A Hero Who Returns But Is Out Of Place

In the magnificent castle that stood ominously in the depths of hell, the Demon King of Lust, Asmodeus, sat on his throne with an arrogance that reflected his status as the highest ruler. However, his true form was far different from the avatar he used in the human world. As a Lovecraftian horror, Asmodeus towered at around ten metres tall, his body shrouded in an overwhelming darkness. Two black horns curved backwards from his head, while his massive hands stretched out, with fingers sharp as blades. His monstrous bat-like wings were attached to his back, protruding with jagged edges, ready to tear through the sky. Tentacles extended from his mouth, writhing in the darkness like unseen claws, and his tail, split into two, coiled with a thickness and length that surpassed any serpent, as though ready to crush anything in its path.

At this moment, Asmodeus was growling, seething with anger and humiliation. He felt utterly disgraced, his ego and honour as a great demon noble thoroughly tarnished. The greatest insult was having to flee from a human—something unimaginable in his wildest dreams. Fortunately, he had only used an avatar while acting in the human world, ensuring that his true identity remained hidden from mortal eyes.

With a short sigh of frustration, Asmodeus leaned his muscular, powerful back against his obsidian throne. His eyes glowed with a terrifying red light as he began to brood, thinking of the dark pleasures and games he would indulge in next. But this moment of calm was interrupted by the hurried footsteps of one of his subordinates, who entered the room, pale-faced and panicked.

"Lord Asmodeus!" the subordinate shouted, his voice trembling with anxiety, echoing the fear that permeated the heavy air of the castle. "We are under attack!"

Asmodeus's gaze flared with burning rage, the infernal fire in his eyes scorching the very atmosphere. "What!? Who dares to attack my castle?"

The subordinate, quaking with fear, immediately threw himself to the ground, his body trembling as he quickly reported, "It's… a human, my lord. And what's more, he's alone! We've tried everything to stop him, but this human is too strong!"

Asmodeus fell silent for a moment, his mouth pressed into a thin line as he contemplated the report. The figure of Kaoru, the boy he had just fought, flashed through his mind like a haunting shadow. There was no way Kaoru could have reached here in less than half an hour, especially considering how tightly guarded the gates to hell were. The defences at each entry point were so rigorous that it should have been impossible for Kaoru to breach them without causing a massive commotion.

Before the subordinate could continue, a sharp flicker slashed through the air, and his head was swiftly severed by one of Asmodeus's tentacles. His body collapsed lifelessly to the floor, leaving behind a pool of blood and chaos. Asmodeus's fury overflowed, a wrath so intense it tore through the bounds of his patience and composure.

The irritation and anger Asmodeus felt were an unstoppable tidal wave, for his pleasure had been disturbed, and his plans shattered by the presence of a human daring to disrupt his world. Worse still, he had to face the bitter reality that the human who had humiliated him had now come directly to his realm.

In Asmodeus's eyes, Kaoru's strength seemed like the flicker of a candle in the midst of hellfire. He felt confident that nothing could withstand his absolute power in this realm of suffering. With a certainty that shook the very foundations of his castle, Asmodeus viewed Kaoru's actions as recklessly bold—a challenge not only to his tranquillity but also a blow to his pride and status as the Demon King.

"Summon the armies," Asmodeus commanded, his voice echoing with authority, each word delivered with a commanding tone full of power. "I will lead this war myself. We will show that human how foolish his actions were and teach him a lesson so harsh he'll understand the price of his blind bravery!"

Asmodeus strode towards the war room, every step shaking the black stone floor of his castle. His massive, dark wings swept through the air with terrifying grandeur, creating gusts of wind filled with force and fear. The black tentacles extending from his mouth moved with aggressive agility, ready to destroy anyone who dared disturb the peace they had long enjoyed in hell.

Outside the castle, the bridge connecting the grand gates to the outside world was littered with broken bodies, the aftermath of a fierce battle. Yet amidst the chaos stood Kaoru—an unshaken figure, seemingly unaffected by the battlefield around him. His appearance remained immaculate, without a single speck of dirt or damage, as though the previous battle had been nothing more than a meaningless game.

Kaoru surveyed the surroundings with unsettling calm. His sharp eyes assessed the war-torn battlefield, filled with debris and corpses, with cold detachment. Though the area around him was wrecked and chaotic, his expression remained serene and confident. He stood there gracefully, exuding an aura of unmatched power—a presence that declared he had trained rigorously and prepared himself to fight alone against a much larger army. His extraordinary strength made him more than a one-man army; he was a force of nature, capable of conquering the most terrifying foes with ease.

Since reaching the level of Nine-Star Aura, Kaoru had become a truly formidable force. The Caliburn sword, made of mystical metal, glowed in his hand, emitting a golden light that pierced through the darkness. The sword was a symbol of his power and authority, a weapon capable of cutting through dimensions and destroying anything in its path.

With steps filled with confidence and resolve, Kaoru advanced, determined not to stop until he had severed the head of the Incubus King, Asmodeus—the demon king of lust.