The Great Demon Haellagos
"......The Great Demon Haellagos?"
Alkados flinched. He was all too familiar with Haellagos's infamous reputation. Ruler of the Withered Land, lord of countless armies. Even if this was just an avatar, the appearance of such a being here couldn't be brushed off lightly.
"So you're the bastard's patron?"
"Indeed. It seems you've finally grasped the gravity of your transgressions. This one is no mere whelp you can threaten with a blade. You shall atone for your insolence with your life."
"Ha! Atone with my life? You arrogant little demon brat. Do you even know who I am? I'm Alkados, one of the three heads of Wichikill! No one gives me orders!"
Yoahim's heart shriveled under the clash between Alkados and Haellagos. A Lv.130 versus a Lv.150—this was no joke. Anyone weaker in body or mind might have suffocated under the sheer killing intent radiating from these titans.
"Wichikill? Alkados? Ah, yes. I've heard the name. Bunch of fools strutting around like they matter. You think your rabble can stand against the lord of the Abyss just because Wichikill has some muscle?"
"All you do is play soldier with pathetic wasteland grunts, yet you talk big. Lord of the Abyss? Even if that trash swarmed us, they couldn't touch Wichikill!"
"Oh? Then prove it. Show me if your ragtag Wichikill can withstand my legions."
"You think we can't? Wichikill has roots in every corner of the kingdoms. We can incite the people, sway opinion, and rally the royal armies if we must. I'm the one curious—can your precious legions survive the kingdoms' wrath?"
"Heh heh heh. Talk of war, eh? Just what I hoped for. Why do you think I've built my domain and trained my soldiers? The dogs of Raello cannot coexist with me. One side must fall, and it shall be mine—the question is only when. The outcome is set!"
Alkados didn't flinch at Haellagos's bellow. Instead, he threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Hahaha! Why'd you build your domain and train soldiers? Who doesn't know? You lack the guts for war with the kingdoms! It's all bluff! Because your legions exist to protect you from Lich Alzahar! Am I wrong, you coward?"
Lich Alzahar? Yoahim racked his brain, but the name drew a blank. I'm trapped in the game I was playing, and somehow there are more new names than familiar ones? He tsked to himself.
"Speechless? I hit the mark! Drop the bluff and get lost, demon! You're not even your true self—just a pathetic avatar can't stop me!"
"......You dare threaten me?"
The shadow spat green flames once more. The searing blaze lunged for Alkados, but he dodged nimbly, leaving only innocent trees and weeds to burn.
Alkados laughed "hahaha" and gathered mana in his left hand, aiming to dispel the annoying shadow with powerful magic. But—
"Hm?"
Space begins to warp with a chilling wind.
Yoahim's eyes widened, and Alkados furrowed his brow. As a so-called magic swordsman, he knew exactly what was happening. Space was twisting, distorting distance itself. The result? A spatial rift.
"No way......"
Thud. Thud.
From the warped hole emerged a knight in black armor. The Death Knight's helm glowed with crimson eyes. Each step brought a chilling gust and swirling black smoke. The massive greatsword slung on its back clanked ominously, its blade fresh with flesh and blood, as if it had just cleaved something apart.
No one could mistake it for anything ordinary. Alkados twisted his lips and spat.
"......A Death Knight? You opened a gate and sent one just for this punk? You're insane."
Yoahim jolted at "Death Knight." Among Haellagos's minions, they were the bravest and strongest. This one looked over Lv.100 to him. Alkados could handle it, but with Haellagos's avatar here too? Victory would come at a bloody cost.
"As you say, I can't move my full forces lightly. But killing you here? Trivial. Shall we test it?"
"......Tch."
This fight offered Alkados no gain. He'd come to kill Yoahim for Wichikill's pride—success brought little reward, but failure or even victory meant heavy losses. He calculated swiftly. Infuriating, but pointless.
"I'll let it slide this time. Don't expect luck next round."
Yoahim flinched under Alkados's murderous glare, which carried the power to cow a man with a look.
"And Haellagos. Next time, don't hide behind an avatar. Face me yourself—I'll take your head."
"I'm looking forward to it. Whose head will roll?"
"Hmph!"
Alkados snorted and turned, vanishing after a few steps via magic.
"Haa......"
Yoahim exhaled only after confirming Alkados was gone. His numb body proved how long he'd endured that killing intent. His labored breath normalized, and the cold wind warmed again. A Lv.130 powerhouse could alter the very atmosphere with presence alone.
"You've tangled in quite the mess, Apostle Yoahim."
Yoahim whipped around at the voice behind him. He'd escaped Alkados, but the real issue remained: the Great Demon Haellagos. Why was he here?
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Why else? I granted you power, so I sense dangers to you. As servant of Kallagon and your patron, I have a duty to protect you, Apostle Yoahim."
Who's protecting who? Yoahim hadn't realized Haellagos watched him this closely. Wasn't this basically surveillance? It saved his life, sure, but it still felt off.
"And thanks to that crystal you carry. Even I struggle to project an avatar this far. But with my crystal—and the souls it absorbed—I could manifest here."
Crystal? Yoahim recalled the one from the dungeon. He opened his inventory and pulled it out.
'All gone.' Haellagos must've burned through the souls inside. A shame, but it saved his neck.
"You've gathered souls diligently. Enough even for a gate."
Yoahim glanced at the gate. Born of twisted space, it linked to Haellagos's domain in the Withered Land.
"I planned to wait for you in my domain. But you've stirred trouble already—I can't delay. I won't always be here to save you, Apostle Yoahim. Use the gate and come to my domain."
Right now? Yoahim swallowed hard. He wasn't ready. Hell, he didn't want to go. He was human—not undead, demon, or devil. Apostle of some evil god or not, his core was human. Who'd want to live in a monster-infested hellhole like Haellagos's turf?
"Uh, does it have to be now? I've got personal stuff......"
"Apostle Yoahim, as Kallagon's apostle, you must grow stronger. As your patron, I must forge you thus. We act on duty. Or do you dare refuse my goodwill?"
Yoahim bit his lip. Joining Haellagos meant power beyond grinding monsters—faster, surer growth. But every gain had risks.
'Could get dragged into some bullshit war and die.'
Kalsara and Tolstone Towers allied against Haellagos already; more would join. And as Alkados said, Wichikill could rally kingdoms. Tower alliance plus royal armies? Even Haellagos couldn't guarantee victory.
'Don't wanna die like a dog.'
If war hit, Haellagos would shove him upfront as vanguard. No matter how strong Yoahim got, wars drew every powerhouse. No guarantees of survival. He clenched his fist, eyeing the shadow.
'Run for it?'
This was just an avatar, and the shadow had expended power on Alkados. Good timing could mean escape.
But.
"......"
Clank. Clank.
The metallic clash sent chills down his spine. Yoahim glanced back—the Death Knight now loomed behind him. It just stood there, yet the pressure pinned him in place. Its crimson gaze said nothing, but its presence screamed.
'......Run and I'm dead.'
Dead. Absolutely. And fleeing meant ditching Leon and Sasha. Short time together or not, they'd followed him as "Apostle." He couldn't discard them like trash.
Yoahim sighed softly.
"Fine, I'll go. But can I bring my friends? They're banged up."
"No issue. Fellow servants of Kallagon—welcome them."
With permission granted, the Death Knight offered Yoahim a small vial. He stared at the swirling green liquid; the knight shook its hand, urging him to take it.
"What's this?"
The Death Knight mimed uncorking and drinking instead of answering.
"Drink it?"
Not some knockout drug, is it? Suspicious, but defying it wasn't wise. Yoahim uncorked and sipped cautiously.
Vitality restored.
His wounds healed, pain vanished. Not suspicious—a high-end potion. Feeling lighter, Yoahim stretched. The Death Knight stared, urging haste.
"......Yeah, let's go."
As Yoahim stepped forward, the Death Knight hoisted the unconscious Leon and Sasha over its shoulders. Haellagos's satisfied voice echoed from behind.
"Mmm. I'll await you, Apostle Yoahim. Tonight, a feast in your honor. Summon all my direct subordinates. Heh heh heh—look forward to it."
His idea of courtesy, my idea of a hassle.
Yoahim sighed and trailed the Death Knight like a lamb to the slaughter.