Visit

[Word Count: 3289]

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Sitting in the back of the cab, Leo gazed out of the window at the towering skyscrapers passing by, their imposing presence reflecting the urban grandeur of Beijing. The Chinese cab driver kept stealing glances at Leo through the rearview mirror, his face troubled by the uncertain course of their journey.

Since Leo's arrival at the airport, he had been vague about their destination, merely uttering "sights" while engrossed in a travel guide pamphlet. The cab driver couldn't help but wonder if Leo even had any money to pay for the ride. Nonetheless, he decided to give it one more try and set a course toward the outskirts of the city, determined to salvage the situation and secure his fare.

From the back seat, Leo's voice broke the silence, inquiring about a money exchange location in broken Chinese, his eyes still squinting at the pamphlet's small print. The cab driver couldn't hold back a cynical smile; of course, he knew exactly where to go for such services.

As the cab rolled into a gritty neighborhood, the driver wasted no time announcing his "catch" to a group of menacing-looking individuals engaged in a game of cards. Their eyes lit up with malicious delight as they saw an opportunity presented to them.

Throwing open the back door, the goons yanked Leo out of the cab, their grip firm and unforgiving. The atmosphere reeked of street grime, causing Leo to wrinkle his nose in distaste. Undeterred, he maintained a bored expression, seemingly unfazed by the situation unfolding before him.

The cab driver, seemingly indifferent to Leo's fate, stepped out of the cab and reached into his shirt pocket, revealing a pack of cigarettes. He casually lit one, the glowing ember accentuating his nonchalant demeanor.

Inside the dimly lit building, the metal door slammed shut behind them, sealing Leo's fate within this dark and foreboding place. While the cab driver showed no concern for Leo's predicament.

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A few tense minutes passed before the cab driver heard the creaking of the door before him. His eyes widened as he witnessed Leo stepping out of the building, calmly counting Yuan in his hand. Glancing back, the driver's shock intensified as he saw what had become of one of the men who had so callously dragged Leo inside—the assailant was now impaled against the wall by a menacing array of glass shards. The sight sent shivers down the driver's spine, realizing he had unknowingly ventured into something far beyond his comprehension.

Swallowing nervously, the cab driver mustered the courage to meet Leo's unwavering gaze. Leo finished tallying the money, his eyes locked directly on the shaken driver, leaving no room for escape or evasion.

Without saying a word, Leo calmly walked back to the cab, and as the metal door closed behind him, it concealed the gruesome scene that had just unfolded.

Leo opened the backdoor and stepped back into the cab, seemingly unfazed by the recent events.

Leo's voice broke the silence. "Let's continue sightseeing," he said, his tone indifferent as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Leo's lack of concern only further unsettled the cab driver, but he knew better than to question or challenge the enigmatic passenger seated behind him.

The cab driver's heart raced as he hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should comply. But the intensity in Leo's gaze left him with little choice. Placing both hands on the steering wheel, the driver mustered the courage to turn on the engine and resume their journey through the city.

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The once lively atmosphere in the cab had now become suffocatingly silent. Fear had taken hold of the cab driver, his hands trembling on the steering wheel as he cautiously navigated through the desolate outskirts of Beijing. He dared not cast even a glimpse in the rearview mirror, the weight of unease pressing upon him.

Meanwhile, Leo maintained his calm composure, fixated on the passing scenery outside the window. Today had been far from ideal.

Leo's mind was focused on finding the elusive person he sought, hoping that fortune would be on his side. If luck favored him, the individual he was looking for would not have crossed paths with Quanxi yet, making his task considerably easier.

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As the night grew darker, Leo patiently waited by the cab, observing the flickering lights of a nearby apartment building. The cab driver was busy refueling the vehicle.

His eyes widened in disbelief as a figure emerged from the alley, a girl with striking pink hair—her skull laid bare, exposing her brain. She moved aimlessly, devoid of purpose or awareness, resembling a corpse in human form.

As the cab door opened, the startled driver glanced back, only to find Leo stepping out onto the street. A fleeting thought of escape crossed the driver's mind, but one look at Leo's piercing glare quickly dispelled such notions. Fear held the driver in place as Leo crossed the street, closing in on the eerie figure that seemed to be the fiend he was seeking.

Observing her more closely, Leo clicked his tongue in frustration when he noticed the girl's attire - a long-sleeved cropped orange sweater, light blue high-waisted shorts, and pink sneakers. The clothing choice was unmistakable - she had already encountered Quanxi throwing a wrench in his plans.

Approaching the Cosmo's fiend, Leo stood in front of her as her one remaining eye wandered. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto Leo, and she spoke a single word, "Halloween?"

"Halloween," Leo echoed.

In an instant, the scene around them shifted, transporting Leo to a vast and otherworldly library. Countless bookshelves stretched infinitely, reaching toward the boundless expanse of the sky above.

From his elevated vantage point on the bookshelves, Leo's attention was drawn to the sound of another utterance of "Halloween." Looking down, he spotted the pink-haired girl he had encountered earlier, now seated on a table, leaning her head on her hand while engrossed in a book. Various other books were scattered across the table

"Good evening," Leo greeted, his voice resonating in the vastness of the library.

A small smile graced the Cosmos Fiend's lips as she carefully placed her book down. "Good evening, Leo Lierbert. I am the Cosmos Fiend."

Leo took a step forward, his curiosity piqued. "I'm aware, and it's Tsukumo, not Liebert, Leo Tsukumo. Do you know why I'm here?"

Cosmo's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she considered Leo's question. "You wish to upset the natural order, no?"

Leo furrowed his brow, slightly perplexed. "Not particularly, no."

"Hmm," Cosmo pondered, her gaze distant. "Then I cannot fathom why you are here."

"Isn't the Cosmos Fiend supposed to be omniscient?" Leo inquired, picking up a book from the nearby pile.

"Hmmm," Cosmo hummed thoughtfully, her gaze focused on Leo.

In a graceful motion, Cosmo raised her hand, and a book flew from one of the shelves, before it could fly past Leo, he grasped it. Examining the book, he noticed that its cover was completely blank, devoid of any title or markings.

"So it's the library that's omniscient," Leo remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"In a way," Cosmo replied. "The library holds the knowledge, I just know where everything is."

Opening the book, Leo discovered that its pages were inscribed with his own past. From his birth and early childhood to his ventures into the forest, each significant event was meticulously recorded. However, upon reaching the point where he had died, Leo turned the page, only to be met with a disconcerting emptiness.

"What's this supposed to mean?" Leo inquired, showing Cosmo the blank page.

Cosmo's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixated on the void within the book.

Taking hold of the book, Leo began flipping through the remaining pages, only to find that they too were bereft of any text or symbols.

In a sudden twist of fate, the book slipped from Leo's grasp and soared into the air, landing gracefully in Cosmo's hands. She perused the blank pages with a mixture of fascination and bewilderment, her mind grappling with the inexplicable void within the book's pages.

Cosmo's gaze remained fixed on the blank pages, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. She ran her fingers delicately over the empty surface as if trying to unravel a hidden truth that eluded her grasp.

"This is... unprecedented," Cosmo murmured, her voice a mixture of awe and confusion. "You're supposed to be dead... and yet, here you are."

Leo tilted his head, unaffected by the gravity of the situation. "So?"

Cosmo's eyes flickered with a trace of frustration. "Your very existence defies the natural order," she explained, placing the book down with a sigh.

Again, Leo's response was indifferent. "So?"

"Halloween," Cosmo uttered, her gaze shifting away momentarily.

"Halloween?" Leo repeated.

Cosmo glanced back, only to find Leo crossing his arms, an air of determination emanating from him.

"How did you-" she began, but Leo promptly pointed at his head, cutting her off.

"I have selective memory. I don't give a damn about all the knowledge of the universe. I came here for two things, and I won't leave without them," Leo asserted, each word carrying a weight that seemed to intensify the library's atmosphere. He stared at Cosmo with a hint of menace in his eyes.

Placing his hands firmly on the table, Leo leaned forward. "Tell me, Cosmo, where can I find the Hell Devil?"

Cosmo watched in a mix of awe and trepidation as an ominous presence seeped from Leo, casting an oppressive weight upon her. "You've made a contract with a highly dangerous devil, Leo," she cautioned, struggling to maintain her composure.

Leo raised two fingers, his voice steady and resolute. "Two dangerous devils."

The oppressive weight in the library multiplied several times over, causing the floorboards to creak and crack under the strain. The initial wave of pressure was formidable, but it was the second surge that hit with a vengeance, striking at the core.

Cosmo found it increasingly difficult to breathe as she was slowly crushed under the weight of Leo's contracts. Gasping for air, she leaned heavily on the table, her body trembling.

"Let's make a deal, as acquaintances," Leo proposed plainly, his presence demanding attention. "Give me what I want, and that's the extent of our agreement."

As abruptly as it had appeared, the overwhelming weight in the library dissipated, leaving Cosmo gasping for air. She struggled to regain her composure, steadying herself on the table, her gaze fixed on Leo, unsure.

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Finally, after a few solid minutes of gathering her breath, Cosmo mustered the strength to look at Leo directly.

"Let's make another deal," she breathed out, her voice still tinged with fatigue. "I'll give you access to all the knowledge this library holds. In exchange, I ask for a favor."

Leo leaned slightly forward, intrigued by Cosmo's proposal. "A favor?" he echoed.

"Lady Quanxi," Cosmo responded, her determination shining through. "She is destined to die. I want you to prevent that."

A small smirk formed on Leo's lips as he pondered the request. "Hmm."

"Alone, there's little I can do to upset the course of nature. No matter how strongly I feel. But you," Cosmo pressed on. "Just by existing, you upset the course of nature. If you were to do it, you could keep Lady Quanxi alive, along with the other fiends."

Leo's smirk faded as he took a deep breath, contemplating the proposition. "It's possible," he muttered.

Cosmo looked at Leo with a mixture of hope and determination, sensing the possibility of her request being granted.

"Sure," Leo eventually agreed, much to Cosmo's delight. However, she couldn't help but notice the hint of apprehension in his expression.

"But?" Cosmo asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Leo revealed his condition, causing Cosmo's heart to sink. "She would need to forget you."

Cosmo stared at Leo, a range of emotions flickering across her face. She swallowed nervously before nodding in reluctant acceptance.

"For two reasons," Leo continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "First, to put a future target on my back."

Cosmo gazed at Leo with a puzzled expression but nodded nonetheless.

"And the other reason?" she inquired.

"So you keep your end of the deal," Leo stated plainly.

Cosmo's hands involuntarily clenched into fists, her brows furrowing in conflict.

Leo observed her reaction with a blank expression, waiting for her response.

"She'll remember," Leo remarked, his voice carrying a weight of finality.

"And if she doesn't?" Cosmo asked, her grip tightening.

Leo's gaze turned ominous as he responded, "Are you willing to take that risk?"

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Leo flipped through the pages of the book that held valuable information about the Hell Devil. As he delved deeper into the accounts of those who had encountered the devil, a sly smile formed on his face, barely contained laughter threatening to escape his lips.

"Looks like it's time to return to Japan," Leo muttered under his breath, his voice laced with a mix of anticipation and amusement.

Knowing exactly where he needed to go and whom he needed to seek, Leo realized he had to pay a visit to an old acquaintance to gain access to the depths of hell itself.

Closing the book that detailed the secrets of the Hell Devil, Leo's fingers lingered on the cover of the second book he had requested. His touch grazed the surface delicately before he lifted it from the table. The name inscribed on the cover caught his attention: Yuki Tsukumo.

"Seeking revenge, are we?" Cosmo remarked, her gaze fixed on Leo's expression.

Leo's eyes met Cosmo's, a mixture of determination and intensity burning within them. "I thought this library was meant to be omniscient," he replied rhetorically, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism.

"You're an abnormality. Everything that can be told has already been told," Cosmo stated. "You're walking on no man's land. Everything you do along with everything you will ever do, should've never happened. I wouldn't have agreed to your unreasonable terms otherwise."

Leo merely smirked.

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In the blink of an eye, Leo found himself back in the alley, facing none other than Quanxi. Acting on instinct, he swiftly summoned a glass sword, intercepting her incoming attack aimed at his neck.

As Quanxi prepared to reach for another blade, Leo's voice cut through the tension, catching her off-guard.

"Yo," Leo greeted, a hint of familiarity in his tone. "Long time no see, Quanxi."

Quanxi's grip on her weapon loosened slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing her eye.

"Oh, it's you," Quanxi stated, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and skepticism.

"Yo," Leo repeated, his casual demeanor contrasting with the charged atmosphere.

Sheathing her weapon, Quanxi studied Leo and then glanced at Cosmo before refocusing on Leo.

"What are you doing here?" Quanxi asked, her voice direct and to the point.

"What, can't I pay a visit to my old teacher?" Leo replied, feigning offense as he reabsorbed his glass sword.

Quanxi's expression remained unchanged, her gaze piercing. She reached for her blade once more, her patience wearing thin.

"Alright, alright," Leo relented, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm here to fulfill a final request and scatter an acquaintance's ashes."

Quanxi maintained her indifferent facade as she scanned Leo for any signs of an urn.

"You like the suit?" Leo asked, gesturing towards his attire. "I got accepted as a Devil Hunter."

Quanxi offered no comment, her eyes briefly flickering towards Cosmo.

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"And who's this?" Quanxi inquired, her curiosity piqued.

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"Halloween," Cosmo murmured softly, her voice tinged with resignation.

Wrapping his arm around Cosmo's shoulder, Leo introduced her. "This is Cosmo, my assigned buddy."

Quanxi's gaze lingered on Cosmo for a moment before returning to Leo. "And her suit?"

"Her body underwent significant decomposition before she transformed into a fiend, making her skin highly sensitive," Leo smoothly fabricated, lying as easily as he breathed.

"I see," Quanxi acknowledged, her interest waning.

As Leo's attention shifted, he noticed a group of three individuals approaching them.

"Who are they?" Leo inquired, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Quanxi turned around to identify the newcomers, her posture relaxing slightly.

"They're my girls," Quanxi stated matter-of-factly.

"Quanxi!" Leo mock gasped, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "You dirty dog!"

Quanxi lunged at Leo, aiming to land a blow on his teeth, but he effortlessly deflected her attack, displaying his nimble reflexes.

Leo's movements were fluid and graceful as he deftly evaded Quanxi's punch. A playful smirk adorned his lips.

"Quick reflexes, Quanxi, but you'll have to try harder than that," Leo taunted.

Quanxi's eye narrowed, a brief flicker of annoyance crossing her face. She stepped back, regaining her composure and preparing to launch another attack.

However, their impending clash was interrupted by the sudden voice of one of Quanxi's girlfriends. Her words caught both Quanxi's and Leo's attention, momentarily halting the battle.

"Got it," she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of determination and revelation.

Quanxi's girlfriend hesitated for a moment, seemingly about to divulge crucial information about Leo's contracts. But then, her expression shifted abruptly. Pure terror overtook her features, and her voice trailed off into a horrified silence.

Stumbling backward, she fell flat on her rear, desperately attempting to put distance between herself and Leo. Quanxi's concern took over as she abandoned her fighting stance and hurried to the side of her black-haired girlfriend.

"Pingtsi, what's wrong?" Quanxi's voice, though monotone, held an undercurrent of genuine concern.

Pingtsi kept her eyes locked on Leo, her gaze filled with a mix of terror and disbelief. Meanwhile, Leo maintained his composure, wearing a small smile.

"Mhmm, well I don't want to get in the way of your evening. So, I'll be going now, see ya Quanxi. It was cool seeing ya again," Leo stated before walking off.

With those words, Leo turned to walk away, leaving behind a bewildered Quanxi and her girlfriends. Cosmo, who had been observing the scene, cast a final glance at Pingtsi and the other girls before following Leo's departure.

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"Halloween?" Cosmo asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

"I don't think she liked my contracts," Leo replied casually, his words carrying a hint of amusement.

With their encounter with Quanxi and her girlfriend behind them, Leo and Cosmo made their way back to the waiting cab.

Leo held the door open for Cosmo, and they both slid into the backseat, settling themselves for the journey ahead. The cab driver, a middle-aged man with a worn expression, glanced at the two occupants through the rearview mirror.

His eyes met Cosmo's, and he couldn't help but be captivated by her ethereal appearance. However, his curiosity quickly turned to unease as he caught sight of Leo's gaze reflected in the mirror, piercing and intense.

Feeling a shiver run down his spine, the cab driver swiftly averted his eyes, focusing on the road ahead. He turned the ignition, and the cab lurched forward, setting off without a single word spoken.

The atmosphere inside the cab became somewhat tense as Leo and Cosmo remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. The city lights passed by in a blur, casting fleeting shadows on their faces.

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Back with Quanxi, her focus remained on Pingtsi, unaware of Leo's departure from the scene. Pingtsi gradually managed to calm herself down through deep breaths, but an unsettling feeling still lingered, sending occasional shivers down her spine as she recalled the memory of Leo's contracts.

"Danger, danger," Pingtsi murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, conveying the lingering unease within her.

Quanxi maintained her stoic demeanor, her monotone voice cutting through the air. "What's wrong, Pingtsi?"

Quanxi's other girlfriends, Tsugihagi and Long, gathered around Pingtsi, offering their silent support and attempting to soothe her. With gentle motions, they rubbed her back, hoping to ease her distress.

"Primal devil," Pingtsi softly whispered, the words barely audible.

Tsugihagi and Long felt a chill crawl up their spines upon hearing Pingtsi's revelation. The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, hinting at a deep-rooted fear and danger associated with the primal devils.

"Primal devil?" Quanxi repeated, her curiosity piqued.

Pingtsi nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"What were his contracts?" Quanxi asked.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Pingtsi answered with a hushed whisper. "Glass, Fire..."

Quanxi's visible eye widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Kishibe had mentioned Leo's confrontation with the Glass Devil, but the revelation of a contract with the Fire Devil caught her slightly off guard. She had anticipated the Fire Devil all things considered. But Pingtsi's next words held a revelation that would shake Tsugihagi and Long to their core.

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