The Demon Lord didn't die.
No matter how many spells tore through its body, no matter how much blood stained the obsidian floor, the creature kept standing—laughing as its flesh regenerated again and again.
Kael Noctryn knelt at the edge of the battlefield.
His lungs burned. His mana was empty. His shadow—his only ability—flickered weakly beneath his feet like a dying flame.
"I'm… out," Kael said hoarsely.
No one answered him.
Behind him stood the heroes of the world.
Eldric Vaelor, the Great Sage, calm and unshaken.Seraphina Lumea, the Holy Saint, glowing in radiant light.Ronan Greyridge, weapon resting on his shoulder.Lyra Windfall, arrow half-drawn, eyes distant.
The Demon Lord roared, its torn chest sealing shut in seconds.
"Tch," Ronan spat. "This is getting annoying."
Seraphina frowned. "My healing won't last much longer. If this continues—"
"It won't," Eldric said.
He stepped forward, staff tapping softly against the shattered floor. His eyes gleamed with calculation, not fear.
"The probability of victory is currently thirty-one percent," he said calmly.
Kael looked up. "Leader…?"
Eldric didn't look at him.
"There is a method to raise it to ninety-two percent."
Silence fell.
Kael felt something cold grip his collar.
Before he could react, the world spun—and he slammed into the ground.
CRACK.
Pain exploded through his arm.
"AHH—!"
Ronan's boot came down on his leg.
CRACK.
Kael screamed, thrashing weakly. "WAIT! I can still help! I'll scout—distract him—anything!"
Lyra turned her face away.
Seraphina raised her staff, lips trembling.
Golden light bloomed.
A holy barrier formed—not around Kael, but around the others.
"Saint…?" Kael whispered.
She didn't look at him.
Eldric finally met Kael's eyes.
"Your shadow ability reacts strongly to malice," he said. "You'll attract the Demon Lord's attention."
Understanding hit like a blade.
"You're… sacrificing me."
"The world is at stake," Eldric replied.
Ronan dragged Kael forward, blood smearing across the floor, and hurled him beyond the barrier.
It sealed shut.
The Demon Lord's gaze snapped to Kael.
It smiled.
Kael lay broken, shadows writhing uncontrollably around his body as the monster approached.
Strangely, fear was gone.
Only memories remained.
Being mocked during training.Being sent alone into dangerous missions.Being ignored when injured.
They never treated him kindly.
Except Eldric.
Or so Kael had believed.
Eldric had never defended him.Never praised him.Never cared.
Kael laughed weakly.
"So this is what being needed costs…"
The Demon Lord raised its claw.
"If I get a second chance…" Kael whispered as darkness closed in, "I'll kill you."
The shadows surged.
"I'll kill all of you."
His heart stopped.
Kael gasped.
Air filled his lungs.
He jolted upright to the sound of a ringing bell.
Wooden desks. Rune-carved walls. Sunlight pouring through tall academy windows.
"Kael Noctryn!" an instructor barked. "Are you asleep on your first day?"
First day?
Kael stared at his hands.
Unbroken. Young.
This is… before everything.
Beneath his desk, his shadow moved—deeper than it should be.
A translucent window appeared before his eyes.
[Regression Complete][Shadow Authority Detected][Unique Attribute Unlocked: Shadow Sovereign (Dormant)]
Conditions:– Grow in secrecy– Feed on hostility– Embrace betrayal
Kael lowered his head, hiding the smile creeping across his face.
"This time," he thought, "I won't die for the world."
His shadow stretched unnaturally across the classroom floor.
"I'll make the world regret choosing me."