It had been a while since he last used it, but it hadn’t even been a week.
Though it felt like a month had passed, what did it matter?
The only thing that mattered now was that he could summon a new Demon Knight!
Not only was Seong excited, but even Valtar was visibly thrilled at the thought of gaining a new subordinate.
While it was possible for a Knight stronger than Valtar to appear, the chances were slim.
"Wasn’t it said that the summoning odds are best right after obtaining the skill?"
There was also a chance that the summon could result in a fledgling Demon Knight.
Valtar and Noctrynnium had both mentioned that it wasn’t something to take lightly.
That sounded about right.
Still, a fledgling Demon Knight was said to be immensely powerful in its own right.
Seong couldn’t help but feel anticipation building. What kind of demon would appear?
As he activated the skill, just like when summoning Valtar, Seong felt control over his body slipping away.
He was completely immobilized, unable to even twitch a finger.
In that state, the scenery around him began to melt away like a painting washed in water, replaced by a new landscape as if he were watching a scene unfold on a grand screen.
It was a summoning event.
What kind of figure would emerge this time?
The surroundings disappeared, along with the subordinates who had been standing by.
Now it was just Seong, floating ghost-like in the void, until the scene began to shift and take form around him.
A desolate wasteland stretched out, barren and lifeless.
The sun in the sky burned black, and even the light it cast was dim and oppressive.
It was an unforgiving land, devoid of any signs of life or even the possibility of cultivation.
Yet amidst this barren expanse, countless demons thrived, staking their claims and waging endless battles.
Black-skinned demons clashed with red-skinned ones, invading each other’s territory in an unending cycle of slaughter.
But there was no elegance here—no magic or refined swordplay.
The battles were primitive and brutal, fought with claws that tore flesh and fists that shattered bone.
"Is this some vision of an ancient hell?"
The raw, barbaric scene left even Seong speechless.
This wasn’t a battle—it was a hunt driven purely by instinct.
Nothing more, nothing less.
And yet, amidst the chaos, why was he being shown this scene for the summoning of a Demon Knight?
As Seong pondered, his attention was drawn to a demon boy with skin the color of dark blood.
Unlike the others, who relied solely on their claws and fists, the boy stood apart, gripping a branch that had fallen to the ground.
In an era devoid of even iron, let alone steel, the boy wielded the branch as if it were a sword.
Swish. Swish.
At first, his swings were clumsy and awkward.
But gradually, they grew sharper, more precise, and more disciplined.
As the boy practiced, time seemed to accelerate. He grew from a child into a young man, yet he continued to wield the branch as if it were a sword.
The other demons mocked him, laughing and pointing at his ridiculous practice.
Why waste time with a mere branch when they could use their claws or bones as weapons?
Their laughter was justified—demon bodies were inherently strong, their fists more than sufficient for battle.
But the young man ignored their jeers, focused solely on his practice.
Days turned into years.
The young man became a middle-aged warrior, and the middle-aged warrior became an old man.
And still, he swung the branch.
With each swing, shadows seemed to gather around him, spreading a dark aura that swallowed the light.
"This is..."
As time passed, the other demons’ attitudes began to shift.
Those who had once mocked him began to imitate him, mimicking his movements.
By the time he was an old man, he was no longer alone.
Around him, countless demons clad in makeshift armor followed his example, their jeers replaced by reverence.
More time passed.
The once-vast army dwindled, ravaged by a great calamity. Only a handful of demons survived.
But the old man remained, now wielding a proper sword given to him by an unknown hand.
Despite his frail, withered appearance, his movements were sharper and more intimidating than ever.
"Amazing..."
Seong could feel it—the swordsmanship the old man displayed was far superior to Leonic’s.
It was a level of mastery beyond imagination.
As Seong stared, the old man’s eyes met his.
It was the first time since Helena that Seong felt utterly overwhelmed.
A shiver ran down his spine as he locked gazes with the old man, and a voice echoed in his ears.
Step. Step.
The old demon began to walk, each step deliberate and heavy.
When he finally stood before Seong, he unsheathed his sword and swung it slowly.
From his swing emerged a black magic circle, resonating with the surrounding darkness and spreading a misty black aura.
The old demon’s form became more distinct, solidifying in the world.
And then, a bone-chilling wail filled the air.
Ahhhhhhhhhh!
Seong’s thoughts crystallized.
"It’s coming."
The Demon of the Sword was arriving.
As that realization dawned, a series of messages appeared in the void.
[You have summoned an Ancient Demon Knight from a distant age.]
[Congratulations! You are the first in Eternal World to summon 『Drakanos of the Abyss, the Ancient Demon Knight.』]
[You have earned the title 『Master of the Ancient Demon Knight.』]
[Warning]
[The Demon Knight’s will is far stronger than that of other summons.]
[It may disobey orders, and consistent effort will be required to control it.]
As the magical circle's dark aura rippled outward, the elderly demon emerged with slow, deliberate steps. Clad in a tattered, robe-like garment that hung loosely from his thin frame, he looked every bit as ancient as the legends implied.
Unlike the commanding and intimidating presence of Valtar during his first summoning, this demon appeared frail and unassuming.
His diminutive stature, snow-white hair, and deeply wrinkled skin, from his face to his hands, gave the impression of a feeble old man. The crimson hue of his skin, weathered and lined, seemed to bury his eyes beneath folds of age.
He wasn’t imposing, nor did he seem particularly powerful at first glance.
Yet, an indescribable aura of strength radiated from him, intangible yet undeniable.
"Ah," Seong exhaled softly, his lips curling into a satisfied smile as he gazed at the figure.
In stark contrast, Valtar, standing nearby, trembled visibly.
—"Ah, ah, ah, no... this can’t... be..."
Valtar’s voice quivered with disbelief as he took in the sight of the demon before him.
The Ancient Demon Knight.
Perhaps the very first of its kind.
Drakanos.
The name was etched into legend, and Valtar, recognizing it immediately, swallowed hard.
The idea that this mythical figure could now be his "junior" was both humbling and terrifying.
As Seong observed Drakanos with fascination, the ancient demon began to mutter.
—"Mumble... murmur... mumble, murmur, whisper..."
His voice was low, barely audible, and the language he spoke was incomprehensible. Even Seong and Valtar, standing closest to him, could only faintly catch the sound of his words.
The muttering had a grumbling quality to it, like an old man complaining under his breath.
Seong glanced at Valtar, curious about the exchange.
Valtar bowed his head low, as though struck by lightning, and replied hesitantly.
—"I... I shall humbly relay your request, honored ancestor."
A request?
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Seong tilted his head, intrigued.
Valtar hesitated, his voice wary as he elaborated.
—"The... the ancestor is asking... if you could send him to the Netherworld because he feels cold."
"...What?"
—"He... he says that he’s cold due to his age..."
Seong was momentarily speechless.
Considering Drakanos’s legendary status, the fact that his first words after emerging were a complaint about the cold was almost absurd.
Still, it made sense. For a being whose very existence was the stuff of myths, it wasn’t unreasonable for age to take its toll.
Stifling a laugh, Seong prepared to send Drakanos to the Netherworld to warm up when the muttering resumed.
—"Mutter... murmur, murmur... mumble, murmur... whisper..."
Seong looked expectantly at Valtar again.
Valtar’s complexion had paled even further as he gulped nervously before speaking.
—"The... the Lord says that if you have any requests for him, you may summon him at any time. Also..."
"And?"
—"He’s asking... if I could carry him around and tend to him..."
"Ah."
Well, that made sense.
Given his age, it was natural for him to need some assistance.
Even so, both Seong and Valtar couldn’t help but exchange slightly bemused expressions.
This ancient legend, this living embodiment of hell’s history and the possible first Demon Knight, was asking to be carried because he felt cold.
It was, in a word, anticlimactic.
"Take good care of him," Seong instructed with a faint chuckle.
—"...Yes, my Lord," Valtar replied, his tone laced with resignation.
And with that, Drakanos and Valtar made their way into the dark castle of the Netherworld, leaving the others standing awkwardly in silence.
Though it felt like a whirlwind had just passed, everything was, for now, resolved.
"Hmm," Seong hummed thoughtfully.
Drakanos might have aged considerably, but his immense power couldn’t be ignored. In battle, things would undoubtedly be different.
Turning his attention away, Seong decided to inspect the title he had just acquired.
『Master of the Ancient Demon Knight』
→《Legendary+》
→Awarded to the first user in Eternal World to summon the Ancient Demon Knight.
→Grants slightly enhanced effects compared to other titles of the same rank.
→Increases swordsmanship proficiency for both the Demon Knight and their master by +50%.
→Enhances the Dark Attribute of both the Demon Knight and their master by +12.5%.
→Boosts the overall attack power of both the Demon Knight and their master by +12.5%.
"What is this?"
The title far exceeded his expectations.
Unlike the title he received when summoning Valtar, this one also granted benefits to the master, which was unprecedented.
It was so powerful that it alone made summoning Drakanos more than worth it.
"Amazing..."
Even Seong’s hands trembled slightly as he stared at the effects.
Having summoned such a legendary being, it was time to move on to the next reward.
While reviving the corpses of the Death Legion Commander and Anemore was tempting, Seong decided to hold off. He wanted to wait until he could use a transcendent death spell to enhance their potential even further.
That left him with two options.
"Should I draw a skill from the Overlord’s Codex, or open the Legendary Random Box first?"
After a brief moment of deliberation, he made his choice.
"Let’s open the box first."
Unlike the codex, which allowed him to choose, the Legendary Random Box was completely unpredictable.
Taking out the box, Seong examined the description.
『Random Box』×3
→《Legendary》
→Contains a random item or skill that resonates with the user.
→All items obtained are guaranteed to be of Legendary rank.
→Currently resonating item: 『Hindel’s Apprentice Sword』.
"Huh?"
An item that resonates?