Silence covered the Outcast Settlement.
Every demon on the wall stared at the figure standing outside the gate.
Karn the Hunter.
His black armor reflected the fading sunlight.
The massive blade resting on his shoulder looked heavy enough to split a boulder.
But Karn held it as if it weighed nothing.
Lucian grinned slowly.
"Well… looks like my wish came true."
Grik tightened his grip on his hammer.
"That guy feels dangerous."
Ruun's eyes narrowed.
"He's not like the bandits… this one is disciplined."
Karn's glowing eyes stayed locked on Rai.
"You are the vessel."
It wasn't a question.
Rai stepped forward calmly.
"Yes."
Karn nodded slightly.
"Good."
He planted his sword into the ground with a heavy THUD.
"I was worried the rumors were exaggerated."
The demons on the walls growled.
Grik shouted down at him.
"You picked the wrong place to start trouble!"
Karn ignored him.
His focus never left Rai.
"My orders are simple."
"Test the vessel."
He pulled his sword from the ground.
"If you die…"
"…you were unworthy."
Lucian laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! I like this guy already!"
Ruun sighed.
"Please don't encourage the enemy."
Rai stepped past the gate slowly.
Grik looked surprised.
"Boss?"
Rai spoke without turning around.
"No one interferes."
The demons on the walls watched nervously.
Even Lucian leaned forward with excitement.
"Oh this is going to be good."
---
Karn raised his sword.
His aura expanded instantly.
A crushing pressure swept across the battlefield.
Even the demons on the wall felt it.
"D-Rank…"
Ruun whispered.
"No… maybe stronger."
Karn spoke calmly.
"Your reputation reached the Demon Lords quickly."
"You defeated bandits."
"You killed monsters."
"You built a settlement."
He pointed his sword at Rai.
"But those victories mean nothing against a true warrior."
Then he moved.
BOOM
The ground exploded as Karn rushed forward.
His speed shocked everyone watching.
Lucian's eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
Karn's sword came down with terrifying force.
SLASH!
Rai activated Shadow Step.
FLASH.
The blade smashed into the ground where Rai had been standing.
The impact split the earth open.
Grik whistled.
"That would've cut him in half."
Karn turned instantly.
He didn't seem surprised.
"Good."
Rai reappeared behind him.
His fist shot forward.
CRACK
Karn blocked with his armored elbow.
The impact echoed across the battlefield.
Both fighters slid back several steps.
Karn smiled slightly.
"Fast."
Rai studied him quietly.
Unlike Lucian's wild attacks…
Karn's movements were precise.
Controlled.
Professional.
A real warrior.
Karn lifted his sword again.
"You are stronger than I expected."
"But this…"
His aura flared violently.
"…is only the beginning."
The air around him trembled.
Dark energy wrapped around his blade.
The demons on the wall felt chills run down their spines.
Lucian's grin returned.
"Oh yeah."
"Now we're talking."
Karn pointed his sword at Rai again.
"Show me your true strength."
"Vessel of the Demon King."
Rai's eyes glowed faintly.
Ice-blue light flickered inside them.
Then slowly…
His Dark Dominion expanded.
The invisible pressure spread across the battlefield like a storm.
Even Karn's expression changed slightly.
"…Interesting."
The two warriors stood facing each other.
Power gathering around them.
This wasn't a simple test anymore.
It had become a battle between two predators.
And the outcome would decide something important.
Whether the Demon King Vessel was truly worth the attention of the Demon Lords.