An average-looking red female demon sat in a cold metal chair across from a professional-looking middle aged female demon. Both were dressed formally, but it was clear that the average one wasn't used to donning such attire, as she periodically fidgeted within her slightly oversized jacket and untailored pencil skirt.
They sat in silence for a while as the professional demon flipped through page after page of files in front of her. The average-looking demon didn't look nervous during this dead silence, nor was she looking confident; her face was neutral as she waited patiently.
But despite her stoic facade, her emotions buried deep down were a blazing inferno of rage.
She was annoyed.
Why did she have to sit there for so long? They've been sitting in silence for almost ten minutes now!
If the idiot in front of her hadn't read her file until now, why were they even meeting? How did she get a third interview? What was the point of all the tests before? She wanted to flip the table and throw her chair at the woman, but the rational mind stayed her vicious hand.
Plus…
She peeked over to her left, where a mirrored wall stood, showing her reflection and the table the two sat at. They weren't the only ones attending this interview.
"So…" The professional demon finally began. "Everything seems to be in order here. But…" She tapped the stack of papers with her pen. "What makes you stand out above the rest of the candidates?"
That question only stoked the flames of annoyance within the average-looking woman. What a stupid question! Why do they bother asking something like that? She knew the answer why, but just like the clown in front of her, she would always default to that question in her mind as well.
This place wasn't looking for people that stood out, nor were they interested in unique people and their stories; they were looking for obedient cogs. Cogs to replace the old, useless ones in their giant machine.
But the woman swallowed her rage and answered politely. "Well, as you can see, my experience speaks for itself. I've done similar projects and evaluations already; the prior experience and specialization already put me ahead of my peers. With that in mind, I can hit the ground running with no issue. Leaving time for training a non-factor." she said with a small smile. She hated smiling when she was annoyed, but she knew this small service went a long way when playing this game, just like the answer she gave.
BEEP BEEP
Everyone knows the textbook answer is what makes you stand out the most. Correction, it makes you stand a bit further up in the line. Truly 'standing out' only brings a more critical eye to your ability. The type of eye that likes to gatekeep a little too fervently around these parts if they felt you were a bit too noticeable and interesting.
The professional demon nodded as she looked over the papers again. "I see. Very good, a good quality to have." She said, almost like a script.
Almost everyone has that. How many people moonshot an application with no experience and a dream? The average demon scoffed internally. As long as she was the first name remembered and a nepo didn't show up, she would get the position; she'd long since figured out the formula to such encounters.
BEEP BEEP
But she couldn't voice such a thing, nor show a face with such a suggestion; she would lose the opportunity out of spite at that point. This farce only works if both parties play their parts properly.
The professional demon glanced at the large mirror on the side wall. She made a gesture to her ear, as if adjusting something lodged within it. She then nodded.
"I think we are ready to take the final steps, Miss…" She glanced down at the papers once more, simultaneously grabbing a large metal suitcase from under the table and placing it on top.
"...Ah, here it is. Last name Blackhorn. Huh, average name too…" She muttered. "And first name… Tell me if I'm pronouncing it correctly it's-"
…
…
Hannya's eyes snapped open.
Her brow was covered in cold sweat. She darted her eyes around, searching for something. When she noticed the lavish canopy veiling an unfamiliar bed, a spark of hope ignited within her. She lifted her hand, albeit with a bit of effort, to gaze at her skin. Sure enough, porcelain flesh met her panicked eyes.
She sighed in relief. "Thank Lilith. Just a dream." She had a horrible nightmare, something she found more unpleasant than anything else in existence. Corporate politics.
A flashback of her old world. She cringed. About the time she… did something? It hurt a lot? The more she tried to remember what the dream was about, the more it seemed to blur out of existence.
Soon, she just accepted it with a shrug. "Kikiki, oh well, dreams are made to be forgotten anyways." She didn't remember where she heard that saying, but to her, it was hella true in this situation.
She flopped her still outstretched hand back down on the bed.
BOING ~
"Eep!" A timid voice could be heard to the side of her. Hannya's small body froze. She slowly turned her head, the dread of a second nightmare setting in.
There she saw it. The horrific, nervous smile of Lily laying beside her. She immediately scrooched away.
BOING ~
"Ahn!" A shiver went down Hannya's spine as she heard that sound. Sweet Lilith, no. She turned once more, alarmed.
She saw the stoic face of Penelope staring at her, but her face was a little redder than usual.
She understood. She had let her guard down—an ambush. And she was in the thick of it.
With two paths of retreat blocked, Hannya flipped over to army crawl upwards to freedom. Her face now hardened, she would overcome this debauched world; she's endured far worse.
'In the name of devil god Vainglory, guide and protect me through these valleys of death.'
That's right! With unwavering faith, there was always light at the end of the tunnel, always a way out-
BOING ~
"Oh! Careful, young miss, horns can be dangerous when sleeping." Hannya looked up at the mature and benevolent smile of the demon she had apparently been sleeping on.
All three looked at her with relief. They had seen her tossing and turning in her sleep. They had hoped their collective wills and maternal care would help her sleep more peacefully, finally becoming useful in their own way. And it seemed to have worked wonders!
Rose smiled triumphantly; this was her idea. Even supreme beings can benefit from the care of a mother! Until they got strong enough to help in other ways, this was the best they could do for now.
They had seen the formidable power and unmatched foresight of their young miss in the past week; she truly was a devil worthy of worship. The events only strengthened their resolve to bring her the glory she deserved.
With this being their last day with the young lady as well, they thought it apt to show their dedication and sincerity to the service of their young miss one last time before departure.
Hannya looked at the three of them with unchained disgust; she clenched her teeth so hard her head was slightly shaking.
She hissed out. "The fuck is this…this… this clam jam!" Her teeth squeezed out.
But she didn't truly need an answer. With dead eyes, she raised her hand to the sky.
Supreme contracts be damned, these freaks will die today.
"Tenet..."
RUMBLE
~~~
A white-haired, gray-skinned demon walked the castle halls with energetic steps. As he walked past each soldier guarding the doors and corners, he greeted them with a kind wave and a bright smile.
"Soldier! Morning!" He spoke enthusiastically as he passed by a disciplined guard. The soldier nodded and waved back.
"Vice commander, good morning. You look well." The soldier replied.
Sawyer nodded with a smile. "Haha, I am well. I feel ten years younger!" He continued on with a pep in his step. The guard looked at him strangely. Ten years younger? Wasn't that guy like 20 or something? He shook his head and faced forward.
Sawyer waved to an approaching dream knight. "Richard! How are the kids?" He raised his hand up for a hearty high five.
SMACK
The dream knight chuckled, meeting the vice commander's hand with his own. "They're good, very good. They are studying to join logistics in the future. How's the wife doing?" He asked back, appreciative of Sawyer's good-natured inquiry.
The glowing shade demon laughed. "Hahaha, good, good! And you know how it is, haha! Pregnant women are always so-"
BOOM
But his sensitive and responsible comments were cut short when he heard a muffled explosion down the hall. His face instantly wrinkled like a prune hearing the sound. Why? His days were finally so peaceful again! What could it possibly be this time!
The last couple of days were a wonderful dream to him. He was briefed on Baku's full recovery, the ousting of major traitors, the interception of intel, and the full recession of the dream fissure. The fissure was now back down to the size of a small portal, and the excess mist was now so low that the haze generated from stagnant mist was no longer morphing the reality in the surrounding areas.
The vice commander was so ecstatic about the events, he even had a full five hours of sleep for three days in a row, a bit indulgent, but he deserved such a break every now and then!
He groaned as the room down the hall rumbled. There was only one person that would cause such a ruckus in the castle so early in the morning.
With hurried steps he made his way to the guest accommodations.
As he approached, he saw the destroyed door, heard a bout of shrill scolding, and witnessed the war demon poking his head inside the room, masking his presence.
Sawyer wanted to curse his luck; of course it was her. His lord commander likes it quiet, so all regulars in this castle know to keep it that way.
When he finally arrived, the war demon turned to him and nodded.
"What's going on?" Sawyer asked, rubbing his weary temples.
The old butler stroked his chin thoughtfully. He too just arrived, but he had seen enough to get a gist of the situation. "The three charm demons seemed to have overstepped their authority in some way, a normal mistake for newbies." He shrugged. "But it seems they didn't do anything outrageous, given the young miss is only lecturing them."
The young shade demon peeked inside to witness the scene; what he saw made his ears ring from the horror.
Lecture? The room was completely destroyed!
White mist was covering the floor, the bed was crushed to splinters, and black vines were embedded in the floor, walls, and ceiling, piercing the fancy paintings and strangling the tables and chairs.
'The accommodations!' Sawyer felt his heart clench at the sight. He was the vice commander and logistics manager! Ordering and arranging the furniture of this castle was also his job!
He couldn't let this go on. He took a step forward, wanting to stop this pink calamity from trashing his work any further.
But a large hand blocked his path. The War Demon.
"War Dem-butler Hans, shouldn't we be stopping this? The accommodatio-"
"Young Sawyer, what do you see in there?" The old man said calmly, almost sagely.
Sawyer swallowed his words and took another look inside the room. Everything was still destroyed, but he noticed that the maids were unharmed. The white mist didn't touch them; it circled around them. The same went for the vines shooting out from everywhere.
Sawyer reluctantly nodded and sighed. "I guess she isn't hurting anyone meaninglessly, a good quality for a devil." He still felt a little heartache from the damages, but at least the young miss had the self-restraint to hold back a killing spree.
"No, look closer, young Sawyer." The old butler said, his spectacles gleaming with wonder.
Sawyer was a little confused by the war demon's enigmatic words, but he looked closer nonetheless.
After a while, his pupils constricted. He could see it. Such a sight was obvious to a demon like him.
Hans, noticing the awe in Sawyer's eyes, nodded in approval. "You have good eyes, young one."
Through the young devil's shrill chirping, what Sawyer saw left him in a daze.
"We're homies, yes, but there's a line! Chillin' on the couch is cool and all, but the bed is off limits! Always!" The young devil shouted as she pointed at the mature demon maid.
With her back straight, Rose bowed her head, her waist angled perfectly, her hands placed in front and clasped humbly as she spoke. "Apologies, esteemed mistress."
Hannya only let out a wild snarl at that, her vicious eyes turning to land on the meek Lily, and pointed. "And you! I assumed you'd keep these savages in check. What are those tits for?! A symbol of authority wasted on you!"
Like Rose, Lily bowed her head, timed perfectly, her posture sharp yet flowing like water. Her authoritarian chest doing nothing to hinder her graceful movements. "Apologies, esteemed mistress."
Hannya just ground her teeth more and turned her wrath to the bespectacled maid, her glasses shining with a prepared and poised light.
"What kind of woman makes a noise like that when they're bumped into!? Are you some kinda cherry boy!? Where's your honor!" She crossed her arms and glared at the hair-bunned demon maid.
The maid bowed at the same angle, speed, and tone as the other two. "Apologies, esteemed mistress." Her pointed words and swift movements seemingly redirecting the manifesting wrathful words and piercing glare of the pink-haired gremlin with their timing and elegance.
"RAAHHH!" Hannya stomped the ground as she paced in circles, her feminine aggression flaring, searching for anything to vent her wrath on. These idiots didn't understand the nuances of homies bonding; that much was clear!
"T-this is…" Sawyer couldn't believe what he was seeing; his hands began to tremble. The posture, the deference, the subtle honeyed words…
"Indeed, young Sawyer, it is as you believe." The old butler smiled slightly at the scene.
"They're experts!? But how? They're unawakened; that shouldn't be-"
"Possible?" The butler grinned. "It's a large world out there, young one, and you're witnessing but a glimpse of its vastness this very instant. All is possible."
The butler gazed back at the scene, his eyes shining with humbled respect. "Butlery skill… Apologetic Parry." He murmured. A fundamental skill in the arts of high society butlery, but many don't cultivate it to such a level. With their skills in such a realm, the young lady is essentially stun-locked for the time being, unable to vent her anger properly.
Who would have thought that a couple of charm demons they met on the side of the road were a couple of hidden old monsters!
The old butler glanced at the fuming young devil. 'Is this her fate-weaving abilities at work again?' He couldn't believe she hadn't arrived at a broken path yet; he'd never seen such a potent fate mutation. Usually, changing so many fates as greatly as this would give rise to many hidden changes to a fate devil's future knowledge, leading to a path break.
When a path is broken, a cooldown starts. During that time, fate is once again unknown to the devil. But to the eyes of the old butler, Hannya seemed to have no such restriction.
'The benefits of a six-star, perhaps?'
Hans' blind faith in the young devil only continued to grow considering that possible truth.
"Such foundations…" Sawyer muttered to the side.
Hans nodded. "Indeed, perhaps after this, you should ask to exchange pointers. But for now our lady's rage must be quelled. Observe well, vice commander. For this is the upper limit of [True Butlery]."
Hans vanished from his spot, reappearing in front of the charm demons within the room.
He glanced back at them and gave a nod of acknowledgement. With his hands clasped behind his back, indicating his mastery, he spoke.
'Legendary Butlery skill: [Time is of the essence]'
"Young miss, it's good to see you up and energetic as always. Lord Baku is awaiting your arrival in his personal training area; best make haste for your studies… time is of the essence." His glasses shining, naturally, a critical proc.
Hannya, stomping around in circles like a petulant child, whipped her head around to see Hans.
She glared at him for a second before grinning. "Yes…yes, training! A little bloodshed should wash away the shame! Lead the way, my good butler!" She turned and glanced at the three behind him.
"I'll deal with these treasonous wretches later…" She squinted her eyes at the charm demons as the mist and vines faded from existence.
She stomped off to the exit, not waiting for Hans to guide her.
After leaving, the three sighed in relief. "Thank you, butler Hans. To be honest, that was the only high skill we knew." Rose spoke up.
Hans chuckled good-naturedly. "No problem, you three did splendidly, though the skill is a double-edged sword; your realms were high enough to avoid the backlash."
Lily nodded. "We three were once attendants of the Painted Devil during her stay in our village years ago."
Surprise flashed in the old butler's eyes; he then laughed. "Hahaha, fate indeed." The old butler couldn't believe it.
The Painted Devil travels a lot, going from place to place to entertain the masses. But the Painted Devil only calls one place in Hellnia her one and only home.
The Hazy Mountain.