Chapter 3: Killing was never not an option.

“I shall do as you command.”

Lyra stretched her hand forward, a slight red glow flickering in her gaze.

As the dark shadow seated behind her hummed with magic, a small magic circle appeared before her, the small disc pulsing with otherworldly energy.

From way behind the group, the tanker could feel the energy. It started from the subtle vibrations on the ground.

It seemed as though the rest of his teammates could feel it as well, and yet, they chose to stand there frozen, refusing to run away due to the shock of the moment.

To save them, he decided to let out a roar, anything to snap them out of their daze.

“Quick! Run! It’s a trap!!!”

His voice rang out, suppressed by the growing energy humming from the magic circle.

Fortunately, it worked, and every single member of the party was back to their senses, immediately turning around to run away.

But before they could do so—

Phew! Phew!

About two of the members dropped to the ground when their legs were suddenly blown off from their hips.

Their bodies landed on the ground, their blood now slowly seeping into their clothes and skin.

The remaining two, who were still at the front paused and turned to look at their friends on the ground. What happened next was not something they expected at all.

“Ahhhhhh!!!! My leggggg!!!”

The first one screamed, tears dripping from his eyes.

Then the second followed—

“It hurts! It hurts! Oh God, it hurts!”

Kai was a bit surprised at the scene before him.

’They can feel pain?’

He thought about it for a while.

Considering his very own condition, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume the game was capable of doing something like that.

“Hey, w- what’s wrong with you guys? It’s not funny man, you can’t feel pain, it’s a damn game!”

“Bullshit! I know what I am feeling; I wanna die so badly. Make it stop.”

Fear seeped in. It was only a matter of time.

“H-hold on, I’ll heal you!”

The female healer fearfully reached for her staff and knelt down in front of the injured members.

Meanwhile, the tanker and the last fighter stood in front, acting as a shield until she was done.

Judging from the frown on Lyra’s face, they knew she wasn’t planning to toy with them. It was unavoidable; they were going to have to fight.

To make matters worse, the dungeon boss, still seated on the chair finally spoke another word.

“Stop.”

Kai voiced out.

Immediately, they all paused, including the healer, who was only seconds away from healing her injured teammates.

One by one their gazes fell on the Shadow Victim.

“You there. Above all else, you will be rewarded with my mercy. Log out. Your friends will remain there. Their stupidity must be met with punishment.”

Looking at where Kai was pointing, they figured he was speaking directly to the tanker in the group.

The tanker in question did not hesitate for a single second.

Actually, it was more like the idea had never settled in his mind before, and now that it did, he didn’t want to waste a single second.

“You guys, log out quick!” he announced to the rest.

After tapping the space in front of him, he found the log out button, clicked it, and immediately disappeared like he was never there.

’Well, that happened faster than I expected. Sigh, my theory was right then; everyone else can log out of this game except me.’

Kai looked towards Lyra’s location. Even though her magic circle was still active, she had not launched any attack yet and instead allowed Kai to continue his communication with them.

She was doing well as a servant.

“Lyra. I want you to kill the rest of them. Make it quick and painless.”

Lyra gave him a side-eye. “As you wish.”

The players were already panicking, their fingers shaking as they tried to find the log-out button so they could finally escape from the nightmare before them.

If only it were that easy.

A chilling smile spread across Lyra’s face, her red eyes burning brighter.

The magic circle before her, which had previously only pulsed with energy, now swelled rapidly, the air around it crackling violently.

“Prepare to face punishment,” she whispered, her voice devoid of emotion, yet carrying a dark finality.

The remaining three players—the fighter, the female healer, and the one still scrambling to log out—watched in terror as the small magic circle expanded into a massive crimson ring that dominated the space between them and Lyra.

Before they could even fully process the sight, a storm of red, needle-like energy bolts erupted from the circle.

Fzzzzzt!

The fighter, who had been trying to shield the healer, managed to raise his sword, but the energy bolts were too fast, too numerous, and too powerful. They bypassed his guard effortlessly, slamming into his chest and limbs.

He didn’t scream. His body, upon contact with the intense magical energy, didn’t bleed or break—it was instantly vaporized, leaving only a faint scorch mark on the ground and a wisp of smoke.

The healer watched her shield vanish, a soundless cry caught in her throat. She instinctively threw her staff forward, attempting a desperate barrier spell, but the onslaught was already upon her.

The next volley of crimson bolts tore through her barrier like wet tissue paper.

One struck her shoulder, another her leg. She collapsed from the brutal tearing of flesh and bone.

Unlike the clean disintegration of the fighter, Lyra had chosen a slower, more agonizing method for her.

“Please… no…” the healer whimpered, her face contorted in a mask of genuine agony. The pain was real, sharp, and overwhelming, confirming the worst fears about this ’game.’

Lyra stepped forward, her movements fluid and merciless.

She ignored the pleas, focusing her gaze on the last remaining player—the one who had finally found the log out button, only to find it grayed out and unresponsive.

“How revolting…” Lyra said, a hint of dark satisfaction in her tone.

The player backed away, tripping over the torso of his friend who had lost his legs earlier.

He looked from the screaming, mangled healer to the indifferent shadow figure on the throne, then back to the beautiful, terrifying woman advancing on him.

“Why?! Why can’t I log out?!” he shrieked, desperation turning into hysteria.

Lyra merely raised her hand. The crimson glow intensified, coalescing around her palm into a single, massive sphere of destructive energy. She didn’t hesitate.

The sphere shot out, slamming into the remaining player and the two previously injured ones, engulfing them all in an inferno of agonizing red light.

The combined screams were brief, cut short as their bodies were utterly incinerated.

When the light faded, nothing remained but a thin layer of ash settling on the dungeon floor.

The only sound was the soft click of the healer’s shattered staff rolling a few inches.

Lyra turned back to Kai, the cruel smile gone, replaced by the subservient neutrality of a loyal servant.

“It is done, Master,” she reported.

Kai changed his sitting position.

“Very good. You have earned yourself well in my eyes.”

Lyra stared at him for a good amount of time; not a single word left her mouth.

’Holy fuck, she just killed them all without thinking. I assumed she’d at least struggle a bit. Uhn, level 999, it’s starting to make sense now.’

[Congratulations on killing your enemies.]

[You have earned 3000 exp.]

[A new achievement has been unlocked.]

[Lord of the Dungeon.]

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