These Demons Do it for Free-Chapter 82

*‘Then, Seir, do you have any suggestions?’*

*[Of course.]*

As expected of Seir.

*[There are two possible approaches.]*

Two? Demon powers certainly were boundless. With a bit of creativity, outlandish solutions seemed to flow effortlessly.

*[You can either fight fire with fire or extinguish it with water.]*

As soon as the thought of using wind crossed my mind, Seir’s voice cut in.

*[With flames of this magnitude, wind alone won’t suffice.]*

*[Couldn’t we create an oxygen-depriving barrier to cut off the fire?]*

*[That would hold for us, but have you forgotten? We’re not alone here, are we?]*

It wasn’t just us.

Seir reminded me of not only my party but also the other explorers who had descended to the second layer to hunt Sentinels for this mission. Time and again, Seir reminded me of an angel rather than a demon.

*[Which option you choose is up to you, Contractor.]*

If I chose fire, we could counter with a blaze or manipulate the Blazing Dead directly. If I went with water, it would involve dousing the walking infernos, as Leif had attempted.

*‘In that case, wouldn’t it be better to choose something that won’t overlap with Leif?’*

*[However… I do have one concern.]*

*‘What is it?’*

*[I’m not sure you could handle the fire option.]*

It’s… a little volatile, shall we say?

From Seir’s tone, I sensed a bit of discomfort toward the demon with fire powers.

*[Ah, that one.]*

*‘Leraje, you know him?’*

*[If it’s a fire demon, it’s that one. The Marquis of Fire. He holds a rank similar to mine, but he’s notoriously violent.]*

If he’s volatile, controlling the flames might be challenging.

While Seir and Leraje had been extraordinarily cooperative, it was easy to forget that a contract with a demon was, by nature, a path to ruin.

*‘What about the water option?’*

*[Well, um... not exactly stable, either?]*

Seir’s uncertainty was apparent, while Leraje seemed unfamiliar with this particular water demon.

Neither option seemed without its dangers. Then again, I’d never expected stability from demons in the first place.

*‘Let’s go with water.’*

At the very least, water wouldn’t be as volatile.

*‘This isn’t the time to gamble recklessly.’*

This wasn’t just a matter of my life. It involved at least six people here, possibly the other explorers on this second layer as well.

*[Good choice.]*

With Seir’s acceptance, new knowledge poured into my mind.

Secrets of Hell, passed down by Seir.

Engraved within me were details of another ruler of Hell.

The summoning circle for this demon. The emblem to be etched. And the true name of the demon I was to summon.

The three essential elements were prepared.

Now, I needed a suitable offering.

"Anyone got something useful?"

Turning to the group, I asked.

"Something useful?"

"It’s for the summoning."

"Couldn’t you just use mana stones? Like the Sentinel’s power core?"

"It’s not so much about mana. What matters is the mystic force within my blood and incantations."

"What did you use last time?"

Offerings for demon summoning were closely guarded secrets in demonology. Arthur and Hernando, overhearing Ray’s question, took a step back, clearing their throats.

"Roman, Hernando and I will hold off the Blazing Dead for now."

"Thanks. I’ll leave it to you, Hernando."

With no eavesdroppers, I answered honestly. For Seir, I’d used a goat head; for Leraje, candied fruit.

"So, it doesn’t really matter what you use, does it?"

"It’s absurd, Roman. Other demonologists capture hundreds of living humans to offer as sacrifices."

"Well… how about this?"

Leif pulled out a handful of dried fruit.

Dried fruit after candied fruit?

The quality of offerings was nose-diving.

Still, it was the best we could manage under the circumstances.

I didn’t even have paint to draw the summoning circle. Instead, I made a cut on my palm.

*‘A bit dizzying.’*

Using my blood as paint, I began drawing the circle, transforming my hand into a makeshift brush.

The basic circular shape. Within it, a winged-cup emblem.

An improvised, hastily-made summoning circle. With the Abyss’ unique mana flow, there was no guarantee it would work, but I’d make it work.

"I call upon thee."

Mystical energy in my invocation resonated with the circle, sending an invitation to a being from another dimension.

Droplets of blood dripped rhythmically from my hand.

Leif’s barrier of wind trembled, likely from the battle raging beyond but perhaps from something else as well.

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It was coming.

The third demon.

The demon with the key to break through this situation.

A burst of light slammed against Leif’s wind barrier, raising the internal heat.

And with it came a sound.

*A sound of flowing water.*

The demon manifested, silver hair flowing like moonlight reflecting off the surface of a calm lake, wrapped in silver chains and black bandages. Unfurling wings lighter gray than Seir’s, the demon’s vertically slit pupils focused on me. I felt as though I were submerged in water.

The demon slowly lifted its arm, and the sound of flowing water shifted.

Submerged in a contradiction, the demon projected its presence over the environment, befitting an archdemon.

With one eye hidden, the demon spoke.

"Well, well. So we meet, one whose fate is intertwined with mine, bound to drift together in the abyssal darkness."

"...Excuse me?"

"Don’t be afraid, summoner."

Not fear, more like confusion.

*‘What…?’*

Hearing its speech, I began to see its grand attire less as a symbol of demonic majesty and more as something else.

"I’m not trembling. But…"

"Shh."

Cutting me off, the demon placed a finger to its lips.

"Mysteries must be respected. Summoner, attaining the knowledge you seek is no simple feat. Now, your offering… Wait! What is this?!"

Finally noticing the dried fruit on the altar, the demon stamped its foot, indignant.

"This…! Oh, seeker of cosmic secrets! You summon me, yet offer such a pittance… it’s utterly lacking in sincerity!"

Too much of a stretch?

It had been a makeshift offering, after all.

While Leraje hadn’t required a specific offering and accepted candied fruit, this demon seemed to care deeply about the quality.

Seir probably hadn’t foreseen this aspect of its personality.

Just as I considered ending the summoning and going with the fire demon as a backup, the demon spoke again.

"This insult will have to be repaid through our contract!"

So, it’s going forward?

"*Ahem*, well! What are you waiting for? Let us formalize our contract!"

"First, there’s something I need to confirm."

"Confirm? Ah, you wish to verify our bond’s synchronization? Very well. I shall personally gauge the skill of my new pact-bearer."

"Do you understand the situation here?"

"Situation? You mean those flames?"

"I need you to extinguish them. I need that power more than arcane knowledge. What power do you possess?"

"My power…."

Surveying the surroundings, the demon noticed Undine, summoned by Seir, and approached it.

*Thud!*

"Ah!"

The demon bumped into the barrier of the summoning circle.

"*Ahem*… I forgot… our contract hasn’t been formalized yet."

Clutching its head, the demon muttered excuses.

"Come here."

"Me?"

"Yes. Command the water spirit to lend me some water."

Leif hesitated, glancing at me. I nodded, and she sent a water droplet over to the demon.

The moment the demon’s hand touched the water,

*Whirl, whirl—*

The water spun fiercely, swelling in size.

"Will this suffice?"

"…It’s perfect."

"Then let us seal our contract."

The contract formation.

Once more, my blood seeped into the summoning circle.

"My name is Procell, Lord

of latent heat."

The contract rune etched itself onto the opposite hand from Leraje’s seal.

Simultaneously, I called upon Procell’s powers, bestowed upon me in our pact.

*Whooosh!*

The water created by Leif mixed with my mana, swirling into a raging torrent.

It was a moment when fire and water collided, dancing together.