Ron woke up as usual.
After breakfast, he paused in front of the framed picture of his family. Their faces were clearly visible, smiling back at him—a reminder of everything he was fighting for.
Stepping outside for a walk, he spotted a familiar figure up ahead.
"Heyy, Yardy. Long time no see," Ron called out.
Yardy turned. "Hi, Ron. This… feels familiar."
"Well, the first time we met was like this. I mistook you for the real Yardy," Ron said with a small smile.
"So, what's up? What are you doing here?" Ron asked.
"I was sent here to investigate," Yardy replied and began walking.
Ron matched his pace. "Investigate what?"
"Demons," Yardy said simply. "We heard someone made a deal with one. Through that man or woman, demons entered this place."
"Yes. We fought one recently," Ron said.
"That was only a half-demon. What I'm talking about happened after you defeated that one… Red Wolf."
Ron thought for a moment. Demons came to this universe long ago. Someone must have stopped them…
Yardy nodded. "Yes. The first Watcher fought the Original Demon King and sealed him in an unknown place. That was during the final days of the First Watcher."
"What happened to him? Did the True Black Sorcerer do something?" Ron asked.
"No," Yardy said quietly. "Someone more powerful. A force no worldline has ever seen. That man single-handedly fought both the First Watcher and the True Black Sorcerer at the same time… and won. But he left them alive.
Ron froze. "One man defeated both of them?"
"Yes. From what I heard from Wulkranoth, they couldn't even scratch him," Yardy said.
"But you said he spared them," Ron said.
Yardy nodded. "That's all I know. If you want answers, ask Wulkranoth. But why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Ron inhaled slowly. "I fought someone who tried to make me a vessel for the True Black Sorcerer."
Yardy's eyes widened.
Ron continued, "During the battle, I heard a voice… telling me to kill him. The voice was the True Black Sorcerer."
Yardy composed himself. Ron placed a hand on his shoulder—and suddenly Yardy saw flashes of Ron's recent battles, like scenes from a movie playing before him.
Ron stepped back, unsettled. What does he want from me…? he thought.
Yardy exhaled.
"That's one of my abilities. I can see truth by looking into someone's eyes."
Ron nodded.
"I found something. Follow me," Yardy said and flew into the air.
Ron followed.
They landed in front of a familiar mansion. Police surrounded the property, the entire area blocked off.
"That's Carter's house," Ron said.
"I know." Yardy's eyes widened slightly. "Now it makes sense."
"What makes sense?" Ron asked.
Yardy didn't answer. He simply said, "Follow me."
Yardy walked past the officers—none of them reacted. When Ron stepped behind him, he realized they couldn't see him either. Yardy walked straight through the wall; Ron did the same.
They moved through the mansion until Yardy stopped at the storage room connected to the garage. He studied the light switch, pressed it, and the entire socket shifted open, revealing a hidden lever. He pulled it down.
A cupboard full of car parts slid aside, revealing a staircase descending into darkness.
Ron's eyes widened. Did Carter know about this?
Yardy descended. Ron followed.
They stepped into a dim basement. Yardy walked past something on the floor—but Ron paused.
It was a body.
The woman Carter had married.
"After Foster used her, they killed her," Yardy said quietly.
Ron's chest tightened. What did Carter do to deserve this…?
"I think she's the one who called the demons—or was used to call them," Yardy added.
"How can someone be used?" Ron asked.
"Someone's body can be a gateway. Demons can enter this world in two ways: by possessing someone until their Ki fully forms here… or through the Forbidden Region of the Universe—also called the Forbidden Layer."
Ron frowned. "Forbidden Layer and Forbidden Region… same or different?"
"Same thing. It exists in the First Layer," Yardy said.
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Yardy cut him off.
"You should go home. I'll handle everything here."
"I was just bored, that's why I came out," Ron said.
At the Time of the Plane Crash
When the plane hit the ground, Locki was knocked unconscious. He woke only because of the massive battle—Ron, Carter, and Rocky fighting Red Wolf.
At some point, Locki's restraints were nowhere. He ran for his life.
Bleeding and bruised, he stumbled into a graveyard. Without thinking, he dug a fresh grave and jumped inside, leaving tiny holes for air.
Half-delirious, he tore off his shirt—keeping only his pants—and tied the fabric around his wounds.
His consciousness faded.
When he opened his eyes again, an old woman was looking down at him.
"You are awake, child," she said softly. She smiled. "Don't worry. From now on, you're part of my family."
Even in his weak, half-conscious state, Locki's lips curved into the smallest smile.