The Hero's Demonic Return

Mordred Pendragon

The hero, Mordred Pendragon, fought the Great Demon Lord Dantes Inferno on his own. The demon lord respected the human that stood on par against him and, even more so because this is the first true challenger that he’s ever come across – only to be trifled and ridiculed by the ten fake heroes who finished the fight. Plunging both Mordred and Dantes into a blazing inferno that burned them

In his dying breath, the demon lord casted one final spell. Forcing all of the magic veins in his body, he took out his own heart and imprinted it with the life force of the dying Mordred Pendragon. Merging them together and, in exchange for him never coming back again, the hero will resurrect after ten years…

and Mordred will rain down terror and destruction upon the whole of the land.

…

…

…

Mordred walked away from all of the screaming and the dying that’s going on in the forest. This is his fifth day after waking up so there are still a lot of things that are new to him. A lot of questions trouble his mind as well. Though most of them have been answered through memories that the fallen Dantes placed into his head. Information about the merge between him and this demon lord and how, Mordred basically became the new demon lord.

“Man, this is such a pain in the ass.” He sighed as he continued moving. Within the moon’s light, there aren’t many humans brave enough to wander in the forest. That’s why Mordred can move so carefree.

He doesn’t need to worry about anyone suddenly attacking him. Even before humans could get to where he is, they first have to go through hordes and hordes of goblins. All of which are created by Mordred through the help of the other thing left behind by the demon lord for him. An assistant of some sort that popped up at that second.

“Your highness!” A small blue light came close to Mordred. Not some random spark from some flame nor some sort of bug but, rather, a wisp. A creature that cannot engage in battle because of their nature and, is made purely of the mana that envelops the whole of their world.

“I told you not to call me that, Blaze.” Mordred said in reply, using the monster tongue that he can speak naturally because of his merge with Dantes.

“B-But…”

“Master is fine. Calling me something like your highness makes me feel like I’m some sort of king. I don’t like that.”

“Of course master. I will try to remember that.”

“Good.” Mordred nodded in approval as he continued walking, the wisp following him and floating close to his head and at the right side. “Now give me the report.”

“Yes master.” Blaze replied, taking in the order of Mordred easily. Something that Mordred would’ve loved if not for the fact that Blaze still has the tendency of calling him Your Highness from time to time.

“All of the group of hunters that came to the forest have been taken care of by the goblins. Just like the first ones, we used the mana essence of these last ones that we killed to harness power so we can create more goblins.”

The thing that they’re talking about is a power that Mordred received when he resurrected. Basically, he is given an ability that allows him to create a monster nest. This is the same power that the demon lord had before. The same one that allowed Dantes to create a seemingly infinite horde of monsters that continued attacking the whole of humanity.

Now Mordred has a dwindled down version of that same power. He can summon monsters but, only a specific type for now. He can also only place one monster nest. That’s why he chose this same forest where he got resurrected in. The same forest that once housed the castle of Dantes – as well as the great demon army that this creature once ruled.

The reason why he chose this place is simple. As soon as he is given Blaze and, is told of the situation about the years that’s passed, as well as the current nature of his being, Mordred knew that he won’t be able to come out of the forest without getting killed.

The horns on his head are a testament to this. As long as he has this, humankind will always see him as a threat. Demons are, after all, the mortal enemy of mankind.

“Do you have some new orders master?”

“None that I can think of, no. Just continue with the multiplication of the goblins for now. Give me an update on their total count after we finish using up the rest of the bodies of the humans that just came in.”

“Yes master.” The wisp said as it finally went on its way – leaving Mordred alone as the demon lord opened his system window.

[Name: Mordred Pendragon]

[Title: Corrupted Hero]

[Level: 5]

These are the current stats that Mordred has. Although he’s fused with the great demon lord Dantes, with his heart even belonging to this creature, this doesn’t equate to him being the new demon lord. It doesn’t work that way. There are certain things that must first be fulfilled before Mordred becomes a full-fledged demon lord; though he does not care about this.

The only thing that matters to him is killing those that betrayed him. The ten knights who’ve become the heroes of this world and are ruling over the entirety of the human population. But he can’t do this yet. Not while he’s still this weak.

This “system” that he received is part of the blessing that came with his resurrection. Though it would seem to be some sort of restriction since Mordred has to start off as a weak corrupted hero, Blaze explained to him that this can’t be further from the truth.

The system is there to make sure that you integrate the powers of the demon lord within your own body at a steady pace my lord. Without it, your body would crumble because of the paradox that is your very existence. You are a hero but at the same time you are a demon and, having two types of mana within your body working at the same time would be dangerous, if not poisonous and deadly.

Mordred sympathized with the idea because it’s right. He can’t argue with such a well-grounded explanation. But this also means that he needs to wait a while longer and, at the same time, be careful with the things that he’s doing. One wrong move and the ten heroes would come to him and kill him themselves.

“Man, do I really have to put up with all of this?” Mordred sighed. “You know, life was actually a lot easier before you came.

Mordred talked to himself or, more precisely, he is talking to the part of the great demon lord that is now permanently fused with him. Of course Dantes cannot give any reply because this creature already passed away but, this didn’t stop Mordred from communicating with the demon as if he’s still there. As he did, he also took care of the notifications from the [System].

[Mission: The Birth of Chaos]

[Requirement: Kill one hundred humans.]

[Reward: Unlock one of the three Primordial Spells of Dantes Inferno.]

[Reward: 500 Experience Points]

[Reward: New Monster Type Summon]

[Current Kill Count: 10]

This is one of the two current goal that Mordred is left with. When he finishes this, as stated by the mission itself, Mordred gains the reward corresponding the mission. The problem with this is the difficulty that it poses.

Mordred needs to kill a hundred and, this counter doesn’t include the ones that his goblins kill for him in his stead. He has to do it with his own hands which, is a difficult thing to do considering that he’s only at [Level 5]. If anything, he himself would have a hard time beating three goblins all by himself. That is how weak he currently is.

The only reason he’s able to kill ten is because the goblins helped him weaken the prey beforehand. Mordred didn’t fight his unfortunate targets. He attacked them when they were already left in a half-dead state.

Cowardly as the tactic may seem, this is the  only choice he has. He doesn’t have the same strength that allowed him to go toe to toe against the great demon lord anymore. There’s none of that left and so, he has to use any and all means available in order for him to get to his goals.

That being said, there is a secondary mission that he can finish right away. One that he’s been waiting eagerly to start but couldn’t because of the requirement. Now that same mission is shown on a floating game screen in front of him. Glowing with a blue color, the words read:

[Mission: Breaking Through the Circles of Hell]

[Level Requirement: 5]

[Information: You will enter inside a pocket dimension where a trial awaits you. As soon as you clear the trial, you will be rewarded accordingly.]

[Warning: For the sake of your own safety, take the pocket dimension five levels after the required level is met. This ensures that the trial can be finished easily and with less dangers.]

[Would you like to enter the portal now?]

[Yes/No]

This is the one thing that Mordred’s been waiting for. As far as progress goes, this is the one that grants him immediate results. Now that he’s [Level 5], he can enter this place and take the trial. And so, without any hesitation Mordred hit the button.

[Yes].