Preview: “We, the Friends of the Forest and People of Evergreen, ask for your assistance shamelessly. We hope that you accept our request and help our people survive against the tides of demons attacking our clan.”
“Eh? Assistance?”
Sunirae, Pendra and Yhaele were confused. They thought they would learn of what they were once the troops retreated but instead, they were asked to help.
They didn’t even know what elves are and now they are requested to help them? Yhaele felt that it was ridiculous but remained silent as he knew this might be his only chance.
“Yes. As shameless as this request might be, we need the power of demons in order to tide through our current crisis. We are currently being attacked and our species are being endangered of being annihilated at any moment and thus forced to make a desperate attempt of asking a demon for help.”
The situation became even more ridiculous as Yhaele listened. He thought elves are really ridiculous species. They hadn’t even introduced themselves, yet now they were asking for their help.
Simnan noticed the situation and immediately came forward to mediate. With the longbow in his hands, he went in front of her sister and apologized.
“I apologize for my sister’s rudeness. We are just too desperate and were pushed on edge as we had to deal with the demon’s chasing these few days. We are also constantly worried about our clan as more time passes, thus the urgency.”
Simnan bowed deeply despite knowing it could be deadly. In front of demons, of creatures that could attack them at any moment, doing so was tantamount to suicide. Thankfully, he judged the situation well and knew it was safe to do so.
“Once again, I formally introduce myself. I am Simnan sha Pretvgan of the Pretvgan clan, People of Evergreen. This is my sister, Fairheth sha Pretvgan and we are here on behalf of our elders orders. Please, save our clan!”
Simnan continued bowing and Fairheth realized her careless mistake. She had been complacent due to the fact that the demon in front was plant-type. She forgot what kind of place Hell was and placed her brother in danger. Sweat flowed down her face as she felt relieved that the demons in front weren’t the violent and aggressive type.
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Elves were originally beings that disliked talking with outsiders so their communication skills were lacking. But fortunately, Yhaele somehow understood (?) their position due to his experience dealing with his sister, increasing his empathy.
“Okay, I understand.” Yhaele spoke before anyone could and surprised them.
“..!” I don't even know what’s going on yet you are agreeing? Thought Pendra inwardly while looking in his master’s direction. He was curious as to how Sunirae would react. Would she get mad at Yhaele or let things be?
“Okay! I understand as well!” Sunirae answered cheerfully as she didn’t think much about it. In the first place, the concept of help was unfamiliar to demons so she didn’t really understand what this was all about.
The two elves were glad to hear things work out and inwardly heave a sigh of relief. At the same time, they were worried that their position might be leaked due to the commotion on their side.
“But I have a condition, we need compensation for our assistance.” Yhaele asked cautiously. He wasn’t even sure of the compensation, all he wanted was a way to get back to the human world but he wasn’t confident.
“But of course! We will concede to you all the souls that you kill and pay you with some human souls as well! I believe this must be enough?” Simnan asked in anticipation and was confident that the conditions were definitely attractive enough.
“Enough!” Shouted Sunirae eagerly. For her, souls and corpses don't have much difference. She was born with the ability to absorb and eat the leftover souls of the beings she killed so she was familiar with it.
“Wait, what do you mean by souls as payments?” However, it was an unfamiliar transaction and compensation to those originally born as Low-Rank Demons. Although Low-Rank Demons can also consume soul fragments from the corpses of the prey they hunt, soul fragments are merely residue that could be called leftover from a being’s life experience. Therefore, they who hadn’t had experiences consuming souls have slower growth rate and are unfamiliar to it, just like Yhaele.
“Eh? Oh right, my mistake.” Simnan belatedly realized his mistake as he thought about it. Based on the records he read in the family, demons only gain the ability to prey and grow through souls once they become Mid-Rank Demons. Thinking of this, he got a headache as the assistance that they required needed to be at least a Mid-Rank Demon. But unfortunately, they were thrown into the upper stratas where only unintelligent beasts drool on their scent and chased after them relentlessly.
“According to what I’ve read, demons use souls in most transactions. This is because Mid-Rank Demons have the ability to consume and prey on souls to grow stronger. But this is the first time that we’ve dealt with demons so we were unfamiliar with the process and unfortunately got teleported here to the upper floor where Low-Rank Demons reside.”
Simnan patiently explained to the confused and baffled Yhaele and shared important information. Upon hearing them, Yhaele got enlightened as to how the sunflower grows rapidly. She must have that ability! Thinking of this, Sunirae is quite the fraudulent being that has the ability of a Mid-Rank Demon at birth despite being a Low-Rank Demon.
I wonder what her origins are..
Wondered both Yhaele and Pendra as they realized the truth. Pendra in particular has seen it a lot. He had been with Sunirae since almost the beginning and saw his master’s rapid growth in real time. At first he was suspicious but now his suspicions are cleared up.
The other demons at the scene were oblivious to the truth and ignorantly guarded the periphery in case an invader appeared. And not long after, noise of fighting and low growls echoed from the periphery where they guarded.