Note: ‘ ’ will now indicate Shaitan speaking only to Damien via telepathy.

It’s been an entire week since Damien met Shaitan. Although exhausted, he was slowly getting used to his personality, maybe even building a rapport with him… maybe. He was currently making his way to an abandoned church at night to see Shaitan’s abilities for the first time.

“You know, you still haven’t told me anything about Shades.”

‘Do you realize how utterly ridiculous you must look to other humans speaking to your arm?’

He was right. The few people that were walking by were staring at Damien with strange and worried looks.

“D-Don’t change the subject! Well, if you won’t tell me anything about Shades, then at least tell me more about the rite of the Demon King. How do we know if we’re the last ones standing, anyway?” he whispered this time.

‘While in the Mortal Realm we have the ability of appearing human and are able sense the presence of other demons. Earlier today, I have already sensed 7 signs disappear, aside from us there are only 92 remaining.’

“They aren’t wasting any time, huh?”

‘Silence. We are being followed.’ Shaitan said abruptly. ‘Excellent. This will make a perfect opportunity to show you my greatness.’ he laughed ominously. ‘Begin running to the church.’

The second Shaitan finished speaking, Damien broke into a dash towards the abandoned church. He had already resolved himself. He had an orphanage to protect, and had absolutely no qualms about killing demons.

Making his way into the inner parts of the decrepit building, Damien turned to face the entrance. What he was saw was… a normal-looking, if not pretty, girl. A girl about 5’4 tall with shoulder-length straight blonde hair.

“Which Demon Clan are you from?” the girl said with a commanding tone.

‘Do not speak.’ Shaitan relayed to Damien.

A few seconds passed.

“If you do not tell me, I will just kill you.” the girl said with a grin.

Suddenly, green scales started appearing on her body, and a tail began to grow.

“Lizardman?!” Damien unconsciously spoke aloud.

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“You bitch, how dare you! I am a dragonewt! Just for that, I will slowly take my time and enjoy killing you.” the girl retorted.

‘Ahahah. Good. A weakling. I might have actually been worried for you if it had been a much stronger demon.’ Shaitan said with a hint of amusement. ‘This is good experience for you, try to survive for as long as you can.’

“Hey, what the hell?! Are you just going to leave me here with this lizardman?!” his cry was to deaf ears… except for the self-proclaimed dragonewt.

“I’ll kill you!” she spoke with renewed anger and ran towards Damien.

Damien tried to recall the information he got from Shaitan about lizardmen. Although not as strong as a dragon’s, their scales, claws, and powerful tails were the features he remembered about them.

He made a backstep just as a claw swiped at his face, barely dodging it. It had been a feint. As he was jumping back, a tail grabbed him by his foot and swung him across the room. He flew and crashed into the altar, spitting out blood.

“So weak. Are you even a demon?” the girl laughed and approached Damien slowly.

Damien was gasping for air, slowly pulling himself back up when a tail wrapped around his body.

“I will slowly crush you to death for your insolence.” the girl said in a melodic voice, tightening and increasing the pressure of her tail.

“AAAHHH! Aaaa-” Damien yelled in pain before being unable to even emit a sound.

‘Well, you need some improvement. That ended faster than I thought it would.’ Shaitan said casually as Damien was struggling to break free. Simultaneously, Damien’s left arm below his elbow disappeared and a black arm materialized behind the female lizardman.

The black arm thrust into her chest… and pulled out a grotesque organ. It was still beating.

‘A lowly lizardman dares harm my vessel?’ Shaitan spoke telepathically to the girl.

“W-wh… How?” the girl said, spitting out blood. “Black… I-it can’t be, Shaitan?! Why is a monster like you here...” Those were her last words as the heart was grasped by the black arm and crushed.