Chapter 7: The Demon's Throne
Lucian barely had time to react before the world twisted around him. The moment he stepped into the so-called Land of Luminary, an overwhelming force yanked him away from the butler. His vision blurred, his feet left the ground, and a feeling of weightlessness gripped his body. Then—
A sickening lurch.
Lucian crashed onto cold, jagged stone. He groaned, shaking off the disorientation. The air was heavy, thick with something foul—rot, iron, and something far worse.
Unease crawled up his spine. His instincts screamed at him to move, to run, but his body refused to respond. Slowly, he turned his head, and his breath hitched in his throat.
Before him sat a demon.
The figure was monstrous. A towering, obsidian-skinned entity lounged on a throne constructed entirely of human skulls and blackened iron. The skulls, some fresh, others ancient, grinned mockingly as if sharing in some eternal joke. The demon's body radiated pure malice—twisted, grotesque muscles rippling beneath charred flesh. His long, clawed fingers drummed lazily against the armrest, his piercing golden eyes locked onto Lucian with cruel amusement.
Lucian cursed inwardly. "Damn that butler… I got played."
A chuckle rumbled from the throne, deep and bone-chilling.
Then the demon spoke.
A single word.
The force of it sent Lucian crashing onto his knees.
Agony. Pure, indescribable agony wracked his body. His vision blurred, his ears rang, his bones felt as though they were simultaneously shattering and liquefying. His stomach lurched—he wanted to vomit, to claw out of his own skin, to escape—but he couldn't move. The mere vibration of the demon's voice had broken him.
The air trembled as the demon narrowed his eyes. His voice, though filled with malice, carried something else—confusion.
"Using my true voice against a mere human… What happened to me?" he mused, his tone laced with irritation.
Then, with a guttural growl, he reined himself in. The pressure lifted just enough for Lucian to suck in a ragged breath, though his body still trembled. The demon leaned forward, grinning as he spoke once more—this time without the reality-warping force.
"My name is Asmodeus."
He chuckled, his fangs gleaming in the dim, hellish glow of the chamber.
Lucian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay conscious. The demon was offering something—a contract, perhaps? The words slithered through the air, wrapping around Lucian's mind like chains. He could feel it pulling him in, an irresistible temptation woven into every syllable. He had to resist.
But then—
A sharp, visceral pain tore through his chest.
Something snapped inside him. His soul trembled, his mind wavered, and for a moment—
Lucian died.
Darkness consumed him.
But it was not the end.
A presence stirred.
.within him
Lucian even after dying felt like a ???. Lucian, though trapped in limbo, felt the weight of an unseen force gripping him, dragging him back from death's edge.
????? had awakened from lucian
The f????n Lumin??'s gaze burned through the abyss. Without a word, without hesitation, he moved. The world shattered.
Asmodeus never stood a chance.
The demon let out a roar, but it was too late. A force split through him, his monstrous form crumbling under ,?????s might. The iron throne collapsed, the skulls turning to dust as the chamber quaked with the aftershock of g??!? intervention. In a single moment, the demon's existence was erased.
Lucian gasped as he awoke, not remembering what happened,his chest heaving, his lungs desperately drinking in air. His body ached, his mind reeled. The hellish throne room was gone. Instead, he found himself in a familiar place—his own quarters, back in the world of the living.
His brother's voice rang in his ears.
"Lucian! You—idiot! You almost died, do you even—?!"Neo's frantic voice barely registered as Lucian sat up, his heart still hammering. He flexed his fingers, feeling something… new. Something different.
His gaze snapped to the tome beside him, glowing faintly. With a shaky breath, he flipped it open.
Rewards Unlocked.
One in particular caught his attention.
Skill Obtained: Sixth Sense.
A passive ability. A constant, unyielding awareness of danger—like an instinct sharpened to perfection.
Lucian groaned. "Damn that butler."
Neo crossed his arms. "Oh, now you're worried about who?"
Lucian sighed, slumping against the wall. He had escaped death. Barely. And yet, deep down, he knew—
This was only the beginning.