After a night of tranquility, REX emerges from the tent after sleeping and finds DANTE exercising—doing sit-ups, to be precise.
REX: DANTE, what are you doing? Why are you working out? Doesn't your power increase by killing now?
DANTE HERALDI: It seems so, but my body doesn't get muscular when I level up; apparently, I have to get in shape to actually be stronger. I've spent all night training, and I feel a bit better now. Besides, I think there's a limit to how much my power grows if I don't exercise.
REX: Well, if you say so, you might be right, since I don't see your muscle size increasing (wagging his tail).
DANTE HERALDI: I'll only gain what's necessary to adapt to my powers faster; I don't want to end up looking like a muscle-bound gorilla.
REX: (Imagines DANTE as a bodybuilder, making a disgusted face). No, how hideous, that wouldn't suit you at all.
DANTE HERALDI: Yeah, I thought so too. Anyway, I'm done. I'll change and then we're off.
DANTE proceeds to head into the tent; after a short while, he emerges wearing more elegant clothes: new trousers and boots, along with his new black leather trench coat.
REX: DANTE, where did you get that?
DANTE HERALDI: Last night, while practicing with the bag, I realized I can pull out a maximum of 30 items from it. Through practice, I managed to get these clothes; I destroyed the rest to make some room and focused on organizing the entire inventory. Now I only have the essentials: I've stored my sword, the fake horns, your clothes, and the money. The funny thing is, money doesn't take up any space; it's displayed in the corner of the screen. We currently have 10 gold coins. It looks like the rest was lost while I was taking things out. Apparently, when I withdraw items, I'm also charged money so I don't abuse this power. That Bell guy again... God, I hate him. Well, I don't think it's a big deal; I'll fix it by getting more money. Let's move out.
REX: Yeah, you're right. Let's go.
Our friends head toward the river when they spot a person sitting on a rock a few meters away. They look suspicious, covered in a black robe and holding a long staff, humming something. Before reaching the river, they stop to speak with the mysterious person.
MYSTERIOUS MONSTER: (Humming the Funeral March) Ha... oh... hello, mortals. How are you? How did you stumble into these domains?
DANTE tries to examine him, but something happens: the screen that should display his level and name appears all scratched out and distorted in red. Immediately, another window pops up, warning DANTE that his level is not high enough to view the enemy's data.
DANTE HERALDI: What the hell is going on? REX, get back, now! (He leaps backward). WHO ARE YOU? REVEAL YOURSELF!
MYSTERIOUS MONSTER: (A black aura emanates from his body as the cloak slowly falls away). (In a cheerful tone) Hello, mortals! How's it going? Allow me to introduce myself: I am Death itself in the flesh; you may call me MORS, hahahahaha!
The cloak falls, and the wooden stick transforms into a staff with a skull on the handle. It reveals a somewhat slender figure wearing white shoes, black trousers with a pocket chain, a shirt with a black vest, a small cape, and a black hat. His face is thin and pale with intense dark circles under his eyes, topped with white hair and white gloves. However, something strange was happening with him: he would turn semi-transparent every few seconds. This figure began to approach them.
DANTE HERALDI: What the hell is going on? HEY, stay right there! Don't move! What are you?
MORS: Didn't I tell you already? I am Death itself, hahaha! My, what a grumpy boy. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to you.
REX: But you... what on earth... are you truly Death in the flesh? DANTE, be careful. This is an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent being; this is extremely dangerous.
DANTE HERALDI: Now that you mention it, the level I barely managed to see had five digits... This is more than we can handle; this is bad. (He begins to tremble and sweat).
REX: Relax, DANTE. He really won't hurt us, because he actually can't.
DANTE HERALDI: What do you mean by that, REX?
MORS: Well, I'll explain it to you, DAN-TE, hahaha! What the dog says is true; I am Death in person, and I cannot harm you due to a pact with the gods. I only harvest souls, but I cannot kill anyone whose time hasn't come yet. However, if someone attacks me, I can return the damage in self-defense, hee-hee. Now that you know, what will you do?
MORS: Well, I'm just here to offer my services. You know BELL, don't you? He asked me to do this... how annoying.
DANTE HERALDI: What? BELL? That miserable jerk... what is he plotting now?
MORS: I don't know, but it seems he's fond of you. I haven't seen him this happy in millennia. Fine, I'll give you my help for now. Do you have any gold?
DANTE HERALDI: What does that have to do with anything?
MORS: Hahahaha! Let's just say I'm like a shopkeeper; I can offer you things you need and even upgrade your weapons.
DANTE HERALDI: Dammit, BELL, he keeps playing with me... Now this really feels like a video game. (Sigh). Fine, what are you offering? I'll trust you—just a little.
MORS: Oh, look at that! Now you're interested, hee-hee. Well, for now, I only have potions for you. If you're wondering what they do, they grant you incredible speed for about 20 minutes, that's all. And I could upgrade your sword. Do you want to try?
DANTE HERALDI: Fine, here (he pulls out his sword and hands it over). How much are your potions?
MORS: Well, they're just 1 gold coin each.
DANTE HERALDI: That's expensive (he sighs). Fine, just give me one. Here.
DANTE stays for a while talking with MORS and upgrades his weapon slightly; after some time has passed, they begin to take their leave.
DANTE HERALDI: Well, I'm off. Thanks for the help. Will I see you again?
MORS: Of course! I'll run into you again eventually and sell you more things, so make sure to get more gold, hahaha!
DANTE HERALDI: Right. Umm, let me ask you one thing before I go. Why do you look transparent every now and then?
MORS: Hmm, are you really that curious to know? (DANTE nods his head). Well, I'll tell you. I told you who I am, didn't I? This happens to me because, at any given moment, someone is dying in the territory I'm assigned to, and I have to go collect that soul. That dog didn't tell you; I am omnipresent. I am everywhere at once, hahaha! You know that time on the other side isn't the same as it is here, right? That's why I turn transparent sometimes. I'm actually grateful it works this way; if I were on the same timeline, I'd be turning transparent every single second, and it would be a pain—I wouldn't even be able to have a conversation with you.
DANTE HERALDI: What do you mean "territories"? Aren't you the Absolute Death?
MORS: No, what makes you think that? The multiverse is immense; we are a small group. You might run into the others, but be careful—I'm the only one who sells things, hahaha! Well, this is goodbye.
DANTE HERALDI: You're right. Goodbye, crazy shopkeeper.
MORS: (Annoyed) Don't push it, mortal. Goodbye. (Cheerful) You too, dog. Farewell.
REX: Yeah, goodbye! You're not like in the stories, made of pure bone; if you were, I might have taken a little bone from you, hehe.
MORS: Hahaha! Those are interesting stories. If you want to see me like that—(In a wicked tone)—just make me angry.
REX: (Scared) No, thanks! Bye! (He hides behind DANTE).
MORS: You know, I'll tell you this: I see the future too, and a lot of bad luck awaits you, hahaha! (He vanishes).
DANTE HERALDI: Dammit... he's just trying to make us worry.
DANTE and REX continue toward the river. Upon reaching the bank, they see a multitude of dogs—but they were spirits. They stand there, stunned, because the riverbank is covered in colorful flowers.
DANTE HERALDI: REX, what's going on here?
REX: This... I don't know. I never made it this far; I only saw it from a distance.
While they stand there, mesmerized by this marvelous place, a large, ghostly dog approaches them and proceeds to speak.
DOG: Hey! What are you two doing around here? This is a sacred place, only for dogs.
REX: Excuse me, but what is this place? I never came near this river before; I didn't even realize this place existed.
DOG: Welcome to Dog Paradise; this is Dog Heaven.
DANTE HERALDI: What are you talking about? Isn't this Hell?
DOG: I am the Ancestral Dog, the guardian of this place. And yes, I know we are in the Hell of humans and other species, but in this place, we "good dogs" have our own heaven. We help the souls who want to go elsewhere to cross and keep moving forward. But you, dog... you are wicked; that is why you don't belong here. What do you want?
REX: Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just following this human; I'm his friend and I want to help him.
ANCESTRAL DOG: Look at that... an "Assassin Dog" being friends with a human. How ironic.
DANTE HERALDI: Why do they keep calling him that? BELL called you that too, REX.
REX: Believe me, DANTE, it's not something I want to talk about. Hey, Dog! Let us pass, please. We'll keep moving, we'll leave immediately, and we won't cause any trouble.
ANCESTRAL DOG: Fine, go ahead. I hope you cross in peace. Do you know the rules, human?
DANTE HERALDI: If I have to look for my childhood dog, will he be here?
DANTE begins to search for his childhood dog, a russet-colored dog. He searches for a long time but cannot find him. Watching all the dogs run through the beautiful flowers of the area, he grows sad because his dog is nowhere to be found, and he turns back to the Ancestral Dog.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, Ancestral Dog, tell me... you know everything about this place, don't you?
ANCESTRAL DOG: Yes, I know every dog here.
DANTE HERALDI: I want to ask you about my dog. Do you know him?
ANCESTRAL DOG: Your dog? He is no longer here with us. It's strange, but the King of this island came specifically for that dog in particular; it is very unusual.
DANTE HERALDI: That can't be. Now how are we going to cross? And that king, what the hell, what did he want with my dog? I don't even want to see that damned king.
ANCESTRAL DOG: You will cross, you mean. The dog accompanying you cannot go with you, and I wouldn't recommend going after the King.
DANTE HERALDI: What the hell are you talking about?
ANCESTRAL DOG: You see, he is black. The river only accepts russet-colored dogs to pass through. Therefore, he won't be able to cross. It's quite a nuisance, but the guardian of this world willed it so.
DANTE is stunned; he doesn't know what to do. He promised REX he would get him out alongside him. Without realizing it, REX had heard everything and walks toward the riverbank; DANTE finds him and sits by his side to keep him company.
DANTE HERALDI: REX, I... I don't know how to tell you this.
REX: Don't worry, DANTE. I know what you're going to say, but I'm not giving up.
After a while, the two of them just stand there, staring at the vast river, feeling a bit dejected.
DANTE HERALDI: Dammit, if only Charon existed, this would be so much easier.
REX: Who's that?
DANTE HERALDI: He's a ferryman who carried souls across. Apparently, Aztec legends were more accurate than the Greek ones.
The Ancestral Dog appears from behind them.
ANCESTRAL DOG: He does exist; he's just in a different Hell.
DANTE HERALDI: What? Seriously? Well, we're not there. Give me a solution, you damn dog, or get lost.
ANCESTRAL DOG: How rude (he begins to walk away). Perhaps running across the water would be easier for you (sarcastic).
REX: Hmm... you know, the big dog has a point.
DANTE HERALDI: What are you thinking, REX?
REX takes his true form, grabs DANTE by his clothes, and pulls him onto his back. He starts running, putting some distance between them and the river before charging toward it at high speed.
DANTE HERALDI: HEY! WAIT! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT, REX! STOP! THE RIVER IS TOO WIDE!
REX: JUST WATCH ME! HAAAAAA!
REX sprints at a massive speed and hits the water. The sound of wailing souls begins to echo; the Ancestral Dog is shocked that they took his joke literally.
ANCESTRAL DOG: These idiots are unbelievable... I hope they make it; if they don't, they'll die, and the Master of the River will appear.
REX has already covered a great distance across the river, but he begins to lose momentum. DANTE panics; suddenly, he remembers MORS's potion and forces REX to swallow it, boosting his speed. However, the river seems endless; they've been running for 25 minutes and the potion's effect is starting to fade, but they can finally see the shore. Just meters away from the bank, REX's strength begins to fail, and he starts to sink.
DANTE HERALDI: (Nervous) REX, what's happening, buddy? Come on, you can do this! Keep going, we're only a few meters away!
REX: (While running) You know, DANTE... it was a pleasure being by your side, my friend. The moments I spent with you were the best of my life. Thanks to you, the heavy burden on my soul felt a little lighter. I wish you the best on your journeys.
DANTE HERALDI: What the hell are you talking about, Rex? (A tear falls down his face). I don't understand! You're coming with me! Don't give up—swim if you have to!
REX: (Sinking further) It's too late for me, my friend. Goodbye. (Wagging his tail with a smile).
REX grabs DANTE with his snout and, with all his remaining strength, flings him into the air. He fires a blast of flame that pushes DANTE all the way to the opposite shore while REX is dragged down into the river by the grasping souls. DANTE slams into the ground from the force of the fireball; he scrambles up immediately, only to see his friend sinking into the river, pulled down by the spirits of the deep. REX, with a final smile, says his last goodbye.
DANTE HERALDI: (Kneels down) REEEEEEEX! NOOOOOOOOOO! REX! (Crying) Why? You stupid dog... why did you have to sacrifice yourself for me? Why?! Dammit! (He punches the ground repeatedly) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Just when I was starting to trust you... I don't feel much physical pain, but this hurts my very soul. You damn dog, why did you leave me alone?
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake, and DANTE quickly stands up. The water in front of him starts to rise like a tsunami, and a massive reptilian head emerges—so large that its eye is nearly the size of a three-story house. DANTE quickly appraises the iguana; the result shows this monster is Level 300. DANTE is terrified and begins to sweat, but he notices something strange atop the iguana's head. Sensing a small trace of power, he takes a great leap to see over the reptile's head, realizing that REX is right there. He is overjoyed, but he doesn't know how to get him out. The iguana spots DANTE and lunges at him. DANTE manages to dodge the attack using his "Wolf Speed."
He quickly climbs onto its head, rescues REX, and tries to retreat as fast as possible, but the iguana strikes him with its tongue, knocking him down and seriously injuring him. DANTE thinks it's the end as the iguana prepares to deliver a full-force headbutt. He closes his eyes, awaiting his death, but hears a massive crash. Opening his eyes, he sees a large humanoid figure, about 3 meters tall, catching the iguana's snout. DANTE realizes the creature is holding it back with just one hand. After holding the snout for a few seconds, the monster leaps, shoves the iguana back, and winds up a punch that strikes the giant reptile, scaring it off back into the river. The creature looks at DANTE and lands in front of him. DANTE's vision is blurry and he can't see clearly, but he hears a voice.
MYSTERIOUS DEMON: Human, are you alright?
DANTE HERALDI: Sorry, I think you're mistaken... I'm a demon. (Thinking) Better pretend to be a demon.
MYSTERIOUS DEMON: You cannot deceive me, mortal. I am far stronger than anyone here.
DANTE regains his sight and appraises the demon in front of him. He is shocked and terrified; this demon is Level 1000. DANTE thinks his luck has finally run out and closes his eyes in resignation, waiting for death.
MYSTERIOUS DEMON: Hey, kid, what are you doing? We need to cure your dog; follow me.
DANTE HERALDI: (Timidly and distrustful) Mr. Demon... aren't you going to kill me? Who are you?
MYSTERIOUS DEMON: Hmm, haha! True, I haven't introduced myself. Well, before you stands the incredible and powerful MALEKIN THE GREAT! PRAISE ME! Hahahaha! And I'm a "good" demon, hahahahaha!
DANTE is stunned by all of this. What will happen from here on out? Is this MALEKIN truly good? What adventures await them outside the island? We will find out soon.