Far from the ruins of Black Ash City, another demon city still stood untouched.

Its tall walls of dark stone rose like an iron cage, and demonic banners hung motionless, as if the air itself did not dare to move.

High above the streets, inside a black tower, two demons stood at a wide balcony.

They looked toward the distant horizon where the sky still glowed faintly with unstable mana.

One of them narrowed his eyes. His fingers slowly curled against the railing.

"Did you feel it?" he said.

"Earlier… there was a bad mana fluctuation coming from Black Ash City. Like something big happened."

The other demon frowned and crossed his arms. He shook his head once.

"I don't know," he said. "But City Lord Kravos already returned not long ago."

The first demon turned his head sharply.

"He's back?" His brows pulled together. "That's fast."

"Yes," the second demon replied. "He didn't explain anything either. Just went straight to his domain with his attendant."

The first demon let out a low breath and leaned forward slightly, staring into the distance.

"I see," he said. "Then something definitely went wrong. Kravos wouldn't leave business unfinished unless he was forced to."

He tapped one claw lightly against the stone.

"Whatever happened there wasn't small."

The second demon hesitated, then spoke again.

"Do you want me to send someone to check Black Ash City? A scout. Or an observer unit."

The first demon raised a hand without looking back.

"Not yet."

His voice was calm but firm.

"Let's wait for Kravos to come to us. I want to hear it from his mouth."

He straightened his posture and slowly turned away from the balcony, the hem of his cloak brushing against the stone floor.

"For now," he continued, "we prepare."

The second demon blinked. "Prepare for what?"

The first demon's lips curved slightly, not quite a smile.

"A Demon Count."

The second demon froze.

"…What?"

His eyes widened, and his shoulders stiffened. He took a step forward without realizing it.

"A Demon Count?" he repeated. "Here? In this city?"

The first demon nodded once.

"Yes."

The second demon swallowed. His throat moved visibly.

"That's… that's not a small matter," he said. "Why would a Count come here? Did we offend someone? Or..."

"I don't know the reason," the first demon interrupted calmly. "I wasn't informed. I only know that he is coming."

The second demon ran a hand through his hair, breathing out slowly.

"A Count doesn't travel without purpose," he muttered. "If he's moving, something serious must have happened."

He looked up again. "Is it related to Black Ash City?"

The first demon did not answer immediately. He walked toward a table near the wall and placed one hand on it.

"Possibly," he said. "Or possibly something worse."

The second demon's expression tightened.

"What do we do?" he asked. "Should we raise defenses? Call the elites? Lock down the streets?"

"No," the first demon said. "None of that."

He turned around, his gaze sharp.

"Make the city clean. Quiet. Orderly."

He raised one finger.

"Prepare the highest residence. Increase patrols, but keep them out of sight. No noise. No provocations."

The second demon nodded quickly. "And the servants?"

"Only the most disciplined," the first demon replied. "Anyone unstable is removed."

He paused, then added,

"Make him comfortable."

The second demon hesitated. "Comfortable…?"

"Yes," the first demon said. "We cannot afford to anger him."

His voice lowered slightly.

"A Demon Count does not forgive mistakes. And we are not in a position to resist one."

The second demon clenched his fists.

"I understand," he said. "I'll handle it immediately."

As he turned to leave, he stopped and glanced back.

"…If he asks questions?"

The first demon looked toward the darkened balcony, where the horizon still felt wrong.

"Then we answer carefully," he said. "And pray we say the right things."

The second demon nodded once more and hurried away.

Alone again, the first demon stood still.

---

Garion finally arrived at the demon city.

The moment he stepped inside the gates, he could tell the difference.

This place was much bigger than Black Ash City.

The streets were wider, the buildings taller, and demons filled every corner.

Some walked openly. Others watched from rooftops or dark alleys. The air itself felt heavier.

Garion slowed his steps and scanned the surroundings.

His eyes moved from one demon to another, calm but focused.

"…There are a lot more of them," he muttered.

He paused when he noticed a group of demons with pale, faded skin standing near a market street.

Their bodies looked blurry around the edges, as if they didn't fully belong there.

When Garion focused on them, his vision slipped for just a second.

He frowned.

"Atlas," he said quietly. "Is that demon race a good one?"

He lifted a finger slightly, pointing in their direction.

Atlas responded immediately.

[Nope.]

[Those are Mist Demons.]

[They are known as deceptive and cowardly assassin-type demons.]

[Their abilities revolve around illusion, concealment, and sensory distortion.]

Garion clicked his tongue softly.

"So that's why my focus slipped."

[Even if some individuals behave well, they are not suitable for the God Gym.]

[Their instincts go against direct training and discipline.]

Garion nodded once. "I figured."

He shifted his gaze again.

This time, his eyes landed on several massive demons near the main road.

Their bodies were thick and heavy, muscles packed tightly under rough skin.

Their mouths were… large. Too large.

Even when they stood still, their jaws twitched slightly.

"They look strong," Garion said. "Good frames. Could be trained."

Atlas answered instantly.

[Not that one.]

Garion raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

[They are Maw Demons.]

[They are living hunger-type demons.]

[They grow by killing and devouring others.]

[Once they see blood, they easily lose control and go berserk.]

Garion watched one of them laugh loudly as something squirmed in its hand.

"…Yeah," he said. "That's not discipline."

[Correct.]

[They are incompatible with structured training environments like the God Gym.]

Garion let out a quiet breath and kept walking.

A bit farther in, he noticed another group.

These demons looked almost human.

Broad shoulders, solid builds, balanced proportions.

The only clear differences were the horns, wings, or tails attached to their bodies.

Garion stopped again.

"These ones," he said. "They look normal enough. I don't see much wrong."

Atlas paused for half a second.

[They are good candidates... But surely not them.]

Garion frowned. "You just said they look like good candidates, so why not?"

[Because they are Flesh Demons.]

Garion's expression tightened.

[Efficiency is everything to them.]

[Instead of training, they mutilate themselves and replace parts with flesh taken from stronger beings.]

[They do not refine the body. They replace it.]

Garion stopped walking.

"…I see."

His jaw clenched slightly.

[Also, if you accept them… Dahlia and the others would be extremely angry.]

[Disgusted, even.]

Garion exhaled slowly through his nose.

"Yeah," he said. "That would be a problem."

He resumed walking, his eyes sharper now.

"So," he asked, "which demons here are actually good?"

Atlas answered honestly.

[From what I can see, none in this area are suitable.]

Garion frowned deeper. "None?"

[Correct.]

[We should move to another district.]

Garion rubbed his chin as he walked.

"…By the way," he said, "just how many demon races are even compatible with the God Gym?"

Atlas responded without hesitation.

[Approximately one percent of all demon races.]

Garion stopped again.

"…One percent?"

[Yes.]

[So realistically, one or two races at most.]

Garion stared ahead in silence for a moment.

"That low," he muttered. "Damn."

He shook his head once and started walking again.

"This is going to be a long mission."

[Of course.]

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