Chapter 108:A Promise is A Promise
It was checking his rewards.
A translucent crimson window unfolded before his eyes.
Name: Lucifer Morningstar
Title: The Devil
Rank:Grim Reaper(New)
Race: Human (Possessed)
Soul Authority: Seven Deadly Sins — Stage I: Sin Bearer
Weapon: Chirin (Soul Scythe)
Karma Points:2,486,300
Lucifer whistled.
"...Not bad."
Chirin floated beside him.
"Not bad? You nearly died."
"I nearly die every other day."
"...That's not something to be proud of."
Ignoring her, Lucifer continued reading.
Grim Reaper
Your mastery over Soul Energy has reached perfection.
Effects:
• Soul Energy consumption reduced to zero waste.
• Every attack now contains perfect Soul Energy efficiency.
• Recovery speed increased.
• Precision greatly enhanced.
Lucifer's lips curled upward.
"So that's the difference."
"No wasted Soul Energy..."
"Now every attack will hit exactly as I imagine."
Chirin nodded.
"For someone like you..."
"...that's terrifying."
Lucifer looked toward the remaining rewards.
Then...
Another panel appeared.
Available Karma Points
2,486,300
Spend?
Lucifer rested his chin on his hand.
"If I dump everything into strength..."
"I'll become a glass cannon."
"If I increase stamina..."
"My attacks won't hit hard enough."
He smiled.
"...Balance wins."
He pressed Confirm.
The system responded immediately.
Distributing Karma Points...
HP ↑
Strength ↑
Endurance ↑
Agility ↑
Stamina ↑
Soul Energy ↑
Perception ↑
Reaction Speed ↑
Mental Resistance ↑
Vitality ↑
Half of the Karma Points disappeared.
Immediately—
His body began changing.
His muscles tightened.
Bones cracked softly.
His heartbeat deepened.
Soul Energy flowed through every vein like liquid fire.
It didn't feel explosive.
It felt...
Perfect.
Lucifer slowly opened his hand.
"...Much better."
He could already tell.
Every movement required less effort.
Every breath carried more power.
Every heartbeat felt stronger.
The remaining Karma Points still numbered over a million.
Lucifer smiled.
"I'll save the rest."
"You actually learned restraint?"
"I'm growing."
"...A little."
A knock echoed through the room.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Lucifer opened the door.
Then...
He blinked.
"...Well."
Commander Duan stood outside.
Not in her black military uniform.
Not wearing medals.
Not carrying her commander's cloak.
Instead—
She wore a long midnight-blue dress that perfectly matched her silver hair.
The dress flowed gracefully around her figure.
Simple.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Even Lucifer...
Forgot to speak for a second.
Duan folded her arms.
"Weren't you going to say something?"
Lucifer nodded seriously.
"I've decided."
"What?"
"You look even prettier without the uniform."
"..."
"..."
Duan sighed.
"You truly never change."
"I consider that a compliment."
She turned away.
"Come."
"Our bet."
Lucifer immediately remembered.
The date.
He grinned.
"You actually kept your promise."
"I never break promises."
"That's why you'll make a wonderful wife."
"...Keep talking."
"I intend to."
She rolled her eyes.
"...Hopeless."
An hour later—
The two walked through the largest science city in the kingdom.
Unlike the quiet military base...
This place overflowed with life.
Neon advertisements illuminated the streets.
Floating trains crossed overhead.
Restaurants competed with dazzling holograms.
Children laughed.
Couples walked hand in hand.
Street musicians filled the evening with music.
Lucifer looked around with genuine curiosity.
"This world's interesting."
Duan noticed.
"First time?"
"I've been too busy surviving."
"...Fair point."
Neither of them noticed...
A familiar woman hiding behind a vending machine.
Amaira.
Wearing sunglasses.
A hoodie.
And a cap pulled far too low.
She peeked around the corner.
"...Why..."
"...am I even here?"
She answered herself immediately.
"...To make sure Commander is safe."
"...Yes."
"...That's definitely the reason."
She continued following them.
Very badly.
Lucifer suddenly stopped before an ice cream stall.
"I want one."
Duan looked at him.
"...You're worse than a child."
"A handsome child."
She sighed again.
"...Two."
The vendor smiled and handed them two cones.
Lucifer happily took a bite.
"...Marriage material."
Duan nearly dropped hers.
"What does ice cream have to do with marriage?"
"You bought me food."
"...That's your standard?"
"My standards are surprisingly simple."
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then...
Unexpectedly...
She laughed.
A soft laugh.
Not the commander's.
Not the warrior's.
Just...
A woman's laugh.
Hidden behind another stall—
Amaira froze.
"...Commander..."
"...laughed?"
At him?
Her eyebrows twitched.
She suddenly found the ice cream in her own hand incredibly annoying.
"...Why is this irritating me?"
The date continued.
Lucifer dragged Duan into bookstores.
Weapon shops.
Technology exhibitions.
Street performances.
He commented on everything.
Half of it made no sense.
The other half made Duan laugh despite herself.
"You smile more than I expected."
"I usually don't."
"You should."
"...Why?"
"It suits you."
For a brief moment...
Silence.
Duan looked away.
"...Flatterer."
As the evening deepened, the city's lights painted the streets in gold and blue.
Lucifer and Duan found themselves standing on a quiet bridge overlooking a river. Unlike the bustling marketplace behind them, this place was peaceful. Only the sound of flowing water and distant laughter filled the air.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Lucifer rested his arms on the railing.
"I didn't expect someone like you to actually keep a promise."
Duan glanced at him.
"I told you before. I never break my word."
Lucifer smiled.
"That's another reason why you'd make a great wife."
Duan rolled her eyes.
"You really never give up."
"I've already surpassed the stage of giving up."
"...Hopeless."
Despite her words, the corner of her lips curved upward.
Lucifer noticed.
"So you can smile after all."
"...Don't make a big deal out of it."
"I have to."
He took a slow step closer.
Duan instinctively looked at him.
"...What are you doing?"
"Following my heart."
"...That's the worst line I've ever heard."
"It worked enough to make you stay."
The distance between them shrank.
Only inches remained.
Duan's heartbeat quickened.
She didn't step back.
She simply looked into his crimson eyes.
Lucifer gently lifted a strand of her silver hair away from her face.
"You really are beautiful."
For the first time that evening...
Commander Duan found herself speechless.
Lucifer slowly leaned forward.
Closer.
Closer.
Their faces were only a breath apart—
Then—
"I KNEW IT!!"
A furious scream shattered the quiet night.
BOOM!
A nearby trash bin exploded as someone crashed into it.
Both Lucifer and Duan turned simultaneously.
Amaira stood there, frozen.
One hand still pointing at them.
The other clutching the shopping bags she had completely forgotten to hide.
Silence.
...
...
Lucifer blinked.
"You've been there this whole time?"
Amaira immediately realized what she'd done.
"I... I..."
She looked at the bridge.
Looked at Lucifer.
Looked at Duan.
Then quickly pointed a finger.
"I WASN'T SPYING!"
Lucifer raised an eyebrow.
"You announced yourself before I could kiss her."
"I-I DID NOT!"
"You literally shouted."
"I... I was..."
Her face turned scarlet.
"...Passing by!"
Lucifer slowly looked around the empty bridge.
"...Passing by?"
"YES!"
"...With military-issued binoculars?"
Amaira instinctively hid the binoculars behind her back.
"..."
"...Evidence has been fabricated."
Duan covered her mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
Lucifer sighed dramatically.
"You know..."
"You completely ruined the mood."
Amaira puffed out her cheeks.
"Good!"
"I mean..."
"...You shouldn't be flirting with Commander in public!"
Lucifer smiled mischievously.
"So you're jealous."
"I AM NOT!"
"Really?"
"YES!"
"So if I kiss her now—"
Before he could finish—
Amaira rushed forward and grabbed Lucifer by the collar.
"YOU ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT!"
Lucifer looked at Duan with a grin.
"See?"
"I told you."
"She likes me."
Amaira's face became even redder.
"I DON'T!"
Duan finally couldn't hold it anymore.
She burst into laughter.
A genuine, carefree laugh echoed across the bridge.
Both Lucifer and Amaira stopped arguing and looked at her.
Duan wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"...You two..."
"...are unbelievable."
For just a moment, none of them were soldiers.
None of them were warriors.
They were simply three people enjoying a peaceful night before fate once again dragged them back toward the battlefield.