Liam woke, his heart hammering against his ribs. He was in his bed in the palace,
but something was terribly wrong.
His eyes snapped open,
and he saw her.
Princess Lyra lay beside him,
her soft hair fanned across the pillow,
her eyes still closed ,
and... she was without dress.
The memories of last night's celebratory feast, the king's endless toasts, the rich wine,
all flooded back in a hazy blur. Did something happen?
Just then,
Lyra stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open,
then widened in a sudden, mortified realization. Their gazes met, both seeing the impossible,
awkward truth.
A gasp escaped her lips, and she bolted from the bed, a blur of motion as she grabbed a silk robe and fled the room,
a faint squeak of embarrassment echoing in her wake.
Liam buried his face in his hands, red to the roots of his hair.
Breakfast was a surprisingly less awkward, seeking to diffuse the tension,
Liam suggested a walk in the palace gardens,
Lyra
You don't have to say it , I know you have to go again.
I'm busy too I'm in the middle of finding something
Big about your power maybe this time.
When you come back I will have some answers
Liam bid farewell and teleported into the Whisperwind Jungle.
He walked for days, pushing further than ever before.
In the distance, a colossal palace loomed, dominated by a single , impossibly tall tower.
After a five-day walk, he reached the gates of the Dark Castle.
They slowly opened , and as he stepped inside, they slammed shut.
A deep voice echoed, "Welcome ! Adventurer
If you can get to the last floor, you're worthy of fighting me.
I'm the 6th Demon Lord Army General.
Hahahah! This castle is going to be your grave!"
Liam ignored the taunts and entered the first floor.
The door sealed behind him.
> Detection
> * Demon Soldier
> * Demon Count: 250 Soldiers
> * Level Range: 45 - 60
>
From every shadow,
the creatures swarmed.
Liam's fist infused with Light Attributes,
shattering demonic flesh.
This wasn't a fight of skill, but of sheer, overwhelming power.
Within minutes, the floor was littered with fading remains.
> FLOOR CLEARED!
> * Demons Defeated: 250
> * Experience Gained: 10,000
> LEVEL UP! (x10)
> Liam – Level 136/∞
> * Title: Assassin
> * Strength: 670
> * Agility: 670
> * Endurance: 670
> * Magic: 670
> * Dark Force: 320
> * Green Attributes: 45
> * Light Attributes: 40
> * Health: 39000/39000
>
"Their levels weren't high,""They weren't powerful." That's why I didn't get more experience points
He advanced to the second floor.
In the center of the chamber stood a grotesque, towering beast.
> DETECTION!
> Demon Overseer – Level 132
> * Strength: 700
> * Agility: 600
> * Endurance: 700
> * Magic: 600
> * Health: 41000/41000
>
The Demon Overseer roared and charged.
The fight was brutal,
a dance of destruction and raw power.
Liam utilized every facet of his paradoxical attributes,
weaving Dark Force blasts with bursts of enhancing Light energy,
and subtly activating his Green Attributes for continuous recovery. He moved faster, hit harder. With a final, desperate surge of power, he unleashed a force, tearing the demon's head apart.
Liam stood, panting heavily, leaning against a crumbling wall. His magic was at his absolute limit.
> System!
> * Enemy: Demon Overseer
> * Experience Gained: 20,000
> LEVEL UP! (x20)
> Liam – Level 156/∞
> * Title: Assassin
> * Strength: 770
> * Agility: 770
> * Endurance: 770
> * Magic: 10
> * Dark Force: 360
> * Green Attributes: 65
> * Light Attributes: 40
> * Health: 45000/45000
A shadow detached itself from the deeper darkness. A figure stepped forward, radiating an aura of overwhelming power.
> Detection!
> Demon Lord General (6th) – Level 165
> * Title: The True Commander
> * Strength: 850
> * Agility: 850
> * Endurance: 850
> * Magic: 850
> * Health: 50000/50000
> * Attribute: Dark
>
The Demon General stood directly in front of Liam,
its face a mask of dark amusement.
"I can kill you now,"
"but what's the point if I don't fight for the victory ?
the General extended a hand, and a wave of swirling,
dark energy washed over him.
It was a surge of raw, cold healing magic.
It was the first time Liam had ever seen dark magic used for healing.
The General then shimmered, beginning to disappear.
Its voice echoed, "I'm waiting in the last floor.
Make a full recovery and come to me.
I don't want to fight a weakened opponent.
I'm a General. A respected warrior."
Liam's eyes, wide with confusion and exhaustion, slid shut.