As soon as he sensed freedom, the demon turned to run—
Aeth (cold, commanding):"STOP THERE. DON'T MOVE AN INCH."
The demon froze. His blood ran cold — not from fear of death, but from the realization that the one before him was far more dangerous than despair itself.
He turned back slowly, trembling.
Demon: "What? H-How are you still alive? You… you were with that monster!"
Aeth's expression darkened, his eyes glowing faintly with killing intent.
Aeth: "Monster? He wasn't a monster. He was just a little kid. You made him that monster."
Aeth's mana burst outward — the ground cracked beneath his feet, the air heavy with pure pressure.
Raika: "Master! You're not fully recovered yet. Don't use too much force!"
Aeth: "I know… but I can't control it. Not when this demon made my little brother like that."
The air trembled with his rage. The demon fell to his knees, gasping for air under the crushing mana. His once-arrogant face now filled with despair.
Demon: "P-Please… don't kill me! I've already suffered for centuries in that space. I've felt pain and despair beyond death itself. I just… want to live now."
Aeth (voice sharp as a blade): "You think I'll let you live? Give me one reason why I should."
Aeth's mana flared again, suffocating the demon.
Demon (panicking): "I-I can heal that little brother of yours! I have ancient healing arts — stronger than human magic!"
Aeth paused, his eyes narrowing.
Aeth: "And how do I know you won't attack the moment I let my guard down?"
Demon: "I… I can be your slave! Bind me by force, make it impossible for me to disobey! I'll do anything — just let me live!"
The forest fell silent. Aeth's gaze remained ice-cold, but deep inside flickered a sliver of calculation.
Aeth: "Fine. I'll let you live — but only for my little brother's sake."
He raised his hand, gathering mana into a deep blue glow. Runes spread beneath them, forming a pulsing magic circle.
System: "Initiating Slave Contract — Dominant: Aetheria Serfend. Slave: Unnamed High Demon."
Black chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the demon's neck, chest, and limbs. They burned into his skin, glowing faintly.
System: "Slave Contract Complete.Subordinate cannot harm, resist, or disobey Dominant's direct orders."
The chains sank into the demon's body, leaving a dark mark on his neck.
Aeth (coldly): "Listen carefully. If you even think of betrayal, that mark will destroy your soul. But before that… I'll make you suffer so much you'll regret ever being born. I'll make you taste despair itself again and again."
Demon (bowing deeply): "I… understand, Master."
Raika (uneasy): "Master, are you sure about this? Trusting him after everything he did…?"
Aeth (calmly, with venom): "I'm not trusting him, Raika. I'm using him. If he can heal Ortho, he'll live. But once my brother's safe…"He smirked slightly."…we'll see if he deserves to stay that way."
Aeth turned and motioned for the demon to follow.
Aeth: "Get up, demon. You're coming with me."
The forest wind carried the faint rattle of spectral chains as the fallen demon followed his new master — the boy who'd once died before his eyes.
The forest was quiet as Aeth returned to the treehouse.The demon followed behind him, chains faintly rattling with every step.
Inside, the air was filled with faint traces of magic.Ortho still lay motionless on the bed — pale, breathing weakly.Ors sat silently near his master's side, eyes dim but alert.
Aeth pointed toward Ortho.
Aeth: "Heal him. Now."
The demon kneeled beside the bed. His trembling hands hovered above Ortho's chest as he began to chant in an ancient tongue.Dark-purple light flowed from his palms — merging with Ortho's body like ink into water.
System: "Skill detected: Abyssal Regeneration — Forbidden Class Healing."
Ortho's body twitched. The dark energy shifted, intertwining with his own mana — not harming, but restoring.The color slowly returned to his skin. His breathing stabilized.
Raika: "It's… working!"
Aeth's sharp gaze never left the demon.
Aeth: "If you harm him, even by mistake… you know what will happen next."
Demon: "I-I wouldn't dare. My life is bound to your will, Master. His survival means my own."
Minutes passed. The ritual light faded.
System: "Target condition — stabilized. Mana core restored. Life signs: normal."
Aeth exhaled deeply, tension leaving his shoulders for the first time in days.He placed a hand on Ortho's chest, feeling the faint warmth of life returning.
Aeth (softly): "You did well, little brother… a little more rest, and you'll be fully healed."
Raika and Ors lowered their heads in relief. The treehouse was quiet again — peaceful, but heavy with lingering unease.
Aeth turned to the demon, his expression cold as ever.
Aeth: "You've done your part… for now. You will stay outside the house. You'll not enter unless I command it."
Demon (bowing): "Understood, Master. I will stay outside of the house and protect The Whole Area."
The demon stepped outside, vanishing into the shadows of the night, his chain mark still glowing faintly around his neck.
Aeth looked out the window, moonlight spilling across his face.
Aeth (thinking):So much has changed… and yet, this world still feels too quiet. Too calm. Something's coming.
He glanced once more at Ortho — the boy who had unleashed despair itself.
Aeth (murmuring):Whatever happens next… I'll make sure you never have to carry that kind of pain again.
The moonlight flickered — and the scene faded into silence.