Into the Demon’s Domain – The Journey Begins

Sumire took a deep breath, determination shining in her eyes. (This is the perfect moment to impress Kaminari-kun. Come on, Sumire, you can do this!)

Meanwhile, Kaminari flailed helplessly in the clutches of a monstrous spider’s web, panic gripping his every word.

“WAAAAA! Oye! I’m not delicious!” he wailed, struggling to break free.

The spider, its fangs dripping with acid, inched closer, its many legs clicking against the web as it climbed higher. A single drop of its corrosive venom dripped onto Kaminari’s hair, singeing a few strands instantly.

“Mommy! It’s too soon to meet you!” Kaminari screeched. “Help me, Sumire!!”

Sumire focused, channeling aura into her leg. “Hey, you demon! Look here!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the tension.

The spider turned to face her, but before it could react, she lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent it flying. With a few swift movements, she slashed through the web, freeing Kaminari.

“Thank goodness!” Kaminari gasped as he landed on the ground, brushing off sticky remnants of the web. “You’re a lifesaver, Sumire.”

Sumire blushed at the compliment, her lips curving into a small smile. “Of course! Let’s hurry to the portal.”

With careful steps, they approached the glowing portal and stepped through. The sensation of being pulled through space sent a chill down their spines. When they landed, they were stunned by the sight before them—a desolate village in the heart of the Demon World.

“So this is the Demon World...” Kaminari murmured, taking in the barren landscape. “A planet completely different from Earth.”

Sumire’s gaze fell upon a humanoid figure in tattered clothing—a red-skinned creature with small horns protruding from its forehead. Its body was covered in rashes and dirt, an image of pure suffering.

“Look, there’s someone there,” Sumire pointed out. “You wait here. Let me talk to her.”

She approached the villager with a calm yet cautious demeanor. “We’re new here. We came from a different planet. Can you guide us?”

The woman’s eyes widened in shock. “What? You came from a different planet... like how Kuroshin-sama, Raizen-sama, and Ryujin-sama do? What’s the name of your planet? What species are you?” She paused, shaking her head apologetically. “Ah, I’m sorry! Instead of answering, I’m just bombarding you with questions.”

Sumire smiled gently. “It’s okay. But can you tell us where we are?”

“This village is called Sahara,” the woman explained, her voice tinged with sorrow. “And you’ve arrived at a terrible time. King Kuroshin-sama’s army raided this place recently. It’s a living hell now.”

Kaminari stiffened. (Madam—)

A voice boomed inside his head. Oye, you spoiled brat! You’re in my territory now… the Devil King sneered. Wear the mask I’m about to give you.

Kaminari blinked in confusion. “Why? And where is the mask?”

It will hide my presence inside you. Hold your face.

Kaminari obeyed, pressing his fingers against his skin. A mask materialized and instantly vanished, merging seamlessly into his face.

“Whoa…” He grinned. “This is actually kinda cool! Oh… wait, I forgot what I was asking.”

He turned back to the villager. “Can you guide us to a place where we can rest freely?”

The woman sighed. “Sorry, but this place is completely ruined by Kuroshin-sama’s forces.”

Kaminari’s expression darkened. “Huh? Kuroshin... sama? Why the honorific?”

“He’s the king of this country,” she answered, her voice carrying an edge of resignation. “He is the absolute truth, and we all have to endure his harsh orders. We haven’t had enough food to eat for days. We don’t have enough water to drink. Our homes were destroyed by his army.”

Sumire gasped, covering her mouth. “Impossible…”

The villager forced a smile. “Oh, what am I saying? My name is Ubume. Please, come to my house. Tonight, we’re having boiled leather strips.”

Kaminari blinked. “Boiled... leather?”

Ubume nodded solemnly. “We have nothing else to eat. So we soak belts in fruit juice to soften them. Come.”

Kaminari and Sumire exchanged a troubled glance before following her deeper into the ruined village. Starving demons lay scattered in the streets. Broken rooftops. Lifeless soil. The weight of suffering pressed upon them.

As they entered Ubume’s home, Sumire’s eyes fell upon a crying red-skinned baby in the corner.

Ubume hurried to him. “Don’t worry, he’s just crying.”

Kaminari’s jaw clenched. “Did Kuroshin’s army do this?”

Ubume nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “They came here and killed several people… they destroyed... everything.”

Sumire held her gently. “Hang in there. Things will change... Forget that for now. Introduce your child to us.”

Ubume wiped her tears. “His name is Yamato.”

Sumire smiled warmly. “Ah, I forgot to introduce ourselves. I’m Sumire, and he’s Kaminari. We’re humans from planet Earth.”

Kaminari’s fists clenched. (Damn you, Kuroshin. You’ll pay for this.)

Yamato started crying again.

Ubume sighed. “Oh, I forgot to bring food.”

Kaminari frowned. “Wait... why is this child so weak and thin?”

Ubume lowered her gaze. “Yamato hasn’t eaten in two days. I myself haven’t eaten for five.”

Kaminari and Sumire recoiled in horror.

“Not even the child…?” Sumire whispered in disbelief.

An elderly but sturdy man entered the room. “Kuroshin is a ruthless king, and so is his army.”

Ubume turned pale. “Father-in-law! Why did you come out? You’ll be killed like him if you keep talking about Kuroshin-sama like that!”

Kaminari narrowed his eyes. “Like him?”

The old man’s gaze was somber. “My son, Hanzo, was a commander in the revolutionary army. He fought against Kuroshin’s forces, killed many soldiers… but in the end, they crushed the revolution and destroyed this village.”

Kenzo took a deep breath and settled into a seat. “Let me tell you about a warrior named Hiroshi.”

The Devil King’s presence inside Kaminari stirred. (Hiroshi, huh?)

Kenzo continued. “Seventy years ago, there existed a swordsman unlike any other. Hiroshi was a master of aura and the blade, slaying his enemies with a single stroke. He always fought wearing a crimson mask, shaped into a wide, terrifying grin with two large, curled horns.”

Kenzo’s voice dropped lower. “That mask… still exists.”

Before anyone could react, a sudden loud crash shattered the air.

A voice bellowed outside. “WE, DELTA ARMY, DECLARE RAID ON YOUR VILLAGE!”

Kaminari’s blood ran cold.

—To be continued