Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Threatening
Chapter 10: Threatening
"Haha…"
"Hahahaha."
"Look at them run away!", the black flamed Enforcer, the one who was doing all the talk, laughed, mockery evident from his tone.
"Hahaha!", other enfrocers followed suit and laughed together with him.
"Left poor Lucifer behind, they did! Ahahaha."
Laughter continued to ripple among them, a cascade of mockery. Yet, this mirthful display came to an abrupt halt as a new presence asserted itself—an eerie, heavy, and chilling voice that cut through the air.
"Annoying."
The word hung in the air, a single syllable laden with authority. Instantaneously, the laughter ceased, silenced as if by an unseen force. A crimson haze enveloped their mouths, restricting their speech against their will.
A thought flickered through the mind of the black-flamed enforcer, his confusion palpable. 'Noah's doing? A new spell?'
'The pentagram?'
But the binding effect of the spell had long ceased, with the spell itself vanished into the shadows.
Amidst the lingering confusion, their gazes gradually fixated on a solitary figure, perched upon a sofa. Fingers of opposite arms were intricately intertwined, resting atop the left knee, which was elegantly crossed above the right.
Lucifer sat upon the seemingly ordinary sofa, a faint glint in his eyes as a transformation began to unfold. Time seemed to stretch as the sofa morphed, evolving into an opulent golden throne, the transition imbued with an air of gradual grandeur.
A mischievous smirk played upon Lucifer's lips as the enforcers' attention remained steadfastly directed skyward. In a matter of seconds, a mysterious force seemed to seize them, drawing them inexorably downward. The moment passed in a breath, and a deafening thud resonated as all enforcers plummeted to the ground, enveloped in a cloud of obscuring dust.
As the cloud dissipated, a surreal sight greeted them: a ring of a hundred enforcers, all of them, encircled Lucifer, their forms eerily still, frozen in place, kneeling.
Two black-flamed enforcers knelt at the forefront, their gazes now able to meet Lucifer's visage directly. His eyes, an enchanting shade of crimson red, held a regal, almost hypnotic allure.
"Perfect," Lucifer's voice flowed, a calm declaration. The enforcers' gaze was now precisely where he wanted it to be.
Why should he lift his gaze upwards when he could simply draw them down to meet his own?
A deep, resonant voice reverberated, demanding, "Speak. Where is your master, Myumaska?"
The demand hung in the air, but all that met it was an eerie silence. Lucifer, his expression unchanged, casually scratched his head with a single finger from his left hand. "Ah, my apologies. I seem to have forgotten to undo that."
The red haze that had silenced the black-flamed enforcer abruptly dissipated, as if Lucifer had restored his ability to speak. Swiftly, the enforcer's voice roared forth, a volume that would have made even thunderous clouds cower.
"You wretched fool! How dare you utter his revered name with that accursed mouth of yours!"
Lucifer's countenance remained undisturbed, his posture unwavering as he continued to observe the enforcer.
"Coward!"
The enforcer's voice surged, unrelenting. "Where is Noah hiding!? How dare you scheme against us? How dare you tarnish our laws!?"
"Come out! Noah."
"WHERE ARE YOU NOAH!?"
The questions echoed through the forest, the enforcer's voice akin to a lion's roar, causing the very earth to tremble. He thought that this was all Noah's doing, for he couldn't fathom a young boy such as Lucifer doing it.
Yet, only silence answered his fervent inquiries.
Minutes passed, an eerie stillness descending upon the surroundings. The black-flamed enforcer's confusion deepened, mirrored by Lucifer's own reticence. Then, unexpectedly, laughter burst forth from Lucifer's lips.
"Hahaha!"
The laughter continued, a mocking cadence that echoed through the air. "Hahaha, a black-flamed enforcer, and yet you reveal such foolishness! Hahahaha."
"Noah?", Lucifer mockingly asked.
"Hahaha."
Laughing and sighing right after, Lucifer looked at the enforcer and commented, "What a pity, Myumaska. Your followers are quite the bunch of idiots."
He found the black-flamed enforcer's antics amusing.
"You! Bastard! How dare you-"
"You—" The enforcer began to retort, but Lucifer had no intention of wasting more time on this exchange.
"Enough. Know your place." Lucifer rose from his seat, his eyes emanating flames potent enough to disintegrate bones with a single gaze. His voice thundered, nearly deafening, and his demeanor was monstrous; his crimson eyes sent shivers down the spines of all the enforcers present.
Lucifer's gaze shifted to the second black-flamed enforcer, who remained quiet all this time, kneeling exactly behind him.
"Tell me, Myumaska, is it entertaining to possess your own follower and watch from the distant like a coward?", Lucifer inquired, seemingly aware that the possessor of the second black-flamed enforcer was none other than Myumaska – the individual who had nearly laid destroyed his own realm upon learning of Lucifer's existence.
Seated upon the bone throne, a scythe resting beside him, he remarked, "Lucifer, if you can possess your followers, why can't I?"
Lucifer's laughter resounded in response to the statement, pointing at himself with the index finger of his.
"Follower? Who?"
"Ah… do not misunderstand; this is merely my new vessel," echoed a chilling voice.
He continued, "And you, Myu, are you so filled with fear that you did not accompany them?"
Amidst the darkness, Myumaska's chuckle resonated, red flames flickering in its eyes. "Foolish Lucifer, do not provoke my wrath. You are now nothing more than a mortal, reduced to the frailty of a human weakling."
"Even gazing upon me would be unbearable for you! Hahaha."
In response, Lucifer raised his left hand, its palm directed towards the black-flamed enforcer now under Myumaska's control. Within mere seconds, he shattered the enforcer's form, reducing its bones to fragments.
Not only this enforcer, but all the others in the vicinity found themselves pinned to the ground. Above them, an almost imperceptible yet tangible hand composed of crimson haze descended – not just one, but many of them.
These spectral and magical hands were massive, akin to the size of colossal banyan trees, obliterating five to six enforcers with each swipe. Sadly, amidst the cacophony of cracking bones, no other sound permeated the air, for Lucifer had suppressed their ability to utter words, denying them even the solace of screams.
All of their flames extinguished almost instantly as mini-red hands appeared, grabbing the flames and extinguished them. As for the only black-flamed who had been possessed by Myumaska, Lucifer left him, for his gaze was still connected to Myumaska.
"Master… please save me.", cried the black-flamed, it's first words as the control over it got weaker.
And those words, were well heard by Myumaska who remained seated on his throne.
"Lucifer, you dare-"
"Yes, I dare. What about it?", another mini hand manifested, slowly moving around the black flame that burnt inside.
And the last thing Myumaska saw was the hand grabbing the flames, extingushing them and killing the Enforcer.
And after doing the task, he merely sat down back on the throne that he had crafted, crossing his legs and merely resting his head on his left hand with the fist clenched, staring straight into the abyss ahead.
An eerie hush enveloped the scene, shattered only by his voice echoing once more, "Do I need to extend an invitation for you to show yourself?"
The instant his words reverberated in the ears of an elderly man, a brittle twig snapped under his footsteps.
He advanced, taking calculated steps. His immense frame, dwarfing even Lucifer's, was swathed in a black robe, a cloak that billowed around him.
Silver threads of hair framed his face, a stark reminder of a familiar figure. He treaded a bit further, crossing the fallen enforcers, and positioned himself before the throne. He lowered his stance gradually, finally kneeling, his left leg touching the ground. His gaze remained fixed on Lucifer's right leg, resting solidly on the earth.
Not once did he dare to raise his eyes.
"Master Lucifer, I—"
"Hmm, did you find amusement in observing the spectacle? Not a fleeting thought to aid me, perhaps?" Lucifer's tone carried a playful yet icy edge.
A shiver traced its path down the man's spine as he summoned a modicum of strength, uttering, "Forgive me for saying this, but... Master Shadow's order was merely for observation—"
"Ah, I see. Now you follow Shadow's commands instead of mine."
"No, that's not—" His words were abruptly severed by Lucifer.
"Enough.", a single word was enough to silence the man.
"Speak. How much longer must I endure this delay?"
"How much more time until you locate Diablo's Vessel?"
"A little time is needed… a bit more.", the man said.
"Time, time and time! Every time I ask, you all reply about needing more time!", his voice thundered.
"I am already at 99%. Are you waiting for Diablo to take control over me?" Lucifer's impatience was palpable.
"N-no, master, but the task is no simple feat—"
"Of course, it isn't simple. That's precisely why I entrusted it to you."
"A Grand Wizard, ranked 13th globally! The esteemed Hendolff Von Craster!"
Indeed, the figure who bowed before Lucifer was none other than the renowned Hendolff, who had seemingly been incapacitated by Vineca earlier.
"Is it too much of a difficult task even for you?", Lucifer asked.
"A bit master. But don't worry, I will live up to your expectations just like I previously did.", he referred to his acting.
This was the same Hendolff who had been introduced abruptly, the one who had pretended ignorance about the progress of the curse, feigned surprise at the revelation, and acted powerless to prevent Vineca's teleportation.
"Lived up to my expectations?"
"Ha…"
"Acting? Pretense?"
"Quite the accomplished actor you're turning out to be."
"I do harbor dreams of the stage. Seems you want to fight for the spotlight with me," Lucifer quipped, though his words managed to coax beads of sweat from Hendolff's brow.
"N-not at all, Master. I am nothing compared to your brilliance."
Lucifer's chuckle danced through the air. "And the others? Where are they?"
At the question, Hendolff responded, "They're at the Temple of Diablos. They've successfully apprehended the priests and numerous wizards and Devil Worshippers."
Lucifer's grin widened. "Excellent."
"We are unworthy of the praise, master."
"Indeed. Took you long!"
"Let me repeat, time is running thin before Diablo realizes that his curse has befallen not a mere human, but a Devil."
"Thus, before it reaches 100%, bring me news of success."
"You know very well what I want!"
"My goal, my aim… Revenge! The destruction of the devils!"
"Yes…"
Upon hearing these words, Hendolff raised his right hand, index finger extended while the remaining digits formed a fist, which he then thumped against his chest, declaring, "I shall accomplish this. May your blessings guide us."
.
.
.
"WHERE ARE YOU, NOAH!?" The voice of the black-flamed enforcer resounded, reaching Noah and Daniel. Both abruptly turned toward the forest, a mere stone's throw away.
"Sir," Daniel began, wanting to inquire about the situation, but he found Noah chuckling instead.
Baffled, Daniel cast his gaze back in the direction of the voice. He looked back at Noah, only to see him lounging in his chair, seemingly disinclined to move.
"Very well. If you're unwilling, then—"
In that moment, Daniel steeled himself. He had made the decision to venture into the forest in search of Lucifer.
However, before he could voice his determination, Noah interjected, "Boy, you're flirting with death."
"Flir- what?"
"A weakling like you—"
Fury ignited in Daniel's eyes, a blaze of crimson.
"Yes, I may be weak, but I'm not a coward!"
"If my fate is to die, then I'll embrace it while rescuing a life." With those words, he turned on his heel, marching resolutely toward the forest.
Noah rose from his seat, abandoning his chair.
"Halt, boy!"
This time, it was Daniel's turn to ignore Noah's words. He continued walking.
Noah was compelled to brandish his wand and direct it at Daniel. Stopping him wouldn't be all that difficult. But suddenly, as if experiencing a change of heart, Noah muttered something under his breath. His gaze fixed squarely on Daniel, who continued walking away.
"Come, boy. Let's teleport directly," he called out.
At this unexpected offer, Daniel halted, pivoting to face Noah.
"Seriously?" Confusion etched his features.
"Yes, seriously," Noah affirmed. Raising his wand and aiming it at Daniel, he intoned, "Stynom."
In an instant, both of them were whisked back to the scene, arriving close to a bush.
Daniel wouldn't have outrightly run to save Lucifer for he was indeed weak. He had to rack his brain, but with Noah joining, it could be a different matter.
Upon their arrival, Daniel's eyes fell on someone… making him uncomfortable breifly. His gazes landed on Hendolff. He stood there, wand poised in his right hand, his focus directed at Lucifer, who remained sprawled on the sofa, seemingly still in an unconscious state.
The sun was gradually ascending, heralding the impending daybreak. Amidst the tableau, Hendolff stood alone amidst the fallen enforcers, casting an imposing figure—a lordly presence, exuding power.
However, Daniel's reaction was far from jubilant. This was the very individual he had previously managed to escape from.
His instinct was to bolt, but a soft, feminine voice emanated from his right.
"Sir Hendolff?"
Turning his head, Daniel's gaze landed on Vineca, who was accompanied by Maya. They had now joined the scene.
"Vineca?" Daniel called out to her, prompting her to briefly glance in his direction before fixing her attention squarely on Hendolff.
Vineca raised her wand, training it on Hendolff. "Release him," she commanded.
Hendolff pivoted to face Vineca, his gaze meeting the wand aimed at him.
"Is that a threat?" Hendolff inquired.
"Yes."
"…"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
1st_Manga_KING
1st_Manga_KING Thank you for making it till the end of the 10th chapter. I hope you liked it so far.
If you did, do try a few more chapters, at least the free ones. I hope you enjoy further for a lot of mysteries remain ahead.
Do leave a review/comment/power stone/gift if you liked the book so far. Thank you.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone