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."

Amanda, Ren rushed into

followed him from

***

friend. I'm happy for

hand of a youth who was looking at her with a

can see, I've been able to afford your hospital bills and the doctors said that you will have no trouble recuperating from

one knee to the ground, Brian brought her hand

"…You'll finally be cured."

across the woman's face as she heard her

really glad

Clank—

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

Brian out of his moment, he raised his head

you

you tell me that I could

figure sat down on the sofa opposite Brian and his

"Ah right."

got off his seat and moved to where Brian's

hand, he gently placed the flowers next to

colleague. I

"Oh my."

mother grabbed the

her smile became even sweeter.

didn't you tell me that your friend was

"Why would that matter?"

"It of course matters!"

protested whole crossing her

to go out for quite a while now,

me for however long

"Shut up."

take this away from

"Mom…"

his eyes at Hemlock one more time before standing up and deciding to bid

you later mom.

"Sure thing."

of Brian's circumstances, Brian's mother waved goodbye to

two of you. I

ma'am, your words are

"Shut up."

"Hey."

grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him

Clank—

behind him, Brian

do you think

"Visiting a friend's mother?"

that, but what's with

"But I wasn't."

you don't call that

you don't seem to

the smile on Hemlock's face slowly

now, we've got something important

face similarly turned serious upon

"How's the pay?"

"Excellent."

"I'm in."

"I know."

his head. Hemlock knew he could count

was just

right, I almost forgot. It's supposed to be an undercover mission, so you must

"Eh? That sounds bothersome."

"It's orders."

"Alright, then."

a shrug of his shoulders, Brian thought for a moment before

nickname…what should I