Virus King [Translation]

In an instant, Novak's spiritual perception locked onto the creature before him.

[Hell Messenger ・ Contaminated Mental Hospital Director Tempra Vale (Level 10 — BOSS)]

[???]

Novak's brow furrowed slightly as he took in the sight. 

He noticed something peculiar.

In this world, when it comes to detecting demons, Novak's abilities are second to none. No evolutionary could claim to surpass him in this regard. As a demon hunter in his previous life, he had gained a deep understanding of demons, and now, facing this creature, certain details stood out to him.

Demons exist in many races. While some are easily identifiable, most share two distinct traits: tails and horns. 

While the tail is common, it's the horns that hold deeper significance.

Ordinary demons typically have horizontally curved horns, symbolizing their rage and brute strength.

However, this being—the so-called contaminated director of the mental hospital—had horns of a different shape. These horns curved forward from the forehead, with a greater arc than usual.

This wasn't the horn of an ordinary demon; it resembled the legendary horns of a 'devil'.

To most, demons and devils might seem indistinguishable. But Novak knew the critical difference.

Demons hail from the bottomless abyss, a place so terrifying that even gods and the Cosmic Will dare not penetrate it. Devils, however, reside in hell—a realm considered an alternative divine kingdom, but one with a lower status compared to the abyss.

Yet this doesn't mean devils are weak. In fact, despite their bloodthirsty nature, demons are often seen as less dangerous than devils, who possess a more insidious form of peril.

A raspy voice cut through the silence, sending chills down their spines.

"'Jiejie... Has a new sacrificial offering arrived?'"

The voice grated on their nerves. Novak ignored it and glanced at his three companions, who were visibly shaken.

"Put on your masks." he ordered.

"Masks?" They looked puzzled but complied, tightening the zombie masks they wore. As facial gear, zombie masks were highly adaptable and offered decent protection without being cumbersome like helmets.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Novak's lips.

He had come here hoping to obtain the demon hunter's transfer scroll, but instead of facing a demon, he found himself confronted by a devil!

'Sacrifices?' Novak replayed the devil's words in his mind, studying the strange form of the creature before him. A flicker of memory surfaced—something about this special Red Star Mental Hospital, something crucial from his previous life.

'So, that's what this is...' he thought, exhaling deeply.

Though his spiritual power wasn't particularly strong and the level difference made it difficult to fully discern the creature's attributes, Novak felt no fear. This was an ideal chance to test out his new abilities.

Suddenly, the creature roared—a sound inhuman and feral—echoing through the corridor. 

Its piercing purple eyes brimmed with dark, mystical power, which began to seep into Novak's mind. Devils often wield immense physical power, but their true strength lies in their ability to manipulate the spirit.

In an instant, the creature's gaze enveloped not just Novak, but his three companions as well. Ian, the first to feel the pressure, instinctively turned toward Novak, his spiritual weapon—a blade—moving to strike him.

But the devil's influence only lasted three seconds before Ian broke free from its control. His eyes cleared, and as he regained his senses, he realized Novak's hand was wrapped around his neck, prepared to stop him. A cold sweat trickled down Ian's forehead.

"I'm okay, brother! I'm okay!" Ian stammered, trying to reassure him.

In the chaos, the purple tint in Meimei and Crow's eyes was rapidly fading.

At the far end of the corridor, the mental hospital director, Vale, looked momentarily stunned.

"What is this...?" he muttered.

His eyes fixated on Ian, a greedy glint flashing within them, as if Ian were some unimaginable delicacy. 

Novak remained composed, his expression unchanged. He wasn't surprised by the director's reaction. Memories of certain rumors and records about the Red Star Mental Hospital from his previous life surfaced in his mind, but now wasn't the time to dwell on them.

Without hesitation, Novak reached out, shoving Ian behind him. In the same instant, his body exploded into motion, launching himself forward.

Vale's mental strength was far beyond what Novak had anticipated. Even though Novak had been strengthened by the Blacklight Virus and possessed immense spiritual power, he had no specific defenses against mental attacks. The best course was to fight in the way he excelled.

His right hand transformed, sharp claws extending suddenly. In the dimly lit corridor, the jet-black claws gleamed with an eerie light.

A burst of purple light shot from Vale's eyes, and a wave of overwhelming sleepiness washed over Novak. He felt his body slowing as drowsiness crept in.

But Novak bit down hard on the tip of his tongue, the sharp pain jolting him awake and spurring him forward even faster. 

In a flash, Black-Red tendrils from the virus wrapped around his body like armor, sealing him off. With one swift motion, his claw plunged into Vale's chest.

But Vale reacted with blinding speed. Thick claws of his own lashed out, meeting Novak's attack head-on.

In that critical moment, Vale's eyes flared with a blinding purple-red light.

Novak felt a tremendous burst of pain explode in his head, like a sledgehammer striking his skull. Blood instantly filled his vision, spilling from his eyes as his mind reeled.

Mental shock.

The sheer force of it was far more dangerous than any biochemical demon Novak had faced before. Vale's mental prowess was terrifying, perfectly fitting the strength of a final boss in a Nightmare-level dungeon.

But even through the excruciating pain, Novak didn't panic. In fact, a slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a grin that seemed disturbingly out of place in the darkness.

Vale, however, paid no attention to it. His focus returned to Ian, and he giggled with twisted delight.

"My lord's descendant! And you possess the power of an awakened lord. If I offer you to my lord, he will grant me even greater power—an emperor's power!" Vale's eyes gleamed with manic ambition. "Hahaha, this is a gift from the gods! The Trial Grounds of Gods and Demons is the perfect opportunity for me to ascend, the perfect opportunity for me to become a god!"

His wild laughter echoed through the hall, sharp and unnerving. But what was even more terrifying was the sudden surge of heat in the air.

Purple-black flames ignited across Vale's body.

Turning his gaze back to Novak, who had begun to retreat, Vale let out a chilling cry: 

"Go to hell, you fools!"

Novak made no move to stop him. The horror in Meimei's and Crow's eyes, illuminated by the growing flames, conveyed utter despair.

'We're going to die! We're going to die!'

The black flames spread with terrifying speed, capable of turning anything in their path to ash.

It was their first venture into the No. 001 Chat Group's Secret Realm, and it seemed like it would end in total disaster. Even in their wildest dreams, none of them could have imagined such a hopeless outcome.

There was no escape. No second chance.

Everyone, even Ian, involuntarily shut his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

But at that very moment—just as everything seemed lost—a loud, sharp sneeze pierced through the chaotic flames and Vale's maniacal laughter.

"Ah-choo!"

The sound was so abrupt, and in an instant, the searing heat that had filled the corridor vanished without a trace.

The oppressive atmosphere on the fourth floor of the mental hospital abruptly shifted into something awkwardly... mundane.