Demon Monarch Locust
The final chamber was vast beyond expectation.
A circular arena carved directly into the mountain's heart, its ceiling lost in shadow. Ancient pillars lined the walls, cracked and eroded by time, each etched with demonic scripture so old it barely retained meaning.
At the center stood a lone figure.
Tall.
Emaciated.
Wrapped in tattered black robes that clung to a skeletal frame. His skin was gray and fissured, like dried earth, and his eyes burned with a sickly green light.
The pressure of his presence alone bent the air.
"I am Locust," the figure said calmly. "Demon Monarch of the Hollow Trial."
His gaze swept over them, sharp and measuring.
"No one has ever come this far."
Eseren swallowed.
Daniel's brow furrowed.
Locust tilted his head slightly. "Have you come for it?"
"For what?" Daniel asked.
Locust smiled.
"It seems you truly do not know."
The ground exploded.
Locust vanished.
Eseren reacted on instinct—Blaze Bang snapping upward as Blaze Blast erupted across the arena. Fire consumed empty space.
Locust reappeared behind her.
"Too slow."
Daniel's swords burst into motion.
Four blades tore free, orbiting him as he released them simultaneously. Ice froze the ground. Fire scorched the pillars. Blood-infused slices screamed through the air.
Locust dodged.
He moved like smoke, stepping through devastation as if the attacks were suggestions rather than threats.
"Good weapons," he said calmly, deflecting a sword with his bare hand. "But you are still human."
He appeared before Eseren in a blink.
A fist struck her chest.
The impact shattered stone.
Eseren flew backward, crashing into a pillar, blood spraying from her lips as Blaze Bang slipped from her fingers.
"ESEREN!"
Daniel moved.
For the first time, he unleashed killing intent.
Locust laughed. "How long do you think you can last? I am a high-ranked demon. I will not lower myself further."
Then Daniel felt it.
A presence long sealed.
Release me.
His mind shook.
The air screamed.
A fifth sword erupted into existence—blackened steel etched with crimson runes, radiating absolute annihilation.
Daniel's eyes widened.
"…So it's finally unlocked."
The Demon Slayer Sword.
Locust's regeneration faltered.
For the first time, fear crossed his face.
Daniel attacked.
Four swords pinned Locust in place—ice freezing limbs, fire burning flesh, blood chains binding his core.
Locust roared in fury.
Daniel stepped forward.
"End."
The Demon Slayer Sword pierced his heart.
At that moment—
"BLAZE BLAST!"
Eseren, forcing herself upright, released her final arrow.
The explosion shattered the arena.
When the dust settled, Locust was gone.
No regeneration.
No resurrection.
Only silence.
The trial had ended.
And the world would remember who passed it.