Chapter 15 — The Return of the Master

  The battlefield had become ruins.

  Deep cracks spiderwebbed across the ground. The air shimmered with residual power, thick with the smell of scorched earth and dark magic.

  Lucas stood at the center.

  He was no longer the same.

  Dark flames drifted around him like living shadows. Demonic markings spread further across his skin, glowing faint crimson. His aura had thickened—dense, almost suffocating.

  The Soul Door connection with Kashihero hummed silently between them.

  Lucas closed his eyes briefly.

  He felt his master clearly—alive, awake, observing the battlefield through their link.

  A calm voice echoed in his mind.

  “Lucas.”

  Lucas inclined his head slightly.

  “Yes, Master.”

  Kashihero stood several meters behind him, but the Soul Door made distance irrelevant.

  “Your evolution is complete.”

  Lucas opened his eyes.

  He felt the change.

  Before, he had fought with only his own demonic power.

  Now, a thin current of Kashihero’s spirit energy flowed through the connection.

  Even that small portion was vast—an ocean he could barely contain.

  He clenched his fist.

  Black flames gathered instantly around his fingers.

  Seraphel Vayden, the Wind Spirit Elder, watched from above. The wind around him slowed.

  “…Interesting.”

  He tilted his head, silver hair drifting.

  “Your power surged suddenly.”

  “That must be your master’s doing.”

  Lucas did not reply.

  Seraphel chuckled softly.

  “So the master finally woke up.”

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  Wind erupted around him—sharp currents circling like invisible blades.

  “If that’s the case… the real battle can begin.”

  Varkul Nocthra remained silent on the ground.

  Shadows coiled at his feet like living serpents.

  His cold gaze fixed on Kashihero.

  The young man had risen.

  Kashihero flexed his fingers, testing his body.

  The power inside him felt different now—balanced, controlled, far stronger.

  His eyes swept the field: the wounded underworld monster, the fifteen Hollow Sigil elites, the two elders, and Lucas standing as an unbreakable shield.

  He exhaled quietly.

  “…You worked hard.”

  Lucas did not turn.

  “It is my duty, Master.”

  Kashihero stepped forward.

  The ground cracked faintly beneath him.

  His spirit energy pressed outward, making the air heavier.

  Varkul’s eyes narrowed.

  “…One billion.”

  He sensed it clearly.

  Seraphel laughed, excitement rising.

  “Well now. This is becoming much more entertaining.”

  The underworld monster roared, rage growing as dark energy leaked from its wounds.

  Lucas glanced at it calmly.

  “Master.”

  “Yes.”

  “Permission to borrow your power.”

  Kashihero answered without hesitation.

  “Granted.”

  The Soul Door widened.

  A controlled stream of spirit energy flowed into Lucas.

  His aura exploded.

  The contract markings flared brighter.

  The ground fractured around him.

  Seraphel’s smile faltered.

  “…What?”

  Lucas raised his hand.

  Black flames gathered—but now laced with another presence.

  A trace of Kashihero’s power.

  He whispered.

  “Shadow Devour.”

  Shadows raced across the ground toward the monster.

  The creature roared in confusion as they wrapped its legs.

  Lucas vanished.

  He reappeared in front of it.

  A blade formed in his grip.

  “Abyssal Blade.”

  The strike carried far greater force.

  It sliced through armored hide like paper.

  A deep gash opened across the monster’s chest.

  Dark blood sprayed.

  The monster screamed.

  Seraphel’s eyes widened.

  “He’s using the master’s abilities…”

  Varkul spoke quietly.

  “…Through the soul connection.”

  The fifteen elites whispered among themselves.

  This was beyond expectation.

  Lucas had not just grown stronger.

  He had evolved.

  Kashihero continued walking forward.

  His gaze settled on the two elders.

  Seraphel smiled wider.

  “So you’re finally joining.”

  Kashihero stopped a few meters away.

  “Yes.”

  Seraphel’s wind aura intensified.

  “Good. I was getting bored fighting your servant.”

  Before he finished—

  Kashihero vanished.

  Seraphel’s eyes widened.

  Wind reacted instinctively.

  But Kashihero had already appeared behind him.

  Too fast.

  Seraphel barely raised a barrier.

  The collision unleashed a shockwave.

  Seraphel slid back several meters.

  He landed smoothly, but blood trickled from his lip.

  “…Impressive.”

  He wiped it away.

  “You’re far stronger than expected.”

  Varkul finally moved.

  Shadows rose around him.

  His cold eyes locked on Kashihero.

  “The master has awakened.”

  The ground darkened beneath him.

  “Then we should eliminate the root.”

  Black chains erupted toward Kashihero.

  But Lucas appeared instantly.

  His blade shattered the chains in one swing.

  He stood between them.

  “You will not approach my master.”

  Varkul stared silently.

  Then nodded.

  “…Very well.”

  Dark mist spread across the field.

  The monster roared again.

  Seraphel’s winds howled.

  The fifteen elites readied their spirit techniques.

  Killing intent saturated the air.

  Kashihero stood at the center.

  His spirit energy surged like a hidden ocean.

  The Soul Door glowed silently between him and Lucas.

  Master and servant.

  Two powers linked by one soul.

  Everyone felt it.

  The balance had shifted completely.

  Seraphel raised his hand skyward.

  “Elite members!”

  The fifteen stepped forward as one.

  “Kill them.”

  But Kashihero did not move.

  A faint smile curved his lips.

  “…Lucas.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Let’s end this.”

  Lucas’s crimson eyes burned.

  “As you command.”

  The battlefield erupted once more.

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  End of Chapter 15