Chapter 21: The Archenemy of Exolus
"Finally… it's over…"
Roy looked up at the dark night sky as a cold breeze rustled through the leaves above. Blood still dripped from his dagger.
Then—
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Roy immediately shifted his stance, gripping his weapon tightly.
"Who's there?!"
Small, hurried footsteps came from a nearby door that looked like a training hall. Two figures emerged into the dim light.
They were familiar.
One of them was injured.
"H-Huff… wait—aren't you from the town?" the boy said nervously. "What are you doing here? This place is dangerous!"
Roy's eyes widened.
Veril.
And Marel.
"You two are safe," Roy said quickly. "Come closer. I'll take you somewhere safer."
The siblings hesitated.
Marel tugged on Veril's sleeve, whispering that Roy didn't feel like a bad person. Veril still looked unsure—but for his sister's sake, he nodded and followed.
As they walked toward Roy—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
An eerie sound echoed from the dark hallway.
Footsteps followed.
Roy instantly dashed forward, placing himself in front of the children.
"Well, that was a perfect show," a voice said mockingly. "I'd love to see more of it."
Roy raised both daggers, standing firm as Veril and Marel clung to each other behind him.
"Show yourself!" Roy shouted.
At that moment, notifications appeared.
[Notification]
You gained EXP by defeating enemies higher level than you.
You gained a massive amount of EXP.
[Notification]
Current Level: 84
[Notification]
The Blood King Exolus (Half Adaptation) senses a dangerous enemy.
Roy felt it.
A suffocating bloodlust seeped from the hallway—far more terrifying than anything he had faced before.
This is bad.
"You—Veril," Roy said quickly. "Protect your sister. No matter what."
Veril swallowed his fear and stepped in front of Marel.
"Even if you didn't say it… I'd protect her with my life."
Roy whispered under his breath. A glowing red magic circle formed beneath the children.
"Skill: Blood Teleportation (Ancient)."
Veril grabbed Marel as she reached out desperately toward Roy, tears streaming down her face.
"Mister—!"
The pool of blood swallowed them both.
Roy caught Marel's worried expression just before they vanished.
"…Thank you for worrying about me," he murmured.
Then he turned back toward the hallway.
"Amazing skill," the eerie voice said. "You must know ancient history."
The footsteps drew closer.
Moonlight finally revealed the figure.
A man around twenty-seven, tall and well-built, with a noble appearance. A blood-stained sword hung loosely in his hand as he smiled calmly.
Roy's eyes widened in shock.
"…Pyrtho," he whispered. "One of the masterminds who slaughtered hundreds."
Pyrtho stopped walking and tilted his head.
"Oh? You're the guy I met in town yesterday?"
His smile twisted into something far more disturbing.
"Then you're perfect to become one of the Seven Deadly Sins."
Roy attacked instantly.
"Skill: Blood Thorn Sanguine (Ancient)!"
A barrage of blood spears slammed into Pyrtho—
—but stopped.
An invisible barrier blocked everything.
Pyrtho laughed, eyes shining with excitement.
"Yes! You really are perfect… a perfect vessel!"
From his chest, a strange grimoire emerged, as if pulled from a hidden space. He opened it casually.
Smoke filled the hallway from Roy's attack.
"Blood-based skills…" Pyrtho said calmly. "A perfect counter to demons."
Suddenly—
Dark green, neon-like magic burst from the smoke.
[Notification]
Rage of the Archenemy of Exolus has activated.
Buff:
• Magic Immunity
• Physical Attack +1000
Debuff:
• Unable to deal magic damage
Roy's body trembled as power flooded him.
Name: Roy (Half Exolus – Skill Effect)
Level: 84 → 250 (Half Adaptation)
Class: Ghost Summoner → First Blood King Monarch (Ancient)
Title:
• Bloodline of the First Blood King Exolus
• Archenemy of Demons (Half Adaptation Only)
Age: 24
Stats (Half Adaptation):
STR: 4500 (+1000 Buff)
AGI: 4300
INT: 0 (Debuff)
DEX: 3200
VIT: 3500
Available Skills:
• Blood Thorn Sanguine (Ancient)
• Crimson Creation Weapon (Ancient)
• Blood Teleportation (Ancient)
• Blood Arena Field (Ancient)
(All other skills locked)
Passive Effects:
• Complete Magic Immunity
• Blood Skill Cooldown Reduction
• Massive Damage to Demons
Dark green magic rained down on Roy—
—but it did nothing.
Roy dashed forward.
Mid-charge, his weapon reshaped itself.
[Notification]
Exolus Rage activated.
Weapon transformed into: Sanguine Blade.
Roy leaped and struck through the smoke—
CLANG!
Pyrtho blocked the attack.
His sword was jagged, glowing dark neon green.
Despite the collision, Pyrtho remained calm—though his arm trembled slightly.
"Haha…" Pyrtho chuckled. "I never thought Exolus would have a successor."