The last Asura

The middle-aged man looked up as a young woman, around twenty-two or twenty-four, entered his office.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, with a charming face and a slim yet curvaceous body. Dressed in a sharp business suit that accentuated her generous cleavage and killer curves, she wore a stoic expression that reflected her professionalism. Her silky blonde hair was tied into a neat bun, and her dark brown eyes radiated the quiet confidence of someone seasoned by experience.

"Yes, Nina?" asked the middle-aged man, leaning back to ease the tension from the overwork he had endured since the previous night.

"Guild Master, there's a request from the Duke's house for a B-rank or higher adventurer to conduct a dungeon reconnaissance in the Majin Forest," Nina said, placing a rolled parchment sealed with the Duke's emblem on his desk.

"So the Duke himself made the request?" Markus, Guild Master and President of the Adventurer's Guild Association, picked up the decree and began reading its contents.

His expression darkened with each line. By the end, his eyes burned with fury. He crushed the parchment in one hand, and the next moment, it burst into flames.

The air in the room grew dry, the walls seemingly on the verge of melting. Nina tensed. Her enchanted clothing was the only thing protecting her from the searing heat. Without it, she would have been burned to a crisp.

Realizing his mana was affecting her, Markus inhaled deeply and reined in his power. The pressure vanished, and Nina exhaled in relief. She kept her composure, saying nothing. She understood her boss. Unlike her, who could keep her emotions in check, Markus struggled in that department.

Watching the blackened ash drift from Markus's hand, she merely shook her head.

Markus Drake, an S-rank adventurer, was one of the few people in the world who could burn a Duke's decree without fearing the consequences. He was strong enough to face champions of any race on equal footing, despite not being a champion himself. It was why he alone could repeatedly reject invitations to serve as a Royal Knight Commander.

He rubbed his forehead in irritation and looked at Nina.

"Dungeon hunting in the Majin Forest... Does the Duke not realize that place is a No Man's Land?" Markus asked rhetorically. On any other day, it might have been manageable, but after the disaster the night before, they were severely understaffed.

"Sir, perhaps the Duke believes that discovering treasures might raise public morale?" Nina suggested.

Markus scoffed. "Treasures the public never gets to see."

He understood all too well what the Duke was attempting. Rather than deploying his own soldiers after the sudden catastrophe, the noble likely hoped to shift the burden elsewhere. Unlike the common people, who placed their faith in the church, those in power knew far more than they let on.

Whatever the church proclaimed, no one truly knew the reality. If this request was tied to the forest's ancient taboo, then it was a disaster waiting to happen—one far worse than last night's event.

"That Duke thinks my adventurers are disposable," Markus muttered.

"Sir, ignoring the Duke's decree might be seen as rebellion," Nina pointed out. She didn't care much for the Duke herself, but open defiance could carry serious consequences.

"Does he even have the means to retaliate right now?" Markus asked sarcastically. "Forget our empire, the entire world is in chaos. He should be focusing on rebuilding, not chasing glory. Can these imperial bastards not stop their throne wars for even a day?!"

Nina sighed. Her boss really needed to learn to be more careful with his words. What if someone overheard?

She pulled out another folded letter and handed it to him.

Markus read it, eyebrows lifting in surprise before a low chuckle escaped his lips.

"At least someone in their family has a functioning brain. Get Garron Holt's party for this quest."

"Sir, they're only E-rank," Nina said, puzzled.

"If that little brat thinks he's clever enough to trick me, then he can prove his worth," Markus replied coldly.

"You mean..." Nina began, slightly startled.

"Yes. Just because we haven't had evidence doesn't mean he's innocent. It's time he showed loyalty to his real masters."

Nina nodded and bowed, then left the room with her orders.

Markus scowled at the towering stack of paperwork, uncaring that he had just sentenced a rat to death.

Ahh... politics is such a bitch.

---

Three Days Later

Shunya opened his crimson eyes, finishing his meditation. He had spent the past three days delving into the memories of that unfortunate soul the system had absorbed for him.

Anime!

What a magnificent treasure trove of knowledge.

He felt... enlightened.

Before he could indulge further, his stomach growled like thunder.

Guuurrrr...

He hadn't eaten since that hyena-like beast three days ago. Normally, he could go longer, but breaking the curse and indulging in the wonders of anime had left him famished.

> System Notification: Cave entrance sealed. Suggest exploring deeper into the cave for sustenance. Current condition insufficient to escape.

Shunya stood, patting his bare backside, and looked toward the dark recesses of the cave. Though pitch-black, his enhanced vision let him see clearly. The cave was empty, damp, and silent.

Accepting his partner's suggestion, he began walking deeper inside.

As he ventured forward, the ceiling grew lower, forcing Shunya to crawl.

> Fatigue Accumulation: 0.9%

He blinked in confusion.

"Fatigue? What's happening?"

> System Answer: Due to exertion in a state of hunger, fatigue is accumulating rapidly. The higher the fatigue, the faster stamina and energy are consumed.

Shunya frowned. So low proficiency in any skill came with drawbacks and greater energy cost? Even with his immense stamina, this wasn't sustainable. He needed to improve.

As he continued crawling, lost in thought, he suddenly felt himself pass through a thin, invisible barrier.

Before he could question the system, the ground beneath him cracked.

Crack...

Crack...

Ahhh—!!

Shunya shouted as he plummeted into what looked like a bottomless, dark abyss...

---

To Be Continued in Chapter 8