CHAPTER 15 DOMAIN OF MAGNIFER
Just before impact, he used Blink, teleporting himself inches above the ground to soften the landing.
He still hit the earth hard, but managed to escape with only bruises—none were fatal.
The valley was dark. Pitch-black. Even with his demonic senses, visibility was poor.
Then, a memory sparked in his mind—Miss Chloe's warning:
"Beyond the city lies danger. Endless and ancient. Be careful. Nothing is what it seems. If you fail to see beyond the horizon, you will be damned—forever."
That weight in her voice—it hadn't been metaphor.
"I can't just sit here," Johan muttered. He activated Discerning Eyes, scanning the shadows. At first, nothing. Then—something.
A dim glow, barely noticeable, flickered in the far distance.
[Discerning Eyes]
[Name: Door of Magnifer]
[Skill: Teleportation Gate Way]
[Description: A unique domain gate. Transfers objects and beings to its registered spatial dimension.]
A door to another world…? Johan thought. Better than sitting here.
As he approached, a blinding light erupted around him. He shielded his eyes—and when he opened them again, everything had changed.
He stood on a winding stone path that led to a distant castle carved into a mountain's edge. On his left, a dense forest. On his right, a vast and stormy sea.
"What the hell—?!"
Lucy's voice cracked through the silence as she materialized beside him. "I was almost done preparing a defense system— What is this?! Where are we?! Why are we in someone else's domain?!"
"Relax!" Johan snapped. "I don't even know what happened. I fell into a ravine and followed the only light I could find. I didn't choose this!"
Lucy stared at him, eyes wide, face pale.
"No… You don't understand. This isn't a fortress."
"A domain is different—it's an artificial dimension. Not a monster-world like a fortress. Domains are forged by masters from higher realms. They're absolute inside. The owner controls everything. Terrain, weather, time, space. Even who lives or dies."
She took a shaky breath.
"A domain isn't just a place—it's a throne of power. You can't just walk in and expect to walk out again. We're inside someone's reality, Johan… and unless we find the owner—or a medium to escape—we may never leave."
"If what you're saying is true," Johan said quietly, scanning the eerie horizon, "then the master of this place already knows we're here."
"I think he does," Lucy replied, her voice tense.
From their position near the castle gates, they could see movement. Thousands of figures marching steadily toward them—an army. Johan's eyes narrowed.
"We can't hide," Lucy added. "If that's what you're thinking—"
"Who said I'm trying to hide?" Johan interrupted, flashing a smirk. "My pride wouldn't allow it."
Lucy sighed as he rolled his shoulders and stepped forward.
"Do me a favor?" he asked, turning toward her.
"What do you want? You know I can't fight," she said nervously, her eyes fixed on the oncoming horde.
"You said you could help me stabilize my energy when I use my Hell flame, right? Then I want you to help now."
"Fine," she said reluctantly. "But it's still your ability. You just don't have high enough comprehension of the Hell Flames to properly regulate energy absorption during the burn."
"Which is why I need you to support me now."
Suddenly, Johan's eyes widened. "Wait… are those skeletons?"
His voice rang with disbelief. The figures had drawn close enough to be recognized—shambling undead, bones clacking and rotting flesh dangling from exposed limbs.
"Even if the domain master doesn't interfere…" Johan muttered, "this army alone could destroy me."
The army was immense. Most were at the Body Strengthening level. Around 30% had reached early Aura Condensation, and the rest hovered at mid-stage. Only two were visibly stronger—late-stage aura users.
"You see…" Lucy began, her tone serious. "This is one of the natural domains of the universe. Every now and then, a natural domain appears on a planet. They come with their own spirit—a unique being tied to the domain itself."
"And the first person to find it," Johan continued, "forms a contract with the spirit and becomes its ruler."
"Exactly. Which means the one in control here is probably a necromancer," Lucy said, her voice low.
Johan grinned. "Then let the game begin."
"Wait—there's something you need to know," Lucy interrupted quickly. "Natural domains don't accept just anyone as a ruler. There's always a condition—a test, a requirement. If you can't fulfill it, the domain won't obey you. So don't act rashly. Killing the current master might not give you control."
With those words, she vanished into Johan's consciousness to support his Hell flame regulation.
Johan wasted no time. He summoned a bow and arrow made from Ice flame, shooting down several skeletons in seconds. It was a calculated move—to make the necromancer think ice was his only weapon.
Then he sprinted into the forest, heading toward a patch of dry, brittle vegetation. There, he hid in the bushes, knowing full well the domain master might be watching—but hoping to trick him into letting down his guard.
Once half the army entered the dried forest, Johan blinked rapidly between trees, leaving behind Hell flame traps at each teleportation point. The traps linked into a fiery ring, forming a flame cage.
Surrounded, the undead were trapped. Their dry bodies ignited almost instantly. The Hell flames, designed to incinerate sins and corruption, worked devastatingly well on the undead.
Even the ones with only a sliver of soul remaining let out heart-wrenching screams as they were erased from existence.
But Johan was burning energy too quickly. The flames replenished his energy, yes—but not fast enough. His reserves were dropping rapidly.
Hours passed. He ran, shot Hell flame-tipped arrows, and blinked from tree to tree. His body began to break down. Muscles ached. Breathing hurt.
And yet, the army kept coming.
He's watching, Johan thought bitterly. The master is watching and letting this happen. He's playing with me.