Renny had spent hours combing through the archives before finally pulling up the name Krovanis had asked for. With the details saved, he made his way to the Vice President's apartment.
The Omekro complex was massive, and it felt alive with demonic presence. At the gate alone, he spotted clusters of demons, some from his grade, but far more from higher ones. Their stares pressed on him like weights. His reputation followed him here too, and it made his chest tighten. He almost cursed himself for not leaving the library earlier, if he had, he might've dodged this entire encounter.
Sighing, he pushed forward through the crowd.
On his way, he caught sight of a familiar face, Morrin Omekro. Second strongest in their grade, ranked 267 overall. Compared to him, Renny's own rank of 78 and Kev's 115 looked like child's play. But Morrin wasn't feared for his stats alone. He was strange. Always smiling. Always just slightly… off.
Renny had always thought that maybe that madness was the reason behind Morrin's strength. On earth, someone like that must have been a menace. And here, surrounded by the damned who had been selected to become demons, the thought of it all made Renny's skin crawl.
Still, he had no time to find someone else.
"Morrin," Renny called carefully.
The demon turned, grin already stretched across his face. His tongue seemed too big for his mouth; words dripped out wetly, spit trailing his lips as he spoke."Renny! Ahhh, the famous Ezraphor…" Morrin leaned forward, too close, smile glistening.
Renny instinctively stepped back. "I'm looking for the Vice President's place. Which building? Which floor?"
Morrin shuffled nearer anyway, his breath hot and damp. "B-building threeee," he said, slurring slightly, "floor fifteeeen. Easy. Hah! Don't worry, I'll never steer you wrong."
"Thanks," Renny said, trying to end it there.
But Morrin clapped his hands together, nearly spitting with each syllable. "No problem! Anything you need, I'm your guy. Reliable Morrin, always ready to help." His grin widened unnaturally. "In fact, take my number. Better yet, give me yours."
Before Renny could protest, Morrin snatched his phone. His slick fingers danced clumsily across the screen, spit dotting the glass. He saved his contact and then, without asking, saved Renny's number into his own.
"You'll need me in this place," Morrin whispered, leaning so close Renny could see the spit pooling at the corners of his lips. "Trust me. I've seen the way they laugh at you. But not me. I'm good. I defend you. I tell them you're stronger than you look. Smarter than they think."
Renny forced a polite nod. "Appreciate it. But I should see the Vice President now."
Morrin tapped his forehead, laughing, a bit of saliva flicking free. "Ah, ah! Look at me, keeping you here. My mistake, my mistake. Go on, Ezraphor. I'll catch you later… or I'll call." His smile lingered, sharp and wide.
Renny sighed, rolling his eyes once Morrin turned away, and slipped quickly into the building.
***
Renny stepped onto the floor, facing a row of seven doors.
"Shit," he muttered. He'd forgotten to ask for the room number. Typical. In his rush to escape Morrin's spit-shower, he hadn't thought it through.
Now he either had to wait for someone to step out… or start knocking door to door like a desperate delivery man. After a minute of useless pacing, he gave in with a sigh and rapped on the first door, Room 7.
It swung open.
And there she was.
Renny froze, starstruck. For a second he forgot why he was even in this building, or why he was breathing at all. She was stunning, so much so that his thoughts just… unraveled.
She smiled knowingly. "The famous Ezraphor, at my door?"
Her words snapped him back to himself. He blinked fast, trying to clear his head. "You… know me? Wait, you're a demon?"
"Of course."
Renny finally looked properly. Yes, she was one of them. His senses must have been hijacked by how disarming her presence was.
"Uh..." he stuttered.
"Don't stress yourself," she said smoothly. "You can come in."
"Come in?" He blinked again. "You sure?"
"Of course."
He swallowed hard, then stepped inside.
Her apartment dwarfed his own. Still, a few things in the room made him question her taste. Was she into sports? The trophies, the posters, even the weights tucked in the corner said yes, yet he found it hard to believe she could be that invested.
She motioned toward the couch. He sat, a little too stiffly, while she poured coffee.
"Want some?" she asked.
He had meant to refuse, but his mouth betrayed him. "Yeah, sure. Thanks."
She handed him the cup, then sat beside him, folding her legs over each other. Her skirt tugged higher on her thighs...thighs so perfect Renny almost forgot coffee existed.
She locked her eyes on him. "So tell me. Why is the only Ezraphor in Hell sitting in my room?"
"Actually I'm here for Vice President Krovanis."
Her brows arched, lips curving. "Oh? So you're not here for me, darling?"
Renny's eyes widened. "I can be here for you…" he blurted, too quickly.
She giggled, the kind of giggle meant to sting and soothe at once. "Don't bother. Krovanis is in room five."
She said it like she expected him to get up. He didn't.
Instead, he asked, "What grade are you in, if you don't mind me asking?"
She smirked. "What grade do you think?"
"Grade Five."
"Good guess."
"Well, if the Vice President's on this floor, it makes sense the rest of you would be Fives too, no?"
She smiled, nodding. He added quickly, "I'm Grade One."
"I know what grade you're in, Ezraphor." She giggled again, standing as her skirt clung rebelliously to her thighs. She poured herself more coffee, voice rising for the first time. "Perks of being a demon. No health worries. You eat what you want, drink what you want, sleep when you want. Peak lifestyle."
"Indeed," Renny murmured, though truthfully, he was still drowning in admiration, his eyes glued to her.