Ashen Dragon

First Level of Batuo Hell, Aphernas.

This is a scorched, rubble-strewn wasteland, with slanting hills and mountainous sidewalls breaking up the monotonous landscape.

In the distance, you can still see a towering pillar over two kilometers tall standing on the plains, constructed from twisted demon skulls, symbolizing the vile spoils garnered from the blood battles.

Blood-red light pervades the sky, fireballs dance in the air, and deep fissures crisscross the ground, often echoing with pitiful cries from Prayer Mergers languishing in agony.

Meanwhile, two devils with rugged features and thorn-like beards guard a large gate made of spinal bones.

They hold rusty machetes and wear tattered armor, chatting nonchalantly.

"Ugh, this guard duty is incredibly dull. Can't even see a shadow of an intruder. I envy those guys sent to the Material Plane."

"Yeah, it's said they can effortlessly steal hundreds of mortal souls in that City of Sunrise, a place I've only dreamed of."

"Hehe, stop dreaming. Devils like us should be thankful we're not sent to the Myriad Abyss Plains to fight those lunatics. The Blood Battle Battlefield is never short of cannon fodder."

"True, the City of Sunrise, once graced by the Sun God's divine favor... Tsk tsk, only Lord Zha Rui'er's trusted ones are eligible to visit that pasture."

"Instead of hoping to be transferred to Augustus, I'd rather hope some mortals mistakenly wander in here."

Passages to other planes are common in Hell, referred to by mortals as the "Door of Curse," typically guarded by devils to fend off demon and human intrusions—like these two Whisker Demon soldiers.

Just as they were discussing "how to torture the wandering mortals," a ripple suddenly emerged at the center of the skeletal gate, and a human stumbled out.

"Wh-where is this?"

This human, dressed in tattered clothes, appeared particularly weak and bloodless, looking innocuous. The two soul-hungry Whisker Demons brightened up instantly.

"According to Lord Zha Rui'er's rules, we should immediately report any outsider encounters..."

"Report? You're too naive! Mortal souls like these are the sweetest, bound to be fought over by many Great Devils. If we keep this under wraps, we'll enjoy the taste of fresh souls ourselves..."

"Right, this frail mortal can't escape our grasp anyway."

With that thought, the two Whisker Demons didn't initiate the Communication Array but instead walked forward step by step, surrounding the mortal, their faces twisted in sinister smiles, already contemplating how to torture him.

With a savage smile, a Whisker Demon spoke: "Ignorant mortal... Do you know where you are?"

"Devil! It's actually a devil! Could it be... Hell? Did I actually stumble into Hell?"

The human was so frightened that his legs went limp, collapsing to the ground. His complexion was deathly pale, his speech incoherent, appearing mentally broken by the fear.

Another Whisker Demon held a machete across the human's face, showing extreme excitement: "That's correct, mortal. Welcome to Hell, the paradise of us devils!"

"Hahaha, who would've thought a mortal would show up in this desolate wilderness. A real surprise!"

The Whisker Demons stood before the human, laughing unscrupulously, their bristly beards quivering and twisting grotesquely.

They presumed the human would lose his sanity and even pass out, emanating an enjoyable aura of fear.

But unexpectedly, the human didn't react as anticipated. He stared wide-eyed at the Whisker Demons before him, showing a cheeky smile: "What do you mean surprise? Translate that for me, what do you mean surprise?"

"..."

Both Whisker Demons stood shocked, gripping their machetes, momentarily at a loss.

What's happening?

Could this human have gone mad out of fear?

One Whisker Demon scratched its head with a claw, curiously replying: "No need to translate, you're our surprise."

The other Whisker Demon agreed: "Really foolish mortal, does it need translation? It's clearly already been said."

The "human" suddenly leapt up from the ground at unimaginable speed, carrying a bloody gust of wind.

Veins bulged on his forehead, revealing sharp fangs in his mouth, roaring furiously: "I told you to translate it for me! What the hell do you mean surprise?!"

"Oh no, it's an attack!"

"Damn it! This guy is definitely not a mortal! We were deceived!"

The two Whisker Demons, shocked and appalled, hurriedly fled, shouting loudly, hoping to report to higher-level devils.

But it was too late, the prey and Hunter had already switched places in an instant.

"Translate for me—what the hell does damn surprise mean!"

The "human" chuckled mockingly, floating in mid-air, extending two hands with sharp claws, unleashing two deep vortices emitting black fog from his palms.

[Blood Demon Black Hole]

Under an unmatched powerful attraction, countless rubble rose upward, and the two Whisker Demons were instantly hurled backward, continually struggling and emitting wretched wails.

"No—"

"It's a Vampire! Damn it, whose subordinate is this?"

"Kill him!"

The two Whisker Demons were sucked into the "human's" palms, struggling with all their might, swinging their machetes behind them, sharp blades breaking through the air.