As Lucivar stepped out of the portal, a dense forest closed in around him. Towering trees twisted overhead, their branches like dark claws blotting out the sky.
He spun around. What the hell?
The portal had vanished.
He took a cautious step forward and felt it.
Dark energy surged. It didn't strike him outright, but it wrapped around him like a shroud. Sparks of electricity jutted along his arms, legs, and neck.
Damn it.
So this is how Lucifer plays.
Lucivar staggered. One knee hit the forest floor. Then he collapsed fully.
I cannot move. Where am I? I am losing consciousness.
Still, even in weakness, a small spark flickered inside him. At least I am alive. After facing someone as evil as him.
His body finally gave out. Darkness swallowed him.
Hours later, sunlight filtered through leaves. Warm, yet unfamiliar. He was not lying on the ground anymore; he was inside a carriage, gently rocking along a forest path.
Something stirred nearby. Lucivar's eyes opened fully. Humans. Several of them, sitting across from him.
What the hell am I doing here? I was just there.
"Hey, looks like you're awake," a calm voice said.
Lucivar turned. A man smiled. "Jorah," he said. "I am a swordsman."
His gaze swept the others in the carriage: a mage and two sword-wielding men, all watching him with serious expressions.
Where am I and why am I with these humans?
"Hello? Can you understand me?" Jorah leaned closer, patient.
Lucivar blinked. Slowly, he focused.
"Like I said, I am Jorah," the man repeated. "These are my companions." He gestured one by one.
"Merilda—she is a mage. And these two are Volric and Volrian. Swordsmen."
They all nodded.
"We are adventurers," Jorah continued, his tone serious. "But why were you unconscious in the middle of that forest? It is dangerous. Anything could have happened."
He lowered his voice. "There are A-rank monsters out there."
Lucivar's teeth clenched.
That bastard.
He really dropped me in the middle of a monster-infested forest, knocked me out, and left me to die.
His gaze hardened.
Lucifer, you truly are cruel.
He felt the weight of his new reality.
I am no longer an angel. Most of my power is gone.
But some things could not be taken.
The Eyes of Judgment.
Lucivar lowered his head slightly.
They are all sinners, but they still have hearts. Sometimes they choose forgiveness.
Slowly, he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers beneath his eyes. A faint red glow flickered, shimmered briefly, and then faded.
He looked back at Jorah.
"My name is Lucivar," he said quietly.
Jorah's face relaxed. "Oh, thank goodness," he said with a small laugh. "I was worried you could not speak. You looked confused."
Lucivar said nothing, scanning each of them.
"How are you doing?" Merilda asked gently. "Where do you stay?"
"I am not from around here," he replied, calm but measured.
"Are you an adventurer?" she pressed.
"No. I am not," he said quietly.
She exhaled softly, realizing there was no point in questioning him further.
Lucivar sank back into the carriage seat. He did not even know where to begin. Where do these humans live?
One thing was certain: they were taking him toward human territory.
After a while, the carriage came to a stop. A man dismounted the horse.
"Sir, we've arrived. Please, come out," he said. The others followed suit, stepping down gracefully.
Lucivar slid from the carriage, his eyes scanning the massive wall that stretched before the kingdom. Two guards stood at the gates, alert and unyielding.
So this is where humans stay, he thought. First time seeing it, and I actually blend in. A devil, but still human enough.
Jorah stepped forward, carrying a huge bag from the carriage.
Feels good to be back, Merilda noted quietly.
"Yeah, it does," Jorah murmured, adjusting the bag.
"We could have made more money selling the king golem body," Volric added, eyeing the bag. "But they were too big. The core's what matters."
"Yeah, but that doesn't even matter," Volrian said, glancing at his twin.
Lucivar raised an eyebrow. Wait, why do they look alike?
"Oh, you didn't know?" Jorah said casually. "They're twins."
As they approached the gates, a guard stepped forward.
"Show your ID and what you're carrying," he commanded.
Jorah handed over his adventurer's card.
"Oh, Rank A," the guard said, inspecting it. "Eligible for employment as adventurers. You may proceed."
They all entered, including Lucivar.
"Usually, they'd ask more questions, especially since you're new," Jorah explained. "But this plate makes it simple. As adventurers, it's very useful."
Lucivar tilted his head. "What kind of work do adventurers do here?"
"Depends," Jorah said. "We explore dungeons, defeat monsters, and sell whatever we can. Sometimes, we focus on cores or rare materials."
Lucivar nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Then I should sign as an adventurer too. It makes becoming a citizen easier."
"Exactly," Jorah said. "Since you're not from here, it's the fastest way to settle in."
As they walked through the kingdom gates, Lucivar's eyes roamed the streets. Humans bustled about, guards patrolled, merchants shouted their wares. Somewhere deep down, he realized this was just the beginning.
Jorah let out a roar as the party entered the town.
Everyone stopped, staring. Whispers ran through the crowd. They're back. They're back!
Two children ran forward, laughing. "Hey! You've come back!"
Jorah smiled, rubbing his hand over the ape by his side. "It's good to be back," he said. The crowd cheered quietly, still watching in awe.
A woman appeared, carrying a basket full of fruits. She handed it to Merilda.
"Thank you," Merilda said softly.
Others joined in, offering small gifts, bread, flowers, simple trinkets. The party was loved here.
"Is this your new party member?" someone asked.
"No," Jorah replied. "Someone we met in the forest."
Then it happened.
Lucivar's eyes flared red, the Eyes of Judgment igniting. His gaze swept over the crowd, counting, weighing.
"Well, everyone sins," he said softly. "Some have little sins. Others carry a lot. But many have sought forgiveness. Their sins have been reduced. They've been forgiven."