Chapter 1

## Chapter Chronology

**"God of the Demon World"** (魔 (ま) 界 (かい) の神 (かみ) , *Makai no Kami*) is the 1st chapter of the *Dead Rock* manga series, written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima.

Yakuto enters Dead Rock's Special Entrance Exam, meeting many other examinees who strive the same. After successfully enrolling, he reveals his main goal to his classmates.

## Summary

The training institution known as Dead Rock, or the Demon King training institution, is currently conducting its Special Entrance Exam. Everyone has gathered for this important day, including a guy who is also aiming to enter the institution. As he is psyching himself up with his thoughts, he is accidentally stepped on by a massive creature, leading everyone to believe he died. Professor Maxwell, who mentions that the number of examinees has now reduced to 999, will serve as their Examiner for the day, which gets everyone in the crowd excited. While it seemed like the guy who was stepped on was already done for, he surprises everyone by lifting the creature's right foot with all his strength and shouting that he's still alive. He introduced himself as Yakuto, examinee #726.

Yakuto astounds everyone by lifting and toppling the enormous creature. When the creature regains their footing, Yakuto offers an unexpected apology, leaving them puzzled. His introduction catches the attention of Gyugo, the minotaur known to be in control of the 27th Layer, who chastises Yakuto for killing 10 people before entering the academy, saying his reputation is wasted on him. Gyugo proceeds to attack the people around him, but his rampage is abruptly halted by God, who silenced everyone with a single thunderous clap.

As God gives the green light, Professor Maxwell steps forward and announces the start of the examination. He explains that the first task involves being dropped into the treacherous Antlion Pit from their current location, and those who can escape within an hour would pass the test. As the examinees descended, they notice that the hole they entered from is rapidly closing right in front of them. With determination, they are all pumped up to find their way out, but their excitement is short-lived as they are suddenly greeted by swarms of large ants. Meanwhile, Yakuto finds himself in a different part of Antlion Pit alongside the creature that had stepped on him earlier, named Hani. Hani had shrunken in size, fearing that they could accidentally step on another examinee.

Deciding that Yakuto could use some assistance, Hani opts to stick with him until they reach the exit and make their way to Dead Rock. However, to Yakuto's bewilderment, Hani starts spinning around on their head for no apparent reason, leaving him with a puzzled expression. While the two of them are in the middle of an argument, a gigantic ant suddenly approaches them from behind. Fortunately, they are rescued by an ice swordsman named Hien the Fenrir, who swiftly defeats the ant with a single strike of his sword. Hani then enlightens Yakuto about Hien, explaining that he is an ice swordsman notorious for casting the 306th Layer into an eternal winter. This leads Yakuto to note how the deeper into the Demon Realm, the more dangerous the security measures and creatures become. Hani draws a significant comparison between Hien and Gyugo, who resides in the 27th Layer. Armed with this newfound information, Yakuto is astonished by Hani's knowledge and intellect. Hani emphasizes that their weapons are their brain and data analysis, and they mention that they researched the most outstanding examinees in advance.

Hani then proceeded to provide Yakuto with details about some of the other examiners. They begin by pointing at Frey the Ifrit, known for her notorious reputation of setting ablaze all the buildings in the 296th Layer. Followed by Raizen the Orochi, Bebel the Hecatoncheir, and Mikoto the Necromancer, who possesses the ability to control corpses and has roots to a devil known as "Lich". Hani then emphasizes that Mikoto, in particular, is someone they are closely monitoring due to her immense strength. Upon hearing all this, Yakuto can't help but blurt out that there are indeed many remarkable individuals participating in this examination.

Hani reiterates that their main objective is simply to observe and analyze humans, rather than seek world domination, addressing Yakuto's previous question. Just as they are having this conversation, an approaching ant catches their attention, prompting Hani to swiftly attack and eliminate it. However, their discussion is abruptly interrupted by the sudden arrival of Gyugo, who mercilessly shatters Hani, sending shivers down Yakuto's spine.

Gyugo then proceeds to assault Yakuto, gripping his neck tightly in an attempt to strangle him. He asks why Yakuto wants to get into Dead Rock, as people die all time in the entrance exam and that this is not a place for people like him. Gyugo then goes on to say that Yakuto doesn't deserve a spot among the examinees. Despite being choked, Yakuto reveals that he has a goal that he wants to fufill no matter the cost and that he wanted to conceal his true powers before entering the school. However, with Gyugo cornering him, Yakuto declares that he has no choice but to make Gyugo disappear as well along with those 10 from earlier, apologizing in advance. In a defiant act, Yakuto cuts Gyugo's arm and raises his hand, chanting "Dragon Frame". He then unleashes his powerful Black Dragon's Fist of Obliteration technique, a skill derived from his ancestral dragon lineage. Gyugo expressed surprise, remarking that individuals with dragon roots were believed to be extinct.

Later, Yakuto patches up Hani, albeit poorly, prompting Hani to once again playfully berate him for his actions. Amidst their lingering frustration, Yakuto interjects, reminding them that time is running out and the exit is right in front of them. Unfortunately, due to their patchwork state, Hani can't run well. However, Yakuto suggests they spin to it, calling it their specialty. With Hani spinning ahead, he notices Hien lying on the ground injured. The ice swordsman tells him to leave him alone, but Yakuto helps him stand. This surprises Hien, which Yakuto states that he owes him for saving him and Hani earlier and says that they should get into Dead Rock together. The Dead Rock Special Entrance Exam concludes with only 7 successful candidates out of the initial 1000 examinees. Tragically, 985 individuals were confirmed to have perished, while 7 managed to escape, and 1 candidate's fate remains unknown.

Three months pass since the examination day. The new batch of students for this year's enrollment consists of individuals admitted through general admission and recommendations. With the inclusion of the 7 students who successfully passed the special entrance exam, the total number of students is 207. However, it was said that only 2 or 3 of them will ultimately graduate, as graduating from the school would bestow upon them the privilege of entering the human realm, a blessing directly from God.

After God's speech, the atmosphere is filled with cheers. The students are then assigned to their respective classes, most of which had 40 students each. However, Class F, comprised of the 7 successful candidates from the special entrance exam, finds themselves all gathered together in the same class. During the introductions, Frey expressed doubt about Yakuto's ability to succeed, especially given the anticipated rivalries among the classes. Mikoto quickly interjects, stating that Yakuto had survived the rigorous exam and would not be overshadowed by other classes. Frey dismisses the exam as lacking the feel of a genuine test, prompting Raizen to echo her sentiments. Who then brings up Hien's situation, leading to a confrontation between the two, who both draw their swords. Amidst the commotion, Mikoto approaches Yakuto's desk and confirmed his lineage, which was believed to have been eradicated. Yakuto confirms his dragon heritage, specifically as a survivor of the black dragon lineage.

As the crowd begins to get noisy, Professor Maxwell enters the classroom and quickly quiets them down. He proceeds to introduce himself as Class F's homeroom teacher. While he is in the middle of his introduction, Yakuto interrupts him with a question, stepping forward and closing the distance between them. Yakuto seeks confirmation about a privilege after graduation, specifically the opportunity to seize control of the human realm. Maxwell confirms that indeed they will have that privilege, mentioning that other graduates have already established their own territories in the vast human realm, which is comparable to the demon realm in size. This leaves everyone who is seated confused about Yakuto's intentions as he continues to ask questions about taking over the world.

Yakuto then shifts the conversation and asks if humans are treated well in their realm. In response, Maxwell exclaims that they have no need to treat humans well, calling them the most foolish, weakest creatures in the three realms, despite their tendency to multiply freely. Upon receiving this answer, Yakuto thanks Maxwell and unexpectedly strikes him, smashing his head into the wall, killing him instantly. This shocking turn of events leaves everyone in the classroom stunned.

While everyone is still reeling from Yakuto's sudden actions, he apologizes and reveals everything to them. He explains that he enrolled in the Dead Rock with one major objective in mind and that he needs the help of everyone present to achieve it. He firmly believes that once they become aware of the "truth", they will join him in pursuing this goal. He reveals that his ultimate aim is to kill God, which is the reason he came to Dead Rock. This revelation elicits a range of shocked expressions and reactions from his classmates.

## Featured Media

### Colored Panels

Chapter 1 - Colored Page (1)Chapter 1 - Colored Page (2)
## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. God *(Debut)*
2. Chako *(Debut)*
3. Yakuto *(Debut)*
4. Hani *(Debut)*
5. Maxwell *(Debut)*
6. Hien *(Debut)*
7. Mikoto *(Debut)*
8. Gyugo *(Debut)*
9. Frey *(Debut)*
10. Raizen *(Debut)*
11. Bebel *(Debut)*