"Pardon? What do you mean?" Liam asks.

...I lost my composure.

"Ah...uhm..."

I look at the eye symbol and see an "X" across the iris. I didn't hallucinate. Moreover, I can feel very light energy from it.

"Let's discuss this tomorrow. Rest for today, good job." I say.

They nod and we leave.

In the southern part of Rodgof exists a city with scattered infrastructures built around uneven terrains, making up many bits of towns that are interconnected. Currently, it is the best place to hide if the Virtue Bureau does not recognise your face. Assassinations and investigations are complex due to regulations; Although risky, it comes with good protection.

"This city practises bureaucracy. Be careful to watch what you say and do." Liam said when we first arrived.

We walk across streets of a moderate population. A passing officer in blue glances at me, I lock my eyes forward and don't look. Without much thought, the officer walks past us.

Finally, we reach an ordinary-looking tavern. Opening the door sends a group of children running to us.

"Brother Arsto!" they exclaim and crash into me.

"Ngh?! Ouch...Haha...how is everyone?" I ask.

"Good, it's great to experience fresh air." A blonde young teenager says. Her name is Lily and she was the one who healed my leg injury.

A small group of teenagers and children surround us. A middle-aged lady walks to us with a smile, asking us to settle down and avoid disturbing other guests.

This lady with a golden brown braid ponytail and eyes is the owner of this tavern, Guida. Together with her husband as the bartender of the pub, they are Liam's closest acquaintance. They agree to keep our appearance a secret and even give us a discount for the fee. Liam goes ahead and greets the couple with a smile. He gestures for the rest of us to go ahead as he talks with Guida.

As for the youngsters, I let them roam, albeit not too far yet, to let them relish their newfound freedom.

I guide the youngsters up the tavern into their big room.

I expected a messy room but it is surprisingly clean.

"Did all of you...clean this room?" I ask.

"Yes, we didn't want to trouble the nice auntie too much."

...

They know to pay kindness with kindness and cruelty with cruelty. That level of maturity...isn't fitting for such small bodies.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A boy and girl with brown hair and purple eyes emerge from the shadow messaging their shoulder and yawning. Everyone here is a demonic human and each possesses different powers. The two youngsters have the power of shadow and void. Similar to Kin and Jon, both are twins.

"Ren, how was the man?" I ask the boy.

"He is fine, still struggling in the dark though."

"He wouldn't have if you didn't break his arm," says Ren's sister.

"Shut up Rin, if you controlled the void properly, his arm wouldn't have caught in a spatial distortion."

"You were responsible for transporting his physical body!" says Rin.

"You-"

"It's alright, both of you did well," I say.

Rin and Ren glance at me before looking away in embarrassment, pretending to hate that compliment. Tsundere?

"Anyways, rest up. I have something to discuss with everyone tomorrow." I say and bid good night to the children.

After taking a shower, I return to my room and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.

...

I can't sleep. I am too anxious about whether I can survive. I really hope it's simply a coincidence...

====================================================

The next day...

====================================================

*Knock* *Knock*

Lily slowly opens the door after no reply comes and jolts when she sees me on the bed staring at her.

"Ah! You are awake! I brought breakfast." She says with a pleasant smile, holding a tray of soup with some bread.

"I see, thank you." I take the tray and place it on the table in the corner.

Lily looks around and scratches her cheek. "Uhm...I made that soup with aunt Guida. Please take a sip and tell me how it tastes!"

...

"Sure," I reply. As I bring a spoonful of soup to my mouth, the fresh aroma fills my senses. One gulp is enough for me to taste the burst of flavour. "Oh? It's nice!"

"Really!?"

"Yes. Really."

Lily's grin widens as red flashes on her cheeks. "Enjoy your meal!" and she leaves. I can hear her mumbling "Yes!" outside.

...

I place the spoon back into the bowl and sit on the bed.

"Hah..." I sigh.

Last night, my dear kind Samuel barely slept as he ponders about ways to overcome the crisis. I suppose it's time for this selfish brother to take over. I understand Core Samuel's intention to save as many people as possible but to me, it simply is not viable at his current strength.

Thus, the best way I can win is by using the most egocentric strategy possible.

A slight grin extends.

I go down to the meeting room after breakfast and wait behind the chair of the large table. The children and teenagers stroll in one by one and greet me.

Liam is the last to come.

"Did anyone wait too long? I was buying some treats." He says, placing a bucket of snacks for the children.

"Let's begin," I say and stand up.

Pulling out a piece of paper, I draw the exact eye symbol I saw and show it to everyone. "Liam, have you seen this symbol anywhere?"

"Hm?" He glances over as he munches on some bread. "Ah...mm...that?" he swallows and says "Apparently a weird religion is starting to surface and their members usually spray this wherever they go. They talk about the end of the world and whatnot, saying that worshipping their God will lead them to salvation. Because the Demon attacks Elvis, many started to join."

...I've confirmed it. Damn it, that fucker definitely is in Rodgof. Haren Demiuscra.

==================================

A handsome man with black hair and eyes walks across an alley wearing a large black robe with white pants and an inner shirt.

He knocks on a door and looks around before heading in. The door reveals a staircase into a basement full of blood and corpses.

"Ah Haren, you are late." A girl among the piles of corpses says. Her left cheek has a burn scar and many scars stains across her mouth.

"Well, I had some company. How is the plan progressing?" Haren says.

"Good. The so-called strong warriors are barely any stronger than an ant."

Among the pile of corpses, a survivor still alive plays dead.

Haren looks at the survivor and smiles.

*Thump Thump*

"ARGHHHHHHH!!!!"

A sudden spike in compression sends the survivor screaming in agony. Within seconds, blood flows from his mouth and eyes before his body explodes into a bloody pulp.

"You missed one," Haren says.