Thomas, as he was spitting out dirt, became enraged upon seeing the milky aura was destroyed. “What fool dares attack the Dark God?”

A light whisper embodying the deepest fears of Thomas’s mind lazily crawled through the darkness entering his ears, “It is I, the sworn destroyer of sadists. Sent forth to crush each and every one of them throughout the universe. I warned you not to bother these creatures.”

Thomas froze, already recognizing the voice. He didn’t say a word. His mind began calculating the necessary ass-kissing he must do to save his life, but the answer did not exist.

“What’s wrong, son? Daddy wants to know what you have to say for yourself.” Haruto walked towards Thomas slowly. Deep anger could be seen in his eyes. 

Seeing the deep anger, Thomas stuttered out, “I can explain, young master. I was taking care of these mutts so that you would be able to traverse the forest in peace.”

Haruto wagged his finger at Thomas, “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Would you dare lie to daddy so brazenly? I heard everything. I mean, how could I not? You were so loud about it. Oh dark god, how shall you punish this one for I am a nonbeliever.”

Thomas said nothing, not daring to make eye contact with Haruto. 

“No punishment? Well, do not fear, for I have an unending list of punishments for you. Do you know how horrible it was to be molested by that old man? How terrible the dreams I was forced to bear?  To wake up with strangers? These all happened because of sadists like you. Tommy, look at me, how will you compensate for all these wrongs?” Haruto grabbed onto Thomas’s face and forced their eyes to meet.

Thomas broke down into an ugly sob. Speaking nonsense of ass-kissery and begging for forgiveness.

Alarik, who was severely injured, watched in a daze at the turn of events. Where had their overbearing dark god gone? I knew I remembered that aura. It is the being I battled long ago. I wonder how he was able to become so powerful. What is the difference between us? How do I get such strength?

The three siblings finally caught up to Haruto, who had bolted. Only to find him holding onto some ugly decrepit creature.

Fumiko pulled out her warhammer, “What a hideous creature, should I smash him?”

Genki nodded in agreement, pulling out his war axe, “squash him like an ugly bug, then we go find his friend.”

Noticing the injured Alarik, Kentaro moved towards him and held his hand out to show he meant no harm. 

Haruto ignored the others and continued discussing with Thomas, “I could kill you. Right here. Right now. No one would care, Tommy. Hell, I’d be given a medal for doing it. I didn’t think PETA existed in this world, but the way you handle animals makes me second guess myself. Now, what will it be, Thomas? Quick and painful or slow and agonizing?” Haruto dropped the crying Thomas on the ground and began cracking his knuckles. 

Thomas continued crying, making no choice. 

“Haruto, hurry and kill that wretched monster. It’s pathetic moans grate my ears,” Fumiko puffed her cheeks out as she watched Haruto communicate so intimately with this undead.  

Hearing this, Thomas’s sobs grew in sound, “I I I I don’t want to die. Don’t kill me.”

Haruto patted Thomas on the head, “What would you have me do? I have no other choice, old friend. Is there nothing that comes to your mind to reverse the course of this ship? If not, you are on the express route to the River Styx.”

The other wolves returned to valiantly rescue Alarik only to find him in the arms of a giant and the dark god being petted by some human.

Marrok, with his deep hatred for humans after losing his tooth, growled at Haruto.

Alarik’s eyes fell upon Marrok like a hammer, instantly shutting him up. His attention then reverted back to Thomas and Haruto. 

Thomas had finally stopped crying as he understood Haruto did not intend to kill him. “Young master, there are many things I can still offer. My treasures in the cave consider them…”

Haruto cut Thomas off. “Those treasures all belong to me. I don’t need your blessings or permission. For a heathen like me, your blessings are a curse.”

“Ah then” Thomas looked around nervously until his eyes landed upon Alarik, “Ah yes, then these mutts I offer them to you. Young master, I offer you these magical beasts who are capable of communicating with us as servants.”

Alarik was shocked, he had never considered it, but it would make sense for this new being to also want to subjugate his pack. 

Haruto tapped his chin, his eyes roving over the gathered wolves until they fell upon Alarik. The two met eyes. The resolve in Alarik’s eyes shimmered across the darkness. Whether it was the dark god or this being, he would submit to none. Haruto smiled upon seeing the look, “Now Thomas, this offer is most tempting.”

Thomas also smiled his ugly little grin. “Yes, young master, I knew you would enjoy them. That’s exactly why I came here. With these mutts under our control, your influence would grow substantially. We would be able to subjugate not only this forest but perhaps even the town. I knew a being such as you had aims of world conquest.”

Haruto dragged Thomas towards Alarik and addressed him, “You understand me?”

Thomas smiled a truly evil grin, “How could I not understand you. We are one and the same, two powerful beings who have broken through their mortal limits. Cast out by the world. It falls to our shoulders to build our own. Together we shall be invincible my magic and your strength.”

Haruto ignored Thomas and stared at Alarik with interest. 

Alarik continued to eye Haruto with unrelenting resolve, nodding his head to show he understood. 

Haruto moved close to Alarik, then released his shogun aura at full strength, instantly suppressing everyone. All the wolves collapsed onto the ground and began panting heavily. Even the three siblings were unable to bear the aura. Thomas could feel his life force diminishing but kept quiet lest Haruto vaporized it instead. Alarik, though becoming quite exhausted, remained undeterred and stared deep into Haruto’s eyes.

Haruto piercingly stared at Alarik, his eyes beady like a cobra poised to strike, “I could crush you and your friends. I could crush your forest and your dark god. With ease, I could make your life a living hell. So, why do you continue to stare at me like that?”  

Alarik could feel his soul-shaking from the stare. Haruto’s eyes alone were 100000 times more oppressive than anything the dark god could muster. Still, Alarik gathered his strength, releasing a spiritual message, “I would rather die than allow my pack to be enslaved.”

The shogun aura continued to rise as Haruto reached towards Alarik. 

Marrok, seeing this, attempted to drag himself forcibly to Alarik. But the aura was so oppressive that he was crushed into the ground before moving more than an inch. 

Alarik, unable to move from fear, could only stare at Haruto. It is better to die to this being than to become a slave of the dark god. I can only hope he shows mercy to my pack. I don’t know why, but I feel he would do them no harm.

The moment Haruto’s hand touched Alarik’s head, all the aura disappeared. Haruto gave Alarik a warm smile and patted his head, “You are the second animal with the eyes of a true man. How could I ever dishonor you who has so much strength?”

Thomas was stupefied, “but young master, you said my offer tempted you.”

Haruto tossed Thomas onto the ground, “I am tempted. If I had servants like them and not like you, I would have never been kidnapped in the first place. What's the point of your servitude if you don't even serve? Thomas, when I look into your eyes, do you know what I see?”

Thomas was confused by the question but answered nonetheless, “perhaps an unending well of wisdom and foresight.”

Haruto kicked Thomas in the gut, “No, you idiot. I see a worm. A weak undead worm who would sell their own mother to get what they wanted. That wolf you were so bent on owning has the eyes of a warrior. I can see his pride in its entirety in those eyes.”

Alarik was astonished to hear such praise from the being. 

“So you undead freak, I will accept your deal. I accept the wolves, and as their owner, I set them free for all eternity. If I ever catch you eyeing these wolves again, I will scoop your eyeballs out like ice cream, understand?” Haruto crossed his arms in disdain as the wolves looked at him with respect and gratitude. Veget-sama made it look easy, but being cold when they were so thankful was hard.

Thomas finally breathed a sigh of relief. Not only will he not die, but it cost him nothing at all. “Thank you, oh, glorious one. I, your faithful servant, shan’t look in even the direction of these mutts. I dare not even dream of looking at these mutts.”

Finally, caving in to their apparent thanks, Haruto's mock disdain disappeared as he smiled at the wolves. “Good. You all are free to go. This idiot will never bother you again.” 

The wolves howled in excitement and pain. Finally, they were free from the terror that was the dark god, though many have died tonight. Their deaths have built a future free of the dark god tyranny, and one day the memory of such a fiend would be nothing but a tale for rowdy young pups who refused to sleep. 

Marrok was still untrusting of humans, so he quickly made his way towards Alarik to drag him into the den. 

Alarik forced himself from the arms of Kentaro. Indecision flashed in his eyes, “Great being, I am weak. Had you not come, my entire pack would have been enslaved. I don’t have whatever strength you believe me to have.”

Haruto snorted at Alarik, “Idiot, it’s not the strength to win that matters, but the strength to fight. Whether you can win or not doesn’t matter. First, you must decide to fight. Only then can you worry about everything else. So that means you are strong for fighting even if you believed you had no chance. Besides between you and me, Thomas is no god. He would have lost regardless of my interference.”

Alarik shakily continued to stand, though one could tell he has already used most of his energy. “How did you become so strong? I am too weak. I know even if you allow us to live, we will wither away in this forest. I want to be strong like you.”

Haruto scratched his head awkwardly. “I don’t think you can get strength like mine, but you are already stronger than me. Your bond, your will to protect your loved ones, I lack those things. I am weak. My strength is only superficial, true strength comes from protecting your loved ones, and I have long since failed to attain it.”

The shaking Alarik self-deprecatingly laughed, “if your strength is superficial, what does that make mine?”

Haruto sighed, “It makes yours the greatest of all. It makes it your own. No one can take it from you.” Haruto looked at the hideous Thomas, “No one can steal it.” Then he looked towards Marrok, who was still angrily staring at him, “and those you lend it too will pay it back in full.” Finally, he looked back at Alarik, “you have the strength of a true man forever pushing past each, and every wall life puts in your way. That is the strength you have. I envy you.”

Fumiko watched Haruto, her heart wrenching, but she remained silent. If words could so easily affect someone, then that person would have already changed.

The indecision in Alarik’s eyes diminished until they began shining brightly again. “Then, I will lend that strength to you, and in return, you will teach me the superficial strength you hold.” With that, Alarik collapsed onto the ground.

“Eh,” Haruto looked at Alarik in a daze. 

Even Thomas was surprised by this request.

Kentaro patted Haruto on the back “you will make a fine teacher. I’m sure.”