Climbed the Ice Mountain.
I didn't encounter any monsters, which worried me… the silence was unsettling.
I followed every path the sword revealed to me until I reached the top of the mountain.
There was nothing strange, except for the freezing cold—I felt like I was going to freeze to death.
"Hey, demon! I've climbed all the way up—show yourself! I don't have time for this, I'm freezing here!"
"Hey! Do you hear me, you cursed eye? Are you trying to kill me?"
A faint voice answered,
"Silence, boy. I can hear you perfectly. But you'll have to wait a little. You're not there yet. Keep walking, and then we'll talk."
"For how long?!"
"Just walk until I say. That's easy… You're the one who doesn't feel the cold like I do."
"And what if I complain?! Ugh… fine."
I walked a little further until I found a strange place amid the blizzards and ice.
It was warm—and I could feel a massive energy flowing around me.
"What is this power…? I can't absorb mana, but its presence… It's indescribable."
The demon spoke again,
"This place, vessel, is filled with energy because it's close to the Dimas your team is looking for."
"What? You mean this place is near the Dimas? Then when I return, I must tell them—"
"Don't, vessel. Even if I showed you the path, Dimas is waiting for someone here. When that person appears, it will open. No matter what you do, you can't force it."
"Waiting for someone? Who?"
"I don't know. But this place is called The Site of the First Prophecy."
"The First Prophecy?"
"It is said that one day, peace will be restored when the Dimas in each kingdom is opened, and its secret revealed. Only then will the prophecy be fulfilled."
"So, when the Dimas open, the prophecy will come true…? Demon, answer me this—how do you know my past?"
"As I told you, I can see your memories."
"Then you've seen the one who tortured me too?"
The demon paused for a moment, then said,
"No. I couldn't see him. But the sound of your screams… was like music to my ears."
"Music, huh? Then tell me—how did you know the future of the body's first owner?"
"That's easy. He was the one who discovered this place.
I used to appear in his dreams because at first, I thought he was the vessel.
He'd wake up in terror every night—until one night, he didn't sleep. He climbed the mountain, reached this area, entered a cave with a mirror… and there, he saw his future.
He saw himself wielding my power, standing before someone called the Lord of the Dead, and defeating him."
"Wait—who is the Lord of the Dead?"
"I can only tell you that his power surpasses mine—by far.
Even so, when I was still human—yes, I loved myself that way—I faced him.
Our battle destroyed everything around us.
He's the only one I ever acknowledged as my equal.
We fought to a draw, but I wasn't satisfied with that.
When I saw that vision, I was pleased.
But when I saw the final image, I realized he wouldn't be the one to use my power.
It would be you, Andre… or should I say, Olav."
"So, it came true after all… Where was that place?"
"Oh, the place where he saw the crystal? I didn't want to see it myself.
But listen, vessel—to find that mirror, you must find the head of the sleeping beast beneath the water.
That crystal was designed to watch over it."
"Wait—the beast is underwater, but the crystal is in the mountains? How?"
"Ha ha ha! Because that beast is ten times larger than the entire kingdom!"
Andre climbed to the highest peak he could reach and looked around.
"I can't even see the end of the kingdom from here, and you're telling me that thing is ten times bigger?
How in the hell could the Lord of Ice defeat something like that?!"
"You're right," the demon said, "but you forgot one thing, Andre…
You never listen to what a demon says."
Suddenly, a shadow appeared—it looked just like a demon.
It grabbed the sword and slashed Andre's back with it.
Andre staggered back and turned around to see his demon taking a physical form, holding his sword.
"How did you… form like that?!"
"I just gathered the mana and shaped it—simple."
"So that's your true form?!"
"No, fool. This is a mana construct—to kill you.
But if I kill you, I'll die too."
"Idiot! You and I are like a balance—if one side outweighs the other, everything collapses!"
"Exactly! And since you're about to die, I'll take over for you.
Not just that—I'll finally settle my score with humanity.
So, thank you, Andre."
"What do I do? I have no weapon, no strength left…"
The demon lunged with his sword, slashing wildly.
Andre barely dodged until he fell, injuring his leg.
"This is the end, vessel. Thank you for the body."
But before the final strike landed, chains of light wrapped around the demon, restraining him.
"You fool, Andre," a voice echoed,
"Didn't your commander forbid you from leaving until the pact was complete? Why did you disobey?"
Andre turned toward the voice.
"Volak?!"
"And you—why did you leave too?"
"Hah, still an idiot even in this situation."
"We'll talk later. For now, let me handle this demon."
Volak gripped the chains, pulling the demon away from Andre, preparing to fight.
"Andre, what is that thing?"
"It's the sword demon—the one sealed inside my blade."
"What?! That's the thing that fought me at the Twin Mountains?"
"Yes. Impressive, but not at full strength."
"Gather your mana, human!" the demon roared.
"You've ruined my plan, you cursed eye!"
"Thanks for the compliment," Volak smirked.
"But I thought the one who fought me back then was one of the kings… I don't see it."
"I am no king, human. I am the king of those kings you tremble before!
But for your courage… I'll give you a little show."
The Demon King raised his sword, channeling an overwhelming power that everyone nearby could feel.
Volak stepped back, gathering all his strength, waiting for the attack—but the Demon King didn't move.
Then he spoke coldly:
"I was just gathering some energy. Now… remember who you're speaking to, human."
He turned his gaze to Andre.
"And you… Your body will be mine soon. I have my own goals. Farewell—for now. And you as well…"
With that, he vanished.
Volak dropped to the ground, shaken by the sheer force he'd just felt.
He looked at Andre, still pale and trembling.
"What in hell is inside you, Andre?"
Andre exhaled slowly, eyes still wide.
"Believe me… I have no idea."
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The readers — here's a new chapter!
I hope you enjoy it.
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