THIRD PERSON'S POV

"What occasion? Why did you come here?" Demon casually asked the four men wearing black masks. By their physical appearance, they seemed to be in their forties.

These were the four pillars of the White Monarchy, the ones who supported and guided Demon even though she didn't need it.

Demon left the room after ensuring that Conan was fast asleep and went straight to where the four pillars were gathered.

Conan was still under the effects of the drug.

"You're so cold-"

"How dare you come here after disappearing like a bubble?" Demon interrupted the speech of one of the pillars.

"Excuse us for disappearing, but we did that to find information on the enemy," one of the pillars said. This particular one was highly respected by Venom.

He held a high position among the pillars and had a connection to Venom.

"What kind of information did you find that necessitated disappearing for two years?" Zeus asked, noticing that Demon wasn't interested in knowing more.

"Tomorrow, at the important occasion of the Maniego and Marasigan families, there will be an assassination," the pillar said, facing Demon without fear. "Claire Marasigan is an innocent."

---

"Dad, I don't want to get married," Ice said, his voice firm but desperate.

Ice's father looked at him violently, his eyes scary and filled with barely restrained anger.

His anger had started when he faced Hyra, also known as Demon, the person who had killed his wife.

"Everything is fine, don't destroy it," his father said emphatically. "You don't want to marry Claire, who is passionate, but you want to marry that low-class person?"

"She's not low class, she's a... Fukushima," Ice replied, struggling with his words.

"But she is not recognized as a Fukushima by her father and brother," his father retorted.

"Then I'll make her a Mani-" He wanted to say that he was going to turn Hyra into a Maniego, but he couldn't finish when his father rushed at him.

"YOU FOOL!" His father grabbed him by the neck and pushed him against the wall. "You will marry no one but Claire." Claire's family could help a lot in Ice's father's business, so he insisted that Ice marry Claire. "Just think about Mary's future. Her life will be better when you and Claire become one. She's still young-"

"What about me? Have you forgotten that I am not yet of the right age? But what? The world is my burden, I am saving lives, but who will save me?" Ice couldn't stop raising his voice at his father. This was the first time he had ever raised his voice to him.

"Why do you need someone else to save you? You are the first mask, the strongest of the thirteen leaders, so why do you need someone to save you?" His father spoke calmly, but his face showed intense anger. "Didn't you choose this? You wanted to be in the position you are in now because you wanted to avenge the person who killed your mother. Demon, she killed your mother. But why has she been freed until now?"

Ice's tongue seemed to be cut off, and he couldn't respond right away.

Ice's father wanted Demon dead because he believed she was the one who had killed his beloved wife. He knew the whole story and tried to force it into his mind that if Demon hadn't blown up the house where Sofía was, she would still be alive today.

"Demon is the key to everything. If you kill her, you will be free," his father insisted. Like him, his father was also unaware that the one they hated, Demon, was the daughter of his best friend.

"SHAWN?"

Ice and his father looked toward the soft voice and saw Claire running towards them with a sweet smile.

Claire Marasigan was the complete opposite of Hyra. She was a modest woman in actions and words, with etiquette and good behavior. She was also a beauty with a model's body, intelligence, and came from an influential family.

All of Claire's traits were the opposite of Hyra's.

"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to wait for me in the car?" Ice asked, but he didn't pay her the slightest attention.

"Uh, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say that the car is ready and waiting for you," she said with her sweetest voice.

Ice looked at her with disgust on his face.

"Then we'd better go our separate ways here because I have a lot to take care of for tomorrow," Ice's father said, taking Claire's hand and kissing it. "See you tomorrow." Then he looked at Ice with a poker face. "I'm watching you," he whispered, then finally said goodbye.

"What a pain," Ice groaned, then helped Claire walk because his father was watching him. He had to pretend.

Pretend he liked Claire, too.

--

NATHAN'S POV

"Did you know that Demon and Hyra are the same person?" The man across from me said, his voice low but firm.

My heart sank. "I had my suspicions before, but now I have confirmation because of what you just said." Sky sat down in the chair in front of me and poured wine into my glass.

"Keep her away until you have a chance."

"For whom?" Of course, I had an idea of who he was referring to, but I needed to hear it from him.

"Master became a mask out of revenge. Do you think that will change just because Hyra is Demon? He is serious about killing Demon."

"Who are you really worried about? Ice or Hyra?" I was curious. If he had known this for a long time, why hadn't he taken action or told others? I knew he was in love with Hyra, but that wasn't enough for him to betray us. If he had said it then, Ice wouldn't have fallen deeper for Hyra.

"They are both important to me, so I want them both to live happily-"

"That won't happen because Hyra is Demon. She's here to take our masks."

"This is why I told you. I want to return the mask-"

*BOGSH*

He didn't finish his sentence before my fist connected with his cheek. Rage and betrayal surged through me.

"For Pete's sake, you're willing to do this for a girl you barely know?"

"Trust me, she has a big reason why she's doing this."

"This idiot is making excuses for nothing."

"No matter what reason she has, she still has no right to kill."

"But we also kill people."

"That's because it's necessary."

"What if she also has to kill to survive?"

"SKY!!!" I raised my voice, my anger boiling over. My chest tightened, and I could feel my heart pounding.

"Are you going to sell your sister just to stay in the position you have now? Have you forgotten that you accepted that position to protect her?"

"Yes, if this will be good for everyone. Why should I save her if she is everyone's enemy? What reason? What will I gain?"

"FUCK NATHAN, SHE'S YOUR SISTER!"

"She's also Demon, the person we need to kill!" My whole body was shaking, and I couldn't stand straight, so I had to hold on to the wall. My vision blurred with a mix of rage and sorrow. "I will forget that you know something, so forget about her too. Remember, she is a criminal and, even though she is my sister, she still has to pay."

I didn't know what was going on in his mind. He just stared at me, shaking his head as if I was a fool. His eyes were filled with a mixture of pity and frustration.

"I hope you won't regret it later," he said, giving me the cold shoulder before leaving without saying goodbye.

Now that I had proven who Hyra was, what would I do next? Should I tell others? They had a right to know, but what about Hyra?

I was trying to restore our relationship, but it seemed impossible.

How should I treat the person who caused the death of so many people?

How?

This was fucking insane. Why, Hyra? Why did Mom entrust you with the masks, even though she knew it was a huge responsibility?

She made the worst decision. The world she worked so hard to build was now being destroyed, little by little, by Hyra.

As a brother and a leader, I had to correct her mistake. She had to pay for her sins.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Tch, stupid asshole," Sky groaned as he kicked a stone blocking his way. He was still annoyed by the conversation he had with Nathan, wondering if his confession had been the right thing to do. His heart was heavy with doubt and regret.

What if, because of his confession, Hyra was in even more danger? What if it was too late to take back what he said?

Sky's brain was a mess, unable to think straight. His chest felt tight, and a lump formed in his throat.

"You can't stop something that has been planned for a long time," a voice said from the shadows, startling him.

"W-what do you mean?" Sky looked up to meet Mr. Fonacier's gaze. His eyes widened with a mixture of fear and confusion.

"Everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen is part of her plan. Even your being one of the masks is in her plan. That means you've been dancing in her palm since the beginning."

"No, I became a mask because of my hard work," Sky protested, his voice trembling.

"Hard work? Pffft-NO! You became one of the thirteen masks because of your connections, and that connection is also linked to Demon." Sky fell silent, his brain struggling to process the overwhelming information. Mr. Fonacier just looked down at him, wondering if the information he shared was enough. Then he scratched his head. "If she's important to you, don't hinder her plans. Just go with the flow, and you'll be saved. You're lucky because she has shown you kindness, so I won't hurt you, not now." Mr. Fonacier patted Sky's head, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared.

Sky stood there, his mind reeling from the conversation. He knew now that the stakes were higher than he had ever imagined, and the lines between ally and enemy were more blurred than ever. His heart ached with the weight of the choices he had to make and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

---

"You look beautiful in white," Umber exclaimed in amazement as Claire, dressed in a pristine white gown, appeared like an angel. Her modesty accentuated her elegance, drawing the attention of everyone at the party, except Ice, who remained engrossed in his phone. He had stayed up all night trying to contact Hyra, but she had vanished like a bubble.

"Thank you. You look stunning in what you're wearing," Claire complimented Umber back, now surrounded by elite women exuding beauty and sophistication.

"What's wrong with you, Sky? You look like you haven't slept in a week," Jared was taken aback by his friend's exhausted state, his eyes deep and shadowed with bags.

"Did you even sleep, man?"

"Fuck off, Jarvis," Sky rolled his eyes, brushed past the brothers, and headed towards the other guests, unable to shake off the unease about telling Nathan what he knew.

"I invite everyone to pay attention," Ice's father began to speak. "This party is a gift from the elite to celebrate the upcoming marriage of my son and the esteemed daughter of the Marasigan family, Claire."

Applause and cheers erupted among the guests upon hearing the news.

"I invite the soon-to-be-united couple to step forward."

*BLAG!*

Ice dropped the wine glass he was holding, staring at his father in disbelief, questioning what was happening.

"Surprise," his father replied sarcastically. He knew Ice wouldn't agree to marry Claire right away, so he orchestrated it himself. The engagement party announcement was a ruse; the wedding would be tonight.

"Isn't this rushed?" Even Claire was caught off guard.

"Come here," Ice's father commanded authoritatively, causing Ice's body to move involuntarily towards the altar, where the priest awaited.

"Master!" Zeke's concern was evident as Ice passed by. They knew Ice didn't love the girl he was about to marry; his heart belonged to someone else.

"Hyra, please appear. If you do, I'll leave everything behind and run away with you," Ice whispered urgently as he approached the aisle, determined to escape with Hyra.

He took three steps, then two, then one- "BOOOOOOOM!"

A deafening explosion plunged the venue into darkness. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated the center of the room where a solitary chair sat. A figure was seated there.

"It's a pity I wasn't invited to your wedding."

Gasps filled the room as the figure turned around, revealing the mask that everyone despised.

"DEEEEEEEEMOOOOOOOOOON!" Ice's father screamed, reaching for a gun, but froze as a knife pressed against his neck, poised to strike if he made a move.

No one dared to intervene; fear paralyzed them all.

"Why are you here?" Ice's earlier emotions of resolve now gave way to anger.

"I've come to give you all an unforgettable gift," Demon announced, raising her hand and pointing towards the crowd. "It's slaughter time."

With those words, two masked figures, Zeus and Venom, leaped from behind her, weapons drawn, mercilessly attacking the unsuspecting guests.

"What are you waiting for? Stop them! Defend yourselves!" Ice shouted, snapping into action.

---

"What the heck? She asked for our advice and then won't follow it," one of the pillars scratched his head in disbelief. They had spent over five hours planning, but Hyra disregarded their plans entirely. "Does she really need us?"

"As long as you have money, she needs you, hahaha!" the lone female pillar chuckled elegantly.

"Same goes for you, Saphora Gomez," Kurt Cinco retorted.

Saphora Gomez and Kurt Cinco had been lovers twenty years ago, though they were never blessed with a child. They considered Demon as their own and were the first to own the eleventh and twelfth masks.

"Why did they side with Demon? They had no choice."

"She hasn't left yet? The most dangerous place in battle is in the middle."

The attention of the pillars returned to the screen as one of the operators spoke. They watched the chaos unfold at the party where Demon had unleashed her attack.

"She's not leaving the center, just sitting there with her legs crossed. No one can get close to her; anyone who tries dies three meters away. Why? Because of the assassins scattered around. They protect Demon from a distance with lethal precision."

"These assassins are highly trained. They can anticipate enemy movements effortlessly, making it impossible to approach their boss. She's entrusted her life to them."

"She won't leave until everyone is dead," the pillar leader commented grimly.

"Her fighting style is even scarier and more chaotic than her mother's," Saphora whispered with a smile. "I'm excited to see what else she can do."

---

Ice clenched his teeth as he watched his side losing ground. A fierce anger simmered within him, demanding release.

"You're such a nuisance," Ice muttered, swiftly maneuvering through the chaos to approach Demon unnoticed. "Gotcha!" He lunged with a knife, aiming for Demon, but she deflected his hand effortlessly.

"Your movements are too predictable. Is that all you've got?"

"Tch," Ice clicked his tongue in frustration. He hated hearing that from someone he despised.

"I'd love to play with you, but you're not my priority right now." Demon waved dismissively and leaped back towards Claire, who was already poised to fight. "Pffffy-You're going to fight me with that? Boring."

Hidden behind her mask, Demon rolled her eyes and whispered something into Claire's ear.

Claire looked surprised, not at encountering Demon, but at what she had just heard.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

Demon raised her hand, signaling the assassins to hold their fire.

"Catch me if you can, sir." Demon swiftly grabbed Claire by the hips and leaped away from Ice, who seethed with anger as he pursued her. "Haha!" She reveled in the chase.

"We need to move!" Cyrus exclaimed urgently.

"Wait," Nathan stuttered, halting their plan to attack.

"Wait? You want us to wait while Demon's ally kills people here? Are you okay, Nathan?" Joshua shook Nathan, trying to snap him back to reality. They couldn't afford hesitation; they had to eliminate Demon before she killed them.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" The masks, except for Sky, were baffled by Nathan's sudden outburst of anguish. "Kill Demon, all of you!" Nathan's voice was almost a whisper, but the masks understood his command and moved into position to strike.

"I won't forgive you if anything happens to her," Sky threatened, veering away from the group heading to confront Demon. He refused to join those intent on killing her.

---

"Fuck, why are there so many of them? Where did these idiots come from?" Cyrus muttered under his breath, frustrated by the overwhelming numbers of enemies.

"It's annoying. I can't get through to where Master and Demon are because of this crowd. They're killing each other just to survive, tch."

"Let me pass-UGH!" Kevin grunted as he was thrown against a wall by one of the underlings of the White Monarchy.

"I'm sorry, I mistook you for trash," the assailant sneered, his eyes concealed by a mask that only accentuated his smirk.

"You bastard!" Kevin retaliated, swiftly grabbing two wooden pieces, using them like arnis sticks. He assumed a defensive stance, ready to counterattack.

"This idiot has something up his sleeve."

Cyrus surveyed the chaos. The White Monarchy was dominating, their forces mercilessly cutting through the opposition.

"Hey, you seem lost in thought," a voice interrupted.

Cyrus jumped back in surprise. How had Ripple approached him unnoticed?

"You're good for an extra character," Cyrus remarked, trying to diffuse the tension, but Ripple's response was far from friendly.

"Look who's talking-just an extra playing at being the main character."

"What?" Rage surged through Cyrus. He clenched his fists, ready to confront this insolent foe.

"Ahh, hi, they call me Ripple," the figure introduced himself casually. "Remember that, though it won't matter once you're dead."

Underestimating Cyrus was his mistake.

"I will kill you!" Cyrus charged at Ripple, aiming to shove him, but Ripple deftly sidestepped, causing Cyrus's hand to graze Ripple's chest.

He was taken aback-it was surprisingly soft.

"Even with all that tape, you're soft? Ugh, you'll have to take responsibility for touching my chest. Didn't you know Demon touched it first?"

"What the fuck? Are you a girl?"

"Yes, and I'm not accustomed to fighting, so please be gentle," Ripple replied, glancing around in wonder. "So, this is the outside world?" It was her first time leaving the training grounds and mansion in many years.

"What's wrong with you? What do you mean by 'taking responsibility'?"

"Oh!" Ripple's attention snapped back to Cyrus. "You must die for touching me."

In an instant, they exchanged blows.

Ripple was skilled, each move smooth, but none of her attacks seemed to faze Cyrus.

Cyrus seized an opportunity, grabbing Ripple by the back of the head and slamming her into a nearby opponent.

"You talk too much for someone so useless," Cyrus scoffed, pushing through to where Ice and Demon awaited.

---

"What's that? Cyrus's opponent is a woman? I wish I were there," Jarvis lamented, amidst the bodies of his defeated foes. His thoughts immediately turned to women, as usual.

"What the fuck are you doing? Focus!"

"Yes, darling-"

"Stop calling me darling."

"Okay, honey."

"Ugh!" Dos groaned. Jarvis's constant flirting wore on her nerves. "I hope Demon grants me permission to kill him," she muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, amidst the intense battle, Nathan struggled not to kill Demon, but to stop the fighting altogether. As he faced the possibility of losing Demon, he realized how much he wanted her to live and be with her.

"What's Nathan doing?" Sky wondered aloud, wide-eyed, observing Nathan's actions. She understood his dilemma; she shared his thoughts.

"You seem confident. Is it because you have her protection?"

Venom suddenly appeared before Sky, having closed the distance between them effortlessly.

Demon had decreed that no one could harm Sky except herself, but Venom, true to his nature, refused to abide by her command. He intended to harm Sky however he pleased, regardless of Demon's wishes.

"I have no time for you," Sky retorted, attempting to move past Venom, but Venom seized her shoulder and forced her to face him.

"I still have plenty of time for you, which is why I won't waste any more of it-BOOOOGSSH!" Venom struck Sky with a swift kick, sending her flying several meters backward.

"Ugh, what a kick! I almost blacked out," Sky muttered, rising to her feet and shaking off the dizziness. Despite her condition, she stood defiantly before Venom, who scrutinized her with a sly grin.

Tension crackled between them, charged with deadly intent.

"Let's get on with it. I have more important matters to attend to," Sky declared, initiating the attack. She lunged at Venom, executing a spinning kick, but Venom evaded effortlessly, wearing a mocking smile.

"Are you even trying? Your kicks lack power, despite all that muscle," Venom taunted.

"Nah, just testing out some new moves I picked up," Sky replied with a smirk, readying herself for the impending clash.

*Swisssh*

Sky struck first, but Venom dodged each attack with ease.

Though they shared similarities, their goals diverged sharply: Sky sought to preserve the peaceful world they knew, while Venom sought its destruction, echoing Demon's desires.

"This is frustrating. None of my attacks are connecting," Sky thought, momentarily frustrated. Despite being a skilled long-range combatant, she was equally proficient in close-quarters combat, making her one of the leaders' most formidable fighters.

Now, she was on the offensive against Venom, who, despite being taken aback by Sky's relentless assault, managed to strike back, landing a solid blow to her midsection.

Before Sky could recover from the impact, Venom seized the opportunity, delivering a swift back kick that sent her crashing to the ground.

"You've improved," Venom acknowledged, wiping blood from his mouth.

Sky heard him clearly, but the meaning eluded her. Unbeknownst to her, the opponent she faced was a cherished blood relative.

"Alright!" Venom straightened up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You landed two solid hits, so I'll grant you twenty attacks."

SKY'S POV

Why the heck is this guy so strong? He doesn't seem to have any weaknesses.

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

Damn it, I can't keep dodging his attacks. They're too fast. My stamina is running out. If this continues, it's going to be the end of me.

"How the fuck do you expect to beat me if you're that weak?" Venom chuckled, his attacks relentless.

No, I'm not weak. I can keep up with him, but something is holding me back from fighting at full strength.

"Fight me, you motherfucker!" I shouted, trying to muster all my energy.

He closed the distance between us and gripped my throat. "Fight me! Fight me! Fight me!"

Has he lost his mind? He kept choking me, but strangely, I felt no pain.

Then, suddenly, he tightened his grip as if intending to kill me where I stood.

"I will kill you," he whispered, squeezing harder.

I felt myself blacking out, but just as suddenly as he had attacked, he released his grip, clicked his tongue in annoyance, and walked away.

"W-what was that?"

THIRD PERSON'S POV

*Clang*

*Swish*

*Blag*

Zeke, Kevin, and Joshua launched a coordinated assault against Zeus.

Behind his mask, Zeus smiled with satisfaction as he effortlessly dodged their combined attacks.

Out of nowhere, a fist swung towards him, cracking the side of his mask. It was Carl, appearing unexpectedly amidst the chaos.

Zeus quickly adjusted his mask to prevent it from falling and revealing his identity.

"Ugh!" Carl groaned in pain; his hand was bloodied from the force of the blow.

"That was a reckless move," Zeus taunted, kicking Carl hard. His mask, crafted from pure gold, had nearly been damaged.

Carl collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.

"Fuck!" Joshua exclaimed, drawing a card from his deck and hurling it towards Zeus.

"Those cards are infamous for their deadly poison," Joshua sneered. "I can't wait to see how you handle it."

Zeus extended his arm, prepared to intercept the cards, but before they reached him, Summer leaped from the second floor of the building, landing gracefully in her deadly 12-inch heels. In her hand, she wielded a dart, which she expertly used to deflect Joshua's cards.

"What a diva," Lux muttered as she joined Summer and approached Zeus. "It's better if it's three against three, don't you think?"

"Did Demon authorize your presence here?" Zeus demanded, his tone cutting.

"Of course not. We just crashed the party," Summer quipped, chuckling. Her eyes then fell on Joshua, and her expression brightened. She rushed towards him and seized both his hands. "You're my type."

Lux rolled her eyes, exasperated by Summer's antics and her constant attempt to mimic Demon.

"Don't touch me, you low-class underling of Demon," Joshua snapped, pulling away from Summer.

"Huh?" Summer's shoulders slumped, disappointment evident in her expression. She turned to Lux. "Hey, Lux, what would Demon do in this situation?"

"You're such a pain," Lux muttered, taking a deep breath. "She'd eliminate the threat."

"Got it."

In an instant, Summer lunged at Joshua, Lux engaged Zeke, and Zeus squared off against Kevin.

"A girl?" Zeke hesitated, watching Lux's precise movements. Despite his reluctance to harm a woman, his loyalty to the fight forced him to engage.

Lux's fist closed in, mere inches from his face, prompting Zeke to dodge at the last moment.

With sharp reflexes, Zeke avoided most of Lux's attacks. His concern wasn't disdain for her skills; rather, it stemmed from his reluctance to harm a woman, especially given his relationship status.

Meanwhile, Jared and Stanley worked tirelessly to protect civilians. Jared battled the White Monarchy's underlings, while Stanley ushered innocents to safety.

DEMON'S POV

*BANG!*

Who's that?

The bullet isn't for me.

Is this what the old pillars meant by the assassination?

Heh, it makes everything more exciting.

Standing in the middle of this chaos, where everyone is killing each other, is truly satisfying. I can clearly see the sadness and hopelessness on their faces, and it gives me pleasure.

More, please. I want to see different kinds of pain.

*Swish*

Something fast lightly touched my cheek, leaving a cut.

I am their target now.

"Give Claire back to me."

The corner of my mouth twitched. I forgot about Maniego.

Maniego?

I looked at him. Maniego was tall, slender, and incredibly handsome. His face was soft, with flawless ivory skin. He seemed like a perfect being-oh geez, why am I praising him?

"Everyone," came a voice from Maniego's father. "We can't just wait to die here! We must kill that monster, or we will die!"

Monster? There's a monster here?

"Let's form a team together! There are so many of us, and great strength in numbers! If we rush together, we can kill Demon," he added.

Oh, I'm the monster they're talking about?

Forming a team, huh? Do they think they still have time? If so, I will give them more.

I turned my back on Maniego and approached his father, carrying Claire.

They panicked while forming a team, which was fun to watch.

"Why did you take your eyes off me?" My whole body shuddered at the warm breath flowing down my neck. It was Maniego, whose aura seemed to have changed into something terrifying.

"Are you jealous, honey?"

"Yes, because I can't allow anyone else to kill you but me."

He makes me excited.

"ATTACK!"

Huh?

No way, I forgot his father.

ICE'S POV

They are chasing Demon. My father and his hundreds of men are chasing Demon.

Why the fuck are they chasing my prey?

She is mine. She deserves to die by my hand.

I hurried after them, tossing aside everything I touched. They are trash that should be thrown away.

"Haha, keep chasing me!"

How is she able to outrun the enemy while carrying Claire?

Almost there, just a little bit more, and I can reach her.

There is only one underling between me and her. To reach her, I have to deal with this remaining underling like I did with the others.

I quickly grabbed this underling by the collar and threw him aside. Tch, he's in my way.

"Wow!" I heard Demon mumbling and sped up even more.

Tch!

I also sped up. When I saw Claire looking at me, I signaled her to help me. She seemed to understand what I meant and struggled to escape, causing Demon to slow down enough for me to catch up.

I grabbed the sleeve of what Demon was wearing and pulled, but she was strong. I didn't expect it to tear, revealing a big scar on her back.

What the heck is that?

A scar covered her back.

I felt a wave of disgust wash over me. How could someone like her, with that horrid scar, think she could stand against me? She is truly a monster.