The air in the arena grew deathly still as Gok planted his feet firmly on the cracked ground, his fingers gripping the Infinite Blade with an iron will. The once radiant golden aura of the blade had dimmed, replaced by a swirling, ominous black-and-red energy. It pulsated with an intensity that made the earth beneath him tremble.
The Crest of the Finger beast roared, its glowing mark pulsating in response to the devilish energy emanating from Gok. Its red eyes burned brighter, sensing the threat, but it was too late.
Gok closed his eyes, focusing every ounce of his strength and will into the blade. His memories of his family, the revelations of the Zodiacs, and the immense weight of his responsibility all fused into a single, unyielding purpose.
"One attack," he whispered to himself, his voice steady. "Just one."
The Infinite Blade hummed in agreement, its dark energy condensing into a thin, concentrated line along its edge. Gok exhaled deeply, then opened his eyes, which now glowed faintly with the same malevolent energy as the blade.
The creature lunged forward, its claws tearing through the air, but Gok didn't flinch. He swung the blade.
---
The Swing
The motion was impossibly fast, almost imperceptible. The blade's energy surged outward in a crescent arc, so sharp and precise that it seemed to slice through reality itself.
For a millisecond, the entire world of Ranker fell silent.
The Crest of the Finger, the monstrous beast that had towered over Gok, froze mid-attack. A faint crack appeared across the glowing symbol on its chest, spiderwebbing outward before shattering completely.
A deafening shockwave erupted from the point of impact, tearing through the arena and beyond. The sky above turned a deep, swirling red, and the ground quaked violently. Players across the Ranker world paused, their screens flickering as they felt the ripple of energy.
"What was that?" players whispered, their avatars trembling in place. "Is the game... breaking?"
But this wasn't a game anymore.
---
The Echo of the Devil
As the Crest of the Finger shattered, a dark, resonant energy burst forth, enveloping the entire world of Ranker. It was an energy unlike anything anyone had felt before—ancient, malevolent, and overwhelming.
In cities, forests, and mountains across the planet, NPCs and players alike fell to their knees, clutching their heads as the oppressive force pressed down on them.
"What... is this?" Gok muttered, stumbling backward as the energy surged around him. The Infinite Blade pulsed violently in his hand, as if struggling to contain the dark power it had unleashed.
A voice, deep and guttural, echoed through the world, carried on the devilish energy.
"WHO DARES UNLEASH THE SWING OF THE DEVIL?"
The voice sent chills down Gok's spine, its words reverberating in his very soul. He looked around, trying to locate the source, but the energy seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
---
In the Hall of Zodiacs
The Zodiacs sat in stunned silence as the holographic display of Ranker crackled with static. The image of the shattered Crest and the swirling devil energy filled the chamber.
The Monkey Zodiac leaned forward, his menacing grin replaced by a look of genuine concern.
"He actually did it," Monkey muttered. "He shattered the Crest of the Finger... with the Swing of the Devil."
Another Zodiac, cloaked in shadows, spoke in a low, cautious tone. "This energy... it's not from the Infinite Blade alone. Something ancient has awakened. If it takes control of Gok, the balance of the universe will crumble."
The Rat Zodiac, still frozen in time but faintly conscious of the events, thought to himself, He's stronger than we anticipated. But can he control the power he's unlocked?
---
Back in the Arena
The monstrous creature dissolved into a black mist, its body consumed by the same energy that had destroyed it. Gok stood amidst the ruins, his breathing ragged, his grip on the Infinite Blade tightening as he fought to steady himself.
"What... have I done?" he whispered, staring at the blade, which now radiated a deep crimson glow.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the ground beneath him cracked, and a massive pillar of energy shot into the sky, visible across the entire planet. It carried with it a message—a warning:
"The Devil has awoken."
As the chapter ended, Gok's face was a mixture of determination and fear. He knew he had unleashed something far beyond his comprehension, and now the world of Ranker—no, the universe—would bear the consequences.