[Jevan Perspective]

When he finished telling his story, I just looked at Adam in silence, trying to process everything he had said. He wasn't speaking randomly or making excuses he was completely serious, recounting every detail with an almost obsessive precision. And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

Still, one thing was certain: the man wasn't lying. I could feel his desperate resolve to save her, even with my mask on. He had asked me to help him rescue his lover, Diana.

Strange, really. Not because of his request itself but because of the insane details he mentioned about a demonic entity capable of influencing people's emotions, slipping into their minds, and controlling them.

A story like that would make anyone call you insane. But after everything I've seen so far, nothing seems impossible anymore.

To be honest, I wasn't even shocked.

I'd moved past the point of shock a long time ago. After traveling through time multiple times, dying and coming back, facing witches and lunatics the idea of a demonic being orchestrating human "plays" almost sounded… logical. Just another entry in my long list of absurd experiences.

Still, one thing in his story stood out to me it wasn't about the demon, but about the cook, Roland, and his connection to Garrod. If Adam was telling the truth, then Garrod's death wasn't just the result of gang warfare.

It was the outcome of some deal he made with that entity, a deal that twisted his fate until it killed him.

Or maybe I'm overthinking again.

I worked with Garrod for months. I saw him every day. A practical man. Nothing about him ever seemed unnatural. He was just another bald gang leader who drank too much.

So, was he hiding it well or was Roland lying?

I looked back at Adam. He was still sitting in front of me, eyes red from crying. It didn't suit him at all. Seeing him in such a pitiful state gave me a strange sense of déjà vu.

If I helped him fulfill that wish, it might help me strengthen my own power. A genuine, powerful desire like his could amplify my grasp over my Authority the Authority of Miracles.

Maybe that's what I need right now.

So I simply said, without much thought:

"I'll do it."

The look of surprise on his face was almost funny. I watched him try to compose himself while his eyes still glimmered with tears.

I muttered to myself:

"Believe me, believing your story is the last thing I expected to do today. Only a madman would. But since I'm wearing a mask infused with the Authority of Madness, I guess this decision is perfectly logical, isn't it?"

I said while spinning a small knife between my fingers, watching my reflection flicker across the blade.

"Do you know where she is?"

He answered, trying to sound calm:

"Yes."

I smiled behind the mask. Trying to act composed just five minutes after sobbing like a child how admirable. I stood from my chair, flipped the knife once more, and slipped it into my pocket.

"We'll move in two days."

He didn't object, though I could feel his impatience radiating. The man wanted to run straight out to save her, but he was clearly afraid of losing my help if he annoyed me.

I might have looked calm, but the truth was I was fighting off a strange urge to move right now to go straight to Grivus, tear his face apart, and end the story before it even began. The problem? Those weren't my rational thoughts. I knew that feeling well.

That was the mask's desire the raw, violent craving to kill.

I had to remove it, think clearly, before I did something suicidal.

Facing Grivus without preparation would be nothing short of volunteering for death. According to Adam's story, Grivus turned a group of men into scattered chunks of flesh. I doubt even my miracles could bring me back from that.

I stepped out of the shop and saw, by the wall, Vensen asleep with his back against it, Timaeus curled up on his lap. A few steps away, that idiot who sold his soul to the Crow was lying on the ground like a vagrant,

while Corvin stood leaning against the wall, eyes half closed.

I walked up to Corvin. The moment he saw me, he straightened up, then immediately ran toward the store's door and went inside without even saying good evening.

How polite.

I kicked a small rock on the ground, and when I raised my head, she was there the masked woman, appearing from nowhere as always, with that talking crow perched on her shoulder.

I muttered aloud:

"Can't you appear like a normal person for once?"

As usual, she didn't respond. She just stood there, staring.

***

[Adam Perspective]

I still couldn't believe the masked man actually agreed to help me. Honestly, I thought I'd have to beg or kiss his boots. Turns out Roland's advice about crying in front of him actually worked. I thought he was mocking me but apparently, he really wanted to help.

Of course, I left out a few details like the part where he told me to cry on purpose. No way I'd let the masked man find out I faked the tears. If he knew, he'd probably kill me on the spot. But that didn't matter now the result was exactly what I wanted. Even better than expected. I didn't even have to pay him.

Sure, I wanted to leave immediately to rescue Diana, but I had to control myself. Diana… the thought of her being locked up by those bastards made me sick. Still, I knew charging in recklessly wouldn't save her it would only get us both killed.

At least now I had a powerful ally.

When I first got a message from Quil, telling me to find a safe route for one of the Night Wolves' new recruits who was arriving with Corvin from Claw territory, I never imagined the recruit would be him the Masked Man himself.

I'd heard stories about him. Some were obviously made up, others exaggerated beyond reason. Like the one claiming he and Garrod once worked together to overthrow the previous Bloody Fang leader. But even if half of what's said about him is true, he's a monster. And if not just the fact that he single handedly killed three of the Claw's ability users is enough for me to trust him.

Wait for me, Diana… I'm comcoming. Even if I have to face that damned demon itself.

But my thoughts were cut short when Corvin suddenly stormed into the shop, running straight toward me. He grabbed me by the collar and yelled in my face:

"What the hell were you two talking about for all that time?!"

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