"Run! Come on, don't slow down, Ash."
The lady panted heavily, clutching the boy's hands as she ran as fast as she could through the thick forest.
Trees that stretched far into the sky surrounded them, blocking most of the rays from the morning sun from scorching them.
Nevertheless, that was the least of their problems.
Dressed in knight wear with a golden sword strapped to her waist, the lady kept running full speed ahead, her gaze scanning her surroundings while she was at it.
On the other hand, the boy whom she had been dragging around was barely keeping up with her pace.
Every step she took felt like she was seconds away from tripping and falling.
And yet, he couldn't help but watch her run from behind, her beautiful blonde hair dancing behind her.
'Why is she doing this? It's not her problem, and yet she is choosing to help me.'
He thought to himself.
Perhaps that was the single reason he kept pushing himself, making sure he was running fast enough to meet her speed.
However, that soon changed.
From within the high bushes surrounding them, an arrow sped out, quickly making its mark on Ash's back.
"Ack!"
Before he could tell what had happened, blood trickled down his back as he fell to his knees.
Thinking just as fast, the lady knight drew out her sword and positioned herself in front of Ash with a battle stance.
Then she yelled to the forest, her voice filled with passion.
"Sir Hero, you don't have to do this. Ash will move to another kingdom; that way, he won't be a bother anymore! Show him mercy, I beg of you!"
Ash was still on the ground, bleeding, and could hardly see what was in front of him as three figures emerged from the bushes.
Instantly, he recognized them.
The first, standing in the middle with blonde hair and a red flashy outfit befitting someone of high status, was the hero of the Lumberg kingdom, Dani Samona.
And on both sides were his party members, an archer and a tank.
As the hero stopped, his gaze quickly moved towards Ash.
"Really? Is this what you choose to do? Hid behind Elizabeth like the weakling you are?" he spat.
Elizabeth, realizing Ash was open, moved close to the side to block the view.
"You know he doesn't have the power to battle against you. You are the hero, and yet—" she halted her words, frowning at the thought that followed.
To which the hero then sighed,
"This is beyond my control, Elizabeth; you know this," he continued. "Ash is our friend, but the king's orders are absolute. Ash has the power of the devil king; he has to be eliminated for conspiring against humanity."
"I did no such thing!" Ash yelled from behind.
He might be weak, but he was definitely not going to miss the chance to defend himself.
Although the disgusted look the hero threw at him should be enough to rattle his conviction.
Still, he kept going.
"I don't even know who this devil king is, or why I am being linked to him! Just like you, I got transmigrated to this world. I didn't choose to be here, and I didn't choose to have these powers. I am just like you!"
"Is that so?" The hero opened his palm, allowing his red staff to appear in his grasp before pointing it at Ash.
Immediately, Elizabeth took a defensive stance.
However, the hero did not attack; he simply spoke.
"You are well aware of my ability; I can learn all types of magic except those of unique materials. Pure and righteous, meant to put down the demons for good. Remind me what yours was again? Ah, right, forcefully turning others into your slaves to do your selfish bidding."
"That is not—"
"What part of that ability screams good, uhn?! Tell me Ash!!!" the hero yelled, mama raging around him like troubling wind.
Rather than remarking, Ash lowered his gaze to the ground.
There was nothing he could say. After getting summoned to the world by the kingdom, unlike everyone, he was the only one who received the black status, while everyone got the light.
Not to mention, he had no other magic skills other than the ability to turn things into slaves, with or without their will.
That said—
Ash raised his head, now looking at the archer.
"Sam! Remember when you almost died at the dungeon raid, and I made a contract with a healing lesser spirit, you were there; you saw me beg and come to an agreement with the spirit. I didn't force them to do anything for me! I am not working with the devil king!"
The archer averted his gaze, a single drop of sweat at the side of his head.
Ash's mouth was left open, his eyes widened in shock.
He and Sam had gone on several missions together; even then, he called Ash nice and innocent. So why? Why won't he speak up now?
Not wasting any more time, Ash turned to the tank.
"Yima, you were also there when I made a contract with a mole monster, urging it not to keep causing earthquakes near the villagers, you know how I use my powers; I never force anyone into anything."
Despite how tears nearly fell from his eyes with every word he said, the tank still averted her gaze, acting blind to his plea.
'No way….'
Ash soon realized not a single one of them came with the intention of hearing him out. They simply wanted one thing, and that was to kill him.
These people he once called his friends, want him dead. Why? It made no sense; all he ever did was care for and protect them during battles.
He gritted his teeth.
'Dammit. Dammit all….'
Slowly, Ash stood to his feet, his eyes filled with resolve as he positioned himself in front of Elizabeth, staring the smug hero down.
"What are you doing, Ash? Get behind me!" Elizabeth yelled, trying to get back to her position, but Ash's shoulder was blocking the way.
"Stay." Ash said, "There is no reason for you to die for my sake. You should have noticed by now, the hero wants me dead and nothing else. Your words won't reach him."
"Don't speak like that; allow me to—"
It happened so fast that neither one of them was able to react in time.
The hero, impatient, had thrown the spear straight into Ash's forehead.
In a single motion, the force ripped Ash's head from his body and sent his head flying to the ground as blood sprinkled all around.
'Ah—I am dead.'
Ash managed to get a glimpse of Elizabeth in shock as his head was falling to the ground.
And then, his gaze fell on the hero, grinning at the side with excitement etched on his face.
Anger.
'Damn you, damn you, Hero! If the devil is where I go, then I hope to meet you there.'
He gasped.
'Because I will kill you!!!'
And with that, his body dropped to the ground. He was dead.
To his surprise, the following minute, he heard a voice.
[Would you like to make a contract with the devil king?]
[You have five seconds before your soul fully exists your body.]