"FOOLISH IMP. DO NOT DAWDLE, MY TIME ALREADY RUNS SHORT!"

"Apologies Argos, I will have your things ready momentarily."

The great demon huffed and wobbled out of the door. Actually, door is an understatement. More like massive monumental gate. Fat fucking prick.

Ever since he'd been reborn... Honestly didn't even feel like a new life. Working for a corrupt manager, or in this life's case, a literal demon. Tended to put a mental strain on you. But regardless, ever since he'd been reborn. Leo had been constrained to... This.

Leo ran around the giant place. Shoving, comparatively tiny, trinkets into a large bag. Argos had beaten him numerous times already for missing any of what he was told to collect. He didn't seem to care if they were orderly or not, so Leo saw fit to simply sweep them all in.

Leo gasped in relief as he broke free from the oppressive presence of the being that had spoken to him. His hand passing through what felt like rock solid malice. Slowly he pulled himself all the way free-wait no. That's not malice, that's actually rock.

With a tumble he fell out of the stone, collapsing into a heap on the ground, shivering in mental exhaustion.

"Hmmm... First one out, humanoid."

"BIT OF A SCRAWNY ONE, NO?"

"Regardless, it is a good omen."

The rock behind Leo crackled and popped. The stone audibly cracking and breaking as more things shattered free from their prison of stone.

Leo glanced up to see multiple figures standing a distance away from him, some small. Some normal. Some big. Some... Holy shit...

A mountain of a creature stood stock still, glaring down at the freshly emerging creatures. Leo wasn't sure how he knew it was alive... He just... Did.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit."

Leo dashed around the giant building as quickly as possible, he knew his time was running thin. Argos's punishment awaited him if Argos had to wait much longer then this. It could be anything from a minor scolding to the worst beating of Leo's life. It was part of Argos's nature, and Leo couldn't blame him for it, but Leo could hate him for it.

As much as he wanted to hurry however, there was one thing that took more importance. Coming to a screeching halt in front of a covered object Leo ripped the covers off of a mirror, tossing them to the side. Giving his appearance a quick once over.

He was diminutive, as most all imps were. Supposedly they grew with levels, though Leo had been... Adversely against gigantism. He was sure anybody who knew him in this new life even slightly could figure out why.

His hair was grey, notably not silver, specifically grey. Even a little ashy depending on who you asked. Though poking out of his hair was a short pair of horns, indicators of his demonic nature that others would normally be unable to tell from his unassuming features.

His skin was a natural tan, bordering on brown but closer to that of a beach dude that you'd see in his old world. Overall not a bad look. Paired with a fierce look and piercing red eyes that came with being a demon he'd say he didn't look half bad.

Last but most CERTAINLY not least, that'd probably be his height. Was his suit. It was an odd fixation, but any form of civilized demon always wore formal attire to any kind of meeting. EVER. Argos had a comically large suit big enough for even HIM to wear. It was his literal only piece of clothing.

It was intriguing, despite their nature's varying they all agreed on this one thing. Perhaps because it was a requirement to leveling up as some of the low level demon types? Not that it was necessary for the demons that attended such meetings in the first place though. Anyways, speaking of leveling up as a low level demon.

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Leo picked his suit clean of any dust of any sort and straightened his tie, ensuring his suit stayed pristine. It was literally imperative for him to do so, unless he wanted to be stuck serving Argos for all eternity. The better he did now the faster he could get on with his own life.

"IMP!"

Leo cursed under his breath, "COMING!"

He just hoped Argos wouldn't be too rough with him right before the meeting.

"I WILL TAKE THE FIRST, AS PER USUAL."

"Of course Argos, are there any others you wish for?"

Leo shivered as a piercing gaze fixed upon him, before spreading across the rest of his ilk. Freshly born imps who had emerged from the same stone that he had. Some were humanoid in shape, others more monstrous. Some made him, uncomfortable... None quite as much as Argos himself however.

"NO. IT SHALL SUFFICE."

Leo looked up, startled as the creature doubled down it's gaze upon him.

"Very well."

The hand of his nightmares stretched to claim him. And Leo froze.

Luckily, Argos only had minor complaint. Fate seemed to be on his side today. How long that'd last, Leo wasn't sure. Regardless they'd made it to the hall with little incident. Moving unimpeded through the crude streets of the fourth layers city. Which sounds like it should be normal, but every once in awhile a demon, foolish or brave, would make an attempt at challenging Argos... It never ended well.

Chatter filled the hall, though hall was more or less incorrect. This would more so, ironically enough, be closer to a cathedral. Though he wasn't sure if it was ironic. He didn't know if demons shared the same religious connotations as they did on earth after all.

Argos shambled along the path to the highest point in the building, and Leo made sure to follow after him as diligently as possible. Demons of all shapes and sizes glanced at Argos, and by extension, Leo, Constantly. Whispers of conspiracy or gossip, (a favorite amongst the council) nigh silently leaked out as the room gradually grew silent.

As much as he hated the old demon. Leo had to admit being Argos's personal, and sole imp did bring benefits that others like him couldn't hope to enjoy.

Humanoid demons thrived off of attention. And for an imp who was distinctly lacking in any real ability to inflict harm for where they were born, drawing the attention of their betters was their sole way to level up. Being the only imp of the most feared and respected demon in the entirety of the fourth layer tended to get you that attention. Even if you were so much lesser then those that saw you.

But that attention was a double sided sword, a chance for death as much as it was for growth. At the slightest lapse in concentration, the bolder few of the crowd may call him out, criticize him. And Argos would have no recourse but to accept the affront to his honor. If that were to happen... He had a feeling the worst beating of his life would be the least he'd get.

So as he'd been doing for days now. He followed Argos because his life literally depended on it. Walking with as much elegance as he could muster, he kept to himself and carried Argos's bag of materials. Until mercifully, the grotesquely massive demon sat upon his throne of stone.

"LET THE COURT BEGIN."