Mortem appeared in a brief flash of crimson light . The light became his aura as he hovered in the air, angry eyes locked on the smirking green-haired woman .

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"What's up, Pipsqueak?" she said . Mortem shuddered, furious, but calmed himself with a deep breath and exhale .

"What are you doing in this world?" Mortem said, tension oozing from his voice like lava . "We have rules for a reason . And breakers of those rules are shown no mercy by the masters . Remember what happened to the Iron Maiden?"

Selkie's smile dropped . Clyde and Dark remained in place, hoping to make their presences as small as possible .

"Do not speak of that name in my presence, Pippy . " Anger briefly flashed into her eyes . "There are no rules against third parties . You know five of them are allowed into this realm . "

"But only the stone and the viper matters," Mortem spat . "Why do you think it's called the Stone-Viper game?"

Selkie shrugged .

"You know some of the others have gotten secret approval from the masters . Other than my Leaf, there is—"

"We are simply guides, you reckless idiot," Mortem interrupted . "I don't have time to babysit you or the others—don't make my overseeing job harder than it needs to be . " He gave Selkie a stern look . "They're watching every battle, tuning in every now and then with a careless eye . But when the Stone and Viper cross paths, all of their eyes will be there . Do you really want to be seen?"

"So what? I'm not breaking the rules," Selkie said .

Mortem let out an exasperated sigh .

"Watch what you say because if you say too much, they will order me to kill you . Out of respect, I'll make it quick, but it will be under compulsion . Do you hear me? Compulsion . As much as I'd like to enjoy death, yours, old friend, old enemy, will not be fun . You continue following the Leaf at your own risk but as long as you don't interfere . "

"I know," Selkie said . "But my mission is important . For my sister . "

"Iron—" Mortem paused at Selkie's severe glare . "Don't make me kill you . "

Clyde's chills finally emerged as Mortem looked at him with the red-eyed gaze .

"You're doing okay with the night-crawling in the city, but it's way too little," he said . "Use your increased intellect . Or lack of . " He shook his head . "To think you were number one in your college, yet your actions aren't that smart . Nowhere near the potential, the masters saw within you . So, start using your head or you won't stand a chance when the time comes to face your counterpart . "

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The creature gave one last look of warning to Selkie before vanis.h.i.+ng . Time returned to the world . Clyde allowed himself a breath of relief . Harumi stared at him .

"Are all of you alright?"

"Just a little post-fight exhaustion," Clyde lied .

"Get up, chuuni, we're leaving," Selkie said then eyed Clyde . "I'm going to let this one join your little city night outing . I hope you don't mind . "

"Oh G.o.d," he said then sighed . He lowered his voice . "At least tell me about this place . I was simply sent here with hardly any information . Mortem…he's right . I've played with my life without using my head . If this keeps up, I'll end up losing my soul or whatever demons do when they eat you . "

Selkie gave him a long stare .

"There are things I cannot tell you," Selkie said, "but…I'll tell you what I can about this world . Meet me Tuesday at the Maid Café . The one on Twentieth Street . " She turned to Dark . "Meet with them at…"

"Eight," Clyde interjected . "The bus stop about a block or two from here . Near the ramen shop . "

[Your quest log has been updated!]

Demon Lord's Estate… .

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Zeth, Left Eye, knelt before his great master . Demon Lord Hades, father of the beautiful, yet infuriating Princess Alice, stood in front of his throne, arms folded .

He was a tall and handsome man with long snow-white hair, piercing red all-knowing eyes, and a perfect white beard . Three half-naked demonesses surrounded him, ready to attend his every need, even if in public . Two of them gave Zeth looks of scrutiny, as if he imposed on them . The third liked to wiggle her tongue at him when the lord's back was turned .

Zeth himself was on the tall side, just a few inches beneath his lord's Six feet, eight . Long black and silver hair dropped to his armored back . His blue skin seemed to glow in the dim lighting of the throne room .

"Report, my eye," Hades said in a voice that could command every army in the world .

"It is still not found, my lord, but at least, we have a lead," Zeth said . "A beast kin girl, by the name of Neko . I've mobilized some of my Hidden Lotus's to catch her . She's a dodgy one . "

"Good," Hades said then nodded . "Make her talk by any means necessary . You may have your way with her, but do not kill . If he voluntary speaks, she may be released . But we both know it will be the hard way . '

"Yes lord," Zeth said .

"How is Alice doing with her cousin?" Hades asked, catching Zeth a little off guard . The demon lord rarely asked anything that wasn't about duty .

"She's fine, my lord . Although the succubus is kind of a troublemaker," Zeth said .

"My niece has always been energetic," Hades said . The demon lord gestured for his three demonesses to leave . They bowed deeply then complied . "I need you to locate some bold humans . Pesky gifted . Kill them all . There are two that don't belong in this world . One of them in particular has a troublesome reserve of power . I'll need him dead before he learns how to use it . "

"On my honor, my lord," Zeth said .

"Rise! And serve me well . "

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Present… .

Clyde grudgingly answered the knock on his door . Can't a guy practice his crafting in peace, he thought .

Alice smiled when he answered .

"Alice, pleasant surprise," he said as he let her in . "Chocolate's running low?"

The demoness stuck her tongue out at him .

"Nope—but I do want pie," she said .

"You're not showing your cousin around?" Clyde asked .

"She's . . . busy . Stay out of the city for another hour and you'll be fine . " Alice pulled the untouched pie out of Clyde's fridge . One muttered spell later, it was hot and warm as if freshly baked . "s.e.x would go nicely before this . " She poked the young man's chest . "Too bad my cousin's in town . She'd sense us and ruin everything . "

Clyde allowed himself a small moment of loss and anger before shrugging .

"You're not going to eat that alone . "

"I totally am going to eat this alone," Alice said with a smug smile . "You could lick the blueberry off my lips . "

Before Clyde could return with a quip, his phone buzzed . A text from Toru? Now that was odd .

Toru: weakling, you've got to come see this .

Clyde: Look dude, I'm not interested in your p.o.r.n collection .

Toru: … .

Clyde: I'm kidding . What's up?

Toru: I think she's a demon . Part cat . Apparently wants to know where you live . Just come here . And be on guard .

Clyde's anime trope senses let out a rang that was almost palpable . He was hoping to finish up his backup plans . The plans that were there in the case of not going home . He looked at Alice .

"Even after someone dark said to use my head, I'm going in the city anyway," he said . "Want to come with?"

Alice sighed .

"At least you're smart enough to ask me for protection . " She placed her hand on his forehead then spoke as if addressing a baby . "Don't worry . Whittle Clyde will be safe all behind Awice . That meanie succubus won't steal your life . "

Clyde's glare sent the demoness into a spiral of laughter .

"On second thought, stay here," Clyde said, but before he could leap toward the door, Alice grabbed his arm .

"I don't think so," she said . "Can't have you embarra.s.sing me . "

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