章 4: Pitiful demon
The sun blazed down mercilessly on Veyron's back as he stomped through the bustling village streets, his boots squelching with every step. The mud caked on his clothes had dried into a crusty shell, and the villagers gave him wide-eyed stares, whispering to one another as he passed.
"Yeah, yeah, take a good look, you peasants!" Veyron muttered under his breath, his crimson eyes flickering with annoyance. His long black hair was plastered to his neck, and his once-imposing armor was now covered in dried muck. "Haven't you ever seen a fallen demon lord before?"
A pair of children pointed at him, giggling behind their hands. "Mommy, look! It's a mud monster!"
Veyron snarled, baring his sharp teeth at them. The children shrieked and scurried off, and he rolled his eyes. Mortals. So easily frightened, he thought, though it did little to soothe the bruise to his pride.
[System Notice: Host's charm level has dropped by 10 points due to poor hygiene.]
"Shut up!" Veyron growled at the hovering system screen. "When I get my powers back, you're the first thing I'm going to incinerate."
[Reminder: Incineration requires the use of magical energy. You currently have none. ♥]
Veyron clenched his fists, his jaw twitching in fury. I swear, even the Goddess didn't piss me off this much. But as he rounded a corner, the sound of rowdy laughter and clinking mugs caught his attention. The sign above the building read: The Tipsy Tankard Inn & Pub.
"Finally, something that might take the edge off this godforsaken day," Veyron muttered. He stomped toward the entrance, pushing the door open with a loud bang.
The moment he stepped inside, the bustling pub fell silent. Every head turned to stare at him, eyes widening at the sight of the mud-covered, towering figure with horns protruding from his head. At 6'7", Veyron loomed over the other patrons, his red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"What the hell are you all staring at?" Veyron barked, his voice a low growl. "Never seen a demon lord in need of a drink?"
The crowd remained silent, eyes wide and jaws slack. Finally, the bartender—a stout, balding man with a bushy mustache—managed to sputter, "W-We don't serve your kind here."
Veyron's eye twitched. "Oh, really? And what kind would that be? Ruggedly handsome, devilishly charming ex-gods in need of a stiff drink?" He slammed his hand on the counter. "I've had a shitty day, and if you know what's good for you, you'll pour me something strong."
But before the bartender could respond, the heavy stomp of hooves echoed from behind Veyron. The pub patrons parted like the Red Sea as a hulking figure stepped forward. An ox demi-human, easily seven feet tall, with bulging muscles and horns that could put Veyron's to shame, blocked the path.
"Listen, pal," the ox-man rumbled, his voice deep enough to rattle the bottles on the shelves. "You're scaring the customers. Move along."
Veyron tilted his head back to glare up at the brute. "Oh, this is just perfect," he said with a grin that was more snarl than smile. "The muscle-bound guard dog thinks he can bark orders at me." He raised a hand dramatically, dark energy crackling between his fingers. "You're about to learn the hard way that no one orders me around!"
The patrons gasped, eyes widening as Veyron made a series of dramatic gestures, dark energy swirling around him. He brought his hands together in a flashy motion, chanting, "Behold the true power of a demon lord! Feel my wrath—!"
The spell fizzled into a tiny, pathetic wisp of black smoke that barely drifted past the ox-man's nose before vanishing.
A beat of silence. Then, the entire pub erupted into laughter. Patrons clutched their stomachs, wiping tears from their eyes. Even the bartender leaned against the counter, wheezing with mirth.
[System Notice: Reminder, Host: All of your powers have been stripped. Please refer to the system's abilities to regain magical energy.]
Veyron's face burned with rage as he stared at his useless hands. "Oh, come on! Even a beginner mage could do better than that!"
The ox-man cracked his knuckles, his face splitting into a wide grin. "Looks like you're all bark and no bite, demon." Without another word, he lifted a meaty fist and sent Veyron flying through the open doorway with a single punch.
Veyron hit the ground outside with a painful thud, the cobblestones jarring his bones. Groaning, he struggled to sit up, mud now smeared all over his face. "Dammit... this is not how today was supposed to go..."
But before he could even finish cursing the heavens, a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see a figure kneeling in front of him—a beautiful fox-girl with silver hair and a pair of fluffy ears perched on top of her head. She was dressed in a simple but elegant outfit, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement.
"You seem to be having a rough day, demon," she said, her voice soft yet teasing. "Need a hand?"
Veyron's eyes widened as the system screen popped up again, practically vibrating with excitement.
[New Target Acquired!]Demi-Human: Fox-Girl]
Name: Snith Goldman
Race: Fox Demi-Human
Height: 5'5"
Measurements: 36-24-36
Special Traits: Enhanced senses, Illusion magic, Fluffy tail
♥Compatibility Level: 60%
Potential for Taming: Moderate
"Oh, now we're talking," Veyron muttered under his breath, eyeing the stats. He quickly scrambled to his feet, wiping the mud from his face. "Ahem, yes, I could use some assistance," he said, trying to look as dignified as one could after being thrown out of a pub.
The fox-girl's lips curved into a smile as she extended her hand. "Well then, demon... let's see if you're worth my time."
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