The painkiller bracelet's glow faded as I stored it back into my Infinite Ring. My body collapsed, faint from exhaustion. My companions stirred, healed by potions I had prepared. They looked at me, lying unconscious, and whispered among themselves.
"Still alive… but don't worry. His end is coming soon."
Sanot bent down, feigning concern, and used his healing skill to restore me. Evening fell, and we rested. Tomorrow would be the hellish day—the day of reckoning.
Morning came. The Demon King's castle loomed, its gates blackened by centuries of despair. We entered, shadows pressing against us.
The Fourth Elite Demon, Lizuno Lenim, appeared. His aura burned with malice.
"You must defeat me to cross this place."
Bange stepped forward. "I will face him. You go ahead."
We pressed deeper.
The Third Elite Demon, Silku Salem, blocked our path. His voice dripped with contempt.
"Disgusting pests. If you want to die, face me."
Sanot sneered. "Hero dares call a royal a pest? I will fight him. You go ahead."
We split again.
Alovent and I took a wrong turn, stumbling into the Second Elite Demon's chamber. His eyes gleamed.
Alovent spat. "Hero, you can't even take the right route. I'll fight him. You go ahead."
I pressed forward with Clever.
The First Elite Demon, Elite Dark, awaited. His voice was venom.
"The other three elites cannot handle you pests. I won't waste effort. You are beneath me."
Clever roared, charging into battle. I seized the chance, slipping past, deeper into the castle.
At last, I stood before the Demon King. His throne towered, his aura suffocating. His name echoed like mine—Dransart Deaver.
I raised my sword. "Your evil deeds end here. I will bring peace to this world, even if I must die. My companions care for me."
The Demon King laughed. "Care? They fear you. They see you as a tool. They push burdens onto you, then rejoice. Tell me, Hero—how many times has a person truly met you?"
"Three times," I said firmly. "That is enough."
"For an ordinary man, perhaps," he sneered. "But you are Hero. You dream of peace. Wake up. Face reality. Friends betray for D coins. Join me. Be an elite. Humans are no better."
I shook my head. "Thanks for your concern. But I am proud. I refuse. I am Hero of humankind. Die for this world. I feel sorry for you—let's meet in the afterlife."
The Demon King's eyes narrowed. "You dream still. When you die, you will join my army. My demons are former heroes who claimed peace, just like you."
I raised my blade. "Then I will burn my corpse before I become your warrior. You made a mistake telling me this. I will avenge the heroes who died protecting the locals."
The Demon King smirked. "You are wrong. But when you die, I will tell you the truth."
The chamber doors opened. The Elite Four Demons entered, their presence suffocating. Lizuno, Silku, Alovent's foe, and Elite Dark—all gathered, their battles unfinished, their eyes fixed on me.
The Demon King rose. "Now, Hero. Face the truth. Face betrayal. Face catastrophe."
My mask pulsed. My sword gleamed. Narrate whispered: This is the final trial. Catastrophe awakens.
I clenched my blade. Even if betrayal surrounds me, even if catastrophe consumes me—I will fight. For the locals. For peace. For humanity.
Thus begins the final confrontation: Hero against the Demon King and the Elite Four. Betrayal festers, catastrophe awakens, and destiny burns in the chamber of demons.