A thick silence filled the pitch-black void, the kind that pressed against the chest and made even breathing feel heavy for Vincy.
He stared at Zara with a hard glare, his fists clenched the moment he saw her grinning. After a few seconds, he smiled confidently, arms folded across his chest.
"Look who showed up: the princess herself!" Vincy said, sarcastically. "Not surprised."
"Hmph. I should be grateful if I were you," Zara replied confidently.
"Yeah? And I'll be more grateful after you tell me exactly everything," Vincy shot back, his tone serious.
Their bold eyes didn't blink, locked in a deadly stare.
Meanwhile, in another realm, Taro and Ema had defeated the goblins without injury. They continued exploring the swampy forest together, hoping to find something useful. After several minutes of walking, they came across a large cave marked with a wooden danger sign at the entrance. Taro narrowed his eyes sharply, uncomfortable with the warning. Ema, however, suggested entering... stepping in without hesitation.
Back in the void, Zara was flooded with questions:
Why did she want to kill Armageddon?
Why choose Vincy for that mission?
And what was the true secret behind his powers?
Zara explained there had been a war between fiends and dark creatures... a war that Armageddon had won. She was once human, but unlike Vincy, who was just cursed, she had turned into an actual one.
She noticed how Vincy's attitude had changed over time, growing more angry and bitter.
"I'll let you discover the secret of your powers on your own," she said calmly.
"Can you at least tell me what the whole 'servant' thing means?" Vincy asked.
"Nothing, honestly," Zara shrugged, "I just said it as a joke. You're free to do anything."
Then she burst into a hysterical laugh, clearly mocking him.
A little while, she looked away.
"However, I still need your help. I must end Armageddon... once and for all," she said.
Vincy stared at her, catching a glimpse of sorrow in her expression.
"Heh! You could've used your nice talk earlier," he said with a smirk. "No worries, Zara. Honestly, I'd enjoy taking him down... whether you told me or not."
"However," Vincy continued, pointing his finger toward her, "I've got one condition. If it endangers Taro, or anyone else, I'm out."
"The one who I want to suffer is Armageddon. No one else," Zara replied firmly. "That's a promise."
"Sheesh. How are you even a devil if you're that kind? That's awkward," Vincy muttered, arms folded.
"For the second time... devils and fiends are different!" She snapped.
"Yeah, I told that to the idiot who nearly killed me," Vincy said with a smirk.
Moments passed before Zara looked up and asked:
"Now, do you have any other questions before you return?"
"Yeah. Just one," Vincy replied. "Don't you get cold in those clothes? I mean, they're cool and all, but the weather's getting–"
"Any other IMPORTANT questions?" Zara interrupted, clearly annoyed.
"Nah. I'm good for now," he said with a casual wave.
With a snap of her fingers, Zara restored his consciousness.
When Vincy opened his eyes, Yukiko was frantically waving her arms in front of his face.
"Oi! Temee, daijoubu ka yo?" She said in Japanese... a rude way of asking if he was alright.
Vincy blinked in confusion, saying:
"What did you just... ugh, whatever. I don't care."
"What happened to you?" Yukiko asked. "You froze."
"Nothing special," Vincy muttered, "Just a... fiendish-not-devilish-conversation."
"Māttaku... I should've killed you when I had the chance," Yukiko said sarcastically.
I don't feel safe around this girl, Vincy thought, sweating with an awkward smile.
"I'll go for a walk. Tell Taro if he comes back," he said, heading out.
Inside the house, Yukiko sat on the couch, bored and unsure what to do. She remembered how Taro always handled the cleaning and cooking. Guilty, she stood and began cleaning her bedroom, the bathroom, and the stairs lastly.
Afterward, she went into the kitchen to prepare lunch, tying up her hair and wearing her pink apron. She froze midway, suddenly realizing she had never cooked before.
Meanwhile, in the cave, Taro and Ema spent hours exploring. They found glowing ores and unmineable crystals. Some areas had lava and water pools; others were covered in moss and stone... signs of a nearby exit.
Eventually, they reached a dead end, but next to it was a golden chest... flanked by several skeletons. Taro grew uneasy. Ema, likewise, pulled out her bow. Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the cave. A quake followed each step. A giant goblin leapt before the chest in front of them, growling with rage.
Back in town, Vincy wandered through the streets, bored. He passed a clothing shop and saw a costume on display: black with red patterns, fingerless gloves, and a red cape. It reminded him of his favorite game character 'Vampire Slayer'. Eyes wide, he checked his wallet. Luckily, he had enough cash. Without hesitation, he entered and bought the costume.
Meanwhile, Yukiko was digging through the kitchen when she found a thick recipe book. Flipping through... checking the content page, she settled on a dish that seemed simple enough, yet delicious.
Back in the cave, the battle was intense. Ema's arrows had no effect, as the goblin blocked them like they were nothing. Taro's wooden sword eventually snapped after a few attacks, leaving him unarmed.
"Watch out, Abodo!" Ema shouted, warning him of an incoming punch.
Taro dodged just in time before he could end up flattened like a pie. He couldn't fight with fists... not against something this strong and savage. In addition, Enzo's magic boost wouldn't be usable for hours.
Thinking fast, Ema aimed at a large stalactite above the goblin's head and fired a concentrated beam of light. It shattered the stone, sending it crashing down on the giant goblin... defeating it. However, the attack left Ema collapsed on the ground.
"My bad, Abodo," she panted, "that beam drains a lot. I'm fine now... no worries!"
After she stood up, they opened the chest. Inside were gold coins, jewelry, mysterious accessories, and blue potions... assumed to be for mana. Taro found something special to him: a golden-hilt sword with a sharp steel blade. Lighter and stronger than iron.
Later, they returned through the portal to Taro's favorite field... getting ready to get back home with their loot.
"You told the others about that adventure, right?" Ema asked.
Taro's expression went pale, he'd completely forgotten to leave a note.
"I guess not..." she chuckled.
On their way, they met up with Vincy, wearing his new outfit.
"Yo, Taro! And... Ema," Vincy greeted, unimpressed the moment he saw Ema with him.
"What's wrong, Vincy?" Ema teased. "Lost your cool after seeing me?"
"Tsk. Shut up," he said, face blank.
"Anyway, Taro!" Vincy turned, "Check out the costume! Now you got to call me 'The Devil Slayer'!"
Taro gave him a thumb-up and a smile, showing his care.
"Now everyone has their own costume... except Abodo," Ema said.
"Don't worry. He'll get one," Vincy said. "Still, my style's the best!"
"Right... but where's Yukiko?" Ema asked.
"She's inside. Not a big dea–" Vincy responded... before stopping.
After reaching home, they smelled smoke coming from the house. they rushed inside to find Yukiko collapsed in the kitchen, coughing beside a barely recognizable plate of rice and chopsticks.
"Gomen, Abodo-kun," she said, "I'm terrible at cooking..."
Ema and Vincy looked horrified the moment they saw the plate, convincing Taro not to taste it. However, Taro picked up the chopsticks and took a bite, respecting Yukiko's effort... despite her lack of cooking skills. The rice wasn't great, but not terrible either. He gave her a thumb-up. Instantly, Yukiko stood up, removing her apron.
"Hontōni yokatta~!" She squealed, sparkles in her eyes, "Ne! Should I make you more?"
Suddenly, Taro's stomach growled loudly, terrifying Vincy and Ema.
"He's dead," Ema said.
"No doubt," Vincy agreed.
Now you two agree... Taro thought, smiling faintly.
Elsewhere, in a dark place:
"Valdar, how went the raids to the Overworld?" A shadowed figure asked.
"Both were unsuccessful, Your Majesty," Valdar responded.
"Both of them?" The figure repeated.
"Yes. I lack clear reports, unfortunately." Valdar answered, frustrated.
For a few seconds, a heavy silence followed. Apparently from that conversation, the figure was Armageddon, king of darkness. Then, he muttered with a grin:
"That wizard still breathes... and he must have companions."
"Valdar, send more raids to the Overworld. And summon Varnok to join. That is my will," Armageddon ordered.
"At once, Your Majesty," Valdar accepted.
Alone in the shadows, Armageddon rose from his throne. His fists clenched with a grin on his face, whispering to himself:
"For how long will you keep up with your cheap tricks, Enzo? You may have escaped once. But I, Armageddon, shall see you perish..."
Then he looked skyward, smiling cruelly, saying:
"...right before I conquer all realms... especially the Overworld!"