On Earth, in Country J
The same monk who once found the book under the tree was now hiding in his home.He was praying to the Goddess of Wisdom, trembling in fear, tears falling from his eyes.His voice trembled as he muttered, "Forgive me... forgive me... forgive me…"
—Suddenly, he collapsed unconscious and died.
We see the same masked girl who once wrote a strange sign on the tree now standing in front of the monk's dead body.
She smiled behind the mask and whispered,"I didn't expect you to die, monk… Looks like I'll have to go to that auction with this book myself."
In Country I
At Kaelron's house, Rio wakes up from his sleep.He looked tired, like he hadn't slept well at all. His eyes were still half-closed."Man… I didn't sleep well last night…" he muttered as he stretched and checked his phone.'8:30 AM - Sunday'"It's good that today is Sunday."
Rio went to the bathroom and freshened up.After 45 minutes, he came out and saw Kaelron sitting in the hall with many people—his face dark and tense.Kaelron looked at Rio but couldn't gather the courage to speak or meet his eyes.
"Hey Kaelron… what happened? Why do you look so sad?"
Kaelron slowly placed his hand over his eyes, his tone filled with sorrow."Rio… your father is no more."He showed a picture of Rio's father lying dead at home.
Rio's world shattered. He couldn't understand what Kaelron just said.
With a trembling voice, he stammered,"H-hey… K-Kaelron… th-this… is n-not… a good… joke…"
His legs trembled. His whole body shook like he had been shot through the heart.He collapsed, unable to stand.
Kaelron's people rushed to catch him.
"Rio, I know how you're feeling… but you have to stay strong," Kaelron said gently.
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, KAELRON?!"
"Rio, please calm down… I don't even know when it happened. My people found your father's dead body in your house…"
"What about my mother?!"
Kaelron sat on the couch, his head down.No one said anything. Everyone's head was lowered in silence.
"Hey! Why aren't you answering?! Tell me!"Rio grabbed Kaelron's collar, tears in his eyes."Please! Tell me my mother is okay!"
Someone finally spoke."We… we don't know about your mother right now. When we reached your house, your family was crying… but your mother wasn't there."He placed a hand on Rio's shoulder. "Please… calm down."
"Don't you dare put your hand on my shoulder!!"Rio suddenly snatched a gun from one of the guards and ran outside.There were many cars and people trying to stop him, but Rio rushed toward one of the vehicles.
From the balcony, Kaelron looked up at the sky and sighed.Then he picked up a gun, stepped onto the balcony, and saw everyone trying to stop Rio.
He raised the gun and aimed at Rio's left leg."I'm sorry, Rio… but if you don't calm down, I have to stop you."He whispered... then fired.
BANG.
Rio screamed in pain as he was shot in the leg.His eyes turned blood red in anger, but he couldn't move.
Everyone was shocked by what Kaelron just did.
"SIR! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHY DID YOU SHOOT THAT KID?!"
"DON'T YOU DARE SHOUT AT ME!" Kaelron roared in rage, firing in the air several times.
"Hey, you! Go call a doctor and treat Rio! And someone—call Luceniel right now!"
At Rio's house
The air was filled with sadness and fear as the family stood around the father's body.
"I told you—Rio's mother killed my brother!" Rio's aunt cried out.
Everyone stayed silent.One of the cousins clenched his fists in anger."Where's Rio?! Someone call Luceniel right now!"
But no one responded.
"Why are you all standing still? I'll call Luceniel!"He pulled out his phone and started dialing, but his father stopped him, cutting the call and taking the phone.
"Son… even if you call Luceniel, do you really think he'll believe us? That his mother killed his father? Rio wasn't home last night, his mother has disappeared… and his father…"He couldn't even finish his sentence, choking on emotion.
"Hey, you go and call Rio. Don't tell Luceniel anything right now—Rio should be the one to tell him."
One of the cousins called Rio.
Someone picked up the phone."Hello? Rio? Where are you? Please come home fast—please, brother…"
But a deep voice replied,"Sir, Rio is not in a condition to talk right now. I'll tell him when he wakes up."
The call ended.
"What is happening?! His father is no more and where is he?!"
Everyone stood frozen, shocked and heartbroken.
"Everyone, please… hold yourselves. We still don't know how he died."
Suddenly, two police cars arrived outside the house.
Rio's uncle came out to greet them."Finally, you're here! Please come inside!"
The officers entered the house.
"Hey, why is the body covered in white cloth? Uncover it," an officer ordered.
As the cloth was removed, all the policemen gasped.They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"Oh my God… In 20 years of service, I've never seen a body like this…"No one could look at the condition of the corpse.
An officer stepped closer to examine it but hesitated to even touch it.
"I'm sorry for your loss, sir… but we need everyone to come to the station for questioning."
Everyone nodded silently.
After 20 minutes, an ambulance arrived.
"Do not uncover the body again. Just let the head doctor examine it. Everyone, please come with us."
Back at Kaelron's house
Kaelron was sitting in the hall, trying to call Luceniel."Come on, dude… pick up the phone…"
Beside him, Mira sat quietly, trying to calm him down.
Someone finally picked up.
"Hey Luceniel, where are you right now?" Kaelron asked quickly.
But the voice wasn't Luceniel's—it was Lily.
"Uncle? What happened? Why are you calling at this time?"
"Lily, is Luceniel near you?" he asked in a hurry.
"No, Dad and Mom went to the mountains to stargaze. Why? Did something happen?"
"Lily, listen to me carefully. When Luceniel and Elunara return, tell only Elunara to call me. Luceniel should not be near you when you tell her, okay?"
"But why, Uncle? What happened? I'll just tell Mom right now—"
"No, Lily! Just do what I said. When Elunara comes, tell her to call me. Don't do anything else."
"…Okay."
Kaelron cut the call.
"Kaelron, calm down. Lily is smart. She'll only tell your sister," Mira said gently.
Kaelron sighed, placing his head on Mira's shoulder.
Mira hugged him."This is not your fault…"
In 7th Hell
A portal opened and Diabol stepped through.
A butler appeared and bowed before him.
"Young master, you've finally arrived."
Diabol smirked."Ah… Nore, my butler. You were waiting for me? I'm impressed."
"Young master, it is my duty to serve you always," Nore said, lifting his head."Did you find the information you were looking for?"
Diabol smirked again and laughed."Nore… I'm very happy right now. I'll tell you everything tomorrow. For now, go and prepare a grand banquet."
Nore disappeared to make arrangements.
Diabol grinned."Every time I think about Luceniel… my heart feels excited. In my entire life… I've never felt this alive."
Suddenly, a powerful being appeared before Diabol.
"Diabol…"
Diabol smiled to see the figure.