After Betrayal, I Awoke as the Game's Final Boss

Its ability wasn't just to absorb mana, elemental essence or any sort of energy from the sky, the earth, and the void… it went beyond that!

He had opened a window to the "Aether" and was pleasantly surprised to find he had absorbed an incredible amount of it. But unfortunately, that boost was temporary and would disappear as soon as he used it.

But that was fine too.

With this power, he had managed to gain complete control over his shadow, making his body a conduit for dark blood rather than just a vessel. This was the path that only opened upon activating the [Main Vampire Path – Jura-Chi]. But Antares, somehow, had forcibly pushed him in the right direction. Or the wrong one… who knows.

Unfortunately, this path was not yet available to be unlocked anyway.

And now, as the intoxication of battle subsided, Lloyd looked at the notifications floating before him.

[Very good! You have truly earned my service!]

[Please, enter the "Reflection World."]

[I, Tower Supervisor Gorlam, pledge my eternal service to the revered 'Scion of the Progenitor Amora'!]

"Tower Supervisor?" he muttered, rearranging the threads of his thoughts.

It only took him three seconds to process it. It wasn't just that he was a genius to connect the dots so quickly, but he truly possessed a mature mind capable of absorbing details with unexpected speed.

In his head, the pieces began to connect. "If the [Reflection World] contains Antares and Gralaks, then what's to stop there from being a third or a fourth?" he wondered, trying to understand the context more deeply. But the question that quietly crept into his heart was: "Can this supervisor manifest?"

So far, he had faced two beings stronger than his late father—the patriarch of the "Silent Night" clan—and that damned traitorous uncle. But, by a twist of fate, he couldn't even fully manifest them, let alone break their seals.

He thought deeply. If this "Gorlam" had sent him an explicit invitation to enter the Reflection World, he must have enough energy to manifest himself within it. This could be the first real opportunity to meet an ancient being without needing to break through a level or open a gate.

"Very interesting," Lloyd said with a smile that held a mix of a child's mischief and a killer's glee.

Lloyd had become very excited to meet this new member. It seemed the supervisor hadn't returned to hibernation yet. And indeed, he would be an extremely powerful person, so he would be a great addition…

It was time to test something new. But before he could move…

[Exiting the Reflection World...]

"Hey, you. Wait here a bit," Lloyd waved his hand, flicking blood off it nonchalantly, unaware that the creature before him could kill him in a glance, or perhaps he knew and simply didn't care.

****

The creature before him—Gorlam—did not move.

Immediately after, with a swift movement like that of a terrifying ballet dancer, Lloyd broke the chains that bound Balberius as if they were cotton threads.

'But I didn't know how to bring Balberius into the [Reflection World].'

"Oh, god..." Lloyd thought, looking at him wearily. "Do I have to hug him now to get him inside?"

He pursed his lips with impatience. "Or maybe… hold his hand? No way."

[Ding!]

[The Heir's desire to establish an empire has been registered.]

[Balberius must join the empire to secure right of entry.]

[Anyone who wishes to join the "Selenium" Empire must enter into a Pledge of Fealty. Integration with the "Legacy" is mandatory.]

[The mere thought of betrayal leads to death.]

Lloyd laughed bitterly. "Oh, what an attractive offer."

He then turned to Balberius. "Do you want to join me? We have a lot of fun here."

His voice dropped, becoming more menacing. "But… before that, the Pledge of Fealty. There are only two options: join… or die."

He grabbed Balberius by the hair and lifted his head, his eyes glowing with a deadly coldness. "Sign the pledge, my friend. Or I'll consider you a light snack for the hungry creatures on the third floor."

Suddenly, a grimy skull emerged from the darkness, its hollow gaze capable of unravelling souls. It needed no aura… its appearance alone was enough to silence the mind. It collected a drop of blood from each of them, then pierced Balberius's chest, settling inside him with a demonic calm.

[Do you wish to grant "Balberius" a noble title?]

[Yes / No]

"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "From now on, you are Earl 'Skyheart'. Don't let me down, you beast."

He felt a bond form, not one of control, but a kind of instinctual understanding. But thankfully, he didn't turn into a flying doll; he remained as he was.

[Ding!]

[Quest successfully completed!]

[Quest Title: Recruit a Competent Follower!]

[Description: Balberius has attracted the attention of the Kalmala Star System, a subsystem of Millennium. By recruiting a potential enemy of Millennium, you will gain a new advantage. It is highly recommended to make the Heavenly Beast-Devourer an Earl or higher after recruitment!]

[Time Limit: None]

[Reward: Recruit a competent follower. You want more? Don't be greedy!]

Balberius knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse but respectful. "Balberius… greets the Master."

Lloyd looked at him sharply, then said, "My name is Lloyd. And I don't like bowing. Don't you kneel to anyone ever again, understand?"

He smiled a small smile, one that held a bit of confidence and a bit of caution. "We're just getting started," Lloyd muttered with some satisfaction.

What utter chaos! Soldiers scrambled around the palace like ants whose nest had been set on fire, tripping over each other, bumping into walls, screaming, whispering… as if they were searching for a needle in a haystack.

But they weren't looking for a needle. They were looking for a flying man… and a white-haired butcher who had appeared from nowhere and torn their reality apart like a piece of paper.

In the center of the hall stood the king of the Silver Sun Kingdom, his crown askew. His face, which moments ago had radiated pride and control, had twisted into a mask of rage and helplessness. A genuine spark of fear glittered in his eyes, the kind kings only feel when their thrones are shaken to their very foundations.

"Damn it!" the king yelled, slamming his fist on a half-shattered throne. His voice echoed among the high marble columns, as if the walls themselves were panicked.

"Something… something ominous happened here!" he muttered, biting his lip until it bled. The king was no stranger to the feeling that had just swept through his heart.

That aura… that crushing pressure that had made him kneel without even realizing it. A feeling of primal horror, as if something from beyond time had emerged and looked upon his soul with contempt.

"I can't defeat him…" the king whispered in a barely audible voice, his eyes staring into the void. "I can't even get close to him…"