Rage

Cra-Crack.

The stone walls of the cell cracked in on themselves.

Alone.

Deep under the Castle.

A dungeon.

Breathing.

Heaving.

Shaking.

"…"

Vengeful.

'They'll pay for this…'

'I want them to pay!'

'How dare they play with me!?'

'Acting as if I'm such an important entity to the party.'

He recalled the amount of times the party members told him that he was one of them.

'Doing their most to make me feel as if I belong there. Alongside them.'

He recalled the times they gave a push to his back to move forward together.

'Hell even giving me presents!'

He recalled the moment Aeliana gave him the Mana Compass— Which he still had around his neck.

'I won't forgive this… I won't allow this to pass by!'

A world where he gets oppressed and outcast is now long gone.

If he so wills it to kill someone, he will not hesitate.

After all… He has no purpose.

And with no purpose, came freedom.

And so, he was free to do anything and everything.

Kill, cause chaos, destroy— anything and everything within his capabilities.

Finally, after hours of boiling wrath, he gave voice to something for the first time.

"I'll destroy them."

"…"

"I'll fucking kill them all nice and slowly!"

Pushing strength to his muscles, grabbing at something non-existent within his body, all the chains that surrounded him from head to toe snapped instantly.

Clang! Cling!

"Smoke shit! I know you're here, you're the one who helped with these too, now get out!"

He called out, and soon, a chill-inducing voice entered Cole's ears.

"About damned time! Oh, dear Angel!"

This time, though, it didn't seem to frighten Cole at all.

No.

That shaking he always felt when he heard the smoke's voice was but a misunderstood emotion. It was gurgling anticipation from the adrenaline he felt.

"Quit yapping and just do it already!"

"Ohh? Quite the frightful one you are right now. But well, I won't deny it. I'll be getting a treat after this whole deal after all."

The darkness snickered to himself deviously as it began to transmit energy towards Cole's body.

Fwoo~

"…"

Taking in a deep breath, his energy began to manifest physically, creating a grey-white aura throughout the outer layer of his body.

His senses already heightened, he could already feel most of the mana signatures spread out throughout the mansion, including the one at the door which—

Clink.

"…?"

Creeak!

The door was pushed with a creak and who appeared to be the one opening it, was totally unexpected—

"…Lyra?"

Cole called out her name softly, and without wasting any time, he pushed energy to his calves and thighs.

Lyra began to speak, "I'm sorry for taking so long—"

With a flash, Cole disappeared from the room, running as fast as he could through the levels of the underground prison and up to the first floor of the royal palace, ignoring what Lyra had to say. Although, he left her untouched by his blade.

***

"Oh? Bwahahaha, who would've thought you'd show sympathy towards— Huh?"

Fwoom~

Walking and laughing was Brander, alongside Thorne who had a clouded expression.

But by the time Brander took notice of Cole, he was already sprawled out on the ground, his brain still not processing what had just happened.

Thorne, who was still untouched instantly conjured an earthen axe, expecting the enemy to strike again at any given moment.

"What was so funny, Brander, might you tell me so I also have a good laugh?"

Asked Cole from behind.

"C-Cole…?"

Brander voiced out his name, the pain of his severed legs still not registered.

Thorne instantly turned to face the white-haired devil who was exuding enough atmospheric pressure to make one puke out the contents of their stomach.

'He has no weapons, but…"

"What are you doing here—?!"

"Kirryagghhh!? My legs! My legs?!"

Brander lashed out with a terrifying screech, slightly taking Thorne aback.

"So she was right, huh?" Thorne asked, recalling the moment of the Grand Inquisitor jumping back in fear.

A gentle smile etched itself on Cole's face, for an instant, the hideous aura disappearing in that moment as he shook his hand nonchalantly, "Now, now. I can tell you she's only seen the surface of what it can really be—"

The kind and unknowing kid before Thorne's eyes disappeared without motion.

The mana didn't fluctuate.

There's no noise whatsoever, so then…

"… Why?"

With his arms spurting blood, Thorne managed to ask before his head was kicked right into the wall of the castle. The crack of his skull was more audible than the falling rubble itself.

"A—Ah, no, no please!"

"Wasn't that exactly what I said just a few hours ago?" Cole asked with a wide grin as he approached Brander who was fighting with his life to crawl away from the devil.

Schlap, schlap.

Cole's shoes got colored red as he approached the fallen adventurer in the pit of blood, crouching in front of him.

Bringing his fingers in front of Brander's face and easily sending controlled surges of energy, Cole began to talk.

"Now… Which ear was it? The right, or the left? Or the both of 'em?"

"W-What?"

"Which was the ear you so nonchalantly cleaned with your fingers while I was taken away even though I pleaded for your help, for everyone's."

"N-No, I—"

"Listen here, red dripping hair, I'm not playing any games. Which ear was it?" 

Cole spoke with a rough voice, the energy blade on his two fingers carving a shallow line on Brander's face which quickly colored red.

Crying and bawling. 

With snot taking over his face and saliva dripping down his chin, Brander managed to muster in terror, "T-The right one! It was the right one, so please, just let me— Kghaaaa!"

He screeched out once again as Cole cut through it like a warm knife through butter.

"Doesn't feel any good, huh? Does it?"

Step, step, step!

"What's going on!?"

Casting away all of the feelings he had for these people, Cole stood up as guards surrounded him from both ways of the hall.

"Hmph!"

With a final kick to the jaws of the bawling Brander, Cole straightened himself and pulled on the sleeves of his clothes.

"Ahem, let me reintroduce myself, everyone."

Stretching his arms out in a graceful manner as he slightly lowered his face, Cole presented himself. This time, differently.

"The Devil of Destruction is in your presence."