Arlan's steps grew heavier.
Not from exhaustion.
From pressure.
The closer they got to the center, the worse it became.
Within a one kilometer radius, the atmosphere changed completely.
The fog was no longer gray.
It had turned dense.
Dark purple.
Almost black.
And it pulsed.
Like the air itself had a heartbeat.
Every breath burned.
Like inhaling sulfur mixed with static electricity.
"Stop," Arlan said.
His voice was rough.
Almost drowned by a low hum.
It came from everywhere.
Like thousands of whispers buried underground.
Ahead of them, the fog suddenly split open.
Not slowly.
Abruptly.
Like a curtain being pulled aside.
And there it was.
A structure that didn't make sense.
The tower rose into the sky.
Too high.
Its peak vanished into black clouds.
But the height wasn't the worst part.
It was unstable.
The tower didn't stay the same.
One moment, it looked like a solid pillar of black stone.
Covered in ancient carvings.
Glowing faint red.
The next moment, it broke apart.
Lines of light.
Moving code.
Binary flickering across its surface.
It existed.
But at the same time, it didn't.
"...what is that?" Bara muttered.
His shield lowered slightly.
"That's not human."
"That's not even a monster."
The air trembled.
A system window appeared.
Larger than anything they had seen before.
Brighter.
The frame was dark gold.
Heavy.
Dominant.
System Warning
Entering World Pillar Zone
Identification Tower of Pride
Status Active
Description One of Seven Pillars of Apocalypse
Arlan felt his legs weaken.
One of seven.
This wasn't just a city problem.
This wasn't just a regional boss.
This was part of something bigger.
Much bigger.
"This is one of the pillars…" Vila whispered.
Her face pale.
"If one tower can do this…"
"What about the others?"
Raka didn't move.
"This is the core."
"The system isn't just invading."
"It's replacing everything."
Arlan stared at the tower.
Anger built inside him.
All those people.
The frozen players.
The trapped souls.
All of it fed this thing.
"Look," Desta said.
"Gedung Sate."
Below the tower, the building stood.
But it didn't look right.
It looked… attached.
Like a parasite clinging to something greater.
Its iconic roof was gone.
Replaced.
A massive black spike stood in its place.
Dark energy poured out from it.
Like a waterfall of corruption.
Spreading across the city.
Then Arlan saw it.
At the top of the building.
A shape.
At first, it looked like condensed fog.
Then it moved.
Wings unfolded.
Two pairs.
Massive.
Wide enough to cover the entire front of the building.
Not feathers.
Darkness.
Pure.
It absorbed light around it.
The figure stepped off the edge.
But didn't fall.
It descended slowly.
Controlled.
Landing in front of Gedung Sate.
Right in front of them.
Each movement sent waves of pressure.
Arlan forced his feet into the ground.
The asphalt cracked beneath him.
When the figure landed, the ground blackened instantly.
The figure stood tall.
Taller than any human.
Its body covered in dull silver armor.
Stained.
Worn.
Like it had been soaked in blood for centuries.
A horned helmet hid its face.
But the eyes…
Silver white light stared at them.
Cold.
Arrogant.
Like looking down at insects.
A system alert screamed in Arlan's mind.
Boss Detected
Name Azazel
Title Guardian of Pride
Level Error
Warning Survival Probability 0.0001 Percent
"Zero point zero zero zero one?" Bara let out a broken laugh.
"You've got to be kidding…"
Arlan couldn't speak.
The pressure was crushing.
It felt like something was gripping his heart.
Tight.
Every instinct told him to run.
Hide.
Disappear.
But he couldn't move.
Azazel raised one hand.
A black blade formed.
Flames of darkness wrapped around it.
But it didn't attack.
Not yet.
It just stood there.
Letting its presence break them.
"You…"
The voice echoed inside their heads.
Heavy.
Cold.
Mocking.
"You dare step beneath this pillar… with such fragile souls?"
Arlan tried to breathe.
But it felt like inhaling despair.
He glanced at his team.
Maya had dropped to her knees.
Shaking.
Vila tried to cast a spell.
Her hands trembled too much.
The magic collapsed before forming.
Desta and Bara were still standing.
But barely.
Their legs shook.
Like their bodies were about to give in.
"Arlan…" Bara whispered.
"We need to leave."
"This isn't something we can fight…"
He was right.
Arlan knew it.
The difference was too big.
This wasn't level forty.
This wasn't even measurable.
But Azazel didn't let them move.
The fog twisted.
Forming a storm around them.
Trapping them.
"Human pride is poison," Azazel said.
"And here… I am the cure."
Light flared in its eyes.
"You will become part of this monument."
"Frozen beneath its greatness."
Arlan clenched his fist.
His hand shook.
But he forced himself to raise his sword.
Azure Edge glowed faintly.
Even if it was small.
Even if it was nothing compared to this thing.
"I'm not your display," Arlan said.
His voice cracked the silence.
Azazel tilted its head slightly.
Almost amused.
"Then I'll show you."
"How small your light really is."
In the next instant, it disappeared.
Not fast.
Not movement.
It was simply gone.
Then it was in front of him.
No time.
No distance.
The black blade rose.
And for Arlan, the world slowed.
He saw it clearly.
Death.
Coming straight at him.
This wasn't a fight.
This was an execution.