Lucien walked along the stone path until he reached the enormous black gates of the city.
At his sides rose two towers with torches burning with a blue flame.
Two guards watched him from the entrance.
Lucien stopped.
The guards were demons, yet at first glance they did not look so different from humans.
Of course, their bodies appeared much stronger than normal.
But their faces were ordinary, except for the eyes.
Their colors shone with such intensity that they would be easily recognizable even in the dark, giving them a supernatural appearance.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Identify yourself," he said in a strong voice.
Lucien remained silent.
It had been centuries since the last time he spoke to anyone other than Beelzebub or that man who fled from him.
Besides, he had no idea how he was supposed to identify himself.
The guard noticed the doubt on his face instantly.
After another look, he sighed.
"You're a newly ascended, aren't you?"
Lucien nodded.
The guard sighed again and ran a hand through his hair.
"Ahh… what a pain in the ass. I guess I can't complain, the last one was a hundred and fifty years ago."
Lucien opened his eyes in surprise.
"One hundred and fifty years."
"That long since the last one?"
The other guard laughed.
"Your turn this time."
"No way, I got the last one."
"Yes, but you messed it up and in less than a week he ended up trying to kill half the market."
"How the hell was I supposed to guess he'd be stupid enough to try something like that?"
The other guard just shrugged in response.
Lucien watched in silence as they argued.
In the end, the one who looked more tired let out another sigh and stepped forward.
"Fine, I'll guide him. Come."
Lucien followed him.
The guard walked with his hands in his pockets, without much interest.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and with his green eyes and light brown hair, he would probably attract the attention of almost any woman on Earth.
However, his tone sounded bored, like someone doing a job he hated with all his being.
"Listen, I'm Morik, soldier of the Third Legion. I don't like talking, but I have to explain the basics, so pay attention."
Lucien nodded.
Morik continued.
"You're now in Arx Primoris. It's one of the largest cities in Pandemonium. Here lives the Great Prince Azazel, commander of the infernal army."
Lucien looked around.
The city was immense.
Wide streets, buildings of black stone, statues with demonic shapes watching over the squares.
The lights came from floating crystals burning with red fire.
People walked as in any human city, though the presence they emanated was overwhelming.
Morik kept talking.
"There are currently six hundred and sixty-six demon legions. Each under the command of a high demon. If you want to become strong and make a name for yourself, joining the infernal army is the fastest way."
Lucien did not respond.
Morik glanced at him sideways.
"This isn't a law, you're free to do whatever you want as long as you don't break the rules."
"What exactly are they?"
"Basically, don't kill or destroy things everywhere… without notice."
Lucien looked at him, not understanding.
"Without notice?"
Morik shrugged.
"Yes. If you want to kill or destroy, there are legal ways to do it. After all, whether we like it or not, it's part of our nature."
Lucien frowned, but before he could ask what was on his mind, an explosion was heard.
The ground shook slightly.
Both turned their heads.
In a nearby square, a crowd gathered around a raised platform.
On it, two demons were fighting.
One wielded a crimson machete, the other a black shield shaped like a spiral.
Sparks flew every time they clashed.
Lucien approached without thinking.
The blows were fast.
The one with the machete moved with brute force, each attack leaving a mark on the ground.
The one with the shield waited, defending with precision.
In an instant, the one with the machete extended his free hand.
A fireball shot out.
Lucien recognized it as the skill Infernal Fire.
To defend himself, the other demon raised his shield.
The impact was brutal, but instead of resisting, the shield emitted a wave of fire that wrapped around the ball and sent it back with greater force.
The attacker didn't react in time.
The explosion hurled him backward, burning his chest.
The crowd roared.
Some laughed, others seemed to be betting.
The one with the shield attacked again.
He ran toward his opponent and swung the weapon, striking him with the edge.
Even from the distance where Lucien stood, the sound of bone breaking was clear.
The one with the machete fell to his knees.
The one with the shield raised a hand and a line of fire crossed the air, slicing through his neck.
Lucien watched the body collapse.
The fire seemed to engulf the defeated one's body.
In a matter of seconds, nothing remained but ashes on the ground.
Morik spoke without emotion.
"Duel between demons. Quite common. Killing one of your level gives more experience than any beast."
Lucien kept watching the smoke rising from the body.
"So all demons have a status window?"
Morik looked at him, bored.
"Yes, all of them. It works the same for everyone. If you thought you were special, forget it."
Lucien lowered his gaze.
He began to recall the fight he had just seen.
Even though the shield demon used skills he had no idea about,.
if we speak merely of physical qualities, both speed and strength,
Lucien believed they were quite similar to what he had at level 35.
Now that he was at level 50, he felt the two demons were somewhat slow and weak.
"In theory those two must have been ascended for some time, but seeing them, I think I'm several levels above."
"That would mean not all demons ascend at the same level."
Morik's yawn pulled him from his thoughts.
"Well, I'm done with the mandatory part. This is what you get upon arrival."
He pulled out a small pouch and tossed it to him.
"Fifty coins. Don't expect more. If you want money or power, you'll have to earn it yourself. You can do whatever you want, but if you ask me, the easiest way is to join Lord Azazel's army."
Lucien opened the pouch and looked at the golden coins.
Each one bore the face of a horned demon.
"I recommend you find a place to sleep while you think about what you'll do. In the meantime, don't cause trouble. That's all, I'm not paid enough to stay a second longer."
Lucien opened his mouth to ask something, but Morik raised his hand.
"No questions. If you want more information, go to the public library or whatever."
He turned to leave, but only five steps later he stopped.
"Damn it, that's right… I have to say that crap."
He put a hand to his forehead and let out a sigh.
With the fakest smile he could muster, he looked at Lucien.
"Congratulations on your ascension, young demon. Welcome to Pandemonium. I hope that here, in Arx Primoris, you can fulfill your desires."
Lucien looked at him without saying anything.
Morik cursed under his breath and walked away, muttering.
Lucien was left alone in front of the main street.
The city stretched as far as the eye could see.
Buildings with pointed roofs, smoke rising from forges, and red lights on every corner.
Lucien followed Morik's advice and began to look for a place to stay.
He opened the pouch again.
Indeed, there were fifty coins.
As he walked, he noticed that the signs and posters were written in a language he had never seen, but somehow he could read them without problem.
"Weekly room: thirty-five coins."
Lucien frowned.
If that was the normal price, his money would not last long.
He would be poor again, even in hell.
He kept walking through narrow streets, moving away from the wave of demons.
His greatest fear seemed to be coming true, the prices were almost the same wherever he looked.
After a while, he saw an old inn on a corner.
The sign was half fallen, but still easy to read.
"Old Blood Inn , one week: five coins."
Lucien looked at the facade.
It was much worse than the others.
The wood was cracked, the windows covered in dust.
But it was the cheapest of all…
He sighed.
His desire to escape poverty remained intact, even in Pandemonium.
In the end, he crossed the door.