In the previous chapter, we saw the class teacher introduce a new student named Ron. As the math test began, Alex focused entirely on solving the problems, while on the other side of the classroom, Ron seemed to be experiencing a strange sensation, as if something was off.
After completing his test, Alex stood up and walked toward the teacher's desk to submit his paper. However, the teacher stopped him. "You need to recheck your paper before submitting it," the teacher instructed. Alex nodded and quickly reviewed his answers. As he did, he glanced around and noticed his friend Andrew still writing his test.
When Alex finally submitted his paper, he noticed something unusual—someone had already turned in their test before him. Who could have finished before me? he wondered. He instinctively tried to check the roll number on the submitted paper, but before he could get a clear look, the teacher interrupted.
"Alex, why are you standing here? Submit your paper and return to your seat," the teacher said sternly.
Alex hesitated but followed the instructions, though suspicion lingered in his mind. Did someone make a mistake with the roll number? he thought. Before he could dwell on it further, the bell rang, signaling the end of the test. The rest of the students handed in their papers, and soon, the college day came to an end.
Alex walked home with his friend Andrew, their conversation shifting to a past incident.
"That punch you landed on Steve's face was epic!" Andrew laughed.
Alex smirked. "That was an accident! A strong gust of wind pushed me, and my hand hit Steve's face. Honestly, I was lucky the teacher didn't punish me. But man, Steve was humiliated. He had to walk around the school clucking like a chicken!"
Both of them burst into laughter at the memory.
After a while, Alex casually asked, "Hey, what's your roll number again?"
Andrew replied, "Thirty-seven."
Alex frowned. "I thought your roll number was thirty-six?"
Andrew shook his head. "It was, but when Ron joined, my roll number changed that same day."
Alex nodded slowly. "Oh... I see."
Andrew then pointed to something in Alex's hand. "By the way, why are you carrying that light blue stone? It looks beautiful."
Alex looked down at the small, glowing crystal he had been unknowingly clutching. Before he could respond, they reached Andrew's house. Andrew waved and said, "Alright, see you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" Alex replied as he continued walking home.
Just like the first chapter night before, the streets were silent, the evening air heavy with an unsettling stillness. Alex was halfway home when—out of nowhere—a demon lunged at him from the shadows!
Panicked, Alex turned and tried to run, but the demon was too fast. It grabbed his bag, yanking him back with supernatural force.
"How did you know the crystal was in there?" Alex gasped, struggling to break free.
The demon let out a chilling chuckle. "Thanks to your friend, Andrew," it hissed. "When he asked about it earlier, I was there... listening."
Alex's eyes widened in horror. Before he could react, the demon disappeared, vanishing into the darkness as if it had never been there.
For a moment, Alex stood frozen, gripping his empty backpack. But then, slowly, a victorious smile spread across his face.
The demon had fallen for the trap.
Before leaving Andrew's house, Alex had told him, "You need to take care of my bag."
The crystal was never with Alex—it was safe with Andrew.
Meanwhile, in Hell…
The demon arrived in the underworld, holding the stolen crystal triumphantly. It approached the Demon Lord, bowing before presenting its prize.
"My Lord, the crystal is finally in our possession!" the demon declared.
The Demon Lord's fiery eyes narrowed as he examined the glowing blue gem. But the moment he touched it, his expression changed. His grip tightened as realization struck.
"We have made a grave mistake," he muttered.
Before anyone could react—
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, engulfing everything in a blinding white light. The crystal, a cleverly crafted bomb made by the great sage, the explosion spread across a 500-meter diameter, consuming everything in its path with a powerful blast.
Hell trembled. The Demon Lord roared in fury and pain. The demons who had sought to claim the crystal had unknowingly sealed their own fate.
Back on Earth…
Alex, still standing in the dimly lit street, felt a faint tremor beneath his feet. A gust of wind brushed past him, carrying an eerie whisper.
He smirked.
One less problem to deal with.