Chapter Text
"Drip, drip..."
That was the sound of lava dripping. In the human world, it would likely be a substance called "water." Unfortunately, this was Hell, a hellish place where even demons would go mad; such a basic substance simply didn't exist here.
"Hmm...looks like I'll go crazy too if I stay here for a few more decades."
"Oh well, one more won't make a difference."
A demon with an earring, dressed casually, walked along the rocky path, a cigarette she'd stolen from the human world dangling from her mouth. For a proper demon, bad habits were a necessity.
...
"Hahahaha, that kid thought I was here to buy something!"
Memories from a few days ago gradually surfaced in her mind, and a mocking and disdainful laugh escaped her lips—along with the cigarette she'd just inhaled.
That day, she'd secretly wandered around the shops in the human world, and the goods that were all too familiar to humans had caught her attention.
“This stuff is pretty good, let me try it.”
“Excuse me, miss, you need to pay first.”
“Money? What is money? I only know I need it.”
Without hesitation, she pulled out a box of what humans called “cigarettes” and started playing with it. She had never been interested in human creations until today, when she realized that humans could create “playthings” to satisfy her boundless desires.
“Hey, miss, you can’t do this, you have to pay first…”
Before he could finish, a heavy punch landed on his face.
“Although I don’t know what money means, I can roughly guess what you’re asking me for.”
“This is a courtesy between demons, just accept it.”
“Demon…? Demon…?”
The merchant was clearly stunned; this creature, existing only in legends, was now standing before a mortal.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
She said with a smile, exhaling flames to light the cigarette in her mouth. The intense heat even grazed the merchant who had fallen to the ground. The sudden and terrifying encounter completely terrified the poor man.
In Hell, all demons must obey the commands of the higher-ranking demons in their respective areas. The principle of the strong preying on the weak also applies there, but unlike on Earth, it's far more deadly in Hell. Every day, the number of demons who perish because of this is nearly mountainous, their bodies ultimately thrown into the scorching lava to slowly melt away. Therefore, every day while working, she could hear screams echoing from the lava pools outside the factory.
"Why do demons have to do these boring and repetitive jobs like humans?"
She entered the workshop and began operating the machines. The parts on the assembly line began to turn, the air thick with the metallic stench, making it hard to breathe. She secretly dangled a cigarette she'd brought from Earth, inhaling the nicotine with abandon. For a demon, this was one of the day's pleasures.
"Hiss...whoosh..."
The smoke was inhaled and exhaled, like the cycle of life.
"Hmm... anyway, there are more demons than we can use... I don't care if I smoke myself to death..."
After three hours of boring work, she slipped out of the production workshop while the supervisor wasn't looking and wandered around outside. Before she knew it, she'd finished her cigarette. The nicotine pleasure left her wanting more, her mind still filled with chaotic and wonderful fantasies after smoking. This made her want another one, so she decided to go to the shop outside the factory. She wasn't the only demon who liked to go to the human world; the shop owner also enjoyed going there and obtained many things that demons liked, then resold them to other demons at high prices. However, here, Zdrada could only pay, after all, she didn't want to lose her job in the factory.
The scorching air of hell danced across her face, her bangs, covering half her eyes, fell casually across her cheeks. Unlike other demons, she wore a cross around her neck, constantly searing her skin—one of her "trophies" brought back from the human world. The poor, unfortunate priest still had no idea how a demon had scared him into fainting. Even the tongue stud was a stylist he'd had done in the human world; of course, all of this was "free."
"Give me two cigarettes, the really strong ones..."
"Judging from your appearance, you work at that factory nearby, right? The foreman there isn't exactly friendly. If he catches you, no one can guarantee you won't have a few serious scars on your back."
The shopkeeper said, handing her cigarettes.
"He can't do anything to me. I'll just fight to the death."
Having received the cigarettes, she was about to leave satisfied when she inadvertently caught sight of a figure.
“A whole bottle of strong vodka, don’t waste my time.”
The skinny demon’s tone caught her attention. She struggled through the group of tall demons. Her small frame stood out starkly against them, and she clutched the vodka she had just bought tightly in her arms. Her face still flushed from drinking, and Zdrada, seeing her somewhat comical yet intimidating appearance, instantly became interested.
“Kid, can you really drink that whole bottle of vodka? Don’t end up collapsing on the ground, no one’s coming to save you.”
Zdrada bent down slightly, speaking in a slightly provocative tone—her unique way of greeting. The skinny demon glared at her fiercely, said nothing, and continued walking forward. His resentful gaze seemed to say, “You’re an idiot.”
“Hey kid, what’s your name? I’m getting a little interested in you.”
Zidara, seeing Malina remain silent, raised his hand and patted her shoulder. Malina turned around and instantly slapped his hand away.
“Are you fucking crazy?”
She returned Zidara’s greeting in her own unique way.
“My name is Malina. And, you fucking better not bother me again, or I’ll beat you bloody with this vodka.”
Malina seemed to sense something. She pulled up her collar, quickened her pace, and ran back to the factory clutching the vodka in her arms, leaving Zidara standing there watching her disappearing figure.
“Malina… interesting…”
She took a drag of her cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke, but it tasted different from before. The cigarette was finished, and Zidara casually tossed it away. The remaining butt fell into the lava pool, burning completely, but this time she didn’t show that mocking smile from before.
She's always been good at manipulating others.
So, even demons can be interested in their own kind?