Covered in eerie blue flames, a figure as tall as a hill emerged from the Chaos Gate. In fact, it indeed was a ‘hill’ as its massive body, limbs, and head were made out of sturdy rocks and boulders. Blue flames blazed at its joints, core of its body, and head, forming terrifying facial features in its face. The moment it appeared, the ground rumbled and endless blue flames surged from the earth’s fissures like fireworks released when a superstar ascended the stage. The flames enveloped the entire surface like an erupted volcano with burning magma devouring all the unfortunate creatures beneath.
“Flame Monarch!”
One of the Quasits urging on the Imps and gazing at the enormous devil shrieked in fear. Unsure if its shriek attracted the Flame Monarch’s attention, the Flame Monarch turned around immediately. Then, under its scorching gaze, the demon gave a blood-curdling scream before melting away like a bucket of molten steel had been poured over it.
The war turned into a stalemate. Standing before the overwhelming presence of the Flame Monarch, the lowly demons could do nothing. The instant the Flame Monarch shot a glance at the demons, they would immediately light up in flames and melt. Whenever the Flame Monarch waved its arm, explosions would erupt like volcanic eruptions. The thick, unbearable, crimson smoke pushed forward alongside the devils. The volcanic cloud was so terrifying that even demons who were used to the heat of hell collapsed involuntarily. Even though the demons tried to stop the volcanic cloud from shifting forward, in the face of the Flame Monarch their every action was as though a mantis was trying to obstruct a chariot. Although the demons struggled to maintain their formation and balance, they had no choice but to retreat to the pressurizing monarch.
“Trash! Trash! A bunch of useless trash! Continue to attack; if not, I will rip your intestines and force them into your skulls!”
Celestina howled at the sight of the retreating demon armies. She gnashed her teeth with a furious expression, tapping her fingers anxiously on the hilt hanging on her waist. At the next moment, blade shadows flitted across the air and bound two demons who were attempting to flee. Then, the razor-sharp blades moved on their own and sliced through the demons’ stomachs, spilling the internal organs and blood from within. Celestina snorted, swinging the blade in her hand and the two unfortunate demon corpses crumbled in front of her. The Lustful Demons clustering around her ran ahead diligently, digging out the hearts and eyeballs and presented them to Celestina like offering treasures.
“This is the consequence of a retreating coward!”
Perhaps because the fresh blood and corpses heightened the demons’ ferocity, they braced themselves and attacked the devils yet again. But in the face of the Flame Monarch, they were too small and powerless. The demons used countless bloody flesh to replenish the gaps and corpses to form a solid wall to stop the devils’ infiltration. Even though the Imps feared death equally, class division was definite in hell. This was even more so than in the main plane of existence. Perhaps human soldiers might crumble when they couldn’t defend against the enemies, to the demons, as long as there was an order, they would fight until the end. This so-called persistence was the main reason why they were able to resist the devils for tens of thousands of years.
The stalemate wasn’t what Celestina hoped for. She knitted her brows and snorted, before piercing the sword into one of the Lustful Demons’ chest beside her mercilessly. The Lustful Demon lifted its head with a pious expression, spreading its arms and allowing Celestina’s blade to penetrate its body. Celestina aimed for the heart and pulled it out of its chest. The heart was still pumping as she mouthed the words of a prayer. Shortly after, a profane and evil curse resounded in the air. Along with her chants, the heart pumped faster and its appearance gradually turned pitch-black.
“Muy ria Ba!”
Celestina yelled, raising her arm and squashing the heart in her hand. A crimson radiance erupted and the ground rumbled like an earthquake. Invisible, yet feelable ripples of scorching, ice-cold terror erupted from the Hell’s Gate. Shortly after, a thunderous voice sounded.
“Who is calling for my existence using my real name!”
An enormous demon strode out of Hell’s Gate. Like other high-class demons, its body was covered in crimson scales from top to bottom and had a pair of bat-like wings on its back. It wielded a flame sword on its left hand and around its waist was a belt made up of indescribable skulls. The demon was incredibly huge and tall like a moving giant. Along with its emergence, hundreds of Cornugons and Abyssal Demons flew out of the gate to protect their master.
“I’m requesting for your help, Bayer! Destroy those filthy, disgusting trash and I will represent the Ninth Floor to reconsider your suggestion!”
“…!”
The lord of Hell’s First Floor narrowed its eyes that glinted brightly upon hearing Celestina’s words. Then, it opened its mouth and drooled revolting, green liquid to the ground, before scanning Celestina from head to toes. Bayer wasn’t familiar with this demon young lady, but it sensed her powerful strength and higher status. As one of the eight Demon Lords of hell, it had never felt suppression of class status so clearly. That wasn’t only the difference in strength and status. Instead, it was more like an innate rule. This reminded Bayer of a rumor after he qualified to be a Demon Lord. That rumor was ridiculous, but full of inexplicable mysteries. And now, it seemed like there was no doubt about it anymore.
“… Yes, my dear lady.”
In the end, Bayer chose to submit as it lowered its head respectfully. Then, it lifted its head, gazed ahead, and widened its mouth to make a loud snarl. It swung the huge flame sword forward and along with its actions, another rush of demons emerged from the Hell’s Gate and pounced on the enemies from above. At the same time, Bayer stared at the Flame Monarch in front, but the latter’s scorching radiance that could burn everything didn’t make Bayer flinch. Although Bayer was the most cunning and intelligent Demon Lord, it disliked facing enemies personally. However, the reason why it was able to secure its place was due to its dominance over the devils. Shortly after, under Bayer’s orders, the demons swiftly switched up their attacking style and began luring and dividing, once again slaughtering the devils. The fire cloud from hell flew forward at Bayer’s command, stopping the Flame Monarch from making its next move.
This is a bloodbath.
Rhode stood on the bridge and gazed at the battlefield below. Apart from blood and corpses, there was nothing else visible. The entirety of Casabianca had turned into a blood-soaked battleground and no one could survive this attack. Perhaps some were fortunate enough to avoid the clash, but when they inhaled the gas from hell or purgatory, they wouldn’t be able to avoid the fate of death. This once spotless and white city had turned into a battlefield where every street, corner, and ruin was thronged with devils and demons, massacring while stepping on the corpses of devils, demons, and humans. There was no exception.
Lilian had already turned pale. The number of corpses she saw today was more than she had ever seen since birth. She swore that she had never witnessed such a terrifying war, not even during the war against the Country of Darkness. This wasn’t a battle for glory and no justice was involved whatsoever. Both sides fought for the sake of fighting and victory and failure were only add-ons. This was a process that the demons and devils enjoyed: kill or be killed.
Complicated information came surging into her head like the tide, forcing Lilian to close her eyes and take a step back. The rumbles and explosions of cannon blasts had as though turned into the sad calling of a knell. They stopped at the edge of demolishing the world, but eventually would destroy everything.
“You should get some rest, Lilian.”
Rhode gazed at Lilian and consoled softly. He knew what was going on in her mind. In fact, many players were unable to accept such bloodbaths. It wasn’t just endless war and there were also hidden mutual deceptions. Even though players wouldn’t really die in the game, not anyone could accept the intensity of such battles. Rhode remembered his first participation in a bloodbath. Back then, he thought he could have an enjoyable break during the national holidays. But in the end, tensions were high among the members including him during the 7 consecutive days of dungeon bloodbaths. Not only did he not get to rest, but he also tired himself out. After the holidays ended, he didn’t feel like he had a good rest. Instead, he felt as tired as working overtime. Some players instantly left hell and refused to partake in any operations involving bloodbaths anymore.
Upon hearing his words, Lilian hesitated. But eventually, she shook her head determinedly.
“No, Big Brother Rhode. I want to continue… This is my battle.”
“Good girl.”
Rhode smiled and caressed her hair. Then, he put up a stern expression before turning over.
“Karin, how’s your analysis of the Chaos Gate?”
“Still on-going, Your Majesty; I need more time. But with the records from the Deepest Labyrinth, it won’t take long.”
“Good.”
Rhode nodded to Karin’s report.
“After the analysis is done, we will coordinate with the demons and launch an all-out attack to destroy the Chaos Gate!”
