CHAPTER 155: THE ATTACK AT THE PALACE!

The voice grew clearer, pulling at something deep inside Rin’s chest. The smoke swirled again, shifting until it took form... tall, broad shoulders, red hair flowing like flames, two curved horns curling above his sharp ears and his glowing crimson eyes,

Rin’s own eyes widened. His breath hitched.

"...Asmodeus."

The demon smiled, almost tender.

"You finally remember me." His voice carried a strange warmth. "But you didn’t answer me, Myung."

That name again. Rin’s hands curled into fists. "...Why did you call me that? How do you..."

Asmodeus stepped forward. The fog parted around his boots as though it belonged to him. He reached for Rin’s hand, grasping it firmly. "Because that’s who you really are." His fingers were warm, his grip tight. "Tell me... do you know who I am to you?"

Rin yanked his hand back.

"Don’t touch me. Why are you here? This isn’t your place. It’s not even your body."

The demon only grinned.

"True. This isn’t my body. I can only use this ability because I am close to the capital... close enough to reach you." He leaned down slightly, his eyes gleaming. "I missed you too much, so I came."

Rin frowned. "How do you know about Myung?"

Asmodeus didn’t answer right away. Instead, he moved around Rin, his steps light, his figure blurring into mist. One second, he was behind him, and the next, he reappeared at Rin’s side, tilting his head to meet Rin’s gaze. His cold fingers brushed Rin’s chin, forcing him to look forward.

"I know everything," he whispered. "Are you surprised?"

Rin stiffened, eyes darting to the ballroom. Everyone else... the king, queen, Caspian, nobles, even Lucien... was still unconscious, lying slumped on the floor. Their chests rose and fell slowly, as though they were just asleep.

"...What did you do to them?" Rin demanded.

Asmodeus gave a careless shrug. "Nothing harmful. Just a little gift. Dream fog. Each one of them is dreaming of their greatest desire right now. Some wish they were kings. Some wish they were young again. Some are with their lovers. A harmless fantasy."

"Stop it," Rin snapped.

"Not yet." Asmodeus smiled lazily. "Why waste such a beautiful stage? I came all this way to see you, Myung. And to remind you of our first promise."

Rin’s brows furrowed. "...What promise?"

"That you’d be with me," Asmodeus replied easily, voice soft as silk. "We had a pact. But it was broken when you left the academy. So, I came to renew it. Sign another pact with me, Rin. Be mine. Stand by my side, and together, we’ll conquer this world."

Rin’s breath stilled. "...I’m not interested."

He expected Asmodeus to do something violent and terrifying. But instead, Asmodeus only touched his chin again, tilting his head as if studying him. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"...Interesting."

His body blurred, vanishing in smoke... only to reappear right in front of Lucien’s slumped form. The demon’s long fingers hovered above Lucien’s throat.

Rin’s heart lurched. His feet moved without thinking.

"Step away from him."

Asmodeus smirked. "Why? Do you care for him so much?"

"If you hurt him, I’ll kill you," Rin hissed, his body trembling with restrained power. His instincts screamed at him to shift to his demon form, but he held back. He couldn’t do it here. Not in front of all these people. Even if they were unconscious.

Asmodeus burst into laughter, low and echoing through the fog.

"Kill me? Oh, Myung or let me say... Rin. You know you can’t. This isn’t my real body. Nothing you do here matters."

Rin’s nails dug into his palms.

The demon tilted his head, eyes glowing sharper. "If you want me to keep this human alive, then hear me. If you refuse to sign a pact with me, I’ll see you as my enemy. Even if I kill you, I’ll simply bring you back to life with my ability... and you’ll be mine. Again. You’ll be nothing but a broken toy, loyal only to me."

His smile widened. "Think carefully. You have so many people to protect. And I... I won’t hesitate to kill them if you refuse me."

Rin froze. His chest tightened painfully. He hated it. The feeling of helplessness. The truth was bitter... he wasn’t afraid for himself. He was afraid for the people tied to him. Lirien. Kiro. The Omegas. Lucien.

He clenched his jaw.

"...Fine. I’ll sign it."

At once, Asmodeus’s eyes lit up. In a blink, he was in front of Rin again, arms wrapping him in a sudden, suffocating hug.

"Perfect. You made the right choice, Rin."

Rin stiffened, trying not to gag.

"Don’t... hug me. Just explain how this works."

Asmodeus pulled back, a look of mild surprise crossing his face before he laughed.

"You’re adorable. A pact works like this... we write our conditions and consequences on a magic scroll. Then we sign it with blood."

"...So it’s a blood deal."

"I don’t know what that means," Asmodeus admitted, tilting his head. "But yes. That sounds about right."

Rin smirked faintly. "And what could go wrong?"

The demon chuckled.

"I have no idea. This is my first pact."

Rin’s grin sharpened. "...Good to know."

The scroll appeared between them, floating in the fog. A quill of bone formed beside it, dripping crimson ink.

Rin spoke first. "Condition: you won’t touch anyone related to me. Family. Friends. All of my people."

Asmodeus nodded. "Agreed."

His turn. "Condition: you will be my partner. Together, we’ll conquer the world."

Rin hesitated, then gave a curt nod. "...Agreed."

Asmodeus’s lips curled. "Consequence. If you break the pact, Lucien dies."

Rin’s stomach sank. His hands shook. He wanted to shout at him not to drag Lucien into it. He wanted to refuse. But he forced himself to nod, voice tight. "...Agreed."

He spoke quickly before the demon could add more. "Consequence. If you break the pact, I’ll become your enemy. No matter what."

Asmodeus’s grin widened, sharp teeth glinting. "Agreed."

The scroll glowed as the blood quill hovered. They both pricked their fingers, letting crimson drops fall. Their names carved themselves into the parchment... *** Myung and Asmodeus.

With a hiss, the scroll burned into black flames and disappeared.

The air stilled.

Asmodeus exhaled slowly, a strange satisfaction in his eyes.

"...That was fun."

Rin forced a crooked grin. "Yeah. Fun."

The demon formed a small orb in his hand... red, pulsing, with black energy swirling inside. Rin tensed.

"What’s that?"

Asmodeus smiled cruelly. "Part of our pact."

Before Rin could stop him, he hurled it at Lucien. The orb sank into his chest. Lucien groaned even in his dream, clutching himself in pain.

"Lucien!" Rin shouted, running to him. He grabbed his shoulders, eyes snapping up. "What did you do!?"

"Don’t panic," Asmodeus said, amused. "It’s simply the consequence you agreed to. If you betray me, one snap of my fingers... and that orb will burst. His heart will shatter. But if you stand by me, I’ll remove it after we take the capital."

Rin’s teeth ground together. "...Bastard."

"Protect yourself well, Myung." Asmodeus’s body blurred, dissolving into mist. His laughter echoed through the fading fog. "Because the moment I leave... something fun will come for you."

And then he was gone.

The thick smoke thinned, fading into nothing. One by one, nobles stirred, blinking awake as if from a deep sleep. The king, the queen, Caspian... all of them slowly lifted their heads. Confusion spread through the hall.

But Lucien did not wake.

Rin’s heart pounded as he knelt beside him, shaking his shoulders.

"Lucien! Wake up, damn it!"

He was unconscious, breath ragged. Rin’s chest twisted in pain.

Behind him, murmurs spread.

"What happened...?"

"Why was I dreaming...?"

"Did we all... faint?"

Rin ignored them. His senses prickled suddenly. A sharp, vile energy cut through the air. His crimson eyes widened.

Demons.

The horde was coming.

He whipped toward Caspian, his voice sharp. "Demons are on their way. Take your father and the queen out of here now!"

Caspian’s body stiffened. His gaze searched for Rin’s face... and for once, he didn’t question. He turned immediately to his father. "We must leave! Everyone, evacuate... now!"

But confusion reigned. Nobles blinked in disbelief.

"Demons? In the palace?"

"Impossible. The barrier will protect us in here. If we leave, it’ll be hell out there,"

The queen chuckled behind her fan, her eyes glinting.

"Caspian, are you drunk on your own birthday? There are no demons here. This palace is impenetrable."

The king, however, studied his son carefully. Then he nodded.

"Do as he says. Evacuate."

Some nobles hurried out with guards. Others stayed, stubbornly shaking their heads.

Rin didn’t wait. He lifted Lucien into his arms, carrying him swiftly from the ballroom. He had to hide him, to keep him safe.

Behind them, the queen scoffed. She grinned as she watched the king and Caspian leave.

’Once they get out there and they get turned apart by demons, that means, my son would become the king. No one can stop me now,’

She burst into laughter as she waved her hand.

"Foolish commoners. Musicians, continue playing. The palace is safe."

But her words cut off when someone shouted...

"The instrumentalists have all fled!"

"What?" the queen snapped, lowering her fan. "Those bastards..."

And then—

The palace shook. Cracks raced along the ceiling. Dust rained down.

The nobles gasped, screamed and even some of them stumbled.

"What was that?"

"The ground... It’s shaking!"

A deep, guttural roar ripped through the night.

And before they could react... shadows blotted the windows. The glass shattered. The grand ceiling broke apart.

Demons poured in.

Screams filled the ballroom. Nobles ran, but it was too late. Claws tore silk, fangs ripped into throats. Blood sprayed across the polished floor.

The queen’s fan fell from her hand as her face went pale.

"This... this can’t be... How did they... The barrier..."

The barrier had failed.

The demons were much stronger than the weak barrier.