The scene of Darry vaporizing his opponents repeatedly played in Miko’s head. He tried to discern what Darry did to no avail. This caused frustration to be born inside his heart. His desire for strength was reignited and was now stronger than ever. However, he knew he needed to take it easy. He didn’t forget he hosted a dangerous power, which grew stronger with him; or maybe even at a faster rate than him. Because of this, he needed to be careful or he might lose control and hurt those dear to him.

“Tia.”

A holy light flashed before him and Tia appeared from it.

“What’s up?”

“I need to get stronger, do you have any ideas?”

“That’s quite a sudden request…..But let’s see.”

Tia started to ponder something and then she got an idea.

“You’re part demon right?”

Miko nodded.

“Yeah. My father is from the demon clan, Saevus.”

“That’s right. That’s the clan of humans that killed the Great Demon King Beleth and became demons by drinking his blood.”

She pondered a bit more before speaking.

“Then why don’t you try to draw power from your demon heritage? Or was it suppressed like your Dragna traits?”

Miko shook his head.

“I was just told to never practice using my demon blood. I was never given a reason, also my father never taught me how in the first place.”

“Hmm….I think I know the reason why you were banned from doing so. With you being how you are, I’m sure your father was afraid of your demon trait fusing with the sinister power inside of you. If that happens, it would probably lead to a great disaster.”

“So, I should give up on activating my demon blood?”

“Hell no. Let’s do it now.”

“….Why?”

“Because it would be too much of a waste not to tap into Beleth’s power.”

Miko thought about it for a bit.

“I guess you’re right.”

Miko agreed with a carefree tone.

“Do you know how to do it?”

Miko asked.

“I don’t think it should be that difficult. You’re versed on how to explore your soul, right?”

Miko nodded. He immediately figured out what she wanted him to do. As such, he sat on the roof and closed his eyes. His mind then traveled to a different location.

He returned to the monochromic world.

“Yo.”

The moment he arrived, he was greeted by the silhouette of himself.

“You already know why I’m here. Where is it?”

“This way.”

The silhouette led Miko in a certain direction. After a few minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a tombstone. Unlike the others that were pale gray, this tombstone was crimson and had ancient letters on it.

“Was this always here?”

“Don’t know. I only just noticed it when the whole demon thing was brought up.”

The silhouette shrugged.

“Hmm….”

Miko stoop down and looked at the letters on the tombstone. He suddenly realized that he could read it.

“Beleth.”

That was what was written on it.

*Bam!*

A crimson tentacle burst out from the grave and wrapped itself around Miko’s arm.

“Hm?”

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Miko didn’t panic, even though he could feel it pulling him underground. He instead looked intrigued.

“Looks like it's trying to devour you.”

The silhouette laughed.

“It must want to take this soul for itself. What are you gonna do?”

“What, you ask?”

Miko laughed.

“This seems interesting, so I’m going to see just what it is.”

He was pulled by the tentacle and dragged underground.

“Have a nice trip.”

The silhouette waved at the grave

Meanwhile, Miko was dragged into a world of darkness by the tentacle. Other than the tentacle he could see nothing else. Even so, Miko didn’t panic and calmly waited to be dragged to the location. After what felt like a few minutes, Miko saw a crimson light pierce through the darkness. He instantly arrived in a strange-looking world. There was no land, only a sea and a sky filled with stars and planets. These stars and planets were so abnormally close that it gave the impression that you could just reach out and touch them. Miko looked into the sea and he saw countless pale horses galloping in every direction. It was as if they were schools of fish. On the horses were black cats playing all forms of instruments, and dancing in celebration of something.

The entire scene was weird, to say the least.

“…..?”

Miko sensed a presence and looked in front of him. There, he saw someone standing on the sea not too away from him. This person was very tall, muscular, and had wild crimson hair; which looked like they were the flames of hell itself. His handsome face wore a terrifying expression. He was wearing crimson and gold armor and had a pair of beastly crimson eyes.

Seeing the eyes and hair that reminded him of his father, Miko immediately figured out who stood there.

“Demon King Beleth, I assume.”

The next instant Beleth appeared in front of him. He looked down on Miko as if he was a mere bug.

“Don’t casually address this king, child.”

His voice was powerful and commanding. Just hearing it made one feel the urge to bow down before him.

“Heh.”

However, Miko only smiled in response.

“As expected of a Higher Being, you look down on everything.”

“Child, you called my name but do you truly know who you are dealing with?”

“What a stupid question. You’re Beleth, one of the 9 kings of hell under Lucifer, and one of the 4 great demon kings that rule over a direction in hell, commanding 85 legions of demons, which is over 500,000 demons. You’re also suspected of being one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The one that brings death upon the world, the Grim Reaper.”

Miko smiled.

“You’re a very terrifying character, despite not being that well known.”

“If you know, then you know that being able to have a conversation with me alone is costly.”

Beleth stretched his hand out towards Miko.

“As payment, you should hand over your body and soul.”

His fingers were inches away from reaching Miko.

*Clang!*

“?!”

However, his fingers never reached Miko. Suddenly, a thick black chain came out of nowhere and wrapped itself around Beleth’s arm. Beleth looked and saw a dark vortex behind him, this was where the chain originated from.

“Hahahaha!”

A burst of loud diabolic laughter drowned the strange world. Red glowing eyes could be seen inside the vortex. Countless black arms were seen stretching out of it.

“You think too highly of yourself, Beleth.”

Beleth looked back at Miko and saw a mocking smile on Miko’s face.

“You may have been a terrifying existence when you were alive, but you’re only a mere wisp here.”

Miko spread his arms and declared.

“This is my soul, my world. And there’s only one king here, ME!”

As if the colors were being drained, the starry world started to lose its vibrancy. The stars and planets crumbled one by one.

“What the hell is this?”

Beleth couldn’t believe his eyes.

“This is you being devoured by me.”

Miko replied.

“I’ve finally figured out why my father forbids me from learning to use my blood.”

He shook his head.

“No, your blood.”

He grinned.

“That’s because a piece of you still exists in all of us of Saevus descent, right?”

He pointed at the demon king.

“My ancestors somehow defeated you and became demons by drinking your blood and eating your flesh. However, how can mere humans devour you and not face any kind of consequences?”

He started laughing.

“They soon realized that they were cursed, and a part of you still lived in all of them. Meaning, that there was a chance of you being reborn through one of them. For example, let’s say someone was born with your blood being very potent in them, there’s a high chance they could become a vessel for your resurrection.”

Miko recalled his younger brother being called to the Saevus clan every now and again for checkups and examinations, while his younger sister wasn’t. That must be because Beleth’s blood was particularly strong in him.

“Even though your blood isn’t that strong in me, because I host some terrifying and mysterious power, there’s a chance that you can be reborn through me. If that happens, you might even be more powerful than you were in the past.”

Miko took a step closer and locked eyes with Beleth

“Tell me, how’s trying to take my soul coming along?”

Beleth roared and transformed into a terrifying cat-like monster.

“Don’t get cocky, brat!”

He roared again ready to pounce on Miko.

*Clang!*

Dozens of thick black chains shot out of the vortex and wrapped themselves around Beleth’s body. He was instantly restrained.

“You’re the one who shouldn’t get cocky.”

Miko snapped his fingers. A strong suction force came from the vortex. It sucked up the sea and the crumbling planets, it swallowed everything at a terrifying speed.

“Damn brat!”

Beleth roared as he was being dragged by the chains.

“This isn’t over! You hear me?! I will take your body!”

“Rapist much.”

Miko laughed and mocked Beleth.

“You’re willing to try, Beleth. But keep in mind you’re a mere Demon King. You’re nothing in my eyes.”

The chains dragged Beleth into the vortex with him kicking and screaming.

“Damn you!”

That was the last thing he said before being sucked inside. When the last pale horse was sucked in along with the last handful of water, the vortex disappeared.

*Crack!*

A large crack appeared in the space. It shattered and Miko returned to the monochromic world.

“Welcome back.”

The silhouette greeted him with a smile.

“How was it?”

“Pretty entertaining.”

Miko looked around.

“Where is he?”

“Here.”

The silhouette stretched his hand out, and a small vortex appeared above it and spat out something in his palm. It was a small crimson kitty.

“He sure got nerfed hard.”

Miko took Beleth into his hand.

“He may be like this now, but that’s only because you never tried to use his blood. If we train and nurture him, I’m sure we’ll gain tremendous powers over time.”

Miko nodded.

“I believe so as well. I also think the way my demon powers will develop will be different from the rest of my relatives considering I’ve completely tamed and fused with my demon blood.”

Miko started petting the kitten that was once a great demon king.

“Welcome to the family, Beleth.”