Kaien didn't just walk into the forest; it felt more like he was wandering in like a kid on a field trip.
The moonlight trickled down in little streams through the trees above. A cool mist wrapped around his ankles, almost like the forest was breathing right against him.
Moki, his little fox spirit buddy, was limping a bit. His paw was still getting back to normal, but that didn't stop him from bounding around, sniffing at roots and swatting at ghostly bugs. Every so often, a tiny spark of blue lightning would flash from his whiskers, a leftover from the Celestial Dewleaf's magic.
Watching Moki dart around made Kaien smile.
"You look like a tipsy kitten on the hunt for fireworks," he joked.
Moki stopped to give him a look, snorted like he was offended, then trotted ahead with his tail flicking.
Kaien chuckled softly. It felt good to laugh; it was like each moment in this new place peeled off some heavy weight he'd been dragging from Earth.
After about an hour of wandering — with Moki's nose guiding them deeper into a forgotten valley — Kaien finally spotted something.
A chunk of black stone, half-covered in moss and ivy. From certain angles, it blended in perfectly, looking just like a fallen rock. But when he tilted his head and squinted in the moonlight, he noticed faint green runes glowing softly across its surface.
Kaien's golden eyes lit up.
"Well, well... seems like someone forgot to lock their basement."
Moki sniffed at the entrance, ears flat against his head, like he sensed something wasn't quite right. More sparks flickered from his fur, almost like he was feeling the vibes from whatever was hiding beyond.
Kaien stepped closer to the runes, reaching out carefully. The closer he got, the more those runes seemed to pulse, almost like they had a heartbeat.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Guess they're reacting to my demon vein, huh? Don't worry, I won't go breaking you... too much."
As soon as his hand touched the stone, a ripple traveled through the runes. The moss shriveled back like it was scared of fire. With a groan, the barrier split open, revealing a narrow entrance shrouded in mist and darkness.
Without thinking, Kaien stepped inside. Moki hesitated for a moment, fur all puffed up, then followed, muttering some fox curses under his breath.
The air inside the cave was dry and thick, smelling faintly of old paper and something else — something sharp and sweet, like dried blood mixed with incense.
Kaien's footsteps echoed softly as he ventured deeper, his golden eyes scanning every corner. He noticed bits of broken jade plates, smashed incense burners, and cracked statues of old demon lords and elemental spirits on the walls.
"Someone had a fancy taste but a terrible cleaning habit," he mumbled to himself.
Eventually, they reached a small room at the back. Moonlight streamed through a hole in the ceiling, spotlighting an ancient jade tablet standing upright in the middle. Surrounding it were dusty scrolls and some rusted weapon stands.
Kaien stepped closer to the tablet, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. The old demon writing curled along its surface, weaving through celestial rune patterns that seemed to shimmer when he got near.
A voice whispered in his head.
Touch it... let it recognize you. Let it awaken the old path...
Kaien smirked.
"Right... what's the worst that could happen? A sudden organ explosion?"
He pressed his palm against the jade. A surge of energy raced through him. His knees buckled, and he let out a choked laugh as dark-red and black light flickered under his skin.
Flashes of images whirled through his mind: a figure wearing laughing devil masks, mountains ablaze, seas parting at a flick of a finger. And above it all, a phrase burned in crimson script:
The Celestial Demon Path — For those who refuse to bow to gods or demons.
Kaien's eyes widened. The energy felt like it was about to rip him apart, but deep inside, he felt something welcoming it. The Chaos Demon Vein inside him twisted like a hungry dragon finally tasting blood.
He pulled his hand back, panting. His fingers twitched, threads of flame and shadow twisting between them, alive and eager.
"Jeez... this is like a hell-themed free trial," he laughed breathlessly, a wild grin stretching across his face.
Moki yipped nervously, pawing at his robe. Tiny sparks crackled along the fox's fur, like he was trying to lend his own energy to help Kaien.
Looking down at Moki, Kaien snorted.
"Hey... don't go all noble on me now. We're both idiots, but at least we look good doing it."
He settled down cross-legged on the ground, pressing his fingers together and focusing on his breathing.
Guide it... don't fight it. You're not its master yet, just its jester...
Kaien let the voice lead him. Slowly, he split the wild energy into thin threads. One thread he directed into his meridians to boost his energy channels. Another he fused into his bones, giving them a faint demonic glow. A third he tied with his elemental affinity, crafting a seed of shadow-flame deep inside him.
Every movement felt like slicing through old scars, each wave of pain mixed with a pleasurable burn, making him want to both laugh and scream.
Time lost all meaning. Hours blurred under the fractured moonlight.
When he finally opened his eyes again, a thin blackish-red aura danced around him like restless mist. His eyes gleamed, looking sharper and more intense than ever.
Kaien let out a harsh, broken laugh.
"Ah... now that's a promotion package worth dying for."
Moki leaned in, sniffing his arm. When the fox didn't see any explosions, he sighed (or something close to that) and curled up next to him, his tail draping over Kaien's lap.
Kaien glanced down at the fox, his grin softening a bit.
"Looks like you're stuck with me now... hope you're cool with free lodging," he said softly, ruffling Moki's ears.
The fox snorted and promptly fell asleep, his little paws twitching in dreamland.
Kaien leaned back, his gaze drifting up toward the shaft of moonlight. His mind raced: the jade tablet, the Celestial Demon Path, the fragments of that laughing masked figure...
A buzz of excitement flickered beneath his skin, mixed with a hint of fear.
He was no longer just some office worker reborn — he was a living storm.
You've taken the first step. Many will come for you now. Some will worship. Others will hunt. All will fear...
Kaien's grin came back, wicked and bright under the moonbeam.
"Bring it on, I'm ready," he whispered. "I've been waiting forever for something worth laughing about."
A chill breeze drifted through the cave entrance, carrying a sound too measured to be just an animal.
Kaien's eyes sharpened. He stayed still, lifting one hand to let a thin thread of shadow-flame wrap around his fingers.
"Looks like the next act just arrived," he murmured, his voice low and almost gleeful.
Outside, hidden in the trees, a dozen figures crept closer, their deadly intent clear to Kaien, just like the moonlight pouring in.
He leaned forward, his eyes shining.
"Come in, boys... the demon king is home."