Good heavens… How could cries for help echo from the forest near the Demon King Citadel?

Rean frowned and dashed toward the woods.

Most assumed the land around a Demon King Citadel must be barren and treacherous, swarming with vicious magical beasts. Not so. At least Christine Demon King City—the one closest to the human kingdom—stood in serene countryside. Anyone stumbling into the Demon Realm might mistake it for a noble’s tranquil retreat.

Yet here? Such desperate screams… and magic power stinging the skin like needles. Surely not another Demon King attacking *me*?

“Hey! You silly woman—flying up there like that, begging to be spotted?”

Mid-sprint, Rean spotted a white figure soaring toward the forest too. Whether Olga meant to help or not, an angel descending into the Demon Realm—*with him*—would spark chaos. Didn’t she care at all?

“…”

Olga turned her head away, displeased but knowing she was in the wrong. She landed—just as a black cloth *slapped* onto her face.

Annoyed, she yanked it off. A cloak. Its silky texture screamed luxury.

“Put it on. If anyone sees your wings, *I’m* the one who’ll pay.”

Rean didn’t glance back, sprinting onward.

“That man…”

Olga clenched the cloak tight. His icy tone burned.

Being ordered by her superior to marry him was bad enough. This Demon King brat not only dismissed the gesture but acted like *she* was clinging to *him*?

Should’ve taught him a real lesson earlier…

Still fuming, she draped the cloak over her shoulders and followed him into the trees.

The moment she entered, tracking the cry’s source, she froze slightly.

The forest beside the Citadel was vast. Successive Christine Demon Kings never claimed it—commoners wandering in wasn’t impossible.

A faceless cyan giant over five meters tall swung an arm thick as a tree trunk, hurling a man against a trunk. Behind it, bodies lay sprawled haphazardly—farmers by attire. Hard to tell if any still breathed.

“Eeek—! Stay back!”

The last man shrieked, waving a sickle as if it could repel the monster.

But the blade passed through the giant’s semi-transparent arm like air. No mark. No effect.

Olga’s hand flew to her sword hilt.

Just as steel began to rise—a silver flash poised to strike—Rean’s hand pressed hers down. She turned. *Him*.

Behind him, six obsidian-black blades hovered, sharp and ready.

“What are you doing?!”

“I should ask *you*,” Rean sneered, facing the giant. “Angel-sama never seen one of these? Don’t know how to handle it?”

He pointed. One black sword shot forth with a sharp *whoosh*.

It pierced the arm dead-on. Normally, the limb would’ve flown off. Instead, the blade passed through cleanly, punching a bowl-sized hole in the tree behind.

“See? Physical attacks fail. Sheathe your sword. Don’t get in the way.”

Rean shrugged, flashing Olga a mocking grin over his shoulder.

“Let me extend *local* hospitality. For the ‘Thousand Arts Flowing Blade’? Three seconds.”

Writhing black lightning erupted from the remaining five swords. Inky bolts sheathed the blades. They spun in a tight circle before him—then shot forward!

“I’ll blow you to bits!”

Five black meteors tore through the giant. Its descending arm and shredded torso scattered across the earth.

“Over…?” Olga whispered, stunned. He hadn’t moved an inch. Vanquished in a blink.

“Nope. Just saved the guy. Not done yet—hey, sir! Move!”

Rean yelled to the dazed man. Meeting his eyes, the farmer scrambled up, dragging a companion aside.

Then Olga saw it: the giant’s fragments coalescing on the ground. Smaller, but rapidly reforming!

*Undead?* But… not quite!

“Rean!”

“I know. Relax.”

His lazy reply came as he pushed off the ground and shot toward the reshaping mass.

“Devour…”

Olga blinked. That same eerie azure glow—just like outside the forest—coiled around his arm. A primal chill shot through her.

The light solidified. Rean leaped, gripped the giant’s head—*immune to physical strikes*—and held firm.

“Gluttony Devour.”

*Poof*. The head vanished. A jagged void gaped where shoulders should be. More gaps tore open across the body—jagged, tooth-marked, as if gnawed by a beast. For a heartbeat, the world lost all color.

Seconds later, only cyan specks remained, fading into the air.

Only then did Olga see it clearly: the azure light on his arm, shaped like a creature both dragon and fish.

“Is that… the Kun?”