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 rushed

him

***

friend. I'm happy

white bed, a middle aged lady held the hand of a youth who was looking at her with a thin smile on his

have to worry about me. As you can see, I've been able

on one knee to the ground, Brian brought her hand toward his forehead as he

"…You'll finally be cured."

smile spread across the woman's face as

really glad that you're

Clank—

room as the son and mother were enjoying a heartwarming moment.

the room,

like I'm disturbing

raised

are you

Didn't you tell me that I

long brown coat, the figure sat down

"Ah right."

seat and moved to where

the flowers next to Brian's mom and

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

"Oh my."

smile on her face, Brian's mother grabbed the

at Brian, her smile became even sweeter.

that your friend was this

"Why would that matter?"

"It of course matters!"

whole crossing her

been able to go out for quite a while now, and

at me for

"Shut up."

take this away from

"Mom…"

between glaring at his mother and Hemlock, Brian rolled his eyes at Hemlock one more time

later mom. For

"Sure thing."

Brian's mother waved goodbye to him and

the two of you. I hope everything

your words are really encouraging me to

"Shut up."

"Hey."

grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him out of

Clank—

behind him,

do you

"Visiting a friend's mother?"

that, but what's with you flirting

"But I wasn't."

you don't call

you don't seem to

smile on

about that for now, we've got something

similarly turned serious upon hearing those

"How's the pay?"

"Excellent."

"I'm in."

"I know."

Hemlock knew he could

was just like

It's supposed to be an undercover mission, so

"Eh? That sounds bothersome."

"It's orders."

"Alright, then."

shoulders, Brian thought for a moment before

nickname…what should