Drazhul frowned, his teeth clenched so hard his jaw trembled.

He hated it.

But he knew she was right.

The hit to his chest still burnt. Not just pain, but pressure.

The kind that stayed inside the body and refused to fade.

His arms felt heavy. His breathing was uneven.

"She's not bluffing," he muttered.

He straightened slowly, forcing himself to stand tall even as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

His eyes stayed locked on Dahlia, who hovered calmly in the air.

From that single strike, he could feel it clearly.

She was truly strong.

Drazhul clicked his tongue and spat to the side. "Tch."

Then he raised his voice.

"Xavira. Malreth. Velmor."

His roar echoed down the street.

"I know you're all here."

The watching demons froze.

Dahlia tilted her head slightly, amused. "Oh?" she said. "Calling for backup now?"

Drazhul ignored her and kept shouting.

"Come out," he barked. "Or don't think you'll get anything if she destroys this demon city."

The wind howled louder as if reacting to his words.

Dion glanced sideways at Garion. "So that's the play."

Arden swallowed but stood firm. "He knows he can't win alone."

Eliza said nothing, but her eyes shifted toward the rooftops.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then slow applause echoed from the shadows.

"Well said," a smooth voice replied.

Malreth stepped out from behind a shattered building, brushing dust from his robes. His rings glittered as he smiled thinly.

"You always were quick to protect your interests," Malreth said. "Even when losing."

Dahlia's gaze flicked toward him. "Oh. You must be the greedy one."

Malreth laughed nervously. "Straight to the point. I admire that."

Another figure emerged from the opposite side.

Xavira walked forward gracefully, her heels clicking softly against stone.

Her eyes were fixed on Dahlia, calm and curious, like she was studying a rare dish.

"My, my," Xavira said gently. "A full transformation. How delightful."

Dahlia grinned. "You staring because you're hungry?"

Xavira smiled wider. "Always."

A final presence made itself known.

Velmor stepped out quietly from the alley behind Drazhul.

His hands were folded behind his back, expression calm as ever.

"This is becoming inefficient," Velmor said. "But fascinating."

Drazhul let out a breath he did not realise he was holding.

"Good," he said. "Then you understand the situation."

He pointed toward Dahlia.

"If she keeps going, this city won't survive," Drazhul continued. "And none of you will profit from ruins."

Malreth frowned, his fingers twitching as if counting losses in his head.

"Tch. Destroyed streets. Dead buyers. Broken infrastructure. That would be a disaster."

Xavira's eyes stayed on Dahlia the entire time.

Her smile was gone, replaced by something sharper.

"We also need information," she said calmly. "About their world."

Velmor nodded. "Without knowledge, invasion is inefficient."

All eyes slowly turned toward Dahlia.

She stood there calmly, wings half-spread, claws relaxed at her sides.

"…We never thought," Malreth admitted slowly, "that she would be this strong."

Velmor spoke softly. "If we fight her individually, we will lose."

Drazhul nodded. "So we work together," he said. "For now."

Dahlia smirked, her tail swaying lazily behind her.

"Oh?" she said. "Now this is getting interesting."

She glanced back briefly. "Right, Master?"

Garion did not move.

"Your fight," he replied simply.

Dion leaned closer to Garion and whispered, "Should we help?"

Dahlia heard him anyway.

"No need," she shouted without turning around. "Stay put."

She rolled her shoulders, wings spreading wider.

"I want to see just how powerful I really am."

Drazhul raised his fist. "Don't regret this."

Dark energy surged.

One by one, the demons activated their power.

"[Demonization]."

Malreth's body swelled as veins bulged beneath his skin.

Rings shattered as his fingers thickened.

Xavira's horns grew longer, her eyes glowing gold as demonic mana wrapped around her like silk.

Velmor's presence changed subtly, the air around him growing unnaturally still.

The street trembled.

Dahlia laughed, loud and excited, wings beating once as the wind answered her joy.

"Good," she said. "Now this feels fair."

---

Far from the city, deep within a quiet black stone hall, Kravos suddenly opened his eyes.

The candles around him flickered all at once.

He frowned.

"…That pressure," Kravos muttered. "Why did it spike so suddenly?"

He slowly stood up, his long coat brushing against the floor.

His gaze shifted toward the distant outline of Black Ash City, barely visible through the ash-filled sky.

"Why would those four activate their power at the same time?"

His fingers tapped once against the armrest beside him.

"Azgus."

A shadow detached itself from the wall.

"Yes, my lord," Azgus replied, bowing immediately.

Kravos did not look at him. "Tell me the current situation in Black Ash City."

Azgus straightened.

"The demonic mana in the city has surged sharply. Lord Drazhul, along with Malreth, Xavira, and Velmor, have all activated [Demonization]."

Kravos finally turned his head. His eyes narrowed. "All four?"

"Yes," Azgus confirmed. "At the same time."

Kravos frowned deeper. "…Why?"

Azgus hesitated briefly, then continued. "The Demon Gate has activated."

The room went silent.

Kravos's hand tightened slightly.

"That gate," he said slowly. "The one sealed from the other side for decades?"

Azgus nodded. "Yes, my lord. It opened recently."

Kravos let out a slow breath. "Tch. Troubles never come alone."

Azgus continued quickly.

"There is more. Reports confirm that several strong otherworlders crossed over from the other side into the demon world."

Kravos paused mid-step.

"…Otherworlders?"

"Yes," Azgus said. "From what we gathered, Lord Drazhul and the others intended to capture them alive for information."

Kravos folded his arms. "I see. That part makes sense."

He looked toward the ceiling, thinking. "But how did they enter the demon world at all?"

His gaze sharpened. "Only demons should be able to pass through that gate."

Azgus shook his head. "I do not know the exact reason. But there is a possibility."

Kravos glanced at him. "Speak."

"There are rare humans who cultivate using demonic mana," Azgus said carefully.

"Demonic cultivators. They are extremely uncommon, but they do exist."

Kravos hummed quietly. "…That could explain it."

He turned away and began walking. "Interesting. Very interesting."

After a few steps, he stopped.

"Finish our current work quickly," Kravos said. "Then we return to the city."

Azgus bowed. "At once, my lord."

Kravos's eyes glinted faintly as he looked into the distance.

"Something dangerous is happening in my city," he said calmly.

He smiled faintly.

"I won't be left waiting."

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