Adiel approached Charlotte as he took the eye of the crocodile and examined it more closely.
"This is not a diamond, but it is probably some kind of valuable crystal," Adiel said.
"So? How would you know that?" Maven questioned.
"That's because there's still no proof of it also being a diamond," Adiel responded.
"That's really cool—we're rich!" David exclaimed.
"Shut the fuck up, David, you literally did nothing," Maven retorted.
"Hey guys... what matters is we defeated this demonic croc, and our level should have increased," Kaden exclaimed.
"Configuration procedure..." But before Kaden could continue—
The other eye of the croc opened wide. The thorns behind its back launched, striking them.
Adiel was struck in the head, dying in one shot.
David used his air abilities to maneuver around all of the crocodile's attacks, only getting a scratch on his cheek from the thorns.
Charlotte was hit on the shoulder, but the damage was severe. She bled out and was thrown several meters away by the impact.
Kaden and Maven managed to dodge and not get hit at all, but Avian was struck on his side.
The croc woke up yet again. Its eyes were flaming as it opened its mouth wide and launched a fire breath directly at Charlotte.
Charlotte jumped out of the way of the blast—barely.
The crocodile swung its tail around, hitting Avian and throwing him into the river.
It then turned to David and launched itself directly at him, mouth open. David tried to get away.
In just a second, the crocodile sped up, snapping forward and reaching him before he could react. It ate David whole, swallowing him instantly as it turned to Kaden and Maven.
Kaden and Maven grunted in rage, anger and fear striking at the same time. Maven's hands turned into fists of fire.
He charged at the crocodile, landing a hit on its face.
But the crocodile remained unharmed. Its entire skin turned red and hot.
Maven stepped back, only for the crocodile to jump mid-air and bite off his right arm. Blood splattered across the crocodile.
Maven let out a bloodcurdling scream as he fell to the ground, yelling in pain.
Kaden controlled gravity and pulled Avian out of the water, along with Charlotte, back to him.
"Shit, this beast is a MONSTER. We're no match—my predi—" But before Kaden could continue—
The crocodile swung its tail at Maven, throwing him directly at the three.
They were all thrown several meters away.
As the crocodile prepared to launch one more fire blast at them—
Kaden, along with the others, cried out, knowing it was the end. They grieved for their fallen comrades and for themselves, moments away from being burned alive.
"I'm very sorry, everyone. I failed you guys..." Kaden exclaimed.
And just as it charged its attack—bones came out of the ground beneath the crocodile, piercing through its brain and back.
Xiandre emerged from the shadows, calmly slicing off the crocodile's head with one slash of his sword.
The four remained silent in shock as they stared at a black knight.
Xiandre turned toward them. He smirked behind his helmet, looking at the four students who remained alive.
They showed a mix of relief, confusion, and curiosity.
Amelia and Velmora followed out of the shadows. Amelia immediately recognized these people.
"T—thanks for saving us..." Kaden said.
"Y-yeah, we really do..." the other three added, crying in relief.
"What a wonderful performance, Kaden... I thought you'd die right away, but I guess being a tier 5 really does have its perks, huh?" Xiandre replied.
Immediately, Kaden's heart stopped. He froze as he turned his eyes up to Xiandre, who stood before them.
The three others continued grieving and celebrating their survival, tears streaming down their cheeks.
"T... T—that voice... it can't be..." Kaden stuttered.
The others fell silent as they turned toward Kaden.
His face was filled with fear and nothing else. He turned pale and trembled as tears of fear streamed down his cheeks.
"F-forgive me..." he whimpered.
"Oh, looks like you're not a dumb one after all. You noticed my voice right away," Xiandre said.
"W-what is going on?!" Charlotte questioned Kaden.
"Y-yeah... Kaden, care to explain to us WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Avian exclaimed.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
Kaden repeated, trembling.
"The way he defeated that croc so fast..." Kaden thought to himself.
Flashback – after Xiandre and the others were sent to Hell by Goddess Fillia.
"So umm, Princess... what will happen if they do happen to escape out of Hell?" a student questioned.
"Such a foolish question. Do you really think they're going to be able to escape?" Glenn scoffed.
"Fufu... well... if they really do manage to crawl out from the depths of Hell, consider most of you guys dead if they get out under a year. Barely any people manage to escape out of there, and if they do, that means they have the power to overpower Lucifer himself."
"And in total, we've only recorded one person who managed to escape. His identity must be hidden, and he is currently a massive threat to our kingdom. But I'm sure you guys will manage to defeat them—if you reach level 500," Princess Millie explained.
"So you're telling us the percentage of them escaping is one out of a hundred?" Hikaru asked.
"That's correct. And to be completely honest, even if they do manage to escape, I think you guys would already be strong enough. It only takes 7 months to reach max level. The limit is 1000," Princess Millie continued. "Or maybe, I guess you could say... if they escape, we're just dead straight away."
Present
"YOU GUYS DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO IS STANDING BEFORE YOU!!!" Kaden yelled at the others.
"Don't yell at us!" Charlotte shouted back.
"That right there is Kian... one of the people who were sent to Hell by Princess Millie! And do you guys remember what she said?! That's right—if we see them again, they're gonna be thirsty for vengeance, and we're just DEAD..." Kaden exclaimed.
Yet he received no answer from the three. He turned his head to look at them—only to see them dead.
Bones had come out of the ground and pierced their entire bodies. Kaden was the only one left alive.
Breathing heavily, Kaden turned to Xiandre, who grabbed him by the neck and began choking him.
"Kaden, remember what you said when Enman was crying for help? Or at least a bit of sympathy out of you? You said 'womp womp' in response. What a childish word... but it can hurt so bad," Xiandre said calmly.
Xiandre slammed Kaden into the ground and pulled out his sword.
"Please, PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME! I'M SORRY! I'LL DO ANYTHING—" But before Kaden could continue—
Xiandre cut off his tongue with his blade.
Kaden could only struggle and cry, enduring the pain Xiandre inflicted.
"Rrkkh—! Hhhkk—AAHHH!!" Kaden mumbled.
Blood splattered from his mouth onto Xiandre's armor as Xiandre turned to Velmora.
"Velmora, can you burn his tongue to prevent him from dying quickly from blood loss? Or possibly choking on his own blood?" Xiandre asked calmly.
"Yes," Velmora responded as she summoned fire from her hand and approached Kaden. Without hesitation, she burned his tongue, cauterizing the wound.
"GHHHKKK—! MMHHF—! KKHHHHH—AAAGGGHHH!!" Kaden screamed in agony.
Afterward, Velmora stepped back while she and Amelia watched Xiandre continue his work.
Kaden coughed continuously, blood splattering.
"Hey, Kaden... remember back in junior high? You, me, Enman, and Louie went to Jolaby Restaurant?" Xiandre said as Kaden cried in agony.
"It was a fun time. Louie hid a cup from the restaurant inside Enman's bag, and he only found out when he got home," Xiandre added, stabbing Kaden's palms with his sword.
Kaden was experiencing trauma beyond belief as Amelia summoned a bone knife. Velmora burned the tip of it before throwing it to Xiandre.
Xiandre caught it, flipped Kaden over, and ripped off his clothes from his back. He began carving something into Kaden's back with the heated knife.
As the knife touched his skin, Kaden thrashed and began smashing his head into the ground in a desperate attempt to kill himself.
Xiandre continued carving as Kaden bled, growled, and screamed—but no sound came out.
Finally, Xiandre finished. He picked Kaden up and threw him into a tree. Kaden spat out blood.
Xiandre took a branch from the same tree and whipped Kaden across the back repeatedly. Kaden's clothes were ripped apart, except for his boxers.
Xiandre kicked him in the groin, then tied him to the tree.
"You know... Enman would forgive you if he were the one here," Xiandre said calmly before punching Kaden in the stomach.
He followed up with a kick to the side and a punch to the ribs.
Kaden endured everything. Xiandre was trying his best not to kill him—yet.
"I don't really care about the fact I was sent to Hell. I'm not really the type to get mad about that," Xiandre said. "You know, all this time, everyone at school was under my grasp. I can kill anyone I want—all I need is a reason."
"Those who treated me like a friend, an ally, or just neutral—they'll remain alive. Even the bullies or ignorant ones will live. But those who considered murder, and treated my friends or allies as prey for their own amusement... I will not tolerate that."
"The only reason the students, bullies, and people who treated me like trash back in our world are still alive is because I had no reason to kill them—yet," Xiandre said, throwing Kaden back to the ground.
"Velmora, send him to the throne room of The Castle of Grimore," Xiandre ordered.
Velmora obeyed. She lifted her palm, then clenched it into a fist. A portal opened beneath Kaden, dropping him into the middle of the throne room.
The portal vanished.
Princess Millie, Goddess Fillia, the other students, maids, guards, and royal family members stared in horror as they saw Kaden unconscious on the ground.
Written on his back:
"I've risen out of Hell—just like I said, Princess. So be prepared."