The blade slid out.
Slow.
Clean.
A faint, wet sound followed as the golden sword withdrew from Caleb's stomach.
Blood spilled out, dark against the cracked ground.
Caleb's body dropped flat against the alley floor, unmoving, his chest barely rising.
---
The boy holding the sword stood still.
Golden eyes, calm and unreadable, stared down at the body beneath him.
His black hair fell neatly over his forehead, the front strands reaching just past his nose, swaying slightly with the faint night breeze.
He wore a beige coat—clean, unwrinkled despite the destruction around him. Beneath it, a white inner shirt, simple but fitted. Black trousers, sharp and untouched by dust.
Not a single unnecessary detail.
Everything about him was precise.
Controlled.
---
He flicked his wrist.
The sword cut through the air.
The motion was smooth—practiced.
Caleb's blood, clinging to the blade, was flung away in a thin arc, splattering against the cracked alley wall behind them.
The droplets slid down slowly.
---
Then—
The sword vanished.
Dematerializing into faint golden particles that dissolved into the air.
---
Silence followed.
Heavy.
---
"Hey… Terry."
A voice broke it.
Rough. Energetic.
Excited.
---
Behind him stood a tall, muscular boy.
Broad shoulders. Thick arms. Built like someone who preferred solving problems with force rather than thought.
His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, locked onto Caleb's body with visible interest.
A black beanie sat loosely on his head, strands of dark hair poking out from the sides.
His beige coat was longer than Terry's, reaching closer to his calves, the edges swaying as he shifted his weight.
---
"This demon looked strong," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Is it dead?"
A grin spread across his face.
"If not… I want to fight it."
---
"It wouldn't be wise for you to say that."
A third voice.
Calm.
Soft.
But firm.
---
Hovering slightly above the ground, a girl drifted forward.
Her long white hair flowed down her back, almost glowing under the dim light of the broken street lamps.
Grey eyes scanned the scene carefully.
Sharp.
Observant.
---
Her beige coat wasn't worn like the others.
It rested loosely around her shoulders, unbuttoned, almost like a cape—concealing more than it revealed.
Beneath it, a clean white top was visible, untouched by dust.
She floated just slightly above the ground, her feet never quite touching.
---
The crimson-eyed boy glanced at her.
"Oh, Lily," he said casually. "I was just asking if it's dead."
---
Lily didn't respond immediately.
Her gaze was fixed on Caleb.
---
"…I'm not sure, Dave."
---
Dave tilted his head.
"…what?"
---
Lily's expression shifted.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
---
"…aren't you seeing it?"
---
Dave frowned.
"Seeing what?"
---
Lily pointed.
Slowly.
---
Dave followed her gaze.
---
And then—
His expression changed.
---
"…you're right."
---
Caleb's body—
Was changing.
---
The dark blue energy that once surrounded him had faded.
Gone.
---
His fingers twitched.
But not like before.
---
The sharp, claw-like nails—
Were retracting.
Smoothing.
Returning to normal.
---
His teeth—
The jagged edges—
Were gone.
Replaced by human ones.
---
Even the faint glow in his eyes had disappeared.
---
What lay on the ground now…
Didn't look like a demon.
---
It looked like—
A human.
---
Lily's voice dropped slightly.
"…is he some kind of demon that can turn into a human?"
---
Dave crossed his arms, eyes narrowing.
"…that's new."
---
Terry spoke.
Cold.
Certain.
---
"He's not."
---
Both of them turned to look at him.
---
Terry's gaze never left Caleb.
---
"I'm not sure…" he continued, his voice steady, "…he's even a demon."
---
Silence.
---
Dave blinked.
"…how is that possible?"
---
Lily's brows furrowed slightly.
"…we saw his appearance earlier. That wasn't human."
---
Terry finally shifted his gaze slightly.
Just enough.
---
"…his blood."
---
They paused.
Listening.
---
"Anytime a demon's blood touches a divine artifact…"
He raised his hand slightly, golden particles faintly flickering before fading.
"…it burns."
---
The alley was quiet.
---
"If you noticed," Terry continued, "…it didn't burn when it touched my sword."
---
Lily's eyes widened slightly.
---
"…you're right…"
---
Dave glanced between them.
"…so what are you saying?"
---
Terry turned slightly.
Now fully facing them.
---
"We came here for a horse-type demon."
A pause.
---
"That…"
He glanced down at Caleb.
---
"…is not one."
---
The weight of his words settled in the air.
---
Dust drifted slowly between them.
The distant sound of something collapsing echoed far away.
---
For a moment—
None of them spoke.
---
Then—
Terry broke the silence.
---
"You two…"
His tone was calm.
But final.
---
"Take this anomaly back to the Seventh Division."
---
Dave raised an eyebrow.
"…anomaly, huh?"
---
Lily looked at Caleb again.
This time more carefully.
More seriously.
---
"…understood."
---
Dave cracked his neck slightly.
"Guess I'll carry him then."
---
He stepped forward—
---
Then paused.
---
"…wait."
---
He looked at Terry.
---
"Aren't you coming?"
---
Terry turned away.
Already walking.
---
"…no."
---
Dave frowned.
"…where are you going?"
---
Terry didn't stop.
Didn't turn.
---
"…I have…"
A slight pause.
---
"…unfinished business."
---
The wind picked up slightly.
His coat fluttered behind him.
---
His golden eyes flickered faintly in the dark.
---
Somewhere—
Not far—
A presence still lingered.
---
A demon.
---
Running.
---
And Terry—
Was going to finish it.
---
Behind him, Lily and Dave exchanged a glance.
---
"…guess he's serious," Dave muttered.
---
Lily didn't respond.
Her eyes were still on Caleb.
---
"…what are you ." She muttered
The van cut through the night.
Its headlights carved pale tunnels through empty streets, gliding past abandoned shops, shattered glass, and flickering streetlights that buzzed like dying insects.
District 101 was quiet.
Too quiet.
Like the city itself was holding its breath.
---
Inside the van—
Dave sat in the driver's seat, one hand lazily gripping the wheel, the other resting near the gear.
His crimson eyes reflected faintly in the rearview mirror, sharp even in the dim light.
The engine hummed beneath him as the vehicle sped forward.
---
In the back—
Lily sat with Caleb resting across her lap.
---
His body looked… normal now.
No claws.
No jagged teeth.
No glowing eyes.
Just a boy.
Unconscious.
Silent.
---
The only sign of what had happened—
Was the torn fabric around his stomach.
And even that was changing.
---
Lily's grey eyes softened as she looked down at him.
"…his wound is almost healed…"
Her voice was quiet.
Measured.
---
Caleb's chest rose and fell steadily now.
The deep stab wound that should have taken his life—
Was closing.
Slowly.
Unnaturally.
---
"…but he's still not responding…"
---
Lily lifted her hand slightly.
Hovering just above his abdomen.
---
Then—
A soft golden glow appeared.
---
It started faint.
Barely visible.
---
Then it grew.
---
Warm light spread from her palm, bathing Caleb's body in a gentle radiance.
The air around them shifted.
Calm.
Sacred.
---
The wound reacted.
---
Flesh pulled together faster.
Skin sealed.
Blood vanished.
---
The healing accelerated.
---
From the front seat—
Dave spoke.
Without turning.
---
"…you shouldn't be healing the anomaly."
---
Lily didn't stop.
Her gaze remained fixed on Caleb.
---
"I think he's human…"
Her voice was steady.
"But even if he's not…"
A small pause.
---
"…I can't just watch someone suffer."
---
Dave let out a small breath.
Half a sigh.
Half amusement.
---
"…do whatever you want."
---
He leaned back slightly.
Eyes still forward.
---
"But if he wakes up and tries something…"
A grin tugged at his lips.
---
"…I'll take him head-on."
---
The van sped through another empty street.
---
A few seconds passed.
---
Then Dave spoke again.
Casual.
---
"By the way…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…what kind of demon do you think he is?"
---
Lily didn't answer immediately.
Her hand still glowing softly.
---
"…maybe a shark-type mutated demon?" Dave continued.
---
Lily shook her head slightly.
---
"…no."
---
Dave raised an eyebrow.
"…no?"
---
Lily's expression turned serious.
---
"He can't be a shark-type."
---
Dave frowned—
And then—
Completely let go of the steering wheel.
Turning his whole body to look at her.
---
"…why not?"
---
"Dave—!"
Lily's voice snapped sharply.
"Keep your eyes on the road!"
---
The van swerved slightly.
---
Dave quickly grabbed the wheel again.
"…alright, alright."
---
Lily exhaled softly.
Then continued.
---
"Demons are twisted forms of animals…"
Her eyes lowered to Caleb.
---
"But special demons…"
"…especially Demon Gods…"
Her voice dropped slightly.
---
"…their forms are unique."
---
Dave glanced back again—
But only for a second this time.
---
"…what do you mean?"
---
Lily's tone stayed calm.
---
"It means their form isn't shared."
---
She paused.
Choosing her words carefully.
---
"For example…"
"…Velmira, the Smiling Horror."
---
The name alone seemed to make the air colder.
---
"A rabbit-type… but not really."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"No other demon can have that form."
---
Dave nodded slowly.
"…so…"
---
He tapped the steering wheel lightly.
---
"…if there's a shark-type…"
---
Lily finished the thought.
---
"…it would be a Demon God."
---
A brief silence filled the van.
---
"…Varkrul," she added quietly.
"…the Drowned Tyrant."
---
The name lingered.
Heavy.
---
Dave blinked.
"…so you're saying…"
---
Lily looked at Caleb again.
This time—
With something deeper in her gaze.
---
"…I'm saying…"
A pause.
---
"…if his power really comes from that…"
---
Her voice softened.
---
"…then something very bad might have awakened inside him."
---
Dave's grin slowly returned.
---
"…a Demon God, huh?"
---
He turned his head slightly again—
Excitement flickering in his eyes.
---
"…I'd like to fight one."
---
"Dave—!"
---
CRASH!
---
The van slammed into a tree.
---
The impact shook everything.
Metal groaned.
Glass rattled.
---
The vehicle tilted slightly before coming to a stop.
---
Silence.
---
Smoke rose faintly from the hood.
---
Inside—
Lily steadied Caleb's body quickly.
---
"…we almost died…"
She muttered under her breath.
---
Dave leaned back in his seat.
Completely unfazed.
---
"…worth it."
---
---
Elsewhere — A Park Nearby
---
The wind moved softly through the trees.
Leaves rustled.
Branches creaked.
---
The park was empty.
Dark.
Still.
---
Then—
A figure stumbled forward.
---
Neigmon.
---
Its breathing was heavy.
Uneven.
---
Blood dripped from its body.
From its torn shoulder.
---
Its missing arm left a jagged, bleeding gap.
---
"…I… managed to escape…"
---
Its voice was strained.
Weak.
---
It clutched its wound with its remaining hoof.
Trying to stop the bleeding.
---
"…that thing…"
"…what was that…?"
---
Fear lingered in its voice.
Real fear.
---
The wind shifted.
---
Then—
A voice.
---
"…Horse-type demon…"
---
Neigmon froze.
---
"…Neigmon."
---
Slowly—
It turned.
---
"…who's there…?"
---
A figure stood in the distance.
---
Still.
Unmoving.
---
Then—
He stepped forward.
---
Light from the moon revealed him.
---
Black hair.
Calm expression.
Golden eyes.
---
Terry.
---
Neigmon's eyes widened.
---
"…the Angelic Order…"
Its voice tightened.
---
"…not now…"
---
Terry didn't react.
Didn't change expression.
---
He walked forward slowly.
Each step steady.
Measured.
---
Golden particles began to gather in his hand.
---
Forming.
Shaping.
---
A sword.
---
The same blade.
---
It fully materialized with a faint hum.
---
Terry raised it slightly.
---
"I've come…"
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Final.
---
"…to eliminate you."
---
The air grew heavy.
---
Neigmon stepped back instinctively.
---
Because this time—
There was no escape.
---
To be continued….... .