Devil's System: A Necromancer's Rise

BOOOOOM!!!

The sky split apart from the violent clash between Shalara's Frost Dragon's Wrath and the sudden appearance of the Phoenix Annihilation Cannon. The two attacks collided, creating a massive explosion that shook the battlefield.

The shockwave swept through everything in its path. Ice and fire swirled together in a chaotic vortex of energy, forming a thick mist that obscured all vision.

As the smoke began to clear...

Leon was gone.

Shalara glanced around, then let out a cold laugh. "Ha! So this is your end, demon? Wiped from existence without a trace?"

Sylvaine, still trapped inside the ice prison, could only remain silent. Her eyes were hollow. Tears streamed down her face endlessly, yet no sound escaped her lips. Her mind went blank, unable to accept the reality that Leon might truly be gone.

Shalara raised her hand, preparing a final attack to ensure Leon's death—

But suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed from the sky.

"It's time to leave, Shalara. Our mission here is complete."

Shalara frowned but eventually nodded. "Very well. But remember, Sylvaine—you will return with your aunt, and you will forget everything about that demon."

With a wave of her hand, the ice prison encasing Sylvaine floated upward, following her as she flew away, leaving the devastated battlefield behind.

Four months later.

Darkness.

Then… light.

A man lay on a bed, slowly opening his eyes. His vision was still blurry, but he could tell this was not a place he recognized.

"W-Where… am I…?"

The door to the room opened. A man with an overwhelmingly powerful aura entered, smiling when he saw that the other had awakened.

"Finally awake, Leon."

Suddenly, memories flooded back. The battle. Shalara. Sylvaine.

He tried to sit up, only then realizing his wounds had healed. The frost that had once paralyzed him was gone.

"Your Majesty… Zephyr?" Leon recognized the figure—his own Demon King.

Zephyr nodded. "Indeed. How are you feeling?"

"I… I'm better," Leon answered slowly.

"But… how long was I unconscious?"

"Four months."

"FOUR MONTHS?!"

Leon clenched his fists. "What about Sylvaine…? She—"

"Was taken by our aunt," Zephyr cut in, his voice heavy.

"I'm sorry, Leon. We failed to protect her."

Leon lowered his head, guilt and anger gnawing at him. "This is my fault… If only I had been stronger…"

"It's not just your fault, Leon," Zephyr said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I failed to protect my own sister as well."

A heavy silence fell between them.

Then Zephyr took a deep breath. "Come. There's someone who wants to meet you. The one who saved us."

They walked toward a meeting room. The moment the door opened, Leon felt a terrifyingly powerful aura that made his hair stand on end.

Inside the room, three men sat at a table, waiting.

To the left was a bespectacled man with red hair—cold, sarcastic, yet his sharp eyes gleamed with the wisdom of one who knew everything.

To the right was a man with twin katanas, his black hair streaked with red. He appeared calm, but the sword aura around him was like a monster ready to strike.

And in the center was a long-haired man with white locks and an eyepatch. His aura was the strongest of them all—just like the man who had once saved Dyno.

Zephyr introduced them one by one.

"Leon, meet Nix—the last of the Phoenix race. On the right is Kazan Ryusei, a human swordsmaster. And in the center is Arthur Eint, the vice-leader here."

Leon bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you. I'm Leon Astaroth."

"Likewise," they replied in unison.

Arthur smiled. "Were you the one who saved me?" Leon asked.

"Indeed. It would've been a waste for someone as strong as you to die meaninglessly," Arthur replied casually.

Leon sighed. "I'm not that strong. If I were, the person I care about wouldn't have—"

"I'll help you get her back," Arthur suddenly declared.

Leon's eyes widened. "Seriously?!"

"Of course. But to do that, you'll need to join our organization—Varavium."

"Varavium?"

"Yes. We are an organization that opposes the gods and the so-called 'holy races' who oppress and rule as they please. We seek to create a just world—one free from tyranny, where all beings can live in peace and equality."

"And one of those 'holy races' is the Angels… who also happen to be your target," Nix added with a sarcastic smirk.

Leon didn't hesitate. "I'll join."

Arthur nodded in satisfaction. "Welcome, Leon."

"But there's one more thing."

"We still need two more members," Arthur said.

"And one of them… is inside you, Leon."

Leon was stunned. "Lord Satan?!"

"Yes. He was our hero—our leader. And we have a way to restore his true form… but we need five rare materials. So far, we only have one."

Leon fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "What do I need to do?"

"Keep growing stronger. I know a temporary place for you—the same place where our final candidate is imprisoned. That will also be our next mission."

Leon agreed.

Before leaving, Zephyr whispered, "Oh, and Leon… from now on, just call me Big Brother Zephyr. The same goes for Big Brother Raiden."

Leon was confused. "But I'm just—"

"It's an order," Zephyr cut in with a smile.

That night, in his room, Leon stared at his hands.

"I have to get stronger… To bring Sylvaine back. And for everything else."

=== BAB 18 END ===