The Author's POV

"How's the situation?"

A grating voice echoed throughout a small room that was dimly lit by a couple of candles that sat atop an old wooden table.

The voice belonged to Count Nukutan, the leader of the Avidity branch. One of the largest sub-branches of the greed clan residing in the demon world.

There were in total seven clans residing in the demon world, and they were all covered by a Duke-ranked demon. Only a select few could be members of the main clan. The rest would be thrown into different branches governed by the clan.

Each branch differed in strength, and in general, a clan had over twenty branches with two or three being their main branches.

The Avidity branch, being one of those three for the Greed clan.

A tense and somber atmosphere enveloped the room as Count Nukutan scanned the room.

Sitting beside him were multiple figures who looked back at him with respectful and subservient gazes.

"How is it possible that after all this time, you've still not caught him?"

His voice couldn't help but raise. There was visible frustration in his voice as he glared at everyone in the room.

About four months ago, out of nowhere, a figure appeared out of nowhere and started hunting different sub-branches.

Most shockingly was the fact that no one knew who the figure was.

The reason for this was because wherever he went, he would leave as fast as he came.

No.

This wasn't exactly right.

'The white death.'

Count Nukutan muttered underneath his breath.

That was his nickname. This was the nickname of the individual responsible for destroying several demon sub-branches.

No one knew exactly what he looked like, but to those that have managed to survive, they all said the same thing.

'Before everything happened, a bright white flash of light covered our vision and by the time we regained our vision, all we saw were the dead bodies of our comrades.'

Count Nukutan quite frankly did not believe these recounts at all.

They were most likely exaggerations made by those that survived in order to create an excuse for their failure and preserve that little pride of theirs.

Just the thought made Count Nukutan scoff.

"As if anyone would believe in your lies.."

That said.

The commotion that was created due to this was loud enough to alert the main clans. This was quite frankly terrible news for Count Nukutan.

If he was unable to get rid of this so-called 'White death,' and the main clan was forced to act, Count Nukutan may find his position be put in jeopardy.

And simply put, he didn't want that.

Just the thought caused his face to twist. Raising his head to meet the eyes of everyone present, a heavy pressure bore down on the room.

"I'll ask again, how is the situation regarding the white death?"

"Everything seems to be going just as planned."

Replying to him was another figure sitting next to him. There were hints of ridicule in his voice, but despite that, he still made sure to be respectful when addressing Count Nukutan.

"According to our predictions, 'he' should be here anytime soon. We've already sent out a unit to get rid of him. We won't make the same mistake as the other branches."

"That's good."

Count Nukutan nodded his head in satisfaction.

long. Let's get rid of this pest and get

Secretly he smiled.

great opportunity for him. If he managed to get rid of the 'White death' some unknown that had been terrorizing the demon realm

thought made Count Nekutan

conclusion, he stood

you do, make sure

Bang—!

sentence, they heard the sound of a loud explosion echo from outside of the room

Everyone instantly became alarmed.

"He's already here."

Count Nukutan had expected. Nevertheless, it was still

arms together, he

how

Bang—! Bang—!

seconds, the sound of explosions became closer and closer. Everyone in the room had stood up by now, and thick demonic

"What's going on?"

forward with a solemn look on his face. His eyes

explosions were getting closer was a lot faster than he anticipated. Did something go

It was then that...

Booom—!

explosion, the door burst apart, and smoke filled the

"The audacity!"

Count Nukutan became enraged.

"Attack!"

broke the door, Count Nukutan ordered everyone to

From the moment the door opened, he had already ordered everyone to

everyone inside of the room woke up from their stupor and did as he asked. Raising their hands, or dashing toward the door, everyone attacked at the same

the door one after another as the

"Die you bastard!"

Nukutan screamed as he watched his subordinate's relentless attacks head toward the door. He, of course, didn't simply just

back in any of

Rumble—! Rumble—!

attacks of multiple powerful demons caused the whole room to shake uncontrollably, and it wasn't long

of the demons cared as they continued

a bit before Count

"Stop."

attacking. Although he couldn't see as the raised dust

"This should do it."

his shoulders, but it was then that he heard

"You guys done?"

"Huh?"

time Count Nukutan realized what had happened, it was already too

Click—!

a white flash, and his vision turned upside

get it

the meaning behind the nickname. But it was already too late for him as a hand reached out for his core, and crushed

Crack—!

***

bad, you're a lot faster than when you first arrived

"Right..."

I brushed my

on one of the chairs

do you

"Don't bother."

the demons attached to me made me

where they came from, but I would've rather have had a

well, I can't

was already pleased with

that I had indeed grown a lot. My rank may have not grown during the

mastery over my arts, or my experience, my growth had been

before,

the future version

have ever had. His explanations were pretty much tailor-made for me, and during

quite frankly

strength rise in such a