The next day.
"Remember, you're not allowed to let anyone bully you, okay?" Inside the car, Deav reminded Riel.
Riel chuckled. "If you're worried, I'll just stay by your side always," she giggled, hugging his arm with a sweet smile.
Deav laughed softly.
"Right, Deav, are you rich in the human world as well?" she inquired curiously.
"Yes," Deav responded with a calm nod.
"Great! Then can I spend your money?" Riel's eyes began to sparkle with excitement.
"Everything I own is yours. You can use it however you like," he uttered with a faint smile.
"Ah!" Riel exclaimed in delight. "The money won't be exhausted, right?" She blinked repeatedly, her excitement radiating.
Deav chuckled and shook his head. "Nope." He pulled out a small black wallet filled with gold and black cards and handed it to her. "Here. You can buy whatever you want," he stated.
Riel took it with pure joy. "Yay!!! Even though the human world lacks beasts and bloody energy, there's not much loss—there's still plenty of money to spend!" she laughed happily.
Deav smiled and gently patted her head. "There's more stored in your account as well, but I prefer you using the card. Don't hold back—buy whatever you desire," he remarked.
Riel nodded obediently. "Give me a kiss before I go," she said, pout out her lips for a kiss.
Deav chuckled and leaned forward, giving her a quick kiss.
Riel smiled in satisfaction before stepping out of the car. She waved at him repeatedly until the car drove away.
"Ah, I forgot to ask where his workplace is… Hmm, well, it shouldn't be hard to find him. I'll just surprise him," she muttered with a little chuckle.
"Hey, beauty, look over here," a calm voice interrupted her thoughts.
Riel turned toward the sound and burst into laughter. "You're really something, Zamel! Why did you cut your hair too?"
Zamel, dressed in the same school uniform as Riel, walked closer. His silver hair shimmered under the sun. Without his long hair, he looked younger, sharper—handsome enough to seem just seventeen.
"What? Deav cut his hair, your hair was cut as well—did you expect me to be the only one left out?" he folded his arms and arched a brow.
Riel giggled. "It'd indeed be unfair if you were the only one with long hair," she agreed. "Will you be in the same class with me?" she questioned.
"Obviously," Zamel scoffed.
"Awwwn," Riel teased, stepping closer to him and patting his head gently. "You're handsome anyway," she complimented.
Zamel's face flushed red. "O-of course, I know I'm handsome," he stammered.
Riel laughed wholeheartedly. "Let's go see what humans look like!" she cheered, darting forward.
"Wait for me! You said we should go together!" Zamel shouted as he sprinted after her.
---
DR. LAGE GROUP
The CEO's office was shrouded in an intense aura of destruction and death. A strange mist hung in the air, making the place feel like the very gates of hell.
And there, seated on the grand chair, was the devil himself.
A cigarette burned slowly between his fingers, and his blood-red eyes were void of emotion—horrors that no ordinary soul would dare to meet.
Except Riel.
The room was unnaturally cold. "Bring him in," Deav ordered icily. His voice was no longer the warm tone he reserved for Riel; it was now sharp—like a dagger that could make one's ears bleed.
The heavy door creaked open, and two bulky men stepped inside, dragging along a nearly-dead, fat man whose groans filled the air.
"Boss," the two guards greeted respectfully.
Deav merely hummed in response, his elbow resting lazily on the desk. His expression was unreadable, his sharp eyes fixed on the trembling man before him.
"Oh... seems you've been enjoying yourself these past few days, haven't you?" His tone was calm, yet every word was a blade.
The half-dead man groaned in pain. His body was drenched in both fresh and dried blood, covered in scars deep enough to make anyone faint.
"I... I... was wrong... please... spare me," he stammered, tears streaming down his face. He couldn't move an inch—if anyone chose to end his life now, he wouldn't even be able to struggle. Killing him would be as easy as tearing a sheet of paper.
A cold smile curved Deav's lips. That smile alone spelled doom.
"Say something," he murmured calmly. "Have you been enjoying your time lately?"
The man's heart thumped wildly in his chest. "I... I'm sorry... please... please pardon me," he begged, his voice trembling.
"Hm." Silence stretched thin in the room. Deav's eyes showed no trace of pity. "That's not the answer to the question I asked," he commented coldly.
Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed through the office—a sickening crack—followed by a blood-curdling scream. The man's left arm had been ripped clean off by one of the guards. Blood gushed out like a fountain.
"That's how it should be," Deav chuckled darkly. "Alright, I'm being gentle with you. Speak—the company's secret code you stole, has it been sold already?" he inquired softly.
"No... no," the man gasped, barely conscious. His world was fading to black.
"Of course, I know it hasn't been sold," Deav responded with a cruel smirk. "And just so you know—it's already back in my possession." His smile deepened, but it wasn't the kind that brought warmth. It was the kind that made the soul perish before a single word was spoken.
"This king is simply curious about what gave you the courage to steal from me," he remarked with a low laugh.
The man's blood turned to ice. "He knew from the start... I walked right into his den... I did this to myself," he thought in despair.
"I was greedy for a moment—please, spare me," he pleaded, though deep inside, he knew there was no hope of escape.
"Greed," Deav echoed with a dark chuckle. "What a fine word—and what a foolish backer you had, huh?" His eyes glinted dangerously. "Alright then, I'm done being nice and kind-hearted. It's time for you to visit hell," his voice dropped into something inhumanly cold.
"Please... please..." The man's voice trembled violently. He already knew what awaited him. His eyes widened as Deav's crimson gaze began to burn—literally—turning into pools of molten lava.
"I beg you! Please give me a chance!" he screamed, but no one moved. No one dared to.
Even if they wanted to, who could possibly rescue him?
A moment later, the man's body ignited in searing flames. His screams died in seconds, leaving behind nothing—not even blood. Only silence remained.