Nulla headed outside, to see a towering being, horned and with stone dust falling off its head and shoulders. It had a strange expression on its face, as though it was somewhat sad. It’s not like Nulla knows, or even cares.
Nulla soon headed out into to streets, hearing the mass yelling as people ran away. The beast? Demon? Whatever it was, it was sending blasts of flame mana, incinerating those who had yet to flee far. Nulla strolled about, still on break after all. Houses were decimated, the dead lining the streets. A passerby falls at Nulla’s feet, heavily burned. They look up at Nulla, and beg him to help them. Nulla wonders, what does help mean? Deciding to guess, Nulla healed the passerby’s burns. Unfortunately, they passed out, so Nulla couldn’t ask if that was right.
Leaving them on the ground, Nulla continued his stroll amidst the chaos. More houses crumbled, even the Archwizards. Curious, Nulla walked around but found no traces of Sam. Figuring he kept true to his statement, Nulla continued to wander.
“Hey, Nulla!” a familiar voice called. Nulla spun to see Clara.
“Hello.”
“Not going to be a hero?”
“A hero?”
“Have you read the book yet?”
“I have. It was quite informative. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you for the recommendation.”
Clara just smiled, with a knowing look. This left Nulla quite confused.
“What’s your meaning in life?” And with that strange question, Clara vanished.
Nulla pondered the question. What did he live for?
Nulla thought through his life. He had no one and decided to find people. When he arrived, he just followed the crowd and took the guard's advice. He picked up some requests and followed them. He then only took a break when told to do so.
“My meaning in life… is to do something. People are simply quite helpful along the way, with their wants and needs. I am the instrument, they’re the sheet music. And you Clara,” Nulla released a spell dispelling her invisibility, “are another section. You provided the meaning with your start, and I accept. For now, I will be a hero.”
With those final words, Nulla turned to the demon, drew his sword, and charged. He struck the ankles of the giant, and upon finding it futile, leapt up. Forming footholds from mana, Nulla soon reached the head.
“You. The one who kindly slew the rats for me. As thank you for helping me achieve my goal, I shall spare you. If you refuse my generous offer, then you will perish with the rest of them! All who shatter and crush my dreams, and their co-conspirators will die tonight!” the summoner on the shoulder shouted.
Name: Aryistan
Species: Human
Class: Demon Summoner (Rare)
Level: 5
Skills:
…
Name: (Unnamed)
Species: Demon
Class: Destroyer (Super rare)
Level: 25
Skills:
…
Nulla didn’t care. He was acting as a hero tonight, and he wouldn’t stop. Perhaps in the morning, Nulla would’ve taken that deal.
The demon had kept the same expression as when Nulla glanced at it earlier, but when Nulla stayed, it grew sadder.
Nulla looked at the demon, and asked it, “Are you doing this of your own will?”
“No. My contract makes me have to do such a thing. If I could, I wish to be a hero like you.”
Nulla felt somewhat conflicted. He wasn’t planning on being a hero forever, but he was currently one. A misunderstanding should be corrected.
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“I’m just a hero for tonight. Maybe I’ll be a hero more later, but for now, assume I won’t be one. But, if you wish… never mind, I’ll talk about it later. Be sure not to die, it would be more difficult to talk to you if you’re dead.”
The demon's face went from sad and worried about its failure to be a hero, to having hope shining within it’s eyes. But the moment couldn’t last forever.
“You stupid demon! Kill him now! Burn him to ashes, make him a lifeless husk, anything and everything!” Aryistan yelled, with the sound nearly being pure anger projected into the enviorment.
The demon swung its hand, palm open, at Nulla, who responded by effortlessly dodging without stopping time, and jumping down to a rooftop below. Nulla quickly made giant spears of ice to pierce the hard skin. It worked, leading to Aryistan yelling something Nulla couldn’t make out.
Whatever it was, it led the demon to set him down safely to the side and transform itself into a human-sized form. It formed a sword and quickly began to swing. Nulla dealt with each strike, the thrusts went to the side, the overhead strikes were directed off course, and the swipes were worthless against stepping backwards.
Nulla kept dealing with the attacks, losing maybe a drop of energy, while the demon was noticeably losing steam. The formerly swift strikes, with quick follow-ups, became sluggish and with no attempt to lead into another strike. With the weakened strength, Nulla prepared a hidden spell. Waiting for the right moment, Nulla countered and bound the demon with great chains. Wasting not a moment, Nulla dashed and struck the summoner. Not expecting an attack, he barely managed to survive.
“Wait! You’re a hero. You have to gi-,” was all he could say before he was ended.
Nulla hopped back over to the demon.
“Would you like me to make you a hero?”
“But… I’ve killed too many. I’ll never become a noble demon.”
“No worries,” Nulla said, a smile creeping onto his face. “I can help.”
As Nulla spoke, a strange thing began to happen. Above Nulla formed a ring, much like a halo. It burned, held ice, twisted, and distorted. It was as though Chaos had descended before the demon, in the body of a human. Behind him was a visible warp in reality, the sign of incredible power. The demon watched in amazement, knowing the tales of Chaos.
“I offer you a contract. Your duty is to be a hero, to save people, help with their problems, whatever is needed. You will also be my follower, obey any command I give to you in this form,” Nulla waved at his halo and spacial ripple behind, “and in exchange, I will make you into a noble demon and turn back time. When time has rewound, I shall finalize the contract at your summoning. Do you accept?”
“Yes!” upon hearing confirmation, time seemed to break apart, leaving the demon in a strange place. But only for a moment, as it soon found itself back in the place where demons reside. Their minds are not frozen, but their bodies do not exist. Most demons sleep the eternity away, but some think. The demon was one of those who thought, and when a small crack appeared an eternity ago, they saw a hero. And began to aspire to be one. Upon summoning, they’re released from their state, and they receive bodies, and the demon was no exception. But this time, the demon waited patiently. It wouldn’t have long until it was called.
∅∅∅
Nulla was back at his room, having just cracked open the book. As Nulla headed over to where the demon would be soon summoned, Nulla thought about what differences this time would have. The point of divergence was Nulla sitting down and reading, so Nulla wouldn’t have physically read the book. The city wasn’t going to be destroyed, so Nulla wouldn’t heal anyone or chat with Clara. It also means he wouldn’t be a hero.
Nulla debated whether or not to be a hero. While it would work well, it would also lock him out of other jobs. Nulla arrived however, so he shelved the question for later.
Opening the basement door, Nulla hid while Aryistan continued the summoning. Soon enough, the demon appeared.
“Hello,” Nulla started, leaving the shadows.
“You!” Aryistan yelled with fear, but it quickly faded away to an arrogant expression. “It’s too late to stop me! I have a demon here, and demons must contract their summoners!”
“Hrm. It’s a bit complicated, but to summarize, I’ve already contracted that specific demon. Hrmm. Just calling you “the demon” or “that demon” isn’t very… something. Fun? Comfortable? Whatever. I hereby name you Abtal, do you accept?”
“I do,” Abtal responded, upon which they promptly fell unconscious.
“What did you do?” Confusion flooded over Aryistan, although fear had yet to touch him with its grip. However, that would soon change.
“Abided by my end of the contract. I turned them into a noble demon. But for you, I don’t know what to do. I’ll just ask.”
As Nulla spoke and Aryistan paled at his plan crumbling before him, Abtal awoke.
“No need. I’ll take care of him. I must capture him and bring him before a judge.”
“Feel free then. I’m going back to bed then,” and with that, Nulla went home.
∅∅∅
Abtal was filled with power. With a bit of effort, a sword formed within it’s hand. It swung, but Aryistan wasn’t going down without a fight. And with Abtals handicap of having to leave him alive, he had a chance. Abtals swings were repeatedly blocked by Aryistans barriers, but with each block, he visibly grew more tired. Abtal kept up the pressure, their newfound power making their stamina last far longer. Aryistan began to throw spells, run away, and even teleportation. He began to panic more and more, with nothing working.
“Do you wish for the power to fight back?” Aryistan heard in his head. Aryistan was hoping to gain the attention of a very specific patron, but he had no time to be picky. “Wonderful. I am Mor. If you escape alive I shall make you a dungeon master.” Aryistan breathed a sigh of relief. Mor the god of monsters had chosen him! He accepted the power freely.
Abtal dodged away. Aryistan began to laugh madly. “HAHAHA! I have been chosen by Mor! You’re no match for me! You may be a noble demon, but your patron is a mere mortal. I have a god on my side!”
Abtal smiled gently, and redoubled their efforts. And much like before, Aryistan was pushed back. The new power wasn’t of any help. In minutes, Aryistan collapsed. Abtal focused some mana and bound Aryistans hands and magic.
Abtal quickly grabbed Aryistan and brought him to the nearest guard station, and after a quick interrogation, was given a quick reward and sent off.
∅∅∅
Mor was confused. How had a noble demon beat his contractor? Who was that demon's patron? With some focus, Mor saw the tell-tale signs of a contracted demon, but no other end of the connection. Whoever was on the other end, they could hide from a god.