Rise Of The Death Monarch

Dante stared at the Death Panther, who shook her head in refusal. He was shocked but shrugged. ''Oh well, let's keep looking for monsters,'' he muttered.

They continued trekking through the Dark Forest until his senses flared to life, but Luna reacted, moving in front of him to block a tree that flew out of the darkness. She battered it away, sending it crashing into the ground. Dust flew everywhere as the monster appeared from the underbrush.

A massive bull stood at seven feet tall, built of pure muscle, and its horns were made from metal. Dante's eyes widened in shock as he used Death Eyes on the creature to see what rank it was.

[Gorgon - A Rank]

''Oh interesting,'' he mumbled.

Just then, Luna rushed forward and punched the monster square in the face. It was sent flying through the trees thanks to her power. The brown-skinned beauty turned to him and beamed. ''Did you see that, master?''

''Wow,'' he replied, a grin stretching across his face. ''You're strong, Luna, and thanks for the help.''

Moments later, the Gorgon charged toward them, eyes blazing. But before it could close the distance, the Death Panther sprang into action. With a single leap, it cut off the beast, its claws flashing. A swift slash tore through its throat, unleashing a torrent of dark, viscous blood that splattered across the forest floor.

The creature staggered, its momentum faltering, and soon collapsed in a heap, skidding to a halt inches from his boots. A low, amused chuckle escaped his lips as he watched the beast's breath stop. Unfazed, Dante extended a hand, his fingers curling when tendrils of death energy began to coil around them.

''Arise,'' he said.

The air grew heavy, the forest itself seeming to hold its breath as the spell took hold. The Gorgon's corpse twitched, its massive frame shuddering as Dante's power seeped into it. The beast's muscles bulged unnaturally, swelling with newfound strength, while its jagged horns elongated, curling into wicked, gleaming points.

Its eyes flared with an eerie, crimson glow as the creature rose, larger and stronger than before. The resurrected Gorgon clambered to its feet, its movements slow but deliberate, as if adjusting to its new body. With a loud bellow that reverberated through the trees, it announced its return, its voice shaking the ground.

[Death Gorgon - S Rank]

Dante's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he regarded his newest creation, now a towering behemoth bound to his will. The forest, once alive with the sounds of wildlife, fell silent under the oppressive weight of his power. Just then, a Forest Giant returned the roar, putting a smile on his face.

''Go deal with the giant and bring me its corpse,'' he ordered.

Following that, the Death Gorgon rushed off as Luna spoke. ''Looks like we can attack Blackharbor. We have enough monsters, especially with those creepy Hide Behinds.''

''I know,'' Dante answered before sitting down and getting comfortable. ''I plan on sending them, the Creepers and Wendigos, to hunt down the Darkmoore soldiers. Once most lay dead, I'll release my Zombie horde.''

Just then, a loud boom was heard in the distance, and he sensed that the Gorgon was destroying the Forest Giant. Luna's wolf ears twitched as her tail swayed side to side, and her smile grew wide. ''Looks like we have our last monster, do you want to head back to the tent?''

''Let me bring it back, then we'll head back,'' he replied.

Afterward, the duo waited for the Death Gorgon to return, which it did minutes later, dragging the Giant behind it. The monster's body was broken and bloodied as it threw the massive corpse at them. It crashed down close to Luna, prompting her to jump up, scolding the beast. ''Watch where you're throwing that thing! It could've hurt the master!''

Dante smirked, dismissing the creature into the Domain to go convert the Forest Giant before returning to the tent city. With a flourish, he cast Arise on the fallen beast, resurrecting it as a formidable Death Giant.

[Death Forest Giant - A Rank]

Following that, they headed back, and when reaching their tent, Luna sniffed the air, prompting her tail to go straight, catching his attention. ''What's wrong?''

''Seems like there's powerful mages close by,'' she revealed, letting out a low growl.

Dante waved her away. ''Leave them be, the S-Ranked beasts will deal with them once the attack begins,'' he reassured.

After those words, he stepped into the tent, slumping down to relax, thanks to his leg hurting even more. Luna joined him, shaking her head. ''Sorry, master, I'm not used to being around people that normally would be trying to kill me.''

''I understand,'' Dante said. ''But they'll all die once we get into Blackharbor. I need to find Amara so we can leave this place behind.''

The older woman nodded and sat next to him, whispering. ''Do you want to be with me, master?''

''I do, but not yet,'' he honestly answered, face feeling hot. ''I want to be healed first.''

When Luna heard this, her blue eyes lit up as she cupped Dante's cheeks and placed a passionate kiss against his lips, sending a shock through his body. He returned the gesture while holding her thick waist. After a few seconds, she leaned back, a smile stretching across her face.

''I've been waiting to do that since we reunited, master,'' she admitted, her dark cheeks went darker.

Dante couldn't help but smile as he answered. ''I keep remembering Bella and Mary, I regret not making that move. There's not much I can do thanks to them being gone.''

''Master, people die all the time, it's a part of life, and I saw them protect you,'' Luna reassured, hugging him. ''I'm sure once you're strong enough, you can bring them back. The Death Goddess seems to favor you.''

''Maybe,'' he shrugged. ''I haven't thought about it, it makes me angry.''

Following that, the couple rested as Dante slowly recovered from the damage the S-Rank inflicted on him, but he needed to see the Death Witch. While waiting, he sensed several powerful auras surrounding their tent, causing him to let out a sigh as a voice echoed out. ''Come out, Death Monarch, and bring your whore with you.''

With those words, his anger exploded, but Luna spoke, a knowing glint in her eyes made him realize he should control himself. ''Calm down, master. We will deal with them; they don't know how powerful your army is now.''

Dante chuckled, an evil sound, while approaching the entrance, stepping outside as he replied. ''Seems like you know me, human,'' he said, looking at a tall, dark-haired man. ''Let me guess, the Light Whore sent you here?''

When the group heard the insult, they bristled, but the leader spoke, grinning. ''Looks like you're half dead and ready to drop. Then I shall take your whore and enjoy myself after killing you.''

Without waiting, Dante summoned the Death Giants, and the Bigfoot-like creatures rushed out, crashing into the surrounding human soldiers. He didn't wait and began casting Death Bolts, the red projectiles burrowed through enemy chests, sending blood flying everywhere as a battle erupted.

The Death Army poured out of the Domain, and the Gorgon rampaged through the human crowds, squashing everything in its path. The Creepers, Hide Behind Hunters, and Wendigos tore through armor with ease. The Darkmoore soldiers didn't know what hit them as the Death Lion let out a roar that froze everyone.

Luna was standing beside him, beaming as he spoke. ''You can go after the strongest fighters, just be careful.''

When the older woman heard this, her face lit up before she kissed his cheek and rushed off. Heading for a group of commanders by the edge of the tent city. Dante watched the chaos unfold while standing there. A group of knights rushed in his direction, but he summoned a horde of Ghouls.

The humanoids crashed into the enemy and started tearing into their flesh. Screams echoed out. As this happened, Luna appeared beside him in her wolf form. 'Get on my back, master,' she said in his mind.

Dante leapt onto her back as she surged toward the closing gates of Blackharbor. With a swift gesture, he summoned his Death Trolls, massive, hulking beasts that slammed into the ground with earth-shaking force. They charged the fortifications, crashing into the wooden doors.

In an instant, the gates shattered, sending a storm of jagged splinters flying in all directions. Soon enough, he unleashed his Zombie horde that poured into the last city standing on Nemarotg. He watched as the undead washed over the defenders and people alike; blood flooded the streets.

Bells rang as soldiers tried to cut the Zombies off, only to be taken down within seconds. His army went mad, killing everything in their path, causing experience and Death Points to flow into Dante. He was getting stronger by the second; his aura exploded, sucking all the dead bodies into the Domain.