Free Trial

Leo entered the chamber beyond the red door, his steps heavy and deliberate. The air was thick with heat, the stench of sulfur assaulting his senses. Rivers of lava flowed along the chamber's edges, their glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. Dark smoke hovered in the air like restless spirits, curling and twisting in unnatural patterns.

He mumbled to himself, placing a trembling hand over his bloodied shoulder. "Regeneration." A faint glow enveloped his wounds, but the healing was far from complete. The spell that usually worked instantaneously now barely stitched his injuries, leaving him more exhausted than before.

"What's going on..." Leo muttered, his voice strained. His infinite mana reserves, which had always been his greatest strength, now felt like a drying well. The constant drain from the spell Don had cast weighed heavily on him, choking his ability to replenish his energy.

"I can't absorb mana... because of this cursed spell," he growled. His frustration was evident, but there was no time to dwell on it.

As he pressed forward, his eyes fell on a row of strange, grotesque statues lining the chamber walls. They depicted monstrous creatures with distorted faces, wings curled in, and jagged claws poised to strike. For a moment, they seemed harmless—mere decorations in this hellish place.

But as he took another step, a low grinding noise echoed through the chamber. The statues began to move, stone cracking and crumbling as they came to life. Their eyes glowed a malevolent red, and their claws extended as they descended from their pedestals.

"Goyals," Leo whispered, recognizing the creatures immediately. They were ancient constructs of destruction, animated by dark magic to serve as relentless guardians.

Balha pulsed weakly in his grip, its glow dim and flickering. The sword, though beginning to recover some of its former strength, was still far from its full potential. Leo tightened his grip on the hilt, feeling the strain in his injured arm.

"So, you're what stands in my way now," he said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion etched into his features.

The Goyals lunged at him with unnatural speed, their claws slicing through the air. Leo's movements were sharp and deliberate as he swung Balha, infusing the blade with Qi. The energy rippled through the air like a crimson wave, tearing through the constructs with terrifying precision.

The first attack split two of the Goyals in half, their stone forms shattering into fragments that scattered across the chamber floor. The remaining statues advanced, their eyes glowing brighter as they emitted guttural growls.

Leo swung again, releasing another Qi-infused attack. This time, the strike surged forward with even greater intensity, the sheer force of it cutting down the remaining statues and Goyals in an instant.

The chamber fell silent, save for the bubbling of lava and the faint hum of Balha. Leo stood amidst the rubble, his breathing labored, his body screaming in protest.

"Not bad," he muttered to himself, lowering Balha slightly. "But this... isn't over yet."

He took a moment to collect himself, his gaze shifting toward the chamber's end. There, shrouded in the haze of smoke, lay another door, its surface carved with runes that pulsed faintly with dark energy.

Leo's eyes narrowed as he took a step forward, gripping Balha tightly. Whatever lay beyond, he knew it would test him in ways he hadn't yet faced.

Leo's eyes narrowed as he pushed the heavy dark door open. Before him lay a battlefield of chaos—his knights were locked in a desperate struggle against shadow knights, their strikes futile as the dark constructs reformed moments after being cut down.

A shadow knight raised its blade to end one of his own. Without hesitation, Leo leaped into action, Balha slicing through the air in a brilliant arc of light. The shadow dissipated instantly, saving the knight in the final moment.

"Keep fighting! I'll find the source," Leo commanded, his voice unwavering despite his fatigue.

He glanced around, assessing the unrelenting onslaught. His grip tightened on Balha as he mumbled to himself, "Dons... how much mana do you even have?!"

The battle raged on, but Leo knew the answer lay with the spell caster controlling the shadows. He wouldn't rest until he ended this nightmare.

The battle raged on, chaos engulfing the knights trapped within the spell. Blood stained the stone floors, mixing with the cries of the wounded and dying. Around thirty knights remained, their once-proud armor battered and smeared with grime. Each clash of steel against shadow echoed through the suffocating darkness. 

Leo fought relentlessly, Balha slicing through shadow knights with blazing precision. Yet, despite his efforts, more fell—some to the unending waves of shadows, others to exhaustion. 

Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, causing both knights and shadows to falter for a moment. A deafening, guttural roar filled the chamber. The tremor was followed by a sound—a relentless pounding that grew louder, closer. 

"What is that?" one knight gasped, panic rising in his voice. 

The walls of the castle quivered, and then, from the shadows, they emerged. A horde of emperor-tier beasts—massive, monstrous, their forms oozing with malice and power. Their glowing eyes locked onto the knights, hungry and merciless. 

The knights froze, terror gripping them. "We can't… we can't fight those!" a young knight shouted, his voice cracking. 

To make matters worse, glowing orbs of dark magic formed in the distance. One after another, they launched toward the knights, exploding upon impact with deafening force. The screams of the injured and the shouts of those trying to protect them filled the air. 

Leo stood in the midst of the chaos, Balha glowing faintly in his hand. He cut down beast after beast, deflecting the magical attacks with every ounce of strength he had. Yet, no matter how many he slew, more replaced them. He could feel the toll—his limbs ached, his breaths came in sharp gasps—but he didn't stop. 

He couldn't stop. 

"Get behind me!" Leo yelled, shielding a wounded knight from an incoming blast. The explosion scorched his shoulder, but he didn't flinch. 

Still, the cries of his men reached his ears. A knight stumbled, screaming as an emperor-tier beast pounced on him. Another fell to the ground, clutching his chest from a dark magic attack. 

"Why... Why can't I protect them all?" Leo mumbled through gritted teeth, frustration boiling within him. His blue eyes burned with tears he refused to let fall. 

A particularly powerful beast lunged toward a group of knights huddled together, too exhausted to defend themselves. Leo surged forward, slashing through its massive form. "Get up!" he shouted at them. "Don't give in! Fight!" 

But their eyes were hollow, their spirits broken. 

A knight nearby gripped Leo's arm, his face pale and bloodied. "Your Majesty... leave us. Save yourself. You can't..." 

"Enough!" Leo roared, his voice trembling with emotion. He turned to face the horde, his hands trembling as he raised Balha once more. "I won't abandon you! None of you!" 

The beasts roared, their shadows blotting out the faint light that lingered. The knights' cries and the relentless onslaught echoed in Leo's mind like a haunting melody. His heart ached with every sound, every face twisted in pain. 

"This can't happen," Leo whispered to himself, his grip tightening on Balha. "They're not meant to suffer like this. I promised to protect them... and I will." 

As the beasts charged again, Leo planted his feet firmly, his blue eyes glowing brighter. With a desperate scream, he launched himself back into the fray, determined to shield the lives of those who still stood—even if it cost him his own.

Amid the chaos, Leo's blue eyes began to glow a fierce yellow, like two radiant suns piercing through the darkness. His battered form stood tall, his grip on Balha unwavering. Energy surged through his body, not from his usual reserves but from somewhere deeper—an unrelenting will born of desperation and fury.

Leo raised his hand, and in its wake, a glowing yellow orb, the size of a human head, materialized in the air. Its brilliance illuminated the grim battlefield, momentarily pausing the beasts and shadow knights.

"This ends now!" Leo roared, his voice echoing through the chamber.

One orb became two, then three, then six. They hovered around him, spinning rapidly, their light pulsating like miniature stars. The knights watched in awe as the orbs seemed to hum with power, their warmth cutting through the cold despair that had gripped them moments ago.

The first orb fired, releasing a concentrated beam of energy that pierced through an emperor-tier beast, disintegrating it on the spot. Another orb launched a volley of smaller blasts, each one striking shadow knights and beasts with pinpoint precision.

One by one, the orbs unleashed their power, creating a barrage of attacks that pushed back the relentless enemies. The knights, reinvigorated by the sudden turn of events, rallied behind Leo, their swords and shields rising once more.

"Hold your ground!" Leo shouted as he deflected a clawed attack with Balha, his golden eyes darting between his enemies and his comrades. The orbs spun faster, their attacks becoming more relentless, cutting down beasts and shadows alike.

The knights felt hope rekindle in their hearts. "His Majesty is fighting for us! Don't let him down!" one of them cried, spurring the others to fight harder.

The battlefield shifted. The once-overwhelming horde was now thinning, their ranks decimated by the relentless assault from the glowing orbs. Leo's resolve burned brighter than ever, his golden eyes focused, his mind unwavering.

"This is our fight," Leo muttered under his breath, gripping Balha tighter. "And we will win."

Just as the tide seemed to be turning, a sudden shift in the air sent chills down Leo's spine. The ground beneath him trembled violently, cracks forming like dark veins. Before he could react, a swirling black hole opened beneath his feet, consuming him in an instant.

"Your Majesty!" the knights shouted in unison, their voices laced with panic.

Leo's yellow eyes widened as the darkness enveloped him. He tried to grip Balha tighter, but the pull of the black hole was overwhelming. The sounds of the battlefield faded, replaced by an eerie silence and the sensation of falling endlessly through the void.

With a sudden thud, Leo was spat out onto a cold, unfamiliar floor. He groaned, pushing himself up, his body still aching from the previous battle. Looking around, he found himself in a vast, dimly lit chamber. The air was thick, almost suffocating, and the walls were lined with grotesque carvings of creatures unknown to him.

"What now?" Leo muttered, his voice echoing in the emptiness. He gripped Balha, its faint glow the only source of light in the oppressive darkness.

As he took a cautious step forward, the ground shifted slightly, and a sinister laugh echoed through the chamber.

"Welcome, Hero," a deep, mocking voice boomed. "You've made it this far... but this is where your journey truly begins."

Leo's eyes narrowed, his yellow gaze scanning the room for the source of the voice. He steadied himself, despite the exhaustion clawing at his body.

"This castle just keeps throwing surprises," Leo muttered to himself, gripping Balha tighter as he prepared for whatever was waiting for him in the depths of the unknown.

Leo hit the ground hard, pain erupting in his chest. He gritted his teeth, feeling the sharp sting of a broken rib. Summoning his magic, he forced the bone to mend, the green glow of his healing flickering faintly.

Leaning on Balha, he stood, his breathing heavy but steady. The dark chamber around him pulsed with eerie red runes, the silence broken only by a faint slithering sound in the distance. 

"No time to rest," he muttered, gripping his sword tightly. "They need me. Whatever's here—bring it on." 

However before he can think or do Crimson light exploded, incinerating his left shoulder. The searing pain was a monstrous echo of his earlier wound, a fresh wave of agony crashing over him. 

Leo stumbled back, clutching his shattered shoulder as blood poured down. His body shook, the agony almost unbearable. Balha, his faithful sword, had disintegrated into dust, leaving him defenseless.

Dons' voice echoed coldly through the chamber.

"You still think of your knights? Let's see how much you value them when it's your life on the line."

A barrage of crimson attacks rained down on Leo. He braced himself, his battered body enduring each blow. One particularly powerful laser sliced through the air, severing his left arm. The searing pain was blinding, but Leo refused to scream, his teeth clenched as his breath came in ragged gasps.

Another strike took his right leg, sending him crashing to the ground. His vision blurred, blood pooling beneath him as his body refused to respond. He tried to summon even a flicker of magic to heal, but there was nothing left.

Through the torment, the anguished cries of his knights reached his ears, cutting deeper than any wound. Their screams echoed, fueling his despair.

"I... I can't..." Leo whispered, his voice trembling. Tears mixed with blood as he pressed his forehead to the cold, unforgiving floor. "I can't let them die... not like this..."

Dons' laughter filled the air, mocking and cruel.

"So, what will it be, hero? Your life... or theirs?" 

Leo gritted his teeth, dragging his broken body forward, his bloodied hands trembling as they gripped the ground. His voice was low but firm, "I have to go to them... They need me!"

He could feel the searing pain in every inch of his body, but it didn't matter. He crawled on, inch by inch, determined.

Dons' voice echoed ominously through the chamber, filled with a cold amusement.

"Still thinking of your knights, are you? Tell me, why fight so hard for humans? For people who don't even know how to stay loyal? Even a dog knows the meaning of loyalty. So tell me, Leo—what spell did they cast on you to make you so blind?"

Leo stopped, his bloodied body trembling as he pushed himself up slightly with his one remaining arm. His voice was hoarse but unwavering.

"Because I'm their Emperor... I'm the Knight King! If death comes to my people, it should face me first—not them."

A sudden laser beam struck him square on his back, the force slamming him down again. The pain was unbearable, but Leo didn't stop. He gritted his teeth, dragging himself forward once more.

"You ask why?!" Leo shouted, his voice filled with raw emotion. "Because we fight to protect the smiles of those we love! Every father here fights because he wants to see his child's face one more time. Every knight pushes forward because we want to preserve the happiness of our people!"

Dons remained silent for a moment, then spoke, his tone almost contemplative.

"You are truly a hero, Leo. Kind like your mother... stubborn like your father. But tell me this—your knights protect the smiles of their loved ones by killing my soldiers. What about them? Don't my soldiers have families they fight for too? Who will save them?"

Leo paused at Dons' words, a faint smile breaking through his bloodied lips. His voice softened, though it carried a profound weight.

"Dons, you are kindhearted yourself... Perhaps more than you'd like to admit."

Dons chuckled darkly, his voice echoing through the eerie silence. "Look at your knights, Leo. They're dead now. What will you do even if you reach them?"

Leo's trembling form stilled, his head lowered. His normal blue eyes flickered, then blazed into a bright gold as a searing wave of emotion surged through him. His voice was low, almost a growl.

"Then I will avenge them!"

An unfamiliar, wild energy began to rise within Leo. He could feel it coursing through his broken body, a force unlike anything he had ever known. Despite his exhaustion, despite the absence of mana or Qi within him, this golden energy roared to life, demanding to be used. 

Without hesitation, Leo accepted it. His injuries began to heal in an instant. The gaping wounds, the broken bones—all of it mended as if the pain had never existed. His hair flowed, not with the air, but with the raw, golden power enveloping him.

Dons' smirk faltered as his eyes widened. "Is that... Is that what I think it is?! The Gold Manak—the power of the Second Demon King! How is this possible?!" His voice cracked with disbelief. "The Gold Manak was said to be untamable, held only by the Second Demon King. I've studied the legendary Nine Demon Kings... My power similar to the First, but the Second's power... it's not meant for mortals to wield!"

He stumbled back, his mind reeling.

"Lola... you said the child of prophecy... Could it be? Is Leo...?"

Leo's body now stood completely healed. Without summoning Balha, the sword materialized in his hand, glowing brighter than ever before. Its aura was transformed, its power unmistakably greater. Leo stared at it, awestruck.

"What is this power...?" he muttered, gripping the weapon tightly.

Wasting no time, Leo stabbed the sword into the cold, dark floor of the castle, his voice booming with authority.

"Reverse Magic: Life Castle, Seven Doors!"

The ground beneath them trembled violently, the entire castle shaking as though it would collapse. A shockwave rippled outward, shaking not only the Death Castle but the battlefield beyond. Everyone, including the knights and demons, paused in stunned silence. 

As Leo stood amidst the rising golden energy, his mind was suddenly interrupted by a cold, mechanical voice reverberating in his thoughts.

"Hi, you have passed the previous test on your first try. Here is your reward.

You will receive a free trial—only for this battle."

The voice paused, then continued in an eerily calm tone.

"Access to all available options granted.

However, your body can only hold 3% of the system's power.

Reminder: This power is limited to this battle. In future battles, the system will not assist you. This is a free trial."

Leo's golden eyes flickered, confusion momentarily replacing his determination. He gripped Balha tighter, his knuckles white against its hilt.

"What... is this?!" Leo mumbled, his voice trembling with equal parts disbelief and frustration.

The words echoed in his mind, mocking and foreign. Yet, as the golden energy surged within him, he couldn't deny the overwhelming power it offered.

"A free trial...?" he repeated under his breath, his brows furrowing. "What kind of twisted game is this?"

But there was no time to dwell on the strange revelation. The battlefield raged on, and the cries of his knights echoed faintly in the distance, grounding him once more.

"If this is what it takes to protect them... so be it," Leo whispered, steeling himself. The golden power surged, ready for his command.