As Lane moved away from the village, the howling of the wind echoed like the cries of the hell he had left behind.A few kilometers out, he reached a small forest. He walked between the trees, silent. Tying a rope to a trunk, he bound the nun tightly to it. The woman's head hung low, her consciousness still lost. Lane took the water flask from his belt and splashed it in her face.
"Wake up, filth."
The nun's eyes flew open. She gasped for air and screamed."No! Where am I? What is this place?"
Lane's voice was low but carried a threat."Shut your mouth. I'll ask questions—you'll answer."
The woman squinted, trying to see him, but his face was hidden in shadow."You bastard! What did you do to me? Let me go!" she shouted, struggling helplessly against the ropes.
Lane took a step forward and, without a word, swung his fist.A hard crack echoed. Her head snapped to the side, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"Why don't you drop that nun disguise already?" Lane said with disgust. "You're starting to make me sick."
The nun looked shocked, confused."What are you talking about? What disguise? I'm a nun! Look—I can even use holy magic! How can you say I'm pretending?"
Her voice trembled; she tried to move her hands in panic.
Lane's eyes narrowed as he exhaled slowly.He drew his sword from its sheath. The red veins running along the Dragonblade shimmered under the moonlight. When the cold metal's light struck the nun's pupils, she flinched in fear.
Lane pressed the blade against her throat."I'll only say this once. I know you're a shape-shifting demon. Now, either return to your true form and speak honestly, or this sword will pull out every drop of human blood you've ever drunk."
The woman started trembling uncontrollably. Lane's voice was calm, but his gaze—those eyes held death itself.Before her stood a boy barely ten years old, yet his stare was that of a veteran killer who had seen a thousand wars.
"Please… don't kill me," the woman whispered.
Lane pressed the sword a little harder. The sharp edge grazed her skin."Do you know what humans can't stand the most, demon?"
She struggled to breathe."I-I don't know… Please, don't do this!"
Lane's voice turned to ice."There are two things people can't bear: frauds like you… and fear itself. You brought both. What do you think would happen if the villagers learned demons like you existed? Would they stay calm—or go mad? If you don't answer, your chance of survival drops to fifty percent."
The woman shook, tears streaming down her cheeks."They would… they'd be scared at first," she said weakly. "Then they'd grow angry… then unite and fight back."
Lane smiled. It wasn't victory—it was satisfaction at having control."Good. Right answer. Now, third question: how did you come here? How did you infiltrate the empires? Clearly, someone powerful is backing you. If you don't answer, your chance of survival drops again."
The nun—or rather, the demon—trembled as her lips quivered. Lane pushed the blade slightly deeper.
The demon spoke, her voice shaking but clear:"We… suffered a great defeat a hundred years ago. We realized we couldn't win through battle. So we decided to blend among humans. First, we took the forms of those we killed. Then, we rose higher and higher."
Lane tilted his head slightly. "Go on."
The demon closed her eyes, continuing:"Humans never noticed. Even when they found us strange… we played with their faith. We reached important positions. Anyone who suspected us—disappeared silently. We took control of everything."
Lane's eyes glimmered."So, you've been among us for a century," he said, gripping the sword tighter. "Unseen, unnoticed. Cunning move."
The Dragonblade pulsed faintly, as if responding to Lane's emotion.
"The next question," he said. "Did any of you infiltrate the SkyDrane Kingdom? If you don't answer, you won't live to hear the next one. You've reached question five out of six. The sixth means certain death."
The demon's eyes widened."I don't know! Please, don't kill me! I'll go back! I won't harm humans again!"
Lane stayed silent, raising the sword.Just as he was about to strike, the demon screamed:"I remember! There was one! Someone infiltrated SkyDrane—but we never learned who! Every kingdom has a 'High Demon,' always placed in power! The one in SkyDrane… their identity is still hidden!"
Lane froze. His pupils trembled."So they're that deep… that close," he muttered to himself.
He clenched his fists until blood ran between his fingers."They forgot one variable," he whispered coldly. "Me."
His eyes blazed like fire."I asked five questions. You pulled the trigger six times. Your survival chance is zero."
He swung the sword.The demon screamed, her voice echoing through the forest.Blood sprayed. The body split in two—and dissolved into dust.
Lane stood silently for a while, holding his breath.The wind blew; the leaves rustled. In that silence, he could only hear his heartbeat.
"There's someone inside SkyDrane," he murmured. "Maybe one of the highest names."
He sheathed his sword and leaned against a tree.Moonlight fell on his body as he stared into the darkness.
When morning came, the village had changed completely.The villagers, their souls restored, were no longer silent—they were furious. The streets were filled with whispers and shouts. Some threw stones at the church ruins, others wept.
Lane walked quietly, his face covered. As he moved through the shadows, a hand suddenly touched his shoulder.He spun reflexively, hand darting toward his sword.
But it was just an ordinary villager.Lane muttered inwardly,"I didn't even sense him… Are my instincts dulling?"
The villager asked sharply,"Who are you? Walking around at night with your face hidden?"
Lane lifted his head slightly.The moonlight reflected off his blue eyes.The man stepped back.
"You… you're the one who destroyed the church!" he whispered. "Don't stay here! Follow me."
He grabbed Lane by the arm and dragged him toward a house.Inside, he rolled back a carpet, revealing a hidden trapdoor. He opened it."Quick, get down there."
Lane hesitated for a moment, then descended silently.The tunnel was narrow and damp.Footsteps echoed. The walls were stone, and water dripped from the ceiling.
Lane muttered to himself,"Another underground tunnel… My fate really stinks."
At the end of the tunnel, a vast cavern opened up. Hundreds of people filled it.Some tended fires; others repaired weapons.Lane looked around, astonished.
"They built a whole city beneath the village… living like moles."
The villager turned and smiled."I'm Edwick," he said. "One of the three people managing this place. Thanks to you, our souls are ours again. We're grateful."
Lane's expression didn't change."What are you planning to do now?"
Edwick's tone turned grave."We want to drive them out completely. Please, help us. The holy knights are still nearby."
Lane shook his head."No. This isn't my problem. I won't help you."
Edwick dropped to his knees."Please! We can't stand against them! Among them are five Paladins of the third star! We have no one strong enough to stop them!"
Lane fell silent.The Dragonblade vibrated faintly, as if deciding before he did.
"Maybe… I can learn more about these demons," he thought.He raised his head."Fine. I'll help."
Edwick stood up, overjoyed, and hugged him.Lane gritted his teeth."What kind of strength does this man have? My ribs are cracking," he muttered under his breath.
Edwick quickly gave orders to two others."Prepare a bed for our guest. Bring food, water, wine."
They led Lane deeper into the tunnels, to a small room.The bed was hard but serviceable.On the table sat bread, soup, and fruit.
Lane sat silently, untouched by hunger.He placed his sword on the table and stared at it for a long time.
"I've gathered plenty of information today," he whispered to himself. "Tomorrow comes the planning."
Note: The six questions referenced here symbolize the six chambers of a revolver—Russian roulette, where the final trigger always means death.