Blood.
The metallic tang of it clawed at my nose, yanking me awake from a deep stupor. A searing pain tore through my chest, making me groan. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and the sight that greeted me was utterly bewildering. This wasn't my familiar ceiling, plastered with anime posters. Instead, I stared up at a towering stone vault, where flickering magical torches cast grotesque shadows from ancient carvings.
This wasn't a dream. Definitely not.
The aching in my entire body screamed at me about the horrifying change. My hands weren't calloused from endless hours of gaming anymore. Instead, they were long, slender fingers tipped with sharp, black claws. My skin was deathly pale, and thick, purple veins pulsed visibly beneath the surface.
"What... what the hell is happening?" I tried to speak, but the voice that escaped me was deep, hoarse, and strangely powerful. It was nothing like my usual feeble drone.
TING!
A familiar electronic chime rang in my head, and a transparent interface materialized before my eyes.
[SUPREME DEVIL LORD SYSTEM]
Name: Azazel (Ethan Blackwood)
Race: Demon Lord (Weakened)
Level: 1
HP: 50/1000
MP: 20/500
Strength: 10
Agility: 5
Stamina: 15
Intelligence: 20
Charm: 25
Luck: 2
Skills:
Dark Sight (Passive): Enhances vision in darkness. Mana Sense (Passive): Detects ambient magical energy. [Locked] [Locked]
Quests:
[Urgent] Escape the Dungeon (0/1) - Reward: 100 EXP, 50 Demon Essence. [Mandatory] Restore 10% Mana (0/100) - Reward: 50 EXP.
Status: Bound by magical chains, 90% power lost.
"System...? Isekai... Did I really get transmigrated?" I mumbled, trying to process the sheer volume of information. Demon Lord Azazel? Chained up and weakened? This was definitely not the grand entrance I'd imagined.
I looked down at my body. I was tightly bound to a cross made of bone, thick black chains emitting a sinister magical energy that made me feel excruciating pain and weakness. All around me were cold, damp stone walls, and the suffocating stench of decay. This was clearly a dungeon.
"What happened to me? Why am I here?" I tried to recall, but the last thing I remembered was a blinding flash of light engulfing my dingy bedroom.
TING!
A new notification popped up in the system.
[Memory Fragments (influenced by original soul) activated.]
Scattered memories began flooding into my mind. Azazel, a mighty Demon Lord, once ruled a vast territory in hell. He possessed terrifying magical power and a fearsome army of demons. But during a fierce battle against an alliance of angels and heroes, Azazel had been betrayed by his closest subordinates, gravely wounded, and imprisoned in this very place.
"Betrayed...? So that's it..." I gritted my teeth, a simmering rage igniting within me. I, or rather Azazel, had once been a ruler, yet now I was reduced to this pathetic state.
I struggled to move, but the magical chains tightened around me, each movement bringing excruciating pain. I had to get out of here. The urgent quest from the system was painfully clear.
"System, how do I restore Mana?" I asked mentally.
[Mana can be restored by resting, absorbing magical energy from the environment, or using magical items.]
Resting? At this rate, who knew when I'd recover even 10% of my Mana. I scanned the dungeon, trying to find any sign of magical energy. Nothing. Just darkness and cold.
[Side Quest activated: Seek Magical Energy Source (0/1). Reward: 10 EXP, location hint.]
I gritted my teeth. This system was stingy. But there was no other choice. I focused intently, trying to sense even the faintest ripple of energy. A moment later, in the darkest corner of the dungeon, I felt a faint tremor, a weak source of energy lurking there.
With what little strength I had left, I managed to lean towards it. As I got closer, I noticed a strange, faintly glowing stone. It seemed to be emitting a small amount of magical energy.
"This... this is what I need!" I tried to reach out, but the distance was still too great.
Just then, the dungeon door creaked open. A tall figure stepped in, carrying a torch. It was a lowly demon, with green skin, pointed ears, and protruding fangs. He looked at me with utter contempt.
"Oh, our poor Demon Lord Azazel is still alive, huh?" The demon sneered, his voice high-pitched and mocking. "I thought you'd be nothing but bones by now."
I glared at the demon. I recognized this familiar face. It was Grog, a cowardly subordinate who had once served me. Grog's betrayal was one of the fragments of memory I had just received.
"Grog... you..." I tried to snarl, but the pain wouldn't let me finish.
"Me?" Grog stepped closer, raising the torch to my face. "You used to be the ruler. But now? You're just a chained beast, nothing more, nothing less."
Grog reached out and slapped me hard across the face. The stinging pain made the corner of my mouth bleed. Humiliation and rage swelled within me. If I had the power, I would tear this traitor to shreds.
"You think you can do anything to me, you dethroned Demon Lord?" Grog continued to mock. He leaned down and spat on my face.
I clenched my jaw, struggling to suppress my anger. I knew that at this moment, any foolish action would only make things worse. I had to endure, to wait for my chance.
Grog straightened up, glancing at the magic stone in the corner of the room. He smirked. "Ah, I almost forgot. Our new masters want you to die slowly, to pay for what you've done. But it seems they're still 'merciful' enough to leave you a little energy to cling on."
Grog walked over to the stone and picked it up. I felt a distinct sinking feeling. That was my only sliver of hope.
"You... give that back!" I growled, trying to struggle.
Grog turned back, looking at me with malicious intent. "You want it, huh? Then... take it yourself." He raised the stone high and slammed it onto the floor.
CRACK!
The stone shattered into many fragments, its weak magical energy dissipating into the air. I stared in despair at the broken pieces, feeling as if my last hope had just vanished.
Grog approached, leaning down to look me straight in the eyes. "You know, Demon Lord Azazel? There's a beautiful sorceress being held in the lower levels. I hear she has a rich source of magical power. Perhaps... I should 'share' a little 'joy' with you before you die."
Grog's grotesque smile filled me with disgust and utter fury. I understood what this traitor meant. I would be tortured, humiliated, before dying.
"You... will pay..." I whispered, my voice hoarse.
"Pay? You think you still have that chance?" Grog laughed loudly, then gestured to someone outside. "Bring the sorceress here!"
Heavy footsteps echoed, and a moment later, two other demons dragged in a young woman. Her golden hair was disheveled, her beautiful face pale with fear and pain. She wore tattered mage robes, and her tear-filled blue eyes looked at me with a plea.
TING!
[Suitable target for Mana absorption detected.]
[Side Quest activated: Absorb Mana from the sorceress (0/1). Reward: 200 EXP, +5% Max Mana.]
I looked at the sorceress, then at Grog's grotesque smile. An idea suddenly sparked in my mind. This might be my only chance to escape this situation.
"Grog..." I spoke, my voice hoarse but filled with chilling determination. "You want to humiliate me? Fine. But I want... to do it to this sorceress myself."