A Few Minutes Later

  Still on the Second Floor

  Inside the VIP Area

  After a few minutes of conversation and revelations from the manager, Mr. Astaroth sat down, looking downward with his arms resting on the table. He seemed to be genuinely trying to keep his emotions under control.

  Astaroth knew that if the manager's statements and revelations were true, two people present in that nightclub could possess information about the Oculi and humans.

  Hark-an Oculi he despised working with for being neutral between the Oculi factions that fought either for vengeance or for harmony with humans-was involved.

  All of this weighed heavily on Astaroth as he processed what he had just heard from the manager of the Oculi nightclub.

  A place frequented by many humans who were unaware of the presence of Oculi grotesquely indulging themselves in their bodies, one of its two managers suddenly received a call.

  The information he received left him frozen, and he stated to the person on the other end of the line that he would inform Astaroth immediately. His restrained replies and reactions were spoken in a low tone, clearly audible to the nearby security.

  Astaroth quickly stopped processing the previous information to focus on the new situation brought by the manager's words.

  The security guard ended the call on his smartphone, thanked the person on the other end, and, respectfully, approached Astaroth, placing one hand over his chest and slightly bowing his head.

  [Fox - Assertive & Serious Voice] Mr. Astaroth, we have a more serious problem that needs to be brought to your attention, considering our already very complicated current situation. -

  Faced with his guard's statement, Astaroth raised his gaze to Fox's face. Although Fox wore an opaque golden wolf mask, his completely black eyes-without irises-were still visible.

  Astaroth could tell from Fox's uneasy gaze that something said during that call had disturbed him enough to reveal signs to Astaroth, subtle though they were, yet unmistakable to someone who knew Fox well.

  [Astaroth - Serious and Confident Voice] Speak, Mr. Fox. Even if it is yet another major problem to be dealt with. -

  Fox took a deep breath, his eyes filled with hatred and a thirst for vengeance-not directed at Astaroth, but at the actions of the Inanis faction that were currently unfolding.

  [Fox - Enraged & Restrained Voice] That irritating group from the Reginae faction has once again eliminated our agents on a mission in Japan. -

  Astaroth's other personal guard, Mark-who had been leaning against a pillar that had been almost destroyed by the manager's body minutes earlier-received a message on his smartphone.

  [Fox - Enraged & Restrained Voice] We have recordings from before our agents were eliminated, and "she" has indeed returned to active duty after that night in South Korea, Mr. Astaroth. -

  While taking a sip of whiskey he had picked up from the table beside him, in the now-silent VIP area of the club, Astaroth commented in a lightly amused, sarcastic tone:

  [Astaroth - Lightly Amused and Sarcastic Voice] Interesting. I thought "she" would seek revenge against us, but... -

  It was evident that everyone on the second floor-from the many humans to the numerous Oculi staff present-was frozen in an intense mental trance.

  [Astaroth - Lightly Amused and Sarcastic Voice] "She" joining the Reginae faction of her own free will was not in my plans... -

  [Fox - Motivated and Confident Voice] Allow me to go after that audacious woman and her irritating group subordinate to the Reginae. I... I will make her pay for such boldness against our plans, Astaroth. -

  While many cried blood from their eyes and no longer only from their noses, others were already mentally dead, their bodies still acting as if they were alive and "well," despite the cerebral death of many present.

  Mark, after seeing what had been sent to him, interrupted Fox's plea to Astaroth. His tone was serious and icy, indicating that what he had received carried even greater weight amid that sequence of unexpected events.

  [Mark - Assertive and Cold Voice] ...Shut up, Fox. -

  [Fox - Icy and Merciless Voice] ...How dare you tell me to shut up, Mark! -

  Upon hearing Mark's words and the provoking manner in which they were delivered, Fox thought about lunging forward and striking Mark for such audacity, considering that both held the same rank within the Inanis faction.

  [Mark - Assertive and Cold Voice] You're so impulsive, Fox, that you fail to realize that whether we are on Japanese soil or not, our situation would not change at all... -

  [(Fox - Angry and Resentful Thought) ...Shit, he's right, even though I'll never admit it.]

  [Mark - Assertive and Cold Voice] ...All of us in the upper echelon have direct orders from our Begeneri lords not to seriously harm "her," even if she irritates us and interferes with our secondary objectives. -

  Suddenly, with a single clap of Astaroth's hands, the two were caught off guard as normality returned to the nightclub, plunging everything into complete silence.

  [A Subtle, Deeply Proud Sigh From Astaroth]

  Everyone who had been in a mental trance at the event collapsed to the floor, unable to move a single muscle in an attempt to flee from a place that, before Astaroth's arrival, had been highly satisfying.

  [Astaroth - Deep and Hollow Voice] Could the two of you stop fighting among yourselves, please? -

  [(Fox & Mark - Frightened and Uneasy Thought) Shit, he's irritated... (slightly trembling breath)]

  The data in his mind was so severe that nearly 100 humans and 50 Oculi present at the event were catatonic, bleeding and trembling in pain.

  [Astaroth - Deep and Hollow Voice] I understand the situation, and I do not want either of you intervening until I deem it necessary. -

  Meanwhile, the people there-mentally dead-had their bodies completely intact: about 25 humans between 18 and 30 years old, and 20 older Oculi between 30 and 45, all in the same condition.

  [(Astaroth - Fearful and Concerned Thought) We are very close to achieving the most anticipated breakthrough regarding the so-desired "Eva Theory" sought by our Begeneri lords.]

  Mr. Astaroth, breathing deeply, looked at the two before him, who immediately lowered their faces in respect. He, however, was not irritated by the rivalry between them, as they were excellent agents in his eyes.

  [(Astaroth - Reflective & Concerned Thought) But beyond the humans and that irritating human project, Sagittarius, which seeks to create hybrids-half Oculi, half human...]

  In truth, he was irritated by the sheer number of unexpected events that had occurred in less than a single day, forcing him to take more efficient measures and convene a high-level meeting of the Inanis faction.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  [(Astaroth - Deeply Wrathful Thought) With this human project in this human reality, reshaping the board of this game. And as if that weren't enough, we have that Reginae faction interfering-not only within our own Oculi reality...]

  At present, the Begeneri twins were absent, having been forced to act decisively against Miss Nox, one of the heirs to the Oculi throne.

  [(Astaroth - Deeply Wrathful Thought) ...But also here, in this human reality, trying to protect from the shadows those...]

  Nox was a member and right hand of the Reginae faction, in which the future heir to the throne ruled with strength and confidence, in favor of harmony rather than war against humans.

  [(Astaroth - Deeply Wrathful Thought) ...Damn "primates," after everything they did to our former queen in the past!]

  Astaroth was so lost in his thoughts that he disconnected from the world for a few seconds.

  [Fox & Mark - Concerned & Respectful Voice] ...Lord Astaroth, are you alright? -

  [Astaroth - Confident & Motivated Voice] ...Fox and Mark, I have a mission for you both-one far more important than dealing with the irritating matters involving Japanese soil. -

  [Fox & Mark - Curious & Respectful Voice] "More important"? -

  [Astaroth - Confident & Motivated Voice] Two "irritating insects" reached Hark tonight and made him wish for death of his own free will.

  This gave Mark and Fox the chance to see, on Astaroth's face, a mixture of apprehension and concern that slowly transformed into an intense desire for vengeance and hatred toward those who occupied his thoughts so deeply.

  [Astaroth - Calm & Vengeful Voice] And without a doubt, these "irritating insects" possess something that Hark gave them for reasons I still do not understand-something I desired above all else from that damned Oculi, that "manipulator with no allegiance." -

  [(Fox & Mark - Disbelieving & Fearful Thought) Lord Astaroth... It has been a long time since we last saw him this obsessed-to the point where his presence alone makes us feel fear before such a murderous and merciless aura...]

  [Astaroth - Calm & Vengeful Voice] I was prevented, by the direct orders of the Begeneri twins, from entering his mind, forcibly extracting the information, and killing him in the process should he refuse to give me what he gathered and accumulated over the years. -

  [Astaroth - Calm & Obsessive Voice] I want you to find these two "irritating insects" whom Hark encountered and spoke with before dying tonight. Take whatever they obtained from him and bring it to me at any cost. Understood? -

  Immediately, the two knelt before Astaroth with such reverence that they kept their heads raised, looking at him, while placing one hand over the left side of their chests-affirming their commitment to carry out Astaroth's order with absolute efficiency.

  [Astaroth - Cynical & Sarcastic Voice] Continuing, Mr. Manager... With our "great impartial informant" Hark now dead-his death being something that could have been avoided... -

  [Manager - Horrified & Trembling Whisper] Shit...! Shit!!... Shit!!!... [Deep, Frightened Breathing] -

  The manager, suspended from the ceiling, felt his body surrounded by the kitchen gas that had been released throughout the entire environment.

  The gas, invisible to human eyes, filled the entire space-from the ground to the underground.

  [Astaroth - Cynical & Sarcastic Voice] All of this due to a certain "manager" who appeared to be so efficient before us, but... -

  [Manager - Horrified & Trembling Whisper] I'm completely screwed... [Deep, Frightened Breathing] -

  [Astaroth - Cynical & Sarcastic Voice] ...Who, after the very first pathetic mistake once we turned our backs, revealed to the Inanis faction such pitiful incompetence in ensuring the security of this establishment-an establishment that should have been, at the very least, safe and monitored. -

  For the manager, horrified and pinned to the ceiling with his back bleeding due to Astaroth's abilities, the sight was terrifying.

  He, the one responsible for the renowned night event, perceived everything through terror-filled eyes, tears of fear mingling with blood.

  He could clearly perceive a slight wavering in his vision, indicating the presence of the thirty-five industrial containers used to store kitchen gas.

  These containers were not meant for the club's food, but for the meals prepared for the many underground rooms-suites for important or wealthy individuals to indulge without limits, whether human or Oculi.

  All the gas had been refined to an extreme degree through Astaroth's Oculi abilities, and the manager understood that if it were to ignite by Astaroth's will.

  Not only would the event and its underground levels explode within moments, but everything inside would be instantly evaporated in a matter of seconds.

  Like a sandcastle disintegrated by a violent wind in the midst of a storm, the manager screamed, begging Astaroth for mercy, since he had been told that he must reveal everything he knew.

  The manager would be released to continue living, despite his mistake in attempting to conceal Hark's death a few minutes earlier. However.

  He was taken by surprise by Astaroth's deeply bored breath as the Oculi observed him once more, pinned to the ceiling like a frightened animal crying in fear.

  Astaroth's gaze was brutal in its hollow intensity and imposing presence, making the manager feel his body being crushed against the ceiling, sinking into it by nearly five centimeters as if it were nothing.

  Immediately, the manager screamed in a primal tone, as though the pain had driven him mad. This was because Astaroth had mentally altered the way the manager's brain interpreted pain, making any wound or scratch ten times more agonizing.

  At that moment, Fox and Mark, who had been kneeling, simply vanished like a faint black mist, speaking together with blind devotion and pride.

  [Fox & Mark - Devoted & Driven Voice] We are immeasurably honored by the trust you place in us. We are departing, Lord Astaroth... Eternal honor to the Begeneri twins until we reach the perpetual void at the end of our struggle! [A soft, pleasurable & sadistic laugh] -

  A Few Moments Later

  Still Inside the VIP Area

  It revealed itself before the irises that moved rapidly-now horrified-within the manager's eyes, which had returned to a normal human appearance, no longer resembling those of an Oculi.

  The manager was released, falling toward the ground and landing face-first after the suspension caused by Astaroth's abilities was deactivated by the latter himself.

  After the impact, he felt an even more intense pain, added to the wounds already present. As he observed the surroundings, Astaroth perceived the potential of that place to receive the presence of the Begeneri twins in a distant future.

  Amid the silence-broken only by the manager's groans of pain and his weakened breathing as he struggled to recover from the impact, choking on his own blood-Astaroth remained with his back turned to him, at a distance of two meters, in a calm posture.

  He devoted himself to cleaning the few specks of dirt that had clung to his garments with his hands.

  The manager, even in the face of such a desperate situation, still tried to beg for forgiveness for his reckless actions and mercy for his already fragile life.

  As he adjusted his clothing to display etiquette and elegance, Astaroth's garments swayed lightly, as if an invisible force were emanating from his body in all directions.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Sadistic] ...Ah! Do not worry, I have not forgotten about you, Mr. Manager. -

  The manager, with a terrified look, began to realize what was about to happen before his eyes. Regaining consciousness-still shaken by physical and mental pain-he tried to scream Astaroth's name in a desperate and pathetic manner.

  The world around him seemed to slow down as he lay on the ground, extending a trembling arm toward Astaroth.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Sadistic] I told you earlier that I would leave you alive before my departure, remember? -

  After Astaroth uttered these words, the manager watched the world around him slow down and be tinted with negative hues within mere moments. Amid all of this, he saw Astaroth snap the fingers of one hand against the other.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Amused And Echoing] And truly, I was not lying about that. -

  The air around them was now almost completely saturated with a highly explosive gas, refined through the use of his abilities.

  The environment began to combust gradually, expanding gently, as if the entire place were submerged in an ocean of gasoline within a slowed-down world.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Amused And Echoing] I will leave you alive, but... -

  Before the manager's horrified eyes, the "veins" of flame spread in all directions, emitting a faintly incandescent glow. This was nothing more than fire consuming the oxygen in the air.

  Further increasing the intensity of its combustion and, consequently, the power of the explosion.

  Meanwhile, Astaroth remained at the center of the area, the flames expanding delicately around him without harming or touching him.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Pleasurable And Echoing] As punishment for daring to withhold from me information as important as Hark's death within your establishment. -

  Astaroth began to move toward where the manager still lay on the ground, his face clearly revealing eyes completely white, devoid of irises.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Pleasurable And Echoing] I, as your superior, will test your Oculi abilities to their very limits on this beautiful and tranquil night. -

  As his lips formed a smile so pleasurable and sadistic, the manager lay there on the ground, debilitated and badly injured, trying to reach Astaroth with one arm.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Hollow & Echoing] Before coming here, I had the chance to read through some documents about you and the time you have worked in this place, serving us of the Inanis faction. -

  The manager's body was under a slowed temporal flow, while Astaroth's was unaffected by the temporal suspension, allowing him to move normally amid all of this.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Pleasurable & Echoing] I remember very well what I read-that you possess some interesting aptitudes in your hands, inherited from your family. -

  The manager listened quietly as Astaroth opened his arms, displaying great joy at what was about to unfold in that place just seconds after the slowed time returned to its normal flow.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Hollow & Echoing] Your family possessed an intriguing gift related to bodily composition. -

  The manager watched his outstretched arm be gradually consumed by the flames spreading through the air due to the gas, first seeing his fingers and organic matter burn and be incinerated.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Hollow & Echoing] That familial gift allowed them to withstand extreme heat without suffering many severe injuries. -

  Until nothing remained but the bones of the hand still extended toward Astaroth. Even those bones began to burn and evaporate under the heat of the flames, which continued to expand ever more slowly and gradually.

  [Astaroth - Whispering, Deeply Hollow & Echoing] Could it be that the documents are wrong about you, Mr. Fork...? [A faint, sarcastic laugh] -