The cave air was heavy, filled with the faint metallic smell of blood and the cold silence of stone.
The red formation circle glowed beneath Zephiron's feet, slowly draining his strength, making every breath harder than the last.
From the darkness, Kairo's footsteps echoed — slow, calm, confident.
Before you die, Kairo said, his voice echoing across the cave walls.
I'll tell you the advantage of an evil cultivation technique.
Zephiron tightened his grip on his hammer, his hands slightly trembling, but he tried not to show fear.
If you were two levels below me, Kairo continued, I would have directly absorbed your energy and finished you already.
Kairo stepped into the red light of the formation now. His face became visible — calm, emotionless, almost bored.
But you are at the same level as me, Kairo said, looking directly into Zephiron's eyes.
Core Formation Mid Stage… Interesting.
Zephiron's eyes narrowed, but he stayed silent.
Kairo's gaze slowly moved over Zephiron's body, as if he was inspecting an object.
And you possess the Blue Dragon Body,
Kairo said.
Not bad. Your physical strength, recovery, and bone structure are far better than normal cultivators.
Zephiron's eyes widened slightly.
How do you know about the Blue Dragon Body…?
Kairo smiled faintly.
Because, he said slowly, I also have a special body.
He grabbed his shirt and pulled it aside slightly, revealing part of his chest and shoulder.
Black dragon-scale-like patterns briefly appeared on his skin, faint but visible, like shadows moving under his flesh.
A heavy, ancient aura filled the cave instantly.
Zephiron's eyes opened wide in pure shock.
Th-That's… impossible… he whispered.
You… you have the Black Dragon Body?!
Kairo looked at him calmly.
Yes.
But that's impossible! Zephiron said.
The Black Dragon Body existed only in legends! Even in my Korvik family records, it's written that only one person in history had it!
Kairo's eyes became slightly colder.
Think carefully, Kairo said. Your family must have told you… that one of my ancestors possessed the Black Dragon Body.
Zephiron froze.
Memories flashed in his mind — old stories, old warnings, ancient records.
Kairo continued:
That bloodline… that power… was passed down as a blessing.
He looked at his own hand slowly, then clenched it into a fist.
And it reached me.
The air around him felt heavier now, like a sleeping monster was breathing inside the cave.
Zephiron unconsciously took a step back.
Kairo looked at him again and said calmly:
Let me tell you one more thing about my evil cultivation technique.
He raised a finger slightly, as if he was teaching a lesson.
The moment I kill you… I will take your core.
Zephiron's face turned pale.
I will absorb all the energy inside your core, Kairo continued.
Your cultivation… your spiritual energy… your progress… everything will become mine.
He tilted his head slightly.
That is the true power of the Devil's Path.
The red formation circle glowed brighter.
Zephiron's breathing became heavy. For the first time in his life, he truly understood that he was not fighting a normal cultivator…
He was standing in front of a monster.
But he was still a genius of a great family.
He forced his fear down and lifted his hammer again.
I don't care what you are, Zephiron said through gritted teeth.
I will not let you take my body… or my core!
He roared and charged forward with full power, spiritual energy exploding around him as he swung his hammer toward Kairo's head.
But the moment the hammer came down—
Kairo disappeared.
The hammer hit the ground, cracking the stone.
Zephiron turned around quickly.
No one.
Left.
No one.
Right.
No one.
Front.
No one.
His heartbeat became faster.
Where are you?! he shouted.
Then a voice came from above, calm and cold:
You talk too much.
Zephiron looked up—
And a sword descended from the darkness.
A single, clean strike.
By the time Zephiron realized it… it was already over.
The cave became silent again.
Blood slowly spread across the red formation circle as Zephiron's body fell apart and collapsed onto the ground.
His hammer slipped from his hand and echoed as it hit the stone floor.
Kairo landed softly on the ground.
He walked toward the body and looked down at Zephiron's lifeless eyes.
Then he spoke quietly:
From today… your name, your face, your status… everything is mine.
The red formation circle began to change… turning darker… as if something far more sinister was about to begin.
And deep inside the cave, a new monster was about to be born.