The escape from the Neberius clan's fortress had been a grim, solitary journey.
Han ran for what felt like an eternity, fueled by a chaotic mix of fear, desperation, and the raw, unfamiliar power of his new body.
He survived on scraps, stealing from lesser devils and scavenging from the grotesque flora that clung to the cursed earth.
His only destination was a frantic race to put as much distance as possible between himself and the sterile horrors of the place where he was born.
Eventually, the oppressive, jagged architecture of the Neberius territory began to fade, replaced by a lush, vibrant landscape.
He found himself in a forest teeming with life—a stark contrast to the sterile horrors he had left behind.
The air was clean, thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers.
Sunlight filtered through a dense canopy of green, dappling the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow.
For the first time since his rebirth, a flicker of hope ignited within him. He wasn't safe, not yet, but he was free.
His newfound freedom, however, was a luxury he couldn't afford for long.
His body was wracked with exhaustion, and the constant fear of being discovered was a relentless, draining weight.
He found a secluded cave, hidden behind a curtain of ivy, and for the first time, he allowed himself to fully collapse.
The adrenaline that had been his only companion for days finally ebbed away, leaving him hollowed out and spent.
He drifted into a fitful, shallow sleep, his mind still on high alert.
Suddenly, a new scent filled the air—one that was not of the forest or of fear, but of cooked food.
Han's eyes snapped open, his body tensing instantly.
Standing before him was a man with a gentle smile and a kind face, an air of quiet authority that belied his unassuming appearance.
He was dressed in a simple, elegant suit, the fabric perfectly tailored, and he held a basket in his hands from which the delicious aroma wafted.
"I apologize for startling you,"
The man said, his voice as calm as a placid lake.
"But you looked like you were in desperate need of a meal."
Han's mind, a honed instrument of paranoia, immediately went into overdrive. Who was this man? Was he an enemy?
A devil from a rival clan? Or worse, a hunter from the Neberius clan, sent to retrieve their failed experiment?
He clutched at the hilt of his short sword, a simple, serviceable blade he had managed to scavenge during his escape.
The man saw the motion and his smile softened.
"I am not here to harm you. My name is Hanekage, and I am a servant of Sirzechs Lucifer."
Han's heart skipped a beat. Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the Four Great Satans, the very pinnacle of the Devil hierarchy.
If this man was truly his servant, then Han's luck, for once, had taken a turn for the better.
This was a chance, a sliver of light in the unending darkness.
"I was sent to investigate a disturbance in the Neberius clan's territory,"
Hanekage continued, his gaze unwavering and compassionate.
"We heard rumors of vile experiments on the Nekomata race, and my senses led me to you."
Han was silent for a moment, weighing his options.
Lying would be pointless; this man was far too powerful and perceptive to be fooled. He had to be honest, but also careful.
"I am Han,"
He said, his voice a low, gravelly growl.
"And I am one of their failed experiments."
Hanekage nodded, a look of profound understanding in his eyes.
"The Neberius clan has a reputation for cruelty. It's why Lord Sirzechs sent me. They have been abusing their power and conducting vile experiments on the Nekomata race. And you, it seems, are a testament to their depravity."
Han's guard dropped slightly. This was his chance, his one way out. A path to a new life, a new purpose, and perhaps, a meaningful death on his own terms.
He had to take it.
"Why me?"
He asked, his voice filled with a desperate mixture of hope and suspicion.
"Because you escaped,"
Hanekage said simply.
"You are the living proof of their crimes. But more than that, Lord Sirzechs is a compassionate man. He believes that every being, no matter their origin, deserves a chance at a peaceful life. He is offering you that chance."
Han's mind, a well of cynicism and bitterness, struggled to accept the man's words.
But he knew he couldn't survive on his own.
He was a small fish in a very big, dangerous pond. He had to trust someone, even if it was just for a little while.
"What do I have to do?"
Han asked, a flicker of fierce resolve hardening his gaze.
"You must testify against the Neberius clan,"
Hanekage replied.
"Your testimony, combined with the evidence we have gathered, will be enough to bring them to justice. After that, you will be given a new identity, a new home, and a chance to live a normal life."
Han's heart, a hardened and cynical thing, felt a strange, unfamiliar warmth.
A normal and long life.
The very thing he had been denied in every one of his previous existences. It was a tantalizing offer, a beautiful dream he had never dared to hope for.
He looked at the basket of food Hanekage had brought.
The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. He realized that this was not just a meal; it was an olive branch, a sign of trust.
"I will do it,"
He said, his voice firm and unwavering.
"But I have two conditions."
Hanekage's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise on his face.
"Conditions?"
"Yes,"
Han said, his gaze meeting Hanekage's without flinching.
"First, I want to learn more about my new body and the power that it holds. I don't want to be just a failed experiment ever again."
"And second?"
Hanekage asked, his curiosity piqued.
He thought of Kuroka and Shirone, the memory of their terrified faces etched into his mind.
He asked them to be rescued as soon as possible.
Hanekage smiled, a genuine, warm expression that reached his eyes.
"Lord Sirzechs would not have it any other way,"
He said.
"Your request is reasonable. From now on, you are under the protection of the Gremory clan. Now, eat. You have a long journey ahead of you."
Han took the basket of food and began to eat, the simple act of nourishment feeling like a profound blessing.
For the first time, he felt he was not just surviving, but truly beginning to live.