Its been days staying in the hospital.

Once they had settled in the building properly, Jim properly introduced himself as someone who came from a long term coma. Of course, they didn't believe him at first. But once he had explained some things that he didn't know, their suspicion on him lowered but still lingered.

It lowered even more once the doctor of the group explained that he was able to cure and remove Vapour out from the girl. No doubt it surprised them all, they didn't believe of course, but they confirmed that the girl has no Vapour within her, they began to ask questions from him.

It quite unnerved Jim from how hard Lessa's gaze was on him during the questioning, but he managed through.

Raynold, the one-eyed redhead. Also known as the Crimson Knight, asked if he could turn her sister back to normal. Of course he could... Maybe, but he needs to put up a good act that he can't.

He doesn't have any items that can reverse a race-change, so chances are that he cant turn his sister back... As much as he wanted to.

He managed to turn back someone who was a 'giant ass zombie' back into a deman, but that was resurrection. The daughter of Hazon was embedded with a transformation curse effect, not a race change.

Ichozuc and the other surviving summons recovered quickly as they were replenished of their supplies and condition secretly from Jim from the others. He wouldn't want the others to know that what he is truly yet.

And right now, they are gathered in the patient's room.

The human girl, Miena, is still in coma.

"...Why isn't she awake?" Raynold began to speak.

"...I cannot answer that unfortunately." Jim sighed as he leaned backwards in his chair, giving the act that he is still recovering from removing the status effect from the woman.

"How?" Jin said. Eyeing at his friend in worry.

"From what I currently know, she is fine I checked at the dawn of morning when the rest of you are asleep, and I do not sense any form of maliciousness or aura of it."

"He speaks true, I also do not sense any Vapour from her." Lessa said almost mechanically.

"And there doesn't seem to be horns growing from her head." Lucy pointed out.

He nodded. "Like I said, probably give her some time to rest. Chances is that she had experienced something traumatic when she got caught, last I heard that from this boy over here." He thumbed to Lexter.

"Hey! I'm a man, not a boy!"

"But my recommendation is that some of us should stay with your friend. I'll put that covered on asking the insect leader to stick to you guys."

"You mean Ichozuc?" Lucy spoke up meekly, hearing the name of the one who saved her before perked her up.

"Aye, besides, having them around the hospital and checking the perimeter should make it more safer around. Imagine if its just the three of you here would be more scary." He shuddered at the last part.

'Three people in a large building like a hospital is scary enough to think.'

"You can deal Demans as easy as hunting animals, yet you are scared of being in alone in a large building." The one-eyed redhead deadpanned.

"Hey, try being in a hospital where doctors hold you down while still wide awake and conscious enough to feel the fucking torture they'll give you on your body!" He pointed sharply at him.

"...Wait, were you experimented on?" Lucy assumed wide eyed. Apparently that brought lots of attention to him now.

"..." He went quiet. He could easily tell that its not true, but he would let them feel the uneasiness from the awkward situation they just made.

He quietly gripped the armrest more tightly, making him visibly tense and in a state of distress.

"Oi, I think you should apologize to him." Jin scolded at him. Though he wondered what kind of experiments had been gone on to the man.

"Then how are you able to remove the Vapour out of her?" Raynold.

"I... I do not know." He said, putting a tone of uncertainty. Acting like he doesn't know. To which, he technically doesn't know how he did it. "I do not know how I removed Vapour from her, but I felt like I could remove something in her."

"It felt like Ra's power." Lessa commented.

"Ra?" He asked, putting up a dumb act. "The Egyptian God? Whats he got to do in this?"

The others looked at each other with worried expressions, although Raynold just sighed. "Its not like were keep this a secret anyways." He turned to Lessa. "Should I tell him?"

Lessa turned quiet before nodding. He could think that the deity doesn't like recalling his past much.

They began to tell the story which began with Lessa, the Dark God. He already knew about this since he had eavesdropped on them when they were in the tunnels.

It took some time recalling the information given out, processing same things, but also recalling that they left some things out.

'Hiding something are we? Alright.' He didn't mind, since giving out information to someone you just don't know is stupid and risky. Plus, one wouldn't know what they would do with the knowledge.

Although he still couldn't believe that there is actually a frigging god-like being in front of him. He was pondering whether he should use {Appraise} on Lessa or risk getting caught.

Better to do that when the opportunity rises.

He went quiet, acting as if he is processing what he just listened. The people around didn't speak, letting him process the words. Afterwards, the one-eyed redhead began to speak.

"...I know it sounds unbelievable, but its true." Raynold said nonchalantly.

"Like when Angels and Demons that we thought aren't real are actually real? Yeah, sounds unbelievable." He rolled in a D-18 on sarcasm. "But there is one thing in mind."

He turned to Lessa. "What is your goal?"

He seemed confused. "My goal? My goal is too acquire my power back."

"And to do that is to remove Ares, right?"

Lessa simply nodded.

Jim stared at Lessa and Lessa stared at Jim. It was so long that the atmosphere around was starting to becoming tense, colder than usual. Everyone in the room felt the temperature change.

Raynold and Lexter prepared themselves for a fight.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"...Why not ask Ra yourself?" He asked as if the question was the answer.

"I... I cannot."

"Unable or declined you to not see him?"

"..." Lessa looked away from his gaze. His expression showing discomfort.

'Ouch, dude probably got rejected.' He winced at the stupidity of the question. He should have notice it.

"Discomfort, I see. Then I retract my question. Apologies if I made you feel unpleasant."

The swordsman looked at him before nodding in thanks. No doubt in relief that he doesn't need to talk about his story much in detail.

"But," He spoke up again. "Let me join you in this quest. Seeing that this would end the nightmare in this island, I see no other reason to purge the darkness out of this place."

"Are you sure?"

He chuckled. "There is nothing much to do around here, don't you think? Other than moping around and thinking how I should get myself killed, its better to rid the darkness from its root than letting it spread."

"But you don't look your in a condition to fight." Jin said.

"The process on removing the Vapour from that girl took a drain on me. Imagine jogging around for days with no rest, its that kind of exhaustion. Just a few rests and I'm good to go." He technically told the truth. The spells were 10th tier and it took chunks out from his MP, and just a rest would recover the lost MP quick enough.

"Looks like its just the three of us will move ahead then." Raynold glanced at Lexter and Lessa, whom the latter just nodded at him.

"Oh, and before we go. Here." Lexter stated before grabbing something within his clothing before tossing it to Jim.

"? What is this?" He eyed the item, it looked like something for an ear. "An earpiece?"

"Its an tiny radio earpiece of my design. It doesn't need much power to be used, and its almost impossible to have its signal jammed!" The techie gave thumbs up. "Use it to contact us!"

"We'll go ahead, take care. And Lucy," Raynold turned to his sister and spoke in a gentle tone. "Don't worry about me."

After they said their byes, the room went quiet with only 5 of them left. They began to chat along for at least few hours, at least that is what Jim could tell the time from the clock he had eyed on.

"Doctor Jin." Jim then spoke, getting the man's attention.

"Huh? Yes?"

"I suggest it would be better to begin finding out a solution to reverse the Deman transformation."

That only confused them. "Why?"

"Because I do not think I can do it again." He said firmly, straight to the man's eyes.

"What do you mean you can't do it again?" Lucy asked. However, her tone suspicious.

He closed his eyes before answering, as if contemplating whether he be calm or not.

"...The part which I can turn someone back to normal. Though there a problem, if I were do it again, and if you humans get caught and absorbed the Vapour, and if what you say about it is true; then I might die trying to prevent you from being turned." He could hear gasps from them.

"Why did you wait to tell this to us?" Jin said worryingly. "Why didn't you tell this to others?"

"Because I do not want them to be concerned nor distracted on getting to the center of the island, if it means on ridding the core of this nightmare, then its for the good. For the pleasant ignorance that they need to have."

"But Lessa could help you-!"

"No, like I said. They don't need any more distractions. As much as I wanted to turn everyone back to human... I can only do it once more. Beyond that, I'm good as dead."

"Then, is it possible to acquire samples from you?"

"...Like blood samples and tissue samples?"

The doctor grunted in affirmation. "Yeah, exactly like that. I need samples so that I can find a way to make a solution to reverse Deman transformation. With Lucy here, she can help me with it."

'Shit, I'm not sure how I can fake my blood as a cure... Wait, is it possible?' As he was silently pondering if those certain items within his inventory could help with this reverse cure, the others looked at him attentively. Waiting for the answer.

"Then I'd like you to note something, Mr Jin."

"Just call me Jin," He said. "And what is it something you want me to tell?"

"I'm not good with needles..." Jim looked away embarrassed. Its not like he doesn't like needles, he HATES NEEDLES! THOSE THINGS ARE SCARY! HE WOULD LITERALLY DIVE FIGHT A WORLD ENEMY IF IT MEANS ON AVOIDING OF GETTING A NEEDLE!

"..."

And there is happens~!

Awkward silence!

. . .

Ichozuc had 4 Trappers to patrol a mile radius and had the rest of them to guard the hospital without being seen.

The remaining Ant Warriors and Workers began working on reinforcing several parts of the hospital with dirt and rock.

They are still in Zone 3. The part of the zone where there is more likely to be Demans around, and chances of them getting spotted is utmost high.

He noticed the humans along with the deity walking out of the hospital. He quickly went up to them.

"Where are you three going?" He said.

"Were going ahead to Zone 1." Lessa responded although blandly as if they were going out for a walk.

He felt his eyes go wide. "I'm afraid I cannot let you go."

"Oh? Why not?" Raynold spoke with a firm tone, his fist tighten.

"It issss within my orderssss to protect you. And I cannot protect you without proper ssssset."

"Why not just ask your Master or something to let us go? Better yet, why let us talk to him?" Lexter said.

"I'm afraid I cannot do ssssso. Only he can contact me, not me to him." 'I do not wish to offend my master.'

Raynold growled. "Look, I don't like wasting time like this, but let us pass or else I'll burn you to crisp."

Tensions rose between the group. Lexter was fidgeting but his hand was slowly going to his electric staff. Lessa getting ready and having his hand go near the handle of his blade.

Ichozuc gripped his knife, hidden within his cloak. In a quick draw, he can get close to them. He could eye that the other trappers above and ground below saw this and aimed their crossbows towards the three. Awaiting orders to fire or put their weapons down.

"...Hold on a moment then." He said before turning around.

'My massssster forgive me.' He silently asked for forgiveness from his master, thinking he had done a sin against his orders and the thought of offending him.

[Massssster, pleasssssse forgive me for interrupting you, but there issssss sssssssomething you need to know.]

[Oh~? Ichozuc? What is it?]

[The two humanssssss along with the unknown are going out of the building'ssss vicinity]

[Ah, and you are asking me if I can let them through? Simply let them, I do not doubt them with the one with the sword being with them. But if you can, have one of the Trappers to eye them at a safe distance without letting anyone else notice]

[...Undersssstood masssster] He slightly bowed his head before turning around to the three.

"He hassssss ordered me to let you through." He said firmly, making them relax their stances.

"Jeez, what with all the permissions and stuff?" Raynold said a bit annoyed.

"It isssss for your sssssafety, human."

"Oh yeah? Tell that to the Demans I burn to ashes." He grinned. This would sound arrogant and foolish, but he knows that the human is powerful enough to harm him. But he is also sure that they cannot harm Master no matter how.

"Hot headed you are, little human." Raynold didn't retort back as he walked away towards to town.

"Sorry for that." Lessa said, eyeing at his friend. "He is like that at times."

"It ssssseemsssss sssssso..." He replied without turning to the swordsman. "Zone 1, assss you sssssaid before, isssss dangerousssss."

"No doubt about it," The swordsman nodded. "Although it is for the better. It would have been dangerous for the others. You shall remain here then?"

The insect leader nodded. "Assss ordered by our massster."

Lessa hummed. "If there is a chance, might I see your master if a chance arises?"

"...Perhapsssssss, deity. Perhaps."

. . .

Within the simple-looking town of Zone 2, it was quiet all around.

But the buildings, specifically the bar, was rowdy and loud. Sounds of cheers, drunken spurs, fists hitting flesh, and the sound of a bell.

"-And the winner goes to the fighter to my right, Caleb!" Announced the speaker in the boxing ring.

The winner would usually ponder themselves in pride and proudful deceit of cheers, but not this winner.

He was simply bored.

"Boring... Another weakling down." He muttered before walking away to grab his shirt.

A Deman shouted at him enchantingly, but he dismissed it nonchalantly.

As he was wearing his shirt back, he felt someone approaching him.

"Caleb," Spoke a familiar voice. "Stop fooling around and lets go meet Ares." Bruce, a coworker. He was wearing a hooded robe, covering all but his massive figure.

"What is it? I have enough for today anyway."

With that they left the premises. The bored Caleb and the burly Bruce walked out of the bar.

"I'd rather go hunt some humans like we did in the past. Now I'm just wasting my time beating up some bastards. The gang's also boring now." Caleb sighed.

"Then do something productive."

"And what would that be, huh?" He remarked.

"I'm seriously trying to help you." His tone not changing the slightest. "Isn't it that you don't get any orders from Ares-nim?"

Caleb felt a vein ticking on his head. "The only order I received was to train White."

"But why is he calling us?"

Before any of them could reply, they notice a figure approaching in front of them. A female deman.

"Hello, I'm Ares secretary. My name is Dorothy." She bowed.

"What, who?"

"I come here today as as substitute for our lord in order to inform you of your mission." She ignored, going straight to the point.

"Sending a secretary seems too much. Don't you think that its getting increasingly difficult to meet him?"

"Right," No doubt also wondering about this. "tell us whats going on." Bruce motioned her to continue.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding." The secretary firmly replied. "I was summoned by Ares-nim since he's feeling unwell because of a stressful problem."

"What is it?"

"It's a funeral."

The two widen their eyes in surprise.

"What?" Caleb said unconsciously.

"Belle-nim has passed away."

Bruce felt his eyes narrow at the thought. Who and how can someone manage to kill a Zone Lord? And Belle of all people!

No doubt this situation would go in a unexpected moment. While he could think of certain people who can murder Belle, it would be a few but they wouldnt risk getting attention from their Lord.

But there would be a chance, and its probably that rumor.

The Crimson Knight.