Everywhere you turn, you see ambulances, police cars, fire trucks—emergency vehicles patrolling the city, on high alert. The fear of Demon's sudden reappearance hangs in the air, thick and palpable.
Three weeks ago, she massacred people in the Underground. Her silence since then is more disturbing than her violence. It's a familiar pattern—her quiet periods always precede something catastrophic. We need to be prepared; we can't keep losing. We have to be ready for whatever she plans next.
That day, our eyes met, and I still struggle to accept that Hyra is now Demon. I can see it clearly, but it's hard to believe. What will I do if we catch her? Can I kill her, as I've vowed? It's so damn hard. Part of me wants to kill her, but another part hopes we can return to the past, that maybe I can change her.
Hyra was the first girl I ever loved completely, but to her, I was just another tool to use.
"From the look on your face, it seems you're having second thoughts about killing Demon," Jarvis says, interrupting my thoughts.
Annoying. Does Jarvis have the ability to read minds?
"I told you what was decided," I say firmly. "I will kill Demon."
"But first, you have to defeat Viper and the Unknown King, who seem to have a special relationship with her."
I've never fought either of them properly. How strong are they? Why do they side with Demon? The country will be in grave danger if she gains control of the entire Underground.
"Demon is so arrogant. Do you think there's another influential person behind her?"
"Is there anyone more influential than Mr. Vladimir?"
"Who knows?" Jarvis shrugs, leaning back on the bed. "Money, intelligence, technology, weapons—where do they get those if no one supports them? Maybe my previous suspicion was correct that Hyra sold her body for money—OUCH! I'm injured!"
I didn't mean to throw the book I was holding. I forgot he's been lying in the hospital bed for three weeks due to the injury he sustained fighting the Unknown King.
"I'm going out."
I called a nurse to tend to his wound and then left. I hadn't gone far when I received a message telling me to go to the office. Someone had something important to say about the true identity of someone in the White Monarchy.
"Hi?" I said, entering the office. "You messaged me?"
She was shaking, clearly nervous about whether she was doing the right thing.
"Speak now, there's no reason to hide it anymore," I urged.
"The truth is, Master, I am one of Demon's former pawns. I worked for her, but it wasn't by choice. She blackmailed us, threatened to kill us if we revealed her true identity."
She's asking for protection.
"Besides you, who else?" She looked away, biting her lip.
Confirmed, there are more in the elite besides her.
"What is it about the White Monarchy you were talking about? Tell me."
"Here," she said, handing me an envelope with a picture inside.
I looked at her, questioning who this man was.
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