Author's POV:
The golden sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the endless stretch of crystal-blue ocean. The sound of crashing waves filled the air, blending with the lively chatter of beachgoers.
And then—
Everything stopped.
The moment Samuel Gebb stepped onto the sand, it was as if time itself paused.
He was shirtless, his perfectly sculpted body on full display—a masterpiece chiseled by the gods themselves. Each muscle was carved to perfection, his broad shoulders, sharp abs, and powerful arms making him look more like a deity than a mere man.
The sun's rays kissed his golden-bronzed skin, making him glow with an almost supernatural radiance.
The breeze tousled his dark hair, his emerald-green eyes gleaming with an undeniable dominance that made every woman's breath hitch.
A group of girls nearby, all dressed in their best swimsuits, froze in place as they caught sight of him.
"Who… who is that?" one of them whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Oh my God… Is he even real?" another gasped, clutching her chest.
"Forget movie stars, this guy looks like he stepped out of heaven itself!"
Some even took out their phones, desperate to capture the moment.
Among them, one girl who had been Joshua Levere's biggest fan lowered her sunglasses as she took in Samuel's presence. Her heart pounded in her chest.
"I used to think Joshua was the most attractive man alive… but compared to him?" she muttered, biting her lip.
Another girl next to her let out a mocking laugh.
"Joshua? Please. That man looks like a boy compared to him. This is the definition of what a real man should be."
Everywhere, women stared—entranced, mesmerized.
Men, on the other hand, looked jealous, feeling their egos crumble just by standing near him.
Samuel, however, paid no attention.
He walked across the sand like he owned the world, his confidence effortless, natural—as if he didn't even realize the effect he had on those around him.
And the truth was—
He didn't care.
He was beyond mortal admiration.
As he approached the ocean, a smirk curved on his lips.
"This world truly is amusing."
Samuel's POV:
The ocean stretched endlessly before me, its vast expanse shimmering beneath the golden sunlight. The waves rolled in a rhythmic dance, as if acknowledging my presence, their foamy crests reaching out only to retreat, teasing the edges of my bare feet against the hot sand.
I stood at the shore, unmoved, my emerald-green eyes fixed on the horizon—calm, yet carrying an undercurrent of something dangerous.
Behind me, whispers and stolen glances continued. Some tried to be subtle, their curiosity poorly hidden, while others openly stared in awe.
Men shifted uncomfortably, their egos bruised simply by my existence.
Women… they couldn't look away.
But I wasn't paying attention to any of them.
My mind was elsewhere—far beyond this place.
After a moment, I let out a slow breath, feeling the wind carry it away.
Then, in a voice calm yet absolute, I spoke.
"System, activate Task 1."
The moment I activated Task 1, the world around me shattered.
A blinding light engulfed me, the force so intense it felt as if reality itself was being torn apart.
Then—darkness.
The smell of sulfur, the weight of an ominous presence, and the distant echoes of tormented screams surrounded me.
I wasn't on Earth anymore.
I stood at the edge of an abyss, the sky above me burning crimson red, lightning crackling in the distance. The ground beneath my feet was cracked and scorched, molten rivers of lava carving through the jagged terrain.
Hell.
A slow, deep growl rumbled from the shadows ahead.
Then it stepped forward.
A monstrous being—towering twenty feet tall, its flesh charred black, its eyes burning embers of hate. Jagged horns curved backward from its skull, and bladed wings unfurled behind it, casting an eerie silhouette against the flaming horizon.
A Gatekeeper of Hell.
It let out a deep, guttural chuckle, its voice like grinding metal.
"A mortal dares to step into my domain?"
I rolled my shoulders, unfazed. "Mortal?" I smirked, my emerald-green eyes gleaming. "You have no idea what I am."
The demon snarled, its massive claws flexing. "Then die like the rest."
It charged—a monstrous force of destruction, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
But I didn't move.
**I let it come.**
The moment its blade-like claws descended upon me, I activated Void Step—vanishing in a blink, reappearing behind it.
"Too slow."
With Heaven's Wrath, I drove my fist into its spine, the impact sending shockwaves tearing through the air. The beast let out a roar of agony, its body lurching forward from the sheer force.
Before it could react, I spun—bringing my elbow crashing into its skull, sending it cratering into the ground below.
The very earth shook.
The demon staggered, snarling, its eyes blazing with fury.
"You… You dare?!"
It spread its wings, launching itself into the sky, black flames erupting from its mouth as it let out a devastating breath of hellfire.
I stood still.
Then, just as the fire descended upon me—I activated Dragon Fear.
A pulse of pure dominance erupted from my body, an aura of absolute terror swallowing the battlefield.
The demon froze mid-air.
Its flames died in its throat.
For the first time, I saw it—fear.
It crashed to the ground, its body trembling, its wings folding inward instinctively.
I walked toward it, my steps slow, deliberate.
"You thought you were a king?" My voice was cold, merciless.
I placed a hand on its horned head, forcing it to look up at me.
"Let me show you what true power is."
With Breath of Destruction, I inhaled deeply—then released.
A surge of pure annihilation erupted from my lips, black flames of nothingness consuming the demon's very essence.
It screamed.
It withered.
It ceased to exist.
Silence.
As I stood over the smoldering remains of the fallen Gatekeeper of Hell, the oppressive silence of the abyss was shattered by the sudden ping of my system notification.
The dark energy of Hell pulsed around me, yet in that moment, the familiar blue screen of the System materialized before my eyes, its text glowing ominously against the chaotic backdrop.
I paused, still catching my breath from the brutal confrontation, and muttered,
"System, show me the notification."
The blue screen flickered and then displayed the message in bold letters:
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Quest Completed: Defeated the Gatekeeper of Hell
Rewards: +15 Strength, +10 Charisma, Hell's Blessing
New Objective Unlocked: Enter the
Demon's Citadel – The next stage awaits in the depths of Hell.
---
I let out a low, dark chuckle, feeling a surge of power course through my veins. The victory over the Gatekeeper had been brutal, but it was only the beginning. I glanced around the scorched terrain of Hell, where black flames still danced in the distance, and addressed the System again.
"System, confirm new objective: Enter the Demon's Citadel."
The System replied promptly:
"[Objective Confirmed: Demon's Citadel. Proceed to the Black Gate located 500 meters to your right.]"
I tightened my grip on my weapons, the remnants of my earlier battle still pulsating with energy. My mind, though heavy with the weight of pain and loss, now burned with purpose. I whispered softly to myself:
"This is just the beginning. I will conquer Hell itself."
As I started moving towards the Black Gate, I could feel the darkness around me shifting, as if the very fabric of this infernal realm acknowledged my growing might. The wind howled, carrying with it the distant, echoing voices of the damned.
Suddenly, I heard a voice—low, mechanical, and dispassionate—emanating from the System:
"Heaven's Wrath and Void Step have been fully integrated. New abilities unlocked: Dragon Fear and Breath of Destruction. Use them wisely."
I smirked, a hint of cruel satisfaction twisting my lips.
"Wise? I've never needed wisdom when I have power," I muttered, stepping confidently into the swirling darkness.
My thoughts raced as I prepared for what was next. The Demon's Citadel promised new challenges, and with each battle, I was becoming something more than just Samuel Gebb. I was evolving into a force of nature—a Heavenly Demon destined to shape this forsaken world.
I glanced up at the black gate looming ahead—a massive, ancient portal adorned with runes that pulsed with malignant energy. I could sense the power behind it.
I spoke aloud, my voice echoing in the void:
"Let's see what the Demon's Citadel holds."
A final system message blinked into view before fading:
"[Prepare for further combat. The path ahead is fraught with peril. Your next encounter will test every ounce of your newfound power.]"
I clenched my fists, the weight of my transformation palpable. In that moment, as the dark portal beckoned me forward, I felt invincible—ready to plunge into the depths of Hell and face whatever monstrosities awaited.
With a final, defiant smirk, I stepped through the Black Gate, leaving behind the remnants of my past battles and embracing the unknown future that lay ahead in the heart of darkness.