Just as Dagon was slain by Shinji, on another, far larger continent, a man dressed like a gentleman in a top hat suddenly raised his head, seemingly sensing something.
"So even you failed..."
"Oh well. It was only a little test to begin with, so failure was hardly surprising. It seems the humans of today still possess powers and trump cards I know nothing about."
"But next, I'll uncover them one by one myself. Once every trump card is exhausted, the time will come for us cursed spirits to replace humanity entirely."
"Let's go, Mahito."
He lowered the brim of his hat as he spoke. His outfit was somewhat out of place among the other people on the street, but it met the dress requirements for the high-society gathering they were about to attend... even though he had no need to do so.
"Are there new toys again? I'm already bored with all the toys from last time."
Beside him, someone squatting on the ground and playing with a disgusting doll raised his head, revealing a face covered in stitches.
The gentleman wore a bright, sincere smile. "Of course. Didn't I promise I'd find you more, better toys? The place we're going this time has plenty of fresh toys inside. I can guarantee their souls will be even uglier, reeking of foulness. You're sure to like them."
"Wonderful! I can't wait to reshape their souls!"
Hearing this, Mahito immediately broke into an excited smile as well. He eagerly stood up, then casually tossed away the ugly, downright revolting doll.
Not long after they left, a little boy passed by and curiously picked up the doll from the ground.
"What's this?"
"Ugh, how disgusting! Don't pick up trash like that. Throw it away!"
The boy's mother looked disgusted. She slapped the