UNMASKED

CHAPTER 6

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Watch the news. Demon’s parading criminals in the square," one of the Elders said, eyes narrowed as he observed the scene on the screen.

Ice turned from his desk, his face expressionless as he took in the chaotic scene of bound criminals, all lined up like sheep for slaughter. Demon strode among them with a scythe in hand, looking every bit the twisted executioner.

“How many criminals are there in total?” he asked, his tone calm.

"Over 250," the Elder replied. "And word is, this is only the first batch. Not all of them are even guilty—some are just accused."

Ice’s jaw tightened. “I see.” Standing, he removed his glasses, slipping them into his pocket. “Get the car ready. It’s time to surprise her.”

“Are you going to fight her?” the Elder asked, excitement flashing in his eyes.

Ice frowned, his gaze sharp. “No. I’m rescuing the hostages she has in the plaza. Some of them are innocent, and even the guilty don’t deserve her brand of twisted justice.”

“I’m coming with you,” Claire spoke up, moving toward him with determination.

“Fine,” he replied coolly, his eyes flicking over her. “But don’t get in my way.” A glint of something dark flashed in his eyes. “I want Demon to remember this day, and know she’s facing the one who will end her.”

---

"AAAAAAHHHH, MANIEGO!" Demon screamed, her voice rippling with an eerie mix of excitement and fury.

The thick smoke hung around her as she spun in place, eyes wild, searching the plaza. Her fingers gripped her scythe tighter, every fiber of her being thrumming with twisted joy.

“Come out, Maniego!” she bellowed, her grin wide and feral. “I’ve waited long enough for this!”

Her scythe cut through the smoke as she swung it wildly, as if trying to slice through her own anticipation. Each swing left splinters of stone and wood in its wake, the destruction only stoking her excitement.

"Run all you want, but I’ll find you!" Demon’s voice echoed through the square, chilling anyone still brave enough to watch from a distance.

But then—

"Run? Who said I was going to run?" A voice, deep and composed, cut through the clearing smoke.

As the haze faded, a figure came into view, tall and confident, with a glint of steel in his eyes. Ice stood there, unshaken, a sharp contrast to the chaos surrounding them.

Demon’s heart skipped a beat as she saw him, her pulse racing. She dropped to one knee, clutching her chest, a dramatic smirk spreading across her face.

"You!? You’re even more handsome up close! Do you… wanna marry me?” Her voice took on a playful tone, as if her previous bloodlust had been replaced with pure infatuation.

The White Monarchy member watching from afar groaned, resisting the urge to roll their eyes. "Not this again…"

Ice’s expression remained blank, though his brows lifted in subtle disbelief. “What? You’re… you’re not my type.”

Demon’s eyes widened, feigning heartbreak. “What? But you were obsessed with me once!”

Ice’s patience was wearing thin. “Do you think the person who murdered my mother would be my type?” he snapped coldly, barely hiding his disgust.

Demon’s expression shifted instantly, her playful grin giving way to a wicked smile. “Hmm, you’ve got a point.” She leaned in, her eyes gleaming with twisted delight. “Are you here to kill me, Maniego?” Her words dripped with mockery, each syllable taunting him. “Are you strong enough to take me on? Have you gone through the hellish training I did? Did you watch me rip through the so-called ‘masks’?”