The name sounded unfamiliar to Azriel. He couldn't recall it from the book, though he doubted he could trust it anymore—especially after his other self confirmed the book had never been real.
Thinking on this only raised more questions, which he quickly pushed aside, listening to the doctor as he continued without a hint of concern.
"You know, 666... I joined this organization, this cause, and follow the Supreme Archon because I believe in him—his vision, his dream. I believe we can create a new world, one where humanity will survive without despair, tragedy, or death."
The doctor continued.
"A few years ago, a phase-1 void rift opened close to my home. My wife and daughter were out that day, and the void creatures found them. They devoured them like animals, unmoved by their screams and pleas. By the time I arrived, it was too late… we humans are too weak. There must be a change, and you, 666—I believe you are part of that change."
Azriel blinked, watching the doctor's expression turn serious, the usual smile erased. In his hand was a syringe, but this time the liquid inside wasn't clear. It was black.
A chill ran through Azriel's body as he swallowed, his gaze fixed on the syringe.
"A dose of Elenium-5 will keep you from overusing your energy. It'll weaken your body, making mana use nearly impossible. But this…" he paused, lifting the syringe slightly, "this isn't Elenium-5. It's something I've spent the past four years developing, something the Supreme Archon had a vision for. He granted me every resource I needed to complete it."
Azriel watched the dark liquid trail down the needle, feeling a new wave of panic as he clenched his jaw.
"PE-0. That's what I call this beauty. It's meant to temporarily boost your strength enough to take on someone two grades higher. It's a replica of the blood of beings we can't even comprehend. But because it's derived from such beings, most humans can't handle it… they die painful, excruciating deaths."
The doctor's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Azriel, who instinctively flinched.
"So, I wonder, 666… will you survive?"
Azriel glanced at the syringe with dread but didn't thrash or panic. There was no point. He'd already resigned himself to whatever happened here. Pain was just pain—he had endured more than enough today. If it hurt, perhaps it would at least distract him from what he was trying to escape in his mind.
Without a word, Azriel turned his head, looking up again. The doctor blinked, surprised by his compliance, then laughed.
"Well, I knew my instincts about you were right. I trust you, 666… I trust you'll survive this."
The next thing Azriel felt was the needle piercing his skin, and the black liquid seeping into his arm.
Then… his entire arm began to burn.
The sensation grew steadily, the pain building until it was unbearable. Azriel gritted his teeth, eyes clenching shut as he squirmed in agony. The pain intensified, spreading across his body, until muffled groans escaped his mouth.
He opened his bloodshot eyes, feeling the fire consume his entire being.
He bit down, teeth sinking into his lip as his body convulsed in agony. It was as though he were boiling alive, his skin blistering and melting from the inside. When he glanced at his right arm, he saw thick black veins throbbing, spreading across his body—even his face.
He couldn't hold back anymore, unleashing a blood-curdling scream as he felt his body consumed in unimaginable pain, each second a torture he couldn't endure.
"Endure, 666… it'll be over soon."
He barely registered the doctor's voice through the haze. He no longer felt anger; all he wanted was for the pain to end.
'It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.'
It hurt beyond what he thought possible, pushing him to the edge of madness. His consciousness drifted, slipping further with each agonizing second.
'If you break, everything will have been for nothing,'
a voice echoed in his mind.
All of this will be wasted. So don't… lose your mind, Azriel.
Suddenly, a thought flickered in his mind—his other self, the one who had taken the lives of the Karumi family. Out of every memory, it was this one that surfaced, just as he was on the brink of losing himself.
For some reason, he couldn't ignore those words—especially the last.
Azriel set his resolve. He gritted his teeth, his face reddened and his body crawling with sickening black veins. His eyes had turned bloodshot, nearly as crimson as his pupils. But he refused to scream again.
Noticing the shift in Azriel's expression, the doctor's eyes widened, a flicker of hope visible.
"Don't die on me, 666… you're almost there… almost!"
The doctor's voice barely reached Azriel, who could only hear one thing, over and over.
'Live. Live. Live. Live. Live…'
He would survive. He wasn't going to die here, not now. Not ever.
And then, after what felt like an eternity of burning, the pain began to fade. The moment it did, Azriel gasped for air, chest heaving as he lay there drenched in sweat. The veins on his body receded, leaving no trace of the torment.
A voice broke through beside him.
"It was a success… a real success. Enhancing one's strength to such a degree… it's possible!"
The doctor looked exhausted, as though he'd endured the pain alongside Azriel, but his face was alight with triumph.
"You did great, 666… magnificent, in fact."
Azriel turned his head away, saying nothing as he tried to steady his breath.
That was all that mattered. Even if this was just a memory, Azriel didn't want to die here. He didn't know what would happen if he did—what might become of his real body, still sleeping.
'How much time has passed there…? It won't be the same as here…'
Distracting himself from the lingering pain, his thoughts grew troubled. He had no idea if time moved slower or faster here than in the void realm with Joaquin and Jasmine.
And Joaquin was still in danger…
He shook his head slightly.
'I can't do anything about that. Only here.'
"We can't waste this opportunity, 666. You must feel strong, like you could tear down mountains. Let's go… and test your limits."
The doctor rose, unfastening Azriel's restraints. Azriel leaned forward, rubbing his wrists.
'He's right… I've never felt this strong.'
Despite the pain he'd endured, Azriel felt an intense surge of power. He looked at the doctor, briefly considering an attack, but dismissed the thought.
'No more rash decisions.'
He rose from the bed, still dressed in the hospital gown, and followed the doctor out of the room, his steps steady this time.