Chapter 2: The Land of Pride

"Demon World, huh. Why am I here?" I looked at the man behind me. He looked a little more human compared to the demons earlier.

"I don't know. I felt a newborn's presence here in the Inner World, so I came to take a look and found you." What is he talking about?

"Please explain, I don't know anything about this place." He pointed his finger at me.

"You, have you taken a look at yourself? You're a newborn demon." I looked at my hands and body.

"I must be dreaming, right?" My whole body is red. This must be a dream.

"Kid, stop being delusional. You're now a demon in the Demon World. There's nothing that can change that." Demon, I should check to see if I have horns like this man.

"Horns, I have horns!" What exactly is going on? How did I become a demon?

"The only way for you to become a demon is to die with an unforgivable sin. Usually though, you are sent to the Outer Demon World. I don't know how you're here." He looked like he was deep in thought.

"Are you reading my mind? Who even are you?" He sighed deeply, perhaps releasing all the stress that he has been.

"Alright, I'll explain everything to you. Imagine a really big rectangle. Then, draw a circle at the center of that rectangle. After that, divide the rectangle outside the circle into seven."

"Why am I learning geometry now?" I did imagine what he said. It kinda looks like a map of some sort.

"Shut it, let me finish." He paused for a second before crossing his arms. "In one of the seven areas is the Land of Pride, where we are currently in."

"Oh."

"Now imagine this, draw another small circle inside the circle. That's where you should be." Am I supposed to feel bad?

"Then, who are you?" He hasn't answered that question yet.

"I told you to let me finish. Imagine drawing a cross inside the big circle. Divide it into the north, east, west and south. The north is a land that I rule, where newborns are supposed to stay for two weeks." So he's a caretaker.

"So, who are you?"

"You-! Fine, come with me." He forcefully held my hand, dragging me away to the sky.

"Wait! Wha-AHHHHHHH!" THIS PRESSURE! I can't handle this speed!

"Whoops, sorry about that. By the way, we're here." I regained my posture for a minute.

Looking up, I saw a big, red castle covered with black roof. It was decorated with a lot of lavafalls.

"This is the Land of North. You will be living here for half a month before returning to the Land of Pride." What the hell? He's disregarding me like this without telling me anything?

"I know what you're thinking, kid. I don't need to read minds to know that I'm annoying in people's eyes. What can I do? Rules are rules, and this is the Demon World. It's ought to be harsh here." I watched him with eyes of disdain as he blew a puff of smoke from his cigarette.

"Unlike you, everyone here has lived a sinful life. You saw those pesky demons earlier? They don't know a thing about being merciful. That's why you should survive this place and rise to the top. Maybe it's the only way for you to get the answers you need." He left without a word, sliding his hands inside the pockets of his coat.

I observed the castle for a while. It's pretty lively with a lot of demons running around.

"Hey there kid! Stop staring around and come inside already!" I looked around, seeing a demon lady towering me. Her hands were on her hips, and she had her yellow slit eyes staring at my soul.

"I'm sorry! I don't know the way around!" I ran away to the castle, but was suddenly blocked by her.

"So you don't know the way around. You should have said so, I can lead you to your room, you know."

"Oh, alright." I gave up trying to claim my rights in knowing what I'm supposed to learn.

"This is where your belongings will be. Room 254, remember that. There is no time to sleep in this world, that's why there are no beds around. See you sometime!" She opened the door and gently pushed me inside, closing the door and leaving after.

What greeted me inside was a closet, a shower and a vanity table. "Is this all a demon would need?" Remembering those demons who attacked me earlier, maybe having a room like this was already a luxury.

"Am I supposed to deserve this?" I hopped on the shower, staring at the reflection of my new appearance. Red skin with long, black hair, brown, sheep-like horns and slit, magenta-colored eyes. I look nothing like my human self.

"The guy said that being a demon means that I died with an unforgivable sin. What did I do?" Looking back at my whole life so far, I remember almost nothing. I studied all day, sleep in the afternoon, and play games all night. That's all I can remember.

I rubbed the water off of me and dried my hair, braiding the rear part and a ponytail in the back. I chose a white, long-sleeved shirt and black jumper, partnering with red necktie and light brown coat.

I was about to leave when I noticed a small table with a paper and a key. This key should be the key to my room, while this paper looks like my schedule for the next days.

"I need to straighten up." I fixed myself first before locking my door and going outside. If I'm supposed to live here from now on, then I should adjust myself to this world. I need to get stronger before I get kicked out of the castle.

I walked on the halls and passed by a lot of newborn demons. In comparison to me, they look more demon-like and evil in nature. I just look like a human cosplaying a demon.

"Let's see, Class 15." I mumbled as I look around. "Here it is." I got ready first before turning the handle and opening the door.

Next up: To Learn is to Get Stronger