"Damn it!"

Albel rushed to the spot, Levatin in hand. Shenluo World had vanished completely, without a single trace left behind.

"It's over."

Albel was drowning in regret. How could he miss such a simple technique? What could he do now?

"Albel, I'll kill you!"

From behind Albel, Yurei Amamiya's furious shout rang out. A flash of black light later, she appeared at his side.

"What are you doing?"

Albel reached out to steady Yurei as she nearly stumbled. He looked utterly bewildered. Why had this girl suddenly attacked him?

"It's all your fault! The young mistress was captured!"

Yurei knew her strike couldn't land. She tossed her katana aside, grabbed Albel's collar with both hands, and tried to lift him. But lacking strength, she stood on tiptoe, glaring up at him angrily.

"Calm down."

Seeing Yurei's frantic state, Albel calmly pried her hands from his collar. "Panicking solves nothing. You need to stay level-headed."

"You bastard. I'll never forgive you."

Yurei's breathing steadied, but her hatred for Albel burned just as fiercely.

"Honestly," Albel said, crossing his arms with a shrug, "isn't this your failure as a guard? Shouldn't you stay by your master's side constantly?"

"You—!"

Yurei flared with anger, but then froze. She realized he was right—it was her fault. Though she despised Albel, she hated herself more. Clenching her fists, she lowered her head, teeth gritted in silent fury.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean that," Albel backtracked quickly. "Blaming each other won't help now. We must rescue Shenluo World immediately."

"Th-then what do we do?" Yurei took a shaky breath, her face twisted with guilt. If Shenluo World came to harm, she might as well kill herself.

"Bro, only minutes apart, and you've already caused trouble again?" Verdandi instantly teleported beside Albel, her expression weary.

"Vera, it's not all my fault!" Albel clasped his hands pleadingly. "You use Instant Teleportation too—can't you find clues? Like where the teleport point is?"

"I'll try."

Verdandi walked to where Shenluo World disappeared. She closed her eyes, sensing the air. After seconds, she opened them and shook her head slowly.

"No use. This spot was the teleport destination itself."

"What do you mean?" Albel blinked, utterly lost.

"The one who took Shenluo World teleported here from elsewhere," Verdandi explained. "When the duration ended, they snapped back to their origin point. Unlike my Instant Teleportation—which ignores world rules and lets me stay indefinitely—their skill forces a return after seconds."

"I see." Yurei stroked her chin thoughtfully, nodding.

"Holy crap, you actually understood that?" Albel stared at Yurei, blinking in confusion. All that back-and-forth duration talk meant nothing to him.

"Ahem." Verdandi coughed lightly, covering for him. "Anyway, I have no solid plan. But I'll search nearby—the teleport magic is low-tier, so the range can't be far." She vanished before their eyes.

"Al, what happened? Where's Shenluo World?" Alicia and Alusa ran over after securing the Skyship's crew.

"Uh... it's over." Albel's face twitched as the words slipped out.

Yurei elbowed him hard in the ribs. Albel winced, clutching his stomach. Why didn't evasion trigger? This effect judgment was way too arbitrary.

"The young mistress was captured. Location unknown. Vera's searching nearby," Yurei said sharply, ignoring Albel. She turned to Alicia and Alusa, explaining the situation.

Meanwhile, in the mountains behind Qatar City, two masked men—one in black, one in white—brought Shenluo World before Berial. Berial studied her calm face, then waved a hand. The men nodded and vanished.

"So you're the mastermind," Shenluo World said, smiling perfectly at the white-haired figure in an oni mask. Her expression showed no concern for her predicament.

"No, no," Berial chuckled, shaking his head. "Compared to you, I'm just a pawn. The true mastermind is you people."

"What do you mean? I don't understand." Shenluo World kept her hands clasped, her unchanging smile now faintly eerie.

"Don't play dumb!" Berial flashed to her side, eyes blazing. "I know your plans!"

"If you know, why ask?" Shenluo World smiled faintly, unmoved by his overwhelming aura.

"Hmph. Now that you're in my grasp, he'll show up soon enough." Berial sneered. "Who knows?" Shenluo World shrugged nonchalantly.

"Heh. That expression disgusts me. Aren't you afraid I'll hand you to Asmodeus?" Berial's voice turned icy. "You're just bait to lure him out. Alive is all that matters."

"Someone will rescue me soon." Shenluo World remained utterly composed.

"Heh. Yurei Amamiya? Or that guy who saved you once?" Berial scoffed. "Reflecting all magic and monster effects is freakish—but against me, it's nothing."

"Overconfidence brings no benefits." Shenluo World's lips curled slowly. No one could guess her thoughts.

"Heh. I'd love to see you lose that composure." Berial waved a hand. The masked men reappeared behind Shenluo World and led her away. "I can't touch you before the Agent Lord arrives. What a pity."

"Lord Berial!" A bespectacled man in a lab coat hurried over, handing him a report. "Tyrus's soul absorption has reached 80%!"

"Excellent. Tyrus will fully awaken soon." Berial nodded, pleased. His plan to drain the city's souls and force Tyrus's revival was genius.

"Yes, but... the soul-suckers sent to the port lost signal. Something happened there. Please investigate—"

"Unnecessary. Order searches for remaining humans in the city. Avoid the port." Berial dismissed him. The port held Shenluo World's allies—they'd attack, but avoiding it was simple.

"Understood." The man hesitated but bowed deeply. He couldn't question Lord Berial, Wrath of the Seven Deadly Sins.

"Go." Berial watched Qatar City burn below, a hellish glow lighting his face. A sinister smile spread on his lips. Soon, with the Seventh Demon God's power, he'd complete the Agent Lord's task. "Heh heh heh."

At Qatar City's port, Albel's group guarded the Skyship, clearing tentacled humanoids spilling from the city. They waited for Verdandi—without intel, they couldn't chase Shenluo World.

"I can't wait anymore. I'm finding the young mistress." Yurei turned to leave.

"Where? It's pointless! Wait for Vera—" Albel grabbed her arm.

"Let go!" Yurei wrenched free, shouting. "If Alicia were captured, would you stand here calmly?!" In his stunned pause, she spun and charged toward the city center.