Astin''s hands began to twitch uncontrobly as he and Five struggled for control over his body. Scenes of sorrow and despair shed through Astin''s mind once again.


    "Your existence is unnecessary!" Five gradually devoured the remnants of Astin''s consciousness.


    At that moment, without anyone noticing, Charlotte appeared behind Astin. She quickly struck his abdomen with her palm.


    As Charlotte''s true energy flowed into him, something miraculous happened. Astin''s body rapidly turned red, and he began to bepletely consumed.


    "What... What is this..." Charlotte was stunned. This was not how they had nned it.


    The night before, both of them had expressed their resolve. Charlotte was deeply saddened as she might witness the death of the person she loved.


    However, Astin reassured her, "It''s okay. I''ve found a way to defeat Five."


    Charlotte was overjoyed.


    "Does that mean... you might survive?"


    "Possibly."


    Hearing this, Charlotte felt hopeful. She eagerly asked, "What''s the n? Is there something I need to do?"


    Astin nodded.


    "I need you or rather, the power of the Calhouns."


    "The Calhouns'' power?"


    Astin nodded again and began exining what he had discovered.


    "In Five''s memories, I found a unique presence. This person was one of the Calhouns'' ancestors and also the one who founded the organization a hundred years ago. That person once sealed a demon with their own power."


    "Using the Calhouns'' power?"


    Astin continued, "Yes, exactly. You should be able to use it-the ability to merge your true energy into the air."


    He recalled the scene vividly in his mind.


    "That''s the power developed by the Calhouns through direct contact with demons.


    In other words, all of you have a demon within you, but this demon''s consciousness has beenpletely erased and has be part of your constitution.


    "This power is specifically designed tobat other demons--it''s the counterforce to Five, known as True Thoughts."


    "True Thoughts? Those words..." Charlotte furrowed her brows together. She knew those words. Her father had once ced a wooden que with that inscription.


    She always thought it was just an ordinary que, but now, she realized why she often found herself staring at it-it was because of this connection.


    Astin then exined to Charlotte.


    "The way to end all of this is simple. If you channel your power into my body, it might be able to destroy the demonic power within me. But there''s one condition."


    "What condition?"


    "The demon must take full control of my body. So, if I die and the demon doesn''t emerge, everything will have been in vain. If the demon sessfully possesses my body, I''ll fight it from within.


    "You need to seize that moment to release your power. It''s all a gamble of luck. Let us see if fate is on our side."


    ...


    Charlotte watched Astin lying motionless on the ground, her expression grave. She had done what she needed to do. Now, it was up to fate.


    However, Astin''s body shifted from red to purple, with the two forces still battling inside him.


    Then, Astin copsed to the ground, silent and unmoving.


    Charlotte slowly approached Astin, but just then, Dusky appeared by his side. "Why are you here?" Charlotte asked warily, still unable to fully trust Dusky. Dusky, of course, understood her hesitation.