The guards trembled as they stared at the smoldering ruins behind them—the estate of Raphas, the Imperial Capital’s most notorious black-market dealer.
They knew well enough what vile deeds he’d committed.
As the Capital’s protectors, they’d longed to purge such evil. But Raphas had covered his tracks too perfectly—they’d never found grounds to move against him.
Worse, his web of connections reached deep into the nobility, binding both the guards and the Empire itself.
Without irrefutable proof, they couldn’t bring him to justice. Yet now…
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Had this blight on the Capital truly been eradicated… by Demon Kin?
Raphas was a scourge to humanity. Yet here they stood—human guardians too timid to act, forced to rely on demons to cleanse their own filth. What bitter irony.
"So you… you came here solely for that man… Raphas?"
The captain forced out a heavy breath, swallowing his fear as he faced the shadowy monster before him.
Strangely, the creature no longer seemed as terrifying as before.
True, it was a grotesque fiend wreathed in ominous black mist—every inch the demon, humanity’s ancient enemy.
Yet the captain felt an unexpected calm. This monster radiated no killing intent.
Every record described Demon Kin as bloodthirsty sadists who toyed with humans like playthings.
But this one had been… courteous. Strip away the monstrous form, and it might as well be a gentleman.
No malice. No thirst for slaughter. And impossibly—humanity seemed to flicker within it.
This was no cold-blooded demon. It felt… almost human.
"I mean none of you harm," Mu Yi stated flatly, his gaze sweeping over their shoddy armor. He doubted it could stop even his weakest bullet.
Disappointing. He’d expected the Capital’s guardians to be formidable. Instead—cannon fodder.
Clearly insignificant. They’d yield no useful intelligence.
*『Master. Seven hostiles have locked onto us. Far stronger than these guards.』*
Aiva tugged his cloak, her voice a whisper only he could hear.
Mu Yi’s fox-masked eyes flicked toward the shadows. Cold fury glinted beneath the slitted pupils.
Their killing intent was blatant. No restraint. They were primed to strike.
Waiting for a signal, perhaps—but negotiation was never their aim.
"Captain," Mu Yi bowed politely. "Seems our conversation has drawn quite an audience."
Crowds were gathering. Since these guards held no value, it was time to leave with Aiva.
He cared little if his true face was seen, but drawing attention in this new world was unwise.
*Standing out invites trouble.* He preferred quiet. Unwanted attention would be… bothersome.
He still didn’t grasp this world’s power hierarchy. How many more existed like that female demon? How many surpassed her?
Until he knew his place here, caution was essential—even if it meant fighting shadows.
"Eh? Others are here?" The guards stiffened, scanning the darkness. They’d seen no one on arrival.
And according to this demon, many lurked unseen… but who?
"It seems the Imperial Capital doesn’t welcome us."
Mu Yi stepped back, signaling Aiva. Best to vanish before—
"YOUR HIGHNESS! BEHIND YOU!!!"
The captain’s pupils shrank to pinpricks as he lunged forward, shouting.
Blazing light erupted from the darkness. Spells and magic conduits streaked down like falling stars.
*Why attack him?* The demon had done nothing but speak! This would only ignite its wrath!
"Not bad as welcome gifts go."
Mu Yi watched the pathetic spells plummet. Child’s play compared to the female demon’s power.
But he’d started this farce. He had no right to complain.
Relations between humans and Demon Kin were poison. He’d arrived as a nightmare, burned a mansion—of course they’d strike.
A demonstration then. Something harmless to show the gulf between them.
Enough to deter fools from wasting his time with tickles disguised as attacks.
He rose into the air. Black mist coalesced behind him.
Two vast wings—wings that could eclipse the sky—unfolded beneath the night.
Crimson light flashed within his helmet.
**"Despair Tremor · 50%"**
