James leaned forward. "Continue."
Sampon nodded slowly.
---
The moment Sampon confirmed John was the healer, he let go of Martis' hand.
Their invisibility dropped.
They didn't step out.
They simply appeared in the middle of the room.
One second — empty.
Next second — two figures standing there.
Chairs screeched loudly as all seven members jolted to their feet.
Weapons half-drawn. Eyes wide.
John's reaction was different. His eyes widened, yes — but not in panic.
In calculation.
"How much," he asked calmly, "did you see?"
Sampon tilted his head. Martis said nothing.
Silence.
John's gaze slowly moved around the room. Then to his members.
Then back to Sampon.
Seven of them.
Two intruders.
Inside a sealed room.
And none of them sensed a thing.
His expression changed.
"…We're already losing," he said quietly.
"What?!" one shouted.
"Leader, that's impossible!"
Venyl had already raised her hand.
A faint dark-gold aura spread from her body.
"Corrupt Blessing."
A heavy feeling pressed on Sampon and Martis while warmth spread to the others.
John raised his hand sharply.
"Stop."
They froze.
"If seven of us couldn't detect them inside this room," John said, voice calm but serious, "that means they are far beyond us."
Martis smiled faintly.
"Very observant."
Sampon clapped slowly.
"Incredible analysis. I like you already."
John nodded politely. "Thank you."
The other members stared at him like he had lost his mind.
Some trusted him.
Some were shaken.
But Venyl…
Venyl stepped forward.
Her eyes were firm.
"There is something I didn't tell everyone," she said.
John turned. "Venyl, don't—"
"It's for emergencies."
Before anyone could stop her—
She activated a skill.
Her body trembled violently.
Blood began flowing from her eyes.
Then her nose.
Then her mouth.
She collapsed to her knees as a dark magic circle spread beneath her.
Sampon's eyes narrowed.
But Martis' face changed instantly.
"…Idiot," Martis muttered.
Sampon glanced at him. "You know that skill?"
Martis' voice turned serious.
"That's Devil's Sacrifice."
The floor began to crack.
A portal ripped open above Venyl's body.
The air grew unbearably heavy.
Martis continued speaking, eyes fixed on the forming portal.
"That skill trades the caster's life to summon a demon."
Sampon folded his arms. "A suicide summon?"
Martis nodded slightly.
"But here's the problem."
The portal widened.
"The demon's strength depends on the alignment of the sacrifice."
Sampon looked at Venyl's bleeding body.
"If the caster is good," Martis said, "a weak demon answers."
"If neutral — an average one."
"But if the caster is evil…"
The portal tore open fully.
"…a greater demon answers."
Something stepped out.
Tall.
Long black hair.
Large curved horns.
Wings folded behind his back.
An overwhelming presence.
Martis' eyes narrowed.
"…And if the caster is very evil…"
Sampon finished the sentence quietly.
"…a demon from another zone can answer."
The demon looked down at Venyl.
And swallowed her whole in a single motion.
Crunch.
Silence filled the room.
One member vomited.
Another backed into the wall, shaking.
Two ran.
John…
John stared at the scene, breathing heavily, cheeks slightly red.
Sampon noticed.
"…Is he blushing?"
"What a weirdo..." Sampon said despise being one himself.
Martis ignored it and stepped forward.
The demon's eyes landed on him.
They should have been terrifying.
But Martis spoke first.
"You didn't even introduce yourself."
The demon frowned.
Martis walked closer casually.
"You're not the one meant to answer this sacrifice."
The demon's expression changed slightly.
Sampon smirked. "You killed the original one and stole the summon, didn't you?"
Martis grabbed the demon by the throat.
Lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
The members who were still conscious stared in disbelief.
"This one's from another zone," Martis said calmly. "Greedy."
The demon struggled—
But Martis' eyes glowed faintly.
He activated his skill.
First Authority: Command.
"Become my slave."
The effect was immediate.
The demon's body went stiff.
Its wings dropped.
It fell to its knees.
Obedient.
Motionless.
Sampon whistled softly. "That's unfair."
Martis tightened his grip slightly.
"Spit it out."
The demon didn't hesitate.
It opened its mouth—
And vomited a glowing red rune onto the floor.
The Ultra Rare Class.
Corrupt Saint.