You may not have known this, but in this world, demons are parasites in their purest form. On their own, they are weak—wispy figures made of mist, vaguely humanoid, almost pitiful. Without a host body to inhabit, they wither within a year. That was the original nature of demons long ago—short-lived, minor threats, nothing more than shadows among monsters.
But then something changed.
They evolved.
No one knows how or why, but the mist learned to think, to feed, to conquer. They became feared beings, not because of their strength alone, but because of their ability to take. When a demon possesses a host, the mind of the victim shatters. Their body mutates, warping into something grotesque, powerful—and entirely under the demon's control. A walking nightmare.
Yet, in rare cases, something unusual occurs.
Symbiosis.
Instead of full possession, the demon merges with the host, coexisting in a twisted balance. The person retains their mind, their sense of self. But within them lives a second mind—the demon's. Their body mutates still, but not into a monster. Instead, it becomes a weapon. Stronger, faster, unnatural. It grants abilities no human or goblin should ever wield.
However, for the demon, symbiosis is a cage. A compromise. They lose control. And demons... despise that. It's why 99% of them choose to be parasites. They'd rather burn out in a blaze of destruction than share.
The demon standing before Jon understood every word he spoke—and Jon wasn't surprised. He could tell from the creature's eyes that it had once been more than just a beast.
The demon's voice echoed again, hollow and weary.
"If that contract is whatever I can't accept... then forget it. I'm under the control of the God of Light. I'm practically a slave. That bastard killed the Demon God and bound me. He sealed me into this body—this weak human vessel—and gave me no chance to resist."
Something shifted in the air.
[The Hiding Quest has been unlocked.]
[Objective: Convince the Green Baron of Hell to become a symbiote.]
Jon's thoughts raced. 'I don't know what this entails, but if it gives me power—fast—I'll take it.'
"I hate those good-looking gods too," Jon said bitterly. "Because of one stupid goddess, I ended up like this. A goblin. Can you believe that?"
The demon narrowed its eyes, sniffing faintly at the air.
"I don't smell demon on you."
There was curiosity in his tone now, and confusion.
Jon shrugged. "Oh, no, no—I'm not a demon. I came from another world. I died, and then—poof—I was standing in front of some divine bitch calling herself a goddess. She told me I was chosen to save the world from the god of evil and suffering. Chosen hero stuff, you know?"
He chuckled, bitterly.
"Then she looked at me and said I looked like trash. That I was pathetic. That she'd rather pick someone more capable—more heroic. And then she tossed me aside. Reincarnated me as this."
The demon listened in silence, his eyes locked on Jon. There was no mockery in them. Just quiet understanding.
When Jon finished, the demon nodded slowly.
"Our cases are pretty similar," he said at last. "Only difference is—you got freedom."
There was something mournful in his voice. A sadness that clung to his words like old ash.
"Still," he continued, "if I listen to your offer... I've got nothing to lose."
Jon's heart skipped.
*Looks like I might've made a bit of a friend.*
"I want to become a symbiote with you," Jon said.
The demon blinked, stunned. His expression shifted—shocked, thoughtful. Then, for the first time since they met, he smiled.
"I wasn't expecting that," he said. "But... now that I think about it, this might be a way to break my chains."
His eyes glinted with sudden hope.
"The God of Light forbade me from parasitizing other bodies. But he never considered symbiosis."
His voice was lighter now, filled with a strange excitement.
[The Green Baron of Hell wants to become your symbiote.]
[Accept: [Yes] [No]]