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What is a demon, anyway?
The stuff of legends—sinister, cunning, evil to the core.
Masters of manipulation who find joy in deceiving humans.
Basically, nothing good.
And now… one was standing right in front of her?
Staring at those demon wings, Erina Nakiri's brain completely short-circuited.
Her entire body trembled uncontrollably.
It's over.
Totally over.
This was a thousand times scarier than any shady organization.
Demons… actually exist?!
Erica casually added, "The King's not just a demon, you know. He's also someone who kills gods. A king who walks the earth. That title's like, a hundred million times more badass than just being a demon."
Kills… gods?
Was that a threat? That had to be a threat, right?
Like, if she said no, would she be killed on the spot?
Erina's eyelid twitched. Her heart was doing somersaults.
And then, finally—
She gave a deep bow. "Lord Demon, if you want me as your subordinate, I'll do whatever you say!"
"04, nice work," Minato said, clearly pleased, giving a nod to Utaha and Erica.
That was fast.
They'd already broken down her mental defenses.
"I didn't force you or anything," Minato said. "So don't go regretting it later."
"Of course I won't regret it. I'm doing this willingly," Erina replied with a smile that looked more painful than cheerful.
She had considered running away.
But once she realized she was dealing with an actual demon…
She lost all hope.
This was something out of myth and legend.
And she was just a regular person—how was she supposed to run from that?
"Well, that's good to hear!"
Minato nodded and pulled out a demon chess piece. "Now all that's left is to push this into your body."
Erina's eyelid twitched again. She forced herself to ask, "Why… why do you have to put that inside me?"
"Don't worry," Minato explained. "This is just the standard process for turning into a demon."
"Only as a demon can you hunt down powerful races to use as ingredients, y'know?"
Suddenly, it all clicked for Erina.
No wonder that meat was so special.
It must've come from one of those legendary creatures too.
And come to think of it…
Becoming a demon didn't sound so bad after all.
Especially for a chef like her—
She'd be stepping into a whole new world.
But how was that chess piece supposed to turn her into a demon?
And if it had to be "inserted"… was she supposed to choose where?
Erina looked over her body but couldn't figure out where it was supposed to go.
Minato chuckled, "No need to overthink it. Just take off your top."
"Ah…!"
Erina's face went bright red. Steam practically rose from her head.
This… this was happening now?!
She wasn't ready!
And there were so many people here—how could they do this in front of everyone?
Utaha sighed, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
She knew exactly what Erina was thinking.
After all, she'd been through the same thing herself.
"I'll help you out," Erica said, unable to watch any longer.
Without hesitation, she stripped Erina down to just her white undergarments.
"Th-this is okay already?" Erina asked, arms wrapped around herself, shivering slightly.
It wasn't what she thought would happen…
But standing half-naked in front of a guy she just met? That was so embarrassing.
Minato admired the view for a moment, then pressed the demon chess piece against her.
"Mm…"
The cold touch made Erina flinch.
Her skin rippled like water, and the chess piece instantly melted into her body.
Thump! Thump-thump!
Her senses exploded. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
Erina could feel changes happening inside her.
Another beautiful girl added to the master's collection.
Watching it all unfold, the others couldn't help showing complicated expressions.
Seriously though—
How big was their master's harem now?
Wasn't he afraid of overdoing it?
Then again, he wasn't just a demon. He was a god-slayer too.
…Fair enough.
Not even blessings could help them stand a chance against that.
"S-something's… coming out…"
Erina bit her lip, unable to bear the itching on her back. A pair of demon wings burst out of her skin.
Rip!
A long tail followed, slithering across the ground.
"Is… is it over?" she asked shyly, looking at Minato with a flushed face and arms crossed in front of her.
"The transformation's done," Minato nodded. "Next up is the blessing."
"Blessing?"
Erina blinked, clearly confused.
And then—
She saw Minato's handsome face getting closer.
Wait… the blessing needs to be this close?
Hold on a sec…
Don't tell me he's about to—
"Mmm…"
What… was that taste?
So… sweet…
Erina's eyes widened, then slowly glazed over.
That sweetness—so smooth, not cloying at all.
None of the desserts she'd ever eaten could even compare.
It felt like she was swimming in an ocean of sweets, joyfully drifting through it.
Erina Nakiri—
With her extraordinary taste buds, hailed as the "God Tongue" of the culinary world.
Her reviews alone could make or break a restaurant.
She'd tasted almost every dish imaginable.
But today… she was hooked.
"Th-this girl?!"
Everyone around them was stunned.
This new subordinate… was way too bold!
It was their first time witnessing someone get blessed, and she was already going that hard?
Was she… fighting back?
"This is bad," Utaha muttered, clenching her fists as she stared at Minato and Erina.
This was really bad.
That woman was a serious threat.
She thought—
Finally, someone normal like her was joining the team.
But clearly, she had let her guard down.
Who would've guessed?
You really can't judge by appearances.
And what was inside... was totally unpredictable.
"This is all your fault," Erica muttered with a sigh, giving off serious you're making this way too competitive vibes.
Inside her heart—
She felt a sense of danger too.
Blonde. Stunning.
That woman's character setup… felt way too similar to hers…
"....."