With Asmodeus out of the picture, the entire flow of Act 4 had been completely derailed.
Chapter 3 through Chapter 5—gone, just like that.
All the buildup, the tension, the foreshadowing—it vanished into thin air.
Now, complications were bound to arise sooner or later.
After all, Act 4 wasn't just any section of the story.
It was supposed to serve as the foundation—the arc that solidified Lucas's growth, his recognition as a hero, and his destiny as the so-called Demon King's Slayer.
It was the moment that defined his role to the world, the event that validated his title and status both narratively and thematically.
But now? That title couldn't be rightfully his anymore.
And while the loss of the title or fame itself wasn't exactly detrimental—since those didn't directly influence his combat ability—the real issue lay deeper.
It was about his development.
