Demon King's Castle, Top Floor.
Eiji kicked away a red-skinned demon.
After acquiring the [Sword God] skill with the "All Things as My Blade" effect, Eiji's attacks were no longer limited to swords—his fists and legs could also strike his opponents.
The only condition was that he had to use sword techniques.
Before long, the area around him was littered with fallen monsters.
The massive commotion from breaking through the wall quickly drew the attention of other monsters, and chaos soon erupted.
"That direction."
He quickly pinpointed the source of the noise.
After walking a few hundred meters down the corridor, a spacious hall filled with various weapons came into view.
"An intruder? Already made it this far?"
A goat-headed monster, seemingly the leader, was just about to lead his squad out when he spotted Eiji entering the hall. His face twisted in shock.
Perhaps because the Demon King's Castle was filled with ugly creatures and had never seen a strikingly handsome man like Eiji before, every monster he encountered naturally labeled him as an intruder.
Being good-looking was apparently a crime.
"Arrest him!"
The goat-headed monster barked the order.
Over a dozen Dark Knights behind him immediately charged forward.
Eiji narrowed his eyes slightly.
These Dark Knights were on an entirely different level compared to the ones below—their strength had undergone a qualitative leap.
Boom!
Eiji stomped the ground over a dozen times in succession.
"Gah—!"
"Ugh—!"
"Wha—?"
Then, all the Dark Knights collapsed, screaming, blood gushing from their mouths and noses.
Each of them wore expressions of disbelief, while the goat-headed monster stood frozen in shock.
"He… defeated my elite squad, the Demon King's Royal Guard… in an instant?"
Where did such a powerful adventurer come from?!
Were the Demon King's generals on the lower floors just slacking off?!
Eiji observed them calmly.
This move was the Demonic Light Blade.
That's right—the technique of transmitting vibrational force through a blade to destroy an opponent's internal organs.
After truly reaching the realm of Twin-Wings, Eiji's understanding of swordsmanship had ascended to new heights. He could now deliver the vibrational force directly through the ground without even needing a weapon.
Since the motion was nothing more than a light tap of the foot, it was nearly impossible to defend against.
Back then, Twin-Wings had used this very technique against Eiji. Now, Eiji could use it to bully others.
Honestly, he quite liked this move.
Simple. Effective. High style points.
Eiji took a step forward.
At the far end of the hall stood a pair of double doors.
An extraordinary presence radiated from behind them. Eiji knew—that was likely the Demon King's chamber.
"W-Wait!"
The goat-headed monster shouted, blocking Eiji's path.
"A-As the captain of the Demon King's Royal Guard, I-I-I absolutely cannot allow anyone to approach His Majesty's presence! Not unless you step over my corpse!"
Gripping his twin axes, his entire body trembled, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm before the doors.
"Oh? Even if you're a monster, I don't dislike loyal ones."
Eiji paused, giving the goat-headed monster an approving glance.
"My name is Mammon, captain of the glorious Demon King's Royal Guard, one deeply trusted by His Majesty the Demon King! Invader, let us settle this in battle!"
The goat-headed monster roared, then charged forward with dual axes in hand, radiating murderous intent.
Eiji nodded approvingly and raised his foot.
"Gah!"
The goat-headed monster suddenly paled.
His entire body convulsed uncontrollably as he collapsed, the axes clattering to the ground.
At the same time, his face twisted with unwillingness.
"I-I never expected you to be this strong... I admit defeat! Faint."
Then, with his eyes rolling back, he passed out.
Eiji looked down at his foot, deep in thought.
Strange.
He hadn't even stomped the ground yet—his Demon Light Blade hadn't been unleashed.
Thump-thump-thump...
His keen hearing picked up the rapid heartbeat of the fallen goat-headed monster, who seemed extremely nervous.
Coming to his senses, Eiji shot him a disdainful glance.
Then, stepping over the "corpse," he approached the large door at the depths of the chamber.
Standing before the door, Eiji fell into contemplation.
The entire Demon King's Castle was nothing to him.
Among the Demon King's Army officers still wandering below, there might be some formidable warriors, but his instincts told him he wouldn't lose even if he faced them.
But this place was different.
The sense of danger was overwhelming!
In the entire Demon King's Castle, only this one location could evoke such a terrifying premonition of peril!
Eiji steadied himself.
Then, without hesitation, he pushed open the door.
"Cursed Lightning—!"
"Cursed Lightning—!"
"Cursed Lightning—!"
The moment the door opened.
Three massive bolts of pitch-black lightning shot toward Eiji from above!
In an instant, Eiji tightened his grip on his sword and slashed out like a flash of light!
Crack!
The three lightning bolts, reeking of curses, were simultaneously shattered by three blindingly fast slashes!
"What?!"
"He destroyed three high-tier spells in an instant?!"
"Our power has been enhanced to officer-level by His Majesty!"
"Just who is this invader?!"
Shocked exclamations erupted from within the room.
Eiji's gaze sharpened like lightning.
His eyes swept over the figures inside one by one.
Four Dark Knights.
Three Archmages.
A horned oni.
A skeletal monster cloaked in a robe, wielding a scythe like the Grim Reaper.
Each of these nine monsters exuded an aura comparable to Orario's first-class adventurers.
And behind them stood a protected elder.
An aged man with graying hair and deeply wrinkled skin, his appearance almost human—save for the two demonic horns on his forehead that betrayed his demonic heritage.
At this moment, thick black mist surged from his entire body, enveloping the nine monsters before him, seemingly strengthening them.
Ten enemies in total, all staring warily at Eiji as he stepped through the door.
"Hero, state your name!"
The old man sat solemnly on the throne at the rear, speaking in a deep, resonant voice that made one's heart pound.
"To break through the world's strongest barrier jointly established by eight of the Demon King's Army's elite, laid around this castle, and to disregard the lower-ranking officers, effortlessly reaching the highest floor—you must be no ordinary individual!"
Sorry about that.
I just happened to land inside the castle—didn't break through that "world's strongest barrier."
And I just took the elevator up—didn't run into any officers.
"This battle is destined to be recorded in history, O brave one! I shall specially permit you to announce your name!"