As the afternoon passed, Elena went to the neighborhood supermarket to buy ingredients for dinner.

Meanwhile, Satan curled up on Elena's bed, holding a piece of paper and a black pen with gold accents. He crafted lines for his Devil Role Play, aiming to convey a sense of might and intimidation that would make his opponents cower in fear and beg for mercy.

"I am Satan, the horror of humanity, the source of sin...?"

But this wasn't satisfactory.

He vigorously crossed out the line; it was the fifth one he had discarded.

"I've been sitting here for half an hour and still can't think of a perfect line. Seriously, how will my Devil Role Play work if I can't come up with words that make my opponents cower in fear?"

Exasperated, he tossed the black pen and paper into a small black void, his player inventory, and decided to walk outside for some fresh air. But before that, he took out a new blue pen and a sheet of paper from his inventory, wrote a note, and left it on the table.

"It's been a long time since I used this spell... eighth-tier magic: Shadow Transfer..."

This was Satan's second teleportation method. Compared to his "Ring of Uncaged," it was far more limited and one of his least favorite spells.

A black aura instantly enveloped his body, and as it faded, he found himself in the sky, standing a few feet above the ground.

"Now, where should I go?"

Satan struggled to decide where to go. After a few minutes, he chose Kabukicho, a place in Japan famous for its bustling nightlife, vibrant neon lights, and diverse range of entertainment options. He looked like an ordinary human, so fitting in wouldn't be too difficult. Even with his goat-like horns, he could just tell people he was cosplaying as a demon, which was sort of true.

In Dark Descent, demons didn't have horns; they were nearly identical to humans. The horns on Satan's head were actually a high-tier, super-rare item known as the "Horns of Evil."

'It's been a while since I went to a hostess club. Being surrounded by a bunch of stunning women feels wonderful.'

Thoughts of himself surrounded by ladies vying for his attention as he showered them with wealth made Satan giggle inside.

'Hold on a second.'

He stopped laughing as a realization struck him.

'I don't have money!'

He had no money at all—well, not quite, as he still had a hundred million gold coins stashed away in his inventory—and a few pointless trinkets, like diamond necklaces and pearl earrings. But he didn't need those; he needed a Japanese yen.

'I can't go to a hostess club like that! If people find out, I'll become a laughingstock. I can't let that happen! My reputation will be ruined!'

This was troubling.

How would he obtain money? He couldn't simply beg for it. The idea of the devil begging for money was absurd. Even if he did, who would he ask?

Furthermore, he had already made a deal with Elena in exchange for her bargain. Then, an idea dawned on him: he could exchange some worthless items, like diamond necklaces and pearl earrings, for yen.

Satan found the plan appealing; he could make a ton of yen and spend it on many attractive hostesses.

He then took off in the direction of Kabukicho.

.....

Elena had completed her shopping and was heading back home.

She murmured to herself, "I wonder what Satan is doing at this hour?"

Suddenly she halted as her gaze fixated on a dark alley, catching something that sparked her curiosity.

"What's that?" Elena wondered aloud, her curiosity driving her to venture into the dark alley for a closer look. As she peered deeper, her eyes widened in shock, exclaiming, "Oh God..." The scene before her was a harrowing sight to behold.

Lying there, barely conscious, was a girl who appeared to be no older than sixteen or seventeen. Bruises marred her body, blood trickled from her nose, and her limbs were twisted unnaturally. The air was tainted with the strong smell of urine. She was dressed in a white shirt and red skirt, topped with a red overcoat. Her black shoes and tie completed the uniform.

Elena recognizable the attire, it was from Kuro Sihou School, a prestigious institution in Tokyo.

Filled with horror, Elena approached the injured girl, her mind reeling with the question, "Who could have committed such atrocities against such a young girl?!"

As she drew nearer, a metallic sound echoed under her foot—clank.Lifting her foot, Elena discovered a broken nameplate, its long, blue neck snapped in half. Reading the name "Haruka Mizuki" on the shattered piece, she reached into her shopping bag, grabbed a water bottle, and sprinkled a few drops on the girl while urgently calling out, "Hey, wake up!"

Despite her efforts, the girl remained unresponsive, her body limp and numb. With growing concern, Elena made another attempt to rouse her, receiving no reply. Determined to get help, she swiftly pulled out her phone and dialed for an ambulance, ensuring aid was on the way for the injured girl.

...

Descending through Kabukicho's skies, Satan invoked the Dark Veil, rendering himself invisible as he landed atop a building—a love hotel, to be precise. Inhaling deeply, he remarked, "I can smell the scent of sex lingering in the air," his gaze sweeping over the street below.

Anticipation fueled his excitement, yet practical matters tugged at his attention; he needed to unload some unwanted accessories for yen. Abruptly, a voice pierced the silence, "Oh, my, you're quite the unexpected visitor in this foreign domain, aren't you?"

Behind him stood a woman of striking beauty. Her skin, a delicate and light shade of white, appeared soft and flawless. Her hair was styled in a traditional Japanese updo, secured with a red pin that added a touch of elegance. She wore a red kimono made of luxurious fabric, with intricate designs and high-quality material.

"Who are you, woman?"

"I must admit, I'm quite impressed," the woman chuckled softly. "Very few can resist my enticing empathy aura. Usually, even a hint of desire would ensnare most, yet you remain unaffected. Your mental strength is truly remarkable. I'm impressed."

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'Credit my horns for that.'

The horns made him immune to aura-based attacks. The horns served another purpose as well: they gave him one extra life, which had a 24-hour cooldown period after usage and could bring him back to full health and mana instantaneously.

Satan gave out a theatrical smile. He raised his arms wide, taking his pose.

"Of course, I am Satan; there are none like me!"

Satan introduced himself with a touch of satisfaction. He always relished these moments of introduction in his role-play persona, even if it was just a game. Yet, a part of him wished it were more than that.

"Satan, like the one from the Bible?"

"The very same. Now, reveal your identity."

"Ah, my apologies for my lack of manners; I am Tamamo-no-Mae," the woman replied with a slight bow and a polite tone.

'Tamamo-no-Mae...'

The name struck a chord with Satan. It was associated with the legendary nine-tailed fox. He remembered reading about her during his high school days.

'Is she the same figure from the legends, or merely someone sharing the name?'

"Tamamo-no-Mae, as in the legendary nine tails?"

Tamamo-no-Mae existed only as a myth in his world, raising the possibility of her being real in this parallel universe. If true, it hinted at the potential reality of other myths from his world.

But what about the real Devil? Could such a being exist here? Satan hoped not; facing his role model in battle wasn't something he desired. Yet, his demon instincts whispered cruel intentions, urging him to eliminate every demon in this world in the most sadistic manner.

The lore of Dark Descent portrayed demons as inherently hostile towards each other, ready to kill on sight. This aspect seemed mirrored in this parallel universe, fueling Satan's disdain for demons, regardless of their differences from those in Dark Descent.

"Bingo..."

Tamamo-no-Mae's fingers traced Satan's chest, her words hinting at a sense of gratification. "It's quite delightful that even the Devil recognizes me."

"Huh? How are you unsealed, then? Shouldn't you be imprisoned within a rock?"

"That's ancient history," Tamamo-no-Mae dismissed casually. "I broke free from that rock a century ago."

Tamamo-no-Mae leaned in towards Satan, her inquiry direct and probing. "Speaking of sealing, how is it that you are also unsealed?" She placed her arms gently on his shoulders, awaiting his response. "I thought you and your entire legion of demons were sealed in hell for at least 10,000 years."

'Huh?'

The realization struck Satan: the devil was sealed. This meant that the Satan from the Bible was indeed real in this world. This realization sparked a thought in his mind: what would the actual Satan think if he found him?

As Satan pondered the implications of his discovery, he decided to focus on the present situation.

"No, I was never sealed; as you can see with your own eyes, I am completely unsealed and at full power," Satan asserted confidently, activating his passive aura to demonstrate his strength.

"That's quite the fearsome power you have," Tamamo-no-Mae remarked calmly.

"It's just a taste of my abysmal bottomless power," Satan boasted, aiming to impress Tamamo-no-Mae with his abilities.

Surprised yet impressed, Tamamo-no-Mae acknowledged, "So the legends of your power are not mere exaggerations. A power like yours shouldn't be allowed to roam free. You can save the world or let it burn into cinders."

"We can discuss that later; now tell me, you said something about me being sealed. Who sent such utter nonsense to you?" Satan's tone turned serious as he deactivated his passive skill, fixing his gaze intently on Tamamo-no-Mae. He sought to unravel the mystery surrounding the Satan of this world and its history. "I want to know what this fuss is about."

Tamamo-no-Mae wore a puzzled expression, yet she proceeded to recount to Satan, "Seven thousand years ago, there was a second war between Heaven and Hell. The Devil and his new legions of demons were defeated by a battalion of angels led by the three archangels and sealed in Hell for all of eternity. Both sides suffered immense losses, with every demon and angel permanently losing their physical forms, including the Devil and archangels."

'Wow, that's intense.'

"That story isn't entirely accurate; some parts are missing, and others are twisted to suit angelic propaganda."

Satan was determined not to let Tamamo-no-Mae doubt his identity as the real Devil. Protecting his image was paramount, even if it meant manipulating the truth.

"The war did occur, but it was Lucifer who was sealed in hell, not me. Those 'demons' are actually delusional fallen angels," Satan explained, trying to set the record straight.

Tamamo-no-Mae, slightly puzzled, asked, "So Lucifer and Satan are different entities?"

"Yes, Lucifer is like a bratty child rebelling against his father's favoritism. I, on the other hand, am the antithesis of God, his greatest adversary. Despite his omni-benevolence, God could never forgive me. Lucifer merely adopted my name to symbolize his rebellion."

Tamamo-no-Mae expressed surprise, stating, "And that is new; I never heard about it from those pesky Christians."

Satan responded with a sigh, "What else do you expect from them? They always get things wrong. Now, is there anything else you need to ask?"

With a sense of urgency, Tamamo-no-Mae replied, "There are thousands of questions I need to ask you, but I will keep them aside; I have to go somewhere now."

"Then go," Satan replied nonchalantly, exhaling deeply and feeling a sense of relief as Tamamo-no-Mae vanished from the spot.

"Well... It was quite an unexpected meeting, wasn't it?"

...

The cab pulled up in front of Elena's house; the door opened, and she got out, carrying her shopping bag. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the door and saw Satan sitting in the dimly lit hallway, waiting.

With a deep breath, Satan remarked, "It took you long enough," his eyes piercing through the gloom. "I didn't know shopping for a few groceries in the local supermarket would consume this much time."

"Nothing; there was a big queue."

Elena took off her shoes and placed them neatly on the shoe rack.

"Really?"

Satan questioned her, furrowing his brows in suspicion.

"Yes."

Elena stepped past Satan, her heart pounding in her chest.

'She is definitely lying...'

Satan stood up abruptly, and his hand seized her wrist like a vice grip.

"Don't lie to me, woman."

With a voice full of pain, Elena shouted, "Leave my wrist," as Satan's grip on her wrist caused tremendous pain. "You are hurting me..."

With an even harder grasp on Elena's wrist, Satan commanded, "Then tell me what you are hiding, woman."

Then his characteristic evil theoretical smirk appeared on his face, and his voice took on a sinister, menacing tone. "I can do things far worse than you can think, so woman, don't make me hurt your beautiful, soft, and fragile body."

If a woman hides things from you, sometimes the best course of action is to beat her and threaten to make her understand. He had heard this from his old dad when he was a young lad.

Elena responded, her tone beseechingly painful. "Fine, I will tell you."

Satan released her wrist.

"Now see, how hard was it?" With a sly smile, Satan spoke. "Learn from this, woman. Never withhold anything from me."

"Can we talk in the living room?" Elena replied, trembling and afraid, as she gently rubbed the sore spot on her wrist where Satan's finger had left marks.

"As you command," Satan lightly replied, nodding his head as if nothing had happened. He trailed Elena into the living room. They both take seats next to each other on the sofa.

"Now reveal what you intended to hide." Satan asked while glancing at Elena.

Elena remarked, her expression displaying melancholy, "I met a girl when I was coming back home—a very young girl." She continued, "She was around the age of sixteen; she was beaten and abused."

"Continue..." With a distinct expression and tone, Satan spoke.

"I called an ambulance and took her to the hospital," Elena explained. "The doctor said it would take her a day or two to come to her senses, then the cops came and asked a few things, and after that, I am here."

After a few seconds of silence, Satan stood up and asked, "And why did you hide this fact from me?" in a low voice.

"I-I...I thought," Elena stammered out as she cast a fearful glance at Satan, perhaps fearful that he would harm her.

"I thought what?" Satan's voice grew menacing. "Have you forgotten about your lesson already, woman?"

Elena winced and continued, "I just didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me?" With confirmation, Satan questioned.

"Yes," Elena murmured quietly. "I thought I shouldn't bother you with things that you would find meaningless."

"I see..." Satan murmured, glancing briefly at Elena's injured wrist as he slowly made his way out of the room, leaving her alone.

Elena could no longer contain her pain, and tears eventually started to flow from her eyes.

"It hurts..."

Her voice was full of sorrow.

She wiped the tears off her face and went to prepare dinner.

Satan, meanwhile, was sitting on Elena's bed and contemplating his actions a few moments before. Gazing down at his hand, he used it to seize Elena's wrist.

'Maybe I overreached a little, but it wasn't my fault; I wouldn't have done that if she hadn't made an effort to hide things from me.'

Elsewhere...

Five young children, aged no more than seven or nine, were confined within the eerie confines of a crumbling church, situated atop a vast pentagon-shaped symbol etched into the ground.

Surrounding them were a dozen figures cloaked in darkness, their identities hidden behind scarlet masks. Moonlight glinted off the sharp edges of the blades they held with ominous intent.

Amidst this chilling scene, a woman draped in black robes spoke softly, her words a deceptive calm amidst the terror. "I understand your fear, little ones, but rest assured, this will be over soon."

She singled out a young boy and pulled him to his feet.

The child begged through tears, his voice quivering with fear. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he pleaded, "Please, I want my mom."

In response, the woman's voice softened, adopting a comforting tone. "Oh, my dear boy, don't worry. I'll send you back to your mama..." She gently brushed his head with her hand.

Hope flickered in the child's eyes as he asked, "Really? Will you?"

With a cruel smile curling her lips, the woman remained silent as she plunged the knife into the child's stomach, eliciting cries of agonizing pain.

Mockingly, she taunted, "You fool. What use would it be to send you back to your mother after kidnapping you?"

The horror of the scene left the other children in stunned disbelief.

Disregarding the child's suffering, she callously pushed him to the ground, intensifying his torment by twisting the knife further. Then, with a vicious gesture, she ripped out the child's tongue and tossed it aside.

With a chilling calmness, the woman addressed the bewildered children, "I'm sure you're wondering why this is happening. It's simple, really. You've been chosen as sacrifices for the Great Lord Satan."

"Satan?" a child whispered in disbelief.

"Yes, the Great Lord Satan, along with his legion of demons, locked away in the depths of hell," the woman explained as she casually removed the boy's eyes. "We, the Satanists, have been conducting these sacrifices for centuries, gathering young souls for Lord Satan's resurrection. One day, he will unleash Armageddon and engulf the world in flames."

The boy lay lifeless, his soul condemned to hell. With a grim finality, the woman extracted her blade from his stomach, slit his throat, and severed his head from his body. Holding the severed head, she whispered, "Consider yourself fortunate, child. Only the chosen ones are granted the honor of being sacrificed to Satan."

Planting a kiss on the boy's forehead, she tossed the head aside and turned to her fellow figures in black robes, commanding, "Now, finish the others."

In a brutal and relentless frenzy, the black-robed figures executed the remaining children as directed by the woman. The once serene church floor now bore witness to a gruesome scene of carnage, as the children were methodically dissected. Limbs were severed, hearts removed, noses and ears clipped away, and various organs harvested to form a macabre pentagon, crowned by the head of a goat with a third eye.

"The time for the Devil's awakening draws near, and we, his devoted followers, shall be rewarded," the woman declared, casting a glance towards the moon. "Generations of Satanists like us have remained steadfast in our allegiance."

With their grim task complete, the Satanists hurriedly vacated the desecrated church, leaving behind the corpses of the innocent

children for nature's scavengers to claim.

Amidst the tragedy, a stained glass depiction of Christ holding the Holy Grail stood solemnly next to the lifeless forms.

Tears of blood cascaded down Christ's face, his eyes gleaming like rubies in the moon's pale light.