Night had already settled over the small house.
The last traces of sunset had long since faded, leaving the world outside wrapped in deep darkness. A cool night breeze slipped quietly through the slightly open window, causing the thin curtain to sway back and forth.
Inside the room, a faint lantern cast a dim orange glow across the wooden floor.
Rika moved quietly around the room, finishing her preparations for the night. Her footsteps were soft, almost careful, as if she didn't want to disturb the silence.
A simple mattress had been laid neatly on the floor for Renji.
Rika had originally planned to sleep somewhere else, perhaps in the living room, to give him some privacy. But after seeing his condition earlier that day, she decided it would be better to stay nearby just in case something happened.
Soon after, she laid down and closed her eyes.
Within minutes, her breathing slowed into the steady rhythm of sleep.
The room grew quiet.
But Renji was still awake.
He lay on the mattress staring at the ceiling, his hands resting beside him.
Sleep refused to come.
Inside his body, Mizuki's presence lingered quietly like a faint warmth in the back of his mind.
Renji turned slightly onto his side.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…Mizuki."
For a moment there was silence.
Then her voice appeared inside his thoughts—soft, calm, and clear.
"Yes, Renji?"
He hesitated before speaking again.
"…The Hell General."
There was a pause.
Not long.
But long enough to feel heavy.
Finally, Mizuki responded.
"Listen carefully, Renji."
Her tone was gentle, but firm.
"This world is not as peaceful as it appears."
Renji remained silent.
Mizuki continued.
"A long time ago, demons occupied an entire kingdom in this world."
Her voice echoed faintly within his mind.
"That kingdom is ruled by the Demon King."
Renji frowned slightly.
"…So the Demon King is their ruler."
"Yes."
"And the Hell Generals?"
"They are his highest commanders."
Renji shifted slightly on the mattress.
Mizuki continued explaining.
"The Hell Generals are among the most powerful demons in existence."
"They command vast armies and control large territories within the demon kingdom."
Renji let out a quiet breath.
"Oh…"
His thoughts spun as he tried to process everything.
"So… they're basically like the Demon King's generals."
"Exactly."
Then Mizuki spoke again.
"There are nine Hell Generals in total."
Renji blinked slowly.
"Nine?"
"Yes."
Her tone grew slightly more serious.
"Five of them are classified as S-rank demons."
"They are extremely powerful, but still slightly weaker than the others."
Renji swallowed.
"And the rest?"
"The remaining four are known as Elite Hell Generals."
Her voice became colder.
"They are the most powerful demons under the Demon King himself."
Renji's mind immediately jumped to a certain memory.
A towering presence.
An overwhelming aura.
"…Ozyrith."
Mizuki answered immediately.
"Yes."
Renji exhaled slowly.
"…So that guy was one of them."
"You were fortunate."
Her voice carried a quiet seriousness.
"Very fortunate."
Renji frowned.
"…Why?"
"Because he allowed you to leave."
A chill ran down Renji's spine.
"If he had decided otherwise… you would not be alive right now."
The room felt colder.
Renji stared into the darkness for a few seconds.
His mind tried to imagine the scale of power Mizuki was describing.
Nine beings like that…
Serving under something even stronger.
"…This world is insane," Renji muttered quietly.
Before Mizuki could respond—
A soft voice broke the silence.
"Renji?"
Renji blinked.
He turned his head slightly.
Rika was laying on the bed while Renji was laying in the floor with just a mattress and a pillow.
Her hair was slightly messy from sleep, and her eyes were only half open.
"Are you still awake?"
Her voice was gentle, almost sleepy.
Renji answered quietly.
"…Yeah."
"I woke up for a moment."
Rika rubbed her eyes lightly.
"Is it uncomfortable sleeping there?"
Renji shook his head.
"No… it's fine."
Rika looked at him for a moment.
Then she spoke softly.
"If it's hard to sleep down there… we can swap places."
Renji didn't answer immediately.
Instead, a different thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
His chest tightened slightly.
"…Mom…"
His voice became quiet.
Almost fragile.
"I want to go to Mom…"
Rika froze slightly after hearing that.
But before she could respond—
Mizuki spoke again inside Renji's mind.
"Both of you should sleep now."
Her tone was calm, but instructive.
"Your bodies need rest."
Renji blinked.
"…Rest?"
"Yes."
She continued.
"To restore your mana, you must sleep."
Renji frowned slightly.
"My mana… powers yours, right?"
"Yes."
"If your mana drops too low… I will not be able to act."
Renji sighed softly.
"…Great."
Another responsibility.
Still…
His body really was exhausted.
The events of the day, the injuries, the emotional shock—everything had drained him.
"…Okay."
His voice softened.
"I'll sleep."
Rika turned black on her side.
The lantern's light flickered faintly.
Outside, the night wind rustled through the trees.
Renji slowly closed his eyes.
The weight of exhaustion finally began to pull him down.
But before sleep fully claimed him—
One final thought passed quietly through his mind.
(Mom…)
(I want to come back to you.)
His breathing gradually slowed.
And soon, the room returned to silence as sleep finally took him.