Through the repeated cycle of death and rebirth, Shane's consciousness gradually began to sink.
Until some force guided him away, sending him falling through endless darkness. Prolonged oppression wrapped around him, and the pungent stench of sulfur invaded his nostrils.
When he opened his eyes, a completely unfamiliar man with a hooked nose was crouching before him, looking at him with some helplessness.
A highly mocking voice came from beside him.
"Ah-ha, no wonder you said I should wait this time. I never expected that waiting would bring this little bastard here."
When Shane turned his head, he discovered Constantine standing behind the hooked-nosed man, glaring at him through gritted teeth.
Shane sat up in one swift motion and looked at Constantine helplessly.
"You really are fine?"
"You're the one in trouble now!"
Constantine grinned viciously and pointed at Shane.
"Go on. Torture this damned little thing mercilessly."
The hooked-nosed man glanced at Constantine but did not move.
Constantine grew anxious.
"What, as the ruler of Hell, don't you love torturing souls of the utterly wicked or utterly good? This kid has definitely killed enough people. Now that he's fallen into Hell, hurry up and put him through all eighteen tortures."
The hooked-nosed man seemed to have grown impatient. With a casual slap, he sent Constantine shrieking through the air and embedded him in a giant rock constantly flowing with lava.
As the crimson lava dripped onto Constantine's shoulders like melted wax, the man began to howl without restraint.
Yet mixed into those screams were all manner of inventive curses.
Through Constantine's curses, which named names directly, Shane caught a certain keyword.
No way. Was this high-level encounter coming too soon?
"Hell Lord Satan?"
The hooked-nosed man rose to his feet and gave Shane a very elegant bow.
"Strictly speaking,