The "King" still stood there, deep in thought.
He couldn't make a decision yet.
He glanced at the demons kneeling before him, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for orders.
Although he wasn't sure if he was hallucinating, he saw a miniature hell reflected in their eyes.
He had never seen hell himself, but just staring into those eyes sent a chill down his spine.
"My master, have you prepared your orders for us?" one demon asked, its voice sharp with impatience.
The "King" knew he couldn't delay any longer. He had to give them an order.
"I don't have any orders for you right now," he growled. "For now, hide yourselves from the eyes of the people."
"If that is your command, we will obey."
They immediately melted into pools of blood that slithered toward the "King's" shadow and disappeared into it.
He watched their movements.
"What a strange way to hide yourselves," the "King" muttered.
"This is the most optimal way," a voice replied.
He turned sharply. A lone demon stood before him.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"We usually hide by possessing others," the demon explained calmly. "But since our master still has feelings for the people here, we chose your shadow instead."
"Oh... it seems you're gentler than I thought."
"That's what Master thinks," the demon said, glancing at him. "But I advise you to give orders related to killing soon."
"Why?"
"We were born to kill. And up to now, we've only been suppressing our bloodlust for your sake," the demon said, walking toward him. "If it were anyone else, we'd have gone insane and killed everyone already."
Then the demon handed him a book and stepped toward his shadow.
"Remember, nothing is free, and no demon is gentle. What you see or hear from us may not be the truth. Don't let appearances fool you, Master."
Slowly, the demon sank into the "King's" shadow and vanished.
"I'll remember... or maybe I shouldn't," the "King" muttered. "First, I should go home. I've been gone too long."
He tucked the book away and tried to open a gate—but failed.
"Seems I used too much magic today. Guess I'll have to walk."
So he made his way through the ruined streets, past people still trembling from the earlier earthquake.
"It's a bit chaotic."
After a while, he reached his home.
He pushed open the door and found his wife sitting there, anxiously waiting.
The moment she saw him, the "Queen" stood and hurried over.
"You're late. Where did you go? What was that earthquake? And where's your cloak?" she asked, clearly worried.
"I... had a little problem with the people," the "King" stammered. "The earthquake was caused by the leaders. I left the cloak with them."
He could only lie—about what happened at the leaders' place and with the Mermaid Queen—to spare her from shock.
"Oh... you had me worried," the "Queen" sighed in relief.
He smiled and embraced her.
"Who do you think could beat me? It'd have to be you."
"Come on, stop joking."
"So what exactly did the leaders do to cause the quake?" she asked.
"They misunderstood some things in the book," he replied. "Now they're trying to find another solution."
"Were they still drunk when they read the book?" the "Queen" smiled. "Good thing the Mermaid Queen was there to set them straight."
"Yes... luckily," the "King" went quiet.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just tired."
"You've been gone since morning... come in. I've prepared dinner."
"Oh... I'm starving."
The two walked inside to share a meal.
That night, while the household slept—
"My master..."
"What is it?" the "King" thought.
"We have something to tell you."
"Can't it wait until morning?"
"If you want this to be your last sleep, sure. We won't stop you."
"You've got to be kidding me," the "King" snapped awake.
His movement startled the "Queen" beside him.
"What's wrong? Nightmare?" she asked, concerned.
"It's nothing. Just restless." He got out of bed. "I'll go for a walk."
"Come back soon," she murmured. "Don't disappear again."
"I won't."
He kissed her, then picked up the book and stepped outside.
He walked until he reached an empty lot and stopped.
"What do you want?" he growled.
The demon from earlier rose.
"You again?"
"Yes. I speak for the others."
"Then say what you came to say."
The demon pointed up.
"They're coming."
"What are 'they'?" the "King" tensed. "How? Was it the summoning shockwave?"
"You guessed right," the demon replied coldly. "So what are you going to do next?"
"I'll... check if you're telling the truth first."
"Up to you."
The "King" used magic on his feet and sped into the tunnel. The demon spread its wings and followed.
Soon, they reached the surface—
And a Star Eater lunged at them.
The "King" summoned his sword and cleaved it in half.
Another jumped from behind, but the demon caught it mid-air and crushed it instantly.
The "King" stared in disbelief.
These demons could crush Star Eaters so easily?
"They're weaker than the ones we've fought before," the demon said, swallowing the corpse.
"What?"
"I mean it. They're weak." The demon looked at him. "And I'm honestly impressived that you and your people are still alive."
"I'll... take that as a compliment." The "King" frowned. "How did you fight Star Eaters before?"
"So that's what you call them." The demon licked blood from its hand. "The ones we fought, even the weakest, could warp space, teleport across the planet. You never knew where the next attack would come from."
"The first form we faced could do that… then it stopped."
"I see," the demon smirked.
"You mean—"
"They're looking down on you. If it was taken seriously, this planet would have disappeared long ago. Still, it's impressive that you managed to take down its first form."
The "King" wasn't sure whether to feel lucky... or terrified.
"Then—"
"Enough talk. They're here."
A black cloud rolled in, blotting out the stars. Below it, a spreading swamp.
The Star Eaters had gathered to end the hunt.
The "King" looked on, worried.
Meanwhile, the demon was peering into the mass.
"The final boss isn't here yet… how boring. I want a real challenge, these things are too weak."
"I get it—you're frustrated. But help me destroy them."
"Is that your order?" the demon asked.
"I..." the "King" hesitated.
"Are you unsure, or afraid of the price?"
"I'm afraid… afraid you'll take what matters most to me."
The demon sighed.
"The price was already paid—by the lives sacrificed during the summoning. All you have to do is give the order."
"How can I know that's true?"
"Ah, you remembered what I said," the demon grinned. "But those ten rings on your hand? They're not just for show. They're your control over us. Use them."
The "King" looked at the rings, uncertain.
"Tick... tick... Time was running out."
No time to second-guess. If the price had already been paid, he'd offer his own body next if needed.
"In the name of your master—I order you to crush them all!" he shouted.
The demon laughed.
"You guy heard him. Time to kill!"
The demon surged forward.
The "King's" shadow expanded into a massive pool of blood. In an instant, the demons burst forth with manic grins and crazed laughter.
They charged, eager for the feast.
Though outnumbered, the demons didn't care—this was fun for them.
They slaughtered the Star Eaters with wild abandon.
In the sky, on the ground, all you could hear were their deranged laughs and the Star Eaters' dying screams.
Each demon had its own brutal method—
Some merely passed by, leaving pools of blood in their wake.
Some waved a hand, conjuring tornadoes.
Some danced in circles, creating spinning saw blades that shredded the battlefield.
And all wore those madness, delighted smiles.
The "King" stood alone, watching their power.
"Is this their true strength?" he whispered, shuddering. "They're even stronger than the Titans."
He glanced down at the rings.
"Can these really control them...?"
"If so, why were they sealed away? What's their connection to the strangers…?"
Questions raced through his mind.
No answers came.
But one thing was certain—these demons were not to be underestimated.
The battlefield had become their banquet.
Even the bravest would go mad watching this carnage.
"These... are they really the ones who will bring us hope...?"
"I... hope so."