Before leaving, Astrea

  called out once more.

  “Arlen.”

  He stopped.

  Her gaze softened—just a little. “Take care of Cornea.”

  He nodded.

  Dryas noticed it immediately—the hesitation in his eyes. Not fear. Not doubt.

  Something far heavier.

  Cornea slid closer, her voice a lazy purr as an obsidian gate unfurled before them.

  “I’m the one taking care of .”

  “Let’s go.”

  They stepped through.

  Behind them, Solon

  waved at Tethys, smiling like an old grandfather watching his granddaughter leave after a festival.

  On the way, Dryas quietly slipped her fingers into Arlen’s hand.

  Nyx took the other side, gripping just as firmly.

  Cornea walked ahead, her back straight, her voice calm but absolute.

  “Even if your family doesn’t accept you—remember this.”

  She didn’t turn around.

  “You already have one.”

  Arlen swallowed.

  A challenge greater than gods awaited him now.

  Greater than Chronos. Greater than revenge.

  Family.

  The gate opened.

  Aethelberg. His hometown.

  The first thing Arlen saw made his fists clench.

  A massive statue of Chronos

  His pulse spiked—

  Then—

  “Look,” Tethys said softly, tugging his sleeve.

  He followed her gaze.

  Children ran through the streets, laughing, chasing one another.

  Merchants argued cheerfully over prices.

  Old men repaired carts, grumbling but smiling.

  And the statue?

  Covered in pigeon nests.

  White streaks stained its stone face. No incense. No kneeling worshippers.

  No prayers.

  Just… irrelevance.

  Arlen’s breath hitched.

  Cornea placed a hand on his shoulder, firm and grounding.

  “This,” she said quietly, “is what you have achieved.”

  He looked at her.

  “From the moment you met me—everything you did went beyond revenge. You changed humanity itself. They adapted. They moved forward. ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS.”

  She leaned in slightly.

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  “Be proud.”

  Arlen laughed under his breath—soft, almost embarrassed.

  “Yeah… I guess.”

  He looked ahead.

  “My house is in the Fourth District. Straight ahead.”

  Dryas smiled, warmth blooming in her eyes as she whispered,

  “…Finally.”

  “You are free from the hatred that clouded your heart.”

  As they moved forward, Arlen activated Null Shroud

  Cornea leaned in and whispered, “It would cause panic if the townspeople saw demons walking through their streets.”

  They advanced carefully, bodies half-overlapping inside the relic’s concealment, adjusting their steps to remain within its invisible boundary.

  When they finally stopped in front of the house—

  His house

  Arlen froze.

  The door stood unchanged. Same old wood. Same small crack near the handle.

  His hand hovered in the air, trembling.

  Before he could gather the courage—

  Grom gave him a casual shove from behind—just enough to send him stumbling forward.

  “Ay—”

  Before he could regain balance, Aura kicked the door open

  Arlen crashed inside.

  And three familiar figures collided with him at once.

  “ARLEN!

  His mother and father came running forward, wrapped him in their arms so tightly he almost couldn’t breathe.

  “You’re alive— you’re really alive!”

  “Y-yeah—” his voice cracked, “I’m back… Mom… Dad… Alden…”

  He tried to hold it in the tears.

  Then—right when his knees almost gave out—a hand rested on his shoulder, steady and warm. A familiar hand that has always lifted him up whenever he needs it.

  Cornea’s voice came softly from beneath the Null Shroud.

  “You are permitted to cry.”

  She paused.

  “Because this is not tears of despair. This is tears of hope.”

  That was it.

  The dam shattered.

  Arlen buried his face into his mother’s shoulder and cried

  Then Alden stepped forward.

  He dropped to his knees.

  “Arlen… I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t realize my mind was controlled. I— I killed you. I—”

  His words collapsed into sobs.

  Arlen pulled back, wiped his face, and smiled.

  “Who said you killed me?” he said lightly. “Look at me. I’m standing right here.”

  He reached down and pulled Alden up.

  “If you’re really sorry, share your pudding with me tonight. Then we’re even.”

  Alden laughed through tears.

  The brothers hugged.

  The family—finally whole again.

  “Oh,” Arlen added, wiping his nose, “I forgot to mention something.”

  He straightened.

  “I brought my companions with me. My team. My… new family.”

  He deactivated Null Shroud

  Silence exploded.

  “DEMONS?!

  His mother nearly fainted.

  Arlen stepped forward instantly.

  “They’re the ones who saved my life when that damn god threw me away like trash. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

  His father studied them carefully… then nodded.

  “I see.”

  He bowed deeply.

  “Thank you for protecting our son. Please—come in. Have some tea. Though… I’m not sure if demons drink tea.”

  They entered.

  Arlen introduced them one by one.

  Grom—the towering wall of muscle.

  Aura—the butterfly-winged menace.

  Nyx—the sharp-eyed shadow.

  Dryas—the former Goddess of Nature.

  Tethys—the tiny former Goddess of Water.

  And finally—

  Cornea – the demon queen.

  His family bowed again in gratitude. “Thank you for saving our son. Thanks a lot.”

  Cornea stepped forward, correcting them calmly.

  “You misunderstand. I am Cornea, Demon Queen of the Hollow Court

  Her gaze shifted to Arlen.

  “He survived through his own will. His own grit. He is my champion, my pride. And he is the reason humanity is now free from the gods’ rule.”

  Shock rippled through the room.

  Conversation flowed—tea was poured—until Alden suddenly stiffened.

  “Oh—Arlen. I forgot. About Chloe—”

  Nyx’s eyes flicked up instantly.

  “Before that,” she said coolly, “who is Chloe?”

  Alden swallowed.

  “Um… she was Arlen’s girlfriend.”

  Nyx, Aura, Dryas, Cornea - four pairs of eyes turned toward him.

  Sharp. Silent. Dangerous.

  “Ahem,” Dryas said gently. “Please continue.”

  Alden nodded nervously.

  “She was… very devoted to the God of Time. More devoted than the rest. About a month ago, she went with him. He promised to turn her into an angel.”

  His voice dropped.

  “She never came back.”

  Arlen’s jaw tightened.

  Grom whispered, “That was before we attacked Lumina. Before Chronos’ memories were altered.”

  Then, suddenly—

  A gate opened.

  Time warped.

  Everyone felt it. The domain of Time throne!

  A calm, absolute voice came out from inside and echoed through the house.

  “Greetings, insects.”

  A golden shimmer filled the room.

  “It seems you’ve gathered in one place. I welcome you to my Throne of Time.”

  The air froze.

  “The fragile bird you seek is with me.”

  Arlen turned slowly, his grip clenched.

  “Mom. Dad. Alden.”

  His demonic eye ignited.

  “I forgot to mention one thing.”

  He smiled—cold, resolved.

  “I am no longer the Arlen you knew.”

  His voice hardened.

  “I am a half-demon now.”

  He stepped toward the gate.

  “And I go by a new name.”

  “God Slayer.”

  Before anyone could speak—

  He vanished into the gate.

  His companions followed without hesitation.