The Author's POV

Thump! Thump!

Two arrows fired from Amanda's bow and impaled two demons in the head, killing them instantly.

Lowering her bow, Amanda continued to silently follow Ren from behind.

A complicated look spread across her face.

'…I have to do this.'

The urgency in Ren's eyes told Amanda that the situation was very likely extremely serious and that now would not be the best time to speak with him, but Amanda also understood Ren really well.

…and knowing exactly how he was feeling at the moment, Amanda clearly understood that Ren had some ideas about possibly leaving the others behind and going on his own somewhere.

Though she wasn't exactly sure if her deduction was correct, she thought this was a very real possibility, which was why she wanted to speak with him now rather than later.

Nonetheless, she still held herself back from talking at the moment.

She would only do it when they arrived at their destination.

"We're here."

It didn't take long for Ren's footsteps to halt as he stopped in front of a large door.

Lowering her bow and walking next to him, Amanda scanned the doors

The door was about eight meters in height and seemed to be made out of some sort of heavy metal alloy.

There were carvings on the front of the door depicting some strange symbols and runes. They seemed rather foreign to her.

"This is most likely where the Duke ranked demon rested."

Ren's voice reached Amanda's ears. Putting his hand against the door and closing his eyes, silence enshrouded the surroundings.

A white hue began to spring out of his body, making Amanda shudder.

'He's gotten stronger.'

This was her initial thought as she felt his power.

She wasn't exactly certain, but it seemed to her that Ren had broken through.

'Again...'

Bam—

In the hall they were in, a loud banging sound, along with the quaking of the door, startled Amanda out of her thoughts.

Amanda's sight was obscured by dust rising from the ground.

As Amanda regained awareness of what was happening, she saw Ren standing in the same spot she had seen earlier. A low murmur escaped his lips as his brows furrowed tight.

"…It's tougher than I thought."

Once again raising, he placed it on the door.

As he pressed his hand against the door, the white hue that was emanating from his body became even more fierce, and another loud noise echoed.

Bang—!

This time, he seemed to have exerted even more power as the halls shook with even more force, sending Amanda off balance.

Fortunately, she was quick to recover and used her bow to keep herself balanced.

'That was close.'

A secret thought crossed her mind as she slowly stood up. Returning her attention to Ren, she watched the door slowly fall towards the ground, causing another loud noise.

Bang—

"Let's go."

Ren rushed into the

him

***

a friend.

held the hand of a youth

me. As you can see, I've been

down on one knee to the ground, Brian brought her

"…You'll finally be cured."

the woman's face as she heard

really glad that

Clank—

devilishly handsome figure entered the room as the son and mother were enjoying a heartwarming moment. He held a bouquet of

entered the room, his footsteps came to a

I'm disturbing

his moment, he raised his head and glared

you

you tell me that I

the figure sat down on

"Ah right."

his seat and moved to where

he gently placed the flowers next to Brian's mom and

colleague.

"Oh my."

sweet smile on her face, Brian's mother grabbed the flowers and placed

smile became

tell me that your friend

"Why would that matter?"

"It of course matters!"

whole crossing her arms

haven't been able to go out for quite a while now, and I

you can look at me for however

"Shut up."

this

"Mom…"

Brian rolled his eyes at Hemlock one more time before standing up and

you later mom. For now, it looks like I

"Sure thing."

Brian's mother waved goodbye to him

good day at work the two of you. I hope everything goes

words are really encouraging me

"Shut up."

"Hey."

Hemlock's look, Brian grabbed him by the

Clank—

him,

you think you're

"Visiting a friend's mother?"

I get that, but what's with you flirting with my

"But I wasn't."

don't

Something you don't seem to

around, the smile on Hemlock's

that for now, we've got something important to do

similarly turned serious upon hearing those

"How's the pay?"

"Excellent."

"I'm in."

"I know."

his head. Hemlock knew he could count on Brian to participate as long as the

just

be an undercover mission, so

"Eh? That sounds bothersome."

"It's orders."

"Alright, then."

Brian thought for a moment before

nickname…what should