The Hidden Monster of House Vale

Chapter 80: Chapter - 80 - Two Doors, Two Realms

Lucien stood at the center of the blast zone, but he was barely recognizable. Both of his hands were completely obliterated—nothing remained but smoking stumps. Half his face had been destroyed, revealing bone and charred flesh beneath. His stomach was torn open on one side, organs visible through the gaping wound.

His eyes, however, remained unchanged. They burned with cold fury that seemed to intensify rather than dim with his injuries.

”Hurts,” Lucien admitted, his voice a distorted rasp through his ruined jaw. Blood bubbled from the wound with each word. ”But not enough.”

The monk stared in disbelief as Lucien’s wounds began to regenerate visibly, flesh knitting together with terrifying speed. Muscle fibers reconnected, skin crawled across exposed bone, and organs shifted back into place—the damage reversing as if time itself was rewinding.

”You should have aimed better,” Lucien said, his voice growing stronger as his jaw reformed, the bone sliding back into place with an audible crack. ”Now it’s my turn.”

Before the demonic monk could react, Lucien shot to his feet and vanished from sight. The air rippled where he had stood, and then he was behind the monk, his hand already moving in a devastating arc. The skill World Cleaver activated, a blade of invisible force that cut through reality itself. The demonic monk’s body exploded into pieces, reduced to mincemeat in an instant—blood, bone, and demonic essence splattering across the chamber floor.

Lucien activated Soul Void, and the monk’s soul fragments began to pour into him, screaming as they were consumed. He felt the new power surging through his veins, his cultivation base trembling as it absorbed the foreign energy. Then the notification appeared.

[Congratulations! User has obtained a new physique.]

[User has obtained Abyssal Demonic Buddha Physique.]

[Reward: Dark Lotus Arhat Soldiers.]

[You now lead 100 soldiers and 8 commanders.]

[Would you like to consume the Abyssal Demonic Buddha Physique?]

Yes, Lucien commanded in his mind.

His body immediately floated into the air, dark purple energy erupting from his core and surrounding him like a cocoon of writhing shadows. A surge of agony tore through him as demonic energy began to merge with his old physique, merging with his very essence. The pain was exquisite—each wave of torment brought with it waves of power, strengthening him with every passing moment.

[User can now use skills related to the Demonic Realm.]

[Black Scripture Annihilation acquired.]

Two hours passed as the fusion completed. His previous physique had been formidable, but now—merged with the Abyssal Demonic Buddha Physique—Lucien had become something far beyond human. Before, only his actions had carried demonic intent; now his very flesh pulsed with demonic energy, his blood carrying the essence of hell itself.

When Lucien opened his eyes, he found Thora waiting for him, her expression a mixture of awe and devotion.

”Congratulations, my lord,” she said, bowing deeply. ”You seem even stronger now.”

Lucien’s lips curved into a cold smile. ”Don’t worry, it’s all thanks to your fiancée for dying.” He reached into his spatial ring and withdrew a bracelet, its surface gleaming with a dark, bloody sheen. ”Here, take this. It’s for you.”

Thora’s breath caught as she recognized the artifact—a Demon Heart Blood Bracelet. Its power was legendary: any cultivator who wore it would absorb a portion of their enemy’s cultivation with each kill, accelerating their growth exponentially. It was the kind of treasure that could start wars.

She immediately dropped to one knee, her hands trembling. ”I’m unworthy of this, my lord. It’s too expensive—”

”Do not worry about being worthy,” Lucien interrupted, his voice soft but commanding. He reached down and took her hand, his fingers warm against her skin as he slid the bracelet onto her wrist. ”If you are unworthy, then become worthy. Use this bracelet and be loyal to me. This is nothing but a small present.”

His fingers lingered against her skin, and Thora felt heat rise to her cheeks. The gesture was possessive, intimate—and she found she didn’t mind it at all.

After organizing his rewards and setting aside other notifications for later inspection, Lucien realized he needed to leave this dungeon. But before him stood two doors.

”My lord, why are there two doors?” Thora asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. One door stood directly ahead; the other was behind them.

”Just call me Lucien,” he replied. ”And if you want to know what lies beyond any door... the simplest answer is to open it.”

But Lucien was no fool. He knew there could be something life-threatening behind either threshold. He opened his void space, ready to flee if necessary. Then he approached the front door and pushed it open.

The sight that greeted him stole his breath.

They stood on a mountain peak, the sky above them a bloody crimson that stretched endlessly in every direction. Giant monstrous creatures—beings of nightmare given flesh—roamed and flew through the air, their roars shaking the very foundations of reality. Floating palaces and cities drifted among clouds of dark energy, their architecture impossibly beautiful and deeply unsettling. It was eerily magnificent, a realm of both terror and wonder.

Lucien’s eyes widened—he had never seen anything like this before—but instinct seized him. He grabbed Thora’s hand and yanked her back through the door, slamming it shut behind them.

Thora stumbled slightly, surprised by his sudden urgency. But she trusted him completely. If Lucien had retreated, it was because something dangerous lay beyond.

”What kind of place was that, Lord Lucien?” she asked, curiosity warring with unease in her voice.

”The Demon Realm,” he said grimly.

”Wh-what?” Thora’s face paled. ”I thought those were just myths. I thought only the Human Realm existed—”

”No. The Demon Realm, the Heavenly Realm, and others do exist.” Lucien’s eyes grew distant, a flicker of something dark passing through them as he thought of Zarah. ”And trust me when I say this—the Human Realm is nothing compared to them.”

Thora swallowed hard. ”I didn’t know... even if I told people what happened here, no one would believe me.”

”Then don’t tell them. Just focus on your cultivation. Reach the pinnacle, and then you can travel to other realms yourself.” He paused, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly. ”But for now, we need to go.”

He turned toward the other door behind them. Before he could take a step, Thora grabbed his hand and pulled him close, pressing her lips against his with desperate passion.

Lucien gave in immediately, deepening the kiss as his hands found her waist, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed together, heat radiating between them as they lost themselves in the moment. Her lips were soft and demanding, and he answered every demand with equal intensity.

”We will meet again,” Lucien murmured against her lips when they finally broke apart.

He pressed an echo crystal into her palm—one filled with his astral energy. ”If you ever need me, use this. It will let you speak to me from anywhere.”

Thora clutched the crystal to her chest as they stepped through the door together. The dungeon’s entrance was scattered across multiple locations—even multiple countries—but always within the same realm. They emerged into the morning light, but in different directions: Thora returned to the entrance she had first taken, which led to another country entirely. Lucien found himself alone in the clearing where he had entered.

Well, that was a long night, he thought, stretching his newly empowered limbs. But it was fun. The most fun part was obtaining this new demonic physique... and the second most fun part was passionate dual cultivation with Thora.

A smirk played at his lips as he began the journey back to the village.

Celbeth and Xandra were waiting anxiously when Lucien returned. Xandra’s face lit up with relief the moment she spotted him.

”Lord Lucien! Where were you?” she asked, worry evident in her voice and the way she clasped her hands together.

Lucien offered her a warm smile, the expression coming easier than it should have after the horrors he had witnessed. ”I was investigating the demonic energy. I’ve already taken care of it, so from now on there will be no more diseases in this village.”

Xandra’s eyes widened, then filled with such overwhelming joy that she forgot propriety entirely. She threw her arms around Lucien, hugging him tightly in front of the entire village.

Lucien seized the opportunity without hesitation, wrapping his arms around her in return. His hand rested on her back, then slowly slid to her waist. Xandra stiffened slightly, finally realizing what she had done—and what he was doing—but she didn’t pull away.

”Ah! I’m sorry, Lord Lucien,” she stammered, her face burning scarlet. ”I hugged you without even asking for permission—”

”Don’t worry,” Lucien murmured in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. ”I did something without asking for your permission as well.”

Xandra’s blush deepened impossibly further, but there was no anger in her eyes—only embarrassment and something else she couldn’t quite name. Something she found she didn’t dislike.

Celbeth watched the exchange with keen eyes. She immediately sensed that something had changed within Lucien—a subtle shift in his aura, a deeper darkness beneath the surface. He had become more powerful, she realized, her lips curving into a proud smirk. This was the man she served: someone so hungry for power that he would stop at nothing to become stronger. That thought alone filled her with pride—not just pride, but something deeper, almost worshipful. She was so loyal to Lucien that if he declared himself an enemy of humanity, she would abandon her own species without a moment’s hesitation. That was how much he mattered to her.

”Those who are already sick will take time to heal fully,” Lucien continued, addressing Xandra once more. ”Until then, it’s your responsibility to look after them.”

”I would be glad to, Lord Lucien.” Xandra hesitated, then took a breath. ”Lord Lucien, if you don’t mind... can I ask you something? It’s more like a request, actually. I want something from you.”

Lucien raised an eyebrow. ”What is it?”

”Can I call you Lucien?” The words came out in a rush. ”You helped save this village. You destroyed the demonic energy. You saved the children, you saved everyone. Lord Lucien, you are our savior. But when I call you ’Lord,’ I feel like you’re so far away. Like I’m talking to a god—and gods never answer. But you did.” Her voice trembled with emotion. ”So I don’t want to use ’Lord,’ if you’re not offended by that.”

Lucien’s expression softened. ”Only that? Of course you can call me Lucien. Celbeth calls me Lucien even though she’s my retainer. In fact, I prefer it.”

He reached out and took her hand without thinking, and Xandra’s fingers curled around his as if she never wanted to let go.

”But I’m afraid we must leave for now,” Lucien continued gently. ”I’ll return before I depart for my estate.”

”Yes—” Xandra’s voice caught. ”Yes, Lu... Lucien. We’ll wait for you.”

Lucien and Celbeth arrived at the cathedral and entered without hesitation. A priestess immediately rushed forward to meet them.

”My lord, the High Priestess is already here,” she said, her voice breathless. ”She wishes to see you immediately.”

The main hall was vast and echoing, but the task was simple enough. When Lucien pushed open the doors to the inner sanctum, he saw the High Priestess with her back turned, her white robes flowing like cascading silk.

He dropped to one knee. ”It is an honor to be in the presence of the High Priestess. I am Lucien Vale.”

The High Priestess turned around.

Lucien’s eyes widened as her face came into view—a face he knew intimately, a face he had seen in dreams and nightmares alike. He never imagined she would be a High Priestess.

”It’s been a while, Lord Lucien,” she said, her voice warm with familiarity.

”Isalyn,” Lucien breathed.