The Blackened Saint Selene.
The one and only火焰 attribute 5-star Calamity of the Disaster Order.
Since Selene was the first 5-star character I obtained, I had a certain amount of affection for her.
In fact, since acquiring Selene, my headquarters underwent explosive growth.
The combat power of a 5-star Calamity was considerable, so with her, I was able to sweep through expeditions that were previously unthinkable, amassing goods.
The Blackened Saint Selene could rightly be called the young woman who supported my impoverished headquarters.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene is watching you.]
However, that was just the story within the game.
Now, the real world has become the world of Disaster Order, and it appears Selene retains her memories from the game.
“Lord…”
And just a week ago, I had dismissed her.
Was she harboring resentment over that fact?
Selene appeared outwardly as a delicate young girl, but her background was terrifying to the extreme.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene is the Great Witch who burned the world. Selene’s flames of retribution turned all continents to ash in seven days and nights, and she ultimately abandoned the world to head into The Rift. She is a living Fire Demon and a sinner who falsely invoked the name of God.]
Every time I entered the headquarters management screen, this message would pop up. Selene’s tooltip remains etched in my memory.
The Great Calamity who incinerated an entire world.
Just her appearance was enough to turn everything around her crimson red.
It wouldn’t be at all strange for Selene to harbor feelings of vengeance towards me and attempt to harm me.
Silence hung between Selene and me.
As I pondered who should speak first, Selene suddenly approached and knelt before me on both knees.
Still kneeling, she deeply bowed her head.
“Thank goodness you’re safe.”
One thing was certain.
The Blackened Saint Selene still regarded me as her master.
And the player within the game was meant to become a dignified and powerful ruler of the world.
If I showed any hesitation here, the flames circling her might lash out at me.
I cleared my voice as much as possible and spoke.
“Yeah. Thanks to you.”
The instant she heard my voice, Selene let out a small moan.
Selene’s voice was filled with a hoarse tone, as if her vocal cords were scorched from fire. But she, who possessed a voice that could charm anyone, slightly trembled on her shoulders before lifting her bowed head with careful deliberation.
‘She really is beautiful.’
In-game, she was merely crude dot graphics, but now that the game has become reality, Selene’s face was nothing short of breathtaking.
Indeed, she was worthy of the title of Holy Maiden.
“Lord, I have been waiting.”
I tried my best not to appear flustered and nodded.
Upon this, Selene bestowed an even more heartbreaking smile and extended her hand.
“Lord, please grant me the chance to have you reside at my place. It is too dangerous here.”
The most dangerous thing here is you, actually.
That thought came to the brink of my throat.
However, this woman still views me as her master.
Therefore, I must demonstrate the dignity befitting this role.
I spoke with as much composed tone as possible.
“I permit it.”
At my words, Selene’s tightly pressed lips began to tremble. Unable to control her expressions, she deeply bowed her head again.
Following the flow of her ash-colored hair, a clear droplet fell to the ground.
“…”
Could she be crying?
Why?
“…Then, Lord, please take my hand.”
Selene extended her hand.
The skin, charred and peeling from burns.
Though in the game, I had generously provided expensive elixirs as treatment immediately after acquiring her, why had she reverted to her original state?
Regardless, it didn’t matter.
There was no choice but to follow Selene’s words right now.
I took Selene’s hand, and with an overwhelming sensation akin to nausea, my vision flipped upside down.
“…Where…?”
Everything was scarlet red.
A crimson cave. That was my fleeting thought.
But then, a message appeared before me as I looked around.
[Dungeon 「The Abyss」 entered.]
[Subdue the dungeon’s ruler and claim ownership.]
“Abyss.”
I had heard of it before.
A week ago, when the Disaster Order’s world became reality, a message was generated.
[The Blackened Saint Selene spreads fiery retribution. The Abyss Opens.]
Meaning this was the Blackened Saint Selene’s dungeon.
As this realization dawned on me, my status window hastily displayed a urgent message.
[ATTENTION: Dungeon 「The Abyss」 is a 5★ dungeon! It is inappropriate for Dominator ‘Actor’!]
[We recommend you evacuate immediately!]
Naturally understanding upon reading the message.
Since Abyss is Selene’s residence, of course its difficulty level would be 5 stars.
In short, I had walked straight into the mouth of a calamity.
“…Huh.”
Abyss.
Appropriate to the name, the landscape of the Abyss was all scarlet red, an infernal cavern filled with flickering flames, as if actual hell had been brought to reality.
Could I escape?
Would Selene release me?
While these worries crossed my mind, Selene knelt once again, still holding my hand.
Ding!
[Progress has been updated.]
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene has sworn loyalty to you.]
“Huh?”
[Congratulations. Dominator ‘Actor’, you have successfully completed the Abyss Dungeon expedition.]
[Reward: 2000Exp / 5★ Blackened Saint Selene]
“It’s insane…”
That wasn’t all.
[Achievement Unlocked: The Blackened Saint Selene]
[Achievement Unlocked: The Hottest Calamity]
[Expedition Challenge Achievement Completed. Additional rewards granted.]
[Reward: 300Exp / 4★ Fusion Stone]
Overwhelmed by the cascade of messages, I pressed my lips together.
And I looked at the ash-haired calamity kneeling before me.
Currently, The Blackened Saint Selene was undoubtedly my loyal subordinate.
‘Could it be…’
Could I have now become the owner of a dungeon?
Selene’s life is solely for her Dominator.
She swore it the moment she entered The Rift, and even after being abandoned, Selene’s oath never wavered.
“The Dominator is here in this world. You still want me… you still need me.”
Selene rediscovered the place where she could lay down her insignificant life.
[Dungeon 「Abyss」 erupts.]
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene roams everywhere.]
During the eruption from The Rift, Selene also emerged from the temporary abode she’d inhabited.
While wandering outside, Selene discovered disgraceful groups falsely claiming dominion. They too sought to collect calamities and ascend to higher beings, rivals to her Dominator.
It was unacceptable.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene spreads flames.]
“Aaaaah! No, help me!”
And so, she killed them.
Burned them to ash.
Reduced rivals.
This was the only way Selene could atone to her Dominator.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene watches Dominator ‘Actor’.]
After spreading destruction, The Blackened Saint Selene finally crossed paths with the ruler of the Rift.
“Selene.”
She was startled.
The presence of the Dominator right before her was so different from the figure she had grown accustomed to seeing.
“Dominator.”
In Selene’s memory, her Dominator wore a wide robe inscribed with runes, his face hidden behind a veil.
Hence, Selene didn’t know the face of the ruler she had remained so loyal to.
Nor had she ever wondered.
Of course, it was natural. The Dominator, unlike Selene, existed on a much higher plane—a godly being. A being that creatures as lowly as themselves should not question.
However, Selene was currently looking directly into the Dominator’s face unmasked.
He was human.
Selene’s sharp senses identified this human before her as the lord to whom she had dedicated her entire life.
‘Why does the Dominator wear the guise of a human?’
Exactly that.
Why had the veils of divinity been cast away, demoting him to a mere human?
This question rose to Selene’s sorely burned throat.
But she asked no further.
It was the Dominator’s will. There was no need for someone as lowly as her to inquire. Certainly, there was some greater reason.
Therefore, Selene didn’t ask but instead knelt on both knees and said,
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“That’s thanks to you.”
For the first time, the Dominator communicated his will to Selene through words.
Incredibly, he was praising her.
The first voice of the Dominator that she’d ever heard was extremely ordinary, yet warm.
Tears welled up in Selene’s eyes.
“…”
Ah, I was not abandoned.
In this new world, I gained the qualifications to remain by the Dominator’s side.
“And the Dominator taking human form here is all for this.”
And every arrangement for this expedition into the new world must have been made. Transforming into a human was surely the grand foundation for ascending beyond even the divine.
And Selene wished to become the fuel for the Dominator’s purposes.
This was the only value The Blackened Saint Selene held.
“Lord, please grant me the opportunity to welcome you to my residence. It’s far too dangerous here.”
Then, Selene must welcome the Dominator so as to never be abandoned again.
Even if it meant carving out her own body and burning it, she must protect the Lord now in human form.
This dimension is dangerous. Many enemies lurk. The mere thought of how much danger the Dominator now in human form could face made Selene’s heart nearly break.
“I permit it.”
In a solemn voice, the Dominator took Selene’s hand.
Thus, she once more dedicated herself to serving the Dominator as she always had.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene shows loyalty to Dominator ‘Actor’.]
[Dungeon 「Abyss」 has been cleared by Dominator ‘Actor’.]
This world is dangerous.
I will burn all obstacles in my path, and pave the way using my own body as kindling.
Even if it means going against old comrades from The Rift or the entire world.
Selene quietly reaffirmed her mission.
“…”
In her bowed state, she didn’t realize that her lord’s expression bore a troubled look as he gazed at her.
