Inside a shattered hut soaked in half-born darkness, a child sat curled beside a bed, arms wrapped tightly around himself—as if trying to keep his own existence from falling apart.

  The bed beside him was frail, barely holding together, draped with a torn and yellowed sheet that had long forgotten cleanliness.

  Upon it lay a woman with closed eyes. A rotting stench clung to her skin, thick and unavoidable. Flies swarmed her body in restless circles, yet she did not stir.

  She could .

  Light suddenly pierced the hut.

  The child lifted his head.

  Standing at the doorway was Mr. Lucifer, dressed in a suit. He looked at the child with questioning eyes, as if silently asking something.

  “Milo?”

  Milo stared at him blankly and said, “Mom… she isn’t waking up. I’ve been trying for two days.”

  He paused, then added quietly, “Can you wake her up for me…?”

  Lucifer remained silent.

  Something inside Milo snapped.

  His eyes burned. He grabbed the glass lying near the bed and hurled it with all his strength.

  “You want money too, don’t you?! Everyone does!” he shouted. “Wake my mother! Take me instead—make me your slave! I don’t have money… but you cannot take her away from me!”

  Anger twisted his face, mixed with hope so desperate it hurt to look at. Tears clung to his lashes, but his eyes were no longer innocent—they were filled with a depthless darkness.

  And on his lips— an innocent, devilish smile. The kind that could lie to gods.

  

  He was sitting in Aniket’s living room, yawning.

  His gaze drifted to the clock—it was 9:18 in the morning.

  Footsteps reached his ears, and as they drew closer, a delicious aroma filled his senses.

  Aniket placed the food on the table in front of Milo and sat down on the sofa opposite him.

  Milo looked at him with confusion and said, “You called me because you wanted to know something, right?”

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  Aniket smiled. “No… actually… there was no one to have breakfast and talk with me today, so I called you.”

  Milo made a face and thought, “Who wastes money on something so pointless?”

  Just then Aniket said, “It’s my money… my wish. I earn far more than what I pay someone to sit and talk with me during breakfast.”

  Startled, Milo quickly said, “Oh—no! I—I wasn’t thinking that!”

  Aniket leaned forward slightly. “I said it the same way.”

  For a moment, silence settled between them.

  Like a suspicious person, Milo stared at the food, then lifted a spoon and smelled it. Aniket calmly observed every movement.

  Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

  As Aniket went to open the door, Milo began eating hurriedly. Moments later, he heard footsteps again.

  Turning around, he saw Aditya with Aniket. Immediately, Milo pretended to eat politely, slowing himself down.

  Aniket said to Aditya, “Your coming today went to waste! Your wild cat has gone—to help Rivan.”

  Hearing this, Aditya looked at the bag he had brought and said sadly, “I can’t help those two… I just can’t find the time.”

  Aniket placed a hand on his shoulder. “Your eyes look red. Didn’t you sleep last night?”

  Aditya looked away. “No need to worry about me. I’m fine—”

  He was about to finish when his gaze fell on Milo, sitting in front of them, stuffing his mouth like a squirrel while listening intently to their conversation.

  Feeling Aditya’s eyes on him, Milo immediately turned his face away and began eating slowly.

  Seeing this, Aditya took a deep breath and looked at Aniket.

  Aniket avoided his gaze and walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll bring breakfast for you too.”

  Aditya sighed, as if thinking, “There’s no fixing this guy.”

  He went and sat beside Milo.

  Seeing Aditya, Milo began eating with the refined manners of a rich gentleman. Aditya watched him sideways, understanding everything.

  The silence between them didn’t last long.

  Aditya spoke first. “You can quit the job I gave you.”

  Milo immediately responded, “Why?? Did you find someone better than me?!”

  Aditya looked at him in confusion, while Milo continued rapidly, “It’s only been a few days! I agree I should’ve given some updates, but finding information takes time—especially about the Grin Reaper! Give me some time… I’ll bring you his address!”

  Aditya placed a hand on Milo’s shoulder. “You’re nineteen, right?”

  Milo narrowed his eyes and nodded.

  Aditya continued, “Finding information on the Grin Reaper is difficult and dengerous…”

  “That’s exactly why you should trust me with this job!” Milo said, eyes shining.

  Aditya took a deep breath and looked at him. The strange concern and affection in his eyes made Milo fall silent and turn away.

  Taking out some boxes from the bag he had brought, Aditya said, “I have a younger sister… Ira. And you’ve already met Rivan.”

  Hearing this, Milo cleared his throat and picked up a glass of water to drink as Aditya continued,

  “They’re both just one year older than you. I thought a lot… tried convincing my heart. I know you’re the one who can find the Grin Reaper’s address—because you’re known in the underworld and assassin world—but… my heart won’t agree.

  I see Ira and Rivan in you. That’s why I don’t want to give you such a dangerous job. As for the money… I’ll still give you everything I promised. Take it and start a normal life…”

  He stopped mid-sentence as Milo suddenly stood up.

  Milo’s expression had changed.

  Breaking the silence, he said, “Milo takes only what he has a right to. And the money I have a right to is the money I earn by putting something at stake. Don’t compare me to your tiny little prince and princess! I was alone… I am alone… and I will remain alone!

  I will finish this job. And I will take what is rightfully mine!”

  He turned to leave.

  “Hey,” Aniket called casually. “We had a deal—breakfast and conversation. Are you canceling?”

  Milo instantly ran back and sat down. “Of course not! Just get the money ready… I only accept cash!”

  Aniket sat in front of him and said, “That much cash is already lying in my house! For now, focus on eating. Tell me—how did I make everything?”

  And just like that, their conversation continued.

  Aditya listened silently.

  Elsewhere

  At the sound of his footsteps, Anamika jolted upright.

  Koyo stopped before her cage and smiled beautifully.

  “Would you like to see the outside world?”

  Shock froze her.

  She searched his face—trying to decide whether this was truth, a dream, or another cruel game.

  But Koyo wore his mask perfectly.

  Nothing slipped through.