The underground arena collapsed.
Massive cracks spread across the ancient tomb as countless stone pillars crashed to the ground.
The crimson-armored figure stood in the center of the battlefield, surrounded by endless black mist.
His mere presence distorted space itself.
Knox's expression turned serious.
Since arriving in this world...
This was the first opponent who made him instinctively cautious.
The System screen flashed repeatedly.
[WARNING!]
Target Identity Confirmed.
Name: Azrael
Title: The Ancient Demon Emperor
Status: Fragment of Soul
Cultivation: Sealed (Unknown)
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Mission Updated
Survive.
Knox frowned.
"A fragment of his soul is enough to make the System classify him as catastrophic..."
"Just how powerful was he in his prime?"
Azrael slowly opened his crimson eyes.
His gaze swept across Adrian before stopping on Knox.
"Hm..."
"A Void Bloodline..."
"Interesting."
Then he smiled.
"And a child blessed by destiny."
"I truly awakened at the perfect time."
Adrian gripped his sword tightly.
"Who are you?"
Azrael laughed.
"My name has long been forgotten."
"Millions of years ago..."
"They called me..."
"The Demon Emperor."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Even the ancient soul inside Adrian's ring trembled.
His voice was filled with fear.
"Impossible..."
"You should have disappeared during the Primordial War!"
Azrael glanced toward the ring.
"Oh?"
"You're still alive, old sword spirit?"
The old master became silent.
He knew.
This was no ordinary enemy.
Knox calmly stepped forward.
"So..."
"You're the one hiding inside the Sword Emperor's Heart."
Azrael nodded.
"The foolish Sword Emperor sacrificed himself to seal me."
"He believed future generations would destroy my soul."
A cruel smile appeared.
"Instead..."
"They awakened me."
The Demon Emperor suddenly pointed at Knox.
"You."
"You will become my vessel."
Knox smiled.
"I'm not interested."
Azrael blinked.
"You refuse?"
"I do."
"Do you know who I am?"
Knox shrugged.
"I know you're talking too much."
For a moment...
Silence filled the arena.
Then Adrian burst into laughter.
Even in this situation...
Knox was provoking an ancient monster.
Azrael's expression darkened.
"Arrogant child."
Without warning—
He disappeared.
Knox's instincts screamed.
He instantly activated Void Step.
BOOM!!
The place where he had been standing exploded.
The shockwave alone shattered dozens of stone pillars.
Knox reappeared hundreds of meters away.
"Too fast..."
Even with Void Step...
He had barely escaped.
Azrael looked surprised.
"You dodged?"
Knox answered calmly.
"I dislike getting hit."
The Demon Emperor laughed loudly.
"Excellent!"
"Your body is even better than I expected."
Suddenly—
Adrian attacked from behind.
Heaven-Cutting Sword Art!
His sword struck Azrael's back.
CLANG!
Nothing.
The blade couldn't even scratch the crimson armor.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"Impossible!"
Azrael casually backhanded him.
BOOM!
Adrian flew through three stone walls before crashing to the ground.
Blood covered his clothes.
Knox's eyes narrowed.
The strength difference...
Was overwhelming.
[Ding!]
Emergency System Mission!
Objective: Survive for ten minutes.
Reward: System Upgrade.
Failure: Death.
Knox smiled bitterly.
"Very motivating."
Azrael raised one hand.
A massive black spear materialized above the arena.
The spear contained enough power to erase an entire city.
He casually threw it.
Its target...
Knox.
The spear pierced through the sky.
Space cracked wherever it passed.
Knox immediately activated every technique he possessed.
Void Step!
Black Heaven!
Eyes of Ruin!
For the first time...
He fought with everything.
The black spear entered the sphere of darkness.
For one second...
It slowed.
Only one second.
Then—
It pierced through.
Knox barely avoided a direct hit.
The spear still tore through his shoulder.
Blood splattered across the ground.
He staggered backward.
Seraphina finally shattered part of the barrier outside.
The moment she entered...
She froze.
Knox...
Was injured.
Her usually calm expression changed.
Without hesitation, she rushed toward him.
Moonlight surrounded her blade.
She stood beside Knox.
"I'll help."
Knox looked at her.
"You should leave."
She shook her head.
"I don't abandon allies."
Knox sighed.
"You really are troublesome."
"And you're terrible at saying thank you."
A small smile appeared on Knox's face.
"Fair enough."
Azrael watched them with amusement.
"How touching."
"But..."
"It changes nothing."
His aura exploded.
The entire tomb began collapsing.
Even Elder Tian and the academy experts outside turned pale.
"What kind of monster is inside?"
Meanwhile...
Deep inside Knox's consciousness...
The Supreme Villain System suddenly emitted a brilliant golden light.
A mysterious voice echoed.
[Authority Recognized.]
[Emergency Protocol Activated.]
[Unlocking... Supreme Villain Authority.]
Knox's eyes widened.
The system...
Had another hidden function?
Outside...
Azrael prepared another attack.
A giant crimson magic circle appeared beneath his feet.
The pressure increased tenfold.
Even Seraphina struggled to breathe.
Adrian forced himself back to his feet.
His entire body trembled.
Yet he still raised his sword.
Azrael laughed.
"You insignificant insects..."
"Die."
Just as the attack was about to descend—
Knox slowly opened his eyes.
His pupils had changed completely.
The black void inside them had transformed into a sea of endless stars.
A calm, emotionless voice left his lips.
"You've talked enough."
For the first time...
Azrael's smile disappeared.
He looked at Knox carefully.
Then...
His eyes widened.
"Impossible..."
"That aura..."
"How can you possess it?"
The System's voice echoed.
[Supreme Villain Authority... 1% Unlocked.]
The entire tomb shook violently.
The true power of the Supreme Villain System...
Was finally beginning to awaken.
End of Chapter 9