Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

The path to the Temple of the Demon God was steeped in an eerie silence. The shadowy figure leading Alex forward moved with an almost unnatural grace, their form flickering between solid and intangible like a wraith drifting through the dark.

Their presence was void of sound, their footsteps failing to stir even the dust beneath them.

Alex, however, had little interest in the theatrics. His blue eyes gleamed with amusement as he tilted his head. "Hey, are you a woman?"

The figure did not respond.

Alex clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "No answer, huh? So you're not a woman?"

Silence.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Alright then, how about this? Have you ever looked after any of the Demon Lord's children?"

For the first time, the figure hesitated.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Alex caught the slight hitch in their movement. His grin widened. "I'll take that as a yes."

The shadowed escort resumed walking, but Alex wasn't done. His next words were laced with sharp curiosity. "Was the child you took care of… Keryu?"

The figure faltered—this time, the reaction was undeniable. Their body jerked slightly as if struck by lightning.

Alex chuckled, low and knowing. "Oh? So I was right. That means the one in front of me is surely a lady."

The shadowy figure finally stopped and turned to face him. But before they could even process what was happening, Alex moved.

WHAM!

His fist connected with their stomach in a precise, measured strike—not enough to send them flying, but enough to induce sharp, searing pain.

"Guh—!" The figure's back arched, and their shadowy shroud flickered violently before dissipating.

'I knew it. It was her.' Alex nodded inwardly as he saw what the person looked like.

What stood before Alex now was a stunning woman clad in an assassin's garb. Her raven-black hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and her piercing silver eyes glared at him with a mixture of pain and outrage.

He knew who she was.

She was one of the shadow guards of the demon lord who was supposed to look after Keryu when he was little.

However, she, who wasn't supposed to have any impure thoughts, ended up liking the guy as she saw him grow up.

To this day, she keeps an eye on the guy, happy at how dashing he grew up to be. Alex knew all this because she would later become one of the reasons why Anos would lose against Keryu in a fight.

She was the one who, after getting in bed with Keryu, would do whatever he asked her to, even if it was poisoning the drink of the master she had served for more than a few decades.

The woman, on the other hand, clutched her stomach, gasping. "Y-You bastard! You dare harm the demon lord's subordinate?!"

Alex tilted his head, unimpressed. "Oh, is that how we are playing?" He asked, stepping closer. "Mind telling me who went against the rule of shadow guards never falling for someone and fell for her own young master?"

The woman trembled, but she didn't break. "There's no proof of that!"

Alex, however, grinned, "Oh, there is now."

The woman didn't understand what he meant, nor did she know that Alex was using the recording device from the beginning.

"Did you think all the information about the demon lord and his movement you sent to Keryu wouldn't be recorded somewhere?" He asked, his grin widening, as he used the information that no one other than the woman and Keryu was supposed to know to his advantage.

After all, this woman had already confessed to Keryu, and although they hadn't slept yet because of the demon lord's presence, they were always in contact and were technically lovers.

The woman's breath finally hitched as his next words struck like daggers.

"You're just a pathetic bitch who lusts after the young master you served. What wrong could I be doing, punishing you?"

Her eyes widened in sheer horror. "W-What are you—"

She stopped, stumbling over her words as though they had turned to lead in her throat.

She couldn't understand.

How? How did he know?

It was a secret she had buried deep, a forbidden desire she had never uttered aloud.

The only one who knew of this was Keryu, and he would never tell anyone about it since it would result in him losing his only informant around the demon lord.

Alex, however, didn't give her the chance to recover. "Where were you taking me?"

The woman's gaze wavered. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to regain composure. "What the hell do you mean? I was taking you to the temple, as ordered."

Alex scoffed. "You were taking me to the temple despite knowing that Keryu was there. You knew that if he survived, I'd kill him. Did you take me for a fool?"

The woman's jaw tightened, but she said nothing.

Seeing no point in continuing the act, she gritted her teeth and, in a split second, lunged at him. "Then die!"

A gleaming dagger shot toward his throat, aimed with deadly precision. Her full power exploded—speed, technique, and murderous intent fused into a perfect strike.

But Alex... didn't even flinch.

He raised his hand, coating it with destruction energy, and the moment the blade touched his palm—

SHHHHH!

The dagger disintegrated into nothingness.

The woman's eyes widened in absolute disbelief. "W-What—?!"

Before she could react, the same hand moved toward her.

"N-No!" She tried to retreat, but suddenly—

SHHK!

Emerald veins erupted from the ground, slithering around her limbs like living chains, holding her in place.

She struggled, her body tensing as she tried to break free. If she had time, she could have done it.

She knew she could.

But she didn't have that much... time.

Her breath came in sharp gasps. "I... I can still...!"

But her fate was sealed.

As she stared at Alex, the realization set in. She had lost. There was no escaping. Not this time.

Her thoughts, unbidden, drifted to Keryu—the young master she had once cared for. The boy she had watched grow, the one she had secretly yearned for despite knowing how twisted it was.

She wasn't just dying. She was being erased.

'I'm sorry... Young Master...'

She inwardly apologized—not just for failing to protect him but for the dirty thoughts she had harbored and the shameful desires she had.

He had accepted her despite knowing it all, and she was eternally grateful, but she could never be one with him now.

That would be her last regret.

HSSSSSS!

Starting from her head, her body began to disintegrate, piece by piece, dissolving into nothingness.

Alex watched with an impassive gaze. There was no pity or sympathy, only cold efficiency.

And when she was finally gone, he exhaled, dusting off his hands. "What a waste of time."

With that, he turned toward his destination—the temple, where Keryu awaited.

He never needed anyone to guide him there anyway.

As for the death of the woman, he could show Anos the recorded video. In a way, he had helped the guy remove one of his disloyal subordinates.

As he walked toward the temple, he grinned as it was finally time to take care of this thorn by his side.

After all, he was sure that Keryu would survive.

There was no way a protagonist would die like that.

'The hunt has only just begun.'

....................

Inside the temple.

The temple's interior was dimly lit, the glow of enchanted braziers casting eerie flickers across the stone walls. At the very center, sitting cross-legged on the floor was Keryu.

His body looked weaker than before—his once-imposing figure now haggard, his breathing uneven.

Sweat clung to his brow, seemingly enduring an unbearable ordeal. Yet, amidst his exhaustion, the moment his eyes snapped open, a foreboding aura flooded the temple.

In the depths of his purple irises, something black swirled—a mass of darkness so unnatural that the very air trembled.

Then, a voice echoed from nowhere yet everywhere, reverberating within his skull.

"Keryu, you better not disappoint me."

Keryu clenched his fists, his teeth grinding together, but he remained silent.

The voice continued, its tone dripping with amusement and authority. "You are now the hero of the demon empire. That grants you power, status... But do not mistake it for absolute control."

A chill ran down Keryu's spine as he was reminded of the price of his contract.

"Remember this—should you die, your soul belongs to me. It will be devoured, torn apart for eternity. So live, Keryu. Survive. Grow stronger. Kill him."

A storm of emotions raged in Keryu's chest, but he swallowed them down, forcing himself to nod. His voice was low, barely above a whisper. "…I won't disappoint you."

Silence fell, the presence receding, though the ominous weight lingered.

Keryu exhaled shakily, his fingers twitching as the residual energy coursed through him.

He knew the entity he had made a pact with.

He knew its hunger, its endless desire for destruction. But right now, none of that mattered. The only thing he needed was time.

'Just a little more time…' he thought. 'With this new power, I'll kill him. I'll kill Alex.'

The mere thought of Alex ignited a surge of wrath within him. That man, one who had always stood in his way, the one who had humiliated him.

But no more. Not for much longer.

With a deep breath, Keryu steadied himself and pushed to his feet.

He had to move, had to find the only person in this palace he could trust.

He stepped toward the temple's grand entrance, shoving open the heavy doors, prepared to vanish into the shadows.

But the moment he set foot outside, a strange, crawling chill spread through his back.

A bad feeling.

His instincts screamed at him, and he lunged to the side just in time.

THUD.

A figure had been watching him.

Slowly, he turned toward the source of the gaze, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

There, perched atop the wooden shed that covered the temple's gate, sat Alex.

As if he had been waiting.

The bastard looked completely at ease, one leg lazily dangling off the edge, arms crossed behind his head. His blue eyes gleamed with something between amusement and boredom. He let out a loud, exaggerated yawn.

"Finally," Alex drawled. "Took you long enough to come out." He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "What happened to you, Keryu? You've turned ugly."

Keryu's muscles stiffened.

Alex tapped his chin in mock thought. "Think your women will still love you like this? Can you even keep up with them anymore?"

Something inside Keryu snapped.

His mind spiraled. How? How was Alex here? Why? Was he after him? Was he planning to kill him now? Could he win? Could he even fight him in this state?

There was no room for negotiation nor space for words.

Kill or be killed.

Keryu's entire body coiled, ready to strike.

His nails dug into his palms, his new power surging beneath his skin.

But Alex was faster.

Before Keryu could even move, Alex was already airborne.

In an instant, the gap between them vanished, and Alex's fist rocketed toward Keryu's jaw, aiming to knock him unconscious.

Instinct took over.

With barely a moment's notice, Keryu's body erupted with a shield of thick black smoke, the swirling mass expanding like living tendrils around him.

Alex's strike halted just inches before impact, his brows raising slightly. He pulled back, stepping away as the smoke curled protectively around Keryu.

A low whistle escaped his lips. "Oh? This is new." His eyes narrowed, analyzing the dark fog. "What's this, Keryu? The power of decay?"

Keryu remained silent, his breathing ragged.

The power inside him seethed hungrily, eager to be unleashed. He knew this was still a gamble, but right now, he had no choice.

He wanted to grow stronger to be able to confidently face Alex, but he had to do what he could now.

He would burn his life force if needed.

The two men stared at each other, tension crackling in the air like a storm waiting to break.