Three years ago, during the three years of training —Diablo, Veronica, Levi, Sughi, and Tomoa were gathered inside Kojin's office. The atmosphere was calm, yet heavy with importance.
Kojin leaned back in his chair and spoke first.
"You all know why I called you here," he said. "You five are the top-ranking soldiers of this city, so it only makes sense that I bring this matter to you."
Levi crossed his arms.
"What's so important that you had to summon all of us?"
Kojin nodded slightly.
"The reason I called you here is to evaluate our young assassins and soldiers for promotion to the next rank—B-Rank."
He continued calmly.
"These kids have shown exceptional skill even before reaching C-Rank. Unlike other young assassins in this city, these specific individuals have demonstrated power far beyond their peers. And notably… they all belong to your teams."
Diablo smiled faintly.
"If you're proposing their promotion, then I have no objections," he said. "We've been observing our students for a while now. Their potential is surprisingly promising."
Kojin nodded again and began listing names.
"Kinto, Sukuna, and Baraka from Team Levi.
Mori, Sughi, and Runo from Team Sughi.
Son and Raquel from Team Tomoa.
And finally—Alex, Kazuki, and Serena from Team Diablo."
He folded his hands together.
"All of these students will be evaluated for B-Rank promotion. However, they must first be tested and constantly be evaluated. The Lightning Country will be engaging us in battle within a few years. We will use that conflict as their assessment."
Veronica raised an eyebrow.
"Surely you didn't call us here just for this, did you?"
Kojin smirked slightly.
"Let me ask you something," he said. "If any of these students were to reach A-Rank or higher, who would it be?"
Levi, Sughi, and Tomoa fell silent for a moment. After a pause, Sughi spoke.
"There's no doubt that they're all powerful," he admitted. "But I don't see any of them going beyond B-Rank or maybe A-Rank. Even if one of them somehow reached S-Rank… the chances are slim."
Diablo suddenly let out a quiet giggle.
"It's obvious," he said. "Alex and Kazuki."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I'm not saying this just because they're my students. I've seen what they're capable of. Their resilience, determination, and raw power far surpass the others. I'd say before they even reach twenty… they'll be on God Rank."
Veronica nodded in agreement.
"I'd also like to include Raquel, Tomoa's student." she added. "Unlike other female soldiers, her defensive capabilities and power are more exceptional than others. She also has a great deal of speed, but she's not entirely used to her speed yet. Raquel possesses a hidden ability that could place her on God Rank as well."
She glanced at Diablo.
"But he's right. Alex and Kazuki take the lead—especially when you consider who their parents were."
Kojin chuckled quietly.
"I would've liked to include Sōn as well," he said, "but I know his limits. His potential doesn't quite reach that level yet."
He stood up.
"It's decided. Alex and Kazuki will be the ones we depend on for special threats. From this point forward… they will be known as the Hell's Duo."
Current Day—
Alex and Kazuki were locked in battle against Zodia.
They moved through the air like beams of light, colliding and separating in flashes of power. Each clash triggered devastating explosions that tore through the battlefield.
Kazuki unleashed massive purple lightning bolts at Zodia, while Alex formed gigantic Blades of Death and hurled them relentlessly. Zodia weaved through their attacks, using his Sword of Calamity to block and deflect their assaults with precise movements.
As he evaded their strikes, Zodia thought to himself:
I could easily stop time and avoid all of this… but time stop consumes a massive amount of energy. Considering I'm not at full power, I can't use my other techniques freely.
His eyes narrowed.
"All I can rely on right now are time stop, reflect, illusion techniques, and mind control. Soul manipulation is off the table… but even so, the gap in speed and power between us is overwhelming."
Alex and Kazuki charged at him simultaneously—one wielding a Blade of Death, the other engulfed in purple flames.
Zodia raised his sword and blocked both attacks.
The impact released a massive shockwave that traveled across the planet, shaking the earth violently.
As he held them back, Zodia smirked internally.
"I could ask Ukina to send me the Manellia Stones and regain my full power as a god… but that would be boring. Ending everything with one strike is dull. This is enough."
The force of the clash sent Alex and Kazuki crashing back to the ground. They landed hard, breathing heavily.
"This guy…" Alex muttered. "He's ridiculously strong. How does he keep avoiding everything we throw at him? He hasn't even used anything flashy yet."
Kazuki wiped blood from his mouth.
"I know," he replied. "He's on a completely different tier. At the very least, he's S-Rank. And even then… it feels like he's still holding back. Or worse—not at full power."
Zodia stood across from them, calm and composed.
"Like I said earlier," he said. "You boys are strong—far stronger than those useless soldiers who challenged me. Stronger even than those four frauds who call themselves Lords."
He tilted his head.
"But tell me something. Why are you both so obsessed with power? I can see it in the way you fight—throwing everything out without concern for how much energy you burn."
Alex smirked.
"Well would you look at that, he's actually trying to understand us. As for me," he said, "I want to be the strongest so I can become a Lord. Sounds stupid and childish, I know—I've realized that myself. But I like the title. It carries weight. Power. And… I want to fix this world while am at it."
Kazuki smiled confidently.
"I just want to be the strongest," he said. "Not to change society or chase some grand ideal. I want to be the kind of person that would make people hesitate before challenging me."
Zodia froze for a moment—then began laughing "Hahahahahhaha!.
The laughter grew louder, filled with excitement, as a massive surge of energy burst from his body "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!".
"You both want to be the strongest?" he roared.
"Then I'll be the one to decide if you're worthy!"
The sky trembled.
"If you fail to defeat me, I'll erase this planet—and all of existence! But if you somehow manage to defeat me…"
His grin widened.
"…then I'll quietly fade away. Let's see how you plan to change this corrupt world when you can't even defeat me!"
Zodia raised his hand.
"Ultimate Technique: Divine Judgment."
Magic circles erupted across the battlefield.
END OF CHAPTER.