---
The void stretched endlessly, a black abyss that swallowed light, sound, and reason itself. It wasn't just vast—it was infinite, a realm where time and space held no meaning. To gaze upon it was to risk losing oneself entirely. Even gods, in their arrogance, tread lightly here, lest their divine minds unravel. For mortals, it was a death sentence—or worse, a descent into madness. To exist here was to dance with annihilation.
"Cool, you can do this too?" remarked Asmodeus, unfazed as he stared into the abyss.
His err "companion" stared at him from a room elsewhere with disbelief. "Kid, you're seriously freaking me out! Even A-rank Awakeners can't survive this place without losing their minds, and you're... making jokes?"
Asmodeus shrugged. "I've been through worse. Honestly, you should try harder if you're aiming to kill the last two brain cells I have left. They're pretty resilient." His lips curled into a smirk. "Anyway, is this the last trial? Or is there more melodrama to endure?"
"You wish."
Before Asmodeus could retort, the void shattered like glass, the silence replaced by the rustling of grass in an endless plain. It was eerily reminiscent of the Awakening Realm, though far more sinister. The energy here was palpable—an oppressive force that pressed down on everything. It demanded submission, an undeniable assertion of dominance that reduced the weak-willed to groveling. Even the strongest mortals would find themselves faltering, their pride eroded by an overwhelming sense of inferiority.
But Asmodeus? He strolled across the plains, his expression one of mild annoyance. "This mana's pathetic. What's this compared to my crystal-clear mana?" He raised a hand, letting tendrils of his pure energy swirl around his fingers. "Even corruption bends to me. This? This is child's play."
The landscape blurred, shifting again before he could continue his musings. What replaced it was staggering: a fortress the size of a solar system, an architectural impossibility that defied logic and reason. Its walls were forged from a void-black material that seemed to pulsate with raw power, exuding an aura of unparalleled wealth. The bricks shimmered, made from pure silver, gold, and mithril, while its crimson diamond windows refracted light into hauntingly beautiful patterns. Surrounding the castle were gardens that stretched into infinity, teeming with forbidden fruits, holy trees, and herbs of every rarity. Women of otherworldly beauty strolled through the grounds, their movements so graceful and deliberate that even the most elegant kings would seem clumsy by comparison. Above it all, countless banners bearing a single sigil fluttered in a wind that didn't exist.
"Okay," Asmodeus muttered, "I'll admit, this is a decent flex."
Without warning, the world tilted, and he was ripped from the plains, reappearing in the depths of the castle.
---
The throne room was a masterpiece of arrogance. Spanning the size of a planet, its walls were adorned with pulsating runes that seemed alive, each whispering secrets of ancient power. Towering pillars stretched upward, their tops vanishing into a ceiling obscured by swirling galaxies. The air was heavy, vibrating with an aura of unrelenting dominance. Every step into the room felt like walking against a tidal wave of prideful energy.
At its center stood a throne—a monolith of unparalleled grandeur. Its metallic surface gleamed with a light that wasn't light, its edges jagged yet symmetrical. It towered high into the sky, dwarfing everything around it. Seated upon it was a man—a being so awe-inspiring that his mere presence seemed to distort reality.
"Pride?" Asmodeus asked, tilting his head.
The man smiled, his golden beard shimmering as he leaned forward. He was massive, towering at five meters with a physique that seemed carved from divine stone. His face was maddeningly perfect, so handsome that even the vainest beings in existence would feel jealousy stir in their hearts. His hair, golden and flowing, framed his face like a lion's mane, while his armor—crafted from radiant gold—gleamed with a light that could rival the sun.
"Monstrosity," Pride greeted, his voice rich and mocking. "Long time no see."
"Indeed," Asmodeus replied, crossing his arms. "Though I wouldn't go so far as to call me your 'friend.'"
Pride threw his head back and laughed. "Friend? Don't delude yourself! I, the Great Lord of the Underworld, have no friends. All beings exist to serve me!"
"Right," Asmodeus said, rolling his eyes. "You done? Or are you going to monologue some more?"
In response, Pride unleashed a wave of raw, oppressive energy. It washed over the room, its weight enough to shatter the will of lesser beings. The sheer force of it sought to crush Asmodeus, to strip him of his identity and transform him into a loyal servant.
---
Meanwhile, in a distant chamber filled with rows of sleeping children, Dreamer coughed violently, blood trickling down his chin. "What... what is that thing!?"
---
Back in the throne room, Asmodeus sat cross-legged, his expression calm as he meditated against the storm of energy. He wasn't just enduring it—he was analyzing it, letting it fuel his understanding.
"Pride," he muttered, "isn't it just an extension of corruption? A king drunk on power becomes arrogant. A priest consumed by virtue becomes self-righteous. Pride and corruption... two sides of the same coin."
His lips curled into a grin as he pieced together the puzzle. Every second under Pride's aura sharpened his comprehension of corruption, his crystal-clear mana weaving through the oppressive force like a needle through cloth.
"Alright," he said finally, opening his eyes. "I'm bored. System?"
[YES?]
"Activate Talent: Pure."
[ROGER THAT.]
In an instant, the oppressive energy evaporated, snuffed out like a candle in the wind. Asmodeus's talent, The Words of the Purity God, well technically a side abilty he just unlocked, radiated outward, its cleansing power rewriting the laws of the realm itself. Pride's aura faltered, his throne room cracking and splintering under the force of Asmodeus's will. The world itself shattered, fragments of reality tumbling into the void.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FEAR TRIAL!]
Asmodeus smirked, brushing himself off as the notification faded. "About time."