Demonic Devourer's Development

"I have a better idea," I interrupted whatever the Deathless wanted to say and cracked my knuckles. Well, made a gesture to, at least—me and my knuckles that can't be cracked… "Why won't I prove myself to beating you up, like it's a custom in this place?"

The Deathless leaned towards me. On the surface, his pose was completely relaxed, but I could see through the too nice for Hell clothes he wore and to the weapons he had concealed under. From this position, he would need only a fraction of a second to get them out and ready to slice. "I think you are grossly underestimating me, Devourer."

"I think YOU are underestimating me." I grinned, though in truth… The Deathless did not. What flashed in his mind weren't the plans of killing me, but the plans of escaping while triggering the traps placed in this room—which were designed for capturing and killing guests that turned out to be not that welcome.

But it was an underestimation of me to think that I would get caught by them. I leaned forward, too.

"I can see through your schemes, the Deathless. The traps that shoot darts concealed under these nice drapes, the stone plate that will fall down to break the entrance, even the hidden second exit and the smoke bomb you have ready to throw. If you try to use any of these tricks on me, I will find you, and I will give you a reason to change your moniker."

The Deathless paled. "How?" was the only thing he asked.

I grinned. "Do you tell secrets of your trade to every person you meet? Neither do I. So, what is your choice?"

He hesitated for another moment. And another. A full minute passed in tense silence. Tense for him—I watched with fascination how the Deathless counted possibilities and put together options. None were satisfying enough, but eventually, he settled on the least dangerous.

With an exhale of breath, he moved his hands away from his hidden pockets. "Very well. This was a proof enough—I can't really ask for more. Still… Attacking gods is risky, and I am not the Deathless because I run towards probable death. Let me help you in some way that doesn't include that. For example, gather more allies under your banner. This is your goal, isn't it? As noticeable a figure as you are, it will take you a while to get connections with other local figures of note—while I have them already."

I pressed my lips together. I supposed I would have one rogue fighting on my side already, and that was all unreliability I would need. Demons made better cannon fodder because they were not very concerned with their deaths. They were too used to them.

"Fine. Then you can do this… I am going to host a tournament in Dis. I want as many people as possible in here, so I could find the strongest and make them my army. All the soldiers in it will get a pass to the mortal realm after I'm done with killing gods once and for all. I want you to gather locals and push it in their heads that this is a real offer with a real reward."

The Deathless snorted. "I imagine most won't believe it to be that, yes. Good thing that I have a reputation here, isn't it? But the way to Dis is long and hard. Few will be able to get there without help."

"That's the better. I consider this a preliminary weeding."

"Hm… I suppose for the simpler-minded demons of Limbo it would've been easier to believe in a simpler reward, too. I will tell them you will give them food and shelter for their stay, and more resources if they fight—I assume you will, either way. An army can't fight on an empty stomach, after all." The Deathless smiled slyly, wondering if he hit me at something I wasn't ready for. Wondering if I knew much about organisation of armies at all.

The truth was, I did not, but I wasn't going to admit it to him, or even show it.

"That doesn't even need saying," I said with a huff. "Promise them whatever you want if that brings them to Dis. It will be my problem then. I expect the first people to come—"

"In two weeks."

I gave the Deathless narrow-eyed look. "That long?"

"There will be a higher chance of any demons getting to Dis if they come in big groups, so I would have to gather at least one first… Plus, no matter the reward, they won't come at large until I convince someone of high standing to go, and until I make his going public. In short—no, that's the shortest time."

He was not lying. He gave himself a few days to spare, just in case, but overall—he was not lying.

"Fine. But if I won't get any people in that long, I will come back here, find you, and… Well, you can imagine, won't you?" I smiled sweetly. "I will make your first death unforgettable. Maybe you will even go straight to reincarnation after I'm done with you. After all, I have no need of allies and servants who don't do what's needed of them."

The Deathless paled a little, but kept himself from recoiling. "Understandable. This is my policy as well… Though admittedly, it's a different thing to have it applied to yourself." He even smiled again.

"Yep." I stood up. "And I have some servants to apply this policy to, so I will stay in Limbo for another day or two. I think you will manage to find me if you have any more questions."

I left at that with a feeling of a job well passed over. It was all about meeting the right people and threatening them in the right ways.. But before I could leave this dump with a clear conscience, I had some air bandits to torment first.

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