– The Succubus Queen who invaded Dungeon ‘Evil God’s Nest’ has been subjugated.
– Successfully completed an urgent mission while defending the dungeon!
– As a reward, you will receive one 6-Star Soul Stone.
– 6-Star Soul Stone: By synthesizing a 6-Star Monster and one 6-Star Soul Stone, you can create a 7-Star Monster.
The urgent mission ended more anticlimactically than expected.
‘Is this really it?’
Of course, it’s better to safely defend the dungeon than to have it subjugated or suffer significant damage.
‘Still, to think I defended it without any damage.’
As expected of my monsters.
In a way, it might have been a natural outcome.
After all, sending in Maru, a 6-star Skeleton Priest, meant the dungeon’s defenses were at their absolute peak.
If it weren’t for the restrictions on the monsters’ range of activity, couldn’t they have easily taken down the White Church?
That’s how immensely powerful the force was.
‘So, shall I check the rewards now?’
The reward for this urgent mission was one 6-star Soul Stone.
Although it was just one, it was a crucial item that could evolve an existing 6-star monster into a 7-star one.
“7-star…”
Except for the temporary 7-star status of the Death Knight once, this was the first time I would officially possess a 7-star monster.
A 7-star monster.
I couldn’t even grasp what that would be like.
Even in Earth’s dungeons, A-rank monsters, corresponding to a maximum of 5-star rank, were pretty much the limit.
Of course, the frequency of stronger monsters appearing was increasing, but compared to the El Dorado Continent, it was still manageable.
In this situation, on the El Dorado Continent, 7-star was a rank that was dismissed as mere legend.
‘Well, if you include the Demonic Realm, that might be different.’
The Demonic Realm, being a place untouched by humans, was an exception.
I don’t know what kind of monsters reside there.
On the other hand, with the acquisition of the 6-star Soul Stone this time, one thing became certain.
‘At least a 7-star monster will officially appear on the El Dorado Continent.’
6-star Soul Stones can only be used on 6-star monsters. And the only 6-star monsters I possess are Celia and Maru.
‘This has to be Celia.’
I considered strengthening Maru to 7-star for my close-quarters protection, but here on Earth, there’s practically nothing that can threaten Maru.
‘And I am an A-rank Hunter, after all.’
Therefore, upgrading Maru to 7-star wasn’t an immediate priority.
Celia, however, was different.
There are increasing numbers of intruders in dungeons, like the Succubus Queen, and given the nature of the El Dorado Continent, one can’t be sure what threats might exist.
As such, evolving Celia to 7-star was the better choice for stable dungeon management.
My deliberation wasn’t long.
I immediately tapped the screen and decided where to use the Soul Stone.
– Do you want to apply the 6-star Soul Stone to Celia (★★★★★★)?
‘Of course, I have to apply it.’
As I tapped the screen.
– Synthesis successful!
– ‘Celia (★★★★★★)’ evolves into the Succubus Empress.
– Legendary Monster, Succubus Empress Celia (★★★★★★★)
Along with the notification that Celia, who was 6-star, had evolved to 7-star, a status window appeared on the screen.
– Rank: ★★★★★★★
– Race: Succubus Empress
[Traits]
– Empress’s Dignity (SS): Possesses an absolute majesty that is impossible to defy.
– Absolute Charm (SS): Beyond a simple smile, her very existence is captivating. Those who see her feel a spiritual pull, and even hostile beings hesitate to attack.
[Basic Stats]
HP: S
Attack: S-
Defense: S
Magic: SS+
Charm: SSS
[Skills]
– Eternal Nightmare (SS): Inflicts the worst nightmare from which one can never awaken. Targets trapped in the nightmare may suffer complete mental collapse.
– Dream Dominator (SS): Can freely traverse the boundaries between dreams and reality. Can completely control others’ dreams and create dream domains that affect reality.
– Forbidden Charm (S+): Completely dominates the target’s mind. Those caught in Forbidden Charm feel a loyalty so strong that they would even sacrifice their lives for the caster.
– Life Absorb (S): Absorbs the opponent’s life force. This can be used to heal one’s own wounds or temporarily mimic the opponent’s special abilities.
– Succubus Throne (SSS): The ultimate skill. Deploys the ‘Empress’s Domain’ within a certain area. Within this domain, she wields god-like authority, altering all laws according to her will. She can even manipulate gravity, time, and space to a limited extent. (Cooldown: 30 days)
“…”
Truly a 7-star monster.
It was a status window that left me speechless.
* * *
Silence was all that remained where the fierce battle in the dungeon had ended.
The Queen, once at the pinnacle of Succubi, was no more.
Celia gently extended her hand and placed it on Carmina’s chest.
As her fingers softly pressed the spot where the Succubus Queen’s heart had been, a faint tremor ran through Carmina’s body.
“The moment has finally arrived.”
Celia’s words shattered the tranquil silence.
Maru, Necros, the Goblin Lord, and the other dungeon monsters watched the scene from a distance.
The few surviving Succubi made no sound, but all of them understood the significance of what was happening.
After a moment, a crimson mist-like aura began to rise from Carmina’s body.
It was faint at first, but its density gradually deepened.
The rising crimson aura slowly moved towards Celia.
It seemed to probe Celia, circling around her. Eventually, the crimson aura began to flow into her chest.
At that moment, Celia’s eyes glowed red. A strong wind blew around her, scattering her silver hair.
“Ah…”
The sensation of immense power pouring into Celia’s body was both painful and ecstatic.
Carmina’s memories unfolded before Celia’s eyes like a panorama.
Carmina’s experiences and memories of reigning as Queen, and her authority, were being transferred to her.
How much time had passed?
The crimson aura was completely absorbed into Celia’s body.
Carmina’s corpse was now just a pale shell.
Celia slowly stood up.
Her body now shone with a more intense aura than before.
Her silver hair gleamed more brilliantly, and her eyes had taken on a deeper shade of red.
She hadn’t just inherited the Queen’s power; rather, she had consumed the Queen’s power and transformed into something even greater.
She too felt that she had broken through a barrier.
“This is power.”
Celia looked at her palm and slowly clenched her fist.
She felt immense power. The strength she had felt until now felt like child’s play in comparison.
“As expected of Master.”
And Celia realized that the Great One had intervened in the process of overcoming this barrier.
Otherwise, simply killing Carmina wouldn’t have allowed her to break through.
“Em-Empress…”
Archsa, who had been captured by Celia earlier, spoke in a trembling voice. Instinctively, she knelt before Celia.
The other Succubi followed suit, one by one.
“From now on, our Master is Empress Celia.”
Archsa said, bowing her head. Currently, she wasn’t under Celia’s charm but speaking from her heart.
“Please bestow mercy upon us, who are ignorant, and grant us guidance.”
Celia looked down at them.
All the Succubi were now kneeling before her.
“Rise.”
Celia’s voice was deeper and more powerful than before.
The Succubi cautiously lifted their heads. Hope flickered in their eyes, mixed with unease.
“I am Celia. Not the owner of this dungeon, but its Chief Administrator. My rule is simple: obey the will of our Great Master, not mine.”
Celia pointed upwards with her finger.
“Mas-Master…?”
A Succubus asked in a voice full of doubt.
This was someone who had surpassed Carmina, the Succubus Queen, and become the Succubus Empress.
There was someone else above such a being?
The Succubi began to murmur amongst themselves.
It wasn’t distrust towards Celia. It was rather reverence for the being Celia served.
Just how powerful was this being that they commanded a Succubus Empress, essentially a 7-star level force, as their subordinate?
That was the Succubi’s question.
* * *
The starlight twinkled in the darkened sky.
The night sky of the El Dorado Continent was, as always, adorned with countless stars.
In the capital of the Sail Empire, a night market was in full swing, and people were living ordinary lives.
And then it happened.
“What is that?”
A merchant spoke, pointing at the sky.
All eyes turned towards the sky.
Hours had passed since the sun had set, but the western sky had begun to turn crimson.
It was as if the sun was rising again.
“Is the sun rising again?”
But it wasn’t the sun.
The entire western sky turned red, then mixed with black to form strange purple patterns.
The sight was somehow ominous.
“Wh-What is happening?”
The entire city was gradually engulfed in stillness. Merchants stopped selling their goods, and the chattering children also sensed something strange and quieted down.
The dogs in the streets began to bark anxiously, and the birds flew around restlessly, making confused noises.
And at that moment.
“Wha-?!”
The stars adorning the sky began to fall simultaneously.
At first, it was just a few, but soon, tens, then hundreds of stars poured down like a meteor shower. However, this was no ordinary meteor shower.
From the places where the stars fell, red dots began to emerge.
“…”
People were well aware of this phenomenon.
A story passed down only through legend. No, the appearance of a 7-star monster, which was no longer just a legend.
“The curse has begun again!”
Someone shouted.
Didn’t the Sail Empire, back when it was just a kingdom, descend into chaos with the appearance of a 7-star monster?
And now, the precursor to that event was appearing again.
“Hide the children first! Quick!”
Screams of terror echoed through the streets.
People began to run towards their homes, while some collapsed on the spot, offering prayers to the Goddess.
The red dots rising in the black sky writhed as if alive, slowly growing larger.
They seemed to be looking down at the continent like enormous eyes.
Confusion was the same for the White Church.
Priests of the Church poured out into the streets.
They too knew what this phenomenon signified.
“The birth of a 7-star monster!”
The priests desperately offered prayers, but the celestial phenomenon did not cease. Instead, it intensified.
The red dots began to connect, finally covering the sky like a giant spiderweb.
The entire continent seemed to be trapped beneath a crimson net.
“Merciful God, please protect us.”
The leaders of the White Church entered an emergency meeting.
