It was raining the kind of rain that drowned out screams.

  Inside the Exorcist Headquarters, alarms blared as a trembling voice echoed through the halls.

  "Emergency alert. The Unezugawa District is under attack. A horde of devils has breached the perimeter."

  Seventeen-year-old Haruto ran through the shattered streets, his shoes splashing through rainwater mixed with blood. His chest burned. His lungs screamed. But he didn't stop.

  Minutes ago, he had watched his mother get torn apart before his eyes. Her hand had reached out to him — not to save herself, but to push him away.

  Run.His father had stood between him and the monster, gripping a trembling blade.

  "Don't look back, Haruto!"

  He did look back.

  And he saw his father disappear beneath claws born from humanity's darkest fear.

  THE ABANDOMENT DEVIL...

  A creature formed from the fear of being left alone.

  Now it chased him.

  Its distorted body dragged across the asphalt behind him, whispering in dozens of broken voices.

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  "You're alone… you've always been alone…"Haruto's legs finally gave in. He stumbled into the middle of the street.The devil appeared before him, blocking his path.Its hollow face bent downward.It waited for him to tremble.

  To beg.To cry.Haruto didn't.His eyes were empty.

  The rain slid down his face, but no tears followed.

  He had already lost everything.The Abandonment Devil tilted its head. Confused.

  To provoke fear, it reached into a nearby alley and grabbed a little girl hiding behind debris. Her scream pierced the storm as the devil crushed her mercilessly before him.

  Haruto didn't move.Didn't flinch.Didn't scream.

  The devil's voices became frantic."Fear me."It lunged toward him.Still nothing."What are you?" it hissed. "Then die without fear!"Before its claws could reach him—A flash of crimson split the rain.

  In an instant, the Abandonment Devil was erased.

  Silence followed.

  A new presence filled the air — suffocating, ancient."Well… do not kill the brave."Haruto slowly looked up.Floating above the corpse was something far worse.Pale skin stretched over a skeletal frame. Black veins crawled across its exposed body. Crimson eyes glowed like dying stars.

  The Crimson Devil...

  A name whispered in history books. The devil that once nearly destroyed humanity. Defeated centuries ago by legendary exorcists.And now… standing before him.It examined Haruto closely."Most humans tremble at my presence," it murmured. "Yet you do not. I am… amazed. You have enough guts for a high schooler."It leaned closer."What do you actually feel?"Haruto's voice came out hoarse."You just want me to fear you, right?"The Crimson Devil chuckled softly."Do not be angry, child. I simply wish to lend you a hand in the coming battles."Haruto's eyes sharpened."I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP, YOU MONSTER!"The devil's crimson gaze narrowed."You want to survive?"Haruto hesitated.Then he nodded.A contract materialized between them, ink swirling like blood."Spill your blood," the devil said. "In exchange for my power… you will lose one precious memory each time you use it."Haruto stared at the words.His mother's smile.His father's voice.The warmth of home."I have to move on," he whispered. "Forgetting Mom and Dad's death… I will do it."He bit his finger.And let the blood fall.He didn't know what memories he was going to lose....