Chapter 6
Inside a cozy coffee shop, a rotund man and his wife sat by the window, enjoying their morning brew. The aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air as the man sipped his coffee, his gaze drifting toward the street. Suddenly, a streak of black light flashed past the window, quick as a shadow. His cup trembled in his grasp.
"Honey, did you see that?" he gasped, eyes widening.
His wife looked up from her drink, glancing out the window with an indifferent expression. "See what?" she asked.
"That black fog—I swear something just zoomed past!"
She rolled her eyes, taking another sip. "You must be hallucinating again. There's no black fog. Honestly, you should stop reading all those comic books."
Before he could protest, another figure blurred by, this time resembling a young man moving at an impossible speed. The man choked on his coffee, shaking his wife frantically.
"See?! A black speedster!" he nearly shouted.
The sudden motion made her coffee spill onto her lap. She yelped, glaring at him before glancing outside again. But there was nothing—just an ice cream vendor strolling along the sidewalk.
"You know what?" she huffed, standing up and grabbing her purse. "When you stop hallucinating and start acting like an adult, maybe we can have a proper date."
With that, she stormed off, leaving the man rubbing his eyes in frustration. "But I saw it... It can't be a hallucination, right?"
At an insane speed, Raziel pursued the dark entity, his blood boiling with frustration. "Will this stupid lesser being stop running already? If only I had regained all my powers, I'd show it true hell."
The entity weaved through traffic, its chaotic presence disrupting the surroundings. A car swerved violently, its tires screeching as it lost control. The vehicle spun toward a young schoolgirl crossing the road, her wide eyes frozen in terror.
Raziel initially ignored it—humans were not his concern. But something inside him wavered.
A chorus of screams filled the air. The car bore down on the child.
Then—
A figure materialized in front of the vehicle. With a mere tap, the out-of-control machine came to an abrupt halt. Silence followed. Before the onlookers could process what had happened, the figure vanished into thin air.
"Wait… Did anyone else see that?" a bystander stammered, his mouth agape.
But Raziel had no time to care for human astonishment. The brief moment of distraction allowed the dark entity to slip away. Grinding his teeth, he growled, "Damn it. If not for that pathetic human child, I would have caught it by now."
Yet before he could resume his search, a familiar scent wafted through the air. His sharp eyes turned toward the source—Selena. She was speaking with a man, her body subtly leaning away as the human attempted to invade her space.
Raziel sighed. Then, with a casual snap of his fingers, his black overcoat shifted into a deep crimson shade, matching Selena's elegant red dress. Black glasses appeared over his sharp eyes as he strode forward, his grip intercepting the man's approaching hand before it could touch Selena's face.
"Haven't you been taught not to touch another man's woman?" Raziel's voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge.
Mark, the man in question, was left stunned by the sudden intrusion. His gaze darted between Selena and Raziel, trying to process the situation.
Raziel smirked. "Isn't that right, love?"
Mark froze.
Selena's heart pounded erratically. "U-Uhm... I... think... yeah, that's right, love." She stammered, cheeks turning crimson. Her own words shocked her—why had she played along so easily?
Mark's face twitched. He had spent months making sure Selena wasn't seeing anyone. His scouts had reported that she had no interest in dating, yet now, out of nowhere, this mysterious man appeared—and worse, Selena acknowledged him as her boyfriend.
Raziel snapped his fingers in front of Mark's blank expression. "Hello? Are you still with us?" he asked with fake concern. "My love here said you invited us for a friendly meeting."
Mark's face darkened. He never planned to have a meal with this fool, yet now he had no choice. Forced to maintain his composure, he gritted his teeth and muttered, "Uh, uh, yeah… you're welcome."
As they sat down, Mark seethed inwardly. Raziel was far more handsome than even Chris, who was already leagues above him in looks. Watching this 'pretty boy' sit beside Selena, his veins bulged in frustration.
They sat down and started eating in silence, which Mark soon broke.
"You are full of surprises, aren't you, Dr. Vale? To think that you have such a great boyfriend and have been hiding him from the world," Mark said, forcing a smile while subtly probing for information. His gaze flickered to Raziel with a calculating glint. "For someone to be able to marry someone as great as Dr. Vale, your background must not be simple."
Raziel smirked, pleased with the opportunity to boast. "You bet! You humans are looking at the fifth prince of the—"
Before he could continue, Selena swiftly clamped her hand over his mouth. "He doesn't like to talk about his background too much," she said quickly, giving Mark a tight smile.
Mark looked at her suspiciously, but after a moment, he simply nodded, though the curiosity in his eyes didn't fade. Selena breathed a sigh of relief. If her so-called boyfriend started talking about being the prince of the underworld, Mark would just assume she had taken a random mental patient on a date.
To think I almost forgot that he is delusional, she thought wryly.
Raziel shot her a pointed look but decided to remain silent, if only to humor her. He was still trying to understand why he had to humor a human in the first place.
After finishing their meals, Mark's carefully planned date began—though not in the way he had envisioned.
Mark had gone to great lengths to create the perfect romantic setting for himself and Selena. The date was meant to include a picturesque carriage ride through the city, a private rooftop setup with candlelit desserts, and a series of couple-oriented activities: paddle-boating on a serene lake, a visit to a stargazing observatory, and even a customized treasure hunt designed to end with him heroically presenting Selena with a bracelet he had picked out himself.
However, all his efforts were being hijacked by Raziel.
Selena and Raziel ended up indulging in everything Mark had planned. The paddle-boating, originally meant for just Mark and Selena, turned into a scene of Raziel expertly maneuvering the boat while Selena laughed at his sarcastic complaints about human contraptions. At the observatory, instead of a heartwarming moment with Selena gazing at the stars with him, Mark was forced to watch Raziel casually point out constellations with an air of disinterest while Selena hung onto his words with fascination. Even the treasure hunt, the part Mark had been most proud of, turned into an exasperating experience as Raziel solved every clue instantly, making it seem as though Mark had set it up for a child.
Through it all, Mark's veins bulged at his arm and forehead, his fists clenched as he watched his carefully laid-out plans unravel before him.
This… This hateful pretty boy is ruining everything!
His frustration reached its peak when Selena found the final clue, which led her to the bracelet Mark had intended to personally gift her. But before he could step forward and dramatically place it on her wrist, Raziel casually took it from the box and handed it to Selena.
"Here. This thing is glowing or something. Must be important to you humans."
Selena beamed as she accepted it, and Mark nearly screamed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Raziel turned to Selena and said, "I need to use the toilet."
Mark's eyes gleamed with an evil glint. This was his chance.
He pulled out his phone and typed a message: Make sure he doesn't come out of the restroom.
His men confirmed. Mark grinned. Although he hadn't been able to spend the day with Selena as planned, there was still the dance. If Raziel didn't return, Selena wouldn't have any reason to reject him.
---
Back at the Restroom
Raziel stepped inside and exhaled. "To think a whole prince like me must play around with a human girl. Ridiculous. I need to leave now."
He was preparing to phase through the door when the sound of footsteps echoed behind him. Seven dangerous-looking men approached, cracking their knuckles.
"So, this is Mr. Lover?" one of them sneered.
"Yeah, let's see how much love he can share after we crush his legs today."
Raziel narrowed his eyes. He didn't care about human threats, but they were interfering with his plan. Clenching his fists, he tried to walk past them, but the moment he passed the middle guy, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going?" the man said smugly.
Raziel clenched his jaw. "I think I need to show you humans your place."
---
The grand ballroom a place couples swayed to the enchanting melody of a live orchestra. Mark saw his moment and walked up to Selena.
"Shall we dance?" he asked, stretching out his hand.
"No."
"No? You can't do that!"
"Yes, I can. I came here with my boyfriend, so it's only right I dance with him."
Mark smirked. "Tell me, where is this so-called boyfriend? I think he's ditched you."
Selena hesitated, glancing around. Everyone was already dancing. Slowly, she extended her hand. Mark grinned victoriously and reached for it—
But before he could grasp it, another hand caught hers.
Mark's eyes widened in horror. No… he shouldn't be here!
Raziel stood before them, his expression unreadable. "Will you dance with me?" he asked Selena.
Hearing his voice, Selena opened her closed eyes and nodded, letting him lead her to the dance floor.
Mark frantically dialed his men. No response. His fingers trembled. What the hell happened?!
Selena placed her hands on Raziel's shoulders, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. The moment their bodies moved in sync, the world seemed to slow down. Raziel, despite his initial disdain for human customs, found himself captivated by the warmth in Selena's eyes.
The music was slow, the lights dim, and as they twirled gracefully, their movements became an unspoken conversation. Selena's heart pounded. Raziel was elegant yet strong, guiding her effortlessly. The proximity sent shivers down her spine, and when she looked up, she was met with his piercing gaze.
"You dance well," she whispered.
"I master everything I do," he replied smoothly, smirking.
Selena rolled her eyes but smiled. As the song reached its climax, Raziel dipped her, his face inches from hers. For a moment, nothing else mattered—not Mark fuming at the sidelines, not the chaos from earlier. Just the two of them, lost in the rhythm of the dance.
And then, just as suddenly, the music ended, leaving a breathless silence between them.
As the music stopped, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted. A wave of anticipation filled the air as couples leaned in, sealing their moments with a kiss. Raziel, still holding Selena close, brought his face near hers. His breath was warm against her lips, and against her better judgment, she closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. But just as their lips were about to meet, a voice whispered into her ear, cold and sharp.
"Human, I've served you enough. Now it's time you fulfill our deal."
Selena's eyes snapped open, her initial excitement morphing into pure irritation. She glared at Raziel, her cheeks burning with both embarrassment and rage.
"But we're not done!" she hissed, her hands tightening against his.
Raziel scoffed, his lips curling in disgust. "What? Did you expect me to kiss you? That's disgusting."
A chorus of laughter erupted from the surrounding guests, and Selena felt her soul leave her body. The heat of embarrassment overwhelmed her, her face turning a shade of red she didn't know was possible. Her fingers curled into fists, her heart pounding with anger.
"Y-You bastard! Stay away from me!" she shouted, shoving him back before storming off.
Mark, who had been watching from the sidelines with a mix of amusement and jealousy, took the opportunity to approach her. But before he could utter a word, Selena shot him a death glare. "You too! Stay away from me!" she snapped before disappearing into the night.
Raziel sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his eyes. The deal had been simple: play her boyfriend for the day, and in return, she would give him the Angro Crystal. But now, after everything, she was acting dramatic, leaving him with nothing.
"I need to get my hands on that crystal," he muttered, taking off after her.
Selena walked through the dimly lit streets, her thoughts a storm of frustration, embarrassment, and inexplicable sadness. Her heart ached in a way she didn't quite understand. Why did she feel so humiliated? Why did she care so much about a man that she doesn't even know? Her hands trembled as emotions she had locked away for years came crashing down all at once.
"I hate him… I hate him… I hate him," she whispered, but the words felt hollow.
Lost in thought, she failed to realize she had wandered deep into the forest. The distant hum of the city had faded, replaced by the eerie silence of the wilderness. Only when she heard footsteps behind her did she snap back to reality.
"Human!" Raziel's voice called out as he effortlessly caught up to her.
Selena turned, her eyes red and glossy from unshed tears. "What is it?! Haven't you embarrassed me enough, you bastard?!" Her voice cracked, her emotions spilling over. "Do you even understand how I feel right now?! You humiliated me in front of everyone! You acted like I was nothing but a means to an end! I'm not just some tool for you to use! I'm a person! And you—!" She choked on her words, her breath hitching. "You don't care at all."
Raziel stared at her blankly before sighing. "We had a deal. Give me the Angro Crystal, and I'll leave you alone."
Selena laughed, a broken sound laced with disbelief and hurt. "That's all you care about, huh? A stupid crystal?" Tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "Fine. Take it and get out of my life."
She turned to walk away, blindly moving deeper into the forest, not caring where she went. She just needed to get away—from him, from this feeling, from everything.
Raziel clicked his tongue. "Humans are really hard to deal with," he muttered, deciding to focus on his own objective—the gateway. But just as he was about to turn, a faint glow in the distance caught his eye. His sharp vision zeroed in on a man hidden among the trees, aiming a bazooka directly at Selena.
His pupils constricted. "Tch. She needs to live… or I'll never get the crystal."
Selena walked through the dark forest, her thoughts spiraling out of control. The embarrassment, the anger, the betrayal—all of it swirled inside her like a storm. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and her breath came in ragged gasps. She was so lost in her emotions that she barely noticed the faint whistling sound in the distance, growing louder by the second.
Then she saw it.
A small missile, cutting through the air with deadly precision, heading straight for her.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as the realization hit her like a thunderclap. Time seemed to slow. Her legs locked in place, terror freezing her in an iron grip. She wanted to scream, to move, to do anything, but it was already too late. The missile was nearly upon her, its burning light reflecting in her wide, panic-stricken eyes.
Just before impact, something—no, someone—crashed into her, sending her hurtling through the air. She landed roughly several meters away, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. Dazed and disoriented, she forced herself up on trembling arms and looked toward the one who had saved her.
Raziel.
His crimson eyes burned like embers in the darkness. He stood between her and the incoming missile, utterly fearless. His expression was unreadable, a calm defiance in the face of death. Was he not afraid? Did he not value his life?
No… He was going to die.
Her stomach dropped. "No! Raziel!" she screamed, reaching out for him, but before she could move, the missile struck.
A deafening explosion erupted, engulfing him in a massive burst of fire and smoke. The shockwave sent Selena rolling backward, her body scraping against the rough ground. She coughed violently, her eyes burning from the dust and debris.
Her ears rang. Her hands trembled. The weight of the moment crashed down on her like an avalanche.
Raziel was gone.
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she clutched her chest, her entire body shaking with uncontrollable grief. He was supposed to be her patient, her responsibility. But instead, he had saved her, and now he was dead. Because of her.
A cold, mocking laugh shattered the heavy silence.
Her breath hitched. Hope flickered in her chest as she looked up, praying to see Raziel miraculously alive. "Raziel?" she whispered.
But it wasn't him.
Five men emerged from the darkness, their faces twisted in cruel amusement. Two held guns, two brandished machetes, and the last—the one in the center—clutched a missile launcher. He was the one who had fired the shot.
"Who… who are you?" she asked weakly, her energy drained from crying, from fear.
The leader grinned. "Just men following orders. You should have known better than to angers those above you, Dr. Vale. But now, it's too late."
One of the machete-wielders stepped forward, his blade gleaming in the moonlight. Without hesitation, he lifted it high, aiming directly for Selena's head.
She closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.
A sharp fwip cut through the air.
The sound of something hitting the ground.
Then silence.
Slowly, cautiously, Selena opened her eyes.
The man who had been about to strike her stood frozen, eyes wide with shock. Then, his head—cleanly severed—tumbled to the ground, blood gushing from his neck like a fountain. His body followed a second later, collapsing lifelessly into the dirt.
The remaining four men recoiled in horror. "What the hell?!" one of them choked out.
Another fwip.
The second machete-wielder barely had time to react before his head rolled off his shoulders, his decapitated body crumpling to the earth.
A deep, furious voice cut through the explosion's lingering smoke. "You humans… really don't know your place."
Selena's breath hitched. That voice…
Her tear-filled eyes darted toward the source, and there, emerging from the fading fire and embers, was Raziel.
Completely unharmed.
His clothes were still pristine, not a single scratch on him. His crimson eyes blazed even brighter now, a raw, terrifying power radiating from his very being. The remaining gunmen panicked, raising their weapons and firing wildly. Bullets tore through the air, aimed directly for Raziel's head.
He didn't flinch.
With a flick of his wrist, the bullets halted mid-air. The gunmen barely had time to react before Raziel redirected their own shots back at them. A sickening pop rang out as their heads exploded like overripe fruit, painting the trees in crimson splatters.
The last man—the one with the missile launcher—staggered back, drenched in sweat. His face twisted with sheer terror as he spun around, desperate to escape.
He didn't get far.
Before he could take another step, flames erupted around him, consuming his entire body in an instant. His agonized screams filled the forest, echoing into the night as he writhed in unbearable pain. Within moments, he was nothing but charred bones and ashes.
Raziel exhaled, lowering his hand as the fire died out.
Silence.
Then, he turned to Selena.
She sat frozen on the ground, her entire body pale, trembling. The terror in her eyes was unmistakable as she stared at him, the image of his glowing crimson gaze seared into her mind. Her lips quivered, barely able to form words.
"Yo....you are...."
Raziel look at her and complete it for her
"A Demon".
To be continued.