## 1. The King's Reaction and Kabil's Arrival
The assassination of General Varkos caused an earthquake in Morro Agudo. The King, outraged by the rebels' audacity, summoned his most feared executioner.
In the middle of the main square, under the incessant rain, a magma portal opened. From it emerged a colossal figure, enveloped in smoke and heat.
It was **Kabil, the Lord of Fire**.
Standing 2.50 meters tall, he was a mountain of muscle covered in black dragon armor, with a helmet that mimicked a dragon's head, sporting horns on his shoulders and elbows. His red eyes glowed with the intensity of fire. In his hands, two long, red swords seemed to absorb the ambient light.
Kabil was one of the oldest and most powerful "Heroes" of the Empire, a master of the **Magma and Fire Ability**. His presence was a declaration of war.
"The King demands the head of the Red Demon and the worm who accompanies him," his voice was a muffled thunder, and the ground beneath his feet began to crack with the heat.
The hunt had begun.
## 2. The Confrontation and Yuzuki's Revelation
Yuzuki and Hiroshi were planning the next target when they felt the wave of heat and power that swept through the city.
"Kabil," Yuzuki whispered, his face pale. "The King is furious. He sent the best."
Hiroshi looked at the LitRPG interface:
> **NEW ENEMY DETECTED:**
>
> **NAME:** Kabil, the Lord of Fire
>
> **CLASS:** Elite Hero (Magma Master)
>
> **ESTIMATED LEVEL:** **IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. LEVEL TOO HIGH.**
>
> **ALERT:** **FLEE!**
Kerchack, for the first time in a long time, spoke urgently in Hiroshi's mind: "**Run, boy! You cannot fight him!**"
Yuzuki grabbed his sword. "I'll distract him. You and Luna run. I know you won't leave me, but I need you to live to finish what I started."
Hiroshi, confused, asked: "Why do you care now? You called me weak!"
Yuzuki laughed, a bitter laugh. He lit a cigarette and looked at the rain.
"You want to know why I'm the Red Demon? Why I betrayed the Empire?"
He began to tell the story, his voice low and full of pain.
"I was a hero, a fool who believed in the King. He gave me power, fame. One day, he told me to attack a rebel village, the village **Puppets**. I accepted without question. I was blinded by power. The King gave me the location and said the troops were ready. I just needed to give the signal."
Yuzuki paused, the cigarette smoke mixing with the rain.
"I gave the signal. After several massacres, I no longer cared who was there. I just wanted the glory. But the target... the target was my village. The King orchestrated everything."
Silence fell over the warehouse.
"My wife, my daughter, my son... were killed by my own soldiers. I arrived too late. I confronted the King, but he smiled and said: 'Who gave the final order, Yuzuki? You gave the signal. The fault is yours.'"
Yuzuki looked at Hiroshi, his red eyes filled with ancient pain.
"I am not a hero, Hiroshi. I am a monster. And I only changed because my family died. I envy you and Luna because you have something to fight for. I only have revenge."
## 3. The Next Step and Distrust
Yuzuki's story was a blow to Hiroshi. He realized that Yuzuki's morality was, in fact, questionable. He was not a hero, but a broken man, driven by guilt and personal revenge.
"You are still a monster," Hiroshi said, his voice firm. "But Kabil is worse. He is the tool of the man who destroyed your life."
Yuzuki nodded. "The next target is the Heroes' headquarters. That's where the King keeps the most important secrets, including the **Quaza** ore and high-value slaves. Kabil will be there, waiting."
Hiroshi looked at Luna, who was listening to everything, her blue eyes fixed on Yuzuki. She didn't trust him, but she trusted Hiroshi.
"We will fight together," Hiroshi declared. "But not for revenge, Yuzuki. For those you couldn't save."
Yuzuki smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He knew Hiroshi was trying to redeem him, but redemption was a luxury he couldn't afford.
The alliance was stronger, but Hiroshi's distrust of Yuzuki's morality was a growing chasm. They had a common enemy, Kabil, and a common goal, the headquarters.
The trio prepared for the most dangerous battle of their lives.
***
**END OF CHAPTER 13**