Paimon reached out quietly and placed a large map on the table in front of Saruto. It was unlike any ordinary map; its lines glowed faintly, its borders shifting slowly, reflecting the nature of a world that knew no stillness. "This is the map of the Demon Realm," Paimon said, pointing to it. "From here, I will show you the locations of the components you need to craft your weapon... and it is also the site of the Four Calamities Test."
Saruto moved closer, his gaze fixed intently. "I'm ready... begin."
Paimon nodded, then placed his finger on the first location on the map. "Component 1... the beating heart of Hell."
A dark red dot glowed on the map. "Location: Narak Eternal Abyss."
Paimon voice changed. "A valley without end... where rivers of cold, black flames flow. The earth is constantly cracking, and the sky is covered with slowly rotating vortices of fire."
He paused for a moment, then said, "There... you will face the Guardian of the Flames: Agnarus."
Saruto didn't comment, but his eyes remained fixed on the location. Paimon moved his finger to another spot. "The second component… the Fallen Eye of Nothingness. Location: The Swamp of Eternal Oblivion."
His voice deepened further: "Land shrouded in thick gray fog, stagnant green waters… but the real danger isn't what you see."
He looked directly at Saruto: "Everyone who enters… begins to gradually lose their memories."
A moment of silence followed: "There… you will face the Copycat."
His finger moved to an area of towering mountains outlined in sharp lines. "The third component… the Deep Dragon Fang. Location: The Cursed Mountains of Zalgrad. Mountains that pierce the purple sky, their peaks disappearing into restless black storms."
Then, slowly, he said: "You will face… the Ancient Dragon of Valzareth."
Finally, he placed his finger on a nearly empty area of the map. It wasn't dark, just empty. "The final component… the Seal of the Forgotten Soul. Location: The Temple of Final Silence."
His voice dropped to a near whisper: "A place beyond sensation… no sound, no wind, no energy. The temple is dilapidated, its pillars broken… and emptiness swallows everything."
Then he added: "There… even your thoughts become heavy."
He slowly raised his gaze: "And in that place… you will face the Eternal Judge."
Silence fell. Saruto stared at the map, his eyes darting about as if he were etching every detail into his memory. Seconds passed, then he said quietly: "I've memorized it completely."
He looked up at Paimon: "Thank you."
Paimon waved his hand dismissively: "No need for thanks… I'm simply following the king's orders."
Saruto rose slowly, his aura shifting. "Then… I'm ready to take the test."
Two days passed. In a vast arena, a multitude of demons from across the world gathered, their voices rising, their energies clashing in the air like a hidden storm. The event resembled a festival.
In the center of the arena, Saruto stood before an ancient temple, surrounded by an eerie energy. King Lucifer stood beside him. He looked at the crowd, then at Saruto, and his voice cut through the noise: "Now… the test of the Four Calamities begins."
The arena erupted in cheers. Shouts, excitement, anticipation. Lucifer slowly raised his hand… and in an instant, he lowered it. "Begin."
Saruto vanished in a flash. He shot off with incredible speed, cleaving the air like an arrow released without hesitation. His eyes were fixed on a single target. "First destination… the eternal abyss of Narak," he thought to himself.
The test had begun.