> "This world won't just test your strength—it will tear at your soul."
---
System Prompt: World Transfer in Progress
> [World #7: Invasion Realm – Demonic Ascendance]
Status: Tier 3 – Level 4
Conditions: Constant invasion. Hostile environment. Shattered protection.
Special Rule: Humanity is endangered. Every action creates a ripple.
Additional Note: Demons evolve based on your sins.
> [Warning: Talents may be countered or corrupted.]
---
Arrival: The Crimson Sky
The group emerged onto cracked obsidian ground. Black winds howled across a crimson horizon, choked with ash and the sickening scent of blood.
Above them, the sky wasn't a sky—it was a roiling storm of flesh, lightning, and mouths whispering blasphemies in every language.
Cities floated, broken and suspended in the air, collapsing slowly into the abyss.
Boom muttered, "This place smells like a devil's armpit."
Lian didn't laugh. No one did.
They had three goals, according to the system:
> [Main Quest: Seal the Breach]
Objective: Close the demonic rift located in the heart of the broken capital within 7 days.
Sub-objective: Save remaining survivors and lead them to refuge.
Optional Objective: Defeat a named Demon Commander (Rewards x10).
World Penalty if Failed: System Corruption begins. Death becomes irreversible.
---
First Hour: Immediate Chaos
Within moments, they heard it: screaming.
Not distant. Nearby.
The team rushed toward the sound—and found a girl, no older than ten, cornered in a collapsed house. Her leg was pinned under debris.
Three demons—twisted, centaur-like creatures with skin like melted candles—circled her, their clawed hooves scraping sparks from the ground.
Demist didn't wait.
His axe howled through the air, slicing through one demon's neck with a sickening crack. Jayce pulled the girl out while Astra flanked the left.
But these weren't normal monsters.
> [Warning: Demonic Corruption Detected]
[Lian's Talent: Coin Multiplier - Interference 34%]
[Demon is mimicking user stats... Initiating Adaptation.]
The remaining two demons stopped attacking. They began... morphing.
Their arms twisted, mimicking Astra's defensive aura and Lian's speed. One of them even shouted a twisted version of Jayce's voice—"Too slow, hero!"
Astra stepped forward and unleashed her suppression field, her light pushing them back—but not enough. One slashed her across the chest. Blood sprayed.
"ASTRA!" Lian shouted, tackling the beast midair.
> [System Notice: Astra – HP: 42/100. Status: Bleeding (Minor), Armor Shattered.]
The battle took a turn when the girl they rescued—eyes glowing faintly red—stabbed Jayce in the stomach.
> [Corruption Event Triggered – Mimic Parasite]
Condition: Trust becomes weakness. Watch the innocent.
Jayce gasped. "Little... bitch... got me…"
Boom snapped the girl's neck in one smooth motion—his face cold.
---
Aftermath
They won.
But it didn't feel like victory.
Jayce sat with blood soaking his shirt. Astra grimaced as Melia stitched her wound with broken bandages.
> [Party Status:
Lian – 80/100
Astra – 42/100
Jayce – 55/100
Melia – 90/100
Demist – 100/100
Boom – 92/100
Emotional Fatigue: 87%]
No words were spoken for a long time.
Then Lian stood. "This world's different. It's not about power—it's about choices. And deception."
Melia added, "And we have no idea who—or what—might be watching."
As they walked deeper into the ruins of the capital, a symbol marked the sky. A massive eye, blinking once.
Watching.
Measuring.
And waiting.
---
End of Chapter 68: Demonic Ascendance Begins