“I assume you’re Pops and Bro,” Van said, tossing Bernard aside like a ragdoll. “And who might you be?” Mardallyone asked, approaching slowly. His chin was raised high, though subtly pulled back in caution as he moved past Doyle. “Call me Van,” he replied, his tone cold. “And don’t bother asking why I’m here. I…

“IT WAS HELLIX! IT WAS VAN HELLIX!” Misa cried out as Marcy and Amoria rushed into the guild, alarm etched on their faces. “What?!” Marcy exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at Misa. “Michael admitted it right in front of me! He called him his ‘Master.’ Said his plan had failed! Then Van grabbed him and escaped through the…

“So, he was a target…?” Marcy clicked her tongue, surveying the wreckage of Michael’s blown-up house. Royal Guards had just finished carrying away the lifeless body of Michael’s father. “It appears so,” Amoria replied, her tone thoughtful as her eyes scanned the ruins. “Hmm…” “What is it?” Marcy asked, turning to her, concern flickering in her voice.…

“Where’s Ami?” Van asked as he descended the stairs. “Oh, she was very tired. She told us to tell you she went back to her room,” Sylva replied softly. “Speaking of which… My Lady, we’ve overstayed our welcome,” Vaelthir sighed as he stood and offered Sylva his hand, gently leading her toward the exit. “Oh,…

“Now that I think about it…” Van thought, ignoring the message and scrolling over to his passive window. His eyes settled on the words: Seed of Darkness. Passive: Seed of Darkness Description:You have been infected with an essence that permeates this world, known as the Void. This essence has manifested as the Seed of Darkness, now beginning to…

“Anyway,” Belial grumbled, leaning back in his chair at the tavern. “Me and my maid are gonna find someplace to settle.” “Oh? You won’t have to look far, young lord,” Ami said, just as Van emerged from the restroom. “There are two apartments here. You and Van are friends, right?” She gestured toward the staircase.…

“Of course…” Van muttered, his finger hovering over the prompt. There it was — the offer to become infinitely stronger staring him right in the face. A chance to achieve godhood. The kind of power most people would kill for. He’d made the call. The one that could shape his future— “NOT.” With a deadpan expression, Van clicked [NO]…

Michael sprinted through the winding streets, his lungs burning as the acrid scent of smoke filled the air. His mind raced faster than his feet, the image of the billowing fire in the distance seared into his thoughts. His house. His father. The dread tightened around his chest with every step. ‘Dad… Please be okay.…

Amoria leaned in, her sharp gaze trailing over the boy’s body, scrutinizing every detail. Marcy stood silently by the doorway, her arms crossed, a shadow in the dim light of the guild’s room. On the bed, Anne and Lizzy lay side by side, their breathing soft, steady. But Michael’s was not. Sweat gathered on his…

“YOU STUPID…!!” Magus growled, his voice a raw snarl as he brought his fist down and struck her across the face. Amoria gasped, head snapping to the side, her cheek burning with pain. Blood trickled from her nose, staining her lips and the green grass beside her with a deep shade of red. “Ahh..! P-Please……