"Why would I lower myself to become a partner to this foul-mouthed brat?"
There was no chance he would agree to something so degrading.
Time was something he did not have.
"As if I'd agree either," Vera snapped back.
"Partnering up with an idiot, arrogant demon like you? Not happening."
"Tsk. Insolent."
Alastair reached out toward Vera's head.
He did not intend to kill her yet—but she needed to be taught a lesson.
He would not tolerate being insulted.
"All right, both of you—stop," Henry moved between them.
"Please, listen to me for a moment."
Alastair and Vera shot each other a glare before backing off.
"Thank you," Henry said, exhaling.
"Now then, let's talk about the benefits of forming a contract. For you, Alastair—Vera can help you with what you want her to do."
"Even without a contract, I have ways to force her."
"Henry, why are you agreeing on my behalf?" Vera snapped.
"How do you know I'd ever do what this idiot demon wants?"
"Hmph."
Alastair turned his burning gaze toward her.
He despised being called an 'idiot demon' and felt a strong urge to erase her from existence—but he restrained himself.
He still needed her power.
"Vera, are you trying to get yourself killed?" Henry scolded.
"You might not be afraid of death, but don't drag Simone and me down with you."
"Tch." Vera turned her face away.
"Honestly… why did I end up mentoring a kid like this?" Henry muttered.
"Always picking fights with death."
"If I had Sir Elijah as my mentor, things would be way better," Vera shot back.
"An S-rank hunter like him doesn't mentor anyone," Henry replied.
"Besides, Vera—don't you want revenge for your mother? With his help, you wouldn't have to wait years to get stronger."
Vera froze.
Her jaw clenched, hatred flickering across her face.
She stayed silent for a moment.
"No," she said at last.
"I want to kill them with my own hands."
"With that mouth, you'll die before you get your revenge," Simone's voice was devoid of emotion.
"Tch."
"I still don't get it," Henry sighed.
"How did a rookie like Vera summon a demon as powerful as you? Something must've gone wrong."
"It was fate," Alastair replied.
"…Huh?" Henry blinked.
Alastair didn't explain.
He believed fate had brought him to Vera so that he could resurrect Grace—whole.
"If the only benefit of this contract is her cooperation," Alastair continued,
"then I refuse. I can make her work for me regardless of her consent."
He looked at Vera.
She would be useful.
"Well, that's a dead end," Henry sighed.
"So then… where exactly are you from, Alastair?"
"The Fae Realm."
"…What?" Henry turned to Simone. She shrugged.
"So… not the Demon Realm. Then… which country?"
"There is an entrance in Oremore."
"Oremore?" Henry frowned, pulling out his phone.
"Never heard of it."
He searched.
Nothing came up.
"How do you spell that?"
Even after spelling it out, Henry found nothing.
"Where is it on the world map?" Henry asked, showing him the screen.
Alastair frowned.
"This is not the world I just left."
…Did I cross into another world entirely? Damn it. Grace's body and souls are still there.
Alastair's face darkened.
"You're saying you're from another world?" Henry chose his words carefully.
"Yes. Find a way to send me back immediately," Alastair demanded.
"Calm down," Henry said.
"I can't do that—but if you form a contract with Vera, there might be a way."
Alastair narrowed his eyes.
"There's an S-rank hunter named Elijah—the one Vera mentioned earlier," Henry continued.
"His demon partner can open dimensional gates. If we negotiate with him, he might help."
"Where is he?" Alastair asked.
"You don't understand," Henry's expression darkened.
"If an uncontracted demon like you appears before an S-rank hunter, you'll be killed on sight."
"Hah." Alastair smirked.
"I'd like to see him try."
"Take me to him."
"But—"
"I'm only A-rank. I can't contact him directly."
"That's easy," Simone did not hesitate.
"Just tell headquarters that an S-class demon has appeared and wants to meet Hyde. They'll come running."
"…You're right," Henry admitted.
He turned to Alastair.
"You've thought this through?"
"Yes."
He wanted to waste as little time as possible.
Find Hyde.
Force him to open a gate back.
Bring Vera with me.
Three days. No more.
Henry made the call.
"Henry here, A-rank hunter, ID A82. I'd like to speak with Hyde… Yes… I see… Understood."
He hung up.
"They told us to wait here. Hyde will come to us."
"Huh? Will Sir Elijah come too?" Vera's eyes lit up.
"They didn't say."
They waited.
..................................
Before long, the roar of helicopters filled the air.
Minutes later, around twenty people entered the hall—humans and demons alike.
At the front was a young woman in her early twenties, blonde hair cut to her neck, gray eyes sharp and composed.
Beside her stood a red-haired demon boy about Vera's age—smaller, wild-looking, and radiating aggression.
"Captain Carla. King," Henry greeted them.
"And everyone else. Where's Hyde?"
"We can't contact him," Carla replied.
"He and Elijah traveled to Thaubia. Their exact location is unknown."
"…Then you're here to—?" Henry frowned.
"I've been ordered to eliminate him," Carla said.
"Hahaha," Alastair laughed.
"I knew it. Come all at once—let's not waste time."
"Shut up and die!" King shouted, lunging forward and swinging his blade toward Alastair's neck.
"Wait—King!" Carla snapped.
"Everyone, support us!"
Spells flew.
Hunters prepared to strike.
A barrier formed around Alastair.
Spells shattered against it.
Steel never touched him.
Then, in a blink—
he grabbed King by the throat.
"King!" Carla froze, her face draining of color.
"I don't have time to play with you,"
"Take me to Hyde. Or this child dies."