The moment Adrian crossed the barrier, the atmosphere around him changed… and so did his senses.
A dark forest—completely different from the human world. It is said that the Demon Realm exists in eternal night, where darkness itself becomes the source of life.
There is no sun here; although it exists on the same land as the human world, the barrier blocks its rays, leaving this realm submerged in unending darkness.
Adrian stood still, looking at the branching paths between the trees. To anyone watching, he would seem serious and dangerous, yet his mind was focused solely on how to find the correct path.
He whispered inwardly with a dull question: "How will I know which path to take… I've forgotten."
He took a few slow steps forward. "But I think it was…"
He closed his eyes, recalling the moment Asura had returned him to the barrier. With a bit of focus, he remembered the path they had taken before.
Adrian walked calmly and with complete confidence. He had possessed a strong memory and sharp concentration since childhood—perhaps due to his talent, or the vigilance he had developed from life on the front lines.
After a considerable amount of time, he finally emerged from the forest. He looked up at the sky, where the crimson moon shone with a cold light.
His eyes narrowed slightly in irritation before he lowered his gaze.
"Did you finally return?! Ian!!" The voice came in surprise from behind him.
Adrian turned and said in a deliberate tone: "Adrian, not Ian, you snake."
Asura laughed cheerfully: "Hahaha, I missed you, boy! Where have you been all this time? I thought you died while facing that bastard— I mean, the Emperor."
Adrian replied calmly: "I didn't fight him."
Asura tilted his head in confusion: "Hm?"
Adrian looked at the moon once more. "I can't kill him now. He's stronger than me. But one day, I'll kill him when he can't even defend himself."
Asura was silent for a moment, then smiled lightly:
"Alright, then you need to become stronger."
Adrian closed his eyes and smiled faintly:
"Yes, I must."
He looked at Asura seriously:
"By the way, I came to ask you something."
Asura said:
"Alright, let's go to my palace first and talk there."
Adrian nodded, and the two of them set off toward the palace, where Adrian would find the answers to his questions.
---
After some time walking, they arrived at their destination and entered the palace, then proceeded to one of the rooms.
Adrian moved toward one of the couches and sat down, followed by Asura, who sat across from him, resting his arm on the back of the couch while crossing one leg over the other.
He tilted his head and smiled formally:
"So, what did you want to ask me?"
Adrian answered without hesitation:
"Naraka… I want to know everything about this person."
As soon as Adrian spoke the name Naraka, Asura's expression changed, and the words seemed to freeze in his throat.
He whispered to himself:
"How did this boy know the name Naraka? It can't be a coincidence… Did that bastard Lionel tell him? No, that's impossible. If he had told him, he wouldn't have come to ask himself… It seems he only knows the name. But I must be careful nonetheless."
He adjusted his tone and said:
"Naraka? I think I've heard of him, but why do you ask? And how did you know about him?"
Adrian replied:
"I heard about him somewhere. More importantly, I want to know what kind of person he was."
Asura smiled, a smile void of any expression:
"I don't think I can tell you anything about him."
Adrian asked calmly, yet sharply:
"And why not?"
Asura answered, a cold gleam in his eyes:
"Because a being like you has no right to know that."
Adrian's eyes narrowed with faint anger.
Asura laughed lightly and waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Don't be angry. Naraka is mysterious by nature. Even I don't know much about him."
Adrian stood up and headed toward the door.
Asura stopped him with a questioning tone:
"What? Where are you going?"
Adrian replied coldly:
"If I don't get what I came for, there's no reason for me to stay. Perhaps I'll ask the Master of Magic about him… he will surely answer if it is his wish."
Asura's eyes widened in shock.
"You said the Master of Magic?! How do you know him?! Did he tell you about Naraka?!"
Adrian smirked provocatively as he glanced back slightly:
"That is not something a being like you has the right to know."
Then he left and closed the door, leaving Asura to absorb the shock he had just received.
Asura laughed as if enjoying the situation.
"Hahaha, this boy really amuses me. His rude way of speaking, his condescending look… he is just like me."
Suddenly, Asura's laughter vanished, and he realized Adrian had already left the room.
"If someone encounters him here, they will be finished because of his behavior… This fool doesn't even know anyone here or the nature of this place!"
He rushed out of the room, running in search of Adrian.
"You foolish brat!!! Where are you?!!!"
---
Adrian had left the palace and was walking in a random direction.
He thought to himself:
"As for my appearance, I look like a demon, so there's no problem wandering around. Perhaps I'll find some clues somewhere."
He continued walking aimlessly until he found himself in the marketplace.
"How much is this?"
"Wow, these flowers are beautiful! I'll buy them!"
"I'll buy some fruits, please."
Many ordinary demons were shopping in the area.
Adrian felt a sense of strangeness; is this how demons are?
The sight before him made him reflect on the difference between them and humans.
They seemed like ordinary beings living their lives, so why are they being persecuted?
"Hwaaahhhh… haaahhh… aaahha!"
The cry of a small girl echoed through the area after she fell to the ground.
Adrian looked at her and then at the people around her.
The atmosphere surrounding her was even stranger than it had first appeared.
Those nearby glanced at her with mixed expressions—disgust, pity, even hatred—before turning their faces away indifferently.
The girl continued crying on the ground while the demons around her walked past without stopping,
as if they didn't see her… or perhaps deliberately ignored her for some reason.
Adrian immediately realized that this girl was an outcast,
but he could not avert his gaze; that was not in his nature.
He stepped toward her steadily, then knelt and gently lifted her to stand again.
He gazed at her face and asked softly:
"Where are your parents? Are you alone here?"
The girl answered between sobs:
"They… aren't here… they left me alone."
Adrian understood all too well the feeling of being abandoned by one's family.
He patted her head and smiled gently.
"It's okay, don't cry. Can you tell me your name?"
The girl stopped crying, wiped her tears, and spoke in a trembling voice:
"My name is Nina."
Adrian nodded lightly.
"Alright, Nina. Is there anyone you know? Maybe relatives or friends?"
Nina replied sadly:
"I had… but they're dead."
Adrian felt a strange twinge in his chest, but he showed nothing on his face.
He said quietly:
"So you really are alone… You don't even have a home?"
Nina replied:
"I do have a home! It's nearby."
Adrian smiled softly.
"Okay then, you should go back home… I'll leave now since you're alright."
Adrian turned to leave, but Nina grabbed the edge of his long coat.
"Don't go! Stay with me! Please!"
She shouted with a broken, pleading voice, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Adrian stared at her silently, and a memory of Lilith flashed in his mind.
He clenched his hand slightly in annoyance, then exhaled softly.
"Alright… at least I'll take you home."
Nina's eyes widened, and she smiled with joy:
"Thank you, brother!!"
She began jumping and twirling around Adrian, who was already starting to feel annoyed.
He thought to himself with boredom:
"Haaah… I'm stuck with a child again… should I have ignored her?"
He spoke in a steady voice:
"Let's go."
Nina stopped her playful antics and replied enthusiastically:
"Okay!"