A Waste of Time

Chapter 56: Dimming Reverie

“Alright. That’s enough for now!” Daemon snapped his fingers, the silver-blue Lightning dancing across his shoulders fizzling into harmless sparks.

Caw!Caw!

The massive Soul-Snatcher Eagle practically pouted — its huge wings flapping once in protest. That raw current had tasted too sweet to give up so easily. For most creatures, touching that much raw Lightning Qi would have spelled instant death, but this Spirit Beast was born to gulp it down like water.

Of course, what it absorbed now was only the passive electric charge leaking from Daemon’s skin. If it ever got greedy enough to attack me for the real thing, he thought with a cold grin, it’d find out just how lethal I can really be.

“Not now,” he said, giving the Eagle’s feathered crown a light shove. “Go fill your belly first. Remember — everyone here is family now. That mother Tigress, her cub — all friends. Bully any of them and I’ll break both your wings. Clear?”

The massive bird ruffled its feathers in sulky defeat, shuffled over to the steaming pot, and stuck its sharp beak into the meat with exaggerated reluctance that made even Ru chuckle under his breath.

Daemon turned — the grin on his lips was pure mischief. “You three done gawking yet?” His tone dripped with mock arrogance.

All three girls — Little Mei, Xia, and Jia — crossed their arms and simultaneously shook their heads with playful defiance.

“Unfortunately,” he sighed dramatically, “I can’t spare any more time entertaining you degenerates tonight. Maybe another show tomorrow — if you behave.”

“Meh.” Little Mei stuck her tongue out, lips twitching at the corners. That sly glint in her eyes made him narrow his own in suspicion — what trick was she brewing now?

“Boo-ring!” Xia chimed in, flopping down next to the pot as if her only reason for living had just been taken from her.

Jia didn’t even bother with words — she gave him a double thumbs-down and pulled a face that made her look like an angry cat. The second he dropped his Asura Form, she scowled as if someone had stolen her favorite dessert.

“You’re just too greedy!” Daemon shot back, tugging on a clean tunic. He winked while Mei knelt to help him slip on his boots. “Trying to hog all of me to yourselves? Sorry — this prize isn’t so easy to catch.”

“Humph.” Jia scowled but her cheeks betrayed her, pink with laughter. Her posture bent low enough that Daemon coughed and averted his eyes — not helping when Xia leaned over his shoulder with a spoonful of stew.

“Eat up, Young Master,” she teased, dangling the spoon like she’d feed him if he didn’t hurry.

Behind them, Ru folded his arms while watching Ippo swing his wooden Practice-Blades. The young clone’s footwork was lazy — one swing off-balance, the next too shallow.

“Focus, Ippo,” Ru barked. “Your Defensive Technique only works if your center is stable.”

“Ru,” he said between bites. “Did you pick up our coin from old man Lou?”

Ru gave a short nod. “Collected it this morning. He tried offering extra for the Aquatic-Boa but I reminded him — Young Master Daemon doesn’t accept charity. The deal was two-thirds market price. He’ll stick to it.”

Daemon clicked his tongue, wagging his spoon at Ru. “By the way, you happen to pass by Qiu’s tea stall on the way back?”

Ru fell straight into the trap. “She was busy with her wholesa—”

All three girls burst into giggles — Jia slapped her knee, Mei covered her mouth, Xia leaned back howling with laughter.

Ru’s shoulders sagged. “...I’m a fool,” he muttered.

Daemon took pity on him, waving off the embarrassing moment. “Relax, old man. How much did we get for that carcass?”

Ru inhaled deeply — his way of buying a few precious seconds to think when his Young Master was waiting. “Fifteen Gold Coins.”

Daemon whistled low. Didn’t expect that much difference between that buff-tailed Elk and the Aquatic-Boa. Not that he cared — coins came and went. He stabbed another chunk of meat. “You think that covers my order at Nie Leixu’s Smithy?”

“Not even close,” Ru snorted. “That bastard’s the best Blacksmith this side of the Mountains. I’d wager even I’d ask him for a new Sword if I weren’t so stubborn about swinging my old scrap iron.”

Daemon squinted, eyes narrowing when Jia suddenly bent low over the pot, her new crown catching the firelight. Amethyst and copper gleamed in a delicate web across her hair.

His gaze flicked to Ru. “Can't afford both my gear and a new Sword for you?”

“I’ll figure something out,” Ru said, his tone brooking no argument. “I won’t have anyone saying my Young Master Daemon is taking advantage of the Blacksmith's family.”

Daemon’s lips twitched. He lifted his arm and held it out, fist clenched. “Bring it here.”

Ru blinked. “...Huh?”

Ippo made two small fists behind Ru’s shoulder, pumping them up and down. Realization dawned — the big man chuckled and bumped fists with Daemon, grinning like a boy half his age.

“So,” Daemon asked next, pointing at Jia’s new Protective Spiritual Treasures. “What’s with the crown and the belt? I keep sensing Fire Essence radiating from the belt just like Nie Leixu’s Forge, and Lightning Essence from the crown that would challenge my own Chain Lightning!”

Ru shrugged, scratching at his stubble. “Traded the last petal from that Evil-Eye Flower and Qi Ying’s pair of old Protective Spiritual Treasures. The Fire Belt boosts her Fire Qi flow — the Lightning Crown does the same for Lightning Affinity. Got them both at the Trade-House of the Seven-Gold Pagoda.”

Daemon shot him a sidelong glare. This fool’s gonna spoil her rotten, he thought. Meanwhile he’s swinging a chipped Sword and pretending he’s fine with it. Idiot.

Ru caught the look — cleared his throat awkwardly. Jia, oblivious, was locked in a silent staring contest with the massive Eagle. Its sharp eyes glowed in the flickering campfire light. Without warning, the bird dipped its head. Jia reached out, brushing her fingers through its rough crown feathers.

C-caw!

The sound was almost bashful — like a growl and a purr tangled together. The big Ferocious-Creature leaned into her palm, shivering when she scratched just behind its feathered ears.

Mei and Xia watched, shadows flickering behind the envy in their eyes. Daemon didn’t miss it. He ruffled both girls’ hair with a grin. “Go ahead. Kirin’s an idiot — he’ll love the attention.”

“Kirin?” Mei tilted her head, brows pinched.

He nodded once at the bird — the Soul-Snatcher Eagle fluffed its feathers proudly as if recognizing its new name.

Satisfied for now, Daemon leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. It’s too late for the Smithy. Too early to sleep. His mind drifted to another place — Time to check in with Grunt and Runa. Maybe there’s something useful for me to do there.

Ru caught the subtle flicker in his eyes — he gave Ippo a sharp look. The clone knew what it meant: Keep watch. If Kirin so much as twitches wrong — drag him out of that inner world instantly.

The world shimmered — and Daemon’s senses twisted. When he opened his eyes, he stood at the heart of Asura’s Domain. Six crimson irises snapped open, absorbing everything.

Grunt stood near the base of the Iron Throne, hammering massive wooden beams into the foundation of a massive construct. Dust danced under each strike — the dull roar of the Orcish Spirit of diligence filling the air.

A hundred paces away, Runa knelt within a circle of rough materials Daemon had stockpiled, sorting and purifying the piles under the shade of a tiny piece of beast-hide. Around them, a curious menagerie of animals watched or played underfoot — a reminder that Asura’s world was alive in ways that made the real one look plain.

Good, Daemon thought, scanning the site. The Chief's Tent structure is coming along. Runa’s still crafting whatever from the stockpile.

He turned to the animals that scampered up to greet him — fur brushed his legs, feathers tickled his arms. He crouched, running his hands over sleek heads and fluffy backs. “Stay here,” he ordered, voice warm but firm. “Help Grunt and Runa. Keep the pest-birds away from the Iron Throne. Got it?”

They whined and chirped — but obeyed. He ruffled fur one last time, then straightened — cracking his neck.

Time to pick a fight. His grin was pure mischief. Bloody Gargoyles chased me halfway across this forest last time. Let’s see if they like being on the other side of the hunt.

A shadow passed overhead — a branch creaked. Daemon’s eyes narrowed. He slipped between trees, feet soft on mossy ground. The night air in Asura’s world tasted sharper than the real world — the wind alive with whispers of hidden things.

He kept his stride quiet — muscles coiled, ready. His mind wandered just once — back to the pair of Eagles that nearly trapped him weeks ago.

Damn birds. I’ll never fully trust them. Maybe they’re loyal. Maybe they’re plotting to claw out my eyes in my sleep. He smirked to himself. Whatever. I’ll break their wings if they cross me.

A branch cracked overhead — his eyes snapped up.

Focus, Daemon. No more nests flipped by accident tonight. He ghosted forward, every step a promise: Once bitten, twice shy. Let’s see how these Gargoyles like the taste of me picking a fight with them while fully prepared this time.

Here's a link to my discord server if you want to talk - .gg/HwHHR6Hds