"I hope they've almost wiped out all the heroes by now. The plan is working perfectly."
His eyes glowed faintly red as he extended a hand over the mist.
Dark ripples spread across the surface, and more images appeared: heroes bleeding, terrified civilians fleeing, demons tearing through defenses.
"The Rotfang diversion has drawn them in," he said to himself, his grin widening.
"Soon, their strongest will be scattered… and their weakest will die first. That is when the real hunt begins."
From the darkness behind him, several smaller demons hissed in excitement, sensing their master's pleasure.
The Shadow Disciple didn't turn. His focus remained on the swirling mist.
"Let them struggle," he whispered.
"Let them believe they can win. The more they fight, the sweeter their despair will taste when everything falls apart."
At Rotfang Farmstead Village
Miles away, the village of Rotfang Farmstead burned beneath a blackened sky.
