The immutable happened; suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Strax had vanished from where he stood. Initially, he thought it would just be a quick trip back to the Duchy, but as he blinked while walking with his wives… he disappeared from the human world.


    [You have entered the System update. System 2.0 is initializing.]


    [Wee to Hell]


    "What''s going on?" Strax muttered, looking around thepletely empty, pitch-ck room. There was nothing and no one.


    [Temporarily, your connection to [Persephone] has been severed.]


    [Persephone''s Blessing has been disabled until the User returns to the Mortal World.]


    "Hm? Oh right, I had Persephone''s blessing… Though I never fully understood what that means," Strax said as he nced around, trying to find something, but all he could see was aplete void.


    "Well, all I can do is check what I have. Hey, system, show me all my abilities!" Strax said, but…


    [System is sealed.]


    "Perfect, just perfect," Strax grumbled, his gaze running over each word on the screen, "Ah… go to hell…" he muttered.


    "I can still feel my abilities, so even if it''s sealed, I should be able to use my powers to protect myself if anything happens," he murmured, starting to survey his surroundings. "Standing here won''t get me back…"


    With no other options, Strax started to walk in a straight line, his steps echoing in the oppressive silence that surrounded him. As he walked, his thoughts drifted to Xenovia.


    "That old man… why did he have to do that? Well… I''ll challenge him to a duel and kill the prince; it''s probably the best and easiest way to bring her back to me, but… the problem is, is she alright?" he questioned himself, worried about what might have happened to her in his absence.


    The path seemed endless, and time appeared to have no meaning in that empty space. As he walked, Strax wondered if there was any way to connect with the outside world, some sign that his wives were still safe. What if he was truly trapped in this ce?


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of reflection and istion, a faint light began to appear ahead. The glow was dim, but as he got closer, Strax realized it was a message from the system.


    [You have used the 10th Demon Key - You have entered the Abyssal Castle.]


    The castle materialized out of the darkness, towering and majestic, like an ancient fortress defying the emptiness around it. Its architecture was opulent, adorned with intricate details that seemed to glow with the light of existence itself. Strax felt a wave of curiosity and determination. The castle was more than a monument of power; it was a challenge, a test he would have to face.


    The towers rose into the sky, disappearing into the dark clouds hovering above them. The main gate slowly opened, revealing a strange staircase, illuminated by mes dancing on small pirs on either side, as if each me were alive and aware of Strax''s presence. The warmth of the mes wasforting yet strangely eerie…


    "A castle, huh?" Strax murmured, looking up at the open path without any apparent obstacles.


    "Was this castle supposed to be here? I mean, are we in hell? Or did the System make a mistake?" Strax questioned as he calmly climbed each step, his footsteps echoing through the inter-world space, creating a deafening sound in the midst of silence and theck of any noise beyond his own.


    "The system doesn''t make mistakes… it can be confusing, but error isn''t in its nature. Either way, I''m sealed in this world until the update isplete, so I might as well explore," Strax said, continuing up the massive staircase, which started to be clearer.


    "There''s no point in questioning where I''ve ended up; I suppose I don''t have a choi—"


    Suddenly, Strax felt a chill running down his spine, an intense, malevolent premonition so powerful it nearly froze him. His senses sharpened, and in a swift reflex, he jumped back.


    "???!!!!"


    Before he could process the origin of the threatening presence, a massive attack hit him like an avnche of pure force. He barely had time to raise his hands in defense as the impact sent him flying backward, shattering the staircase beneath him.


    Rocks and debris flew in every direction as Strax rolled across the ground, pain radiating through his body. The attack had been powerful, but even worse was the dark, oppressive aura emanating from the creature now revealing itself.


    Strax looked up to see three figures emerge from the shadows in front of him. Each of the subi exuded a supernatural beauty, with hair flowing like ck mes and eyes gleaming with a mix of lust and cruelty. They floated gracefully, their sensual forms moving in a hypnotic manner, while their wicked smiles studied him with predatory interest.


    "Whoa... what a scare!" the first one eximed, her tone mocking as she gazed at him with hungry eyes.


    "Hey, you should be a little more courteous, you know?" added the second, a yful smile on her lips. "Men usually receive all the love from their women around here..."


    The third let out a softugh that seemed to echo within her chest. "Don''t be too hard on the new guy," she murmured, sliding her tongue over her lips. "He''s quite the man, sisters. Look at that physique."


    Strax swallowed hard, trying to mask his difort. He knew the danger; these creatures were masters of maniption, luring their prey into moments of weakness before draining their energies. *Hell... subi...* he thought, feeling a chill down his spine. This could be a very different kind of danger than he was used to.


    "So, what do we have here?" the first one asked, stepping closer. "A lost, lonely man in the abyss? Or someone who came here seeking something... a little more thrilling?"


    Strax raised his chin and took a deep breath, trying to show confidence. "I didn''te here to be some ything for you," he replied, crossing his arms. "If you''re looking for a soul to devour, go find someone else."


    Theyughed in unison, the first one giving him a predatory look. "Oh, darling... do you really think you have a choice?"


    The second one floated around him, tilting her head as she examined him from head to toe. "Don''t be rude... we just want to have a little fun. And who knows, you might end up enjoying it?"


    "You three really think you''ll intimidate me with this little game?" Strax shot back, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. "I''m a lot more than just an energy source for creatures like you, so tell me where I am."


    The third gave a mysterious smile, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "That''s something you''ll discover by ying with us, darling... if you''re so confident, let''s see what you can do."


    **[Defeat the Subus Sisters – Aliel, Erniel, Eriel]**


    "Damn it," he muttered before trying something. "I''ll take you all down at once," he said, focusing to use **[Dragon Transformation]**... but—


    **[System Blocked – Abilities Sealed]**


    The first sister, Aliel, was the first to strike. In a rapid, almost invisible movement, sheunched herself at Strax, her sharp nails morphing into long ws that sliced through the air.


    "SON OF A—!" Strax barely had time to dodge, leaping to the side as he felt the rush of the attack pass just inches from his face.


    "Too fast..." he muttered, trying not to show the pressure he felt. He needed time to understand how each of them fought. With his usual abilities sealed, he''d have to rely on his experience and careful observation.


    Before he could react, Erniel, the second sister, was already on him, a predatory smile and eyes gleaming with malicious energy. She waved her hand through the air, and Strax saw her movements create shing energy waves that cut across the dark hall. He rolled on the ground to avoid the strike, but one of the shes came close enough to tear his clothing and scrape his skin.


    "He''s quick... this will be fun," Erniel remarked with augh.


    "Let''s see how long hests," taunted Aliel, a glint of challenge in her eyes.


    Strax got to his feet quickly, senses sharp and breathing hard. He was beginning to understand that these subi weren''t just skilled inbat; they also worked in sync, attacking in timed intervals to keep him on the defensive. The third sister, Eriel, hung back, watching him with a subtle smile, as if waiting for the perfect moment to join the fight.


    The next strike came from Aliel again, but this time, Strax was ready. He ducked at the exact moment she lunged past him and extended his arm,nding a powerful punch to her side. Aliel was thrown backward, but quickly regained her bnce in mid-air, floating back with a smile.


    "Well, well... looks like you have a bit of strength after all," she murmured, licking her lips.


    Erniel and Aliel then attacked together, one on each side, trying to press him. Strax slipped away from one blow and blocked the next with his forearm, each movement getting him more familiar with their patterns. He began to notice that Erniel was more calcted in her attacks, while Aliel was aggressive and direct. Using this to his advantage, he started anticipating Aliel''s strikes and dodging more easily, until he found an opening and delivered a powerful kick to her chest, sending her crashing into the wall.


    "I need to end this quickly..." he muttered, just before—


    "You''re cute," he heard from the third sister, who suddenly gripped his neck from behind.