"Well, aren't you an enigma!" I said in shock as I watched a human that one of my pawns couldn't approach.

This human looked like any other ordinary woman, except she shone as bright as the sun. Her light was so blinding that it was only second to the gate at the end of the narrow path.

I could see similar people all over the world, shining brightly. My shadows never dared to approach these people. It was important to note that none of them shone half as bright as this woman.

My shadow pawn continued to observe the woman but from a mile away. If it got any closer, it would begin to tremble.

"Who are you?" I asked myself still observing the strange human.

"A question for another day," I said to myself, continuing to type. The entire writing process took only 1 hour. In that 1 hour, I was able to completely type down an entire book on the flaws in humanity.

I got up from the chair with sheets of paper in hand and then walked towards the wall. However, before I left, I took one last look at the mini fridge in the corner of the room. I then stared at the bucket in the left corner and thought, 'Disgusting!'

On the side, of the wall before me, was a retinal scanner that I assumed was what opened the wall. 'I can't just walk through it when I'm not in my reaper form. In that case…' I thought to myself then gave the wall a light punch.

It sounded like a bomb went off within the once-so-silent room as the wall crumbled and flew.

'I need to find Mother's phone!' I suddenly thought.

I arrived at the door of the guest room and stepped inside. As I looked around, I could still smell the sweat coming from the sheets, announcing the deed that took place in the room last night.

I finally found my mother's phone on a stool, next to the bed. I unlocked it as she surprisingly had no password on her phone. I quickly scrolled through her contacts and spotted a familiar name, "Anna".

Anna was my mother's personal and trusted secretary. Whilst my mother was out here in Sherwood, Anna was back in New York looking after the company.

A text message suddenly popped up as I was about to tap on her contact. It was from Anna. There had been numerous unread messages from her over the past few days.

I then texted what I intended to, ignoring the above text messages like they weren't there.

"Grayson will be coming later today to have his book published. You will provide for anything that he needs!" I typed.

'Wait, mother wouldn't be so demanding,' I thought.

"Grayson will be coming later today to have his book published. Please provide for anything that he might need?" * send *

I smiled, satisfied with the text, then got ready to leave. I browsed through the closet and found a few of my father's clothes inside. I picked out a long-sleeved, white shirt and black sweatshirt, as it is cold in New York this time of the year.

I finally put on a random pair of jeans and turned to the mirror.

"I look ridiculous," I said as I saw how tiny the clothes were on me.

"I don't disagree," the tailed Lilith added.

The clothes were too small for me as I was 7ft tall and skinny. I then shrunk down to 6'2 feet, increasing my muscles and fitting into my clothes. I kept on a pair of socks and rubbers then faced the mirror once more.

"Perfect," I said to myself then walked out of the room.

"Aren't we going to go to New York?" The tailed Lilith asked as I kept walking toward the stairs.

"Soon, we have something waiting for us outside," I said stepping down the stairs.

The tailed Lilith looked at me in confusion as she followed. I opened the front door and saw Azrael outside with one knee on the floor, bowing respectfully. 40 shadows were behind him doing the same.

"Master, I have completed my objective," Azrael said still kneeling.

"Yeah yeah, get up," I said to them. They all immediately rose, awaiting further instruction.

"Tell me, what have you learned?"

"Humans… humans are unique creatures, unlike any other living beings. Most of them operate, not on instinct, but through the wills of others. Without knowing it, their lives are predetermined by those around them. They seem to always look for ways to pleasure themselves in everything that they do. They seek physical, emotional, and social comfort due to a lack of purpose.

A majority of them are emotionally in pain and they know it. The rest just haven't accepted the reality of their pain. They have diverse cultures, laws, views, and opinions, which has affected each of them differently.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

This often has created conflict amongst themselves. However, one particular thing that has remained a constant, despite their culture or upbringing, is their selfishness.

In everything they do, they are always in it for themselves in some way or another. Every word they speak; every rock they pick; every step they take is for inevitably satisfying their self-interest in the long run. They take from each other and take from this world…

Respectfully, for the sake of all other life on this planet, humans would be better off dead," Azrael said expressionless in one breath.

"However…," Azrael added with a look of seriousness.

"There are certain individuals that seemed like were on fire, yet did not burn. They were difficult to approach…," he tried to say before I stopped him.

"I am aware of these individuals and will personally investigate them. You have done well thus far; your thoughts are aligned with mine," I said pleased.

"Thank you, master, but I am bound to you. My beliefs are your beliefs," Azrael said slightly bowing down with his hand on his chest.

"I am aware, but I feel better knowing you came to terms with it yourself. Which is why I can trust your opinion on this. Read it, then tell me what you think," I said to him, handing over the sheets of paper I had in hand.

Azrael accepted the papers and quickly flipped through 400 pages in just a few seconds. "Master, this book is equivalent to my journey around the world and more. From what I have just seen, humans may not be ready to read this," Azrael said with concern.

"Good, I'm counting on it. A book this diverse is sure to arouse conflicts of opinion. Not only with other individuals but also within themselves. Differences in opinions stir up debates. I do not care what they believe, in the end, this is for the profit and a little something extra," I said smiling at Azrael.

In that case, might I advise you to delve deeper into the subject of love," Azrael suggested.

"Oh! What do you have in mind?" I asked Azrel.

"The love that humanity practices is ultimately self-seeking. Love in its purest, original form is sacrifice. It is being genuinely ready to give your whole to another. It is difficult to even comprehend there being a human capable of this.

Despite these facts, most humans could never accept the reality of their self-seeking nature. Never taking into account that none of them could ever allegedly love without some sort of gain in return. I think this should be the very core of the message in this book," Azrael explained.

"Hmm, you're definitely onto something. Humans can never do anything if there is no gain from it," I said out loud.

We went inside and then began to discuss the new changes to be made in the book. Without realizing it, 2 hours had passed with us just exchanging views and ideas. 5 minutes later, all the necessary changes to the book were made.

"Okay, this should be it. Good job Azrael!" I said feeling satisfied by his work ethic.

I then signaled to the tailed Lilith to open a gateway to New York.

"Wait for me here. This took longer than expected and I have some business to take care of," I said then quickly walked through the gateway alongside the tailed Lilith.

We then appeared in Midtown Manhattan, right in front of 450 Park Avenue. I masked my presence as people would get shocked seeing someone appear out of thin air.

'Mother had rented the top 3 floors, of the building before me, for her company. The top floor being my destination,' I thought to myself as I approached the building.

I walked into the building alongside the tailed Lilith and headed straight for the elevator, where I finally revealed my presence. I got to the top floor and found a busy office space with people walking left and right, each having a task of their own.

I moved around the floor and spotted a dashing brunette inside an office, speaking to numerous people. I recognized the brunette to be Anna, the person I was here to see. Anna wore a luxurious-looking black and red dress that fit her curvaceous body perfectly. From where I stood, her dress did not match her demeanor. I stepped into her office and all eyes turned to me. Anna was angrily shouting something but suddenly stopped upon my entry.

"Busy as always," I said as I closed the door behind me.

"Who- who are you?" She asked looking me up and down like I didn't belong here. A hint of interest could be seen in her eyes but she quickly brushed it off.

"Anna, has it been so long that you do not recognize me anymore? Did Mother not inform you I will be coming soon?" I said amused by her confused state.

"Gray? Is that you?" she said refusing to believe it.

Anna and I always had a good relationship as far as I was concerned. Whenever I needed a pet, back when we still lived in NY, it was she who would gift one to me each time. Despite my parent's reluctance to do so, she still got me some.

She truly helped me through my cravings throughout high school. I guess I should be grateful to her, even though she only did it to get on my good side.

Anna is a critical thinker who always seemed to live 10 years ahead of everyone around her. She knew that being the only child, I would eventually inherit my mother's fortune. All in all, I'll make sure she had made a good investment.

"The one and only," I answered her with a smile.

"Give us a moment," she said to the rest of the people in the room. They all immediately got up and left the room, each giving me a look of disapproval on their way out.

"Gray, you have grown so much. I almost didn't recognize you! How old are you now?" she said using her fingers to remove the few strands of hair from her face.

"That's not important right now. I can't stay for long. I only came to give you this," I told her as I placed the sheets of paper on top of the table.

"One more thing, I need access to all of my mother's bank accounts and you to create another account for me personally to keep the profits of this book," I said in a serious tone.

"Grayson, I can't get you that information without your mother present. There are procedures we need to go through. That aside, your book hasn't even gone through our editors yet. I don't know if it will even be approved for publishing," she said shocked by my request.

"Anna, I understand your worry, but that book will be published whether your editors approve of it or not. My mother will not be available for a long time as she has gone on a retreat with my father.

I do not know when they will be back. I believe you were informed to provide me with anything I need. I need those accounts," I said to her then turned to leave.

"Also, get me a phone?" I added feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Wait...," she tried to say but was rendered speechless as she didn't know what to address first.

"Yeah?" I asked stopping halfway through the door.

"Listen, I could get you those accounts, I already have her details. Your book, however, may need some time.

"You can get 20% of the profit if you get this done by tomorrow," I said to her.

"Hmm, I'll see what I can do. I still need to go through it," Anna replied.

"You should be fine. Have a good day Anna. It was nice seeing you again, you look good in red," I said to her then finally walked out of the office.