Kill

The entity whispered into Nova's ear.

『...Simply kill others.』

『...Do you even have the power to save my friends? Are you lying to me?』[Nova]

『...I will lend you my help for free this one time. Form a contract with me. I will help you in exchange for death.』

Nova closed his eyes, shutting the outside world out.

An influx of information and the terms of the contract flowed into Nova's mind, simply described under "Kill, and I will lend you my power".

『...If I never use your abilities after this?』[Nova]

『...It's of no consequence. Rather, once any human gets a hold of my power, I'd rather there was one who didn't abuse it...』

『...I'll accept your contract in exchange for your power.』[Nova]

In the darkness of Nova's inside world, a woman's emotionless voice bounced around.

『...Good. Let's see if you really won't use the power I promise you..』

A pair of eyes with shining silver and black irises, white pupils, and black sclera appeared.

『...Utter my name and finalize the contract.』

Nova's eyes opened in real life.

『Asmodasiah. Lend me your strength!』[Nova]

An eerie pressure began to press down on all there, causing the vibrant forest to feel desolate.

He stood to the ground, The Brown watching with interest.

『What… What is that?!』[Yudola]

Her legs quivered and she began to put up resistance to Nova's chains.

『I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE ANYMORE! GET ME OUT!』[Yudola]

Suddenly, a visible gray and black wind appeared from all directions, causing the nearby trees to wither and die.

Her voice whispered into Nova's ear.

『...I shall rely on the life of these trees and plants this time. Is that acceptable?』[Asmodasiah]

『...That's alright.』[Nova]

Nova raised his hand up, pointing at the blood giant with his index finger.

『I will cast this next attack with you, imbuing my powers into it.』[Asmodasiah]

A well endowed woman with gray skin, silver hair, a black dress, and large black horns materialized out of the wind, floating in the air, before grabbing Nova's hand and copying the same pointing pose underneath it with the opposite hand.

『Who is that?! What are you..?!』[Yudola]

The two of them completely ignored Yudola's shouting.

Her and Nova spoke at the same time, as if they were one and the same.

『Etoile.』

Nova's white shot of light contrasted with a dark trail and outline that was filled with a kind of emptiness.

The shot quickly landed dead in the middle of the blood giant, leaving a black mark on it.

The woman let go of Nova's hand and seemed to start being blown into the wind.

『...I have done as you asked. We shall converse later, Nova. Farewell.』[Asmodasiah]

Nova carefully nodded, looking up to the blood giant.

She disappeared into a black mist that seemed to go in all directions.

He stared at the black patch of the blood giant that seemed to grow in all directions.

『...Please work.』[Nova]

The giant still moved, threatening to absorb The Brown, but when the black patch met with the area where The Brown was being absorbed, he managed to wriggle out, leaving bits of dried blood to hit the floor.

『NO!』[Yudola]

The Brown deftly landed on the ground, rushing over to Nova in a brisk jog.

『...What was that spirit… No, demon?』[The Brown]

『...If I knew, I would tell you.』[Nova]

The Brown broke out into an amused smile.

『Hmph.』[The Brown]

They all stared up at the blood giant who was starting to collapse.

All of the blood seemed to coagulate before a whole flood of people exploded from the giant.

A bunch of particles of many different colors floated up toward the sky.

Reischneid and Lucifius walked out, carrying Mune and Sir Fluffles who were unconscious.

『You're back!』[Nova]

He stared up at the sky, watching the colors float off.

『...Yeah.』[Reischneid]

『What are they?』[Nova]

『N...N...NO! MY ART! THE SOUL OF MY ARTPIECES!』[Yudola]

Nova stared at her in shock.

『...So...Souls?!』[Nova]

Reischneid stared at the colors with a complicated expression.

『...Right.』[Reischneid]

He looked down at Nova.

『...Did you… form a contract with that entity?』[Reischneid]

Nova stopped himself for a moment, reluctant to answer.

He nodded his head.

『...Yes.』[Nova]

『...Was the contract's price large?』[Reischneid]

『The terms of the contract were to kill. That was all.』[Nova]

Reischneid stared through Nova with hollow eyes.

『...Who did you kill?』[Reischneid]

It sent chills through his spine, but he answered truthfully.

『Nobody. She offered to let me borrow her power this one time.』[Nova]

Reischneid's face quickly turned upbeat.

『...Why didn't you say so?! I thought that you were locked into an infinite murder cycle!』[Reischneid]

Nova sighed in relief.

『...I hope to never use her power again...』[Nova]

He looked back up at the husk of the blood giant.

『...It's a very strong power...』[Nova]

Suddenly, he heard some noises from the pile of people.

Grynzael stood tall from the pile of people.

『Spective!』[Grynzael]

He teleported next to Yudola, who was still chained up.

『...We'll be back, Nova.』[Yudola]

『Wait! No!』[Nova]

He dashed at them.

『Linear!』[Grynzael]

He turned into a concentrated line of light, disappearing into the horizons of the woods.

Nova was left in awe for a moment, before realizing that she could have summoned the people to her side.

『Wait! The people!』[Nova]

Reischneid quickly ran to the people, placing his hand on the schoolgirl with a giant sword's forehead.

『...It's a contract. Do you think you could burn off the contract?』[Reischneid]

『Blessed Flame Rebirth.』[Nova]

Nova burnt a flame next to Reischneid's finger and on top of her forehead.

『...Doesn't seem to be of any avail. It was worth a try.』[Reischneid]

『...Why won't it work?!』[Nova]

『It's a chain onto their soul. It's not just mana, it's more akin to soul energy.』[Reischneid]

The ground below the pile of people began to sink down into the floor.

『No! Wait!』[Nova]

He grabbed the hand of the nearest person.

Nova tried to grab a second hand, but he wasn't fast enough.

『Area!』[Nova]

The black mass swooped under the people falling, moving under them.

Suddenly, as it was wrapping around the people, it suddenly started to cause the colorful coils of lightning to move around.

『Wait! Nonononono!』[Nova]

His Area suddenly crumbled, leaving him with only the singular person he had grabbed.

『...Damn it!』[Nova]