DARK SAVAGE IN THE UNITED STATE

When I inherited the name of my ancestor, Bulkesso, I rejected the title of the Immortal King. The barbarians lost their homeland long ago under the onslaught of Hell's forces—how could I call myself the Immortal King?

The holy mountain of Harrogath was torn asunder before the legions of Hell, and the fortress of Sescheron became a dwelling for demons.

Even though I personally severed Diablo's repugnant head, my lost kin have already joined our ancestors.

I am the last of the barbarians, devastated by the fires of war. The armor I wear can barely withstand the edge of a blade.

Malthael, you're right—no one can defeat death! But barbarians never retreat!

I, Bulkesso, keep my promise! I will forever unleash my endless fury upon you!

Bulkesso's voice began low and grim but rose into a thunderous roar as he let out a colossal battle cry and charged at Malthael, the Angel of Death.

The scattered strands of his golden hair lost their luster in the face of death, growing dry and pale.

"Barbarians are never afraid!" Bulkesso bellowed as he stomped the ground, launching himself into the air like a cannonball.

He descended upon Malthael, the harbinger of death who had defeated Tyrael and absorbed the power of the Demon Lords within the Black Soulstone.

The two mighty blades in Bulkesso's hands aimed directly at Malthael's hooded head, shrouded in shadow.

Jump Strike!

This was a combat skill handed down from Bulkesso's ancestors—the very blow that once claimed the head of Diablo, the Prime Evil.

But this time was different. He knew well that in the face of Malthael, he would meet only death. He lacked the strength to fight death itself.

This wasn't the fateful battle in the Pandemonium Fortress, where the Nephalem gathered their strength to confront Malthael.

No—he, Bulkesso, was no true barbarian but an ordinary player of Diablo III.

In a previous season of Diablo III, he had poured his effort into reaching the top of the leaderboards, fueled by a relentless grind. He pushed himself to the limit, but his exhaustion finally overcame him, and he passed out at his computer.

When he woke, he found himself transformed into a barbarian warrior, bearing the in-game name he had chosen—"Shirtless and Tie."

Thankfully, there were no ties in the world of Diablo, but the name still brought him endless embarrassment.

To change his name, he would need to earn recognition, as barbarians regarded names as sacred gifts from their ancestors.

Thus, he took the handaxe and battered wooden shield given to all newborn barbarians and ventured into battle.

Through courage and bloodshed, he earned victory after victory. He was the lone survivor of the demons' invasion of Harrogath and the slaughter at Sescheron.

With his valor and might, he cast off the name "Shirtless and Tie" and was bestowed the name of his legendary ancestor—Bulkesso.

But as he prepared to rebuild a new homeland for the barbarians, Malthael appeared, wielding the Black Soulstone.

At this time, neither the powerful monk Kharazim from the Sky Temple nor the young barbarian Sonya was by his side. Only the mage Li-Ming, whom he never quite got along with, was nearby, dealing with lingering demons near New Tristram.

The sudden arrival of Malthael turned the land into a pasture of death. The barbarians who responded to Bulkesso's call were reduced to ash in an instant, their remains scattering into the eternal snow of Harrogath.

"Malthael! You'll find nothing in a barbarian's hands but a sword!" Bulkesso roared, eyes burning red as he slashed his blades at the former Angel of Wisdom.

"I have found it—I have found death," Malthael replied hoarsely, raising his scythe, the Reaper of Souls, against the furious onslaught.

The clash of cold, dark light from the scythe and the fiery rage of the dual swords was cataclysmic. The force of Bulkesso's strike shook the ground like the fall of Harrogath itself, staggering Malthael.

Yet, as Malthael had said, no one can stop death.