The streets gradually grew quieter as Damien and the woman left the brothel.The loud music had faded into the distance, replaced by the sound of dishwashers from roadside restaurants and the chatter of open bars.They crossed one bridge onto another street and found themselves in another market.Damien finally glanced sideways at her."Is the place always this far?"The woman let out a quiet laugh."You really think that's how it works?"Damien frowned.She folded her arms behind her back, walking without a care in the world."You think you can just ask to see the Devil, and he'll come beckoning to your call?"She looked at him from the corner of her eye."You have to wait until the Devil decides when he wants to see you."Damien frowned even harder."So everyone in the Ninth answers to him?""The Ninth is home to all kinds of people, so we can't say everyone answers to him."She smiled."But everyone respects him.""And the ones who don't?""Well, let's say he is the last person the

Damien stood frozen. His eyes never left Vesna.For a long moment, nobody in that room spoke.Then, one after another, the memories came crashing back to him like a wave."You have to wait until the Devil decides when he wants to see you.""If you want to keep your head on your neck... it would interest you to address the Devil with respect.""The only reason you're still standing where you are now…..is because I know Cole."Even the Crown Ember. “She hadn't taken payment to lead me to the Devil. She….”His lips parted slightly.".....You're the Devil."Vesna rested her chin against one hand."I was beginning to wonder when you'd figure it out."Damien shook his head in disbelief."You walked me through the Ninth...""I was bored and had to leave here.""You warned me not to disrespect the Devil….""I hate men….I put up with them because of their pillar and stones and their firm touch. Asides that, I'd kill any man who dares look down on me.""You charged me for bringing me here.""We

The arena went dark and quiet for a while.Even the lights above the ring dimmed as the announcer stepped forward with a microphone close to his mouth.His voice boomed through the massive arena.“Ladies and mentlegen!”The crowd cheered loudly.The announcer waited for the noise to settle before raising his hand.“Tonight, we have a special challenge match!”Another wave of cheers rolled through the arena.“And representing the capital…”He paused and glanced around.“…welcome…”Funky entrance music suddenly blasted through the speakers.Damien stood behind the entrance tunnel.For a moment, he glanced towards the ring.His fingers curled into fists.His heart pounded against his chest.He took deep breaths one after the other.“I came here for a reason.”Damien stepped forward.The moment he entered the arena, the spectators exploded into cheers, with boos coming from some corners.The lights followed him as he walked toward the ring.Every step he took felt heavy, but he tried his

Damien glanced around the rundown restaurant Rias had finally settled into. The place had evidence that it had survived three wars.Maybe four, in fact.One flickering light hung above them, buzzing every few seconds like it was about to finally give up.The tables and chairs that didn't match were scratched.The walls had stains that Damien was almost certain were older than him.Yet somewhere behind the counter, something was sizzling loudly enough to make him question whether they were actually cooking food or forging something.Damien stared at the plate in front of him."Is this..." He shifted the plate with his finger. "...edible?"Opposite him, Rias was already eating."Probably.""Probably?"Rias shrugged and made an expression with his face that said he was also unsure."See, if you don't ask questions, the food tastes better."Damien looked down at the plate again."You brought me here.""Yeah?""Why?""Because you're angry."Damien looked at him."I'm not angry."Rias pause

As Damien’s gaze lingered on the path where the officers had disappeared, he noticed movement in the distance.The same officers were loading the two massive sacks into a vehicle that was parked at the edge of the street.Damien narrowed his eyes.The vehicle was large enough to carry several people, with a dull white exterior that looked totally out of place in the Underground Ring.But something on the side of the van caught his attention.MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH.Damien’s expression immediately changed, and he looked toward Rias, who had stopped walking.“These aren’t government doctors,” he whispered as he nodded his head in the direction of the van.Rias glanced at him.“Well, you aren’t an Ashen.”Damien instinctively looked down at himself.Then he shifted his jacket, revealing the T-shirt he had underneath.And on the T-shirt was the same phoenix insignia.Damien looked back at Rias.“But I am.”Rias stared at the insignia for a second and smiled.“Well, there you have your