Demon City

As Roxana and Lior ventured deeper into the jungle, the dense foliage began to part, revealing a breathtaking sight that halted them in their tracks. Before them lay a vast clearing, a remarkable landscape that seemed to challenge the very laws of nature.

Ancient trees of immense girth soared towards the sky, their bark etched with the wisdom of ages, and from their powerful branches sprouted a complex network of dwellings. These were no ordinary homes; they were architectural wonders carved into the living wood, with delicate bridges connecting them, mimicking the intricate design of a spider's web.

Thousands of demons moved with purpose and grace, creating a hum of activity that echoed throughout the landscape. While in flight, some demons were adorned with a dazzling glow, reminiscent of dragonflies glinting in the sunshine, as they moved with finesse, choreographed by the rhythms of the wild.

95% of these demons looked insectoid or draconic in nature. Most of them were low-ranking demons, but some were middle-rankers.

Some were adorned with the vibrant hues of butterflies, their wingspan casting colorful shadows upon the lush foliage; others bore the sleek menace of praying mantises, their limbs ending in scythe-like pincers that hinted at lethal precision.

Also, they saw ant-like demons hard at work. These demons had big, strong jaws that clicked together as they carried heavy loads, showing off their impressive strength and teamwork. They were like busy workers, each one doing its part to help out in this bustling tree-top city.

Roxana, despite her travels in the abyss and her previous life as a human, could not suppress a gasp of wonder. She was taken aback by the sight of these demons working in sync. As opposed to the upper-abyss, where demons acted on instinct and often clashed with one another, here they were coordinated and disciplined.

Even though she was surprised to see such order, she quickly realized that such cooperation would probably be strictly enforced. Stepping out of line here would not be tolerated, and the consequence of not following the rules would be torture or death. It was a different kind of survival in this community, one rooted in order and structure instead of chaos and battle.

In contrast, Lior's reaction was much more intense. His body tensed, a hand reaching out to grip Roxana's arm, his knuckles white with dread. For Lior, this was a descent into a fathomless depth, a plunge into a sea of unknown dangers. His eyes were now filled with fear at the sheer number of demons before him. As he raced through his mind, he was filled with the instinctive anxiety that these creatures would view him as an anomaly and attack.

Yet, no aggression came. The insectoid demons seemed preoccupied with their own affairs, their antennae twitching with communication beyond demon senses. Some glanced curiously at the newcomers, their compound eyes reflecting a world Roxana and Lior could barely comprehend.

"Huh, what's with the stop? Did I say you could stand here and soak it all in? Keep moving," Atraxon commanded, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

They continued their walk and soon arrived at a small cabin. The cabin was humble, almost bare inside, with just the essentials and nothing more. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and intricate tree dwellings they had passed earlier. The simplicity of the place was almost calming, but the emptiness reminded them of their vulnerability in this foreign land.

"You will stay here," Atraxon announced, glancing around the sparse interior. "Varaxis-sama has instructed me to keep an eye on you, so don't mess this up. We're heading to the nearby city to collect souls in 30 minutes. Be ready by then. Don't be late, or you'll regret it," he warned, his tone indicating that this was not a suggestion but an order.

Roxana merely nodded in acknowledgment as Atraxon turned on his heel and left. Once alone, she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding and took a moment to gather her thoughts.

Roxana stood in the sparse cabin, looking out through the small window at the bustling demon activity, her expression a mix of awe and contemplation. "Wow, definitely did not expect to see such a sight on my second world travel. And here I thought this journey would be a safe one," she mused, her tone a mix of surprise and a hint of excitement.

Lior, still clinging to a sliver of apprehension, frowned and asked, "Will we be alright?"

Roxana turned to him, her gaze steady and reassuring. "Yes, don't worry. They believe I'm from some noble family, so for now, they'll treat us well. Also, it's a good thing I cast an illusion on you before we came here; it's hidden your light element well till now," she explained, her voice calm and confident.

Lior's brow furrowed in confusion. "But that Varaxis could dispel your illusion; how did he not see through me?"

Roxana pondered for a moment before responding. "I'm not sure, but mostly his focus was on me... that's why he didn't notice. But let's not dwell on that. First things first—if we're to survive here, you need to learn to control your luminescence. It should be possible for you to command it at will, so that even if my illusion dissipates, no one will be able to discern anything out of the ordinary. And if you need to fight, do it with your bare hands or use a tool. These insect demons seem to have them in plenty."

Lior nodded, taking a moment to absorb her instructions, before his thoughts turned to their upcoming task. "How are we going to collect the souls as part of the contract? Are we going to raid another demon city or... a human city?"

Roxana leaned against the rough wooden wall of the cabin, her mind racing through possibilities. "Raiding a demon city would be a bold move; demons are fierce, and such an act could spark a conflict" she pondered aloud, her fingers drumming against the wood.

Lior's eyes widened at the prospect. "And humans?"

She sighed, "Humans might be easier targets for soul collection, but it's not without risks. We're not sure about this world or what the humans here are capable of doing or if even humans exist in this place."

Lior mulled over her words, the gears in his mind turning.

Roxana pushed away from the wall and began pacing the small cabin. "We need a strategy that maximizes our efforts while minimizing conflict. But before that, I need to become stronger," she said, pausing to emphasize her determination.

As Roxana continued to pace, her thoughts turned practical and strategic. "The demon said to be ready in 30 minutes, right? Well, then it's time for me to acquire my second attribute," she muttered to herself, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. "It's going to be costly, and my bank balance will be nearly wiped out, but surviving here takes precedence."

She paused, taking a deep breath as she considered the implications. "And with the remaining souls, I can create a temporary device to help Lior control his element." The plan was taking shape in her mind, each piece critical to their survival and eventual escape.

"Time for this girl to get as hot as lava!"