Chapter 37 – The Devil’s Shadow

The air was thick with tension.

Leon Vescari sat comfortably on Haruto's couch, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The dim glow of the ember cast faint shadows across his face, emphasizing the deep scar running down his cheek. A relic of the past—a past Haruto had tried to erase.

But no matter how deep he buried it… it always crawled back.

Haruto sat across from him, golden eyes unblinking, radiating quiet hostility. The Devil did not like being summoned.

"So, let me get this straight," Haruto said, his voice low and deadly. "You think I care about your little war?"

Leon exhaled a cloud of smoke. "It's not about caring, Haruto. It's about survival."

Haruto scoffed. "Whose survival? Mine? Or yours?"

Leon's smirk didn't fade. "Yours. Because The Revenants aren't coming for me. They're coming for you."

Silence.

Haruto didn't react. He had spent years mastering the art of unreadability.

But inside, his mind was already dissecting the situation.

The Revenants.

He had heard whispers of them before. A new syndicate. Ruthless. Unforgiving. They didn't just kill their enemies—they erased them. Families. Associates. Anyone who had even breathed the same air.

And now they wanted him.

Haruto cracked his knuckles, the sound like breaking bones. "They made a mistake."

Leon leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "No, Haruto. You did."

Haruto's eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh? Enlighten me."

Leon's smirk faded, his voice turning sharp. "You let people get too close."

A sharp, cold sensation ran through Haruto's veins.

He knew what Leon was implying.

Hemari.

His so-called father.

Everyone around him.

Haruto chuckled darkly, leaning back. "If they think that makes me weaker, they'll die screaming."

Leon studied him for a moment before sighing. "You really haven't changed, have you?"

Haruto met his gaze with a smirk. "I have."

"No, you haven't." Leon tapped his cigarette against the ashtray. "You're just lying to yourself."

Haruto said nothing.

But Leon's next words shattered the room's fragile stillness.

"If you don't act now, they'll take everything from you—just like last time."

---

The Past – The Devil's Fall

Five years ago.

The warehouse smelled of blood and gasoline.

Haruto stood amidst the carnage, his hands slick with gore. Ten bodies. All dead.

He had slaughtered them effortlessly. A blur of movement. A storm of brutality.

And yet… he had not been satisfied.

Because as he sat on their corpses, watching the flames devour everything, he had realized something terrifying.

No matter how much he killed, no matter how much blood he spilled…

He still felt empty.

And that emptiness whispered a name.

The Devil.

That was when he had disappeared. Vanished from the underworld.

But now… the shadows were calling him back.

---

Back to the Present – The Invitation

Haruto leaned forward, golden eyes sharp. "So what do you want from me, Leon?"

Leon smiled. "Join me."

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Join you?"

Leon nodded. "If we work together, we can wipe out The Revenants before they ever reach you."

Haruto chuckled darkly. "You think I need help?"

Leon sighed. "No. I think you need a leash."

Crack.

Haruto's chair splintered as his grip tightened.

"Watch your mouth, Leon."

But Leon didn't flinch.

Because he had seen it before.

That terrifying emptiness behind Haruto's eyes. The kind that didn't see people—only prey.

And that was what made The Devil unstoppable.

Leon exhaled. "I'll leave you with this, Haruto."

He reached into his pocket and slid a small black envelope across the table.

"An invitation. The Revenants are hosting a private auction tomorrow night. You'll find all your answers there."

Haruto didn't touch it. "And if I refuse?"

Leon smirked. "Then I'll have to find a way to survive when they come for you."

With that, he stood up, adjusting his suit.

"See you soon, Devil."

And then he was gone.

The past was calling.

And this time… Haruto would answer.

---

To Be Continued…