The Author's POV

Ren sat in front of the projections, and as he looked at them, his gaze moved around to the various projections next to him.

The words "The Pillar of Wrath?" escaped his lips as faint recollections of what had transpired moments before began to resurface within his mind. Slowly but surely, he pieced together the puzzle and came to a sudden understanding.

'So that's what those things were.'

Ren found himself confronted with Jezebeth's sly smile as he turned his head. Jezebeth's gaze seemed to be shifting between the projections and Ren as if he was trying to gauge his reaction to the matter.

"What do you think?"

Jezebeth asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Ren frowned, pondering over the situation. It was clear that Jezebeth had a plan and that he had been working towards it for some time.

"It looks like you've already gotten an idea of the situation."

Jezebeth commented, clearly amused by his hesitation. He then began to explain, his words flowing smoothly.

"Like I said before… you can hide them from me, but you can't stop me from bringing them to me. Over the years, my mastery over the laws has progressed to the point where I can finally feel the records."

Jezebeth stretched out his hand as if trying to grasp something that was just out of reach.

"I can feel them," he murmured. "They are so close, yet so far, and..."

Lowering his head, Ren felt Jezebeth's gaze. The intensity of his gaze made him feel uncomfortable.

"You're the last step in helping me reach that goal."

Jezebeth muttered, his words slow and deliberate.

So long as he killed Ren and absorbed all of his powers, he'd finally be able to take that last step and get his hands on the records.

With the Protectors gone and all the fragments collected, he was the last hurdle that stood in his way of reaching his goal.

He, needed to die.

"The Pillars are something I've designed over the past few regressions. I've spent quite a lot of time developing them. What they do is rather simple; they create a pocket dimension where all demons inside find their abilities amplified."

Jezebethe pointed at the projections with his long and slender hand.

"As you've seen, there are seven pillars in total. Each representing one of the sins and amplifying their abilities to the point where even I shudder at the results… "

Jezebeth's smile widened, and he leaned back in his chair. Taking a sip of the tea, he gazed at Ren with a relaxed expression.

"How long do you think they'll be able to survive in such a place? One hour? Two hours? Three hours? A day? A week? Or maybe even a month? …Do you really think they have the ability to defeat them?"

compounded by the fact that Ren's expression did not change

what Jezebeth had in mind when

"You know…"

set the teacup

in the time since we last saw each other, he must've done quite a bit in order to make you the way that you are… I have to

Jezebeth's eyes suddenly squinted.

I'd like for you to

sudden. Though faint, an echo lingered

Kevin gone, you no longer need to

the past Ren had no choice but to defeat Jezebeth in order to free himself from his unfortunate circumstances, this

Jezebeth in order to liberate himself from his

my goal is by now. I want the Records, and I will do

head to look at

of a pity, but in order for that to happen, I need you to

his words as he gazed at Ren. The situation was simple. In order for him to get to the Records,

his hands on the records and, in a way, control the

That being said…

gain access to

was the

long as you die, I'll be able to figure out the answers that I seek

his head toward the

on them, and each one was more eerie than the one before it. They portrayed a number of humans and members of

shields, but the otherworldly creatures that were surrounding them were more powerful than their weapons could ever hope

look like they'd

gaze away from the

"Here comes the deal..."

hand up, he pointed

your powers, and in exchange, I will end

smacked his lips

now, in this very moment, I promise that I won't hurt any of those humans, and in fact,

"…"

didn't have much of

table, he calmly drank it and cast an indifferent glance in Jezebeth's

'Not enough?'

surprised. He had always been like this, and he was somewhat used

Even so…

He was prepared.

looks like this is

started to warp, and all of

thing that initially drew Ren's attention was a pair of striking green eyes. All

He smiled a little.

don't you take off your mask and show him who you

instructions, the figure that stood in front of Ren