Chapter 26: The Heavenly Executioner
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The Valley of Fallen Kings had become a battlefield.
The clash between Kael Dravon and Azrael Voss shook the entire Abyss Realm.
Every strike from them created cracks in space.
Every movement destroyed mountains.
But one thing was clear...
Azrael was stronger.
Much stronger.
Kael was pushed back.
Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Yet he refused to fall.
"I promised the First King..."
"That I would protect his successor."
Azrael looked at him coldly.
"Even after thousands of years..."
"You still cling to a dead man's dream."
Knox watched silently.
His mind was working.
Azrael wasn't just powerful.
He was experienced.
Every movement was perfect.
Every attack had a purpose.
This was not a simple enemy.
This was someone who had fought against the First Villain himself.
[Ding!]
Battle Analysis Activated.
Analyzing Azrael Voss...
Progress: 5%... 20%... 50%...
Warning: Analysis speed reduced due to target's existence level.
Knox frowned.
Even the System was struggling.
Interesting.
Azrael suddenly looked toward Knox.
"You are calculating my weaknesses."
Knox's eyes narrowed.
"You noticed?"
Azrael smiled.
"I fought the First Villain for three hundred years."
"Do you think I don't recognize his methods?"
The battlefield became silent.
Knox stared at him.
"You fought him?"
Azrael nodded.
"Yes."
"And I was the one who defeated him."
Everyone froze.
Nyx's expression changed.
"That's impossible."
"The First Villain disappeared."
Azrael laughed.
"That is the story everyone believes."
He looked at Knox.
"The truth is..."
"The First Villain was betrayed."
The atmosphere became heavy.
Knox's eyes sharpened.
"By who?"
Azrael smiled.
"That is the question you must answer yourself."
Suddenly—
A powerful aura erupted from beneath the ground.
The Valley of Fallen Kings split open.
An enormous black throne rose from below.
Ancient symbols covered its surface.
The moment Knox saw it...
His heart reacted.
The Supreme Villain System activated.
[Ding!]
The First King's Throne Detected.
Authority Resonance: 10%
Host is compatible.
Initiating inheritance trial.
The throne released a wave of energy.
Everyone was pushed back.
Even Azrael stepped away.
"So..."
"The throne accepts you."
Knox walked toward it.
Each step felt heavier.
Memories flooded his mind.
A battlefield.
Millions of soldiers.
A lonely figure sitting on this throne.
The First Villain.
A voice echoed.
"Why do you seek power?"
Knox stopped.
The world around him disappeared.
Only darkness remained.
The voice continued.
"For revenge?"
"For control?"
"For destruction?"
Knox remained silent.
Then answered.
"None."
The darkness trembled.
"Then why?"
Knox looked forward.
"Because I refuse to let someone else decide my fate."
Silence.
Then...
A deep laugh echoed.
"Excellent."
"That was my answer too."
The throne released endless black light.
[Ding!]
Trial Complete.
Recognition Granted.
New Ability Unlocked:
Effect:
- Allows the host to issue commands to beings weaker than himself.
- Increases authority over Villain Faction members.
- Strengthens with Supreme Villain Authority.
A black mark appeared on his hand.
The symbol of the First King.
Azrael looked at him seriously.
"You passed."
Knox turned.
"You expected me to?"
Azrael nodded.
"I wanted to know if his choice was correct."
Knox frowned.
"You're not here only to kill me."
Azrael smiled.
"Smart."
"I came to test you."
Nyx stepped forward.
"Why?"
Azrael looked at her.
"Because the war is coming."
"The Celestial Court."
"The Heavenly Dao."
"The beings above the Upper Realm."
"They are all preparing."
His eyes returned to Knox.
"And when that happens..."
"Only one person can stand at the center."
"The successor of the First Villain."
Suddenly—
A massive explosion occurred in the distance.
The entire Abyss shook.
Kael looked toward the horizon.
"No..."
"The Abyss Gates are opening."
Thousands of portals appeared across the sky.
From them emerged endless armies.
Not demons.
Not monsters.
Humans.
Wearing white armor.
Carrying divine weapons.
Azrael's expression became cold.
"The Celestial Court found us."
Knox looked at the approaching army.
Then smiled.
Everyone around him noticed.
"You are smiling again."
Seraphina sighed.
Knox raised his sword.
"Of course."
"The enemy came to me."
A black crown phantom appeared above him.
"This saves me the trouble of finding them."
[Ding!]
Large-Scale War Detected.
New Quest: Defend the Abyss Kingdom.
Reward:
- Supreme Villain Authority +3%
- Crown of the Fallen King Location
- Abyss Army Recruitment Rights
The Abyss creatures slowly gathered behind him.
The First King's throne stood at his back.
For thousands of years...
The Abyss had waited for its ruler.
And now...
The villain had returned.
End of Chapter 26