Author's Note: Mass update part 2! Sorry for the long wait! I was trying to get back my writing mood, and I fortunately did!

For those who started reading my new book, once again, thank you very much for the support ❤.

“What are those angels doing?” 

A young man with red sclera and black irises asked, the black, spiky wings on his back fluttering slightly in curiosity. 

“Ah, that,” the older devil beside him paused, looking at the scene that the young devil pointed to. “The angels do this every hundred years, to pay their respects to the previous Supreme Gods and their families. Though, only a few are chosen.” 

“But, why do they have to pay their respects at our border?” 

“You idiot,” the older devil knocked the young devil on the head. “This isn’t our border, it’s shared, a neutral zone.”

The young devil winced, looking back at the scene again. 

It was a mystical sight. 

The land was vast, the green grassy pasture contradicting against the sheer stark white outfits of the angels. Thousands of them followed in one line, all of them donning white robes, hairs of various colours cascading down their waists. 

The line was guided by a handsome ash-blonde long haired man at the front, and beside him were two servants carrying two boxes in their hands. 

“Ah, that’s the next Supreme God, isn’t it?” 

The older devil nodded, his face inscrutable. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme God himself seemed to be somewhat fidgety, a frown on his face. He kept glancing towards the line from time to time, stretching his head as if looking for someone. 

“Supreme God.” 

Xue blinked his grey eyes, still not accustomed to be called by that title after a hundred years. After all, he did not find himself worthy of the title.

“Wh-what?” Xue questioned, before he cleared his throat. “I mean, what is it?” 

“Is there an urgent matter you need to attend to?” 

“No, of course not, of course not,” Xue forced a smile, laughing slightly as he bluffed. “Don’t mind me, I am simply...nervous.” 

“Nervous?”

“Yes, nervous.” 

The servant beside Xue seemed to chuckle slightly, before he gasped and bowed. 

“Pardon my rudeness, I didn't mean to laugh--” 

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Xue grinned toothily, scratching his head. “You don’t need to be so uptight around me…” 

“Understood, Supreme God.” 

Xue felt a drop of sweat rolling down his face, his smile faltering. 

Stop calling me that too. 

I have a name. 

“Oh, Supreme God,” the other servant spoke up. “I do not seem to see...K’xug around.” 

Xue made a face. 

Yet you guys call my personal assistant by his name, even though he is practically in the same position of power as me. 

Tch. 

The next time I get the chance to change the rules of the heavenly realm, the first thing I would do is get people to stop calling me and bowing to me.

He maintained his friendly smile, revealing K’xug’s whereabouts. 

“Ah, he’s busy today with something I assigned him to do,” Xue explained before he lowered his voice, muttering to himself. “Hana should be fine with him by her side…”

Xue sighed to himself. 

Ahhh, this is so boring and tiring. 

I want to talk to Hana and K’xug, but it would be improper...especially for Hana.  
“Sometimes, I wish I was a normal angel.” 

“What was that, Supreme God?” 

“...nothing.”

Whereas, in the center of the line was a woman with wavy, red hair that reached her waist. She stretched her head out from time to time, as if trying to catch a glimpse of someone. 

“Hmmm, I wonder if Xue is free to talk,” Hana pouted to herself, lowering her voice. “I feel bored…” 

After being friends with Xue for more than fifty years, Hana started treating him like a true friend. However, she knew how to act within her own boundaries, since no matter what, Xue was still the ruler of the heavenly realm.

“How presumptuous! His name is not simply one you can call out!” 

The female angel next to Hana hissed out, looking at Hana in contempt.

“You think the Supreme God is someone you can casually talk to?” The female angel spat out, glaring at Hana. “Just because he took a liking to you, don’t act all high and mighty just because you are a little pretty, he is someone you can never dream to reach.” 

Hana looked at the female angel beside her with wide eyes, and she relaxed a second later. 

If only these angels knew Xue doesn’t even want people to treat him like he is from another world. 

I do not want to cause trouble for him, something like this is not a big deal. 

A bright smile adorned Hana’s face, and she giggled. 

“You are right, I am sorry for being too disrespectful, and sister, you are way prettier than me!” 

The female angel found herself at a loss for words, harrumphing as she turned back to the face in front. 

K’xug excelled in concealing himself, and he managed to balance out the demonic and angelic blood in him to make his own concealing spell. He was currently concealed, walking next to Hana, close enough to overhear their conversation. 

Since there weren’t any trees around to provide him any hiding spots, he had to rely on his unstable elemental energy within him to conceal himself. 

He was impressed at how Hana was entirely unaffected by what the female angel said, and even smiled back brightly at her. 

“Hmph, how arrogant and deceitful. I can’t believe I am breathing in the same air as her, disgusting.” 

“Stop pretending to be innocent, we all know you seduced the Supreme God.” 

“How does someone like her deserve to stand by the Supreme God’s side?” 

“He’ll throw her away sooner or later, just you see and she’ll be crying on the ground.” 

Just then, it turns out the other female angels in the line had overheard Hana speaking out loud and responding to the female angel that harshly criticised her. They tittered amongst themselves, clearly not caring if Hana heard them or not. 

K’xug furrowed his eyebrows, he glanced at Hana worriedly, managing to catch the hurt flickering past her blue, round eyes. 

Even Hana herself could not deny their words stung. 

Their words are too venomous...what did I ever do to them--

Hana recovered as quickly, shaking her head to herself. She slapped herself on her face, nodding slowly as if she was encouraging herself. 

No no, don’t be sad. 

Like that old angel said, I should focus on the happy things in life and not be sad.

We angels have a long life, it’s better to focus on happy things! Mhmm, mhmm!

All of a sudden, K’xug cancelled his concealing spell and appeared right beside everyone. The whole line arrived at an abrupt stop, startled screams were heard and among them included Hana. 

The commotion had grown, and even Xue at front had to stop to look back, observing the scene curiously. Alas, he could not even comprehend the situation, only catching glimpses of Hana and K’xug. 

“K’xu-K’xug?!” Hana gasped out, heaving a sigh. “There you go appearing out of nowhere again--” 

All of a sudden, K’xug reached out and pulled Hana away, and she collided right into him with a muffled groan, her nose throbbing in pain.

“They say jealousy makes some look ugly,” K’xug spoke nonchalantly at the female angels that insulted Hana. “Though, the word “ugly” is too good for all of you, you are worse than that.” 

Hana could feel the vibrations in his chest as he spoke, and she froze upon hearing those words. 

“...”

The female angels were horrified and gaped openly. 

“Ho-how dare you--”

“Yo-yo-you--” 

Hana tried to hold back her smile, pinching her lips together as she looked up at K’xug. 

One of the female angels was beyond mad. 

Nothing was worse than hearing you weren’t even worth being considered ugly, but worse than that!

What are we supposed to be then?! 

An abomination?!

She raised her hand, wanting to slap K’xug and her friend stopped her hastily. 

“H-he is the Supreme God’s right-hand man, you can’t! Are you crazy?!” 

The female angel looked at K’xug, glaring at him with her teary eyes. 

K’xug only raised his eyebrows at her, as if daring her to slap him. 

“We apologise K’xug, w-we won’t badmouth Hana again,” one of the female angels took the lead, bowing down. “Sorry--” 

K’xug rolled his eyes, snorting. 

He knew these angels were not sincere in their words, they would definitely do it again. 

Without even letting them finish their sentences, he pulled Hana and walked away. 

The female angels were flabbergasted once again.

“E-eh?! K’xug, wait, they are still--” 

“You seriously believe they are apologetic about it?” K’xug frowned at Hana, looking at her. 

“Yes!” Hana nodded with wide eyes. “I am!” 

K’xug sighed helplessly, still dragging Hana away and Hana allowed him. She would rather be anywhere else than in the line again, in fact, this man made her smile in that dreadful situation. 

Being with him was better than anything else right now.

“K’xug.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Thank you.” 

“Hmm.”

Everyone watched as K’xug guided Hana to the front of the line, and Xue had already noticed long ago. He waited patiently until K’xug escorted Hana to him, and he grinned toothily at K’xug. 

“What? Why bring her here now?” 

K’xug appeared indifferent, shaking his head. 

“There is no way I am allowing Hana to stay there and listen to how others degrade her.” 

Hearing those words, the smile on Xue’s face immediately dropped and his face twisted in anger. 

“Degrade her?! Who dares to?!” Xue barked out, rolling up his sleeves. “I’ll teach them a lesson and beat them up!” 

K’xug nodded. 

The servants were appalled to hear those words from Xue’s mouth. 

Hana gasped in horror, clutching onto Xue. 

“Hey, Hana! Let me go, I’ll show them and then degrade them in return!” 

“Xue, no, they are just some female angels--” 

“Who cares if they are female or male?!”

K’xug nodded in agreement once again.  

“Listen, Hana. No one degrades the people I care about and gets away with it--” 

“You are the Supreme God!” Hana hissed out. 

That made Xue pause in his steps, and he turned to look at the two servants carrying the boxes of offering in their arms. They were staring at Xue, their mouth formed into an “o” shape and Xue straightened himself immediately, clearing his throat.

“Impropriety is taken seriously in our heavenly realm,” Xue plastered a benevolent smile on his face. “While I am the next in line for the Supreme God, I will see to it that no one suffers and feels aggrieved.” 

“Taking things into my own hands by beating--uh uhm--” Xue coughed, the smile still remaining on his face. “I mean, educating them about the proper behaviour one should have as a fellow angel is only my duty as your ruler.” 

Hana withdrew, looking at Xue, along with the servants and K’xug. 

You are definitely not simply educating them…

“Uh, Supreme God, we should hurry,” the servant smiled forcibly. “We have stayed here for far too long.” 

“Oh right, yes, yes, before that...” Xue nodded, turning to look at Hana. “Stay beside me until we reach.” 

Hana nodded happily. 

She wouldn’t be bored anymore, and she can talk to her friends now. 

“Oh, and Hana.” 

“Mmmm?” 

“Next time, someone degrades you again...it doesn’t matter who they are,” Xue narrowed his eyes, lifting his hand and making a slapping motion. “Just slap them hard.” 

Hana blinked rapidly in shock, her eyes growing wide.

“I…”

“It’s okay, if anything happens,” Xue placed his hand on his chest. “I have your back as the Supreme God.” 

“But I…” 

K’xug stepped in this time, an unusual gentleness in his tone. 

“If anything happens,” K’xug lifted his hand up, patting Hana on the head. “I’ll protect you.” 

Hana was beyond touched. 

Moreover, the way K’xug glanced down at her with the soft look in his different-coloured eyes made her heart palpitate. 

Ever since from just now…

Why…

Why is he so...cool? 

Hana felt herself growing shy, recalling the way he pulled her out of the situation so easily. She felt so horrible, yet he appeared at the right moment, easing her troubles. 

“Th-thank you so much, Xue and…” Hana maintained eye contact with K’xug for a second later, before she glanced away shyly. “...K’xug.” 

“Mmm, mmm.” Xue nodded, laughing. “I am more than capable to protect myself, I’ll give K’xug to you!” 

K’xug widened his eyes, looking at Xue. Even the servants were looking at Xue. 

The man did not seem to know how misleading his words were…

Whereas, Hana was still feeling overly touched by the words of her two friends. 

“I’ll be patrolling around the area, please go on.” K’xug cleared his throat, walking away.

Hana gazed at K’xug’s disappearing figure, a look of admiration and something else indiscernible in her blue eyes. 

“K’xug is cool, isn’t he?” 

Hana nodded slowly, smiling to herself. “Mhmm, cool.” 

No matter when or where, he is always there to help and save me. 

...and he even said he’ll protect me if anything happens. 

Even the way he said it…

Xue observed the infatuated expression on Hana’s face, following her line of sight. She lifted her hand up to her nose, touching it lightly as she giggled to herself. 

“He’s very cool.” 

Xue rubbed at his nose proudly, walking forward.

“Alright, let’s go, Hana!” 

Hana snapped out of her daze just then, gasping in realisation as she slapped her hands over her face. This action startled Xue, and he glanced at his friend curiously. 

“Hana?” 

“Hmmm?” 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Hana? Hana Katae? Helloooo?” 

Hana shook her head, her hands still hiding her face. “...it’s nothing.”

What’s wrong with me?

Hana shook her head again, making a muffled whine.

She was clearly swooning over K'xug.

***

The angels finally reached their destination. 

It was past the shared border and up the heavenly mountains. After which, Xue would need to take down the barrier and illusion surrounding a part of the heavenly mountains, revealing a stairway up into the clouds. 

Ascending the stairs, they were greeted by the sight of numerous altars erected and on the altars were the names of the previous Supreme Gods that once ruled the heavenly realm. 

The prayers began with Xue offering up to the altars to pay his respects, and the rest followed next. They would simply say some silent prayers, and that was all that was needed from them. No one knew the reason, and neither did the angels question the rules implemented by the previous Supreme God. 

It was only Xue who secretly found this ceremony completely and utterly useless. 

However, he himself as the Supreme God could not say that outloud. 

All of a sudden, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by the guard that was defending the altars of the previous Supreme Gods. He had rushed in, shoving everyone out of the way and garnering the attention of many. 

However, before he reached Xue, K’xug stood in the way to stop him from disrupting the ceremony. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“De-demons! The demons!” The guard panted out, clutching onto his bloodied arm. “They have ambushed us! It was so quick, I had no idea what it was, but I saw the demons controlling it!” 

K’xug nodded, patting the guard on the shoulder and rushing to Xue’s side, whispering into his ear. 

Just then, everything in the vicinity started to tremble and there was a low rumble, sounding like a growl. 

Xue stopped his prayers, standing up and whipping out his spear. K’xug did the same, whipping out his twin swords. 

This time, the growl grew louder and there was a loud roar that deafened the ears of many. The roar was followed by an oppressive aura that weighed down on one’s body without warning, and those who weren’t prepared to encounter such an aura blanched in an instant. 

“This is…” Xue frowned, gripping at his spear tighter. 

“It can’t be anything other than that,” K’xug looked at Xue. “We both encountered it once.”

“Bring everyone out of here, hurry! I’ll handle it on my own, and tell them not to fight unless necessary!” Xue commanded, his voice hurried. 

The clouds were forcibly parted and it revealed the paws of a giant beast. The beast had shadowy tendrils floating out of its body as it stepped out even further, and it growled lowly, causing the entire place to tremble once again. 

The beast turned out to be a giant leopard, its tail swishing about. Its sheer size would send anyone into a frenzied state. 

“The previous Demon Lord’s soul-bound pet!” 

“Wasn’t it supposed to be sealed up?!” 

K’xug hurriedly escorted the angels out, and Hana stood there observing Xue in concern. 

“Hana, you need to go.” 

“But Xue, will he be--”

“He’ll be fine, I’ll be here to help him.” 

Hana jogged away, hesitant and she threw a glance back. 

“Tch, that lazy devil,” Xue clicked his tongue, his wings extending out even further as a blinding light surrounded him. “What is he doing allowing such a thing to happen under his nose? Does he want a war to start now?” 

Xue sighed to himself, his white robes had disappeared and it was replaced by an intricate golden armour that shimmered with specks of blue. It was the same armour he first wore when he met Hana.

Xue gave his spear a few swings, cracking his neck with a wince. 

“I’m always cleaning up after his messes because he’s too slow,” Xue grumbled to himself. “Poop god, poop god, he’s the reason I got that damn nickname.” 

Xue wasn’t fazed as the beast landed right in front of him, the shockwave causing a blast of wind and his long ash-blonde hair danced to the wind. 

“Hahaha! The Supreme God!” Someone laughed somewhere from the leopard, his voice thunderous. “Today, without the aid of your guards and your personal assistant, I will take your head! The demon realm shall rule the three realms once more!” 

“I got it, I got it,” Xue heaved out another sigh. “This isn’t the first time I have seen this beast anyway.” 

The beast seemed to understand Xue’s words, and it leaned forward, sniffing at Xue. 

“Get your nose away from me.” Xue grimaced, swiping at the beast with his spear lightly. 

Despite it being a light swing, the swing was strong enough to cause a strong gust of wind to blow, hitting the beast right in the face. The beast growled in annoyance, its eyes burning with recognition and it opened its mouth, roaring angrily. 

“Oh, looks like it remembered me after all--” 

Without warning, the beast took off and the demon that was controlling the beast was at a loss too. 

“Hey, hey you stupid animal! Hey!” 

The beast leaped into the air, and it landed gracefully at the entrance of the place leading to altars, the carved stone path trembling under its weight. The angels that were cut off by the beast started shrieking in terror. 

Hana was among the ones whose escape was cut off by the beast, frozen in fright.

In an instant, Xue burst into a streaks of light, rushing at the beast. 

The beast lowered its head down, growling menacingly at the puny angels shivering in terror. It was particularly focused on the victim in front, and the angel himself seemed as if he could pee his pants. 

K’xug found his way being blocked either, and before he could even think, there was a quick shadow from the corner of his eyes. 

The beast had used its tail to swipe at K’xug, and it sent K’xug flying into the air. However, the man himself had defended himself with his twin swords, making use of the momentum and changing directions in the air by flipping himself and sprouting out his wings.  

At that second, he noticed Hana and a male angel standing before the beast, completely stiff. Without hesitation, he changed his direction towards Hana. 

The male angel was scared out of his wits, and he gathered a ball of light in his hands, shooting it at the beast. The demon controlling the beast was trying its best to rear the beast away, but to no avail. 

The light magic hit the beast on the cheek and left eye, and its body as well. Unfortunately, its body seemed to repel the ball of light, sending streaks of it back at the male angel and Hana. The streaks of light grazed past the male angel’s arm, and he was frightened that he was bleeding and hurt. 

Meanwhile, Hana had a couple more grazes than him and the pain jolted her out from her frightened state, making her cry out in pain. The streaks of light even left a few tears on her white robe, crimson red seeping through the tears, staining her robes. 

Due to the actions of the male angel, the beast was aggravated even further and it opened its mouth, gathering a black orb in its mouth as it grew bigger and bigger. The shadowy tendrils surrounding it ominously. 

The male angel let out a startled yelp, glancing at Hana who was looking down at her injuries, a pained look on her face. Without thinking, the male angel pushed Hana in his way and Hana stumbled, her eyes widening in horror. 

The male angel ducked behind Hana.

The beast proceeded to aim its black magic orb at Hana at the same time. 

***

《 start 》

I wonder what memory you are seeing.

Is it a good one? 

Is it a...bad one?

You don’t have to worry. 

This time, I am here to protect you. 

This time, I won’t let you be alone. 

Whatever happens, I’ll protect you. 

That is my promise to you, Hana Katae. 

《 stop 》