After waiting what felt like forever, Krovanis was finally alone. The court had emptied out, just the vice presidents lingering and a few players gathering their bags. Renny rolled forward, file in hand.
Krovanis glanced up, sweat still glistening on his skin.
"You got it?" he asked, straight to the point.
Renny nodded, but instead of handing it over, he hesitated. "Yeah… I found what you needed," he said quietly. Then he lifted his eyes to Krovanis, almost sheepish. "But look… I've been running on scraps out here. I've got little to nothing. Since I helped you dig up details on the beast, I was hoping, " he mustered the courage to say it..."maybe you could spare me a demon seed. Just one. Please."
Krovanis barked a laugh, waving him off.
"Get the fuck outta here, boy."
"Please, Vice President," Renny said carefully. "You must have acquired a ton during your four grade levels, and even more in your current one. If you could spare me just one, I can even add some contract points to it."
Krovanis's eyes narrowed. "My demon seeds are costly. And just a mere search, something that doesn't even take much time, you want a seed in exchange for that?"
"No," Renny replied quickly. "I'll add some contract points,"
Krovanis tilted his head, a sharp grin cutting across his face. "How much?"
"Two hundred," Renny said without hesitation.
Krovanis laughed, shaking his head. "Two hundred? Boy, get out of my face. Don't come back here till you got something worth my while. And don't get it twisted, you didn't do me a favor finding the beast with the key. That was an order. Don't you ever think you can use that as a way to make demands, or you'll regret ever dying on Earth in the first place. You understand? Or do I need to clarify it for you?"
"I understand," Renny said calmly, nodding. He turned and made his way out.
On his way out of the court, a man in a sharp purple suit strode in, his polished shoes echoing across the floor. He walked straight up to Krovanis with a wide grin, hand outstretched.
"Mr. Krovanis. An absolute pleasure finally meeting you."
Krovanis clasped his hand, cautious. "Uh-huh."
"I've been watching you for a while now," the man continued smoothly. "And I gotta say, you're incredible. Nobody I've ever seen moves with the ball like you do. Like… like a demon out there."
Renny, standing back, muttered under his breath, "If only you knew."
The man went on, flashing his card. "I'm an agent for a pro team. Been scouting fresh talent, and you exceed every standard I'm looking for. I'd like to bring you in, cover everything, full sponsorship. With your skills, it's guaranteed. You're destined for the big stage."
But Krovanis didn't even blink. He smirked, shaking his head.
"Man, listen. Appreciate the love, for real. But if you don't walk your ass out that exit right now, you ain't gon' be breathing much longer."
The agent chuckled nervously, trying to push back. "You don't know what you're turning down, this is your chance, your..."
Before he could finish, Krovanis's neck cracked sideways with a sound like splintering bone. His skin rippled, jaw unhinging as fangs pushed through. In the blink of an eye his head wasn't human anymore, it was the snarling face of a tiger, fur bristling, eyes burning molten gold.
The agent barely gasped before Krovanis lunged forward and sank his teeth into his skull. One sickening crunch, and the man's head was gone, torn clean from his body. The corpse staggered two steps before collapsing, twitching, blood pooling fast across the court.
Renny froze. His gut dropped. Did he just… a tiger? How… what… was that even possible? He looked around, desperate for any reaction, only to see the others. The demons were smiling.
Krovanis straightened slowly, his head reshaping back into its usual human, sweat-slicked face. He licked his lips, savoring the taste, then smiled, first at the headless body, then at Renny.
Renny's pulse exploded. His wheels screeched against the floor as he spun and bolted for the exit, desperate to get away. This guy was a true demon. Ever since he'd arrived here, this place had carried an earthlike façade, families, fun, streets, orphanages. But that was all it was. A façade. Beneath it, they were demons. In Hell. With beasts.
Renny's chest tightened. Beasts, Renny. Beasts! They kill for fun, oh my god… and I… I am one of them.
Terror surged hot through his veins. God, if the vice president ever found out I'd been alone in a room with Leila… I'm done. He'd probably torture me just for sport.
He didn't stop to think. He just ran. Faces turned as he tore past, some calling after him, others even trying to stop him, asking what was wrong, why he was running.
But nothing could stop him. Not now. He had to get home. He needed walls, a door, anything between him and Krovanis. He needed distance from that smile.