Chapter 22

  I headed back through the valley, pulling the hood of Mary’s “borrowed” cloak over my head. Really don’t want to draw attention. But it seemed demons couldn’t even imagine a lone human wandering their settlement. I walked slowly. Nobody saw my face, but that didn’t make me feel any safer. Felt like a little Polish Jew in occupied Warsaw. Every second, I wanted to bolt, but that was a hard no. Gotta act natural. My plan was to use those demons’ help—they owed me. No way I’d reach the exit on my own, so it seemed the smartest move.

  The cloak wasn’t the only thing I “borrowed” from my late friend. Murder weapons shouldn’t be left at the crime scene. Especially not such fancy ones. Especially ones that can pierce demon skin in one strike. Total must-have for hell’s fashion season. The daggers hung a bit crooked on the wall, so I went to straighten them, and somehow, weirdly, they ended up tucked in my belt. What’s taboo for demons is the backbone of governance in my homeland.

  I couldn’t stop admiring the weapons. Their delicate blue tint shimmered with silver even in the dim light. The smith probably spent nights on these masterpieces and got paid handsomely. Or maybe not. Or got paid, just not in cash. In this savage world, people sometimes settle debts with a knife to the side when they’re short on coin. They’re a long way from bank cards, so everyone vents their frustration however they can.

  - Back quick. – Kalh greeted me.

  - Yeah, yeah… Mary’s got a lot on her plate.

  - Got it. They probably called her too.

  - What? Oh, yeah, totally, called, uh-huh…

  - Why’s the master suddenly want us? – Kalid chimed in, sneaking up from the side. – Can’t remember the last time this happened.

  - When they set the torture quotas for Ksafraks.

  - Oh, right. You not going? They didn’t call you? – Kalid asked me.

  - Nah, I’m good. Got a special mission, so it doesn’t apply to me.

  - Got it… Well, good luck then.

  Why’d his tone sound like a goodbye? Is he planning to ditch me?

  - Hold up, what about our deal?

  - Deal? – Kalh asked, surprised. – Oh, right, the deal… Sorry, forgot. (Yeah, sure…) Look, thing is, the master’s calling us all, so we can’t take you now. It’s almost a month’s walk to the gates. Why don’t you wait here?

  - Oh, hell no, brothers… What the fuck is this? I cleared your debts, and you pull this? That wasn’t exactly a fun process, you know. But I fucking endured… Thought, decent guys would appreciate my sacrifice. Thought you weren’t some bullshitters who’d screw me over. I’ve got a mission too, you know. Way more important than yours. And I’m short on time.

  - So, what’s your plan? You know if we don’t show up before his high-ass majesty, we’re in deep shit.

  - It’s fine. You don’t all have to come. Send one guy, and tell the master he’s helping with my mission.

  - Hmm… Not a bad idea. Niiimuuus!!! Get over here!

  The third demon lazily poked his head out of the cave, holding a teapot. What’s wrong with these creatures? They got a tea addiction? Far as I know, it’s not a drug. Or is it for demons? Alright, since I’m half-demon now, better skip that drink. Coffee’s my one true love!

  - What? – Nimus snapped, annoyed. – Oh, you’re back? That was quick…

  - Mary went to the master.

  - That so? We’re heading there too.

  - You’re not. – Kalh cut in.

  - Huh? Why the hell not? I like living…

  - You’re taking him to the gate. Debts gotta be paid. Especially for all that tea you chugged.

  - What? But…

  - Don’t worry, they’ll say you’re helping with my mission. You’ll be fine. – Nimus calmed down a bit after my words.

  - Wait, what do we tell the master? – Kalid suddenly asked.

  - Tell him: “Mongols are attacking” – it’s the password. He’ll get it.

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  - What a load of nonsense…

  - I didn’t make it up.

  - Oh, then it makes sense… Alright, Nimus, see ya. Kalh and I are heading out…

  - Fine… – Nimus muttered, watching his friends walk off. – Sorry, I’ll take you. Who else would? Always the same… Go here… Fetch that… I didn’t make the deal, did I? All Kalh… Screw it… Want some tea?

  - Sure.

  After quenching my thirst, we set off. Our path ran along the mountain range. Off to the side, in the open, dozens of demonic beasts scurried among lava geysers and black smoke pillars. Now and then, they’d charge us, but they’d scatter quick when they saw Nimus. Super convenient. How’d I manage without this demon-blocker before?

  - Sorry for acting like that. – Nimus spoke up. – You held up your end of the deal, even if it was forced on you.

  - It’s cool. Don’t sweat it. Everyone’s gotta look out for themselves. That’s normal.

  - Yeah, but still feels off. Keeping deals is part of demon nature. Not everyone remembers that. The further we go, the blurrier our principles get.

  - Stop stressing over dumb shit. Relax. You’re holding up your end right now. Without you, I’d be lunch by now.

  - Guess you’re right. By the way, keep forgetting to ask, and it’s kinda late, but… What’s your name?

  - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  - Yo, you freeze? You okay?

  Fuck… What’s my name? I legit don’t remember… I… Forgot… My own… Name… Didn’t think that was possible. Now what? Call myself Jackie Chan? No, I’m not letting this slide. Time for the reverse-time technique. I’ll rewind every event in my head until I dig up the info. So: Demons… More demons… Succubi… Giant demons… Leg paralysis… Falling off a cliff… Lots of small, angry demons… Rock… Chains… Dumb demons… Pain… So much pain… Insane pain… PAIN… TONS OF FUCKING PAIN… Stop, this isn’t helping. Should I use my old name? I remember that for some reason. Nah… Didn’t like it back then either. Guess I’ll make up a new one. Something cool, like Painlord? No, I’m not thirteen. Maybe an Easter egg? Thor? Electro? Nah, not thirteen. Dante? Virgil? Nope… Someone’ll think I’m trying to sound smart. Needs to be trendy, stylish. Something that highlights my skills but doesn’t scream for attention.

  - Elon? – No, fuck, not rational thinking skills, magic skills. Alright, alright… How about…

  - Elon? That’s your name? – Nimus cut in. Shit… Was I thinking out loud?

  - Elon… Yeah, I’m Elon. Elon… Screw it, fine, Elon.

  - Cool, cool. Not deaf, got it first time. Nice to meet you, Elon. – Nimus grinned. Cute, but please, don’t do that again. I nearly shat a brick. Too many teeth.

  - You too. – I grinned back.

  - Damn, without wings, you look so human. No wonder the kitties swarm you like moths to a flame. If I hadn’t seen your horns, I wouldn’t know. You masking your legs with magic?

  - Yeah. Seems masking legs is about all I’m good for.

  - You know, stat allocation’s a tricky thing. I didn’t get much strength either. Far as I know, succubi can’t sustain transformations long, but you make it look easy. Don’t sell yourself short. No wonder the master picked you for the mission.

  - Thanks. I’ve spent a lot of time honing my craft. (Like, seventeen years.)

  - That’s probably why you’re low on strength. By the way, I’ve seen most succubi around, but I don’t recall you.

  - I’m new here. From… the center? (Right? Vyer said something about a spiral and a center.)

  - Whoa… Where exactly?

  - Uh… Singapore…

  - Never heard of it.

  - It’s new. (Change the topic!) So, how long to the gate?

  - About a month on foot. (Fuck… A month walking… No amount of mana’s enough to keep my legs moving. Plus, these bastards don’t sleep. Don’t tell me it’s non-stop.) – Look, I could help. I was in a similar spot once, so I get it.

  - Help how?

  - Well… I got stuck with fire magic, and as you know, it’s the most useless thing here. Every demon, even newborn dogs, has resistance. Of course, the master says a fire mage on the surface is a human’s worst nightmare. Can’t wait for the war… I’ll show what I’m made of. Dumbass Kalh’ll choke on his jealousy… I used to be scared to leave home, but Kalid helped. He caught lesser demons for me to kill. Thanks to him, I became a full-fledged demon.

  - So…

  - I feel like I owe that debt. Let me pay it forward. Killing stuff can level you up nicely.

  I got legit scared. Looked around quick. Down at my feet. Up… No obvious danger. No meteors. No robot armies. No volcanic eruptions. Physics says I can’t be this lucky. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Felt like a giant underground worm would swallow me the second I agreed. I swallowed a ball of steel wool in my throat and, in a paranoid fit, quietly nodded. Right after, I squeezed my eyes shut and curled into a ball, but nothing happened. Suspicious…

  Over the next few days, Nimus brought clients to my quick-kill shop. Even those giant kitties. Turns out, my new daggers could one-shot them. I gained three whole levels, barely lifting a finger! My body count’s now in the dozens. Guess I’m a demon hunter now. Why not? Guys who chase prey with dogs call themselves hunters too. Things were going pretty well. Nimus turned out to be a decent guy. Didn’t ask questions when I said I needed rest due to low stamina and high mana costs. Had to hide my legs under the cloak when I slept. Good thing being half-demon means I need way less sleep. Nimus even brought water, noticing how greedily I drank last time. Think we’re buddies now, even if he plans to slaughter all humans. Only thing that bugs me is his constant whining about tea.

  But later, trekking through the scorched plains, I felt a weird weakness. I’d forgotten that feeling, but it hadn’t forgotten me. Seems I’ve got a fever. Body aches and a headache followed fast. A heavy chill locked up my movements. I couldn’t focus to walk anymore. I missed one key detail: regeneration isn’t healing. When Grok was around, diseases didn’t faze me. But now… Did I catch some hell plague? I’m half-demon! I should have immunity! Scream all you want in your head, it doesn’t help. I felt like shit. Nimus stood over me, confused, not getting what was wrong. His face showed genuine worry.

  - Nimus… Help me up. I need to piss…

  Without a word, he helped me. Fuck… What now? Doubt there’s a pharmacy nearby.

  - Can you hold it for me? Shit… I mean, hold me?

  Leaning on his shoulder, I managed to stay upright.

  - Maybe it’s from the long transformation? – he asked. – Should you stop the magic?

  - No, don’t… I’m… fine… I’m okay… I’m… FUCKING HELL!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!!!

  I stared at my junk, unable to tear my eyes from the unspeakable horror staring back. Like someone slammed me with a sledgehammer and yanked the ground out from under me. I was shocked to my core by one brutal fact: looks like I’ve got syphilis.