---
The bloodied group limped forward.
The Maze of Blood and Bones crumbled behind them, collapsing into itself, leaving nothing but mist and ash in its wake.
Ahead —
A massive obsidian gate stood tall, etched with countless screaming faces frozen mid-agony.
It radiated power.
At the top of the gate, a System Notification floated:
---
System Notification
> [ Final Area: Demon King's Throne ]
Entry is irreversible.
Prepare accordingly.
Warning: Tier 4 Threat Detected.
Choices made here will permanently alter your fate.
---
Lian clenched his fists.
There would be no turning back after this.
Everyone checked their gear:
Demist was still gravely injured, his movements slow, one arm barely usable.
Elyra's mana reserves were dangerously low.
Jayce's light jokes were weaker, but he forced himself to smile.
Lian himself felt like a hollow shell, but his heart burned with unyielding fire.
They stood together before the Gate.
Elyra asked quietly:
"Are we ready?"
Jayce gave a crooked smile.
"No. But let's go anyway."
Demist chuckled dryly.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Lian nodded.
And together — they pushed open the gate.
---
The Throne Room
---
The world shifted.
A vast, endless hall stretched out before them —
Thousands of crimson pillars reached toward a dark sky.
Flames flickered along the floor, forming pathways of burning runes.
At the far end, atop a blackened throne made of twisted souls, sat—
The Demon King.
His form was... unstable.
Shifting between a colossal armored figure, a shadowed beast with burning eyes, and something purely monstrous — an entity that didn't belong in any sane reality.
His gaze fell upon them.
The weight of it nearly crushed them.
A system prompt immediately triggered:
---
System Prompt
> [ Warning: Overwhelming Power Detected ]
Direct combat is impossible unless certain conditions are met.
Choose your path:
1. Accept the Demon King's Offer (Betray your team)
2. Reject and Fight (High chance of permanent death)
3. Attempt Negotiation (Extremely risky)
---
The Demon King spoke, voice a thunderous earthquake:
"Little insects... you've proven amusing. A rare feat."
His grin split wider, showing endless rows of jagged, bloody teeth.
"Bow before me. Serve. And I shall grant you each a new universe to rule."
Silence.
The offer hung heavy in the air.
A universe each...
The temptation was real.
Jayce laughed nervously, trying to break the tension.
"Uh... can we get dental insurance with that deal too?"
Even the Demon King chuckled darkly.
Elyra, shaking slightly, whispered:
"...he's serious."
Demist coughed blood but glared up at the throne.
"Over my dead body."
All eyes turned to Lian.
The Leader.
The Decision-Maker.
---
The First Choice: Permanent Consequences
---
Option 1:
Accept the deal. Betray teammates. Gain unimaginable power, but lose everything human.
Option 2:
Reject and fight. Risk death. True freedom.
Option 3:
Attempt to trick the Demon King. Play along, then strike at the right moment.
---
Lian closed his eyes.
Felt the weight of everything they had suffered.
Every friend lost.
Every inch of blood spilled.
Every scream.
He opened his eyes — sharp as blades.
And he spoke.
---
"Screw your offer."
---
The Demon King's eyes flared in rage.
The hall shook violently.
Combat began immediately.
---
Boss Battle Initiated: Demon King Malzareth
---
Phase 1: Despair
Malzareth raised a single finger.
From the ground, shadow creatures erupted — twisted amalgamations of nightmares and regrets.
Hundreds.
The team was swarmed.
Jayce fired wildly, using every bullet, every trick, his jokes falling silent.
Elyra unleashed forbidden magic, sacrificing years off her own life for raw firepower.
Demist fought with pure will, using his broken body like a battering ram.
And Lian—
Lian fought like a demon himself.
Every swing was fueled by rage, pain, and an iron will not to yield.
But the shadows kept coming.
Wave after wave.
The system screamed at them:
---
> [ Survive for 10 minutes to unlock Phase 2 ]
Current Survival Time: 1:27
---
Only one minute passed.
It felt like a lifetime.
---
The Second Choice: Life or Death
---
Suddenly, a new System Emergency popped up:
---
System Emergency Alert
> [ You may sacrifice ONE team member to instantly skip Phase 1. ]
Sacrificed member will be erased completely — body, soul, memories.
No resurrection possible.
---
Everyone saw it.
Everyone went silent.
The choice hung in the air like a blade.
Sacrifice someone... or fight and maybe all die.
Jayce looked at Lian and smiled, broken but genuine.
"...You're the leader, right? Make the call."
Elyra tightened her grip on her staff but said nothing, trusting him.
Demist chuckled, blood running down his chin.
"Heh. Always knew I'd die fighting."
Lian's hands trembled.
Could he make that choice?
Could he sacrifice someone who trusted him?
Who laughed with him?
Who fought beside him?
Or—
Would they all risk dying together? You will know it in the next chapter.
---
Chapter End