Glenda Attley.
A beautiful ex-mercenary, a specialist in the quiet art of killing. Every time her finger tightened on the trigger, a life vanished. Since arriving in this world, no blade, spell, or beast had earned her trust the way her beloved gun had. It became an extension of her own will. With the addition of her Unique Skill Sniper, she was nearly untouchable.
Unique Skill: Sniper — three core functions:
Magic Perception — to pinpoint any target
Outcome Calculation — to analyze and predict movement
Space Manipulation — to connect two points in space within her field of view
This last function made her almost invincible. Glenda could fire a bullet that would appear right beside the enemy's skull. No obstacle, no cover, no shield mattered. She ignored gravity, wind, and distance. As long as she saw them, they died.
This was the basis of her confidence.
But one defeat changed everything.
Her encounter with Diablo had shown her that some monsters existed beyond comprehension. When she faced him, even her Outcome Calculation offered only one possibility:
Death.
That memory was a cold weight in her chest as she prepared for today's assassination.
With Magic Perception, she locked onto her new target — the prince.
Her bullet would appear fifty centimeters from the prince's head. The perfect distance. The bullet would cut the air at supersonic speed. He wouldn't even sense it.
Easy.
At least, easier than trying to kill a monster like Diablo.
Glenda steadied her breath.
Pulled the trigger.
A clean shot. A guaranteed kill.
Except—
The bullet vanished.
"What—?!"
Glenda's face twisted.
Her perfect ambush… erased from reality.
If someone neutralized that bullet, there was one explanation:
Atem.
King of Eterna.
The master of the demon she once tried to kill.
She fired again in pure instinct.
The chamber vibrated. Footsteps. Heavy pressure.
Someone was behind her.
"Heh. Indeed," a calm voice said. "You underestimated Atem-sama. That is unacceptable. And I do not forgive those who disrespect my King."
"Tsk— Who's there?" Glenda snapped.
Souei materialized out of the shadows.
"My name is Souei, Shadow Commander of His Majesty Atem-sama."
Glenda froze.
He didn't ask for her name.
He already knew.
Which meant he had planned to capture her from the start.
Her assassination had failed.
Her window to escape was closing.
She had seen colleagues executed for less.
She had to run.
"…He knew I would attack?" she muttered.
"I spoke too much," Souei replied calmly, "but yes. Atem-sama has seen through everything. Resist if you wish — I will not kill you. But the more you fight…" He narrowed his eyes. "The worse this becomes."
"Hmph! How generous of you," Glenda sneered. "Then I'll show you no hesitation!"
She shot a normal bullet and lunged forward with her knife. Souei dodged her slash with minimal movement. His quiet confidence irritated her.
Perfect. You're cautious of my blade now, idiot, she thought.
Her knife glowed faintly — mana-enhanced. A trick designed to hurt enemies who shrugged off physical attacks. Souei wouldn't expect it. She pressed him with both gunfire and precise slashes.
Her movements were swift.
Elegant.
Deadly.
Souei moved through her attacks like drifting smoke — stepping aside, redirecting, watching her reactions.
He hates dragging fights out, Glenda realized.
Perfect. He'll fall for this.
She continued firing — bullets and momentum blending together. He didn't bother dodging normal bullets anymore. But he was keeping an eye on her knife.
Exactly as she planned.
Glenda hid mana in one bullet.
A magic bullet.
Her ace.
She mixed it in with normal shots—
CRACK!
It slammed into Souei's shoulder.
His whole arm burst into shadowy fragments as the impact hurled him backwards.
"Ahahahaha! What an embarrassment!" Glenda cackled. "The great assassin blown away by a simple trick! Lamar fell for this too. You confident types always do!"
She didn't drop her guard.
She analyzed the wound carefully.
Magic bullet works.
Good. Time for the killing blow.
Souei stood up slowly — right arm missing entirely.
Glenda smiled.
Magic bullets disrupted magicules. Even regeneration would fail. Five shots would end him.
She raised her gun — her trump card ready.
He sighed.
"Heh… The orders I received were to capture you. I imagine Atem-sama wants information. He is merciful. If you spoke, he would spare you."
"Big words for someone missing an arm!" Glenda snarled and fired.
Three for the head.
Two for the heart.
Five magic bullets.
They warped instantly —
One beside Souei's skull.
One behind his head.
One in front of his heart.
One to his flank.
One from above.
CRACK—CRACK—CRACK—CRACK—CRACK!
They tore through his body.
Warp Bullet.
Her ultimate technique.
Even elites fell before it.
Souei dissolved into black smoke.
Glenda exhaled in relief.
"…You're done. Strong, but not enough," she muttered, forcing her heartbeat to settle.
But reality didn't allow her comfort.
A voice rose behind her.
A voice that should not exist.
"Is that so? Then admit defeat and allow me to apprehend you."
Glenda spun around.
Souei stood there.
"H-how… you died—!"
He laughed softly.
"Weak. That attack? Pathetic. There was never a chance I'd lose to a cheap trick like that."
"Then I'll just—"
She couldn't finish.
Souei's aura exploded, swallowing the alley. Shadows wrapped around her.
She activated Magic Perception—
And terror hit her like a punch.
"N-no… N-no way— Why are you everywhere!? What Skill IS THIS!?"
Souei's voice answered from all sides.
"Simple. It is called Clone. They are not as strong as me… but since you destroyed one, be proud of yourself."
Four Soueis surrounded her.
No escape.
No openings.
He nodded once — respectful but merciless.
Glenda screamed, voice cracking into raw desperation.
"Damn it all—!!"
She charged forward with everything she had.
And the battle that would teach her despair, began.
On a balcony overlooking the courtyard, flowers blooming under the morning sun, three figures stood around a round table, locked in a silent, tense observation of each other.
The trio were Mariabell, Yuuki, and Johann.
"It failed… it really failed," Mariabell said, her tone casual, yet tinged with the subtle weight of calculated disappointment. Her expression remained serene, unshaken — a mask of composure expected of someone orchestrating plans in the shadows.
"Gavan sure has bad luck. What a waste of his… efforts," Johann muttered, swirling wine in his glass. Though he didn't truly intend to sympathize, a pang of pity for Gavan lingered. After all, like Johann, Gavan had once been among the Five Great Elders. Correction: a former member. This misstep had stripped Gavan of all authority.
"Gavan's uselessness likely stems from his attachment to the Ingracia throne," Mariabell continued, voice calm as if recounting a fact. "Too long among kings, too long to exert control over the royal family. Otherwise, he could have secured dominance long ago."
"…Don't ask the impossible," Johann countered. "Even the Rossos could not fully influence central power in Ingracia. Gavan had little chance."
"No, you underestimate it. Controlling their core is simple. Remove everyone but one heir — one with Gavan's blood — and the rest is a formality. Efficient. Clean."
"I… suppose you have a point," Johann admitted reluctantly.
Mariabell's mind was steeped in history, a knowledge of the blood-soaked eras of old. By her calculation, this method was merciful — the least amount of waste for maximum gain. Johann, however, remained skeptical, weighing the realities of nation-scale security. Execution, he knew, would never be simple.
"However, I am intrigued by the magical inquisitors," Mariabell added, shifting her gaze.
"You mean the king's… elite enforcers?" Johann asked.
"Yes. The nuisance under Ingracia's rule, desperate to amass power against us Rossos."
"Well, what is your judgment?" Johann pressed.
"They are competent. Gavan has faced them and reported firsthand."
Mariabell's subjects, guided by her aura of Greed, received selective intelligence. The disposable pawn Gavan had been, was now instrumental. He drew out the magical inquisitors, revealing secrets Mariabell desired.
The root cause of this chaos was Gavan's reckless attempt to interfere with Demon Lord Atem. As a count of Ingracia, his actions summoned the inquisitors into Mariabell's plans. She had foreseen this.
Their revelation was staggering: the magical inquisitors were humans turned majin, absorbing monster power to transform. Unlike the legendary Majin Razen of old Farmus, these inquisitors sacrificed self-consciousness to achieve rank.
They were tools — living, breathing, dangerous tools — yet still pawns for Mariabell.
Useful enough, she mused silently.
Johann shuddered at the realization. Mariabell had allowed Gavan to fail, knowing full well it would bolster her credibility in Atem's eyes.
"You permitted failure… just to increase your credibility?" Johann's voice faltered.
"Not merely permitted. My goal was to demonstrate to Atem-sama that you are worthy of attention," Mariabell replied lightly.
Johann's mind raced. If I fail, will I share Gavan's fate? Executed for incompetence?
He clenched his fists, aware of the fear tightening his chest. Mariabell's youth was deceptive — the ruthlessness beneath was absolute.
Returning to the previous topic, Johann asked, "Then… shall we let the magical inquisitors handle Demon Lord Atem? Frame him for a crime, perhaps—"
"No." Mariabell's tone was sharp, cutting off the notion. "That would provoke him. Inquisitors may be skilled, but they cannot stand against Atem-sama. Such a strategy is futile."
"That… is unfortunate. Cooperation, then?" Johann ventured.
Mariabell shook her head.
"Useless. All of you — grandfather included — misunderstand. Grimly."
"Misunderstand?" Johann echoed.
"Yes. Thinking humans and demon lords are equal… that is folly. Do you wonder why I suggested eliminating Atem-sama to grandfather?"
"Economic dominance?" Johann guessed.
"Superficial. The true reason: we cannot contend with him."
A chill ran down Johann's spine. Mariabell's calm, cold face revealed the truth: their fates were now subordinate to Atem's power.
Demon Lord Atem's authority over Eterna was unmatched. Military, economics, politics — all fell under his influence. Even the mightiest kingdoms could not oppose him alone.
"And the rules of the council? Surely they hold sway?" Johann asked.
"Pathetic," Mariabell sneered. "Rules are meaningless before Atem-sama. A council's words exist only if he allows them. When Atem-sama speaks, eras bend. Our fate rests in his hands."
Johann swallowed hard, recognizing the magnitude.
"But… the demon lord claimed to wish for coexistence with humans—"
Mariabell's gaze froze him mid-sentence. Cold, calculating, piercing.
"Fools. You, the council — blind, foolish. How could you believe such words?"
Her tone softened only to explain, clearly, with the weight of history behind it: the threat was Atem-sama himself. Even if the world did not see it now, one misstep could destroy centuries of human ambition.
"We cannot ignore him. His ambition, unchecked, will obliterate the Rosso legacy."
Johann felt powerless. Even with all his knowledge, all his prestige, he could do nothing.
At that moment, a messenger spirit — one of Johann's Blood Shadows — reported back through magical communication: Glenda had been defeated.
"Impossible… captured?" Johann whispered.
Mariabell's eyes flickered, unreadable. Glenda had survived by skill and cunning, yet even she had been ensnared.
"She… she was one of our finest." Johann muttered. "And yet… defeated?"
Mariabell smiled, a cold, subtle curve of lips. She had seen power greater than hers. Someone capable of facing Atem-sama and surviving — yes, even Glenda could fall to forces beyond comprehension.
"There's only one path left," Mariabell said, resolute. "We cannot defeat him directly. But… we can dominate the battlefield around him."
"A trap?" Johann asked, hope and fear in equal measure.
Mariabell's attention turned to Yuuki.
"Yes. You and your subordinate will explore ancient ruins with Atem-sama. That will be the location."
Yuuki protested. "But… Milim will intervene! That complicates everything."
Mariabell's calm did not waver. "Long-term plans require decisive action. Milim will be managed."
"You cannot control her!" Yuuki objected.
"Then we shall manage her as well," Mariabell said, unshaken.
Johann stood to argue, but Mariabell ignored him. Her smile remained, patient yet ruthless.
"This is our best opportunity," she said, eyes gleaming with authority. "Give everything. Every measure. There is no room for hesitation."
Yuuki nodded, realizing the logic. With Milim distracted, Atem-sama would be isolated. The plan was audacious… but possible.
Johann could only watch. Power beyond comprehension, strategy beyond reckoning. He could only pray for success.
The majins plotted, careful, deliberate, with the might of Atem-sama looming over all…
And thus, the trap to dominate Atem began to take shape.