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."

for Amanda, Ren

him

***

you've made a friend. I'm happy for you

the hand of a

worry about me. As you can see, I've been able to afford your hospital bills and the doctors said that you will

down on one knee to the ground, Brian brought her hand toward his

"…You'll finally be cured."

spread across the woman's face as

glad that

Clank—

as the son and mother were

the room, his footsteps came to

like I'm disturbing

Brian out of his moment, he raised his head and glared in Hemlock's

are you doing

Didn't you tell me that I could

coat, the figure sat down on the sofa opposite Brian and his

"Ah right."

got off his seat and moved to

hand, he gently placed the flowers next to

you, ma'am, I'm Brian's colleague. I hope you don't

"Oh my."

her face, Brian's mother grabbed the flowers and placed them

her smile became even

tell me that your

"Why would that matter?"

"It of course matters!"

crossing her arms

out for quite a while now,

look at me for however

"Shut up."

don't take this

"Mom…"

glaring at his mother and Hemlock, Brian rolled his eyes at Hemlock one

contact you later mom. For now, it looks

"Sure thing."

Brian's circumstances, Brian's mother waved goodbye to him and

the two of you. I

ma'am, your words are really encouraging me

"Shut up."

"Hey."

him by the shoulder and dragged him

Clank—

behind him, Brian

do you

"Visiting a friend's mother?"

I get that, but what's

"But I wasn't."

you don't call

socializing. Something you don't seem to be able

the smile on Hemlock's face

not talk about that for now, we've got something important to

turned serious upon

"How's the pay?"

"Excellent."

"I'm in."

"I know."

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

just like

It's supposed to be an undercover mission,

"Eh? That sounds bothersome."

"It's orders."

"Alright, then."

thought for a moment before mumbling

nickname…what should I