The arena erupted into a thunderous chant, the voices of thousands merging into one as they called out, "Slaughter King! Slaughter King! Slaughter King!" The sound reverberated through the blood-soaked coliseum, a wave of fear and reverence washing over everyone present. I already knew who the voice belonged to. Still, the confirmation sent a chill down my spine.
From the crimson sky, a blood-red silhouette descended, its form ominously serene. The figure landed lightly, as though gravity itself bent to his will. The Slaughter King stood before us, his glowing red eyes piercing through the dim arena lights. Bat-like wings jutted from his back shadowing the ground beneath him. Despite his monstrous appearance, what unnerved me most was the complete lack of oppressive aura. He felt like an ordinary man, no overwhelming power, no suffocating pressure. And yet, I knew this being was one of the three strongest humans alive.
The Slaughter King's gaze locked onto me. A slow, sinister smile curled his lips as he spoke, his voice dripping with malice and amusement. "Asura Emperor," he drawled, the words hanging in the air like a death knell. "You have proven yourself worthy. Few have managed to survive the Hell Slaughter Arena with such flair and ferocity. Your reputation precedes you, young one."
He gestured toward me with a clawed hand. "Why not stay?" he offered, his tone both enticing and dangerous. "Here in Slaughter City, you may unleash the full extent of your abilities. You've already conquered the arena. Why not claim a position of power, a place among those who truly understand the art of death? You need not endure the Hell Road. With my blessing, you may reign as a Deathgod here, unrestricted and unparalleled."
Bowing slightly, I replied with respect but firm resolve, "Thank you for the honor, Slaughter King, but my goal here has always been the Hell Road. I cannot abandon that path."
The Slaughter King's expression darkened for a fraction of a second, so brief I might have imagined it. Then his smile returned, wider and more menacing. "The Hell Road," he mused, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "A dangerous ambition for one so young. Are you sure? Many have perished attempting to walk that path. The number of people who managed to get out of the road since its creation doesn't reach the two digits."
My gaze didn't waver. "I have already made up my mind, Slaughter King. I must pass through the Hell Road before going to my next destination, the Sea God Island."
His reaction was immediate yet controlled. His eyes flickered with something unrecognizable before his face settled back into its usual unsettling calm. I'd deliberately mentioned Sea God Island, planting the seed of my future whereabouts.
"Sea God Island," he repeated, his tone now thoughtful. "Very well, then. Perhaps you will succeed where others have failed. Perhaps you will become part of the next generation of Deathgods."
With that, he rose higher into the air, his wings beating with a sound like thunderclaps. The arena fell silent as he hovered above the crowd, his voice booming with unnatural resonance. "To all gathered here," he declared, "it should be your honor to serve as a sacrifice for the opening of the Hell Road."
The crowd, moments ago a roaring sea of fervor, now erupted into screams of terror. Panic spread like wildfire as the Slaughter King extended his hands, and an invisible force began to drain the life force from the spectators. Their cries turned into pitiful wails, bodies collapsing one after another as their vitality was siphoned away. Blood flowed in streams, converging toward the center of the arena.
The floor beneath me transformed and an intricate blood-red design was formed. The patterns glowed with a sinister light, pulsating with the essence of countless lives. The air grew thick with the stench of death, the crimson glow growing brighter and more oppressive with each passing moment.
The Slaughter King's gaze returned to me, his expression unreadable but for the faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "I wish you luck, young one," he said, his voice carrying an unsettling finality.
Before I could respond, the array beneath me erupted with a blinding light. The world around me dissolved, the cries of the dying fading into an abyssal silence. I was swallowed by the light, my vision going black as an overwhelming force pulled me into the unknown.