The Author's POV

A maddening scribbling sound rang inside a dark room that was lit up by a pale yellow light coming from a small lamp sitting atop a large wooden desk.

Sat behind the desk was a male with long dark hair and green eyes. He was none other than Connal Rhinestone, Aaron's father.

His current state was a mess as his eyes bagged, his clothes were unkempt, and a heavy stench of alcohol permeated throughout the room.

"...H...how fucking dare they."

He muttered as his head slumped to the side of the table.

Bang—!

Standing up, he banged the table with his fist.

"Fuckers!"

He began to shout.

"How dare they do this to my son!? He is 876?! What bullshit is this!?"

As he screamed, his voice was filled with resentment.

The reason for this was because of the actions that the Union had taken after his son's death.

Instead of giving him his son's body back, the Union handed him to the Monolith and proclaimed him to be the wanted criminal 876.

The repercussions of such an announcement were extremely powerful, as not even a day after the announcement was made and huge protests began to parade beneath his guild as people started branding him and his guild members as 'Villains.' 'Murderers.' 'Supporters of evil.'

Their image was completely tarnished and the following day, many of the members proclaimed their resignation, and slowly one by one more and more members started to leave.

"Fuckk..."

Connal rolled his head on the table as his fist once again smashed against the table.

"What sort of bullshit was this? my son was 876? Impossible!"

Connal had already read about 876.

This was only natural, after all, the bounty on his head was huge, and it had indeed interested him in the past.

That being said, having read that, he knew exactly what it was impossible for Aaron to be 876.

It was clear that the Union was trying to frame his son in order to protect the actual 876, which was none other than the kid Ren Dover.

Connal would've been stupid to have not made that connection.

"Haaa..."

Slumping back down on his chair, Connel powerlessly looked toward the glass window of his office.

There he managed to catch city of the beautiful city that shone brightly in the night.

It was beautiful. Or that was at least how it used to look in the past.

However, now that his son was gone, everything started to become duller for him.

"A...Aaron."

A parent's worst nightmare was seeing their own son die before them.

Especially when it was broadcasted throughout the whole human domain.

Just recalling the image of his son being split into two, and his body laying down on the floor whilst everyone was cheering pained Connal's heart to no end.

He couldn't understand it.

"Why...why...why did this have to happen to my son?"

Connel mumbled repeatedly as he leaned forward on his desk and grabbed onto his head with both hands.

to deserve all of

Gulp—!

saliva, Connel's eyes suddenly

"Haa..haaa..."

more laborious and sweat tricked down the

saliva, he leaned back and opened the drawer

took out a small piece

you've made your

moment that he took out the paper that a raspy voice suddenly sounded from the other side of

eyes remained fixed on

raised his head and his eyes paused on a black spectral figure

eyes shone in

"You're here," Connel said.

"Ku ku ku."

resounded throughout the room as the spectral figure took a step forward revealing the features

the contract in Connal's

you

"..."

Connel didn't answer immediately.

on the creature before him, he opened

ranked demon, while I'm ranked. Wouldn't I gain more if I signed a contract with another

"...You could."

the room, and sitting on the table, the black humanoid

tell you

"A story?"

knit. His voice suddenly

don't have

you will wanna

dark humanoid creature started to

like any other demon out

suddenly licked his lips and leaned closer to Connel who was staring at him with a serious

he leaned closer to Connel,

order to survive, we must conquer planets and convert the mana into demonic

"Wha—"

"Ah! Tatatata!"

could speak, the demon placed his finger on his

finish

suddenly bore down on

pressure came from Connel's body, however, the demon simply shrugged it

any other demon out there he simply conquered planets after planets just to ensure his survival.

over his chin, a thoughtful look appeared on the demon's face as he

"... Purposeless?"

fingers, he looked

that's right. Purposeless. That is the best way I could describe his

do anything we want. How should I say it for you humans to understand...ah! It's like going to work twenty-four hours a day without

demon once again

you think would happen if one day that demon

hands on the desk, he leaned his face

if suddenly out of nowhere that Demon got a purpose? ...Regardless of how big or

do you

would try your

before his

"Huh?"

gotten swept by

on the demon's face when

"Correct."

the demon

he stared at his long

what if I were to tell you that I'm merely a pawn? A small piece of a bigger board at play? What would you do

his hand, the room suddenly chilled as the demon's smile faded. His shift in demeanor sent chills

scared?... H..he's clearly

he secretly swallowed a

body back, Connel was just about to reply when the

obviously be the best

eyes,