DEMON FACED JAYDEN

Chapter 11

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a warm glow over the quiet city streets. It was another uneventful day in Jayden's new, inconvenient life. He went through his usual routine—helping with the house chores, listening to the old man ramble about his "glorious youth," and entertaining lolly his little sister whom he has grown quite fond of.

And yet, every time he stopped to think, his mood soured.

'Those two insane gods...' Jayden clenched his fist. 'I should've been reincarnated on Earth, built a supreme empire, and ruled as an immortal overlord. But here? In a world where overpowered lunatics are lurking in every corner?'

Dey play.

The worst part? Even with the Anime System, they had thoroughly neutered him.

If he had all anime abilities, he'd be a god among men. But no. All he had was the Naruto System, a few basic jutsu, and some kunai—like a low-budget ninja cosplayer.

Sighing, Jayden decided to focus on something less depressing.

"Big brother, let's go to the market!" Lolly grabbed his sleeve, beaming.

Jayden nodded. If nothing else, at least spending time with her was somewhat tolerable

The streets buzzed with merchants and shoppers. Lolly skipped beside Jayden, humming a cheerful tune while he maintained his usual deadpan expression.

Stopping at a vegetable stall, he pointed at a red-colored plant.

"How much?"

The middle-aged woman behind the stall beamed. "Twenty bronze coins!"

Jayden's expression didn't change.

The woman blinked.

Then, she swallowed.

Then, she sweated.

Something about Jayden's emotionless stare seemed to pierce into her soul like an executioner's blade.

"I—I was lying!" she blurted out. "It's only ten bronze coins!"

Jayden raised an eyebrow. 'I didn't even say anything…'

Shrugging, he handed her ten coins. The woman snatched them like her life depended on it.

As they walked away, Lolly giggled. "You did it again, big brother!"

Jayden glanced at her. "Did what?"

"Scared them into lowering the price!" She grinned. "At this rate, we'll be able to buy everything for half price!"

Jayden narrowed his eyes. "Wait… am I that ugly?"

Lolly shook her head rapidly. "Nope! You're probably the most handsome guy on the entire continent!" she declared proudly.

Jayden blinked. "Then why do people keep panicking when I look at them?"

"It's not your face," she explained. "It's your expression! It's so… dead. Like a demon calmly deciding whether to murder someone."

"...Fair enough."

Lolly's eyes suddenly sparkled as she pointed toward a jewelry stall. "Big brother, next mission!"

Jayden followed her gaze. A beautiful necklace sat displayed, far more expensive than their budget. He sighed. This girl is getting bold.

Just as they moved toward the stall—

BOOM!

A loud explosion erupted nearby, sending people into a frenzy.

A young man, covered in dirt and injuries, sprinted into the market, his face pale with terror.

"HELP! PLEASE!" He stumbled toward the nearest man, who immediately shoved him away.

The young man turned to another—rejected.

Another—ignored.

Desperation filled his eyes.

That's when he spotted Jayden.

Jayden stood perfectly still, his blank, emotionless face staring back at him.

For a brief second, the man's instincts screamed at him to avoid this demon-faced person at all costs.

But another explosion shook the ground behind him. His face paled further.

He had no choice.

He stumbled forward. "Please! They're after me!"

Jayden remained expressionless. "Who?"

"The Orbius Faction!"

Silence.

Jayden calmly processed this information.

The Orbius Faction—a C-rank faction known for their brutality and influence. If it were the weaker Morphoen Faction, he might've considered helping. But Orbius?

That was a whole different level of trouble.

"Sorry," Jayden said. "Can't help."

The young man froze.

"You… WHAT?!"

Before Jayden could reply—

"COME BACK HERE, YOU BASTARD!!"

A massive, muscle-bound man crashed into the market, his hammer twice his size glowing with violent energy.

Jayden glanced at the young man.

"...You should run."

The guy didn't hesitate. He bolted, weaving through the crowd.

Jayden exhaled and casually formed a one-handed hand seal.

Earth Style: Stone Shift.

The ground beneath the hammer-wielding brute subtly softened, slowing his movements.

It didn't last long.

"WHERE DID HE GO?!" the man roared, breaking free.

Jayden casually turned to Lolly. "Well, I tried."

Lolly pouted. "Big brother, you're so heartless!"

Jayden ignored her and approached the necklace stall. After paying for the necklace, he turned to hand it to Lolly—

Only to find her missing.

Jayden's eyes narrowed. "Where the hell did she go?"

The young man, now cornered in an alleyway filled with scrap metal, panted heavily.

His trembling hands grabbed a broken spear.

His eyes turned green, a black semi-circle forming within.

Green spiritual energy flowed into the weapon, reinforcing it.

"Not enough… but this will have to do," he muttered.

His enemies approached.

The first attacker blurred forward—super speed.

The young man barely blocked, his arm rattling from the force.

The second opponent ignited his fists with flames, swinging for his chest.

He dodged—barely.

A tail swept his legs from behind, sending him crashing down.

His vision spun. The last attacker raised his giant hammer.

BOOM!

The spear met the hammer, pushing it back slightly.

The Orbius members were surprised—but only for a second.

Then, they attacked together.

Minutes later—

The young man was on his knees, coughing up blood. His body was a mess of cuts, burns, and bruises.

"Pathetic," the flame-user sneered. "You shouldn't have crossed the Orbius Faction. Now, you'll regret it."

Suddenly—

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The men turned.

A little girl—Lolly—stood before them, hands clenched into fists.

Silence.

Then, one of the men laughed.

"Are you stupid, girl?" the flame-user sneered. "What, do you have a death wish?"

"No, I don't " she said still confident

Annoyed, the flame-fist warrior lunged at Lolly, his burning fist streaking toward her face.

"Shut up, brat!" he snarled.

Lolly's eyes widened. "Big brother!" she screamed.

Just then—

His hand stopped midair.

A crushing grip locked around his wrist, halting the attack effortlessly.

Confused, the man looked up—and his eyes caught.

A young man stood beside him, blood-red eyes gleaming coldly. His face was unreadable, void of emotion, but the aura around him was suffocating.

Jayden's fingers tightened. The flame-user winced as his bones creaked under the pressure.

Jayden's voice was low, chilling.

"Don't you ever touch my sister."

The place fell silent.

The air grew heavy.

As he look into Jayden eyes one emotion overtook the flame wielder.

Fear.

---

To Be Continued...