Chapter 5: First Eruption (2)

The Scorched Saint, Selene.

The only fire-attribute 5-star Calamity in *Disaster Order*.

Selene was the first 5-star character I ever obtained, so I naturally held a certain affection for her. 

In fact, after acquiring Selene, my base experienced explosive growth. 

The combat power of a 5-star Calamity was immense, allowing me to sweep through expeditions I had previously dared not attempt, amassing resources in the process. 

The Scorched Saint Selene could rightfully be called the pillar of my once-struggling base, a true “girl boss” who carried the weight of my operations.

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene is watching you.]

But that was all within the game.

Now, reality had become the world of ‘Disaster Order’, and it seemed Selene retained her memories from the game.

“My Lord…”

And just a week ago, I dismissed her.

Could she be holding a grudge over that?

Selene’s appearance was that of a delicate girl, but her backstory was nothing short of terrifying.

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene is the Great Witch who burned the world. Selene’s flames reduced entire continents to ash in seven days and nights, and in the end, she turned her back on the world and headed toward the Abyss. She is a living flame demon, a sinner who dared to claim the name of a god.]

This was the message that appears every time I accessed the base management screen.

Selene’s tool tip was still etched in my memory.

A calamity who had burned an entire world to ashes.

Just by her presence, everything around her was melting into a searing red.

It wouldn’t be strange at all if Selene harbored a desire for revenge against me, or even sought to harm me.

“…”

Silence hung between Selene and me.

As I debated whether to speak first, Selene suddenly walked over and knelt before me on both knees. 

Bowing her head deeply, she spoke.

“…I’m relieved you’re safe.”

“…”

One thing seemed clear.

The Scorched Saint Selene still regarded me as her master.

And in the game, the player was meant to be a solemn and powerful ruler of the world.

If I showed any hint of hesitation here, the flames swirling around her might just turn me to ash.

I steadied my voice and spoke.

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“…Mmm.”

Selene let out a small moan upon hearing my voice.

Her voice was hoarse, likely due to her vocal cords being scorched by fire, but it was still a voice that anyone would admire. 

Selene’s shoulders trembled slightly as she cautiously raised her head.

‘She’s pretty.’

In the game, she was just a pixelated sprite, but now that she was real, Selene’s face was that of a peerless beauty.

Truly worthy of the title “Saint.”

“My Lord. I’ve been waiting for you.”

I tried my best not to show my panic and nodded.

In response, Selene smiled even more pitifully and extended a hand.

“My Lord, please grant me the opportunity to escort you to a safe place. This area is far too dangerous.”

The most dangerous thing here is you.

The words nearly escaped my throat.

But this woman still saw me as her master.

That meant I had to act with dignity befitting that role.

I lowered my voice and replied.

“Permission granted.”

At that, Selene’s tightly pressed lips quivered. 

Unable to control her expression, she bowed her head deeply.

Transparent droplets fell from her ash-gray hair, which hung down to the ground.

“…”

Was she crying?

Why?

“…Then, please, take my hand.”

Selene reached out her hand.

Her skin was marred by burns and scars.

In the game, I had immediately treated her with expensive elixirs after obtaining her, so why was she back in her initial state?

It didn’t matter.

Right now, I had no choice but to follow Selene’s lead.

I took her hand, and a nauseating sense of weightlessness overtook me as my vision flipped.

“…Where is this?”

Everything was crimson red.

For a moment, I thought it was a red cave, but that thought was quickly dispelled.

A message appeared before my eyes.

[You have entered the dungeon ‘Abyss’.]

[Subdue the dungeon’s master and claim ownership.]

“Abyss.”

I had heard of it.

A week ago, when the world of ‘Disaster Order’ became reality, a message appeared.

[The Scorched Saint Selene scatters her flames. The Abyss opens.]

In other words, this was the dungeon of the Scorched Saint Selene.

As soon as I realized this, the status window urgently displayed another message.

[Warning The dungeon ‘Abyss’ is a 5★ dungeon! It does not match the level of the Ruler ‘Actor’!]

[It is strongly advised to evacuate immediately!]

Reading the message, I naturally understood.

Since the Abyss was Selene’s domain, it made sense that its difficulty would be 5-star.

In other words, I had walked right into the jaws of a calamity.

“…Huh.”

Abyss.

True to its name, the scenery of the Abyss was a searing red, with flames surging through the cavern. 

It was as if hell itself had been brought to life.

Could I escape?

Would Selene even let me go?

As I worried about this, Selene, who was still holding my hand, knelt down again.

Ding!

[Progress updated.]

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene pledges her loyalty to you.]

“Huh?”

[Congratulations, Ruler ‘Actor.’ You have cleared the dungeon ‘Abyss’.]

[Rewards: 2000 Exp / 5★ The Scorched Saint Selene]

“What the hell…”

But that wasn’t all.

[Achievement Unlocked: The Scorched Saint Selene]

[Achievement Unlocked: The Hottest Calamity]

[You have completed the expedition’s challenge achievement. Additional rewards have been granted.]

[Rewards: 300 Exp / 4☆ Synthesis Stone]

Overwhelmed by the flood of messages, I covered my mouth.

And there, still kneeling before me, was the ash-haired calamity.

Now, the Scorched Saint Selene was undeniably my subordinate.

‘Wait…’

Did I just become the owner of this dungeon?

*

Selene’s life existed solely for her master.

She had sworn as much when she entered the Abyss, and even after being cast aside, her oath never wavered.

“My Lord is still in this world. He still… still wants me.”

Selene had found the place where she was meant to offer her insignificant life once more.

[The dungeon ‘Abyss’ erupts.]

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene roams the land.]

During the Abyss’s eruption, Selene emerged from the place she had temporarily resided in.

As she wandered outside, she encountered groups of insolent beings who dared to claim the title of “Ruler.” 

They, too, were collecting calamities, seeking to rise as higher beings—competitors to her master.

This was unacceptable.

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene scatters flames.]

“Ah, ahhh! Spare me!”

So she killed them.

Burned them to ash, leaving nothing behind.

Reducing the number of competitors.

This was the only way Selene believed she could atone to her master.

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene watches over Ruler ‘Actor.’]

As she spread destruction, Selene finally encountered the Ruler of the Abyss.

“Selene.”

She couldn’t help but be startled.

The figure before her was vastly different from the one she remembered.

“My Lord.”

In Selene’s memory, the Ruler was a man clad in a wide robe adorned with runes, his face hidden behind a veil.

Thus, Selene had never known the face of the Ruler she had so loyally served.

She had never been curious.

Of course not. 

The Ruler was a divine being, existing on a higher plane than a mere creature like her. 

It was not her place to question such a being.

But now, Selene was staring at the Ruler’s bare face.

He was human.

Selene’s sharp senses confirmed that this human before her was indeed the master she had devoted her life to.

‘Why have you taken on a human form?’

Why had the divine veil been cast aside, reducing you to a mere human?

The question burned in her throat, scarred by flames.

But she asked no more.

It was the Ruler’s will. 

A lowly being like her had no right to question it. 

There must be a greater purpose.

And so, instead of asking, Selene knelt and said,

“…I’m relieved you’re safe.”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

For the first time, the Ruler communicated with Selene through words.

Moreover, he was praising her.

Though his voice was ordinary, it was warm.

Tears welled up in Selene’s eyes.

“…Mmm.”

Ah, I have not been abandoned.

I have been granted the right to stand by my master’s side in this new world.

“My Lord, I’ve been waiting for you.”

And the fact that the Ruler had taken on a human form must also be part of this grand design.

A new expedition to a new world. 

Becoming human was the first step toward placing this higher plane under his feet and ascending to a position beyond divinity.

Selene wanted to be the kindling for her master’s ambitions.

For the Scorched Saint, that was her only worth.

“My Lord, please grant me the opportunity to escort you to a safe place. This area is far too dangerous.”

If that was the case, then Selene could no longer be cast aside. 

She had to protect her master.

Even if it meant carving away her own flesh, even if it meant burning herself to ashes, she would protect the Ruler who had become human.

This dimension was dangerous.

Countless enemies lurked everywhere. 

The thought of the Ruler, now in a human body, facing such dangers tore at Selene’s heart.

“Permission granted.”

The Ruler spoke in a solemn voice and took Selene’s hand.

And so, as she had always done, Selene resolved to serve her master.

[5★ The Scorched Saint Selene pledges her loyalty to Ruler ‘Actor.’]

[The dungeon ‘Abyss’ has been cleared by Ruler ‘Actor.’]

This world is dangerous.

With this body as kindling, I will burn away all obstacles and pave the way.

Even if they are my former comrades from the Abyss, even if it means burning the entire world.

Selene quietly reaffirmed her duty.

“…”

But with her head bowed, she failed to notice the troubled expression on her master’s face as he looked at her.