After piecing everything together, I finally had a rough understanding of the situation:

1. A criminal organization comprised of dangerous individuals had targeted Luciana.

2. To protect her, Nikellus struck a deal to rescue the prophets, believing they knew how to shield her.

It all made sense—except for one detail.

Apparently, the prophets had lied about knowing any way to protect Luciana.

Does Luciana know about this? No, she couldn’t. If she did, Nikellus wouldn’t have hidden his visit to the Count’s manor from her.

Nikellus had gone to great lengths to conceal the truth, even enduring ridicule as a “madman causing a scene” at the estate. He hid it all because he didn’t want Luciana to feel indebted to him.

...Tch.

Realizing the hidden depths of the original Nikellus left a bitter taste in my mouth. It would’ve been easier if he was just a reckless idiot with no sense of responsibility. That would have lifted some of the weight from my shoulders.

But no. The man whose body I now inhabited wasn’t just an empty shell—he was someone who sacrificed himself for others.

As I mulled over this revelation, the monster’s voice, which had been a unified cacophony, suddenly split into two distinct entities, each speaking their mind.

"Stopping the Forgotten and protecting Luciana from them... If we actually knew how to do that, we wouldn’t be wasting our strength trying to kill him."

"But we don’t know the way, so—"

"Luciana will inevitably be taken, and her capture will lead to our brother falling into their hands, controlled like a puppet—"

The monster raised its clawed hand and scraped it across the floor, pawing like a bull ready to charge.

It was straightforward enough to predict its path, but predicting didn’t make dodging any easier—it was blisteringly fast.

"That’s why we have to kill you here before it’s too late!"

The monster charged as expected.

Ordinarily, I would’ve dodged immediately, but this time, I waited.

In the fraction of a second I had to act, only one thought dominated my mind:

Move precisely. No mistakes.

I couldn’t dodge too late—one misstep and its razor-sharp claws would rip me apart.

But I couldn’t dodge too early, either. That would tip them off to the trap I’d planted behind my shield.

I timed my movement perfectly, pulling back just as its claws grazed my neck.

"...!!"

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The monster finally noticed the trap concealed behind me—a magical device I had discreetly set up while pretending to negotiate.

It was too late for them to stop. The momentum of their massive body carried them straight into the trap’s range.

[Trap Item "Night Visitor's Snare (A)" has been activated!]

This was the expensive trap I had purchased earlier at the White Moon Shop. It was a finicky device, only effective when the target’s health and mana were below 50%.

But in this moment, it was perfect. Designed to ensnare “night visitors”—beings like incubi and succubi—it sprang to life.

"Aaaaargh!!"

Chains of radiant light shot out from the octagonal trap, coiling around the monster’s enormous body like snakes. The holy chains constricted their prey, transforming into unbreakable restraints.

[Forcing the captive night visitors to disband their fusion skill, "Soul Bond."]

[Reducing captive night visitors' health, mana, and stamina by 80%.]

[Sealing all skills for 10 minutes.]

Note: If the captive night visitors are rendered "incapacitated," the seal duration extends to one year!

The fused monstrosity split apart, reverting into two separate entities—a male incubus and a female succubus. Both collapsed to the floor, chains around their necks.

For a moment, it seemed the tide had turned. But I knew better.

Their strength wasn’t entirely gone, and the skill seal would wear off in ten minutes. I needed to incapacitate them to make the seal permanent.

As my dwindling holy energy threatened to overwhelm me with exhaustion, I clenched my teeth.

Can my body even hold out long enough?

Despite my doubts, I lunged at the incubus.

Clang!

Our weapons collided—his magic-infused arm against my reinforced mace. His blood-red eyes burned with killing intent.

“Stubborn, aren’t you? You know what’ll happen if you, a powerful Apostle, fall into their hands,” he sneered.

“You mean the Forgotten?” I shot back. “What’ll happen?”

He laughed darkly. “You already know, don’t you?”

“Nope. Not a clue,” I replied earnestly. “But here’s what I do know: I’ll protect Luciana, and I’ll survive.”

“Even if your decision jeopardizes everyone’s safety and peace? They will use you to destroy this world!”

“Then I’ll deal with them later.” I smirked. “Maybe no one has to die. Did you ever think of that?”

“An idealistic solution doesn’t exist—!”

“Are you sure?”

I sidestepped his left-handed swing and pressed on.

“How do you know there’s no way to stop the Forgotten without sacrifices? Did you even try to find another way? Or did you just take the easy shortcut and decide killing me was faster?”

“...”

“And what makes you so confident that your shortcut will even work?”

“What...?”

“If you kill me and your worst-case scenario still happens, then what?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he swung his wing at me.

Crunch!

I blocked with my arm, but the impact fractured the bone. Still, thanks to an item effect, the pain was dulled, allowing me to grab his wing.

I tightened my grip and grinned.

“Let me guess—you foresaw the world ending a thousand years from now, right?”

His stunned expression gave me all the confirmation I needed.

“Thought so. The Forgotten need me to bring about that future, and they’re targeting Luciana to control me.”

“...”

“And you thought killing me would solve everything. But you overlooked one thing.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And what’s that?”

“That your plan is flawed.” I stared him down. “If I die, the worlds still doomed. Want to know why?”

I let the truth spill:

“Because I’m from that future—the one where everything already fell apart.”

His face paled.

“A thousand years from now, this world is nothing but ruins. Civilization is gone. The only things left are dungeons and monsters.”

“...”

“So, you see, I’ve already lived that nightmare. And killing me now won’t stop it from happening again.”

The incubus faltered, his grip weakening.

“You want peace? Fine. But you’re going about it all wrong.”

With a swift motion, I tore through the membrane of his wing with my dagger.

He let out a pained scream and collapsed, unable to stand.

Finally, I turned toward the succubus—only for her to dart toward the window.

“No!” I leapt after her, but my injured body failed me. My fingers barely grazed her ankle before she escaped into the night.

Panting, I cursed under my breath.

“Luciana! Bliss!”

I turned to see them entering the room. There was no time for questions.

“Explain later—just catch that succubus!”