The birdsong from outside the window roused Hank from his deep sleep. Morning sunlight fell on his grimy face.

Pain shot through the back of his head, forcing a cry. The blinding sun made it hard to open his eyes.

"Hiss... Ow ow ow ow..."

Hank touched the throbbing spot on his skull and struggled to sit up on the bed, using hands and feet.

This room felt familiar. His head ached terribly. What had happened? Why was he here...

Memories from last night flooded his mind like a torrent. As they cleared, Hank froze in place.

"Ah."

Sitting stiffly on the bed’s edge, Hank let out a rigid murmur. Scenes from last night flashed before his eyes.

Luo Er’s murder. His own capture. Companions cruelly turned into zombie puppets by Lafas...

"And that demon descending with death."

Hank recalled everything at Lafas’s mansion. The demon that haunted him took shape in his mind.

"Gag gag gag gag gag..."

Hank dry-heaved violently. The blood-soaked scene of torn flesh and bone was too gruesome. Lafas’s final rotten, inhuman form made him sick.

Acidic bile churned in his stomach, as if he’d vomit it all out. Hank tumbled messily onto the floor, retching.

"That guy really is dead, right..."

Kneeling on the floor, Hank wiped the stain from his mouth and murmured with complex emotions. That bastard finally got his due.

"Could that demon who saved my life really be..."

Hank staggered to his feet and walked to the table, murmuring softly.

The savior had given him a heavy bag of gold coins and knew his name. Only Mu Yi could pull off something so outrageous.

"Especially this room... isn’t this the inn where Lord Mu Yi and Miss Eva stayed..."

Hank lightly stroked the table and let out a bitter laugh. No mistake—the one who saved him and punished Lafas was Lord Mu Yi.

Lord Mu Yi must have heard of Luo Er’s murder and rushed to Lafas’s mansion to rescue him.

But unexpectedly, Lord Mu Yi was of the Demon Kin... That chilling evil aura was no human trait...

"Lord Mu Yi... whether you’re Demon Kin or not, you’re still Hank’s most respected friend."

Hank silently stared at the gold coin bag on the table and clenched his right fist.

If Mu Yi hadn’t arrived in time, he’d have been dismembered by his zombie companions, like Lafas.

Yes, he survived. But Luo Er and his friends died because of him.

If he hadn’t hijacked Lafas’s carriage, none of this would’ve happened. He was the source of all misfortune.

He should’ve died, not innocent Luo Er and the others. Yet the sinner lived on. How ironic.

Whoosh~

A gentle wind whistled through the window, lifting the curtain. Beneath the heavy coin bag, a white corner peeked out.

"A letter?"

Hank looked gloomily at the paper pressed under the bag—an envelope? Left by Lord Mu Yi?

Seeing it, Hank froze. His muddy, lifeless eyes suddenly cleared. He clumsily yanked out the envelope and opened it.

No long farewell. No heartfelt instructions.

『Luo Er’s Hometown: Barbes』

Only nine short words on snow-white paper. Yet in them, Hank found his reason to live.

"Lord Mu Yi! Thank you!!"

Clutching the letter, he shouted, voice choked with emotion.

This was Mu Yi’s path to redemption. Atonement—for Luo Er and everyone—was his duty now.

......

....

..

Mu Yi stood on the inn’s eaves, enjoying the morning breeze. He heard the shouts below and smiled slightly.

Leaving a letter for this honest guy was the right call.

At least Hank wouldn’t drown in guilt over Luo Er’s death and take his own life.

"Master, Hank’s matter is settled. What next?"

Aiva stood obediently beside Mu Yi. She tugged his sleeve with her snow-white hand and asked softly.

"I found a world map in Lafas’s residence. Spotted an interesting place."

Mu Yi pulled the map from his coat and pointed calmly. His finger landed on a region Lafas had highlighted in red.

"The Kayabiren Empire, hailed as the adventurers’ nation, holds the Misty Hidden Forest. Lafas marked it for a reason."

Mu Yi squinted at the scribbled, dizzying map.

Many areas were marked, but the Misty Hidden Forest stood out as the most crucial.

As a black-market merchant, Lafas wouldn’t value it without cause. He and Aiva might as well investigate.

"Yes, Master. Shall we set off now—"

"Are you leaving?"

A trembling female voice cut in behind them. Olienna had sneaked up unnoticed.

Hearing Mu Yi’s plan, she couldn’t hold back and rushed out.

"Eavesdropping is bad behavior."

Mu Yi turned to Olienna. He’d known she hid in the shadows but chose not to expose her.

Seeing her haggard face and red-rimmed eyes, he shook his head. Had she cried all night for Luo Er?

"Will we meet again?"

Olienna bit her lip hard, red-eyed, staring fixedly at the harmless-looking man.

This man who’d taken advantage of her was leaving so soon. Why the rush?

"Until next time, girl."

Mu Yi nodded to Aiva. Time to go.

Though the Imperial Capital held unknown wonders, staying would sour his mood.

"Wait, you—"

Before Olienna finished, an azure halo rose beneath Mu Yi and Aiva’s feet.

In a blink, their forms dissolved into particles and vanished. Only Olienna remained, alone.

"You were last night’s Demon King... right... Mu Yi..."

Olienna lacked the courage to ask him directly.

Last night’s Demon Aura had nearly swallowed the continent. That devouring darkness taught her true despair.

She sensed it—because of Miss Luo Er’s death... that guy had...

"He’s not like the legends’ bloodthirsty Demon King who slaughtered countless."

Olienna stood on the eaves, hand on her chest, gazing dreamily afar.

She still couldn’t match silly Mu Yi with last night’s continent-terrifying Demon King.

Their auras differed too much. Though Mu Yi might’ve hidden his power deliberately.

"We’ll meet again, Mu Yi, Eva."

Feeling the breeze on her face, Olienna took a deep breath and smiled slightly.

They’d meet again. Next time, she’d demand answers from Mu Yi...