Hell Lord Krausser

Chapter 1: A New Body

[Dungeon of Darkness, 24th Floor]

A group of adventurers were currently running away from one of the infamous monsters inside the Dungeon of Darkness which was a mid-tier dungeon that was neither hard nor easy for the average adventurer. What they were running away from was a Minotaur – a half-man, half-beast hybrid with a tall and muscular body filled with bulging muscles all over. Not only was this beast incredibly strong, it had very tough skin that required enchanted weapons to damage it. That was why Frederick's team fled at the first sight of it.

"Frederick! That thing's quickly gaining on us! He'll catch up in no time!" said by the archer in their team of five.

"Alfred, can you shut it! I can see it too! Richard, can you cast a slow debuff on that thing? I don't care if it only works for a few seconds, even a few milliseconds will do!"

"Roger! 2nd Circle Magic – Ice Series: Freeze!"

Particles of ice magic gathered on the tip of Richard's staff and quickly formed two overlapping magic circles with archaic characters. It then turned into a blue glowing projectile rushing straight at the Minotaur. The spell made it stop for a bit, but it shrugged it off after a few seconds. The Minotaur became slightly slower due to the additional slowing effect of the Freeze Spell.

"Nice one, Richard! I see a small corridor up ahead. That thing shouldn't be able to follow us there." Alfred said with a tone filled with relief.

Seeing that its preys were getting away, the Minotaur broke off one of the stalactites hanging from the ceiling and threw it at them. They all dodged it agilely and was quickly nearing the entrance to the corridor.

Krausser, the team's swordsman, glanced at the beast and saw it give him a menacing grin. One of the stalactites it threw had blocked the entrance to the corridor, leaving them with no path of retreat and a narrow space to battle properly.

Now, they were left with no choice. Frederick sighed and steeled himself for a battle he would probably not survive.

"This is the end of the road boys. It had been a great time adventuring with you all. I'll rush at it so try to find an opening to flee." Frederick said with resignation as he shouted a battle cry and banged his long sword at his shield repeatedly to attract its attention.

"Damn it! I'm rushing with him too. I'm not gonna wait for my death here. I'll fight too! Raaaaah!"

"I'm with you both. 3rd Circle Magic - Ice Series: Ice Lance!"

"2nd Circle Magic - Dark Series: Weaken!"

All of them fought with all they had and resolved themselves for an arduous battle. But it was as if the Minotaur was laughing at their folly as it launched Frederick straight to the wall with a slam.

Boom!

Frederick slammed to the wall with a speed faster than an arrow and fell to the ground with a thud. It was clear that he had breathed his last as his body was a mangled mess.

""""Frederick! No!""""

Krausser got angry and rushed at the fiend who killed his friend while brandishing his sword. A fierce battle ensued as they all fell one by one. There were once five of them and now, he was all that remained. They had come here in search of fame and fortune, but fate was a playful mistress and the dungeon robbed them of their lives instead.

"So, this is the end for me, huh?"

That was the only thought in Krausser's mind as he gazed upon the colossal figure of the beast before him. It moved towards him with unhurried steps as if all it was doing was playing with a bunch of ants. His body was filled with fear, but he steeled his heart nonetheless and gripped his sword tightly, ready for a last stand.

He had nothing to lose anyways. He had no family or loved ones he would leave behind. He had a few friends but now they were all dead. He wasn't wealthy either and lived a very difficult life of poverty and danger. Even if he had nothing much to live for, he wasn't willing to go down without a fight.

Years of living as an adventurer had thoroughly honed both his mind and body giving him a firm will and an unshakable soul. But all of that were mere jokes in front of the Minotaur as it disappeared from where it stood and appeared right in front of him.

'H-how could it be?'

A look of panic surfaced on his face as he tried to parry with his blade, but it was futile as the Minotaur moved at an incredible speed. Time seemed to slow down for Krausser as the Minotaur's arm madly rushed towards his chest.

But everything suddenly turned to a standstill. The Minotaur's arm was already right in front of his chest, but it was stopped by a mysterious force. Confusion was written all over the Minotaur's face as it was unable to move a single muscle.

'Tell me, human. Do you want to live?'

A deep guttural voice that seemed to come from the abyss rang in his mind. Despite the weirdness of it all, Krausser did not even question its origin and answered it normally.

"Who in the right mind wouldn't want to live? I've lived a harsh life but it's the only life I have. Do you even have to ask?" Krausser said as if it was only natural.

'Then I shall grant you the power to overcome this adversary. But I will claim what should be mine...'

"You don't have to remind me. I only want to survive. I don't care if I have to give you my soul after I die or something!"

Plumes of black smoke rose from the ground and seeped into Krausser's very being. It gave him strength no ordinary man should have. But just by the ominous presence the black smoke emitted, it clearly was not a power that belonged to something good. Nothing changed much on Krausser's body aside from his eye's irises becoming blood-red.

With a newly empowered body and wounds healing at a rate visible to the naked eye, he stood up and ran towards the Minotaur that was still confused.

Puchi!

Krausser's arm penetrated the Minotaur's chest entirely and went out of its back with a beating heart grasped within his hand. It had a look of disbelief and unwillingness as it roared in pain for the last time. He then squeezed his hand holding the Minotaur's heart and crushed it into pieces.

Victorious, Krausser was not even able to celebrate as he was now faced with a newfound danger. As he had thoroughly exhausted himself after overexerting his body, he could only watch as the blade made of black smoke pierced his heart and struck him down.

"B-but why? I-I thought... we had...an... agreement..."

'MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. As if I'll bargain with a mere human. Who do you think I am? Don't worry. I'll put your body into good use.'

Krausser's vision slowly darkened until it all went dark.

And then the adventurer Krausser was no more.

. . .

"This weak vessel will have to do for now." A deep voice said without any emotion.

His ethereal body slowly seeped into Krausser's carcass and occupied every fiber of Krausser's dead body. After fully assimilating and familiarizing itself with its new body, the demon emitted a bright red glow from the body's previously lifeless eyes. The wound on its chest slowly healed completely as if the hole never existed.

'To think I'd be forced to live a dog's life to the point that I must occupy a mortal's body. Just you wait, Ravell! I'll be coming back to hell and kill you!' The demon thought as killing intent emanated from him.

. . .

Eternal Rose City

'Krausser' looked at the tall and sturdy walls and became impressed by how the humans have improved over the years since his last visit a few hundred years ago. He had been one of the pioneers of the Great Demon Invasion and battled with humanity's finest. Their cities weren't this fortified and bustling back then which was why they had easily trampled over many of them in the past.

As he was looking at the scenery with great interest, he arrived at the city's gate and was stopped by one of the guards.

"Halt!"

"What seems to be the problem?" Krausser asked in confusion.

"It has been chaotic these past few days, so the feudal lord had us check every single traveler's identity. Show us your identification and pay the entrance fee and you are free to go in." The guard said flatly.

Krausser patted his body and took out a wooden plate that was likely his adventurer token. On it was 'Krausser' written in the ancient human language.

'Krausser? Pfft.' The demon snorted and laughed a bit.

It was the name of the hero who led humanity's counterattack, pushing back the demons and was also the man responsible for sealing the doors to hell. He was also the one who had defeated it in the past.

'To think I would have to assume the very name of an old 'friend'. Interesting.'

After paying for the entrance fee and undergoing a check, he was finally able to go in.

Eternal Rose City was overflowing with life and was one of the most frequently visited cities. Because the city was near the Dungeon of Darkness, many adventurers would come visit. Where there are adventurers, merchants would come in droves. That was what made Eternal Rose City prosperous. Its citizens were full of smiles and living meaningful lives. The streets were also clean, and the place had decent public order.

If not for his current weak self with his soul in tatters and incomplete, 'Krausser' would have liked to cause chaos in this city and conduct a massacre. Humans living well irritated him.

Compared to a peaceful life like this, life in hell was a daily struggle where wars and massacres were as natural as breathing. Its heart was suddenly filled with the desire to destroy everything. But it managed to hold back its inner desire and acted how a normal human would.

'Since I'm now a human, I'll act like one then.'

He walked around for a bit, going into various places and inspecting everything with great curiosity. He slowly familiarized himself with everything the city has to offer. Night fell but he never stopped roaming around.

When he got to a deserted back alley, a few men appeared from the shadows and surrounded him. Their sinister glares smelled like trouble with their eyes overflowing with greed.

One of them who seemed to be the strongest of the bunch went forward and asked, "You have a lot of guts walking around alone deep into the night. Are you brave or just plain dumb? Hahahaha."

The robber's subordinates laughed with him in agreement. Krausser wasn't even fazed but was happy instead. Some foolish humans suddenly offered themselves to him as sustenance. He was essentially offered food in a silver platter!

"How kind of you all to have come and offer me a feast. Tonight, I shall dine to my heart's content!" Krausser licked his lips with fervor as he licked his lips with gusto.

The group of troublemakers were confused. The leader's anger peaked as he was utterly ignored by the idiot in front of him.

"You lowly bastard dare to ignore me? Hmph. I was only planning to rob you of your belongings, but I change my mind. Tonight, you will die!"

The leader drew his saber from its sheath and wielded it with practiced movements. Mana was infused on the blade as flames coated it.

The leader slashed out and shouted, "Eat this! Saber Technique - Blazing Slash!"

A fierce slash of flames swiftly went towards Krausser. It looked impressive and powerful but Krausser only raised a palm to receive the attack.

Boom!

A fiery blaze exploded which engulfed Krausser whole. The robbers cheered for their boss' powerful attack that surely burnt the arrogant bastard to a crisp. They did not even care if the bastard's belongings burn to ashes or not. All they care about was for him to suffer and die.

But when the flames settled down, the man was still standing. Aside from minor burns and slightly tattered clothes, he was alright. This dumbfounded all of them and their mouths hanged open.

Krausser patted his clothes and said provokingly, "Was that it? You humans sure have become weak."

"Y-you bastard..."

The leader became thoroughly incensed and ordered his subordinates to rush at the arrogant bastard all at the same time.

They yelled out battle cries and used their various weapons to try to dismember him.

Krausser dodged the nearest robber's attack and placed his hand on the enemy's face.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

The robber screamed in intense pain and struggled desperately but Krausser's iron-hard vice grip was difficult to get out of. The robber's body slowly became a dried-up corpse and stopped moving.

Everyone who saw what happened had looks of horror. Some of them even soiled their pants on the spot.

"A demon. He's definitely a demon!"

Krausser looked at the one who had just spoke and his gaze bore into the robber's body causing his legs to give up on him.

But he retracted his gaze and had a sinister smile plastered on his face as he looked around at all of them.

"You all should be honored to become this great one's meal. Now then, which of you shall I eat next?"