The Named Demons

Following the conversation about the Demon Mark, Selena shared her experiences back in the Sixth Star Abyss.

She was sent by the Mages Association to investigate an anomaly occurring inside the Gate.

Shin thought about how risky it was for Selena who tackled the Gate alone.

Apparently, she had only planned to reach the Tenth Wave while trying to find this 'anomaly'.

She had reached the Ninth Wave, until a Marquess Demon appeared and attacked her.

Trying to escape it was then when Selena stumbled upon the anomaly, albeit accidentally.

What she thought was the Exit Portal, was actually a Gate leading to where Shin was, a Fourth Star Abyss.

Shin was told that the Demon who appeared before him was a Marquess.

Shin did not doubt any of Selena's words.

'It all checked out.'

The chilling otherworldly power the Demon had.

Shin had never felt such terror before.

'An entity that could erase me from this world with a lift of its finger.'

According to Selena's investigations, the named Demons had a total of nine ranks.

In order they were:

Emperor.

King.

Grand Duke.

Prince/Princess.

Duke.

Marquess.

Earl.

Viscount.

Baron.

From Selena's prior experiences, a Marquess ranked Demon was on par with Sixth Star Mage/Ascender.

An Earl, against an Fifth Star.

A Viscount against a Fourth Star

A Baron against a Third Star.

While lesser Demons who weren't capable of thinking were equal to a Second Star.

Suddenly, the world seemed too big for Shin.

Just what kind of monsters were the Dukes and above?

The highest ranked Demon sighting was well over 200 years ago, a Marquess.

No one had ever seen a Duke before.

It was all the information they could manage to get from interrogating a Demon Contractor Fifty years ago.

That was all they knew about the Demons, from a mere informant.

"This is all too much to take in."

"I know, but after experiencing a Marquess for yourself, you had the right to know."

"Haa…"

Shin could only let out a sigh.

Death was literally loomed over him.

He wondered if he didn't resort to consuming Demons, the Marquess would've most likely killed him.

And the thought that a Marquess was in the Abyss realm that he was in made a chill ran down his spine.

"Don't worry, Shin, I'll protect you."

Shin felt warm as Selena consoled him.

Noctis stayed quiet the whole time. It seemed like it was all new information to him as well.

Shin was determined to get stronger, if a Duke were to suddenly appear, then everything he worked so hard on to protect would all crumble down.

He was currently a Third Star Ascender, and it didn't feel like he would break through the Fourth Star any time soon.

At the mention of Shin's Ascender rank, Selena was taken aback.

"A Third Star? But you've been here for almost two years. What was your rank when you first arrived here?"

"First Star."

Shin blankly stated.

Selena covered her mouth with her hands, wide eyed.

Shin had only informed her that he was stuck here after thinking he had entered a First Star Gate with his cousins.

Selena didn't know what Shin's Ascension rank was.

"But if you were a First Star, how did you manage to reach up to the Tenth Wave? It doesn't make any sense."

"Well…"

Shin didn't know how to respond.

Shin knew that he could trust Selena with his life. But him being a Contractor was a different story.

But Selena had told her confidential information about Demons, something only a few knew.

'Plus, she took care of me.'

[She even gave you a lap pillow when you passed out cold.]

'...!'

After pondering for a while, Shin decided.

"It's easier if I just show you."

"..?"

Selena tilted her head in confusion.

Shin lifted his hand, curling his index finger upward. At its tip, a blue-blazing ember materialized.

A gasp escaped Selena's lips, she sat on the ground frozen, mouth agape.

"You're… a Contractor…"

It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"That's right."

"I see, it all makes sense."

Selena seemed to have understood how Shin was able to survive all this time.

"Okay, Shin. Your secret's safe with me."

"Thank you."

Shin appreciated how he didn't even have to tell her, Selena was smart enough to know it was a confidential matter.

But Shin knew just being a Contractor wasn't enough to defeat the named Demons.

'And it seems like I'm still far from breaking through the Fourth Star.'

Shin pondered for a while.

Just what can he do to significantly boost his strength in a short time in order to not drag Selena down once they try to clear this wave?

It was then when he realized something.

Snap!

Snapping his fingers, he thought to himself.

'That's right, right in front of me was an Academy Professor, and a Sixth Star Mage at that.'

"Shin?"

As the realization dawned upon him, Shin slowly turned his gaze towards Selena.

"Miss Selena, could you teach me how to use magic?"

Selena seemed to have been left utterly dumbfounded as her mouth twitched.

"Eh… where is this coming from?"

With a determined gaze, Shin stated,

"I don't want to hold you back once we start the Tenth Wave."

"Oh, it's fine, you don't have to fight. Just leave it all to me."

Shin shook his head at Selena's ridiculous proposal.

"No, you've barely escaped the Marquess alive. Let me handle the Wave and you can save your strength once the Marquess appears."

Selena placed her hand on her chin, pondering.

Shin had a point, if they wanted to raise their chances to survive, then it was better if Selena was at full power.

Shin needed the experience as well if he wanted to break through the Fourth Star of Ascension.

Selena seemed to have gotten her thoughts together as she stood up.

"Okay, I can accept your proposal…"

However…

"But are you sure about this? You're a Nocturn, and the Nocturns are known to take pride in their swordsmanship."

Selena was right.

Despite being allies with the Aubades who specialized in magic, the use of magic was frowned upon in the Nocturn Family.

It was basically taboo.

But Shin didn't care.

All he could think about was how he can be of use to Selena.

"I can't make any compromises. I believe this is the best chance we have if we want to make it out of this alive."

Truthfully, Selena was strong enough to clear the Tenth Wave of the Fourth Star Abyss alone.

It would be child's play for her.

The only thing holding them back was the Marquess. If they suddenly start clearing the wave, the Marquess would definitely show up.

Which is why Shin had devised this strategy,

"Once I start clearing the Wave, I want you to hide, Miss Selena. I'll try to distract him somehow, and you can use that chance to sneak up on him."

It could definitely work since prior to coming here, Selena was surprised by the Marquess who showed up out of nowhere. Yet she was able to chip its horn anyway.

From that fact alone, Shin could guess that Selena was slightly stronger than the Marquess.

'If I could just open that opportunity for her, then we might be able to win."

Selena once again placed a hand on her chin and pondered.

It seemed like she decided as she spoke,

"Okay, but on one condition."

"What is it?"

"Let's share a mental link so we could communicate from far away once we start."

Shin's mouth twitched, reluctant in accepting Selena's proposal.

It was because of…

[If you think she can hear me, then don't worry she can't.]

'Are you sure?'

It felt like Noctis was up to no good again.

[I'm positive.]

'Okay…'

Shin couldn't shake off the bad feeling.

"Okay, Miss Selena."

Nodding, Selena approached Shin and placed a hand on his forehead.

"This might sting a little."

Her hands began to glow a bright purple.

Suddenly, Shin felt a slight migraine, the familiar ache pulsating behind his temples.

The bright glow disappeared and Selena removed her hands.

Selena blankly stared at Shin.

'Testing… testing. Hello, Shin, can you hear me?'

Then…

[Hello there, Lady Selena, Shin can definitely hear you.]

Selena and Shin stood frozen, their lips both contoured to a silent 'o'.

"Shin, was that your Contractee?"

Shin's mouth began to twitch, a vein popped on his forehead.

"...Yes"

[Nice to meet you, Lady Selena. I'm Noctis the God of Night.]

'Noct, if I could punch you right now, I really would.'

[Calm down, I just wanted to speak to the beautiful lady who's taking care of my Contractor.]

Shin clenched his fist, furious.

Selena seemingly noticed the change in Shin as she said,

"If you're uncomfortable with it, Shin. I can just cut off the link."

[No, he's definitely comfortable with it, Lady Selena. He's frantically screaming inside out of joy.]

'Aghhhh, shut up, Noct!'

Selena tilted her head in confusion as if saying, "What were these two even talking about?"

Shin shook his head and dismissed Noctis.

"It's fine, Miss Selena. You don't have to cut the link, but let me give you a warning."

Shin stated with a serious tone as he continued,

"This fake Deity in my head is delusional. So don't believe in whatever he tells you… please."

Shin pleaded.

"...O-Okay."

[Hey! Who are you calling a fake Deity?!]