The estate lights blurred as Renny walked fast, phone at his ear.

"Come on, Tela. Pick up."

He waited for a while, anticipating a response but getting nothing. He tried again. Still no answer.

"Pick up, dammit." His pace quickened; breath rising with irritation.

By the time he reached his apartment door, frustration burned through the exhaustion.

"Fuck!"

Oliver rushed forward the moment he stepped inside, tail wagging in greeting.

"Not now, Oliver," Renny snapped, brushing past him. His hands dragged through his hair. "I had it… I fucking had it. After all that, after everything, I finally did it."

He stopped mid-stride, eyes wide, voice shaking between disbelief and anger.

"And I lost it. There. Right there."

He slammed a fist against the wall.

"Damn you, Krovanis. I knew you'd make a move, but not like this. Thought you'd go the Seraphine route, with force, intimidation. Not… this."

Renny's voice broke, breath harsh. "But fuck you too, Renny. I should've known. I should have seen this coming."

"Fuck!!" The shout tore out, raw and helpless.

Oliver whimpered from behind the couch, confused by the tone, ears low.

Renny blinked hard, guilt cutting through the rage.

"Sorry, buddy." He exhaled slowly and shallowly, then moved to the window.

The glass reflected him, sweat, fury, and something hollow underneath. He stared out at the dark stretch of city.

"How can I get the key back…" he muttered. "Is it even possible? I don't even have time to come up with another strategy to finish my contract."

His fingers tightened against the sill.

"No." He said it under his breath. "I've come too far to lose hope now." A slow breath. His eyes narrowed. "I just need to find a way to beat him."

He exhaled, pensive. The silence pressed closer.

I need more abilities.

The thought landed flat, but the moment it came, he knew it was true.

Right now, he'd nearly maxed out his grade. His overall ceiling loomed; no growth left in raw power. The only edge he'd managed came through infusion, channeling Dominion into what he already had. But even that was limited. Branch level. Until he rose in grade, his branch infusion would remain locked at grade one.

If he could add more royal abilities or summon more creatures like Oliver, that might open a new path, an edge he desperately needed.

Maybe it was time to return to the Memory of Creation.

He still hadn't touched the Dominion spell since the day he earned it. There were more rewards buried in that place, old commands, dead beings, sealed power. If he could acquire them, his reach would grow.

His gaze drifted to Oliver, curled on the couch.

"That's what I need," he murmured.

A pause. Then quieter, almost to himself...

"Alright. Then that's where I'll start."

Just as the thought settled, Oliver barked, sharp, repeating, urgent.

Renny froze. His pulse tightened.Someone's coming.

He turned toward the door, muscles coiling.Krovanis? Already? What now...

But the next bark changed tone, lighter, rhythmic, signaling a friendly presence.

Renny exhaled through his nose. "Oh? Is that so?"He dropped his guard, glancing down at Oliver. "Hide in the shadows for now. Keep watch."

Oliver gave a short whine of acknowledgment and disappeared into the shadow realm, his form melting into the dark.

Moments later, a knock..

Renny opened the door."Myla," he said, the name dry on his tongue.

She looked as neatly kept as always, a gentle, polite smile resting on her lips, the kind of smile that made her seem like she lived in heaven, and no one else knew it but her. Renny found it oddly fitting. It suited her too well. That quiet innocence, or rather, the illusion of it, only made what she'd become feel more complete, in a strange, unsettling way.

"Now's not a good time," he said, blocking the doorway with his arm.

"It's urgent, Ren," she replied. "I need your help."

He frowned, jaw flexing. "Myla..."

"I'm grateful for before," she cut in. "With the seed. Though it wasn't free, was it?" Her tone softened, but only slightly. "I'd like to offer another exchange. I'm desperate, Ren. You helped me once; help me again. If you need anything, you can ask. You know I keep my word."

He sighed, long and tired. "Fine. What is it this time?"

"Can I come in first?"

Renny blinked, realizing he was still gripping the edge of the door. "Right." He stepped aside. "Sorry. Come in."

As she stepped inside, her eyes wandered around the room, taking in every corner as if she were inspecting a haunted site."So this is where the great Ezraphor lives," she said in a mock-spooky tone, her voice carrying a playful chill. Then, with a smile softening her expression, she added, "It's… quite gloomy in here. Are you mourning someone?"

She took a few steps further, tilting her head and sniffing lightly at the air."Wait... do you have a dog?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her tone.

Renny folded his arms, gaze steady."I don't," he said flatly. "On with it now, what do you need?"

Myla exhaled, as if gathering herself. "It's about my contract," she began. "I'm after the soul key of someone close to my target. I heard about this method; other demons are doing it now." She hesitated, glancing at him briefly before continuing. "So, I went to the Soul Library to find it… But I couldn't. It's not showing up in the data, and I need help navigating the system."

Renny blinked. "You came all the way here just to ask for help… in navigating the Soul Library?"

She winced. "I know, it sounds silly, and honestly, kind of stupid of me, but I've always had a thing with computers."

Renny arched a brow, disbelief written across his face. "And that's why you can't do the search yourself?"

She nodded slowly, expression softening into something almost pleading. "Please, Ren. I just need a little help."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.