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?"

did not change as he looked

what Jezebeth had in mind

"You know…"

set the

to you, the more I feel like I'm talking to him. I guess, in the time since we last saw each other, he must've done quite a bit in order to

Jezebeth's eyes suddenly squinted.

like for you to hear

of a sudden. Though faint, an echo lingered in his voice, and the surroundings

gone, you no longer need to

but to defeat Jezebeth in order to free himself from his unfortunate circumstances, this time around,

in order to

want the Records, and I will do

his head to look at

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

at Ren. The situation was simple. In order for him to get to the Records, he needed

on the records and, in a way, control the entire universe. Controlling

That being said…

gain access to those powers, Ren had

was the

be able to figure out the answers that I seek

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 other races engaged in a ferocious battle against legions of demons

were surrounding them were more powerful than their weapons could ever hope

look like they'd last for

tore his gaze away from the projections and

"Here comes the deal..."

his hand up, he pointed directly at

me your powers, and in exchange, I will end this

his lips

you kill yourself right now, in this very moment, I promise that I won't

"…"

words didn't have much of an effect

calmly drank it and cast an indifferent glance in

'Not enough?'

wasn't entirely surprised. He had always been like this, and he was somewhat used to

Even so…

He was prepared.

is not

around him started to warp, and all of a sudden, a thin

Ren's attention was a pair of striking green eyes. All of a sudden, Ren's shoulder

He smiled a little.

your mask and

in front of Ren slowly brought their hands closer to their