Close Call

As Ray stood there cloaked in the shadows of the mining cave, his system chimed with a notification, the familiar sound reverberating in his mind.

He instinctively opened it, and his heart sank as the text appeared before him.

[System Notification]

[ Guild Quest: "Shadows of Ironvale" is being modified ]

[ Status: Quest Escalation ]

[ Updated Quest Details:

[Quest Name: Shadows of Ironvale] [S rank ][Update]

Quest Description:

Ironvale's quiet facade hides a far darker truth. The disappearances were not isolated events but part of a demonic plot tied to the looming invasion of the town. The young girl, Elara, holds the key to the mystery—but her fate remains uncertain.

Your task is no longer just investigation but also survival and action. Prevent the complete annihilation of Ironvale and uncover the truth about Elara's connection to the demonic forces.

Objectives:

1. Halt the demonic invasion of Ironvale.

2. Discover the truth about Elara's disappearance.

3. Bonus: Defeat the demon orchestrating the assault.

Failure Conditions:

• Total destruction of Ironvale.

• Elara is not found.

• ???

Rewards:

• Guild Registration Approval (Completed)

• 2000 Gold Coins.

• Major Reputation boost with the Adventurer's Guild.

• Access to the Grand Cathedral in the Capital City.

• ???

Ray stared at the notification, his mind racing. An S-rank quest? That was absurd—he had barely been in this town for a few minutes, and the system expected him to face an invasion and uncover the fate of some missing girl?

Worse, the failure conditions were vague, but judging from the ominous question marks, the consequences were far from trivial.

He exhaled, dismissing the notification with a flick of his hand. The system screen vanished, and he was greeted by an eerie silence.

That was when he felt it.

The weight of countless stares pressing down on him.

He slowly raised his eyes, his pulse quickening. The cavern was filled with demons of varying shapes and sizes—towering brutes with molten skin, slender figures with razor-sharp claws, and grotesque creatures that oozed malice.

Every single one of them had turned to face him.

Their glowing eyes locked onto him, predatory and unblinking.

Ray swallowed hard, his mind racing. He was outnumbered, outgunned, and very much trapped.

Worse, he had just realized that radiating Asmodeus's aura to throw off the guard earlier had been a mistake—now, every demon in the room was scrutinizing him, some with suspicion, others with barely contained bloodlust.

From the center of the room, the demon general—the one who had been rallying the army with promises of slaughter and blood—stepped forward. His imposing figure radiated power, his crimson armor gleaming in the dim light of the cavern.

"Silence," the general growled, his voice cutting through the tense air.

The room fell deathly quiet, save for the faint crackle of torches and the distant drip of water.

The general's eyes bore into Ray. "You," he hissed. "Why does your aura stink of our lord Asmodeus, yet you stand here, unbound and… unworthy?"

The question lingered in the air, and Ray felt the weight of every demon's gaze intensify. His brain screamed at him to come up with something—anything—to get out of this alive.

He adjusted his cloak subtly, straightening his posture to exude more confidence.

Letting a faint pulse of Asmodeus's curse aura ripple out, he spoke with as much authority as he could muster.

"Who am I?" Ray said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I am a messenger of our lord, sent to ensure his will is carried out."

The general narrowed his eyes, his clawed hand twitching on the hilt of his weapon. "A messenger, you say? And why would our lord send a weakling like you? You reek of… mortality."

The room grew tense, every demon leaning forward, their claws twitching in anticipation. Ray felt his breath hitch. His bluff had been good, but the general was sharper than the rest.

"Perhaps," the general said, baring his fangs, "we should peel back your flesh and see what lies beneath."

Ray's mind raced. He needed something—anything—to prove his connection to Asmodeus before the entire room turned on him.

Then, an idea struck him.

Reaching into his inventory, he pulled out the orb he had looted from the bandit leader. The dark artifact shimmered faintly, its surface swirling with ominous energy.

The room fell silent as every demon's gaze fixed on the orb. The general's eyes widened slightly, recognition flashing across his face.

"This," Ray said, holding the orb aloft, "is a direct link to our lord Asmodeus. A gift from his divine will to his chosen servants."

The general hesitated, his skepticism momentarily shaken. "That orb… how did you—"

"Enough," Ray interrupted, his voice sharp. "You dare doubt me? Let me show you."

He focused on the orb, channeling a faint pulse of Asmodeus's curse aura into it. The artifact flared to life, a dark red glow spilling into the room.

The air grew heavy, and the oppressive presence of Asmodeus's power filled the cavern.

The demons froze, their eyes widening in terror as a deep, rumbling voice echoed from the orb.

"What is it now, bandit?"

The voice was unmistakable—commanding, cruel, and laced with disdain. It was the voice of Asmodeus himself.

The general immediately dropped to his knees, slamming his head to the ground in reverence. The other demons followed suit, their earlier bloodlust replaced by abject fear.

Ray swallowed hard, trying not to let his own nerves show. He straightened his posture, his cloak still concealing most of his face. "Great Lord Asmodeus," he said, his tone respectful but steady, "I have called upon you to confirm my mission and your will."

Asmodeus's voice boomed again, filled with irritation.

"Foolish mortal. Do not dare summon me for such trivial matters. Your task has already been given. Everything proceeds as I desire."

Ray forced himself to nod, as if everything was under control. "Of course, my lord. All is well. There is no need for concern."

"Good. Do not waste my time again with measly talks, or I shall personally flay your soul. Now, begone."

The orb's glow dimmed, and the oppressive presence faded as Asmodeus's voice disappeared.

Ray lowered the orb, letting out a shaky breath. The room was still silent, every demon bowing deeply, their heads pressed to the ground.

The general finally lifted his gaze, his expression one of awe and fear. "Forgive me, messenger," he said, his voice trembling. "I… I did not realize. Your connection to our lord is undeniable."

Ray nodded curtly, tucking the orb back into his inventory. "Let this be a lesson," he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

"Questioning me is questioning Asmodeus himself. Do not make that mistake again."

The general bowed his head lower, his claws digging into the dirt. "Of course, messenger. Your will is our lord's will."

Ray turned on his heel, cloak billowing behind him as he tried to walk toward the cave's exit. Every step felt heavy, but he forced himself to maintain an air of calm authority. Inside, his thoughts were racing.

That was way too close.

Suddenly a demon came rushing towards the general and kneeled in front of him

"Lord! There's a problem."

The demon general barely lifted his head to acknowledge the frantic arrival of a subordinate. The kneeling demon, trembling, stammered his report.

"What is it? Speak!" The general bellowed with anger.

"Lord! A Nightmare bull has made a complete mess in the mines below. That… that beast is too wild to control. Should we just kill it?"

Ray suppressed a groan, already knowing exactly what "beast" they were referring to.

I swear, I'll tie this bull to a post if it keeps causing trouble.

He raised a hand, silencing the murmurs that had begun to ripple through the room.

"I will handle it myself," Ray declared, his voice calm but commanding. "This creature… may be of importance to Lord Asmodeus."

The general's eyes widened, and he quickly bowed his head again. "Of course, messenger. As you wish."

Ray strode past the gathered demons, his cloak swishing dramatically behind him. Internally, he muttered, If I survive this day without losing my mind, it'll be a miracle.