Renacido. Layla Song was in the newly rebuilt Nebulous City with the new Hall of Rebirth. She was sitting with Oden in front of her.

“Miko should be returning from his training any day now.”

Oden said.

“Yeah. When he returns, he’s probably going to go after Dragon Storm immediately. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have tasked us with finding where they were while he was gone.”

“We barely made it though.”

Oden smiled.

“But we still were able to locate their base. I’m impressed by our skills. Of course, it’s mostly due to your marvelous brain.”

“I simply tried to see things from Miko’s point of view. It took a while but I was able to figure out the method that he thought of.”

Layla frowned.

“What is it?”

“I just feel like this is something that Tang Xian wanted. I just can’t shake the feeling that everything is happening all according to his plan.”

“…I find it frightening that I can’t disregard your doubts as overthinking.”

After having a taste of how elaborate Tang’s schemes can be, the two couldn’t help but fear him. Even Oden who was stronger than Tang was admittedly afraid of him. After all, Tang came the closest to killing all of them.

“If everything is really a part of his plan then he wants us to come at him? Isn’t he underestimating us too much?”

Oden started becoming irritated.

“I don’t care. Let him look down on us, it’ll just make it even more satisfying when he’s defeated.”

Layla showed a wicked smile. It was obvious that she hated Tang with all of her heart, which was reasonable since Tang was indirectly responsible for Jason’s and her own death. There’s was also another reason.

“That bastard stole our people and sold them into slavery for profit. This is like spitting in our faces. Our people aren’t things that should be sold!”

“Looks like you can’t wait to wage war. I feel the same. I intend on getting my revenge on those fuckers.”

The two were overflowing with anger and murderous intent.To them, this feud won’t end until one side is completely destroyed. Until the very last man is killed.

“Dragon Storm didn’t care for our children and those who couldn’t fight. They killed thousands of them when they destroyed the capital, so we will answer in kind.”

A cold look was in Layla’s eyes as she spoke.

“Renacido will show no mercy to our enemies. Blood for blood.”

Layla didn’t know this but there was an ominous aura leaking from her body. It was an aura that was cold as ice and had the stench of death. Oden noticed that this aura would occasionally show itself whenever she got angry but didn’t tell Layla because Alec had asked him not to.

Oden didn’t know what Alec was planning but he trusted him so he did as he was told.

(Maybe I’ll tell Miko when he comes back.)

*********

The Ruined World. It was now approaching the end of the promised six months. As such, everyone was prevented from learning anything new and was now polishing what they had learnt. Well, Miko was doing that from the beginning so there was no change to how he trained.

He was currently sitting in front of Sasha who was grooming his hair that had grown out.

“Thanks again, Mama. Every time I use Dragonite my hair grows out. It remains that way even after I’m no longer in that form. It’s really a hassle to cut it all the time.”

“No problem. It takes me back to when you were younger.”

Sasha had cut his hair to shoulder length and then started curling the ends.

“I think I’m going to do the twins hair when I’m done.”

She said with a hum.

“….Yeah, this isn’t working.”

Kimiko walked up to them and said.

“You guys are too relaxed. It seems that although you haven’t gotten used to the hellish conditions you have gotten accustomed to the pain to the point that you can relax.”

“So you’re saying that we won’t grow as fast as we did when we just came here?”

Kimiko nodded to Miko’s question.

“I think it’s time to leave. It’s around 6 months since we came here anyway. Once you leave you’ll see how much you’ve grown. Also, if you wish to come back in the future, as long as you haven’t entered the divine realm, then you’ll feel the hellish effects anew and will once again experience explosive growth.”

Miko stood up after Sasha had finished styling his hair as she liked.

“I was getting bored of fighting mindless monsters anyway.”

He stretched his body and shouted at everyone else who were still training.

“We’re leaving everyone, so you better gather up!”

“Huh? Already?”

Kirika said while stepping on a fuming Ishma and pointing her sword at her.

“Finally! I was getting tired of this place.”

Ace fell on his bottom as if he was exhausted. As for Leon, he was relaxing on the back of a giant molten wolf.

“It should be the appointed time.”

“….I’m still wondering how he tamed the molten monsters.”

Momo said while Hina nodded beside her.

“This is just the superior blood at work.”

Markus was happy seeing his son dominating this hellish world. He then looked at Tessa who was standing next to him.

“I thought you all I could in the last three months. It’s not enough to make up for ignoring you for so long but please consider it a start.”

“I had a fun with you, Grandpa. I think I’m going to start visiting you back at the Saevus Residence.”

Markus looked at her in silence and thought.

(Miko was right….She’s cute!)

Contrary to what he was thinking he only gave a small nod.

“So, how are we going to get out?”

Sora asked.

“Raven should be monitoring us so….”

Before Kimiko could finish what she was saying, a door appeared out of nowhere. The door then swung opened and revealed the outside world.

“See?”

After saying that Kimiko then told everyone to exit before she and Markus in case a monster would try and sneak attack them. After everyone exited they immediately saw Raven smiling at them.

“Welcome back. Did you enjoy the Ruined World?”

Everyone frowned at his words. How could they have enjoyed being in literal hell?

“It wasn’t too bad.”

Miko laughed in contrast to everyone else.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Raven then looked at everyone from head to toe and then nodded.

“It seems that you’ve all experienced tremendous growth. I’m glad.”

“Did anything happen while we were gone?

Kimiko walked to Raven and said.

“Well, other than Renacido being successfully rebuilt and Aloe and Dale’s representatives coming to pay their respects a few times, there’s nothing much.”

He suddenly looked like he remembered something.

“Ah, Nero and Nova threw a nationwide party to-”

“I don’t want to hear any more. I don’t want to have a headache immediately after returning.”

Raven laughed.

“Then I’ll be going now. I have other matters to deal with.”

“I’ll visit you and your mother in the future.”

Raven smiled and then walked away.

“I’m sure mother would love that.”

That was the last thing he said before leaving.

“So, what do we do now?”

Kristen asked.

“I’m going back to Renacido to talk to Layla. She must’ve found Dragon Storm’s location by now.”

Miko suddenly looked like he remembered something.

“Oh, yeah. I think I should official make you all my Proxy now.”

He looked at Momo, his parents and his siblings.

“After that we’ll move towards our first battle.”

******

Nebulous City, Renacido.

Layla was by herself in her office going through some documents, when she heard a knock on her door.

“Come in.”

She said without asking who it was. The door opened and she heard someone come in causing her to look up.

“?!”

When she looked up she was so shocked that she dropped the documents that she was holding.

“Why did you just let them go like that?”

The person walked up to her desk and picked up the papers that had fallen to the ground and handed them to her with a smile.

“Here.”

“……..”

Layla looked at them for a while before taking the paper. After handing her the paper, Miko then walked over to a chair and took a seat.

“So you rebuilt the place exactly like it was before? I wouldn’t have mind if you had added your own taste you know?”

He said while looking around.

“….When did you come back?”

Layla finally was able to say something.

“Hm? I came back just now.”

“Then, did you rush over immediately after finishing your training?”

“No, I made my family my apostles first. This makes it 8 now. That’s that not a bad number, don’t you think?”

Layla slowly nodded. Despite being someone who was great at negotiations and persuasion, she couldn’t find any words to say. Despite that, Miko still sat there staring at her.

“….What is it?”

“I was just thinking about how attractive you were. I can see why Darius loved you so much and why Jason thought of you as his goddess.”

Layla didn’t know what to say in response to his words. She didn’t feel like he was hitting on her from the look in his eyes. He didn’t look infatuated but instead looked like he was admiring a piece of art. Ignoring her confusion, Miko then leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling and closed his eyes.

“I’m so glad.”

He paused for a while before bringing his head down to look at her.

“I’m so glad that you’re alive, Layla.”

He showed the most lovely smile as he looked at her with a gentle gaze.

“I don’t think I could go on knowing that I caused your death.”

“…….”

Layla couldn’t respond. For some reason, she couldn’t even look him in the eye. His gentle tone and gaze only caused her heart to ache.

“Arlan, Aiden, Barack, Kris, Acacia, Oden. You can come out.”

Immediately after Miko spoke, the guardians and Oden appeared out of nowhere and stood in the middle of the office.

“Don, it’s good to see your return.”

They all bowed and greeted Miko.

“Yeah.”

Miko stood up and walked up to them. He then spread his arms and wrapped it around them while drawing them closer to him.

“?!”

This action caught all of them off guard.

“I’m so glad….I’m so glad that I didn’t lose any of you.”

Miko said softly. In his embrace, the guardians and Oden didn’t know how to respond, but one thing was certain. They knew that Miko was genuinely happy that they were alive, and they were touched by it. Because of incidents of their past, they hated humans and even looked down on them, and look at them now. Being embraced by a human a fraction of their age and swelling up with feelings.

After nearly a minute, Miko released them and stepped back and took a look at them.

“Acacia, it looks like you’re all healed up.”

“I am. It happened over six months ago so there’s no problems.”

Miko nodded. He then looked at Oden.

“Oden, the last time I saw you, you only had a leg. Alec really patched you up.”

“Yeah. I even think these new limbs are stronger than my old ones.”

Oden started flexing his muscles to show off his arms. Miko laughed in response and then showed a relaxed smile as he looked at all of them. The smile then slowly left his face and was then replaced by a frown. The change in expression alarmed everyone.

“I’m glad that you all are alive but I’m also very upset with all of you. Especially at you, Layla!”

He shouted and pointed at Layla. She didn’t say anything and lowered her head.

“Do you know why I’m upset?”

Layla slowly nodded.

“I didn’t report to you even when I found out who the enemy was. This led to me being outsmarted and your kidnapping.”

She spoke with a voice so low that it was like she was whispering.

“Don’t blame the Boss Lady, Don!”

Acacia stepped out and said.

“She gave it all her!”

“That’s right! She simply didn’t want to trouble you!”

Said Kris.

“Please don’t punish her! She’s a great boss and she treat us beasts kindly!”

Said Arlan.

“If anyone is to be blamed its us for not protecting the country in your absence!”

“If you’re gonna punish anyone, punish us who have been useless!”

Barak and Aiden also defended Layla.

“Miko, Layla was only putting your happiness first. Don’t blame her.”

Oden added. Layla was touched that they all came to her defense, despite her being human. She was reaffirmed that humans and beasts could understand each other.

“What the hell are you guys talking about? I’m not punishing anybody.”

Miko looked at them like they were crazy.

“You’re not?”

“Of course. I don’t care about any of things you mentioned.”

“Then why are you upset?”

Layla asked.

“Why?”

Miko started gritting his teeth.

“You used your body to shield me, that’s why!”

“Huh?”

Miko ignored everyone’s confused and pointed at all of them.

“You guys went up against a Divine Proxy without care for your own lives! Of course I would be angry!”

He then glared at Layla.

“And you’re the biggest offender! You actually gave your life up to protect me! Do you know how that made me feel?!”

Everyone was dumbstruck. Miko wasn’t mad because they lose to Dragon Storm, he was angry that they put their lives on the line for him.

“Listen, none of you are allowed to die before me and that’s an order!”

They didn’t know how to respond so they looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

“That’s a hard order to follow, Don. We can’t control our fate.”

“Fuck fate. If death stretches it’s hands towards you, spit in its face. It’s ok, I know the guy personally.”

Everyone only started laughing harder.

“Hahaha.”

Layla tried her best to stop her laughter before speaking.

“It’s impossible to follow that order, Miko.”

“Why? I’m serious. Samael won’t mind if you spit in his face.”

Layla shook her head.

“If it’s to keep you alive, I, all of us here wouldn’t hesitate to take a bullet for you.”

She stood up and walked from behind her desk and approached him.

“So if you really don’t want us to sacrifice ourselves for you, then you just need to get stronger. Stronger than everybody else.”

Miko looked at her and smiled.

“That was plan from the beginning. Speaking of which, I assume you got it?”

Layla smiled with a grin.

“Just say the word, and Renacido will march on Dragon Storm, Don.”