hilt-first towards his chest. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ["Fighting with fists? My lady would consider such an act¡ª"] The general, catching the sword hilt and preventing it from landing, still felt humiliated. He bent forward, grasping the blade, and prepared for a straightforward thrust. However, all master swordsmen knew that an obvious move from anyone skilled in the art of the blade was never truly straightforward; it was often a bait or a feint, changing direction at the last moment to strike at an opening in the opponent''s defense. Lamorak braced as if he had fallen into a trap, yet he was actually preparing to leap backward at the last moment, seeking an opening in the general''s defense for a decisive counterattack. However, the general spun forward, throwing his sword with full force toward Lamorak. Ready to defend against a low strike and preparing to jump back, Lamorak was instead forced to block the sword''s upward trajectory, which momentarily blinded him with the sun''s glare. In that instant, he saw the general in the air, reclaiming his sword mid-flight¡ªa sign that the general had anticipated his blade''s upward trajectory and had gambled everything on this maneuver. Feigning a vertical strike, the general adjusted his movements in sync with his landing, making Lamorak believe he was committing to the downward attack. But at the last moment, the sword''s trajectory changed again, targeting a new weak point. Lamorak was stunned¡ªthere was no time to adjust his defense. He made no move, entrusting his fate to his opponent, despite having the power to stop the attack with magic. Yet, as he closed his eyes for a few seconds, he felt no pain. Instead, the sound of a sword being sheathed reached his ears. Opening his eyes, he saw the undead general standing before him, extending his hand. ["Few warriors remain who follow the rules so completely. Fighting you has rekindled vague, forgotten memories within my soul. Thank you for restraining your power."] Like a knight, the general placed his right hand over his chest and bowed. However, Lamorak activated his magic, creating a luminous cube that enveloped only the two of them. He stepped forward, knelt, and plunged his sword into the ground. ["As one who has been defeated in a sacred duel, I request a memento of this battle¡ªa token to remember this day until the time comes when I can reclaim my honor."] The general, his head aching as fragmented memories surged into his mind, was uncertain of what he could offer. At last, he removed his forearm guard, revealing a silvered skeletal arm beneath. Lamorak, upon seeing it, showed neither anger nor hatred¡ªonly a sorrowful gaze. He took the forearm guard and, in return, handed his own to the general, then rose from his knee. ["I deeply appreciate this gift, a crucial piece of your armor. In the future, we shall meet again. And on that day, each of us shall wear the forearm guard that rightfully belongs to us."] The undead general, feeling an unfamiliar sensation within himself, placed his armored glove over his chest. ["It would be my honor to duel you again!"] With that, the luminous cube vanished, revealing their surroundings. Those nearby, previously tense, sighed in relief upon seeing the two warriors unharmed. Yet, Lamorak could not find Merlin. Without a word, he turned back toward his army and gave the order to retreat. One hundred thousand heroes, their faces filled with frustration and shouting curses, abandoned the battlefield, leaving the heroes alone with the undead army. The general, gazing at his new forearm guard and the departing figure, then turned to Hezhna and, in a low voice, commanded: ["Prepare for battle."] Unbeknownst to him, the tale of his duel with Lamorak was far from the simple, victorious ending that others might have believed. CHAPTER 59 A day had passed, and it could be said that whether in the north or the south of Hazard''s domain, his last enemies had perished. In the north, the great Undead General pulled his sword from the chest of a sixth-rank hero leader and looked around, still unable to believe how these heroes could be so arrogant in their power and step into his trap willingly. However, losing more than half of his army left him feeling humiliated, and he attributed much of the victory to Hezhna''s area-damage spells and her witches, who, with their rare flying ability, had disrupted the heroes'' army. Nevertheless, he began issuing orders: separating usable items for sale from broken ones meant for melting in the forge, and entrusting the bodies of heroes who could not be resurrected to others to be taken to storage. Meanwhile, he wiped the blood from his new golden bracer with a cloth, lost in thought, as an oddly familiar but vague feeling crept over him¡ªsomething reminiscent of a past he could not remember. Meanwhile, in the south, Hazard stood before the corpses of the two Dark Princes and the King of the Dark Dwarves. Nearby, the King of Death, whose rank had fallen to Warlord, lay severely wounded. "King of Death, what do you think now? Am I someone you can underestimate?" The king didn''t bother breaking his silence. He simply gazed at the sky, as he had for the past hour. "Oh, old man, your potential in my army could have been so dazzling that even the stars would envy it! And yet, look at yourself now! With an army far greater than mine, you still couldn''t stand against them! In the end, it was I who shattered even their legends!" Finally, the King of Death turned his gaze to Hazard and broke his silence. "The fate of using Abyssal power will only lead you to ruin! Killing the legends of this world will do nothing but weaken its defenses against the Abyss! In the end, when the Abyss launches its true invasion, you will see that you are nothing more than a small, empty pawn for the God of Destruction! Only then will you understand the true meaning of the Abyss!" Hazard grew furious upon hearing this. He stepped closer, then soared above the King of Death, surrounded by an overwhelming aura of death mana. "And so what, old man?! It was the Abyss and the God of Destruction that brought me here! All this power belongs to Him! Do you think I haven''t understood His purpose by now? We are merely his small soldiers, and once we pass His test, we will become part of His army! And now, what do you expect from me? To stand against Him? To reject Him? When He saved me from death at the hands of a legend with nothing but His will alone?!" At that moment, his mana flared, and an Abyssal summoning portal opened behind him¡ªjust one, but massive, towering three hundred meters high. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "I have made my choice, and I stand on the side that brings me the greatest benefit!" From the portal emerged a colossal being, three hundred meters tall, its body composed of enormous skulls and wielding eight massive hands, each gripping a gigantic black hammer. But unlike before, when it had attacked Hazard on sight, it now acknowledged his power and accepted him as its summoner, standing calmly. However, upon witnessing the vast battlefield where tens of millions had fought, and sensing the overwhelming miasma mana, it appeared enraged¡ªfurious that it had missed such a war. Yet, even with the giant''s presence, the King of Death only stared at Hazard. "You spared my life just to show me this?! Do you now seek to flaunt your power?" In response, Hazard resurrected all three dead epic-ranked warriors, though they had now fallen to the lower epic rank. He didn''t care much, for he himself was at that level. "I know that even if I summon another King of Death, they won''t be like you. And after considering what you said, I realized I need living beings to grow stronger¡ªto climb the ladder of power. Faith or whatever else it may be, in the future, after conquering the other continents, I will rule this world. And when the time comes, I will be a far greater piece in the army of the God of Destruction, holding a much higher rank!" The King of Death lowered his head in silence before finally speaking. "What do you want from me?" "I need faith from living beings to increase my power. But humans aren''t my only option. Elves? Dwarves? Orcs and other creatures? They can all worship me¡ªI don''t necessarily have to keep humans alive..." The flames in the King of Death''s eyes burned intensely, for he knew where this conversation was heading. "What do you want from me?!!!" "The Dark Faction is leaderless! It is in complete chaos! Conquer the Dark Faction for me with these undead! Build the southern throne for me! And in return, I will not kill any humans¡ªexcept those who attack me first!" "You want me to¡ª" "You''d better make a wise decision! Because my army has never left a single living being alive on the battlefield!" The King of Death remained silent but, after looking over the eighty-million-strong field of corpses, he struggled to his feet. "How much time do I have?" Hazard, knowing the vastness of the Dark Domain¡ªnearly seven times the size of Asia¡ªraised five fingers. "You have five years. And if even one extra day passes, don''t blame me for your own greed!" The King of Death then turned toward the countless dead. "And will these be my forces?" Hazard turned his back to him. "The dead are yours." With that, Hazard and his companions, along with the colossal skull giant and the three resurrected epics, returned to the fortress, leaving the King of Death alone with eighty million undead at his command. However, Hazard''s actions did not go unnoticed by the powerful. In the Imperial Hall, the Ice Fortress, the United Giant Clan, and other places¡ªeven in the Demon Kings'' chat server¡ªone thing was clear: The Undead Demon King had crushed the south and the Dark Faction. Many Demon Kings¡ªwhether from the Dark Faction or the Empire¡ªrushed to kneel before him upon hearing rumors that his army held dozens of epic ranks and that he had slain two legendary ranks with a mere gesture. Even the Empire and the North sought friendly relations, for the Empire could not afford to manage two battlefronts of such high-caliber warfare. Meanwhile, the North, hoping to ally with the newly risen southern star, aimed to finally destroy the Empire and reclaim the continent that had once been ruled by their ancestors. CHAPTER 60 Hazard stood before the altar, contemplating what to do with the spirits of the heroes he possessed¡ªwhether they were from the million-strong army of darkness or the army of Duke Lamorak''s heroes. After a long time of struggling with his thoughts, he decided to keep only the level five and above spirits, absorbing the rest into the altar. As the altar shone brightly, his unit points displayed a staggering 19,278,472, a number so immense that it left Hazard bewildered. Holding such a high figure, he glanced at the units he could summon with those points. "Mercenaries of the Death Heaven" Level: ? Life: - Power: - Agility: - Mana (Dark): - Endurance: - Talent: -[100,000 points] His imagination could hardly grasp it. Did this mean he could now summon 192 Mercenaries of the Death Heaven? Wasn''t this equivalent to having 192 beings like Ashar by his side? An army composed of nearly two hundred legendary-ranked entities? With that thought, his hands reached toward the altar. "Come forth! Come forth!" Instantly, his points plummeted to 78,472, and the entire altar trembled, shaking the whole castle. This reminded Hazard that it had been a long time since he last checked the state of his domain''s buildings. But that didn''t matter now. A massive portal opened in the Divine Desert of Death, and an legendary being appeared above it¡ªa figure wielding a massive death scythe and cloaked in darkness, watching the insane immortals running around below. "Only 192 shall pass! Charge forth for the honor of death! Know that I, the servant of annihilation, have summoned you! Do not disgrace the face of the God of Death before his faithful servants of destruction!" With that, the undead beings, whose lifespans exceeded even that of some stars, leapt forward, unleashing their power to outpace their comrades. In the process, dozens of legendary undead were annihilated, but since they were within the realm of the God of Death, they resurrected immediately. However, they quickly realized that the legendary guardian had blocked the portal''s entrance with his scythe, shredding any who attempted to cross¡ªsignaling that the limit had been reached. "Any more of you who dare step forward¡ªI swear, with my true aura, I will send you to the River of Emptiness!" Terrified by the eternal death aura radiating from the scythe, the mad undead backed away as the portal vanished, and the legendary guardian departed while muttering to himself. "What kind of lunatic could possibly manage two hundred insane elders?" On the other side of the portal, before the altar, strange and grotesque undead creatures¡ªwith blades protruding from their bodies or fused, amalgamated forms¡ªbegan pouring out like a flood, filling the hall of the altar until Hazard shouted out: "OPEN THE GATES!" At his command, the Death Silcopers swung open the massive doors, unleashing the undead horde. A shiver ran down Hazard''s spine as he felt the power of each one. The shock of it left him uncertain about what to do. Stolen story; please report. "They''re all legendary rank!" The insane undead began climbing over each other, either crawling aside or rising to their feet, immediately starting arguments among themselves. "You dried up the Honeyfall all by yourself with a broomstick!" "What nonsense are you spouting? Wasn''t it YOU who set the apples on fire?" "I''m planting radishes here¡ªmaybe the bananas that grow afterward will sell well!" "Among all my wives, why did I bring the gardener to the classroom?" Listening to the mad ramblings of these elderly undead, Hazard realized it was far too soon to celebrate his new army. He now faced a far greater threat¡ªmanaging nearly two hundred troublemakers. Seeing them, he was reminded of Ashar, who just yesterday was caught caressing the castle walls and towers of vengeful spirits. "Oh no¡­." Without hesitation, he ordered the Death Silcopers to push them toward the exit. "Why are you killing me? Don''t you know I can''t control my bladder!?" "Are we being taken to eat dirt?" "I feel old¡ªjust like when I was a newborn!""If you take me along, I''ll teach you how to swim!" Unable to endure the madness of nearly two hundred lunatics, Hazard locked them all up in the castle''s underground prison, alongside Ashar. "I don''t think I can rely on them too much." He then pondered how to make use of them, coming up with only a few ideas¡ªhe could release them in defense scenarios or teleport them into enemy territory. But as he left the castle, Hezhna was staring at him, eyes wide with shock. "Those¡­?" Hazard immediately understood why Hezhna was so alarmed. After all, the aura of nearly two hundred legendary beings wasn''t something that could be ignored. "They''re a bunch of lunatics. You need to keep an eye on them¡ªif even ONE of them is seen outside the prison, let me know immediately." With that, Hazard left Hezhna standing there, her mouth agape, as she remembered the massive skeletal worm-like creature from yesterday¡ªrubbing itself against the castle walls and making strange noises. "Nearly two hundred of those¡­ are they all like him!?" She ran toward Hazard, hoping he would accept her resignation or at least send her and the girls somewhere else. But Hazard simply flicked her forehead and sent her back to work. After that, he turned to the market chat. "Hmm¡­ are these good?" With his financial account now holding nearly ten billion gold coins, he was ready to burn all fifty servers under his control. Using filters, he searched for the most expensive undead-related buildings, encountering insanely costly structures that he hadn''t expected. [Titan Undead Tomb]Level: 7Unlocks Undead Titan Warlord units500,000,000 gold coins [Tomb of Living Armors]Level: 5Unlocks Living Armor Summoning branch2,000,000,000 gold coins [God of Death''s Defensive Structure]Level: 9Provides God of Death''s magical shield protection999,999,999,999 gold coins Hazard hesitated. Seeing that the level five Living Armors were more expensive than level seven Titans, he searched for an explanation¡ªafter all, demon kings weren''t foolish enough to set unreasonable prices when listing their items for sale. He also zoomed in on the last option. If someone owned such an item, they had likely overcome a challenge of that scale, which was bad news for him. However, seeing that it belonged to a different world server, he breathed a small sigh of relief. He then examined the Living Armor unit stats, and what he saw shocked him. (Stats of Elite Living Armor, Captain, Commander, and General...) Hazard was losing his mind. Even he didn''t possess S-rank skills, yet this unit had SSS-rank weapon mastery at just the Warlord tier. Comparing his own stats to the Living Armor General, he felt a deep unease. [Name: Hazard] Race: Final Evolution ¨C Half-Death God Level: 7 Life: 10,500 Power: 6,000 Agility: 2,500 Mana (Miasma): 101,500 Skills: ... With that, there was only one thing left to do¡ªbuy a new building and reshape his army, hoping to strengthen its foundation for the future. chapter 61 Two hundred kilometers from the territory of the infamous Demon King of the South, a level five Demon King of the Arcane shuddered in his underground sanctuary beside his altar. "Why does it have to be so close to me?! No one else is this close! Damn it, why didn''t I attack earlier?!" Caroline, with her massive spider-like purple body standing thirty meters tall, trembled in a cavern at least two hundred meters underground, connected to a network of tunnels. "Should I join them? No, I won''t bow my head!!! In the end, I¡ª" Her connected webbing vibrated, and the hundreds of crimson eyes beneath her half-humanoid torso started to glow. "Food?" _ Outside a cave covered in white webbing, a six-person group stood ready. Elric, the swordsman; Hamon, the spearman; Jacob, the shield-bearer; Asra, the mage; Freya, the healer; and Afreed, the elf hunter-slave. While Afreed''s wounds had healed, the psychological damage remained evident. "But Elric, shouldn''t we have gotten some proper equipment for Afreed?" Elric turned, glancing at Afreed''s D-rank gear as the elf stared at him with hollow eyes. "We''re out of money. After buying Freya that B-rank priest staff, we''re broke. Once we kill this Demon King, we''ll upgrade Afreed''s equipment." He licked his lips. Over the past few days, as Afreed''s wounds healed, the elf''s beauty had become undeniable¡ªfar surpassing the female members of the party whom Elric had traveled with for a year. The experience from the previous night lingered in his mind, and he struggled to control his lust, his pants tightening. But he didn''t know that the other male party members had also shared a similar experience with Afreed, and even the women, jealous of the elf''s beauty and the attention he stole, tortured Afreed every night in secret. They entered the cave, unaware of the elf gently brushing his foot against a strand of webbing near the wall. _ Three hours later, deep inside the cave, after their first encounter with monstrous spider-like creatures wielding spear-like limbs and bladed appendages, the group found themselves overwhelmed. From every direction, the creatures poured in like a flood. Many of them were elite-ranked or even lord-ranked monsters, while the entire party¡ªexcept for Afreed¡ªwere only lord-ranked. Afreed, being merely elite-ranked, struggled to fight on par with a lord but managed to block attacks, minimizing the danger to his party members. Yet, he never fully intercepted them, allowing his teammates to suffer injuries. "Damn it, she completely lured us in and trapped us!" "I told you it was suspicious! No guards at all?!" But their arguments ended abruptly as a colossal spider-woman emerged. Though naked, she possessed no allure¡ªher face was nonexistent. The sight of her sent a sudden shock through the entire party as they realized her power level: early Warlord rank. "Fooooood!!!" This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Caroline, having survived on the tasteless summons she conjured to avoid being detected by the patrols of the Undead Demon King, longed for the taste of human flesh. Activating her cursed talent, her hundreds of eyes gleamed, randomly inflicting various curse spells on anyone who met her gaze. If the same curse hit a target multiple times, its effect would double or even increase exponentially. One by one, the party members¡ªexcept for Afreed¡ªsuccumbed. Their bodies dried out, their senses dulled, their balance lost. Mental attacks, amplified negative emotions, and physical damage overwhelmed them. Caroline wasted no time, shoving them into her monstrous mouth while sparing Afreed, who stood motionless, confused as to why he was left alive. After her feast, the Demon King approached him. Deactivating her talent, she inspected him. "An elf?!!!! I wonder how you taste??!" She touched Afreed, lifting his arm and examining him. "You''re so small¡­ Does that mean your meat is fresher? Ooooh, what seasoning should I use?" Afreed glanced at his bow, then met her gaze. "Can you give me a quick death, or should I kill myself?" Caroline''s eyes shone as she stared into his lifeless gaze. "Food tastes bad when it dies! An elf''s first taste must be while they''re alive!! You have to stay alive!!!" She pounced on him, wrapping him in layers of webbing. Tiny spiders crawled out from every crevice, swarming over him. She paused for a moment, then, leaving only his head exposed, dragged him deeper into the cavern. _ Elsewhere, Hazard stood before the newly acquired Living Armor Barracks, a towering thirty-meter-tall structure without doors, filled with spectral armor and ghostly weapons that looked like illusions¡ªuntouchable until summoned. He made his choice. "Elite Living Armor" Rank: Elite Level 3HP: 200Strength: 150Agility: 100Mana (Dark): 300Endurance: -Traits: Magic Resistance, Physical ResistanceSkills: Weapon Mastery B, Sonic B, Charge B, Berserk B, and moreCost: 2,000 gold coins "Captain Living Armor" Rank: Lord Level 1HP: 600Strength: 400Agility: 350Mana (Dark): 2,000Endurance: -Traits: Magic Resistance, Physical Resistance, LeadershipSkills: Weapon Mastery S, Leadership A, All Together A, Sonic B, Charge B, Berserk B, and moreCost: 30,000 gold coins "Commander Living Armor" Rank: Overlord Level 1HP: 2,000Strength: 1,200Agility: 800Mana (Dark): 5,000Endurance: -Traits: Magic Resistance, Physical Resistance, Leadership, Defensive DomainSkills: Weapon Mastery SS, Leadership S, All Together S, Sonic A, Charge A, Berserk A, and moreCost: 300,000 gold coins "General Living Armor" Rank: Warlord Level 1HP: 10,000Strength: 4,000Agility: 4,000Mana (Dark): 20,000Endurance: -Traits: Magic Resistance, Physical Resistance, Leadership, Defensive Domain, Immortal SpiritsSkills: Weapon Mastery SSS, Leadership SS, All Together SS, Sonic S, Charge S, Berserk S, and moreCost: 10 million gold coins Hazard summoned 500,000 Elite Living Armors, spending a billion gold coins. The barracks radiated with light as the spectral legion emerged¡ªrows upon rows of armored warriors encased in fiery ghostly auras, their synchronized movements eerily perfect. To maintain order, he summoned 50,000 Living Armor Captains, spending another 1.5 billion gold coins. These captains, wielding massive weapons¡ªgreatswords, halberds, warbows, and crossbows¡ªtook their positions at the front. Next, he summoned 500 Living Armor Commanders, costing 150 million gold coins. Each bore regal, enchanted armor, kneeling before Hazard before being assigned to lead divisions. Finally, 50 Living Armor Generals materialized, their rune-inscribed armors exuding ancient power. They knelt before their king. Then, Hazard called forth a figure¡ªa being destined to shine brighter than ever before. A being who had fought impossible battles and claimed victory despite overwhelming odds. "The Nameless Undead General! In battles where defeat was certain, you never failed me! Despite every disadvantage, you brought glory to the Army of Death!" Hazard ripped apart a rare, 10-million-gold artifact that could elevate an Overlord-rank Undead to Warlord rank. "I name you Artemis and appoint you as the Supreme General of the Kingdom of Death! You shall command the Immortal Armored Legion!" With his transformation complete, Artemis¡ªnow taller and radiating death''s aura¡ªstood before his army. The legion pounded their weapons against the ground in unison, the thunderous echo heralding the rise of a new legend. A legend of an unstoppable army¡ªthe Harvesters of Death.