Liam woke with a start. The bed beneath him was impossibly soft. He was in a lavish, opulent bedchamber, draped in rich, dark tapestries.
As he sat up, two beautiful demon girls in elegant black silks appeared, bowing gracefully. "You are a special guest of our Lord, General Valerius," one murmured.
Liam stood, feeling completely recovered. The dark healing magic had worked wonders. He ate the sumptuous breakfast they offered, his mind reeling. Why had General Valerius helped him?
The girls explained, "Our Lord, for centuries, has known no true challenge. No one could stand against him... save for the Demon Generals above him." They bowed again, a plea in their eyes. "Please, make our Lord happy for the last time." They pointed to a grand, spiraling ladder, indicating the path to the next floor.
Liam climbed, reaching a vast, circular chamber that served as the Demon General's royal room. General Valerius sat upon a colossal throne carved from obsidian, radiating immense power.
"Welcome, Liam," Valerius's voice boomed. "I know you have so many questions, but I will answer only one. The others are for another general... if you survive. I doubt you will."
Liam's mind raced. "Why do the gods and Demon Lords want me dead?"
Valerius chuckled. "You're a threat, Liam. Not just to them, but to all this land. It's the first time a warrior with no limit has appeared. You're an anomaly. Me, myself, I'm cursed with a forever life. It's what some people call a gift, but it's truly a curse."
He rose from his throne, his aura flaring. "Then let's fight."
It was a war between two powerhouses. For four grueling hours, the battle raged. Liam pushed himself beyond all previous limits, his Green Attributes healing him, keeping him in the fight.
Finally, Liam saw his opening. He channeled every ounce of his being, fusing the paradoxical energies within him. His left fist blazed with pure Light, while his right pulsed with raw Dark Force. With a final roar, he struck. His mixed Light and Dark fists tore through General Valerius's chest.
The General staggered back, an expression of shock and, paradoxically, utter joy on his face. He collapsed onto his throne, laughing. "How was that?!" he choked out. "That was the happiest day of my life!"
Valerius turned back to Liam, his eyes fading. "Now... I can lift my curse and help you become what you want." He raised a trembling hand, and a wave of dark, shimmering energy flowed from his dying form into Liam's body.
> UNIQUE ABILITY TRANSFERRED!
> * Ability Acquired: Cursed Live Forever (Immortality)
> * Effect: User is immune to aging and natural death.
>
Valerius's voice was a whisper. "Now, my girls... you are a servant of this boy. Serve him. He will be the last thing alive in this universe." His gaze fixed on Liam. "Your name is Liam, right? Thank you... to boil my blood again."
With a final, content sigh, the great Demon General Valerius died, his formidable form fading into shimmering dark ash.
> FINAL BOSS DEFEATED!
> * Enemy: Demon Lord General, Valerius
> * Experience Gained: 30,000
> LEVEL UP! (x30)
> NEW ABILITY ACQUIRED FROM ENEMY!
> * Dark Healing (Tier 1)
> Liam – Level 186/∞
> * Title: Assassin
> * Strength: 920
> * Agility: 920
> * Endurance: 920
> * Magic: 920
> * Dark Force: 420
> * Green Attributes: 95 (Harmony - Tier 1)
> * Light Attributes: 70 (Inherited - Tier 1)
> * Health: 54000/54000
>
The surge of power, the influx of a new attribute, and the cold weight of immortality settled into his very being. Exhaustion finally claimed him, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
He woke much later, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace. He was still in the throne room, now dressed in dark, regal attire identical to Valerius's armor, but perfectly fitted to his form. The two demon girls knelt before him.
"You have no names, do you?" Liam murmured.
"We do not, sir. I am the First Servant. This is the Second Servant," said the girl on the left.
The girl on the right continued, "We are powerful fighters... We will be helpful to you from now on."
Liam processed this. "I killed your master," he stated. "Don't you have any hatred for me?"
"It is not hatred we feel for you, sir," the First Servant answered. "You fulfilled the greatest wish our master ever had. For this, we have gratitude."
Liam was silent for a long moment. "That changes today," he said firmly. "You are not servants." He looked at the one on the left. "You are Nyx." He then turned to the one on the right. "And you are Luna."
For the first time, their composed expressions broke, replaced by genuine surprise.
Liam walked to the throne and settled into the immense seat, which now felt like a proper fit.
> TITLE UPDATED!
> * Old Title: Assassin
> * New Title: The General
>
He looked out at the darkened castle, then back at his new, commanders, Nyx and Luna. stood by him