"Why are you glaring at me like that? Did I do anything to you?" Loki inquires, feigning disbelief. "I'm not sure why you're mad with me in the first place."

Raia's high arc brows draw together in a deep scowl, giving her an even grimmer and foreboding appearance. Eyes as merciless as a sharpened blade gaze at Loki. Of course, she has sensed something strange about him since he appeared in their train compartment. He has a strange aura around him.

After all, a friendly stranger is a man who cannot be trusted.

Loki looks her in the eyes, then his mouth forms an enigmatic smile.

"Raia," Raiden mutters from behind her, a firm tone in his voice.

Raia's eyes are glued to Loki, and she has no intention of looking away. Because doing so is equivalent to lowering her guard.

"What are you?" Raia growls, her hands and sword trembling.

Loki blinks, then curls his lips into a smile, revealing two sharp fangs. His silver eyes have lost their friendly glints.

"It's up to you to figure out," he replies, tightening the bandanna tie around his forehead.

Loki turns around and faces the crowd before the two can say anything. The people flinch when he smiles at them, so amiable yet menacing.

"You're free to go if you still want to see tomorrow," he says, stepping away from the doorway.

People scurry for the gaping exit, and Loki's eyes sparkle with amusement. Raia and Raiden remain vigilant, their gaze fixed on Loki.

Loki reaches out his hand and grabs the last person by the neck before she can step through the door.

"Everyone can leave this place alive except you," he whispers into the woman's ear.

The helpless victim stiffens as her eyes round in dread, the color draining from her face.

"Release her!" Raiden growls. He charges at him, his broadsword poised above his head.

Loki's lips form a cynical smile as he leaps up and lands on a table, one arm around the woman's waist. When she tries to wiggle free, he wraps his other arm around her and leans forward.

When Loki whispers something into her ear, the woman freezes, his arms tightening around her as if he's hugging her. He then lifts his head just enough to look at the two of them, a sinister smile on his face.

As they meet his gaze, Raia and Raiden tense up. His smile transforms into a grin, revealing long canine teeth as sharp as daggers, which he sinks into the flesh of the woman's neck.

"No!" Raiden screams in terror and rage as he lunges.

Loki kicks off the table, dodging the mad warrior and his thorny sword, while still sucking the woman's blood.

Raia appears from behind him, but Loki quickly alters his course without losing his cool, and her longsword slashes at empty air instead. She and Raiden pounce on him at the same time.

Loki continues to deflect their blows with ease, without even blinking an eye.

"Dammit!" Raiden hisses as he comes to a halt. He raises his sword and thrusts its blade into the ground. The floor vibrates beneath their feet, and huge green vines emerge from different spots, stretching like mad serpents toward the demon.

Raia lunges at the enemy.

Loki blinks, looking at the vines. He grins and raises his head, blood dripping from his mouth. He tosses the woman into the welcoming greenish limbs and wipes his mouth with delight. With an easy sweep of his hand, he slices the vines in his path and shifts his attention to the approaching Raia.

When the woman's body brushes past Raia, there's a strange sensation in her chest for a fluttering minute, as if it's been twisted. But then she ignores it, her face displaying no emotions and not even looking at the body.

"Damn you, vampire!" she snarls, approaching him with blazing eyes.

"Vampire?" Loki exclaims in disbelief, his face contorted as if offended. He's hopping backward while tilting his body sideways to avoid her sword strikes. "Don't put me in the likes of those disgusting creatures. I am a Blood Demon, not a vampire. But me drinking that human's blood . . . Please keep that a secret from my colleagues, okay?"

Blood Demon?

"N-no," Raiden's shaky voice interrupts Raia's train of thoughts. "No. It can't be."

Raia casts a backward glance at her companion. Understanding pours through her when she sees Raiden's pale face and widened eyes while looking at the woman laying on the vines.

The woman is as dead as the night in this town.

Raiden clenches his teeth, his golden eyes flashing with wrath, and takes his broadsword from the floor. He stands up and raises his head.

"Damn you!" he screams as he dashes towards Loki, swinging his sword recklessly. The Blood Demon dodges.

Loki's laughter echoes throughout the space, his silver cat-like eyes glinting with delight as he sweeps his glance over his opponent.

"Cypress, release thyself!"

Raiden's sword flashes bright as it turns into a bladed whip. Then he charges at Loki, flailing his weapon again and again. His opponent, on the other hand, is clearly enjoying himself. With his hands in his pockets, Loki flawlessly dodges his attacks, not a single blow is landing on him.

Not again, Raia ponders as she watches her comrade. His emotion is blinding him, causing his attack to be as reckless as possible.

"Come forth, Raphael," she whispers.

A warm sensation transmits through her hands as her Blessing absorbs an amount of mana from her. The sword of her blade disappears as holy fire swallows its entire length, replacing the silver metal to act as the blade itself.

Raphael's true form, her Blessing, is entirely made of fire.

Loki's gaze shifts to her and his eyebrows shoot up in amusement. With a mischievous grin on his face, he kicks Raiden in the stomach. It's an effortless move, as though he lazily pushes him with one foot, but the outcome shows otherwise.

Raiden catches his breath in a startled gasp of pain as he flies backward and collides with the wall with a crashing thud.

Raia makes a determined face as she stares at Loki. He may be stronger, but she still has some tricks up her sleeve. And now is the perfect time to put it to use. However, it will cost her a lot of mana. With a roar, she holds her sword high over her head and slams it hard against the ground. A large crimson flame erupts from her weapon and plunges toward Loki like a sea wave.

When the waves of scorching heat reach the demon, Raia materializes in front of him as if she had traveled with the fire. But Loki doesn't seem surprised at all and simply swings his hand to Raia as if swatting an insect. His eyes light up with delight when Raia turns into orange smoke and drifts away.

"An afterimage?" Loki mutters with a trace of a smile as he leaps to avoid the flame wave. Then he spins and aims a kick at Raia, who approaches him from behind.

Raia bends backward with a gasp, and Loki's foot swishes past her nose- missing her by inches. She leaps at him and swings down her flame sword.

Loki grabs her wrist in mid-action, the flame blade flaring and crackling in front of his grinning face.

Shit! Raia's eyes widen in shock.

"You're trying to play tricks on me, woman?" Loki says in a low voice. "I'm afraid I'm not that easily fooled; to tell you the truth, I'm the smartest demon there is, and probably the smartest you'll ever meet."

He yanks her arm and hurls her towards the tables. Glasses shatter and red wine splashes everywhere. Raia winces as a shard of glass scratches her face.

Raiden is at her side in an instant, assisting her to her feet.

"Damn you, bloodsucker." Raia bares her teeth at the grinning Blood Demon, who is picking his ear and raising an eyebrow at them. She wipes the blood off her face with her hand, red liquid dripping down her hair. She scrunches her nose in annoyance upon smelling the aroma of wine wafting from her.

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How's that possible? The Blood Demon doesn't even flinch. It's as if he foresaw the technique she'd employ and predicted it. Raia used her Blessing's flame to create an afterimage of herself to fool Loki's eyes and she sneaked behind him for a surprise attack. But she failed. Loki is far more sharp than she imagined.

Her hands tremble as she tightens her grip on her sword and clenches her other fist. Their opponent is undoubtedly stronger and more skilled. His flawless movements speak of expertise, and his strength and agility surpass all demons Raia has faced in the past. She can even compare him to Simon.

Loki is no ordinary demon. He's not someone to be underestimated.

Loki lets out a deep sigh and rummages inside his capelet before thrusting out his hand, holding something. It's a small oval-shaped mirror with a gleaming gold frame.

Raia and Raiden frown, suspicion crossing their faces.

"Ta-da! Do you know what this is?" Loki asks in a friendly tone as if he's speaking to a comrade, but the questioned fellows remain unresponsive.

Loki scowls at their obstinate behavior. "You don't know what a mirror is?"

"Shut up!" Raia's deep voice echoes throughout the room, and she swings her sword horizontally without moving from her position. Flames shoot from her sword and toward the demon.

Loki grinned as he held up the mirror, and the fire smashes against it. It vanishes as if absorbed by the golden mirror, but the mirror remains intact.

Loki erupts in fits of laughter. His eyes turn to the woman's lifeless body before meeting the stares of his perplexed opponents. "Well, well, well. What is it that you are so upset about? It's just one person. After all, you can't save everyone. You even destroy some, don't you? You just destroyed one earlier."

His cat-like eyes gleam as they land on Raiden. The disciple has frozen at the demon's remarks.

"I destroyed her in order to save her!" Raiden's voice trembles, betraying his true feelings.

Loki sighs. "You did not save her, boy. Remember how she didn't want to vanish? She pleaded for her own life. But what did you do? You erased her existence. She will never be reborn."

Loki's right; the Cimmerian's soul will never be reborn. But what choice does a disciple like them have? The Cimmerian was a weapon of darkness and an evolved one at that. Corrupted souls like hers must not remain in this world, which is supposed to be destroyed by saviors known as Aragons. But what exactly does it mean to be a savior? What is the point of saving a soul if it only serves to erase its existence? That's why Raia never sees herself as a savior. She never was, and she never will be. She's only here to destroy.

Raia gives Raiden a wary look. Even if he doesn't say anything, she can tell by the expressions on his face.

Raiden is in doubt.

He clenches his fists and dashes forward, wielding his whip sword.

"Shut up! You know nothing because the only thing you have is darkness," he yells, extending his weapon and swinging it in every direction he can.

"Are you sure about that?" Loki raises an eyebrow at him. "So, what about you? Can you even claim to be truly pure? I'm sure you don't even know who you are."

Raiden stiffens, but only for a short second. He swings his Blessing, and the chain whip stretches, bouncing off the walls and surrounding Loki, forming a huge cage.

Raia can no longer see the Blood Demon. The whip-like blade has encased him as it continues to extend, trapping him and leaving no way out. The whole place is almost surrounded by intersecting bladed chains. Following Raiden's attack, she thrusts her sword into the ground. Roaring flames erupt from the floor, engulfing the scene in front of them. Orange and red hues illuminate the dim place, casting a coppery sheen upon the wooden walls and furniture.

"Cypress!" Raiden bellows.

Sharp blades protrude from the main blade like spikes, piercing the demon trapped within. The flame that surrounds the sharpened metals waves and dances, emitting golden heat that is only harmful to demons. Raia points her sword forward, aiming at the burning scene. Her weapon recoils like a gun as a bullet-shaped fire escapes from the tip of the blade. As soon as the fire bullet disappears into the large flame, a loud booming sound resembling an explosion is heard, and the wavering tongues of flames flash brightly for a second. Golden smoke swirls around the chain whip as the holy fire slowly dissipates.

Raiden yanks at his weapon, performing the final blow, and the bladed chain closes around the unseen presence. That attack surely rips Loki apart.

But then, out of thin air, the very demon trapped within the bladed chain appears in front of Raiden, holding a golden mirror.

Raiden's eyes widen in terror.

So does Raia.

Loki appears to be completely unharmed. There is not a single scratch or graze on his body or garment. However, the humor in his eyes has faded and been replaced by a cold one.

Raiden stands motionless on his feet, his round eyes fixed on the Blood Demon. Then he gasps when Loki grasps his throat.

Just as Raia shifts her stance, preparing to pounce on her opponent, Loki holds up his hand, warning her not to get any closer.

"One careless step and this pretty boy is dead," Loki says, a firm note in his voice.

Raia remains motionless, her dull eyes fixed on Loki. Raiden tries to pry Loki's hand away from his neck, but Loki only tightens his grip. His weapon slips from his grasp, and the chain whip retracts to its original length.

"So, how well do you know yourself?" Loki remarks as he looks at his helpless opponent.

As Raiden tries to kick him, Loki catches his foot with his other hand and twists it enough to make him scream.

"Now, behave and listen to me," Loki says with a smile. "Since you said you don't remember me, that implies you have no recollection of your past, am I correct?"

Raiden stiffens at his statement. His expression alone is enough to rouse Loki to speak further.

"You poor boy, you don't know a thing about yourself. Perhaps you aren't even who you think you are. Are you certain of the people around you? Just so you know, humans are untrustworthy creatures. They aren't any different than demons you claim to despise. Oh. We are, in fact, more compassionate than you disciples."

"Stop saying nonsense things!" Raiden growls. He raises his other leg to kick him again, but Loki thrusts a blade into his stomach. He gasps in pain.

Loki twists the blade before yanking it out, and Raiden lets out an agonizing scream. The piercing sound of blood droplets echoes throughout the place like a pounding heart.

Raia remains rooted to the ground, her face expressionless. But Loki's bloodstained blade catches her eye. Where did the blade come from? It resembles Raiden's chain blade as if Loki has snatched one of its blades.

She notices that the demon is no longer holding a mirror.

"One step and your friend will now say goodbye," Loki warns.

Raia stares blankly at him. She does not even allow herself to glance at her bleeding comrade.

"I don't have such thing as a friend," Raia declares, and Loki's brows shoot up, not expecting her blunt and cold response.

Raiden's face falls as his eyes flicker to her.

Don't give him what he wants. Don't give him what he wants.

Raia keeps her face expressionless as she repeats those words in her head. Of course, she is well aware of what the Blood Demon is attempting. He's attempting to weaken her defenses by manipulating her emotions. Too bad, she won't fall for such tricks so easily. Furthermore, Raiden is someone she just met, so the demon's words mean nothing to her.

Loki looks at Raiden with confusion and then regains his composure. "Anyway, don't worry, boy, because I'll keep what I've learned to myself, okay? I'm also not going to tell you anything, not even who you are. I'll be gracious and let you die peacefully." He lets go of Raiden's throat and kicks him hard in the wounded stomach, sending him flying backward against a wooden wall.

Raia takes that as a cue from him and lunges.

Loki grins as he leaps away, licking the blade. "Not bad. But I still prefer the blood of a woman." He looks at Raia. "So, how about you? May I have a taste of yours?"

"Shut the hell up!" Raia roars as she swings her sword and releases a flame.

Loki laughs as he hops to the side. "I'm curious how you became a disciple. You're just as ruthless as the creatures you claim to hunt or . . . destroy."

Raia holds his gaze and poises her sword in both hands before advancing.

Loki skips and hops like a tap dancer as he evades her attacks, his ginger hair bouncing up and down on his head. Then his mouth widens into a bright smile, and his eyes twinkle as if he has realized something interesting. He stops and grabs her wrist and throws her to the ground.

Wincing, Raia pushes herself up from the floor. She may be a skilled fighter, but her opponent seems to have mastered the art of dodging, not to mention his incredible speed. On top of that, he appears to be someone who cannot be easily outwitted.

Loki looks her over from head to toe, a glint in his eyes. "Oh, I just realized you're the so-called great Apostle's apprentice. I'd heard he's a powerful man, but I never imagined his apprentice would be nothing in comparison to him, eh?"

Raia remains standing as she gathers her breath. Her body is on fire as her weapon continues to consume her mana. Releasing a Blessing increases its power, giving the owner an advantage in combat. However, it has a drawback. A Blessing that has been released can only be sustained for as long as it has mana to feed on. Once the proprietor has been drained, they will suffer from a severe case of enervation, which will result in them losing consciousness.

Loki heaves a sigh of disappointment. "You know, you're all being blinded by the light, thinking you're saviors who can redeem the world from corruption. I'm telling you, there is no such thing as purity in this world. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're one. Because you simply aren't. This is a grey world where everyone is a mix of light and dark. And we're all just trying to survive."

"Shut up!" Raia hisses, more like a whisper in the midst of the deafening silence.

The Blood Demon is no doubt trying to provoke her. He's trying to get inside her head and play with her emotion. He's a clever demon, Raia will give him that, and a very strong one. Unfortunately, she has no emotion for him to manipulate. She is, after all, a monster created by the orphanage.

I don't really care if I'm walking the tunnel of darkness or the path of purity.

Raia will be anything and do anything to achieve her goal. Even if it means sacrificing her humanity for the time being.

She wants to make the world a better and more peaceful place for her next life. To reincarnate in a world where no supernatural beings can interfere with human souls and where emotions are not a threat.

A world where she can be free.

She rests her hands on her knees to catch her breath. She can already feel her mana draining. Her body trembles as her breathing become rougher with each passing second. She clenches her teeth, trying to keep her breathing under control.

They must defeat the Blood Demon before she exhausts herself and dies as a result.

"All I want is to break the chains that bind humanity!" Raia growls, trying to buy time to catch her breath.

Eliminate.

Loki raises an eyebrow at her, still licking the blade like a cat.

"Darkness is turning humans into weapons they don't want to be," Raia continues.

Loki blinks several times. His ginger hair gleams like gold in the light from the lanterns. He then cackles like a deranged lunatic as if everything Raia said was amusing.

"Don't judge too quickly, kid. You don't know what you're talking about," Loki says, shaking his head. "Chains? Weapons? Just so you know, we only respond to their deepest desires. You disciples of Light are the ones interfering with their choices. You always take away their freedom to choose!"

Raia stiffens. Freedom?

Loki leaps forward and punches her in the stomach, knocking her out. Raia slams into the tables, gasping in surprise.

Loki saunters over to Raiden, who is still slumped on the ground, seemingly lost. The disciple's golden eyes are as pale as the dead woman.

"Please look after Kara."

Cyrus's words echo in Raia's mind as she watches the Blood Demon kneel before her wounded comrade. She picks herself up, groaning in pain.

"You're such a pity," Loki says, but Raiden remains motionless. "Are you certain you're heroes? From what I can tell, you have been abandoned by the God you look up to. He made you a warrior to clean up the world's mess. And now you're a mess as a result of the burden he bestowed upon you. You disciples are nothing more than pawns -"

"Cypress," Raiden says quietly, and his broadsword emerges in his hand. He thrusts the blade into Loki's chest without a second's hesitation.