LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 117: The Arena (3)
It shimmered faintly—a rare-quality item that would fetch a good price or prove useful later. He added it to his inventory, his mind already considering the implications of the fight.
"The bear was an Elite Boss," Arthur muttered, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. "The one before it was pseudo-elite. The power of these monsters is ramping up fast."
He crossed his arms, his gaze shifting to Sylvaris, who was coiled on the ground, hissing softly as if relishing the victory.
"If this trend keeps up, I'll be fighting a monster at the Epic-rank Boss next. And at higher levels, I will be versing something even stronger than Epic-rank Boss." Arthur's tone was grim, though a flicker of interest remained in his eyes.
The system's prompt appeared before Arthur again.
[Would you like to rest?] [Yes | No]
Arthur's finger hovered over the "No" option, his decision already made. Resting now felt unnecessary; he wanted to push forward. He tapped "No" without hesitation.
But then, for the first time, the system repeated itself.
[Are you sure?] [Yes | No]
Arthur's brow furrowed as he stared at the unexpected second prompt. It was unusual. In all the challenges he had faced so far, the system had never prompted him to confirm his choice twice.
"Strange," he muttered, raising an eyebrow.
The countdown began—five seconds to decide. Whoever designed this trial clearly didn't want challengers exploiting the rest mechanics.
Arthur's mind raced briefly about the purpose, but his resolve didn't waver. He pressed "Yes" again, confirming his decision not to rest.
The notification vanished, replaced by a new one.
[Next enemy incoming. Prepare yourself.]
The arena shimmered as the air distorted ahead of him. Arthur's eyes remained fixed on the spot, his grip tightening on his dagger. The light coalesced, taking shape—and then his breath hitched.
The figure that emerged made Arthur's eyes widen in shock.
"T-This…" he muttered, his voice faltering as a flicker of fear flashed through his gaze.
Before him stood...a demon.
The creature's humanoid form was tall and imposing, easily twice Arthur's height. Its skin was a deep, mottled black, resembling cracked obsidian, with glowing crimson veins running across its surface like molten lava. Its physique was muscular and perfectly proportioned, exuding raw power with every subtle movement.
The demon's face was unnervingly human-like but twisted with malice. Its features were sharp and angular, with high cheekbones and a jawline that seemed carved from stone. Two jagged horns jutted from its forehead, curving slightly backward, their tips glowing faintly with the same crimson light that pulsed through its veins.
Its eyes, glowing pits of fiery orange, bore into Arthur with an intensity that made his chest tighten. They were the kind of eyes that promised destruction, eyes that had seen countless battles and relished every moment of chaos.
Sharp, clawed hands twitched at its sides, each finger tipped with talons that looked capable of tearing through steel. From its back, long tendrils of dark-like miasma writhed and danced, giving the illusion of wings or flowing smoke.
The demon was dressed in blackened armor that looked as though it had been forged from the bones of its enemies. The jagged edges of its pauldrons and greaves glinted menacingly, and a faint, otherworldly glow emanated from the cracks in its plating.
Arthur's heart pounded as he took in the sight, of the demon before him. For a brief moment, he wondered if this was the same demon he had seen in the vision—the one sealed in the mountain. Enjoy more content from empire
But a second glance revealed otherwise. This creature, though terrifying, lacked the overwhelming aura of absolute dread that the mountain's demon had exuded.
"It's not the same," Arthur muttered, calming himself as he analyzed the creature further. "But that doesn't mean it's weak."
The demon tilted its head slightly, its jagged horns casting ominous shadows as its lips curled into a cruel smirk. When it spoke, its voice was deep and guttural, reverberating through the arena like an earthquake, each word laced with disdain and malevolent amusement.
"How long has it been?" it murmured, its glowing eyes scanning its surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and bitterness.
Arthur stood still, his grip firm on his dagger, but he didn't interrupt. He knew better than to engage prematurely. This was information—pieces of a puzzle he didn't yet understand.
The demon's gaze returned to Arthur, its expression twisted into something between a sneer and a grin. "I've been sealed in this wretched place for so long that I've lost count of the years. Countless centuries, maybe more."
Its claws twitched at its sides, the shadowy tendrils on its back writhing as though responding to its frustration.
The demon's smirk widened, revealing sharp, jagged teeth. "The last human I faced… he was delicious," it said, its tongue flicking briefly across its lips as if savouring a memory. "He put up such a fight, but in the end, he was no match for me. His screams were delightful."
It leaned forward slightly, its fiery eyes locking onto Arthur. "But you… hehe… you look far more delicious."
Arthur's heart pounded, but he kept his composure, his expression betraying nothing. He let the demon speak, knowing that its monologue might hold valuable clues.
The demon straightened, a faint sigh escaping its lips as its gaze turned upward. "That strong human…" it said, its tone shifting to something colder, angrier. "He's the one who sealed me here. For so long, I've been bound to this cursed arena, forced to wait. I wonder…" Its fiery eyes flickered with something almost like hope. "When will His Majesty come for me?"
The reverence in its voice was unmistakable as it uttered the title "His Majesty." The demon's expression softened momentarily, its features almost human in its devotion.
Arthur's mind raced as he pieced together what he was hearing. The human who sealed this demon… could it have been the knight from the vision? The one who sacrificed himself to bind the mountain's greater demon?
"Is he talking about that demon?" Arthur thought, his brow furrowing. If this demon served the one bound in the mountain, it explained a lot—its reverence, its frustration, and its desperation for rescue.