[Location: Hell - Demon Castle, Throne Room]
No.2 walks through the massive dark hall toward Demon King Algol, who sits calmly on his throne.
Algol: "No.2... How's it going in the human world?"
No.2: (shrugs) "As usual. Boring. No real fights."
Algol: "That's... a good thing, you know."
(Pauses)
"But something is off. Bright energy levels have increased-fast. Rapidly. And in high concentration."
No.2: (sarcastic) "So what? What do you want me to do about it?"
Algol: (unbothered) "Relax. I didn't call you here to scold. Just-leave No.1 alone. He's not a threat anymore. He's weak... old."
No.2: "Tch. I'm a Jake Paul fan."
Algol: (staring blankly) "Understandable."
Algol: "Anyway... I just want you to wrap up your business with No.1 and rejoin Hell. We have other things to handle."
No.2: "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
He turns and walks away casually.
[Back in the Human World - Rooftop]
Fallen lies flat on the floor. A blood-soaked surface beneath him. His body barely moving. His eyes dull from exhaustion.
No.2: "So... how many times have you died now?"
Fallen: (weakly) "Nine... I think."
No.2: "And how many times did you use rage to bring yourself back?"
Fallen: "I lost count. Maybe... 52?"
No.2: (smirking) "Good. That much usage means you've improved. You can trigger rage more cleanly now. That's progress."
Fallen lifts his head slightly.
Fallen: "Wait... your arm? It's back?"
No.2: "This?" (He rolls his shoulder) "Yeah. Algol restored it with a regeneration spell."
Fallen: "He can use that kind of spell?"
No.2: "Told you. He's a spell and curse freak. He's smarter than he looks."
Fallen: "Right... I almost forgot."
(A short silence)
Fallen: "So... what now?"
No.2: "We've got a mission. From Algol."
No.2 (inner thoughts): "It's time... to kill your father."
No.2: "Your dad's been kidnapped. By someone unexpected."
Fallen: "What?!"
No.2: "By the doctor... your father's old friend. He's with the angels now. Word is, they made him a deal: if he delivers No.1 to them, they'll grant him immortality... powered by angelic energy."
Fallen: "...WHAT?!"
"Where?! Why would the doctor do that?! He was family... he was my dad's closest friend!"
Fallen (inner voice):
"I don't get it... That doctor was like an uncle. He helped my mother. How could he-unless... No.2 is lying? Should I really trust him? My own sensei?"
No.2: "No time to waste. We're already late. And honestly... I think you're done with basic rage control."
No.2 (inner thoughts):
"Of course he's not ready. I didn't train him properly on purpose. He'll lose control...
Fallen: "Where are they?"
Fallen (inner thoughts):
"I can't think about that now. Whether I trust him or not... my father is all I have left. I have to save him. I have no choice."
No.2: "They're... where you were born."
Chapter ends.