The atmosphere around the library changed drastically. The sky that was once clear was now covered in thick black clouds, as if night had come early. The air felt stuffy, filled with a dark aura that made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Aeris felt the system inside him head sounding a continuous warning.
[WARNING: DEMONIC PRESENCE DETECTED - THREAT LEVEL: CATASTROPHIC]
[RECOMMENDATION: IMMEDIATE EVACUATION]
"The system even told me to run away," Aeris muttered as he wiped away cold sweat. His eyes stared at the figure that had just appeared—Demon Lord Malphas. His body towered almost three meters tall, blackish skin with red cracks like lava. A pair of circular horns adorned his head, and large, pitch-black wings spread wide behind him.
"So you're the Otherworlder," Malphas' voice echoed deeply, every word feeling like thunder.
His red eyes stared at Aeris with the gaze of a predator who had found prey. "I have long been curious about humans who have systems from other worlds."
Leon immediately raised his Dawnbreaker sword, holy light radiating from the blade. "Aeris, step back! This is not an opponent we can face carelessly!"
Seraphina, who was still sitting limply on the floor, tried to get up. Even though she had just been freed from Lilith's influence, her determination to help did not diminish. "Forgive me, Aeris. This is all because of me... because the devil took advantage of my weakness."
"Now is not the time to regret!" Aeris helped Seraphina stand up. "We must focus on facing the threat before our eyes."
Titan, the Ancient Golem who had become Aeris' partner, stepped forward with his giant stone body. Despite his large size, he looked small compared to Malphas' intimidating presence.
"Hoho, an Ancient Golem tamed by a mere human?" Malphas laughed mockingly. "I wonder if your system's power is really as good as my informant said."
Those words surprised Aeris. "Informant? So it's true that someone leaked information about me?"
"Of course," Malphas snapped his fingers. Suddenly, a figure in a black cloak emerged from the shadows. When the cloak opened, a face that was familiar to Aeris—someone who also came from the same world as him.
"Kenji Yamamoto?" Aeris couldn't hide his surprise. "You... why?"
The black-haired young man smiled sarcastically. "Why? Because I'm sick of being a side character in this story! Do you think you're the only one who was transferred to this world? I came here first, but I didn't get a sophisticated system like you!"
"So you were the one who told the demons about my abilities?"
"Not only that," Kenji raised his hand, revealing a red mark on his palm. "I even made a contract with Demon Lord Malphas. In return, I got the power to get back at you who always became the center of attention!"
Leon frowned. "Aeris, do you know this person?"
"He's... my classmate in the original world," Aeris answered bitterly. "I never thought he would betray me to this extent."
Malphas clapped his hands slowly. "A moving drama. But enough pleasantries. I came here for one purpose—to take the system that resides in your body, Aeris. With that power, I can open a great portal and bring the entire legion of hell into this world."
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE: ENEMY ABILITIES DETECTED]
[MALPHAS - DEMON LORD]
[- Hellfire Manipulation]
[- Dimensional Magic]
[- Soul Corruption]
[- Physical Enhancement (Extreme)]
[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 12%]
"Only 12 percent?" Aeris gulped. This was truly an impossible situation.
"Leon, can you buy me some time?" Aeris whispered quickly. "I need to try something."
"What are you going to do?"
"Soul Resonance on a larger scale. Maybe I can disrupt the connection between Malphas and Kenji."
Leon nodded firmly. "Okay. Titan, protect Aeris! Seraphina, help me distract Malphas!"
The battle began with Leon launching his first Holy Slash. Holy light shot towards Malphas, but the Demon Lord easily blocked it with one hand.
"Holy sword? It's been a long time since I felt this sensation," Malphas grinned, then retaliated with Hellfire Burst. Hellfire erupted from his palm, forcing Leon to roll to avoid the attack.
On the other side, Titan moved to protect Aeris who was concentrating. The Ancient Golem fired a barrage of Stone Projectiles at Malphas, but the attacks only bounced off the Demon Lord's tough skin.
Seraphina, although still weak, tried to help with her Shadow Bind. Dark shadows tried to bind Malphas' feet, but were easily destroyed by the demonic aura emanating from his body.
"Do you think an attack like this can defeat me?" Malphas raised his hands high. "Infernal Rain!"
From the dark sky, a rain of hellfire began to fall. Every drop of fire that touched the ground immediately exploded, creating small craters. Leon nimbly jumped around to avoid the attacks, while Titan protected Aeris with his large body.
"Aeris, hurry!" Leon shouted as he continued to avoid the rain of fire.
Aeris closed his eyes and focused all the power of his Soul Resonance. This time, he didn't just target one individual, but tried to sense all the souls around him—Leon, Seraphina, Titan, even Kenji.
[SOUL RESONANCE - EXPANDED RANGE ACTIVATED]
[MULTIPLE SOUL CONNECTIONS DETECTED]
[WARNING: MENTAL STRAIN INCREASING]
Aeris felt the thoughts and feelings of everyone around him. Leon with his courage and unwavering determination. Seraphina with her regret and desire to atone for her mistakes. Titan with his absolute loyalty to him. And... Kenji.
Within Kenji's soul, Aeris felt something surprising. Not just hatred, but also fear, loneliness, and... deep regret.
"Kenji," Aeris whispered with Soul Resonance still active, his voice immediately ringing in the young man's mind. "This isn't the path you wanted, is it?"
Kenji was shocked to hear Aeris' voice in his head. "G-get out of my mind!"
"I can feel your soul, Kenji. You don't really hate me, do you? You're just... lonely. Feeling abandoned."
Kenji's eyes began to water. "Shut up! You don't know anything!"
"I know you miss home. I do too. But this isn't the right way to deal with it."
Meanwhile, the battle was still going on fiercely. Malphas began to unleash his serious power.
"Demon Lord's Wrath!" A dark aura enveloped his body, multiplying his power.
Leon, who was already starting to get tired, could barely keep up with Malphas' attack speed. Dawnbreaker began to crack from continuously clashing with the demon lord's claws.
"Leon!" Seraphina shouted in worry as she saw Leon bounce hard against the library wall.
Suddenly, Kenji shouted with a trembling voice. "Stop! I... I don't want this to happen!"
Malphas turned his head with a cold gaze. "Are you going to cancel our contract, weak human?"
"I... I'm sorry! Aeris, forgive me!" Kenji knelt down with tears flowing.
[SOUL RESONANCE SUCCESS: CORRUPTION INFLUENCE WEAKENED]
[CONTRACT BINDING DESTABILIZED]
Aeris felt a change. The connection between Malphas and Kenji began to weaken. This is the chance!
"Now! Everyone attack at once!" Aeris shouted.
Leon rose with the last of his strength. "Divine Judgment!" A brilliant holy light radiated from Dawnbreaker.
Titan unleashed his strongest attack. "Earthquake Slam!" His giant stone fist slammed into the ground, creating a seismic wave.
Seraphina gathered her remaining strength. "Shadow Spike Barrage!" Dozens of shadow spears shot out from all directions.
And Aeris, with Luck Manipulation and his system, tried to disrupt Malphas' attack timing.
[PROBABILITY ALTERATION: ENEMY EVASION REDUCED TO 15%]
The combination of attacks managed to hit Malphas, making him retreat several steps. However, the Demon Lord only smiled eerily.
"Impressive. But it's still not enough to defeat me." Malphas raised both hands. "Then, I'll get serious. Gate of Hell!"
A large black portal began to open behind Malphas. From there, an aura of death and despair poured out. Aeris could feel hundreds of high-class demons ready to emerge from the portal.
"This is bad," Leon stuttered as he leaned on his sword. "If the portal opens completely..."
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from the library door.
"Malphas, you seem overzealous."
All eyes were on the new arrival. A middle-aged man with silver hair, wearing an academy robe with the Headmaster's emblem. His aura was calm, but Aeris could sense the incredible power hidden behind it.
"Headmaster Aldric Thornfield," Leon whispered in relief.
Malphas frowned. "Thornfield... you're still alive, I see."
"Of course. And it seems I arrived just in time." Headmaster Aldric stepped forward casually, but with each step he made the Gate of Hell portal begin to shake unstably.
"All of you stand back," the Headmaster ordered calmly. "Let me take care of this uninvited guest."
Aeris felt a new sense of hope. But at the same time, his system gave her a warning that made him shudder.
[ANALYSIS: MULTIPLE HIGH-LEVEL DEMONIC SIGNATURES APPROACHING]
[WARNING: THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING]
[DEMON ARMY ESTIMATED ARRIVAL: 10 MINUTES]
"Headmaster," Aeris shouted, "this is only the beginning! There's a much larger demon army on its way!"
Headmaster Aldric smiled faintly. "I know, child. That's why..." he turned to Aeris with a serious look, "you must prepare for a real battle. For they have come not only to invade this world..."
"But?"
"They have come specifically to capture you alive, Aeris. And I fear... even my power may not be enough to protect you from what is to come."