Bell Cranel

11 AM

Wandering around, I was able to find four things. First was the lack of food. Convenience stores, gas stations, hell even supermarkets were all cleaned through, not a single speck of dust left behind. Thankfully, after rummaging through my backpack, I was able to find a full-on lunch inside. It would last me the day, and only the day, but it was better than nothing I suppose.

Second was the COMP's functionality. Usually, from what I was able to gather, these devices act as a sort of equalizer for both humans and demons, allowing ever someone of little power to best the weakest of demons, who at the bare minimum, can dent steel with their strikes, it can even heal you of any major injuries after battle no matter how severe. Not only that but it can also be used to summon those demons.

The method of recruitment may be different compared to what my conscience is telling me, but an ally is an ally I guess.

…

"Nymph of the wooded valleys, Napaea at your service. Or I would be if we had a contract." The brightly colored lady loudly jested, floating on her back as she giggled like a little kid.

"Oh really? And what would it take to form an agreement?" The nymph stopped in her tracks before flying close to my face, only a few inches to spare between us.

"I'm not like that easy whore Pixie who throws herself at any human with some level of aptitude for demons summoning. There's no way I would lower myself to that standard. So how about forking over a hundred macca? That should be enough to cover my test, no?"

I'm getting scammed, aren't I?

'Not really. Demons will usually give out tests to those who wish to form a bond between them. Normally, it involves an aspect or piece of their legend, so the only pointers I can give you is to be well-read on your history books.'

Crap baskets!

Taking a step back, I replied with my answer. "Alright, easy enough. So, what do I have to do for your trial?"

"Fufu. Of course. All you have to do is," Producing a decorated jar from out of nowhere, she handed it to me and continued. "drink from this. I won't tell you its contents, but if you can survive what is to come with your sanity intact, then I will join you in union."

Union? Like marriage type of union? Isn't it still too early for that?

'Hahaha! Enough with that attitude and get on with it. Besides, what's the worst that could happen.'

"Fine." Grabbing the object by the sides, I remove the lid and inspect the liquid within the vessel. It sloshed and swerved around like water and it looked to be nothing more than that, spring water. With nothing else stopping me, I raised it over my head and swallowed the drink, only reaching about halfway before I could take no more.

Napaea tried to get me to drink more, but that resulted in the water container breaking as it fell to the ground. The effects of the "water" didn't hit immediately, taking more than a few seconds before, flashes of light soon encompassed my vision, blinding me with images of… death, carnage, and destruction.

This… isn't real, right? I mean, those could have been taken anywhere else, hell they could've even come from his memories. Hold on now…

"The party of three from earlier. Why are they in here?" I questioned myself, staring petrified at the picture, well several pictures. Like a slideshow, each gave time for the other to register in my head as the grotesque events unfolded before me.

A hulking beast well over twice their size, systematically killing the teenagers one by one. First Yuzu, then Atsuro, and finally, Kazuya, who arrived just moments before his friends died. Then came something unexpected. A jump further into the future.

By my estimate, it will occur sometime around five to six PM. The color of sunlight and the reflection it gave said as much. The person or event in question had short tomato red hair, wore a rather loose white dress that cling to her figure, black arm sleeves along with matching black stockings and shoes. And most distinct of all was the red flower-shaped tattoo on her left shoulder and looked dragged into a small portion of her back.

But none of that stuck out like a sore thumb more than what she was holding in her left hand, a device of some kind. If I had to take an educated guess, it could be something related to music, seeing as it had a multitude of buttons, knobs, and other similar objects I could not make out.

Out of nowhere, low-level demons of different shapes and sizes sprung out of the woodworks to attack her, shouting something I couldn't hear due to the medium. In less than a second, she was tossed and turned like a ragdoll, parts of her body flying everywhere. All except her left hand, which was sliced off before the carnage happened, a dog-like beast with a horn carrying it on its back.

Then it stopped, there was no more, not that I could stomach it.

"I seriously thought you were going to die there for a second. Your mouth was frothing and everything. Wonder if elder sister has to deal with this every time a human manages to get through the barrier?" The nymph idly commented.

"Where, where are we?" Taking notice of our surroundings, we were no longer in the open streets. No. I could only see the clear blue sky. That's not it, we were on the roof.

"What!?" I shouted in confusion.

"Geez, no need to be alarmed, new master. I just flew us up really high, nothing more to it. Anyways, you passed the test, surprising because people rarely keep it together, especially for what is to come in the near future."

"Right. So, can I count on you to help me survive it?" My tone turned serious as my eye bore holes into my new ally.

Her cheeks flared up while answering the question. "Of-, of course. You can count on me for anything."

"Perfect."

…

Needless to say, it ate through my time at an alarming rate. Though, I think it may vary for different demons depending on their personality and legend.

Putting that aside before I blank out into another epic flashback, there was still the third new variable the "King of Bel" free-for-all. According to what has been told to me, it was a competition to see who was truly worthy to inherit the power of "Bel".

Apparently, Bel was some old demon king until *record scratch* killed him some two thousand years ago. The great king then shattered into pieces, and these pieces would birth the Bel demons. Interestingly, though my conscience notes that it was not native to this world, knowledge of such events were given to me due to my name.

And maybe some event involving another Bel, however, that still has yet to be confirmed.

And lastly was the Shomonkai, a group of religious zealots, worshiping their "lord". As of the moment, they had several safe-point set up, each of them dulling out supplies to people in need. And seeing as most stores (in the populated areas at least) were run completely dry, that included mostly everyone who wasn't able to get an MRE from the helicopters earlier in the day.

Taking refuge in the area, I was able to nab a few snacks before being sent off for taking too many. But one of the members thought otherwise and brought me to the side before I could leave.

A girl who, physically, looked way younger than me. Standing around the same height as Yuzu, only a few inches shorter. She had shoulder-length purple hair, with charms hanging on it. More noticeable was the lotus headpiece attached to her head, with other lotuses appearing in her red boots. She wore the regular Shomonkai robes, though oddly enough hers had a sash-like cloth running between her legs that was connected from the sleeves of her arms. Weird attire, but it did give off the priestess vibe I think she was going for.

Slowly, I was led towards a room in the back. Code Red! Code Red! We need to get out of here right this instant!

'I would advise so too, but it appears that another demon bearing the name of Bel is inside her. If you wish to do so, then you might as well consider yourself dead in the future. Though, fret not. As the demon, Jezebel lays dormant. Sealed by a deific entity.'

Worrying of you to say that, but I'll bite. If the one who trapped her is on our side, then we could use her to get stronger, enough to defeat this other competitor.

Entering the dimly lit room, I cautiously surveyed my surroundings, even though, the only light sources being candles that were strewn about without a care for how little brightness pierced through the center path. And once the door, clicked I steeled myself for the worst.

Instantly the temperature spiked to almost boiling, a shadowy flame igniting in the girl's frame. "Sealed? Does this look like it's sealed to you!" I complained out in the open, ready to face death itself.