The battle raged on as the rescue team leader clashed with Vincent's formidable form. Draven, Garrick, Wuldor, Alistair, and Aldric fought valiantly against Vincent, but as the fight progressed, they noticed something peculiar.

Vincent's attacks weren't intended to kill. Instead, they were designed to keep the team engaged and trapped. Only those who attempted to bypass him met their demise, cut into countless pieces by Vincent’s razor-sharp strings.

The demonic spirit inhabiting Vincent’s body understood that its master still needed the team alive for future purposes, so it refrained from killing them. However, the spirit also knew it was losing its grip as the battle wore on.

Lightning magic: lightning strike*

As it contemplated its next move, a powerful lightning bolt suddenly struck, shocking the demonic spirit. Vincent’s body convulsed violently just as Aldric released an aura slash from his blade, sending the demonic spirit crashing into a tree.

Sparks of electricity crackled around Vincent's motionless body, "He's unconscious. Everyone else, move to the designated location!" Garrick commanded, his voice sharp as his eye fixed on Vincent’s body.

The group split into two factions, heading toward K's position. However, before they could escape the spirit's gaze, those who dared to advance were struck down, erupting into flames.

"None of you will hinder my master’s plan." A growling noise, a grotesque blend of animal and human, emanated from Vincent's direction. Everyone turned to see that Vincent's body had risen, half of it now covered in dark masses morphing into tendrils that swung menacingly in the air.

"What is he?" Draven asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, ready for battle. "Is he a monster that escaped from the rift?" Garrick chimed in, his expression one of awe.

"No, I believe he's a demonic human," Alistair said, turning to Wuldor for his opinion. Wuldor nodded, suggesting the same idea. Seeing that it has gotten to this point they get serious.

A demonic human is a person who has sold their soul and body for greater power. Over time, their physical form mutates into a demonic creature while they retain their abilities and memories.

Without knowing of the spirit inhabiting Vincent’s body that causes its to turn this way. A demonic human is the next logical conclusion for everyone.

The demonic spirit within Vincent's body prepared to lunge forward but halted midway. It glanced at the sky, then bowed respectfully. "Yes, master," it murmured. Suddenly, a burst of darkness erupted from beneath, engulfing it and making it vanish from the group’s sight.

"What just happened?" Garrick questioned, but no one had an answer; they were all just as confused as he was. "We'll figure that out later. Right now, we need to save the student," Wuldor replied urgently.

On their way, they witnessed the devastation caused by Davis's rampage. "What could have happened here?" Aldric mumbled to himself. When they arrived at the cabin, they found it in ruins, destroyed by the battle between Davis and Vincent.

After searching the area and finding no sign of Davis or Rachel, they decided to spread out in teams of three to avoid being ambushed after what they had just witnessed.

K stood at a distance, watching the search with a blissful smile. The demonic spirit inhabiting Vincent’s body emerged from the ground in a weakened form and knelt before K. "My liege, I have completed your task."

K smirked, satisfied with the demon’s performance. "Very good, little one. Return for now, and I’ll summon you again if I need your services."

"Yes, my liege," the demon replied, bowing once more before vanishing into K’s shadow.

K took one last breath of air before turning toward the two unconscious people behind him. He raised his arm and inspected it, noting how his physical form was slowly fading. With a playful sigh, he remarked, "I guess my time is up. Maintaining a larger form does take a toll on my soul."

He then leaned down next to Davis. "You need to grow stronger, little one. After all, you’re the most important piece on this chessboard."

As he prepared to leave, something shiny reflecting the moonlight caught his attention. "Oh? Isn’t that?" His smile widened as he picked it up and then vanished into the night.

Before long, after K departed, a member of the search party found Rachel and Davis and reported back to the group. Soon, both were brought back. Rachel was taken to meet with the Royal physician, while Principal Wuldor personally looked after Davis.

Woof* woof*

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Davis opened his eyes slowly. He could hear a dog barking, and Skye leaped onto his chest, fully waking him. His eyes roamed around the room, landing on Rowan, who watched him with a warm smile from the tableside.

Principal Wuldor sat beside him, feeling his pulse, while Professor Selena smiled gratefully at his safe return. Aaron and Kane were there too, but they were bickering and paid no attention to Davis.

After questioning Davis about various matters, they left one by one. "I'm glad you returned safely, Davis," Rowan said, his eyes almost tearing up with happiness.

"Yeah, it has been one heck of a journey," Davis chuckled, lighting up the room.

"I'm sorry, Davis. As your friend, I should've been there for you," Rowan spoke with a frown, clutching his arm in anger.

"Why are you blaming yourself? You should blame the one who broke in without notifying us first, haha," Davis replied with a wry smile.

"Did you figure out what their goal is?" Rowan continued questioning.

Davis shook his head. "Like I said before, I'm just as puzzled as the rest of you," he replied, looking down at Skye and patting his head gently. A warm smile danced on Davis's lips as he thought about his close call with death.

Something didn’t make sense about the information he got from Principal Wuldor regarding his rescue. He and Rachel had been found unconscious and left alone in the forest without any hassle, especially considering Vincent's disappearance, unless…

"Rowan, can you take Skye out for a walk? I need a moment of silent," Davis spoke with difficulty, handing the reluctant Skye to Rowan.

Rowan nodded and turned around, holding Skye tightly in his arms. "Please get some rest, Davis," he said, closing the door and leaving Davis alone in the quiet room.

"I know you're here, K," Davis said to the empty room. "Wouldn't it be rude to come without saying hello?" he giggled. A dark mist breezed into the room, gathering into one spot. An outline of a person began to emerge, and soon K walked out in all his glory. Davis laughed and shook his head. "Never losing that smile, I see. That's so like you."

"Well, like they say, a smile a day keeps your demons at bay," K chuckled before he continued, "Though I don't think it'll work for you since you have… well, me."

"Yay me," Davis replied sarcastically.

K rolled his eyes at Davis's attitude. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to say thank you once in a while… Do you know how many people would kill to meet me?" K sat on the chair in front of Davis, resting his chin on his hand. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

Davis stayed quiet for a while, the weight of his unasked questions pressing down on him. After a long pause, he decided to start with the most important one. "K, why did you choose me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

K tilted his head, raising an eyebrow in childish confusion. "I'm sorry. I don't quite follow your question, care to elaborate?"

Davis took a deep breath and tried again. "I want to ask you not as Davis, your contractee, but as a friend."

K's expression shifted subtly, the word "friend" catching him off guard. How long had it been since any living being had called him that? His smile faltered for a split second before it returned.

"Why do you want to help me, K?" Davis pushed further. "I want to know, does my cooperation have anything to do with the war?"

K sat there, patiently listening, a look of genuine confusion on his face. "I know I'm not stupid, but what war are we talking about?"

Davis let out a sigh before calling out to K, "Leviathan," causing K to abruptly turn toward him. Davis pressed on, "Does my existence have anything to do with that war?"

The room fell silent. K stood expressionless before Davis. Davis could sense that he had struck a nerve, and by the terms of their contract, K couldn’t deceive him. Davis was determined to uncover the truth.

K suddenly burst into laughter, clapping his hands. "Bravo, my friend! Hahaha, I never thought you would uncover my true identity." Wiping a tear of joy from his eye, K noticed the puzzled expression on Davis's face as he continued, "Hmmm, if you're referring to a war and calling me by my name, then you must mean the rebellion against heaven."

Yes... and?" Davis probed urgently.

K giggled before replying, "Well, if I were to have been born a few billion years ago, then maybe I'll need your help." He answered nonchalantly.

"Is that it? Is that all I get for my hard work?" Davis was left speechless at K’s response.

K looked at him quizzically. "Oh, were you expecting some sort of reward for figuring out my real name?" He brought his hand to his chin in thought. "Hm, I wasn't planning on giving you a reward, but I'll see what I can do."

Annoyed by K’s response, Davis persisted. This time, his voice boomed with determination. "Then why should I matter?" he exclaimed. "There are far more qualified candidates. So, why me?"

K shook his head, a mischievous grin dancing on his lips. "Well, you still have the other option, if you're curious," he replied cryptically.

Davis understood exactly what K meant— the two wishes he hadn't yet used under their contract.

"You sly trickster," Davis muttered, scolding K.

K responded with a chuckle. "Hey, can you blame me? I'm a salesman through and through. Finding a good deal is in my blood." He chuckled at Davis's frustration.

With a heavy heart, Davis addressed K for his second wish. "For my second wish, I wish to know why you help me, I wish to know the real truth," he said, his words instantly etched onto the soul contract.

K stood with a sinister smile, locking eyes with Davis. "Alright, you want the truth?" He pulled a chair close and sat down, crossing his legs casually. "Fine," He let out a sigh before he began, "I'll give you your truth."

The room became charged with a blend of tension and a strange sense of comfort for Davis as he lay in the infirmary, awaiting the answers he so desperately sought…