The platform stopped. They had completely emerged to the ground, and Sellev had noticed them as well. She moved her wings, attempting to free her body that was half-buried in the ground. Before she regained full movement, the siblings’ lives had to be taken. But—

“My eyes.”

Cadel couldn’t move as he had planned.

“Could it be my eyes……?”

Garuel, reflexively covering his right eye, showed a look of confusion. Despite covering one eye, the demonic eyes were still visible, and that sight was unfamiliar. Garuel swallowed dryly, facing Cadel, who looked even more bewildered.

‘Have I even physically transformed into a demon?’

There was no time to leisurely check a mirror. Garuel could only guess the effects of the awakening drug based on the changes in his power and emotions.

‘……If I’d stayed like this, even Lumen would have been horrified when we first met after I took the drug. When the effects of the awakening drug wear off, I’ll return to normal. This is different from when I fought Lawrence. There’s no impulse or rage. There’s no need to make him worry.’

The drug amplified demonic power. If Cadel had known the exact nature of the awakening drug, he might have stopped him from using it, considering its dangers. But right now, the most important thing was not his but Cadel’s safety. To protect him, Garuel needed stronger power, and for that, the drug was essential.

Garuel’s gaze shifted to the back of Cadel as his expression stiffened. They had been discovered by Sellev, who was urgently twisting her body, supporting herself with her enormous arm on the ground.

“I got the single-use awakening drug from the lab where I discovered the journals. They said it temporarily boosts strength greatly. I wasn’t sure, but I brought it, and it’s helping now.”

“Single-use awakening drug? Even so, taking a drug made in the Demon Realm recklessly……!”

“Don’t worry, Knight Commander. Half of me is a demon, after all. There seem to be some side effects that make me look awful for a while, but once the drug wears off, I’ll return to normal. And right now, it’s not the time to worry about my appearance, right?”

Cadel was concerned about the possible side effects of the drug, but he couldn’t argue against Garuel’s words. He kept his mouth shut and glanced at the three siblings, bound by [Fire Chains].

‘With a normal attack, I can’t kill them in one shot. As Kunra said, these guys have incredible regenerative abilities.’

He needed to use a powerful technique. After dealing with Sellev, there was still the possibility of other enemies joining. The opportunity was now, while Sellev’s movements were still restricted.

“Let’s run. We need to find a place to hide, even if just for a while.”

“Let’s go that way.”

Garuel pointed to the other side of the ghost town. It was a dark forest, densely packed with tall, bare coniferous trees. The two of them started running hand in hand toward the forest.

“No matter where you run, you’re still in my palm!”

From behind them, they heard Sellev’s booming shout. In reality, if she started moving with that massive body, the forest they were heading to would soon become a chaotic battlefield.

“Kunra! While I look for a place to hide, can’t you take care of these guys? With your energy, you could kill them in no time.”

If he did that, Kunra would be bound by the system’s constraints and might be thrown out of the Demon Realm again. However, securing the Stone of Peace, the remaining task, could still be accomplished without Kunra. Cadel’s thoughts seemed to be in contrast to Kunra’s silence, as he didn’t answer at all.

“If the interference is making it hard, can’t you give me at least a little help……? Kunra?”

Even when he gripped the pendant tightly and infused it with magic, nothing changed.

“Kunra, why aren’t you answering……?”

“What’s happening? Has Lord Kunra disappeared?”

“No, that can’t be it.”

He could still feel Kunra’s presence. He hadn’t disappeared and was still within him. Yet, Kunra still didn’t respond, and even more strangely……

‘The energy…… it’s slowly increasing.’

It was a very subtle change, but since it was energy that had entered his body, he could sense it. Cadel realized that the energy of Kunra, which had filled him, was slightly amplifying. Perhaps it was Kunra’s judgment that more power was needed to kill the siblings? But if he shared more energy, the system would surely intervene.

There was no time to dwell on the question or wait for Kunra’s response. In the end, Cadel gave up on Kunra’s help and entered the forest.

“Find a place to hide, find a place to hide……”

Even though the trees were bare, the forest was still a forest. Cadel had believed there would surely be a place to hide somewhere. However, the desolate forest had as few hiding spots as the ghost town. They quickly moved forward, scanning the surroundings, but only found themselves going deeper into the forest without finding a place to stay.

“Should we just hide behind a tree and buy some time?”

“If it’s just you, Knight Commander, maybe, but hiding all three of them seems difficult.”

“True, but if we just keep walking like this, soon enough, Sellev will catch up and……”

Before Cadel could finish his sentence, a deafening scream followed by a vibration echoed not far away. Reflexively, Cadel and Garuel’s eyes met.

“……She’s out.”

“We need to hurry.”

Thud, thud, the heavy footsteps were getting closer and closer. They couldn’t let Sellev take the Demon King’s siblings. As Cadel moved hastily, Garuel, who had been looking for a place to hide with him, suddenly stopped. Cadel’s body was lightly rocked by the sudden pull from Garuel’s hand.

“What’s wrong?”

“Let’s go under that tree. All of the siblings should be able to fit in there.”

Garuel pointed to a tree. Its roots, half exposed above the ground, bent slightly but still supported the tall trunk. The tangled roots created a narrow gap wide enough for a person to squeeze through, and inside, there was a surprisingly deep and spacious tunnel.

They quickly ran toward the tree, and at the same time, Sellev entered the forest. The sound of trees cracking and falling, along with the noise from the broken trunks, echoed loudly through the woods.

“Come out now! Damn Cadel Lytos!”

Sellev’s furious shout rang out, and as Cadel shoved all the siblings under the tree, he crawled into the gap.

“Garuel, get in quickly!”

They all gathered inside, gathered their magic, and planned to exterminate the Demon King’s siblings before Sellev noticed them. After that, they would quickly escape toward the Demon King’s castle. That was the best plan they could make right now. However……

“Sellev is getting closer. Even if she doesn’t spot us, she could just step right over us. We need to make sure she doesn’t get close to this place at all by changing direction.”

“What? You’re not suggesting……!”

Garuel, who had squatted in front of the gap to block Cadel from emerging, locked eyes with him.

“Until this drug wears off, my chance of defeat is 0 percent. You like possibilities and probabilities, don’t you, Knight Commander?”

“It’s just temporary! You said it’s a one-time use!”

“Yes, so please keep your strength up until the effects of the drug wear off.”

If Sellev transformed into a giant, it would be difficult to overwhelm her, even in an awakened state. The difference in the power of the same attack was drastic. In front of the worried Cadel, Garuel scratched his eyebrow and subtly raised the corner of his mouth.

“You said your real name was Shin Yeohwan, right? Knight Commander’s true name.”

“……”

“I want to know the meaning of that unique name, what kind of world you came from. I have so many questions.”

Even though both of Garuel’s eyes were completely black, there was no sense of discomfort or aversion as Cadel felt when facing demons. He still felt warmth. Perhaps it was because of the overwhelming trust he had for Garuel.

“I’m so excited. I’ll learn all of Knight Commander’s secrets. So, don’t worry.”

Garuel’s hand slid into the gap and gently brushed Cadel’s cheek, which was filled with unease. Cadel could no longer hold onto him.

“Even after knowing all your secrets, I’ll still love you, Knight Commander. So don’t feel burdened.”

With a small smile, Garuel stood up. The last image of Cadel was etched in his eyes as he turned his back and started running.

Although there was a considerable distance, Garuel could clearly see Sellev’s head, which rose higher than the trees. As he ran towards her position, Garuel put his hand into his pocket.

‘The effects of the drug are nearly gone. At this rate, it’ll be hard to fight against the giantified Sellev.’

The awakening drug was potent just from its scent alone. He wondered if it was really okay to inhale the scent repeatedly at such short intervals. What if his eyes never returned to normal? Or if, like when he faced Lawrence, his rationality slipped away completely? Shaking off these concerns, Garuel opened the vial and took another deep inhale.

Whatever happens, it doesn’t matter. As long as he could follow Cadel on the path of light, he would become whatever monster he needed to be. Ultimately, even that choice would be the right one.

The energy in his body, which had grown slack, began to pulse violently. Garuel quickened his pace, unleashing his demonic energy. The moment Sellev sensed Garuel’s energy, she bared her vicious eyes at him.

“Give me Emilia’s siblings!”