Chapter 19 – The Shadow Demon Sarco!

A million dollars a month!

"Send it to this address: Dump Garden, Building 2, Apartment 1001!"

Of course, "Flipping Garden" was just an inside joke invented by Aron and Kingpin.

Aron believed that, with Kingpin's help, it wouldn't be hard to find new housing.

"Aren't you afraid, Kingpin? That you'll regret this? That your past will catch up to you and keep haunting you?"

"That doesn't really sound like you."

Daredevil covered his nose with his hand, stepped forward and asked:

"Why haven't you left yet?"

Aron looked at him in surprise.

Shouldn't a kid like him be curious to witness the arrival of a demon from the Shadows?

"Besides… do I look like a murderous monster in your eyes?"

"…"

Daredevil remembered the determination in Aron's eyes when he was killing earlier.

He wanted to say: Aren't you?

But to avoid a beating, he decided to stay silent.

He quietly left the warehouse, leaning on his blind man's cane.

Aron didn't explain anything, he just watched him until he disappeared from sight.

Actually, the reason he didn't kill Kingpin was simple: he might still be useful.

When he summons other demons, he might need a sacrifice.

And someone like Kingpin could be the perfect candidate.

And one more thing...

"There's no need to worry too much."

Aron shrugged.

If it weren't for the unplanned situation, he probably wouldn't have paid attention to this "king of the underworld" at all.

Since he had free time, better to expand the business.

Something like... the Demon of Shadows!

"As far as I remember, the book doesn't say anywhere that demons of shadow like collecting human souls."

"I don't want to try too hard only for everything to fail, right?"

Looking at the bloody symbols scattered on the warehouse walls, Aron felt both excitement and unease.

He hadn't forgotten the real reason for summoning the demon:

To obtain his power!

But… what if?

What if he can't trick the demon?

What if the demon doesn't want to lend him power at all?

If only he could just catch him…

Grumbling internally, Aron finished setting up the magic circle, specially prepared for summoning beings from other dimensions.

Soon, everything was ready.

Aron began reciting the incantation.

"Great Sarco, lord of shadows, in my name, under the dark sky…"

As the pace of speech increased, the spell became more and more unclear.

"Is this crap really that hard to pronounce?" Aron muttered in frustration.

The blood on the symbols and runes began to shine, as if ignited, dark red light enveloping them.

One by one…

As if giant gears were turning.

Soon, the whole warehouse was immersed in crimson light.

The light grew darker.

From red, to black.

Until darkness completely enveloped the space.

Then, a voice behind Aron.

"Hey, man. You calling me?"

Aron turned around and saw his own shadow rising.

It became another self, and it spoke.

"You're... Sarco? The Shadow Demon?"

"No, I mean… you're the great Shadow Demon, Sarco! Lord of the shadows!"

Aron smiled respectfully, looking like a fanatic who had worshipped shadows for years.

"Save it."

"I see infernal power in you. You're not my follower."

To Aron's flattery, the shadow remained cold and uninterested.

It didn't react.

"…"

"Tell me right now what you want."

The Shadow Demon didn't beat around the bush.

He allowed no preparation.

Unlike hellish demons, this one was cruel, direct, without a trace of performance.

Aron sighed and said honestly:

"I want you to lend me some of your power."

As soon as the words left his mouth...

Aron's shadow went silent.

Direct, but not stupid?

Like walking down the street and a stranger asks to borrow money, would you give it to him?

The atmosphere became awkward…

Just as Aron thought this failed ritual was over and was about to activate the exorcism circle to send the demon back to his dimension, the other side finally responded:

"What can you offer me?"

There was hope!

Aron's eyes lit up.

He immediately said: "My soul! A pure, untainted soul!"

"Not enough. I want all the demonic power you carry inside you."

"…"

Now Aron was the one who fell silent.

Classic trap.

They trick you into thinking you're in control, then flay you alive.

"Relax, man,"

the Shadow Demon noticed his concern.

"I can give you power first."

Sounds fair.

Aron's heart leapt.

Maybe this will work out without screwing me over...

I'm still young, I can't handle stress, my biggest fear is being tricked.

"So what are we waiting for? Let's begin!"

"Hmm."

Even the Shadow Demon didn't waste time.

The deal was struck, the transfer began immediately.

Compared to ordinary demons, the power of the Shadow Demon was far stronger.

Energy density, much higher.

Color black as ink.

As if black rivers from a parallel dimension were flowing directly into Aron's body.

---

At the same time…

While Aron was absorbing the Shadow Demon's power, elsewhere…

Dozens of kilometers away in New York.

The city in ruins. Streets in flames.

The Avengers had arrived to witness pure hell on Earth.

This time, the devils had truly descended from the sky.

Countless demons roamed the streets.

Some floated, slaughtering everything that moved.

"Where's Mordo!?"

"We want Mordo! Give us Mordo!"

Demons were falling, but still cursed one man.

"Who the hell is Mordo?" shouted Tony Stark in his new Mark 42 suit, landing directly into the chaos.

"Focus, Tony! We have to hold them off before they break the line!" came the voice of Captain America from the Quinjet.

With him were Hawkeye, Black Widow, and the others.

"Natasha, did you notify the military?" Steve asked.

She didn't even get a chance to answer when Tony already flared up on the radio:

"Do they even need a notification? If they're not blind, it's obvious!"

His Mark 42 flew past the Quinjet and fired mini-rockets straight into the hordes of demons.

Boom! Boom!

Explosions shook the street.

But demons soon emerged from the fire, completely unharmed.

"Shit!"

"They're worse than the Chitauri!"

"Regular weapons have no effect!"

Tony was losing it.

Ever since the war in New York, he suffered from severe PTSD.

His nerves were on edge.

A powder keg ready to explode.

"Damn it! I told you all!"

"We should've armed Earth with a shield!"

"But none of you listened!"