The Sheep's Cloak...
Its special ability was Concealment.
It could disguise Demonic Energy, making it appear—and even feel—as Sacred Energy.
To accomplish that, however, it had to convert the user's Demonic Energy into Sacred Energy by dividing the user's current energy.
At first, I thought I'd gotten incredibly lucky.
Honestly... I even wondered why an item this useful was being sold in the Shop at my current level.
A bitter smile formed on Evans' lips.
Now I know why.
It wasn't enough.
In the end... it failed.
His thoughts grew quieter.
I guess I don't have time to dwell on that anymore.
After all... Zach is about to take my head off.
Slowly, Evans closed his eyes.
The sounds around him faded.
The world itself seemed to slow to a crawl.
So this...
...is how my life ends.
Suddenly—
A hand seized his face.
Everything went black.
...
"Well..."
"I guess this is where my story ends."
Evans held his breath.
His neck felt as though it had been seized by an iron grip.
Then...
The pressure suddenly disappeared.
He blinked.
Wait...
Am I... already dead?"
Before he could make sense of anything, the darkness surrounding him slowly began to fade.
His body dropped heavily onto the floor.
A faint white glow filled his vision.
Voices echoed all around him.
"Wait... what's happening?"
"Why is everyone shouting?"
He winced, still dazed.
"Could someone at least tell me what's going on..."
Slowly, he forced his eyes open.
The first thing he saw was the crystal.
It was glowing.
Not with the majestic golden radiance from before...
But with a steady, dim white light.
Evans' eyes widened.
"No way..."
Rose stared at the tablet in her trembling hands.
"It's rising..."
Her voice quivered with excitement.
"His Sacred Energy is rising!"
The chamber erupted into chaos.
"What?!"
"His energy level is increasing!"
"Does that mean he actually possesses Sacred Energy?"
"How is that possible?"
Even the members of the Council of Light were visibly surprised.
Camellia leaned forward slightly.
"So... he truly possesses Sacred Energy."
Even her calm demeanor couldn't completely hide her astonishment.
Rayden clicked his tongue.
"Damn it."
"How is that possible?"
"It clearly registered as zero just moments ago."
Finn folded his arms thoughtfully.
"...Let's wait."
"I want to see where this ends."
Evans slowly climbed to his feet, still struggling to process everything that had happened.
Nearby, Zach remained perfectly still, silently observing both Evans and the crystal.
Even Arthur and Ruby stared in disbelief.
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
"So..."
"He really does have Sacred Energy."
His usually emotionless face showed the faintest trace of surprise.
At last...
The white glow faded away.
Rose lowered her gaze to the tablet.
A smile of relief appeared on her face.
She took a deep breath before announcing the result.
"Sacred Energy Level..."
"...One hundred."
She looked up, making sure everyone in the chamber could hear her.
"Evans Ashford has officially awakened as a C-Rank Sacred Warrior."
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the room.
"A C-Rank..."
"That's incredible..."
"So he really wasn't a demon..."
Rayden let out a disappointed scoff.
"So much suspense..."
"And he's only a C-Rank."
"How boring."
Camellia released a quiet sigh.
"Perhaps."
"But I'm still curious."
"His Sacred Energy didn't exist one moment..."
"...and then suddenly appeared."
Evans pressed a trembling hand against his chest.
His heartbeat refused to slow.
It worked...
The Sheep's Cloak actually worked...
He let out a shaky breath.
Looks like it simply needed time to convert my Demonic Energy into Sacred Energy.
Just then...
Zach stepped forward.
His tired eyes shifted from Evans to the crystal.
Though his expression remained as lazy as ever...
There was now a trace of caution hidden within his gaze.
"Evans."
"Touch the crystal again."
The chamber instantly fell silent.
Evans looked toward Zach.
A knot formed in his stomach as he faced Zach with a bit of hesitation but he had no choice anyways.
Please...
Don't fail me now.
He slowly walked back toward the machine.
Stopping before the crystal, he took one deep breath.
"...Here goes nothing."
He placed his hand on the crystal once again.
The soft white glow returned.
Several tense seconds passed.
Then...
The light faded.
Rose immediately checked the tablet.
A relieved smile crossed her face.
"The result is unchanged."
She looked toward the council.
"His Sacred Energy remains at one hundred."
"His rank is still C-Rank."
Evans nearly collapsed with relief.
Thank goodness...
It really worked.
The Sheep's Cloak hadn't failed after all.
It had simply required time to fully conceal his Demonic Energy.
Camellia rose gracefully from her seat.
Her calm yet commanding voice silenced the chamber once more.
"Now that the assessment has concluded..."
"What shall be the Council of Light's final judgment regarding Evans Ashford?"
"I say we place him under constant surveillance."
Rayden's voice echoed through the chamber.
"Better yet..."
"Transfer him to my branch."
Evans' heart skipped a beat.
If I end up in Rayden's branch...
I might as well consider asking them to execute me here.
Camellia thoughtfully folded her hands.
"I believe the most reasonable—"
"I'll take the boy."
Zach's calm voice interrupted her before she could finish.
The entire chamber fell silent.
Finn slowly raised a hand.
"Don't I get a vote in this?"
His mature voice carried a hint of amusement.
Camellia smiled faintly.
"Then let's discuss it together."
"We can also hear the opinions of the Sacred Warriors and officials present before reaching a final decision."
Zach let out a quiet sigh.
He lazily rubbed his forehead before speaking again.
"Then let me rephrase it."
He lowered his hand and looked directly toward the council.
"Evans Ashford will remain under my supervision in the Delta Branch."
His tone remained perfectly calm.
"But this is not a request."
"It's a decision."
Even the room itself seemed to grow quieter.
Rayden clenched his jaw before slowly exhaling.
"You've never cared about what happened to anyone."
His eyes narrowed.
"So the fact that you're insisting on keeping this kid..."
"...means you've noticed something."
Finn nodded thoughtfully.
"I was thinking the same thing."
Camellia remained silent for several moments before finally speaking.
"So be it."
She rose gracefully from her seat.
"By the unanimous decision of the Council of Light..."
"Evans Ashford shall remain under the supervision of Council Member Zach Hollow."
"He will henceforth be assigned to the Delta Branch."
The verdict echoed throughout the chamber.
For several seconds...
Evans simply lay there on the floor.
His vision blurred.
Warm tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.
...I did it.
A miracle really happened.
Mom...
Sis...
Little brother...
You can stop worrying now.
Your big brother finally became a Sacred Warrior.
A shaky laugh escaped him.
I sound so cheesy...
But I don't even care.
I'm alive.
I actually survived.
After everything that had happened...
For the first time since accepting the Forbidden Demon System...
I could finally breathe without wondering if someone was about to execute him.
Soft footsteps approached.
Rose quietly knelt beside him.
Without saying a word, she gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead.
Her usual professionalism melted away, revealing only quiet concern.
"Please..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Keep living."
She offered him a small smile before rising to her feet and walking away.
Evans watched her leave.
Thank you, Rose.
You've helped me more than you'll ever know.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly stood up.
The instant he did...
Someone gently took hold of his hand.
He looked down.
Ruby smiled warmly at him.
Standing just behind her...
Arthur watched the scene in silence.
One by one, the Sacred Warriors and officials began leaving the chamber.
The members of the Council of Light had already departed, most likely through a private passage hidden from everyone else.
Ruby stretched her arms behind her head before turning toward Evans with an excited smile.
"You must feel incredible."
She laughed softly.
"You just stood face-to-face with the Council of Light and lived to tell the tale."
Arthur folded his arms across his chest.
"I have to admit..."
He glanced toward Zach.
"I never imagined he'd step in to protect someone."
There was the slightest hint of surprise in his otherwise calm voice.
Evans rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
Honestly...
I thought Zach would be the first person to want me dead.
He chuckled.
"Yeah..."
"So did I."
Zach barely looked in his direction.
Without slowing his pace, he spoke in his usual calm, indifferent tone.
"Let's go, kid."
Evans took one last look at the chamber behind him.
Only a few minutes ago...
He had believed this room would become his grave.
Instead...
It had become the place where his life truly began.
I don't know what awaits me at the Delta Branch now that I've officially become a Sacred Warrior.
But one thing is certain.
I won't give up.
Giving up isn't an option anymore.
And I won't let the Forbidden Demon System break me.
Not until I've become the strongest...
...and changed this broken world.
A determined smile slowly appeared on his face.
Without another word, Evans followed Zach, with Arthur and Ruby close behind.
Together, the four of them walked toward the brilliant light pouring through the open doorway—
Toward an uncertain future.
Toward the beginning of a new chapter in Evans Ashford's journey.