When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer in the Hell Slaughter Arena. Darkness enveloped me, the air heavy and stifling, carrying a strange metallic feeling that reminded me of blood. The atmosphere itself seemed alive, pulsating with unsettling orange-red energy that glowed faintly. My mind raced as I checked my surroundings. There were only two options before me: a narrow path leading upward or the same road leading below.
I didn't know if my journey would mirror Tang San's, or if the Hell Road would test me in an entirely different way. But I wasn't about to take any chances. I decided to follow his strategy, choosing the path upward.
A few minutes later I realized that every step felt heavier than it should have, and an oppressive heat seeped into my bones, but it was tolerable for now. After running for what felt like half an hour, I began to hear faint, high-pitched noises. The sound grew louder, becoming a cacophony of screeches that set my nerves on edge. My eyes narrowed as a massive swarm of blood-red bats emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes locked onto me.
I couldn't help but smirk. Despite the dire situation, the sight of the bats filled me with grim delight. That half-hour run had drained far more energy than it should have, and my body was burning up from the hellish atmosphere. These bats were a blessing in disguise, an opportunity to recover what I had lost.
As the bats swooped down, their sharp fangs gleaming, I began dodging their attacks, letting them swarm around me. Their numbers were overwhelming, but I kept my composure. When the timing was right, I activated my Devouring Domain. A pulse of dark energy radiated from me, and the effect was immediate. The hundreds of bats shrieked in agony as their life force was drained away. One by one, they fell, some landing on the narrow path, others plunging into the red void below. I felt their energy flow into me, revitalizing my strength and cooling the burning sensation that had gripped my body.
For the next two hours, the process repeated itself. Every few minutes, another swarm of bats would attack. Each time, I used my Devouring Domain to absorb their energy, leaving a trail of lifeless bodies in my wake. Yet, as I ascended, I noticed something disturbing: the blood magma below was rising steadily, its molten surface bubbling and hissing like a living creature. The sight spurred me to move faster.
My pace quickened, and my senses remained on high alert. The next swarm came, but this time they weren't alone. A massive shadow loomed behind them, and my heart skipped a beat. The Dark Golden Three-Headed Bat King. Its three heads snarled and roared in unison, their cries reverberating through the narrow passage like a demonic symphony. Its enormous wings stirred the air, creating gusts strong enough to push me back a step.
"So, you've finally shown yourself," I muttered, a predatory grin spreading across my face. I had anticipated this moment. I knew of its existence and had prepared myself for this very encounter. This would be my first true test on the Hell Road.
The lesser bats swarmed around me as their king hovered above, watching for an opening to strike. I activated both of my martial spirits for the first time on this journey. The Poison Devouring Spider Emperor armor enveloped me, and the Eight Spider Lances appeared from my back with a metallic hiss. Beside me, the Dragon Slaying Saber floated ominously, its blade gleaming with a cold, menacing light.
I let the smaller bats close in, holding off on attacking them directly. Instead, I activated my Devouring Domain once more, the dark energy radiating outward in a pulse. The lesser bats shrieked and fell, their life force siphoned away to fuel my own strength. The Bat King roared in fury, its crimson eyes glowing brighter as it dived toward me.
I was ready. The moment it lunged, I launched a powerful mental attack with my skull bone. A surge of psychic energy crashed into the creature's mind, causing it to falter mid-flight. It screeched in pain, its three heads shaking violently as it tried to resist the assault. Those few seconds of disorientation were all I needed.
With a burst of speed, I lunged toward the Bat King. The Eight Spider Lances struck first, piercing one of its wings and forcing it to the ground. The creature roared in defiance, its heads snapping at me in a frenzy. I dodged one bite and parried another with my arm blade. Then, with precision born of countless battles, I struck. My right blade sliced through one of its heads, while the left severed another. The Dragon Slaying Saber, guided by my will, swept through the air like a streak of light, decapitating the final head in one swift motion.
The Bat King's enormous body convulsed before toppling into the fiery magma below. Its death sent shockwaves through the remaining bats, who fled in terror, their screeches fading into the distance.
I stood there for a moment, catching my breath. I felt stronger than ever. I noticed my killing intent was growing faster than ever. It coursed through my veins like liquid fire, empowering me further, It took a few seconds to go back to my normal state of mind.
Then, with the immediate threat eliminated, I continued my journey. The road ahead was still long. The fiery glow of the magma below served as a constant reminder of what awaited me if I wasn't careful. But I had no intention of falling.