The Archfiend System

Chapter 4: Return

Klein stood in solemn silence, the weight of Storm’s words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. 

His mind raced, grappling with the reality of his dreams coming true, yet it felt surreal, almost too good to be true. 

Three questions formed in his mind, each one pressing against his consciousness like a drumbeat. 

“Won’t the Devour still fail?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. “And if it works, what will happen to you? What do you want me to do with all that power?”

Storm’s response came with a calmness that belied the gravity of the situation. 

“Firstly, it won’t. The probability applies when the target is resisting,” he explained, his deep voice resonating within Klein’s mind. 

“Secondly, I will cease to exist. Do not fret, for I have lived so long I cannot deduce the years. I wish to rest in eternal slumber without regrets. Consider it a request, my only request. Lastly, do whatever you want. I told you from the beginning… You are not a servant.”

Klein felt his heart pound in his chest at the enormity of the Archfiend’s declaration. 

“But what if I’m not worthy?” he asked, the words spilling from his lips before he could contain them.

“You aren’t,” Storm replied, the bluntness of the statement striking Klein like a slap to the face. He blinked in surprise, taken aback. 

“Haven’t you been listening? You’re a weak, feeble, cowardly human who possesses no anima attributes. I searched thousands of worlds with different species, but there was no single mortal who could consume my essence without becoming corrupt. You are the only one who can give me my eternal rest. So, please help me.”

Klein locked eyes with Storm, searching for any hint of anger or disdain. Instead, he found sorrow reflecting back at him from the Archfiend’s ancient gaze. 

It hit him hard; even immortal beings were not immune to such deep emotions. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, but it also ignited a flicker of determination within him. 

“Very well,” he said, his voice steadier now as he stretched out his palm, resolve firming in his heart. 

“I am doing this not just to express my gratitude but because I crave your power. I will become the new lord of chaos; I will live the life I’ve always wanted.”

A glimmer of a smile crossed Storm’s colossal face, a spark of approval shining in his eyes as he sensed the conviction behind Klein’s words. 

“Dragonic Devour!” Klein declared, his palm glowing with a dark aura that began to swirl and twist, forming a vortex that expanded outward. 

The tendrils of darkness crept toward Storm, starting from his feet and enveloping his enormous body like shadows reaching for light.

“Thank you,” Storm whispered, his voice barely above a breath, echoing with gratitude and finality. And just like that, with a shudder of air, the Divine Archfiend was no more.

Klein felt a rush of energy surge through him as the system’s notifications blared in his mind. 

DRAGONIC Devour WITH TARGET Divine Archfiend KING OF RUIN, Storm WAS SUCCESSFUL. 

His heart raced as he read the next lines: YOU HAVE DEVOURED THE ESSENCE OF THE TARGET. YOU HAVE GAINED 10 SYSTEM LEVELS. YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THE CHAOS ATTRIBUTE. YOU HAVE MET THE CONDITIONS FOR A SECOND AWAKENING. CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR SYSTEM HAS EVOLVED INTO THE Divine Archfiend System. YOU HAVE UNLOCKED NEW SKILLS. ALL STATS AND SKILLS WILL BE UPDATED.

Once again, Klein found himself alone in the barren land, but this time, he radiated a powerful aura that felt electrifying. 

He looked around, a new sense of purpose flooding through him as he checked the list of new skills, each one a testament to his newfound power and potential.

Without a moment's hesitation, space around him began to distort, and he vanished, just like Storm had before him. 

He felt ready. Ready to return to his family, ready to confront Manny, and ready to face the world with strength he had never known before.

The flow of time between worlds was unpredictable. In Storm's realm, Klein spent only a day exploring and mastering his new powers. But on Earth, a month had already passed, leaving his family anxious about his fate.

Manny sat at the kitchen table in Mara's modest home. His expression was grim, and he took a deep breath, preparing to share the news. 

“We did what we could to save him,” he said, his voice low and filled with regret. 

“He was adamant about finding more Ethereal Stones. I should have stopped him.” 

He shook his head, staring at the floor, guilt heavy on his shoulders.

Mara, just 16 years old, listened with wide eyes, the reality of his words hitting her hard. 

She felt the tears sting her eyes. “It’s all my fault,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “If I had been stronger, if my system had been better, maybe he wouldn’t have—”

“Don’t blame yourself, Mara,” Manny interrupted gently. “Klein made his own choices. He wanted to prove himself.”

Her heart felt heavy as she thought of her brother. She had always admired him, even if their paths had diverged after her own awakening. 

She had a low-grade system that gave her minimal power, and she couldn’t help in raids or contribute much to the family.

In the corner, their grandfather, Adonis Serpans, listened quietly. His health had been declining for years, and the stress of losing Klein weighed on him. 

“I should have done more,” he murmured, his voice soft and uncertain, as he tried to comfort Mara.

After Manny left, guilt followed him out the door. He walked away feeling the burden of not stopping Klein from chasing danger.

Later, Mara sat in her room, staring at the empty space where her brother used to sit. 

“Where are you, big brother?” she thought. She wiped her tears, her determination growing stronger. She couldn’t just sit by and let things happen. She needed to find a way to bring Klein back. No matter what it took, she would find a solution.

Days turned into weeks, and Mara grew more anxious. She was skeptical of Manny’s story, knowing the history between him and Klein.

Then, after 40 days, there was a knock at the door. Mara rushed to open it.

“I’m back, sis,” said a tall, fit man with a gentle yet powerful aura standing in the doorway.

“Big bro?” Mara’s eyes widened, and she felt a mix of disbelief and joy. She jumped into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

“Mara!” Adonis called out, appearing from behind her.

“Hey, Gramps,” Klein said with a warm smile.

“Welcome back! What are you waiting for? Help this geezer set up breakfast,” Adonis replied, relief washing over him.

It felt like Klein never left. As they moved around the kitchen, he shared stories about his time in Storm's world, and Mara’s anger flared as she cursed Manny for what he had said.

“Don’t worry,” Klein reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

“I will take care of Manny.”