Chapter 3 - Evilus vs Ais
She didn't know why she had come to this dark and cold cave; she only knew she had nowhere else to go.
After hurting the person who cared for her most, loved her most, and took the best care of her in this world, where could she possibly go after running away from Riveria?
No one else would accept Ais.
As a sword, she could only survive in a dungeon full of monsters.
So Ais swung her sword, thrusting and slashing, charging through the Dungeon with a momentum even more ferocious than the monsters themselves.
She used the spray of monster blood to hide the weak tears on her face.
She let the roar of her blade cover the childlike sobs caught in her throat.
She used her violent fighting spirit to destroy both the monsters before her and her own body, all to escape the loneliness that followed her like a shadow, eating away at her will.
It wasn't until her body sent signals of impending collapse that Ais woke from her intense emotions, realizing she had even forgotten to breathe.
After defeating the last monster, Ais plunged her sword into the ground, trying to take a deep breath as a burning heat spread from her limbs into the depths of her lungs.
When she forced herself to look up, she found herself in a vast wilderness filled with a pale, dark mist and countless dead trees.
Ais recognized this as the 12th Floor, the deepest level of the Dungeon's upper floors.
Because the monsters had been cleared out, the area was so quiet that only her own breathing could be heard.
The solitary feeling washed over her again, making her eyes burn.
Just then—
"—Are you in pain, little lost child?"
A solemn yet flippant voice echoed, startling Ais.
She turned her head and saw a figure emerging from the white mist.
He was dressed in black, with long, thick purple hair flowing from under his hood. His body was as slender as a woman's. Although he exuded a strong, decadent aura, his sharp features and inhuman air made Ais instantly aware of his identity.
A god?
Why is one in the Dungeon?
As she wondered, Ais saw more black-robed figures appear, gathering behind the purple-haired god like guards.
Evilus!
Vigilance flooded her heart, and Ais subconsciously moved to draw her sword.
"Those people can't understand you, can they? They're always hindering your progress, making you lonely, sad, and uneasy."
The god's voice, soft and sweet as honey, made Ais freeze.
Her heart pounded.
The sound of roaring black flames echoed in her mind, and a burning sensation spread across her back, awakening a surging impulse within her..an urge to break free from all beautiful illusions, to surrender her body and mind to those ferocious flames, and to lose herself completely in endless battle.
"Then let me give you strength. Come to me...I will grant you everything you desire..."
Looking at the god's gracefully extended hand, Ais's own hand moved slightly, about to let go of her sword's hilt...
But at that moment, the image of an elven royal's emerald-green eyes, filled with sorrow, flashed through her mind.
The memories they had made together over the past year became a flash of light and a cool breeze, awakening Ais from the black flames and making her grip her beloved sword tightly.
"I want power, but this is wrong... I can't go with you!"
The god's smile faded. Soon, he shrugged, his frivolous air returning.
"—What a pity. I thought I could win over the sister of the rumored 'Nine hells'... but now, I have no choice but to get rid of you as promised."
Hearing him say that, Ais quickly took a defensive stance. But the god suddenly snapped his fingers, and beneath his hood, his lips curled into a chilling smile.
Under Ais's surprised gaze, the god raised his hand and liberated his Arcanum!
Dark purple waves of light transformed into slender beams that pierced the cavern ceiling.
Immediately, the Dungeon shook violently as if it had awakened. The cave walls shattered and collapsed like an avalanche, and the sounds of ruin echoed from the entrance and exit.
High above, the barrier-like ceiling cracked like an eggshell. A new life broke free, and ominous black wings unfolded as a hissing roar filled the air.
It had sharp claws, ferocious fangs, and black scales and wings.
It was a Wyvern, a powerful dragon species that lived on the middle floors.
This one was clearly an Irregular- a strengthened variant.
In an instant, Ais's eyes went cold.
The dark flames that had just subsided flared up again, instantly shattering her sanity.
"Well then, bye-bye."
After waving goodbye to Ais, the god pulled a silver-white, orb-like magic item from his robes and turned to leave with his slightly panicked guards.
Feeling both the frustration of a failed recruitment and the thrill of a risky gambit, Thanatos was heading towards his objective, a high wall somewhere on the 12th floor.
When he suddenly stopped, his eyes widening.
Amidst the earth shaking chaos, a chilling sword whistle, like the howl of a vengeful spirit, cut through the air.
A human figure suddenly appeared in the flying dust and fog, and a sword light emitting a biting chill vanished in an instant!
"My lord! Be careful!"
"Enemy attack!"
The guards behind Thanatos immediately sensed the danger.
Shouting a warning, they quickly pulled the god back.
The next moment, a blade sliced through the air where Thanatos had just been, almost beheading him on the spot.