Heroes, the champions of central Neel's pantheon. There are 12 major recognized gods and many minor gods fighting for placement and supremacy.

  With each god offering an exclusive boon to their mightiest, the system, and minor boons to the others that worship and fight for them faithfully. Hundreds of heroes are selected yearly.

  Within these batches of heroes, a choice few always stand out amongst the rest, S-rank individuals that carry the burden of facing a demon lord, should one ever march on the continent.

  One such individual stood on a platform made of wind magic in the air, high above the dense white mist that radiated chaos energy and magical power.

  One of the 14th generation’s top heroes, a paladin of the 7-party raid group designated to subjugate demon lords.

  The Cherub, Arden Patienson.

  Next to him, an elf druid maintaining the platform, and a young boy, seemingly already branded by the gods.

  The cherub crossed his arms as his gentle eyes looked down at the smokescreen packed with chaotic laws.

  Surprisingly, he could not see through the misty dome. All his angelic eyes could see were the fluctuating laws and flashing colors deep within.

  He spoke calmly. “You say this is all because of a summoned young devil, child?” Shifting his gaze down to the teenager beside him.

  Damien nodded, looking down at the large clouds below them. “Yes, sir Arden. A…person…” He clenched his fist, thinking of the betrayal of his former friend and ally. “...summoned that monster to pledge loyalty to it. I’m still not completely sure why she would do such a thing. It seems she comes from a family of devil worshipers.” He answered the paladin.

  Arden shifted his gaze back to the mist. He did not miss how the boy was subtly edging away from the identity of the summoner but left it be for now; the relationship between the two seemed more complex than just a random passerby.

  Since the summoner was already gone, he would investigate independently later. For now, this situation needed to be handled. But he felt a need to voice an opinion to the young one before.

  “Young warrior, tell me your name again?” The man asked, tapping a finger lightly on the armor plating his bicep.

  Damien answered respectfully. “It’s Damien, Sir Arden.”

  The cherub nodded but did not turn to face the boy; he spoke patiently. “Damien. I kindly ask you not to refer to devils as ‘monsters’. That sort of talk minimizes the existence and threat those entities can truly be. They are not feral beasts running rampant in dungeons; they are cunning, intelligent, emotional, and overwhelmingly strong. To look down on them is irresponsible.” He said objectively.

  Damien was shell-shocked to hear such praise coming from one of his idols. Why was he looking up to such creatures? “B-but sir Arden, the church-”

  Arden raised a hand and continued. “I know the teachings of the church, and I understand they say what they think should be said to keep the peace…” He turned his glowing eyes to the wide-eyed boy.

  “But child, as a hero, those teachings… without consideration…will get you killed.” The child had already been chosen; he was now a player in this game. Arden would not let someone so young fly headfirst into battle, underestimating their enemy. He felt a peculiar emotion brewing deep down seeing someone so young shackled to a god so early, but he held that down and maintained his humble smile.

  Like always.

  The young warrior just stared at the hero in front of him. He was confused by the cryptic words. Was his idol… telling him not to underestimate those things? or…

  Not to trust the church?

  The druid shook her head and turned to Arden. “Speculations and beliefs don’t matter right now. What matters is that there is an awakened young devil down there causing a ruckus; we should-”

  “No.” Arden interjected, earning confused looks from the two. “The chaotic laws are dense, but they carry no influence, no attributes of the lineage. The devil below is a newborn, not awakened.” He corrected.

  “What?” Matilda whispered, wariness creeping into her eyes. “So, a four-star? It passes the threshold of a newborn any lower than that.”

  The half-angel nodded. “Assume it’s a five-star just to be safe.” He turned to the boy beside them, now looking down at the periodic glowing just below the surface of the mist, worry etched on his face.

  Arden spoke once more. “Since the conditions of the battle are unknown, you will simply observe, young one. The two of us should be able to handle this fine.” Before the boy could protest, he turned to Matilda.

  “How are your area of effects, Miss Druid?” The paladin asked, eyeing the elf.

  “Matilda is fine, Sir Arden, and don’t look down on guardians; our magic is just as potent as you heroes. Just tell me what you need.” The elf replied coquettishly, though she wasn’t in the top guardian spots due to her lacking spirit magic affinity, she wouldn’t be outdone by the heroes of central Neel when it came to other areas of magic.

  Also, this was her chance to make a good impression on the handsome Arden as well as humiliate her rival. To her, this was a win-win. The devil may be naturally strong, but that monster was most likely throwing its weight around in there recklessly.

  That was the only explanation why that manaless mage was still alive down there.

  The paladin nodded, ignoring the elf’s flirtatious smile. He wasn’t interested. An annoyance flared deep down, but he stayed calm. Not all awakened individuals took missions as seriously as him; that didn’t mean they were any worse.

  He stayed patient and spoke. “I’ll leave the ground purification to you then, but if something seems amiss, grab Miss Abigail and retreat back to the sky.”

  The elf asked curiously. “What are you going to do?”

  The half-angel uncrossed his arms as a dark blue light emanated from his hands. “I’m a bit rusty at casting, so it may take a bit longer, but I will be securing the sky and the surrounding area. This mist needs to go.” He began to draw in the air immediately, both hands rapidly drawing sigil after sigil within a large circle.

  A grand array.

  *Gulp* Matilda swallowed hard at the speed at which he formed the sigils; the ambidextrous display was a little intimidating for the caster. Rusty? Was this guy even human? Ah, that was right…

  Arden was half deity.

  “Get going,” he said softly, his eyes never leaving the array. The druid snapped out of her daze at the words.

  She shook her sleeve; a small wand appeared in her hand, followed by a string of 8 glowing blue beads wrapping around her wrist.

  She plucked a bead and crushed it. Mana in the air began to concentrate into a pale green sigil.

  ‘Wind Magic: [Air Rider]’

  The air around the druid swirled and shot into mist, forming a tunnel of wind. With Matilda in the center, she floated up and darted towards the mist, flowing down the twister’s core. She held her wand in front of her, directing her angle and speed, while her other hand formed more sigils as she moved.

  When the wind tunnel hit the mist, the clouds shrouding the battlefield were widely separated, showing the scene below to the small group. The two veteran Awakens observed the damage quickly before locking their focus on the small devil standing a distance away, a reflexive action. Scan for civilians before focusing on the target.

  So they failed to notice a strange scene that quickly disappeared.

  But the rookie hero, untrained in such actions, locked his eyes on the devil and his master immediately and saw something that shook his faith in his idols for the second time today.

  His eyes widened at the fleeting scene.

  “Master?” He muttered in disbelief.

  ~~~

  5 minutes earlier.

  Abigail breathed heavily; she was covered in sweat, her muscles were aching, and her circuits were burning. She was overdrafting on mana. The mana field was a good technique to use in substitute for her low reserves; unfortunately, with crippled circuits, she was overclocking her body well past her limits.

  She was only human; she didn’t have an all-powerful core like the little girl in front of her.

  Or should she say girls.

  Two stood in front of her, weaving spells. The other two hidden within the mist, the young devil had changed tactics the second she recognized the threat of the large sword guarding the wizard. Opting for a strange mid-range hit-and-run tactic.

  As she hovered slightly above the ground, the two Hannyas giggled and shouted, their sigils completed and rotating.

  “Kikiki, Fire magic: [Raging Dragon]”

  “Kikiki, Hannya magic:[Interpolate - Molten Shell]”

  A large, flaming, serpentine shape exited the first sigil, flying high into the sky. As it rose, the second sigil expanded underneath it, forming a gate.

  The dragon descended, crossing through the sigil before crashing recklessly towards the magic hero.

  The wizard watched as the dragon passed through the gate, a red-hot earthen shell wrapping around it like armor. The now armored dragon rushed to her, the heat from the spell roasting the air around it.

  But the caster was unshaken; she extended her hand. “Go!” At her command, the guardian sword hovering around her launched into the air to intercept it.

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  The two collided.

  BOOM

  The two spells exploded and scattered, the residual mana spreading out in all directions, creating a large shock wave that leveled the remaining buildings around them.

  Abigail's protective shield began to crack as her exhaustion rose. She couldn’t keep up with the devil’s mana regeneration for much longer. She gritted her teeth through the pain of her burning circuits. Just a few more minutes. She was sure her disciple would come through for her.

  But the little devil was far from merciful as a third Hannya appeared from the mist on the wizard's flank. She pointed and commanded.

  “Stand still!” Pink energy flowed from her mouth and crashed into the shield, the rough waves cracking the barrier even further.

  Abigail desperately swiped her hand, the four magical orbs darting to the commanding devil.

  PUFF

  Another struck down. But she was far from relieved as a fourth showed her face, a smile hanging on her lips and a sigil floating in front of her. The heart devil raised her hands to the sky.

  “Hannya Magic:[Callback - Duplicate - Raging Dragon]”

  Under the horrified eyes of the magic hero, the flaming dragon she sacrificed her sword to destroy began to reform in the air, the magical particles that were previously scattered gathering instantly before her.

  The serpent spun in the sky and dove again ruthlessly, ready to annihilate all in its way.

  Abigail raised the shaking arm that held her staff, the focus hovering behind her glowing dimly. She casted, mustering her last bit of strength.

  “Doublecast: [Water Wall], [Bitter Cold]”

  A large wave of water crashed out from the sigil, rising to the air, quickly forming a semicircular wall. The second sigil blew out cold winds and snowflakes, freezing the water mass and forming a protective glacier.

  BOOM

  But her attempt to shield herself was practically useless. The spells collided much too close to her, causing an explosion, destroying her arcane barrier, and flinging her to the ground at dangerous speeds.

  She skipped a few times across the pavement before coming to a stop, a large crater forming around her.

  Blood trickled from her mouth as the focus shadowing her vibrated and cracked, falling lifelessly beside her. The mana field she was relying on ceased its orbit and scattered, and the hand that held her staff loosened and let go, the rod rolling across the ground.

  “U-ugh!” Her energy was spent, her circuits exhausted, and bones broken. The magic hero could only lie there, defeated.

  Jingle - step

  Jingle - step

  Jingle - step

  But her bleary eyes snapped open at the sound of the jingling anklets.

  Her dizzy eyes hastily searched around for her staff. She clutched desperately for the catalyst, her saving grace.

  Stomp

  Crack

  But a small foot ruthlessly came down on her searching wrist.

  “Kikikikikiki!” The pink-haired devil laughed. “I win…wizard.”

  Hannya had a great time beating the shit out of the magic hero; the cripple was just strong enough to allow her to battle all out with her growing body. Baku and that maniac were too swift and tanky to feel the satisfying blows of a real scrap.

  The mist that was blown away in the battle began to reform and creep towards them, surrounding the crater and obscuring the area further.

  “A pity, with such lacking reserves and weak circuits, regardless of your techniques and tricks, you're at best a B rank.”

  Abigail said nothing; she was too exhausted and concussed to reply. But a small part of her heart held indignation; she didn’t want to accept it. She did not want to die here. Not like this, not now.

  Not until she got that heart.

  Not until she proved herself and made a legacy.

  Not until she showed Humor that humans weren’t mere ants to play with.

  So she stared up at the young devil with all the defiance she could muster.

  Hannya tilted her head at the sight. She grinned at the human's iron will. “Strange, I could have sworn you’d be begging for your life. In fact, I thought you would have run when the times got tough, hiding behind the stronger ones to fight your battles… Were you not a coward?”

  Abigail clenched her teeth, rage burning within her. So this little girl sees all humans as cowards?

  She squeezed out. “Nonsense, I’d never beg for my life; a hero would never!”

  The devil's pink eyes began to slow at the words; she tilted her head to the other side. “Hm? Did you not raise that little ant to fight your battles for you?”

  Abigail was confused. What was she talking about? Was she talking about Damien? “What are you talking… *Cough* About? He’s my disciple! I wouldn’t send a child to do an adult’s job!”

  The little devils' brows knitted together. “Child? You see him as… a child, a weakling?” The devil stepped back, assessing the dropped hero as she became lost in thought.

  Abigail replied, her voice weak but her will strong. “Humans are not like devils, child. They need time to grow. My disciple is talented but flawed; he is not ready… not even close.” She did not know why she was venting her frustrations to this devil, maybe because she knew she would die soon with grievances that she didn’t bother to care anymore. She would not die cowering.

  She felt many regrets rise up in her heart at the thought. Would she really not get her revenge on Humor? Would her disciple not get the proper guidance in the end? Would the legacy of Abigail end here? To a young devil?

  The little pink devil stared at the wizard strangely for a while, but in the end she shook her head. “Kikiki, well, whatever, no need for risks. You die here.” The devil smiled as she flipped her palm.

  A short black sword appeared in her hand. She raised it high in a reverse grip, aiming to pierce the hero’s heart.

  The magic hero closed her eyes; she didn’t have the strength to move. In the end, she lost.

  ‘Damien, I’m sorry, I couldn’t hang on…”

  She waited for the strike to end her life.

  “...”

  “...”

  But the strike never came.

  She slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw baffled her. The little devil was standing there, the blade raised, poised to strike, but…

  The devil was just staring into empty space, her mouth agape as she looked at the sky.

  The hero wearily shifted her neck to look in the direction the devil was looking.

  There was nothing. Just mountains of mist.

  Then the devil did something that only confused the magic hero more. She lowered her blade, tilted her head back, and laughed.

  “Kikiki, It’s true! Kikiki, our hearts really are connected!” The devil then began to dance. Like a graceful ballerina, she spun around and laughed happily.

  “I was thinking the same thing, darling!" She said as she glanced up into the air. "This confirms it! I was skeptical, but that Baku is a hack! Kikiki blood leading me by the nose? Nonsense! Then what's this noti here, gramps? Kikiki! Love guides me!” She continued to dance and laugh under the incredulous eyes of the magic hero.

  ‘S-she’s insane!’ A devil that can't tell up from down? This was far worse than a malicious devil. Not even their own kin was safe.

  But this was a chance! Abigail tilted her head to look at her staff a small distance away from her.

  She reached out-

  “Ah, ah, ah.” The devil stopped dancing and turned to the wizard, a radiant smile on her face. “You move that arm any further, and I’ll cut it off.” She grinned.

  Abigail wanted to curse; this devil’s bizarre nature was causing her mind to spin. Yoyoing from hope and despair, would she get a chance or die here?

  But to the hero’s disappointment, the devil seemed to calm down at that point. She spoke benevolently.

  “Now, allow me to introduce myself, tenacious hero.” She tilted her nose to the sky, pompous and haughty. “This superior entity goes by the name of Hannya.”

  She gave a slight curtsy, a formality more than anything else.

  “Hannya 6th Luxuria, young mistress of the Vainheart Faction of Hellnia, representative of the Court of Gilded Woe…” The devil’s eyes spun a bit faster as she spoke the last part. “...And new high priestess of the Caged God.”

  As Hannya finally revealed her fan fiction titles(newly revised), lying through her teeth to seem more lofty, Abigail’s mind only reeled more at the words. A faction she never read about, a second devil ‘god’, but the more alarming statement was wedged in the middle.

  A court, not a temple. For devils, that only meant one thing.

  There was a judge candidate in Hellnia.

  For humans it was a party of heroes, for elves it was a group of guardians, for angels it was a squad of empyreans, but for devils…

  A singular judge would rule their plane.

  Fear gripped the magic hero's heart. The implication was clear.

  Another six-star was born.

  Her eyes shook as she looked up at the smiling Hannya.

  ‘I-it couldn’t be, she’s a-’

  She cut her thought off there. No way, she was strong for a young devil, but her instinctual guess was impossible. She calmed her trembling mind and thought logically; she introduced herself as a high priestess. A six-star would never serve another.

  The little devil continued. “Rejoice, human! Your tenacity reflects the values of the Caged God, unyielding and steadfast; therefore, you’ve been selected to serve as this devil's second representative and correspond here in Neel’s mainland.” The pink devil said happily, the murderous air from earlier gone like an illusion.

  The wizard was stunned silent. What was this? This devil caused all this destruction, almost killed Damien, murdered people without a glance, and almost executed her! Regardless of the reason or possible excuses, she couldn’t just let bygones be bygones!

  The wizard growled, about to answer with a firm refusal, but Hannya’s next words made her mind freeze, a chill running down her spine.

  “I’ll restore your powers, lift your curse.” She grinned deviously. “What do you say…Abigail?”

  Fear truly gripped her then. The enticing offer overshadowed by the devil’s ‘slip of the tongue’.

  How did this young devil know her name?

  Realization struck the trembling hero. This whole time, from beginning to end, not once had the little devil questioned her affiliation. Calling her by the title of hero, no, the devil was sure she was a hero and not a simple wizard or adventurer.

  On top of that, she was aware she was cursed and not just naturally weak.

  The devil knew her. And she knew her well.

  Her trembling eyes looked up at the spinning eyes of the entity.

  The luxuria variant only smiled wider as she placed a hand on her own cheek, tilted her head slightly, and extended a hand out to the magic hero in a gesture to help her up.

  A cute pose in the eyes of the wizard.

  “You’ll serve me, won’t you? Abigail?” The devil whispered.

  The magic hero calmed herself; she could not think logically if she was shaking in fear. When she really thought about it, it was most likely make the deal or die here. She was already out of options; no one was coming to save her, and stalling for time was a waste. If she really wanted to get her revenge on Humor, getting her powers back now was the best option. She could continue her research that way and gain more strength.

  She leaned up, extending her hand ever so slightly.

  Really, this might have been the chance she was looking for. Her goddess wouldn’t help her with the curse. She said she was helpless, but Abigail knew the truth. Using the mana well in such a manner would weaken the goddess for years; those were the rules they tried to hide from her, but she discovered it long ago.

  Her hand crept closer to the small hand of the devil.

  In fact, Abigail was over being a hero. Sacrifice? For what? For whom? People that looked down on her now? It was pointless to think fighting with all her might would gain their recognition once again. On top of that, the ‘battle against evil’ was a farce. She had her speculations, and they pointed to a far more selfish goal than world peace.

  The hand of the mage was now inches away from the cute little devils.

  Just a little closer. She would soon be rid of this curse and the burdens of a hero. All she wanted was freedom; she wanted her powers, and Hannya would give them to her. Hannya was what she needed. Hannya would solve all her problems. Hannya would grant salvation. Her savior would change everything. And all she had to do was-

  WHOOSH

  A large wind gale suddenly blew through the area, opening the sky, revealing three individuals high in the air.

  One of them, a lithe elf, sped down in a wind twister, a sigil prepared beside her. As she launched out of the wind tube, she swung her wand.

  “Nature magic: [Sacred Forest]!”

  Startled, the young devil hopped back, gaining distance from the rapidly sprouting ethereal plants threatening to surround her.

  But her eyes soon focused on something else, the man standing in the sky.

  Her eyes widened at the peacefully smiling individual, drawing sigils with both hands.

  The devil's eyes spun rapidly as she gnashed her teeth in anger. What kind of luck was this? Bullshit!

  ‘Out of all the fucking days absent from the capital doing missions like a workhorse, why was today the day this fucking Gigachad was around!’

  Noticing the devil's angry gaze, the cherub, still drawing sigils rapidly, looked down at her and smiled.

  “Hm? Do you know your sins, young lady?”