The air twisted violently.
It was no longer just a presence behind Maël—it was domination.
Space itself groaned under the weight of the being that had appeared. The ground cracked, spiderweb fractures spreading beneath Maël's feet.
A tall figure stepped forward.
Crimson skin covered in glowing black runes. Six massive obsidian wings folded neatly behind his back. Curved horns rose from his skull, and his golden eyes radiated ancient authority.
— I am Adramelech, the demon said calmly.
— One of the Supreme Demons.
Every word carried killing intent.
Maël slowly turned around.
He stared at the demon for several seconds.
Then… he smiled.
A cold, amused smile.
— So it's that serious, huh? Maël said.
— If the Demon King sends one of his strongest subordinates…
His mana stirred, dark and violent.
— Then I must be closer than I thought.
Adramelech narrowed his eyes.
— Insolent human.
— You should kneel. Dying under my judgment would be an honor.
Maël tilted his head.
— Honor?
— Sorry. I don't bow to executioners.
Silence fell.
Then Adramelech laughed.
A deep, distorted laugh.
— Very well.
— I refuse to dirty the living world with your corpse.
He raised one clawed hand.
Reality shattered.
A massive magic circle erupted beneath them, filled with forbidden symbols. Space folded inward like torn paper.
— Enter, Adramelech commanded.
— I will show you despair.
The world vanished.
Maël landed on solid ground.
Cold. Lifeless.
An ashen sky stretched endlessly above him. Countless souls drifted through the air, screaming in eternal agony. Rivers of blood flowed between mountains of bones. Pillars made of skulls pierced the horizon.
— The Realm of the Dead, Adramelech announced, spreading his wings.
— Even gods fear this place.
Maël took a slow breath.
— Nice scenery.
Adramelech frowned.
— This realm crushes mortal minds.
— You should already be screaming.
Maël stepped forward.
Each step fractured the ground.
— I've been living here since I was six.
For a brief moment, Adramelech was silent.
Then he smiled cruelly.
— Ah… the child who hid beneath his family's corpses.
The atmosphere changed.
Maël stopped walking.
His mana no longer flowed.
It erupted.
— Say that again.
Adramelech's smile widened.
— Your parents screamed beautifully when—
The world exploded.
Maël vanished.
— Too slow.
Adramelech's torso was obliterated.
Blood burst into the sky like a storm. The Supreme Demon screamed as his body violently regenerated, flesh and bone snapping back into place.
— You dare—
Maël reappeared in front of him, fist already moving.
— Shut up.
The punch landed.
Adramelech was launched across the Realm of the Dead, smashing through mountains of bones and ancient ruins. The ground trembled violently.
The demon staggered to his feet, wings torn, blood dripping from his body.
— Impossible… Adramelech growled.
— You haven't even released all your power…
Maël looked down at him.
Expressionless.
— Because you're not worth it.
His mana exploded outward.
The sky cracked like glass.
A massive vortex formed above Maël, devouring souls, light, and space itself.
— Domain Release: Grave of Absolute Silence.
The Realm of the Dead screamed.
Chains made of pure mana burst from the ground, wrapping around Adramelech's limbs, wings, and neck.
— WAIT—!
Maël raised his hand.
— You wanted my death.
— Now experience it.
The chains tightened.
Adramelech's body collapsed inward. Bones shattered. Existence itself began to erase.
— DEMON KING—!
— Tell him yourself.
Maël clenched his fist.
Adramelech vanished.
Not destroyed.
Erased.
The realm trembled violently.
Then—
A massive black gate appeared.
Beyond it stood a throne.
Maël walked forward.
Each step echoed like a drum of war.
The gate opened completely.
A colossal hall stretched endlessly, forged from obsidian and gold. Demons lined the sides, kneeling, trembling, unable to lift their heads.
At the far end—
A throne.
And seated upon it—
The Demon King.
Calm. Smiling.
— You've grown, the Demon King said softly.
— I knew you would survive.
Maël stopped a few meters away.
— You sent Adramelech.
— A test, the Demon King replied.
— You passed.
Maël's mana surged, cracking the floor.
— You destroyed my village.
— You killed my family.
The Demon King's smile widened.
— And yet… you stand before me.
— Because of me.
Silence.
Then Maël laughed.
A hollow laugh.
— Enjoy your throne.
The Demon King rose slowly.
— You're leaving already?
Maël turned his back.
— I'll come back.
He glanced over his shoulder, eyes burning with hatred.
— And when I do…
— There will be no hell left for you to rule.
The Demon King laughed deeply.
— Good.
— I've been waiting for that day.
Maël vanished.
The Demon King's smile slowly faded.
— Prepare everything, he commanded.
— The real war begins now.
Far away, in the human world—
Maël collapsed to one knee.
Blood streamed from his eyes.
— Still… not enough…
Behind him, something ancient stirred.
Something forbidden.
Something that should never awaken.