"..."

"..."

"Who... what are you?!"

He didn't think it was just an illusion of his hearing. Instead, he became even more vigilant. The young man slightly hid his mutated right hand behind him, watching in all directions, listening carefully. Alongside his vigilance, a certain kind of anger erupted from him, filling the room with a repressive atmosphere.

It's a demon, right...

Could it be the culprit that caused his right hand to mutate?!

Almost instantly, he connected these two matters. He immediately felt immense anger. Has this despicable guy finally appeared? Using some unknown method to set him up, letting his right hand be gradually eroded by Demon Power, and now showing up is probably feeling very smug!

Because he didn't know his own background, the young man naturally felt disgust towards Demon Power. When he first saw the changes in his right wrist, he already realized it was the power of a demon and believed it to be a curse that would turn him into a terrifying demon...

In the past few days, he had been deeply troubled by this matter.

Now, in the middle of the night, a seemingly invisible supernatural entity suddenly visited. It didn't directly attack, even though he hadn't sensed any danger at first. Instead, it opened by talking about his mutated right hand, which naturally made him believe it was just as he thought.

"Nero, I think you may have misunderstood something, your right hand wasn't my doing, but rather... heh, never mind, you'll know in the future, the family legacy cannot be lost."

The voice had a somewhat playful laugh, with a tone that inexplicably carried a kind of malicious glee or perhaps a sense of pleasure. Because all these characteristics were too obvious, he almost immediately realized what this instance was. After carefully observing for a while, he noticed that Nero's right hand seemed to have just begun mutating.

The timeline should be set earlier in the plotline of Devil May Cry 4...

This protagonist, who inherited Vergil's bloodline, seemed to have just awakened to Demon Power not long ago. He was in a tense and furious state mixed with inevitable fear and uncertainty...

After serious consideration, feeling he could temporarily ensure his safety, Gu Mo decisively chose to make contact with this still somewhat naive fourth-generation protagonist. After all, the consciousness seed must be rooted somewhere, it's difficult to sustain for long while exposed to the outside world in a spiritual state.

For the consciousness seed, there are actually multiple ways to ensure it can take root and sprout. From directly possessing to forcefully projecting a body, these are all available backup ways. However, the former can't be misused, and the latter's drawback is significant consumption—

Because the compressed Spiritual Power reserves are one-time use.

Before finding a way to replenish, once it's used up, it's gone.

So, if in an ordinary world with a safe start, it's possible to consider directly using this method to quickly gain a bodily form, then slowly plan further actions... obviously, this world isn't suitable for that. He thought about it and felt it was better to find a tool to work for him.

"Not you? Do you think I'll believe that?"

Nero gritted his teeth and spoke angrily in a low voice, clearly not trusting this explanation. Especially given that tone full of malice, he didn't realize this was the other party trying to look amused. He subconsciously felt that this invisible demon believed victory was assured and thus exhibited an overwhelmingly condescending attitude.

Want to toy with me? ...Ridiculous!! How could I let someone like this succeed!

His gaze was sharp, filled with anger, and he also carefully observed every direction and corner of the room, trying to capture any trace. His mind was also rapidly thinking, quickly recalling the Demon Sword Order's encyclopedic information on demons.

Is it a disguise mimicry... or invisibility ability...

Where could it be hiding?

Can I seize the opportunity to strike a fatal blow?

But seemingly unable to find it, and upon careful consideration, the voice seemed to resonate directly in his consciousness... The other party seemed to be using some telepathic ability, communicating from afar? So actually, the entity could be much further away?

Damn it, how can I pull it out... He couldn't help but grow even more anxious.

"Fine, if you don't believe, then don't..." The voice continued, its tone suddenly becoming more upbeat, "Let's talk about cooperation matters next."

"Cooperation? With you?"

Nero raised his eyebrows, then mockingly and decisively refused: "Don't even think about it!!" His tone was firm and filled with a convincing belief, and you could hear his unwavering will in that resolute voice.

This guy finally revealed a flaw!

After scheming so hard against him, cursing him, and allowing his right hand to be eroded by Demon Power, it's likely that now the entity thinks it can negotiate terms with him, using that to blackmail him!

"Don't say no so quickly, regarding your right hand, I can offer you a small bit of help..." Gu Mo said calmly. His help primarily referred to psychotherapy, guiding the temporarily confused young man a little. Although he wouldn't reveal too many secrets, he could selectively disclose some information.

Letting him know this isn't a curse but resulted from his own uniqueness, naturally having only three-quarters of his body being human.

Of course—

If the other party would allow him to study that right hand, that would be even better.

Nero just sneered, not even having the will to reply. As expected, everything turned out as he expected, and still said it wasn't this guy's plot?! Seeing that he wasn't cooperating, the entity probably intended to threaten him next with his reputation, leaving him with nowhere to stand in the town?

Thinking about the heavy pressure he might have to endure next, he felt more irritated but still didn't plan to yield.

"You're not going to cooperate with me?"

The voice paused for a while, asking with some confusion.

"I think we could get along, and it's my first time planning to be a helpful guide, so give me some face, will you?"

"Even if I have to jump from here, I won't cooperate with you!" Nero smiled disdainfully and arrogantly. He didn't quite understand part of the meaning in the other's words, but regardless, he wouldn't be swayed.

"..."

"..."

"Oh, then I'll go find Jiliye..."

The voice sounded regretful, seemingly not inclined to force things, directly giving up. But the words he spoke caused Nero's face to change dramatically in an instant.

"You b-bastard! Stand still!!"

......

...

The next day.

Early morning.

In the grand chapel at the town center, members of the Demon Sword Order and town residents were doing their morning prayers as usual. The solemn and majestic church was tall and spacious, and the long windows embedded with colored glass scattered the light of dawn, shining upon rows of pews.

If not for the sacred and dignified atmosphere, one might think this was a large theater.

At the topmost place was an altar, behind which stood a majestic statue...

However, compared to ordinary divine statues, this sculpture seems to depict a... holy and majestic demon?

Yet no one had any objections or doubts about this; the town residents and the members of the Order appeared extremely pious, at least outwardly.

Nero sat in a corner, wearing a fitted, stylish black coat, with a sour expression and crossed legs. Compared to other areas around him, this corner was noticeably sparse, as if people were deliberately avoiding him.

"Hmph..."

With a displeased cold snort, he knew he had always been ostracized and out of place with the Order. He was already used to this, but today he felt especially annoyed, extremely irritable, and the odd looks and whispers from those people steadily inflated his anger level.

With no place to vent.

At this moment, a graceful figure walked into the church again. Seeing her arrival, Nero subconsciously turned his head away, avoiding eye contact with the beautiful woman.

"Nero... are, are you alright?"

But the graceful figure did not mind, instead quietly coming to sit beside him without disturbing others at prayer, and asked with concern.

"I'm fine..." Nero said quietly, taking a deep breath.

"Is that so..." Jiliye nodded, seemingly not entirely reassured, still looking at him with slightly worried eyes.

This gentle and caring gaze had always been something he couldn't resist. He could only quickly and quietly explain: "Last night... I just had a nightmare, couldn't tell for a moment, actually there was nothing, I'm fine, really fine..."

Speaking of this made him even angrier, secretly gritting his teeth.

Jiliye hesitated for a moment and subconsciously looked at his right hand wrapped tightly in bandages: "Was it because of the injury you had before..."

"Maybe... Anyway, I have a task to do today, so I'll leave first."

Nero said vaguely, noticing the morning prayer had ended, and the priest on the altar lowered his arms and opened his eyes. Instantly relieved, he quickly found an excuse to get up and leave. His mind was full of worries, and he couldn't calm down to face Jiliye.

Jiliye froze for a moment, instinctively wanting to call out to him, but only watched as the tall figure ignored her and hurriedly left, briskly walking out of the church.

Her face was immediately filled with helplessness and worry, sighing anxiously.

What is going on? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

......

"Tsk tsk, you're walking a narrow path..."

Upon hearing that voice in his consciousness criticizing and commenting on his recent behavior, Nero, now walking down the morning streets of the town, gritted his teeth, feeling his blood pressure spike. He paid attention to the people around him, murmuring angrily, "Do you think it's anyone else's fault? If it weren't for you... you, would I have caused that incident last night?"

"What does it have to do with me? You refused to cooperate, so naturally, I had to find someone else to help... young people shouldn't be too young, and isn't this current situation quite good?"

The voice in his consciousness showed no intention to admit mistakes and didn't see anything wrong with itself.

"If they're not young, can they still be called young people?" Nero hesitated, feeling even more furious but could only suppress his displeasure, he said lowly, "Anyway, we agreed, don't involve Jiliye! Otherwise, I won't let you off!"

This murderous expression, speaking furiously as if to himself, startled a few passing townsfolk, instinctively distancing themselves from him.

What's wrong with this person?

"Relax, relax, my reputation is well-known, you can trust my character..." That voice responded calmly, soothing Nero's irritable mood.

"You're not even human, where's your character... Last night you even tried to harm Jiliye!" Nero's eyes flashed with anger. If he could capture this presence, he would definitely tear it into pieces, it was too hateful!

"What harm, it sounds so terrible... I was going to give her a growth package, tailored teaching, expert guidance, guaranteed rapid progress, quickly growing according to my plan."

The voice suddenly became dissatisfied—

"If you hadn't suddenly changed your mind and insisted on cooperating with me again, you'd see, next season she would be fending off James..."

"What?"

"Oh, I mean, according to my plan, when Dante arrives at the door, your pretty boy self wouldn't need to step up; Jiliye alone could roll up her sleeves and face him..."

Since it was impossible to verify now, it wasn't afraid of boasting loudly, the voice spoke brazenly.

......

(PS: Happy Dragon Boat Festival, everyone...)