As the eerie skeleton on the throne spoke, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber, “Welcome, Arther....Yamikage’s trusted warrior.”

  Arther’s body trembled, both from the severity of his wounds and the overwhelming pressure of the skeleton’s mana. The skeletal figure stood up, stepping down from his throne and approaching Arther. As he walked, his body began to morph his skeletal frame shifted into the exact likeness of Arther, matching his appearance and voice perfectly.

  "You look like you're in pain," the copy said, smirking. “Surviving in my presence... Yamikage must have trained you well. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

  With a flick of his hand, the copy healed Arther’s wounds instantly. Arther staggered back in confusion.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  The copy chuckled and transformed again this time into the form of Yamikage. “Me? I’m just a dense mana construct. The only human who transcended mortality and reached the realm of a demigod by his own will. I control the darkness itself.”

  As he spoke, his body began to radiate with a deep, consuming dark energy. With a creepy grin, he raised a finger to his lips. “I am the darkness incarnate. The god of shadows. The world once called Kurojin...”

  “I’ve never heard of you,” Arther interrupted, tilting his head.

  The dark being blinked in disbelief. “What? Then surely you've heard of the Dark Sword Mage....?”

  “Nope.”

  The being sighed. “Well, never mind. Let’s keep it simple. I’m one of the Five Mysterious Ones those who brought the dragon races into this world. Specifically, I’m the one who birthed the Dark Dragon species. You could call me their godfather.”

  Arther’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait… If you were here all this time, why didn’t you protect the Dark Dragons from being sughtered by the others?”

  The dark figure’s voice lowered, tinged with pain. “Arther, why do you think they were able to kill them? My real body is bound here by dimensional chains. I’m not from this world. And there’s something none of your kind knows this pce, this world, it’s not alone. It’s one of many connected through space and time… a giant tower. And we… we are just entertainment for the gods.”

  Arther swallowed hard, feeling an unnatural chill crawl up his spine. “What are you talking about?”

  The being sat back on his throne, his voice taking a solemn tone. “It’s a long story. I was born in another world. Orphaned young. One day, an angel descended and offered us a choice join the Gods’ Game or die. Those who accepted became pyers, tools for the gods’ amusement. Our worlds were merged into a tower, and each pyer was assigned a divine sponsor. I formed a five-member party with my closest friends together, we became legends. I rose to fame as the Dark Magic Swordsman. Eventually, I fell in love and married a kind, beautiful woman. I quit the game… but my god didn’t approve.”

  His tone darkened.

  “That day… my ‘family’ my party betrayed me. For a chance to become demigods, they murdered my wife in front of me. She was eight months pregnant. They… they put spears through her stomach.”

  Arther’s breath caught in his throat.

  “In my rage, my mana exploded. My body was torn apart and rebuilt by pure darkness. I became a being of shadow.....a demigod born of vengeance. I sughtered them, one by one. But then… a true god descended. With a single gesture, he undid all the damage, ughed in my face, and said, ‘It was fun to watch.’ I was captured, and sealed here.”

  The being clenched his fist, shadows writhing around him.

  “They killed the entire Dark Dragon race before my eyes. I was powerless… only able to watch. After Yamikage was sealed in that cave, I lost even that. Now I’m bound to this dungeon… Floor 200. And beyond this? The gods’ realm awaits.”

  He leaned forward, his tone sharpened with purpose. “But you, Arther you’re different. I want you to carry my power. To become me. To finish what I started.”

  Arther stared at him, eyes narrowed. “And what if I say no?”

  A chilling ugh echoed through the chamber.

  “Do you think you’ll be allowed to refuse?” the dark being whispered. “I, the Dark Demigod, hereby pass all of my authority to you.”

  A floating bck ste appeared in front of Arther. It dispyed glowing text:

  The Pact is Made

  Arther has been chosen as the successor of the Dark Demigod.

  Scanning pyer body...

  Magic circuits insufficient.

  Initiating synchronization in 3… 2… 1…

  Agonizing pain surged through Arther’s body. He screamed as if his very soul were being torn apart. His mana circuits burned ripped and reforged by a power far beyond his limits. A glowing bck mark seared itself onto his neck.

  “Arther,” the demigod said gravely, “you’ll need that power. They're coming for you now. Your life is about to change… and it could turn into hell.”

  The st thing Arther saw before losing consciousness was the look of grim sympathy on the dark being’s face.

  Then everything faded into bck.

  To be continued…..