Chapter 82

After a tense pause, the deepest voice, the red-tinged shadow, finally spoke:

『…You possess uncommon courage. To speak so boldly before us… Perhaps you are truly worthy of standing in this place.』

“Cut the crap. You can’t touch me, can you? You’re just acting like you’re being generous by ‘forgiving’ me,” Justin snapped.

『….』

“Enough of the ominous theatrics. Either get to the point or send me back. You’re wasting my time with this spooky nonsense.”

Now that he had time to process the system’s earlier message, the pieces were falling into place.

This has to be the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, Justin realized—a realm specifically tied to his class advancement quest at level 25. The shadows before him were likely the four Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm, cloaked in layers of over-the-top lore.

In the end, though, they were nothing more than glorified NPCs assigned to oversee his second-class advancement.

And there’s no way second-job trainers could actually harm pioneers, he thought smugly. That’s why they’re putting on this whole intimidation act instead.

They probably expected him to cower and bow, offering reverence to their exaggerated displays of power. But since they couldn’t physically do anything, they were relying entirely on the atmosphere—and failing spectacularly.

『Arrogant mortal… You wield dark magic, yet you dare stand unbowed before us?』
『Do you not crave power? Do you not yearn to grow stronger? Only we can offer you what you seek!』
『Kneel! Fear us! If you desire strength, show proper reverence—or leave with nothing!』

Oh? So they’re trying to leverage the advancement now? Justin thought, smirking.

They had realized intimidation wasn’t working and were now threatening to withhold his advancement altogether.

“Oh, is that how it is? Because I was ‘rude,’ now you’re going to deny me the power? Just going to throw me out without any rewards?”

『And what will you do if we do?』 one of the shadows sneered, their voices low and mocking.

They were daring him to fall in line, expecting him to grovel.

Instead, Justin stared at them for a moment, then casually flopped down onto the ground, arms sprawled out dramatically.

“Oh, come on! I worked so hard, hunted all those monsters, and leveled up just for this? No reward? This system’s a joke! What a total scam!”

『…!?』

The shadows froze as if struck by lightning.

It was a ridiculous display—an immature tantrum—but his sudden defiance clearly caught them off guard.

“What’s the point of leveling up if there’s no reward? It’s all meaningless! I should’ve stayed a youngman and lived my life in peace!”

『S-Stop.』

Ignoring their protests, Justin began flailing his arms and legs dramatically.

“I’ll have to warn everyone when I get back! ‘Stop at level 24, or you’ll end up trapped in some dumb space with zero rewards!’ This whole system’s garbage!”

『Enough! Stop this foolishness at once! No one said you were trapped here!』

“Trash game! Worst system ever! No rewards at all!” Justin ranted loudly. “They’re refusing to give me my advancement, can you believe that?!”

『ENOUGH!』

BOOM!

The red shadow’s massive hand slammed into the ground, shaking the entire colosseum as though it might collapse entirely. The sheer force of the blow left no doubt—it was the embodiment of raw violence.

Still, the rage behind the gesture couldn’t mask the underlying frustration in its voice.

『What are you doing!? Who do you think you’re speaking to!? Why are you acting this way?! Do you believe such antics will sway us?!』

“No,” Justin said coolly. “But the system might be watching.”

『What…!?』

“The system,” Justin repeated, his voice low and measured. “The one that assigned you the role of my second-class advancement trainers.”

Whether the system possessed a true consciousness or not, it had clearly given these demons a role to fulfill.

What would happen if these guys ignored their assigned roles just because they felt like it?

Would the system—the same force capable of flipping worlds with a few words, relocating countless beings across dimensions, and granting levels to everyone—really overlook NPCs who failed to do their jobs?

“I wonder if the system will just let this slide. Maybe you’ll face punishment… or better yet, maybe the system will just replace you altogether.”

『…!』

“And what happens if you’re replaced? Not that I care, but I’m curious. Would it be like a simple department reassignment… or would you just be scrapped entirely?”

『…Choose!』

One of the shadows suddenly snarled through gritted teeth.

“Choose? Choose what?”

『We will now explain the powers we can bestow. You’ll pick one, and if you refuse even then, our responsibility ends.』

“Should’ve just done that from the start.”

Justin grinned as the blue-tinted shadow finally gave up its posturing and conceded. Their failed power play had left them no choice but to move forward.

It was a petty contest of egos, sure—but sometimes, pride mattered. If he had given in even once, they would’ve dragged him around, expecting deference at every turn.

But now that I’ve broken them once, they won’t even dream of trying to pull that again.

They would stick to the script from now on, avoiding any unnecessary theatrics.

Tilting his chin toward them with a casual flick, Justin said, “Go on. Explain.”

『You insolent little…!』

Though clearly furious, the shadows couldn’t ignore his demand. This was their role, after all. And they had already lost the battle of wills.

The red-tinted shadow stepped forward first.

『Then listen well, fledgling. I am Kargaron, Grand Duke of Blood, the sovereign of violence and carnage!』

The crimson darkness peeled away to reveal a hulking figure clad in massive armor. His fists clenched, and the very air seemed to collapse inward under the sheer weight of his presence.

『Accept my blessing, and I shall grant you pure, unrelenting strength. You will shed the weak body of a sorcerer and gain the might to crush the strongest warriors beneath your heel. Magic will no longer be your only tool—your body itself will become a fortress!』

The Grand Duke of Blood—Kargaron.

His offer was clear: a hybrid power, blending the raw physical might of a warrior with the destructive potential of a black mage. The perfect solution to the chronic weakness of the black mage’s physical prowess, while retaining full access to devastating magic.

『What a pathetic offer! You speak of brute strength—how crude.』

The next to step forward was the blue-shadowed figure.