21

'Okay, that was a little macabre but I'm still fine.' Nero looks around trying to find some clue to his next task. He walks a little until he comes across another gate very similar to the first one, but this time it was green in color and had the following words one in each door. 'ILLNESS ... WEAKNESS'

"HEY BUDDHA, what do I have to do now?" The young devil's voice echoes through the empty space without any response.

After a bored time inside the dark place a familiar voice echoes with the words. "Heaven's Judgment – Gate of Illness"

Again the gate opens at Buddha's command, only this time the situation returns to being about the childhood of the young devil Nero Lucifer.

The environment again was that of a noble mansion. This time I saw the black haired boy lying on the bed in his room completely still, this situation was quite familiar to me as it was the time I contracted a cold unique to the devil race.

The little devil's face was red and he had high temperature along with blurry vision. As he looked around, it was noticeable that his gaze was unfocused. He was staring at the wall as if he were seeing something very important.

I approached my delusional child self. "Little one, what are you contemplating?"

"The end. Nobody cares about me, my father is obsessed with surpassing my brother, my grandfather just wants to find something interesting to stop his boredom even if it results in chaos in the world, and lastly my younger brother is too busy being abused family to even consider give his time to someone from the Lucifer bloodline." The child speaks with a wise tone, the manner of speaking similar to an elder.

'I don't remember being so wise at that age, well it seems the way to overcome this illusion is not directly by memory.' As I observe my childish version whose face was red, I decide to do something that contradicts the kid's hypothesis. "Well, in fact, they won't come and take care of you, but you can't give up on yourself just because you think you're alone. Know that whenever you want to try something and give up for fear of failing by trying it alone, that when you start something you will always be accompanied by your own past self who had the idea of the action you want to do and your future self who will execute your decision."

"But I would remain alone in my weakest moments." The child retorts with a serious, focused look on the face of the real Nero.

"If you are at your weakest you will certainly be happy to receive help from others, you may start to feel inferior or dependent on their approval or presence. But if you overcome these moments on your own, you will be able to prove your strength to others and to yourself." Nero reflects with a distant look on the topic that has clearly troubled him since childhood.

"Even so, what's the use of becoming stronger if I won't have anyone to share my achievements and my hapiness with."

"While you are in the process of overcoming yourself, you will experience many events that can connect you with new people, so you are never alone, you just have to make some efforts."

"I understand." The child smiles.

"No problem, remember that you won't always be alone. How about accepting the company of your older self." Nero smiles at the illusion which in turn expresses itself through a single tear and a big smile.

"Thank you."

After the brief interaction, the environment disappears and is replaced by a modern hospital. Lying on the hospital gurney is the human version of Nero from his second life, already in adulthood.

The patient's situation was listed on the patient's file that was lying on the table next to the hospital bed.

- Patient Nero Hunter.

- Personal Information: American, Orphan, 21 years old.

- Problem: Broken bones due to a car accident.

- Recommended treatment: Still to be evaluated after the severity of the problem is detected in the test results.

Nero walks around the room noticing some books belonging to his other version and a bunch of sheets regarding an article on dark matter, darkness and shadows. In addition to others on the concept and nature of the phenomenon of light.

"Well it looks like that explains why I can use elemental darkness magic and the variation of it referring to shadows. Human's magic is marked by accounts and theories, it is as if it were a causality relationship in which if a specific thing happens it will generate a predetermined and expected result." Nero looks through the papers from his past life about theoric physics studies as he sits in the chair designated for the patient's companion.

"Shit, if my knowledge is the basis for my innate use of elemental magic... I'm screwed." Nero runs his hand through his hair and decides to ignore the situation, one problem at a time.

Nero, who was reading on the patient's chair, saw a doctor entering the room to examine the patient. The doctor picks up a medical record and begins to analyze it, everything normal within the standards of a hospital. However, this doctor had a face similar to that of the old man and the child in the orphanage, filled with black mist and a crimson glow in place of eyes.

"Patient Nero Lucifer. Problem: Disturbance in the soul. Recommended treatment: Completely erase the original soul's existence to allow the resurrection of the true Lucifer." The doctor speaks aloud looking at the sick body of the patient.

Nero immediately gets up from the escort chair. "Wait a minute, this could be a hallucination caused by Buddha's power, but at least stay true to the lived reality. In my second life my last name wasn't Lucifer."

The strange figure looks in my direction and a voice echoes from its mouthless face. "Who said I was talking about this human version of yours?"

'Shit, creepy again.' Nero looks straight into the being's void face who stares at him with glowing red light instead of eyes. 'Wow, as they say if you stare into the abyss for too long it will stare back at you in a very macabre way.'

Nero takes a deep breath. "Who exactly are you?"

The figure of mist leans forward, its red gleaming eyes fixated on Nero. "Who do you desire me to be?"

Nero's expression hardens. "That wasn't my question."

A low chuckle emanates from the figure. "But it is the only fitting answer I can provide to you."

Nero's gaze intensifies. "What is your purpose in seeking me out?"

The figure responds with a chilling certainty, "To resurrect the soul of the original Lucifer. That is my sole duty."

"Why should I offer my body to my ancestor? He had his chance at life and squandered it in the three factions war. He is already dead, and there is no need for him to return to this world."

The figure's voice grows colder. "His existence holds more value to the world than yours."

Nero counters, his voice filled with determination, "How can you make such a judgment without witnessing my entire journey? He has lived and reached his peak, whereas I, with the same blood flowing in my veins, have a lifetime ahead of me to discover my own untapped potential."

"Arrogant. You lack the strength to entertain such a proposition," the figure retorts.

Nero's determination resounds in his voice as he responds to the enigmatic figure's words. "Indeed, I admit that I am currently weak and inferior to my ancestor. But I carry his legacy within me, and if I strive with unwavering dedication, if I explore the uncharted depths of my own potential, who is to say that I cannot surpass him? The future is uncertain, and within that uncertainty lies the possibility of surprises and unforeseen greatness."

The doctor's figure with a face of dark mist remains silent for a moment, its red gleaming eye studying Nero intently. A flicker of curiosity dances within the depths of its mysterious presence. "You possess a rare blend of humility and ambition, acknowledging your weakness while holding onto the belief that you may yet rise above it. It is a paradox that intrigues me."

Nero nods, a mixture of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "I understand the challenge that lies before me. I am prepared to face it head-on, to delve into the depths of my own potential and embrace the shadows within. I will not be complacent in my pursuit of surpassing the original Lucifer."

The figure's misty form shimmers, its voice resonating within Nero's mind. "Remember, Nero Lucifer, the path you tread is not one guaranteed to success. The road to greatness is paved with hardships and sacrifices. But should you persevere with unwavering dedication, you may yet carve a destiny that exceeds the bounds of your ancestor's achievements."

With those final words echoing in the room, the figure abruptly vanishes, leaving Nero alone with his thoughts. He ponders the weight of the figure's words, knowing that the path ahead is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Yet, a newfound sense of purpose fills his heart, driving him to push beyond his limits and embrace the uncharted territory of his own potential. With determination, Nero prepares to embark on a journey that will shape his own unique destiny in this world full of problematic and perverted beings.

As he reflected he didn't notice the surroundings darkening to the usual void of darkness in which the gates appeared. Until he saw a huge gate adorned with skulls that faced him. At that exact moment, Nero gulped in shock.