When Ethan told the rogue to deliberately fail at lockpicking, the others were dumbfounded.
Failing to unlock the door would mean they couldn't face the final boss. How would they defeat him if they couldn't even open the gate?
Ethan, seeing the confusion on their faces, smirked and explained, "The boss inside is too strong, even I'm no match for him as is. We need to weaken him first."
"Weaken him?" Naomi frowned even more, not quite understanding.
"Just follow my instructions," Ethan said as he patted the rogue's shoulder, his expression serious. "Remember, you *must* fail to pick the lock. If that door opens, we're all dead."
"Okay," the rogue nodded nervously and began to work on the lock.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
**Click!**
The lock's mechanism shifted but quickly snapped back into place—failed attempt.
"Got it," the rogue smiled, relieved at the simplicity.
"Keep going," Ethan ordered.
"Again?" The rogue was confused. He couldn't figure out what Ethan was aiming for.
"Of course. How else are we going to beat the boss? Just remember, fail again," Ethan said.
"Alright…" The rogue shrugged and tried once more.
**Click!** Failed again.
"Keep at it," Ethan urged.
"Uh… sure."
**Click!** Another failed attempt.
"Go again."
The rogue kept trying, each time failing as instructed. By the ninth attempt, his forehead was glistening with sweat, and his hands began to shake from the pressure.
"Do I keep going?" The rogue wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at Ethan for reassurance.
"Yes, keep going," Ethan nodded, though he took a step back this time.
Swallowing his nerves, the rogue steadied his trembling hands before inserting the wire into the lock once more.
**Click!**
"Phew… barely failed that one," the rogue exhaled in relief. He'd been too close to success for comfort.
Suddenly, a beastly roar echoed from within the cell, startling the entire group.
The next moment, a gaunt figure, looking like a skeletal man wrapped in tattered clothing, lunged forward from behind the iron gate. His bony, claw-like hands reached out, aiming for the rogue's throat.
"Ah!" The rogue froze in fear, unable to move his legs, which had gone numb from crouching for so long. He could only watch as the monster's hand approached his neck.
At that instant, Ethan reacted swiftly, grabbing the rogue by his collar and yanking him back, just in time to avoid the attack.
"He's finally out," Ethan muttered, releasing the rogue's collar and turning his gaze toward the cell.
This was *Zogg the Defiler*, the final boss of the dungeon. Despite his current skeletal appearance, releasing him meant instant death for everyone in the group—he was no ordinary enemy. Zogg was a *Demon Warlock* who had once traded his very life force to make a pact with an archdemon.
The power of such a demonic figure, a being that could rival gods, was immeasurable. Anyone linked to it would surely face doom. Zogg's continued existence, despite his pact, spoke volumes about his immense strength.
His only weakness? He was mentally unstable—another common trait among demon warlocks, who spent their days communing with demons and devils.
Knowing this, Ethan realized the only way to defeat Zogg was through trickery, not brute force. This lesson had been hard-learned by many players in his past life.
With a grin, Ethan addressed Zogg. "Good evening, Mr. Zogg!"
"Cursed adventurer! Open this infernal lock!" Zogg screeched.
"No way. You'd kill me if I did," Ethan shook his head, refusing.
"I am merciful! I am gentle! I would never harm you!" Zogg lied, his eyes glinting with desperation.
"I don't believe you. You're a demon warlock, a born villain."
Zogg roared in fury, slamming his hands against the enchanted lock, which immediately burned his skeletal hands with red flames.
"Give it up, Zogg. That seal is specifically designed for you. You can't break it," Ethan taunted, watching from a safe distance outside the gate.
"Accursed adventurer! What will it take for you to unlock this?" Zogg snarled, visibly agitated.
"Hmmm… how about you cancel your pact with *Elioch*?" Ethan suggested thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
"Elioch… Elioch… who is that? Why can't I remember?" Zogg muttered, his voice tinged with confusion.
"It's the archdemon you made your pact with—*Elioch*."
"That's right!" Zogg finally recalled. But almost immediately, he shook his head violently. "No, I cannot! There's a voice telling me I must uphold the contract. I can't do it."
Ethan sighed. "He's still too attached to his demonic power."
"Well, if that's the case, we're leaving. Enjoy your time in this prison," Ethan said, turning around and signaling the others to follow.
After all the battles and learning of Ethan's prowess, the group obeyed without question, walking away without hesitation.
"Dustwalker, are you sure this will work?" Naomi whispered, her doubts gnawing at her.
Ethan's plan was clear—he was trying to goad Zogg into giving up his pact with the demon lord, weakening his power. But what if Zogg didn't fall for it? Wouldn't their entire effort be wasted?
"Don't worry. Zogg is more desperate for freedom than he is for power. He'll take the bait," Ethan reassured her.
"Cursed adventurer! Wait!" Zogg's enraged voice echoed from behind them. "I agree to your terms! Open this wretched lock!"
"Ha, knew he couldn't resist," Ethan grinned, stopping in his tracks. He turned back to face the desperate warlock. "First, cancel your pact. It's not that I don't trust you, Zogg, it's that I don't trust *demon warlocks*."
"I will! I'll break the pact! Just… just open the lock!" Zogg raved as he frantically tore at his tattered clothes, revealing a glowing hexagram on his chest—the demon contract symbol, also known as the *Mark of the Devil*.
Zogg clawed at the hexagram, plunging his hand into his own chest.
"Roarrr!"
A soul-piercing roar shook the dungeon as a massive head began to materialize behind Zogg. The head was armored in steel, with glowing crimson eyes that sent chills down everyone's spine.
"What is that!?" Naomi gasped, horrified. As soon as the head appeared, an overwhelming sense of dread swept through the party. Their skills became disabled, turning gray, and their mental strength began to rapidly deplete.
"My spirit energy… it's vanishing! What's going on?" OverallSuspender panicked, feeling the drain. As a strength-based warrior, his mental reserves were already limited. If it ran out completely, he'd become a mindless puppet.
"It's just an illusion," Ethan said calmly, trying to soothe the group's fears. "That's *Elioch*, the Archdemon's projection. He's still in the hellish plane—this is just a mere image, not a real threat."
"An illusion? A projection?" The others felt a bit more at ease, though they still couldn't fully relax. After all, this was the image of a *Greater Demon Lord*, whose very presence made them feel insignificant.
"Ahhh!" Zogg screamed, wrenching a black chain out from his chest. His strength spent, he collapsed to the ground, utterly drained.
The chain, however, seemed to come to life. Like a snake, it writhed and squirmed, trying desperately to slither back into the hexagram etched on Zogg's chest.
"Quick! Rogue, unlock the gate! We can't let that chain return to the contract!" Ethan barked urgently.
"Yes, sir!" The rogue rushed forward.
...