Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Does Not Change
Arc: The Great Gang War
Scarlet King stood facing Liu Zai Hang.
Soon after, the two moved and sat down at the table.
Both possessed icy demeanors, yet Liu Zai Hang was far more passionate and reckless, while Scarlet King remained calm, mature, and composed.
They were like blazing fire and flowing icy water—opposites colliding, filling the air between them with palpable tension.
Liu Zai Hang spoke first:
"So… what exactly do you have that could convince me to join you and your faction?"
Scarlet King replied calmly, his eyes slowly closing as he spoke:
"First, I am not the public leader of the faction.
Lin Yuan is the one acting as its leader."
"Second, you are the one who must convince me to allow you to join—not the other way around."
He opened his eyes and looked directly at Liu Zai Hang.
A crushing wave of dark aura burst forth, forcing Liu Zai Hang to break into a light sweat.
"I am the Rebirth Devil—
the mad demon who pursues an unlimited goal."
"No matter who you are, once you walk alongside me, you will become a tool.
But in return… you will leave with benefits beyond counting."
Liu Zai Hang wavered slightly, then interrupted:
"And how can I trust that you won't betray me or drag me into destruction?"
Scarlet King answered coldly:
"As long as you possess value that pushes me closer to my goal, I will do everything necessary to keep you alive."
"The closest example is Lin Yuan.
He is foolish, naïve, and appears useless—yet I see value in him."
"That value lies in his ambition and his perseverance to become better."
"That is why I defended him and ensured he won the trial.
So—what is your answer?"
Liu Zai Hang grew tense.
He glanced around for several seconds, confused, uncertain, and silent.
Elsewhere
[Inside the Cave]
Lin Yuan was doing push-ups.
Yang Guard counted loudly:
"996… 997… 998… 999…"
Lin Yuan collapsed onto the ground, unable to complete the thousandth push-up.
Yin Guard immediately raised a stick and struck his back, making him scream:
"Damn it! Ouch! That hurts! I'll finish the thousand!"
Lin Yuan forced himself up, completed the final push-up, and collapsed again.
Panting heavily, he asked:
"Can I rest now?"
The Yin–Yang Guards nodded.
After catching his breath, Lin Yuan asked hesitantly:
"Guards… I heard Scarlet King say that you're not afraid of anything."
Yang Guard replied:
"Something we fear? … Yes. Demons."
Lin Yuan's eyes widened.
"Demons?!"
Yang Guard continued:
"Demons that never reveal themselves yet cause chaos.
Demons that steal minds.
Demons that devour dreams and ambition.
Demons that drain the rewards of perseverance.
And demons that always lie."
"Lying demons are the most troublesome of all."
Yin Guard continued calmly:
"They are far more cunning and intelligent than other demons.
They pretend to be human, yet possess no human heart."
"They eat despite never feeling hunger.
They study despite caring nothing for grades or rewards.
They seek friendship and love despite having no homeland or emotional attachment—
not because they need them, but because they see them as tools."
"Demons who are always smiling are the worst."
"If I were to encounter such a demon, it might devour me alive simply because its goal demands it."
"The demon that both Yang Guard and I fear…
is Scarlet King."
At the Same Time
[Inside Liu Zai Hang's Palace]
The atmosphere burned with tension, as if the air itself flowed straight from hell.
Liu Zai Hang finally spoke:
"And who said I want benefits?"
"I want entertainment…
and I want to meet the Yellow King."
"Ever since I was a child, I've heard legends about the Yellow King.
Meeting him became my life's goal."
Scarlet King nodded slowly.
"That's all? Very well. Consider your request accepted—
though meeting the Yellow King won't be easy."
Memories surfaced within Scarlet King's mind—
memories of himself, the Yellow King, and Nyarlathotep,
the greatest calamity existence had ever faced.
They were once known as the Trio of Chaos, in one of his previous lives.
Scarlet King thought silently:
(Will we meet again?
I hope Nyarlathotep hasn't died… perhaps he created an egg containing his daughter.)
(As for the Yellow King, he was lost within the Sea of Chaotic Plays—
somewhere in the Third or Fifth Dimension.)
Scarlet King looked at Liu Zai Hang and raised his hand as if offering a handshake.
Black flames wrapped around his extended right hand as he asked:
"So…
do you wish to join me, Liu Zai Hang?"