Prestige Grinding : I Can Reset My Level-Chapter 178: Demon King

'I knew some things from the memories I’ve seen, but it’s even worse than I thought,' Sora mused.

'According to the news, the other kingdoms have intensified their efforts, reducing the gaps between attacks and forcing humans to defend on all fronts simultaneously…'

'But a Demon King? Others might not understand what that means, but I’ve seen it in Rachel’s memories. With a Demon King leading them, the Demon Kingdom will be stronger than several kingdoms combined. The experts suggesting we abandon the other fronts might not be entirely wrong...'

He sighed, reading through article after article, eventually piecing together the narrative behind his newfound nickname.

Looking at Kara, he said, “Roméo knew. He must have contacts among players from other races. Players from those races must have won other [Havens of Peace] or similar rewards in the past. That’s the only explanation for how he knows about the Ascension Tower’s final reward.”

Kara nodded thoughtfully. “You’re probably right. Something that can shelter 500 million people... It’s terrifying to know such an item exists. If we lose the war, does that mean everyone else will die?”

Sora hesitated, carefully choosing his words in front of his parents before sighing. “I don’t know how much I can safely say, but I have a theory about this world.”

He paused for a moment. “The war between kingdoms… I've seen in an item description that it was called the War for Supremacy. Based on the clues we’ve uncovered so far there’s only one conclusion: when the war ends, only one kingdom will remain.”

Hearing his mother gulp, Sora turned to look at her. Seeing her signal for him to continue, he said, “All ten kingdoms are still standing as of now, so I have no definitive proof of this. We’ve always assumed there would be a way out for defeated kingdoms because the system has consistently protected the weak and allowed civilians to retreat. But… I believe that if a kingdom loses a Tier 1 war—where it defends its final bastion—that kingdom and all its citizens will perish together.”

He continued, “[Haven of Peace] must be the type of item meant to save races from annihilation, whether in this world… or the next.” He deliberately left the last part vague.

Marie and Henri exchanged puzzled glances. His father, attempting to lighten the mood, joked, “The next? I didn’t know you’d started believing in the afterlife, Sora. Have you finally found God?”

Sora smiled at his father’s words, and unable to enter into details, he took the opportunity to shift the conversation. “Dad, Mom, have you ever thought about gaining a few levels? It might be good for you to learn a thing or two. You never know what could happen in the future.”

Both of his parents looked surprised by the suggestion. Henri raised an eyebrow. “Gaining levels? At our age? Aren’t we too old to go out hunting monsters? Isn’t it a bit late for us? We’re just a couple of old folks…”

Sora shook his head. “Do you remember the games you used to play when you were younger? Just treat this like a game. It was Dofus right? This world reminds me of that game you showed me back in middle school. Kara and I will be your mentors, and you’ll be our ‘mules.’ We’ll power-level you. Don’t worry, we’re pretty good at it boosting others.”

Henri’s expression changed as he processed his son’s words—curiosity turning to excitement, then to indignation at the mention of being a “mule.”

“A mule?” he repeated, sounding offended. “You get a little bit of fame and suddenly you’re belittling your parents? Power-leveling? Do you think we’re just noobs who need carrying? Come here and say that to my face if you dare.”

Sora stared at his father, a smirk forming on his lips. “You’re a noob,” he said, his eyes calm.

He let the words hang in the air for a few seconds, enjoying his father’s reaction before adding, “Actually, you’re not even a noob yet, Dad. You're still a civilian, after all.”

Henri stood up abruptly, taking a few steps toward his son.

Kara froze, sensing the tension rising in the room. Just as she was about to intervene, she heard Henri lean down and whisper in Sora’s ear, “You’re right… I’m a noob. So please power-level me and make sure I stay ahead of your mother. I can’t afford to look useless in front of her, can I?”

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Sora chuckled, his smile widening as he nodded in agreement. The father-son exchange left Kara hesitant between scolding them and laughing along, but before she could do anything, Marie interjected.

“Staying ahead of me, old man?” she asked, causing him to flinch. “Did you think I was deaf?” Without waiting for a response, she reached over and pinched her husband’s ear.

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Sora woke up slowly, the morning light filtering through the curtains of his childhood home.

Turning his head, his gaze fell on Kara, lying beside him. Her auburn hair spread across the pillow, and her face was serene, free from the sins they’d been carrying.

For a moment, everything else melted away—no tower, no wars, no revenge. Just her.

Watching her, he was struck by how much she had come to mean to him. She had been his anchor for so long, the person who reminded him of the world beyond survival and power. She had seen him at his worst and never looked away.

'Even when I avoided your gaze inside of tower because I was becoming a monster, you were there, and didn't evade me. You ran in my arms the second you saw me...' He remembered.

'How did I get so lucky?' he wondered. Her presence had filled the void left by the loss of his brother and the betrayal of his friend.

'We met by chance, yet we've stuck together ever since.'

As the sun’s warmth illuminated the room, Kara moved slightly, her lashes fluttering before her eyes opened. She blinked at him, her lips curving into a small smile. “Good morning,” she said softly.

Sora couldn’t stop himself from smiling back. “Good morning.”

Kara tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have bedhead?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “No, you’re perfect.”

Her cheeks flushed at his words, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she reached out, brushing her fingers against his hand. “Are you doing better?”

Sora took a deep breath.

“Kara,” he began, his usual calm missing. “We’ve been through so much together. Too much. I don’t want to waste another moment pretending I don’t know what I want,” he said. Taking her hand in his, he squeezed it gently. “Kara, will you marry me? Will you let me spend whatever life we have left by your side?”

For a second, Kara looked stunned, her mouth opening as if to speak but no words came.

“This ... Is this a dream?” After a while, she whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes, Sora... I would love to.”

As Sora held her cheeks, her trembling stopped and a smile broke across her face.

Relief and joy surged through him, and for the first time in a long time, he felt true joy. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tightly.

At that moment, the world outside didn’t matter. All that existed was the promise they had made to each other.

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Eloj felt her surroundings changes, as the atmosphere of the trials gave room to the familiar Demon Kingdom. She scanned her surroundings with her mental power, searching for a familiar face. Her emotions were a mess. She was frustrated, bitter.

She had ranked high in the trial. Very high. But no matter how close she and Kro Nel had come to the ultimate prize, they failed in their mission.

She clenched her fists as she thought, 'The [Haven of Peace] has been awarded to Ralph Eden.'

'Ralph Eden.'

The name alone sent a shiver through her.

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'That bastard probably has no idea what he’s holding… The key to saving half a billion lives in the real world, is now wasted in his hands.'

Her fist relaxed slightly.

She had to let go of the thought for now. There was no time to think of what she couldn’t change. She needed to find Kro Nel.

Her gaze swept across the crowded plaza outside the tower, filled with players. It didn’t take long to spot him.

“Kro,” she called out, moving toward him.

He turned at the sound of her voice, but what she saw froze her mid-step. Kro Nel, who she knew was fearless, looked uneasy. His dark red eyes showing something close to apprehension.

Eloj frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He glanced at her briefly before letting out a low sigh. “A Demon King...”

She folded her arms and asked, “A Demon King? What are you saying ? Spit it out.”

Kro hesitated, a rare moment of disbelief showing on his face. Finally, he said, “A Demon King appeared in our Kingdom.”

Eloj’s jaw dropped. “What?!” In her disbelief, she added, "It's impossible!! Demon Kings can't enter this world yet! It's too early!! Unless-"

Kro Nel nodded and said, "Yes. He became one in this world. And you know him..."

"How is that possible? To become a Demon King, one needs to absorb so much power! It's impossible at our level! Who did it?"

Kro Nel hesitated, as if he didn't believe in the news he was sharing, "Your fiancé... Nate."

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