A slow, almost demonic smile curled at the corners of her lips—quiet but chilling.
If Kael were here, he would recognize that smile immediately: the smile of someone ready to cross every line, the smile of a yandere.
Selene pressed forward, every step a silent promise that she would claim her place—no matter the cost.
###
Achoo.
A soft snize sound broke the silence—Kael was already atop the roof, watching the grounds below.
He shivered slightly. Why do I suddenly feel chills?
Yue hovered nearby, concern in her eyes. "I hope you're not in another trouble."
Kael shook his head slowly. "No, I'm not. We're on the roof—that's why."
Internally, he questioned, Right...?
Suddenly, Selene appeared on the roof, moving with quiet purpose.
Kael greeted her, but something about her felt off—an odd tension beneath her calm.
"What's wrong?" he asked cautiously.
"Nothing," she replied politely, reaching into her cloak and pulling out the red passkey. She handed it to him with a faint, forced smile.
Kael took the key, nodding. "Yes, I know—you're the best."
Her smile softened, a brief flicker of genuine happiness.
Kael took the red passkey, nodding with a quiet smile. "Yes, I know. You're the best."
Selene's lips curved into a soft, happy smile—a rare and fleeting light in her eyes.
Then, almost hesitantly, she asked, "Are there any more tasks for me?"
Kael shook his head slowly. "Not right now."
She continued to look at him, her gaze lingering longer than usual.
Kael shifted uneasily, a strange awkwardness settling over him.
What is happening with her? he wondered, his mind racing to understand the subtle change in her.
The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, as the cool wind whispered around the rooftop.
Kael cleared his throat, forcing calm into his voice.
"If there's anything, I'll tell you right away."
Selene nodded slowly, then her gaze locked onto his with unsettling intensity. Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost chilling.
"Kael... you won't leave me, right?"
A tense knot tightened in Kael's chest. "What? No—never. I'm here."
Then she laughed.
"hahahahaha...."
It wasn't a laugh of joy.
It was low, dangerous, edged with something dark and unpredictable—like a storm waiting to break.
Kael's stomach twisted.
What is happening? The light in her eyes was gone, replaced by something cold and wild.
Even Yue, standing nearby, stiffened, her usual composure shaken by the sound.
The laughter faded, leaving a heavy silence that seemed to press against them from every side.
Without another word, Selene turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Kael stood frozen, the weight of dread settling deep in his bones.
Yue looked at him, concern flickering in her eyes.
"What's wrong with her?"
Kael shook his head slowly, a shadow crossing his face.
"I don't know. And… I don't want to know."
He let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair before steadying himself.
"Focus. Time is slipping—only fifteen minutes left before Father arrives."
Without hesitation, Kael reached for the red demon mask he had hidden earlier, pulling it over his face with quiet resolve.
His fingers closed around the hilt of the sword, the weight familiar and grounding.
"Tonight, the devil is on the hunt," he murmured, voice low and deadly calm.
Kael grabbed the rope he had prepared earlier, wrapping it tightly around his waist with practiced hands.
His eyes scanned the grounds below — eighty percent of the guards were missing. They were escorting the Duke to his quarters. Only fifteen minutes remained.
"Good," Kael muttered under his breath.
Without hesitation, he stepped off the rooftop.
The cold air whipped past him as he fell freely.
The rope snapped taut just above a third-floor window — a floor forbidden to him.
Using the momentum, Kael swung forward, crashing through the glass.
The rope sliced free at the perfect moment.
He landed hard on the stone floor, immediately rolling to absorb the impact.
No time to hesitate.
Kael moved quickly, reaching the base of the main staircase.
Two rank 1 guards stood firm.
One asked sharply, "Who are you?"
The other shuddered, voice low and wary. "d-dd-Devil?"
Without hesitation, the fight erupted.
Kael struck first, his fist connecting hard with the nearest guard's head.
The man crumpled silently to the cold stone floor.
The second guard lunged, but Kael moved with practiced ease, dodging and striking swiftly.
Within moments, both were down.
Kael wasted no time. He pressed deeper—deeper into the fortress's dark heart.
The air thickened around him, heavy with tension.
Each step was deliberate, every breath controlled.
He was closing in.
Kael moved carefully, silently thankful there were no rank 2 guards in his path.
Deeper and deeper into the twisting staircase he descended, leaving ten unconscious guards in his wake—each taken down swiftly, without a sound.
At last, he reached a heavy, fortified cell door set into a massive stone wall.
Kael smiled grimly. Father really fears him, huh.
He pulled out the red mana passkey, placing it against the door's lock.
The ancient mechanism groaned and slowly gave way.
The door creaked open, revealing the .....Divine General.