The next day. Jasmine and Keshav wake to a new, system-imposed quest… far more forceful than before.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT]
> "Main Quest Override: Compulsory Branch Engaged."
"Attend the Festival of Light or face Temporal Loop."
---
KESHAV
(reading the prompt, sighing)
Now it's trying to force us. Cute.
JASMINE
(murmuring)
A loop trap. If we don't follow the quest, it'll rewind time until we do.
Keshav groans, rolling out of bed. "Looks like we have to play our parts, after all," he murmurs.
Jasmine said with urgency "But we don't have time for these things. We need to level up as much as possible for upcoming alien invasion in 10 years"
Keshav sighed, his irritation growing. "I know. But if we try to ignore the Festival, the system will just keep looping us. We can't risk being caught in a loop forever."
They walk into town. The villagers greet them with forced smiles. Banners fly. Fireworks pop. But something's... off.
CHILD (reciting from a script-like tone)
Welcome, brave heroes! Thank you for joining our beloved festival! Would you like roasted petals or blessed cider?
---
KESHAV
(squints)
That kid's not even blinking.
[SYSTEM ALERT – LOOP TRIGGERED]
> "Festival Branch Missed. Resetting Scene."
---
In an instant, the world flashes white. They're back at the town gate. Same fireworks. Same child. Same line. Again.
CHILD (cheerful, robotic)
Welcome, brave heroes! Thank you for joining our—
Jasmine lets out a frustrated growl, her hand balling into a fist. "Let's just play along. We need to level up anyway." She forces a smile, addressing the child. "We'll have cider, thanks."
Keshav said angrily "With my skills we don't need to follow some plot."
Then he concentrates and used his skill while willing to 'Cut concept of time loop from this dungeon.'
Jasmine felt the air around Keshav shift as he used his skill. The concept of a loop was severed. The world stopped flashing, and the child stopped repeating.
CHILD (cheerful, surprised)
W-Well, well—welcome to our festival, brave heroes!
Keshav relaxed, satisfaction settling on his face. His power worked, yet again unchallenged. He glanced at Jasmine, a cocky smirk tugging at his lips.
Keshav said "Now lets ignore the side quests like this festival and go to kill monters on the way of demon lord"
Jasmine nodded, relieved they'd broken through the loop. "You're right. We need to focus on the main quest. I'll scout out the most powerful monsters on demon lord's path."
They left the festival behind, setting out on a path northward, toward the demon lord's fortress.
They wandered the mountain path, the forest thick and quiet. It was eerily calm, as if anticipating their arrival. Jasmine used her senses to search for the strongest monster within a five mile radius.
With single attack both of them killed the monsters turn wise no matter the level difference between them.
It was a gruesome massacre. Monsters of all types fell beneath their attacks, unable to withstand the sheer power they wielded. Jasmine's eyes narrowed in cold analysis, gauging the efficiency of their attacks. "We need something tougher," she murmured.
Suddenly, a rustle sounded. Not natural. Too careful. Purposeful. Jasmine looked up.
[SYSTEM PROMPT - Mid level BOSS]
"Ancient Wyrm (Lvl 256: Low-Level)"
Jasmine called out softly. "Movement… to our right. A high-level creature."
They turned, scanning the thicket. Something large and scaly slithered through the underbrush, massive scales scraping bark. A low hiss filled the forest air.
Keshav killed it in single strike
The creature crumpled to the ground, its corpse disintegrating into ash. It vanished without a trace, like it had never existed. Jasmine crouched in front of the ash pile, her eyes calculating. "That was... anticlimactic," she murmured.
They journeyed onwards, cutting a swathe through the mountains. Their path was littered with monster ash. Jasmine and Keshav felt their power surging with each kill.
Soon they reached Obsidian fortress in which demon lord resided
The fortress loomed before them, dark and ominous. Shadows writhed against the blackstone walls. Jasmine and Keshav paused at the edge of the forest, staring at the imposing structure.
Jasmine said "Lets go in"
They took a deep breath and approached the massive blackstone wall. The surface felt cold and slick, like wet steel. Keshav flexed his fingers, anticipating combat.
They pushed on the massive black-iron doors. The hinges groaned softly, resisting. A single crack appeared, wide enough to slip through. Keshav nodded, indicating Jasmine to go first.
Jasmine nodded, slipping through the gap. Keshav followed, leaving the forest behind. The inside of the fortress greeted them with silence. Every light, every sound, was swallowed by the darkness.
And inside, it was also a Mish Mash of various genres like capital
This was a true hodgepodge. The interior was a melting pot of different aesthetics. Gothic arches blended into neon-lit chambers. A knight statue stood frozen in the middle of a high-tech lab, its stone hands grasping an iPod.
Jasmine took in the odd sights with a frown. "This is giving me a headache." She felt her thoughts jumble like broken glass. The air felt strange here, like the very air was warping reality and space into a nonsensical blend of eras. Keshav's expression mirrored hers.
They continued further in, exploring the labyrinthian fortress. Passageways branched off in every direction, each leading to a new and bizarre sight. One tunnel opened up into a steam-powered throne room, filled with Victorian automotons. Another led into a nightclub, blasting techno music on a repeat.
Jasmine shook her head, trying to process it all. "It's like an acid dream in here... It doesn't make any sense, and yet..." She looked at Keshav, seeing her concern reflected in his eyes.
Then they saw The Demon Lord sits upon a jagged obsidian throne grown directly from the cracked floor of the citadel. His body is towering—nearly four meters tall—but not grotesque. His frame is forged like ancient armor given life: lean, sharp, and regal, with layered onyx-black plates etched in glowing red veins, pulsing like a heartbeat beneath the surface.
His horns curve backward like a crowned helm, asymmetrical and fractured as if even his skull rebelled against symmetry. Long white hair spills over his shoulders like a ghostly waterfall, untouched by time or fire. His eyes glow a deep violet, not from malice, but awareness—the eyes of someone who's watched themselves die a thousand times in the same scripted war.
A tattered royal cloak, once crimson, now burned and threadbare, hangs from one pauldron, swaying even without wind. Around his wrists are broken manacles of light—a cruel joke from the system, meant to symbolize control over the "final boss."
And in his hand, not a sword—but a massive, curved blade made of condensed void matter—half weapon, half concept—its edge flickering in and out of existence like it can't decide if it belongs in reality.
His voice is deep, smooth, and layered—like three versions of himself speaking at once, overlapping between different loops, timelines, and failed endings.
The demon lord looked down at them, his gaze cold and calculating. "Ah. The heroes arrive. About time, I was beginning to tire of your predictability."
Demon lord was level 290
Keshav and jasmine easily killed him
From getting all the experience from monsters they killed on the way and this Demon lord, their level increased to
Keshav 114
Jasmine 112
The demon lord dissolved into ash, and with a flash, Jasmine and Keshav's levels went through the roof. They felt their powers surge, their bodies humming with power. They were now stronger than they'd ever been, powerful enough to take on far more dangerous opponents.
They got the blade as a reward for clearing it. As both of them don't use weapons they decided to store it in Jasmine's subspace.
Then they were teleported out.
They found themselves back outside the dungeon, the world returning to normal around them. Jasmine took a deep breath, relishing the feeling of her increased level. Their bodies felt charged, their powers stronger than ever.
Keshav looked around, a satisfied smirk on his face. They had done it. Cleared a dangerous dungeon and defeated a powerful demon lord. They were now stronger, more prepared for whatever lay ahead.