The Pup Star - Chapter 4: Goodbyes

Igor had asked him to die for the world. She would ask him to die for her. Problem was, he didn't really like dying, not for a second time, at least.

Hadica was built around one of five Towers, an infinite structure filled with floors of monsters, magic, and treasures that the city plunders like clockwork. Most of the city, at least. Growing up in Westhill, Micah's family abstained from all of their Tower's bounties. He became an [Alchemist] at an age younger than most and just wanted to level in peace, but soon ran out of mundane ingredients to brew into potions. Ryan is a budding [Fighter] with the strange ability to mimic beasts, including monsters, but he doesn't understand it or even himself. After a Tower climb goes horribly wrong, their lives and the world around them begin to change as they try to figure out who they want to be.The Salamanders is a slow-paced story about characters growing up in and exploring a fantasy setting. It updates sporadically. Please mind the tags.

A broken prince, a shadowy scheme, all that amidst a bloody fight for a throne wrongly succeeded. Join a group of youngsters as they take their first steps into the martial world, towards the grandest adventure of their lives. It all begins in a certain inn, set against verdant mountains and facing a scenic lake.

“Bring us your finest wine and best meat!” Yelled a hulking man who seemed to be the leader of the dozen strong group.

“How much?” The waiter anxiously nodded his head.

“As much as you have!” The hulking man yelled back.

“That’s…”

“HUH?” The hulking man shot the waiter a furious glare.

“Dear guests, our inn operates on the principle of ‘pay first, dishes later’. As such, it will be better if you tell us exactly how much meat and wine you need.” Xiao Se returned their furious stares with a thin smile.

“Who are you supposed to be?” The hulking man eyed him with bulging eyes.

“This humble one is known as Xiao Se, the owner of this inn, the Fallen Snow Villa.” Xiao Se replied with the same smile and with a level of courtesy worth a solid 12/10.

“Well, we have no money.” The hulking man stabbed his blade into one of the nearby tables.

“Oh?”

“But I’m sure you have some!” The man pointed his finger at Xiao Se.

At that, Xiao Se furiously shook his head. “I’m sorry to break it to you but our little inn hasn’t made a single sale in almost a month. I’m about to owe them salaries myself…”

“Like hell if I care!” The hulking man smashed his palm down on the table. “Even if you have no money, that fur coat of yours should at least be worth a hundred odd silvers.”

“NONSENSE!” Yelled Xiao Se, eyes wide open and gaze as sharp as daggers.

The hulking man was stunned, his body even shivering involuntarily for that split second.

“I, Xiao Se, ride only the finest horse and wear only the richest threads! This fur coat of mine was specially sewn by some of the finest seamstresses in the imperial capital in the August Threads. Just sewing it took three whole months, shipping it, another one. Hmph, a hundred silvers? That’s not even enough to buy the sleeves of my coat!”

In a world where magic and divine power collide, the youngest son of Lucifer, a demon boy born with unimaginable strength, was chained and sealed away by his father to prevent him from destroying Hell itself. At the age of eight, his power became so uncontrollable that even the King of Hell feared his existence. Desperate to keep the demon's destructive potential contained, Lucifer made a pact with the great Merlin, who trapped the boy in the human realm, binding his powers with enchanted chains.Years later, with Merlin dead and a kingdom still fearful of the demon’s release, an elite group of knights, blessed by the gods, take it upon themselves to guard his prison. However, when a war between the mages and knights erupts, chaos provides the perfect opportunity for the young demon to break free.Hidden among the knights, disguised within their ranks, the demon plots his next move. But his escape is just the beginning. Hunted by both the mages and the knights, he must navigate a world where ancient gods, wizards, and warriors clash. As he travels deep into enemy territory, sneaking into the heart of the kingdom, he is driven by one purpose: freedom.Now, with his powers still sealed but his physical strength unmatched, the young demon embarks on a journey that will shake the foundation of both realms. Can the knights stop him before he regains his full strength, or will the demon's wrath bring both Heaven and Hell to their knees?As the demon hides in the shadows of the human world, a new chapter in the war between gods, magic, and demonic power begins.