The Demon King stood in his high tower, staring through the colossal window at the horizon where the faint glow of warlight shimmered. His expression was calm, yet his golden eyes carried the weight of centuries. The heavy drapes shifted slightly in the wind, and behind him, a shadow moved.
"Lynvar," the Demon King said, not turning around.
Lynvar bowed sharply. "My lord."
The Demon King finally looked at him. "Again… you were beaten?"
Lynvar's lips curled into a small, bitter smile. "No. This time… I know whom I am fighting."
"Whom?" the Demon King's voice was icy.
"I fight with Kaelith, Elaryn… and with them, Lunareth. I couldn't… train Nerisse properly yet," Lynvar admitted, his voice low.
The Demon King's golden eyes narrowed. "Kaelith… is he stronger than me?"
"No, my lord," Lynvar replied confidently. "But… Elaryn might be."
The air in the tower seemed heavier after that. Silence stretched before the scene shifted far outside, where the Demon King's army waited. Millions of demons stood in formation, their eyes glinting red and black, weapons ready. Smoke rose from the forge fires, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of the legions. Suddenly, three figures appeared behind the Demon King. Kneeling on the cold stone, their presence radiated a terrifying aura—primordial demons. Seventh in rank among their kind, their arrival made the air itself shiver.
---
Meanwhile, the Eclipse Collectors were cautiously patrolling the outskirts of Grimfang Wastes.
Lunareth led the way, eyes scanning every shadow. Elaryn floated slightly behind, her staff glowing faintly, ready to unleash her magic at a moment's notice. Kaelith moved like a shadow, silent, every motion perfectly calculated. They didn't know what Reeve was doing, and he didn't know where they were—they were all tackling their own paths through the Wastes.
---
Elsewhere, Reeve moved through the ruins alone, the mana in the air heavy and thick. Monsters of all forms prowled the area, but he didn't hesitate. As his hands glowed faintly with energy, he struck a winged creature mid-flight, and instantly:
[System Notification]
Creature Captured: Winged Abyssal Drake
Skills Absorbed: Aerial Agility, Razor Talons
Mana Acquired: 120 units
Reeve blinked, absorbing the flowing energy into his own mana. The creature's body dissolved into mana particles, leaving behind nothing but a faint echo of its roar.
Another beast lunged at him—a shadow fiend with elongated claws. He blocked its strike and felt the system pulse:
[System Notification]
Creature Captured: Shadow Fiend
Skills Absorbed: Shadow Phase, Silent Step
Mana Acquired: 95 units
He moved fast, efficient, like a storm tearing through the Grimfang Wastes. Every monster he defeated became part of him, fueling his strength, his agility, his senses.
The terrain shifted, and the Frostveil area came into view: dead grass, shattered trees, twisted ruins. Ahead, a giant winged monster glided across the ruined hall. Reeve dashed forward, intent on catching it, activating Gluttony.
[System Notification]
Creature Captured: Frostveil Winged Horror
Skills Absorbed: Ice Breath, Winged Assault
Mana Acquired: 300 units
But as he looked around after absorbing its power, he realized… he didn't know which path to take. The Frostveil castle loomed before him, its owner unknown, and the corridors stretched in confusing directions.
Then, from the shadowed doorway, someone appeared.