Across the barren land, a complex demonic sigil bloomed into existence, glowing with crimson light.
A moment later, two figures emerged from the magic circle—Balder in front, and the Artificial Human trailing behind.
The construct's eyes glimmered with curiosity.
He looked around, taking in the strange surroundings—where dark, charred, coal-like creatures lounged lazily across the blackened plain, staring back at them with equal wonder.
After a pause, the Artificial Human spoke.
"Is this… Black State?"
Balder nodded.
Then he raised a hand. The sigil flared again, and one by one, other figures stepped out from its scarlet light.
"No need to hide anymore," Balder commanded, his voice cold and steady. "Show your true forms. Play to your heart's content."
Instantly, wild roars erupted in every direction.
The next heartbeat—
Human shells burst apart, flesh shredding as the beings beneath revealed their terrifying truth.
Colossal, four to five meters tall, radiating sheer power—Strength Demons.
Lean and razor-limbed, arms transformed into scythes—Reaper Demons.
Bodies armored in black plates—Ironhide Demons.
And among them, those wreathed in flame—Fire Demons, rulers of infernal blaze.
Their bloodlust ignited as they lunged toward the coal-black creatures in the distance.
Screams tore through the air. Panic. Begging. The sound of flesh rending under claws.
Within moments, the stench of blood and sulfur filled the air.
The Artificial Human frowned slightly, unease flickering in his expression.
"Do you pity them?" Balder asked, his tone unreadable.
He shook his head.
He didn't know what pity truly was. No one had ever taught him right or wrong.
He only knew—vaguely, from overhearing humans—that massacres like this were considered "bad."
Balder's eyes glinted faintly.
"Do you know how many people hate these black creatures?"
The Artificial Human hesitated. "No."
"Over seventy percent of humanity despises them," Balder said softly. "Another twenty are indifferent. Less than ten percent admire or obsess over them."
He paused—then added, with a ghost of a smile:
"The last time a survey like that existed… was about pornography."
The Artificial Human's eyes widened.
Even with his broken moral compass, he knew that word carried… unpleasant connotations.
Balder chuckled.
"So tell me—when a massacre must be carried out, isn't it almost merciful to choose something most people already hate?"
The unease in the Artificial Human's chest loosened.
The moral discomfort faded, replaced by a growing curiosity.
Now, instead of turning away, he began to observe—the demons' different forms, their powers, their behavior.
They were fascinating. Each one unique.
Balder noticed the spark of interest and pressed further.
"Tell me," he said lightly, "if the Night-Winged Dragons saw this scene, what do you think they'd do?"
The Artificial Human thought for a moment.
"They'd probably stop you. They don't like demons… or killing."
"Exactly," Balder replied, voice calm and deliberate. "They'd oppose me because they dislike it. They'd fight for 'justice,' even if the ones being killed are hated by most. Isn't that interesting?"
The Artificial Human fell silent.
Something about that felt wrong… and yet—
He couldn't deny it matched what he'd seen.
Those Night-Winged Dragons—the so-called agents of Heaven—did whatever they pleased.
They arrested him without cause, took what they wanted, ignored everyone else's will.
"Why are they allowed to do that?" he asked quietly.
"Is it because they're God's messengers?"
Balder smiled faintly.
He'd long since allowed the construct to read a few texts on the supernatural, and the creature had learned enough to recognize the Night-Winged Dragons—Michael's soldiers, born to oppose demons.
"Yes… and no."
He turned his gaze skyward.
"God is this world's greatest deity—the one with the most faith. Because His angels serve Him, everything they do is seen as righteous. Their justice isn't born of morality—it's born of power. They act freely because their master is strong enough to define what justice is."
Balder's words grew colder.
"In truth, they're not 'right'—they're simply backed by the strongest force in existence."
The Artificial Human went quiet for a long time.
Then he murmured,
"So… power is justice?"
"Not entirely," Balder said, smiling faintly. "But when you become strong enough—so strong that no one dares oppose you—then no one will say you're unjust."
The construct's eyes lit up.
"Then if I become powerful enough, I won't need anyone's approval. They'll acknowledge me anyway… won't they?"
Balder's smile widened.
"You've just understood the oldest truth of this world."
The Artificial Human's voice trembled with hunger.
"How do I become strong?"
Balder's tone turned deceptively gentle.
"No one will give you strength. To them, you're an anomaly—something they fear. No one wants a weapon they can't control."
He gestured toward the horde of rampaging demons.
"Look at them… Do you want their power?"
The Artificial Human blinked.
"You mean… become a demon?"
He'd read that certain demons could transform humans through corruption and ritual.
Balder chuckled softly.
"No. Why become one, when you could rule them?"
He stepped closer, voice low and hypnotic.
"You were born special. No soul. No fixed nature. That means… you can command any nature. Any element. Any force."
"Why surrender your humanity… when you could dominate demonic power itself?"
The words slid through the air like poison wrapped in honey.
"The might of the Strength Demon… the armor of the Ironhide… the flames of the Fire Demon…"
As Balder spoke, the Artificial Human's breath quickened.
He imagined wielding them all—those chaotic powers unified within himself.
Then Balder extended his hand.
Something shimmered into existence—pulsing black and white, floating just above his palm.
The Artificial Human's eyes widened.
"That's… a heart?"
"Indeed," Balder said softly.
"The heart of a fallen Night-Winged Dragon—the only one of its kind in the world."
The organ throbbed slowly, its dual colors twisting like light and shadow locked in eternal struggle.
"Sew this heart into your body," Balder whispered, "and combine it with the demons' essence. You'll command all their powers—and divine ones will never suppress you again."
"Darkness and holiness, united as one. You won't just be a demon… or an angel."
"You'll become something greater."
"A new kind of god."
The words rang in the Artificial Human's mind—powerful, intoxicating.
His breathing quickened until it was nearly a pant.
"Now tell me," Balder's voice deepened. "Do you want this power?"
Only a second passed before the answer thundered back—clear, sharp, and absolute.
"Yes. I want it."
~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters:
[email protected] / Dreamer20