The first rays of sunlight slipped through the small window, painting the wooden walls in soft gold.
Ortho stirred, his eyes slowly opening. For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was.
Ortho (weak smile): "…Ors? Raika?"
Both familiars immediately rushed closer.
Ors (relieved): "Master Ortho! You're awake!"
Raika (teary-eyed): "We were so worried!"
Ortho blinked, confused but happy to see them.
Ortho: "I'm fine, I think…"
He sat up slowly, wincing slightly as a dull ache ran through his body. Even though Demon's healing had mended most of his wounds, his mana hadn't fully returned — because of his status dropping.
Ortho (frowning): "What happened after we fought that demon? I don't remember anything after I got exhausted. I think I blacked out… The last thing I saw was Aeth wa ready to strike the demon."
Raika exchanged a quick glance with Ors.
Ors: "Master Aeth told us you'd ask about it. He said he'd explain everything himself once you woke up."
Raika: "Yes. He wanted you to rest first."
Ortho (sighing): "Uh… okay then. So where is he now?"
Raika: "Master went out to collect herbs that help recover mana. He said he'll be back soon."
Ortho: "Oh, alright…"
Just then, the air shimmered with light — a teleportation ripple appeared near the doorway.
Aeth stepped inside. The moment his eyes met Ortho's, a relieved smile flickered across his face, though he quickly hid it behind his usual calm expression.
Aeth (lightly teasing): "You're such a weight, you know that? Falling unconscious right in the middle of a fight."
(Inside, he felt overwhelming relief — pure joy that his little brother was truly awake.)
Ortho (scratching his head, smiling): "Oh, so I did sleep back then, huh? Sorry, big bro. By the way… did you defeat that demon?"
Aeth (grinning slightly): "Yeah, of course I did."
(Inside his mind — relief flooded him that Ortho forgot the moment he almost died.)
Aeth (changing the topic): "For now, I'll make some mana recovery potion for you. Your mana isn't fully restored yet. And about the demon — when I defeated him, I made him our slave. He's guarding this area now, so don't worry."
Ortho (surprised): "He… became your slave? So Cool!"
Aeth: "Yeah. Don't worry, he can't harm us. The contract binds him completely."
Aeth took out some herbs from his inventory and set them on the table, then gently pushed Ortho's shoulder.
Aeth (softly): "You should rest again for a bit. Your mana's still low."
Ortho (yawning slightly): "Alright, big bro. Just don't go fighting alone again, I also want to join a fight too, okay?"
Aeth (smiling faintly): "Heh. No promises."
Ortho lay back down as the morning breeze drifted through the open window. For the first time in what felt like ages, peace returned .
After Sometime Aeth Went Outside from tree house,
He closed his eyes and spoke through telepathy.
Aeth: "Come here. I need to talk to you — alone."
Within moments, a dark shadow appeared before him. The demon knelt respectfully, lowering his head.
Demon: "Yes, Master. What is it? I will answer any question you have."
Aeth: "Since Ortho is healed now, I can finally trust you a little. So, tell me—when you first attacked us, you said you wanted to 'test our strength.' Why?"
The demon froze, his throat tightening.
Demon: "I… I apologize, Master. The truth is, when I was inside the Adventurer Guild, I sensed a strange energy nearby. When I followed it, I found you two. The energy wasn't normal — it wasn't something a human could possess.
At first, I used my basic Appraisal skill. Your levels seemed average, like normal adventurers. But then I noticed something else — there were traces of the Demon King's Mark on your younger brother's status.
That shocked me. So, I used my Demon Eye, which lets me see through weaker concealments. That's when I realized… you were immortal humans. And strangely, the Demon King's mark wasn't truly on your brother. I couldn't understand it. So I followed you, hoping to uncover the truth."
Aeth blinked, realizing what the demon meant.
Aeth (thinking): Marks of the Demon King?
Then it hit him.
Aeth (quietly to himself): Ah… that must be from when I accidentally placed some random mark on Ortho's status… just because he was annoying me.
He exhaled slowly, brushing a hand through his hair.
Aeth: "Tell me more about this Demon King… and about the immortal humans."
The demon bowed slightly.
Demon: "With your permission, I will tell everything from the beginning."
Aeth nodded.
Demon: "In this world, both humans and demons have rankings. For human society: lowest is E rank, then D, C, B, A, S, Heroes, Angels, and finally Gods. For demon society: low-ranked demons, immortal humans, high demons, demon generals, demon king, high demon king, and lastly, Devil Gods. Immortal humans were counted among demons, but they were neither human nor demon.
Immortal humans cannot die from age and can grow stronger without limit. However, they were eventually betrayed and wiped out by both humans and demons, out of jealousy — as normal humans and demons have limits on growth, and immortal humans could surpass anyone. Some demon kings were once immortal humans, because when an immortal human became stronger than the current demon king, they could claim the throne. But after long years, human and demon societies united to exterminate the immortal human tribe. I do not know much beyond that — I only learned it from the Adventurer Guild while disguised among humans. Since the immortals vanished, the fights between demons and humans started again !"
Aeth (eyes narrowing, thinking): "So… if anyone finds out we are immortal humans, both gods and Devil Gods would be against us…"
*(His mind raced. He remembered being summoned to this world, and the gods calling it a punishment. But for what?)
Aeth: "By any chance… did any immortal human disappear during the conflict between Devil Gods and humans?"
Demon (confused): "I do not know for certain… but perhaps there might be chance some fled to prevent the extinction of their entire tribe."
Aeth (thinking): "If that's true… then there's a possibility one of our parents — or both — might have been immortal humans from this world."
Aeth: "Okay, for now, I am done questioning you. I do trust you, and I need more information. I want you to be my spy from now on. As a reward, I will give you a name."
Demon (bowing low, eyes wide): "I am truly grateful… I cannot describe how happy I am to receive a name."
Aeth: "Why is a name so important for you?"
Demon: "Beasts and demons do not naturally have names. If someone gives them a name, their soul becomes bound to it, allowing them to grow stronger."
Aeth nodded thoughtfully.
Aeth: "Very well. From this day on, your name is… Zoren."
Zoren's eyes glowed faintly, a mixture of awe and loyalty shimmering in them.
Zoren: "Thank you, Master. I shall serve you faithfully and gather any information you require."