Renny was preparing for his trip to the Pit of Hell. He had called Agent Kaviru to ask how to get there and was told it was simple. Just call the black taxi he usually used and tell the driver he was heading to the Pit, and the rest would be handled.
With that settled, Renny turned to preparations. He began buying more weapons. Deep down, he knew they would probably be useless against a beast like Druvash, but still, walking in with only a pistol felt like suicide. Even hunting a wild animal on earth, you wouldn't go with just a sidearm. So he picked up an AK-47 and a sword, spending a total of 560cp. That left him with just 350cp, considering his very first pistol had already cost him 150cp.
As he scrolled through, about exiting the store, a small tool caught his eye. Quite frankly, it was the price that stood out to him, very cheap, probably the cheapest he had seen since shopping: Needle-Loop Snare, 30cp. He wondered what that could even be used for, but if they placed it for sale then maybe it had some use. Considering his state, anything cheap and affordable could come in handy. It wasn't like he had enough to purchase the expensive tools anyway, and expensive or not, they were still useless. So he decided he would buy it, and did just that.
He'd asked Kev for backup, but Kev brushed him off, claiming his own contract had him tied down. Renny suspected the real reason was the racial comment he'd made before. He understood, and he didn't push it. Surprisingly, the only one who had offered him any real help was Morrin Omekro, from whom he'd gotten an Illusion Seed. He hadn't figured out when or how to use it yet, and decided to leave the thinking for later, once Druvash was dealt with.
After assembling his gear, Renny packed everything neatly into a bag. He dressed in the usual demon uniform and, by 8 a.m., was ready to leave. Standing at the estate gate, about to call for the black taxi, his phone buzzed. A message. From Leila.
She told him to meet her at Kurohama Pier.
The name alone unsettled him. Why there? Did it have something to do with Tela? He texted back that he couldn't, he was heading to the Pit. But then she replied "Do you want the Demon Seed or not?"
That made his decision for him. Renny turned back, dropped the bag of weapons, and instead set off for Kurohama Pier.
When he arrived, Leila was seated on a bench near the water, facing the sprawling city of Oroshika across the bay.
"Why here?" he asked, stopping a few feet away.
Leila's lips curved into a soft smile. "I always come here when I want to admire Oroshika's beauty… remind myself of Earth."
He glanced out at the city lights and nodded. He'd felt the same thing the first time he stood here.
"Sit with me," she said, patting the bench.
Renny hesitated. It was broad daylight, anyone could see them. If the Vice President caught word that Renny was meeting with her alone, things could spiral fast. Not that anything was happening between them, but with a demon like Krovanis, who could ever be sure?
She smirked, catching his unease. "Don't worry, Ezraphor. I know you're scared of my boyfriend, but it's fine. I am a demon too. I don't belong to him. I can speak to whoever I want." She tapped the bench again. "Now sit. Quickly."
With a sigh, Renny lowered himself beside her. Together, they watched the water ripple against the pier.
Leila broke the silence first, her tone almost reflective. "You know, Krovanis and I have been together since Grade One. Back then, I thought he was just a man with too much fire in him. But he's… more than that. He is Fierce, loyal, and terrifying, sometimes."
Her gaze lingered on the water, and for a moment she almost seemed smaller. "There was this Grade Four demon back when we were still in Grade Three. Things were different then, rougher, more intense. Most upper demons were always testing limits . One of them had taken an eye to me since my first arrival in Hell. And who could blame him?" She smirked, brushing her hair back. "Look at me."
Her tone sharpened, though her lips still curved in pride. "According to him, he had waited patiently, convinced Krovanis and I would break apart eventually. But that never happened. Our bond was too strong. Still is. So he grew impatient… and decided to take what he wanted by force. His plan was to remove Krovanis from the picture and end his journey in the Pit before he could rise further."
Leila shook her head slowly, pity flickering in her eyes. "What a mistake. Instead of Krovanis falling, it was the fool's journey that ended. How Krovanis did it, I'll never know. He's refused to tell me to this day." A quick shiver passed her lips, half fear, half pride.
Renny's throat tightened. "And that doesn't… bother you?"
Leila laughed softly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course it does. Sometimes I'm afraid of him. But he's also the only one I know who'd burn the heavens just because I asked. That kind of loyalty, terrifying as it is, I trust it. If I tell him you and I are fine, he won't touch you. He trusts me that much." Her grin returned, sly and self-assured. "So relax. As long as I say we're good, you're safe."
Renny nodded in appreciation, then glanced at his phone. Noon was fast approaching. "Will you be handing me the seed now?" he asked.
"Huh?...Of course," Leila replied, then tilted her head. "But first, tell me. I've said a lot about me… what about you? What were you really like on Earth? I know you were a sickler, but what were you truly like, deep down? Your intentions toward the world… how did you feel about it?"
Her words carried weight. Renny caught the meaning beneath them, was she questioning why he had even ended up in Hell? A good man didn't simply wake up with a devil mark burned into his soul. There had to be a reason.
"I was nothing," he answered flatly. "Just a sickler who had nothing good to offer. I depended on my family and friends to survive. That's all."
Leila turned to him, her gaze steady. "Huh... You say that, but I doubt it. The outside, how we look, only shows what the inside wants others to see. So, tell me… what were you truly like on Earth, Ezraphor?"
Renny said nothing. Their eyes locked, silence stretching for long minutes.
At last, she broke the silence. "Well, no matter. As they say on Earth, what's in the dark will always come to light. Whatever lies beneath will surface, eventually." A faint smile touched her lips. "Now, stretch out your hand."
Renny obeyed. She placed her palm over his, and after a brief pause, a faint disc shimmered into existence on his palm, glowing softly before vanishing.
"The seed has been transferred to you," she said. "Use it when the moment is ripe. It is the Demon Seed of Maternity… plant it in the target, and her body will ache for a child, her heart will crave it until it consumes her." She leaned closer, voice dropping into a sultry whisper. "But it won't last forever. When her desire grows too wild, her soul guardian will snuff it out. So, Ezraphor… strike at the perfect moment."
Renny nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Leila."
"Huh?...It's nothing," she replied smoothly. "My end of the bargain is fulfilled. The rest is on you."
"I'll let you know when I'm ready," Renny said. "For now, I just want to finish my contract."
Leila studied him, curious. "You surprise me, Ezraphor. I would assume, hearing of the Garden and what it promises, you'd toss everything aside and chase after it. But you… you're focused on your contract, even without spells or demonic weapons."
Renny rose slowly to his feet. "The Garden isn't assured, it's all just a theory after all. If I put my hopes there and it doesn't turn out how I expect, I would only end up disappointed. Better to get accustomed to my reality and adapt to it. If I can endure as a weakling, then I won't be weighed down by pressure or desperation for what the garden might offer. I'll be able to face it with a clear mind."
In truth, Renny doubted she would understand his reasoning, but Leila was pensive for a moment before nodding softly. "Alright, Ezraphor. I wish you luck. You deserve it."
She stepped forward and brushed her lips against his cheek.
Renny flinched, trying to move back, but his body was frozen in place. By the time he regained control, she was gone.
He stood stunned. Something about her today was different, more serious than the first time they had met. Was it because she had just given him the seed? He exhaled sharply. With the Demon Seed in hand, only Whitmore's soul key remained. Ready for what lay ahead, Renny set his sights on the Pit.