Trapped On A Death World - Chapter 18

Del’s people were industrious to say the least. Though nothing is as it seems around demons especially pragmatic ones.

Demons moved about carrying carts of cooled ingots and coal. A glowing red portal hovered off the ground in one of the corners of the room.

On an innocuous table two bulky items lay covered by a white cloth. The room smelled of metal, coal, and oils. Dell waited on a desk turning black pages in a massive book.

Several smaller demons with massive heads worked with scrolls. They spoke an unfamiliar language at incredible speeds. Dell looked up at him and placed his quill back in the ink well.

At the weapons table, I surveyed the two lumps under the cloth. “I expected tablets and laptops instead of quills and dusty old tomes.” I said.

The demon stroked his beard. “My apologies we don’t have any wifi and the generator won’t be up for another few days. The router above just doesn’t reach down here. A shame, I like to relax and play a round of doomsday between jobs.” Dell sniffed the air. “It seems you’ve gotten along well with my niece. You must be more willful than most heroes.”

One of the desk demons chuckled. “I remember when you were in that phase Dell. You waxed for that pretty blonde bimbo with the big titties. What was her name, Serena, Carli?” The demon named a few names that could start with a C or S.

Dell rubbed his beard faster. “Her name was Seras and she had the nicest titties I’ve ever seen on a mortal. When our half breed sons were born, I armed them and left them to choose their own paths. How was I supposed to know my old business rival would target them?”

I coughed politely. “Sorry, I’m not here to talk about how your niece came on to me or even titties.” I pulled the black apple from my bag.

Every demon in the room turned to the glowing white rock in my hand. “Well that explains why the mace isn’t with you. Weapons in the bargain bin aren’t made to handle a whole skill tree.” He let out a cough. “These aren’t normal zombies. I’d say each has a tiny will of the Elder Spawn. You frenzied that will and probably killed thousands. That mace shouldn’t have held up that long.”

I looked over to the weapons on the table. “Should I expect the same frailty from these?”

The Dell snorted. “I gave you the mace for free because it was cheap. One of my apprentices made it while learning the craft. I expected to show off the weapons you ordered after you’re weapon broke and offer you some slightly better weapons. In a few years you’d finally save enough and buy these custom beauties. That plan is shot to hell. What did I say the price was?” Dell asked.

“A million each.” I said.

“Take a look at what 2million Bloody Spirits buys you.” He yanked off the cloth.

The crossbow looked as dangerous as it was compact. There were two, one was black and the other white, they didn’t have a bow string, but they had triggers.

They were pistols. I had no idea what caliber they were. Truthfully, I had only used a handgun a few times in my life. Only one of those times was hunting. I hefted the gun and it felt light in my hand. That wasn’t something I was expecting.

I twirled the pistol around and pretended to holster it. The grip had a curve to it that felt good. Never before had a gun felt so good in my hand. He hadn’t measured me, so why did this weapon feel so right in my hand.

The other weapon found its way to my hand. I could tell they would be loud, and ammo was probably expensive. Without Dell I’d quickly run out of ammo and these things would become useless. It was crafty of him to give me weapons that made me dependent on him.

Dell picked up a round and tossed it to me. “At first I really did make you a crossbow. It was nice but I wanted to make something new. I had the designs and all the supplies I could ever use down here. So, I made you a set of handguns. Unfortunately, they aren’t ready.” I blinked and looked down at the guns in my hand.

The demon smith raised his hands. “Hey, you came back in six hours, I expected a lot more time. I was hoping Christine could bleed your wallet dry. Give me a few years and they’ll be ready trust me. I’ll also need an investment of 50million Bloody Spirits.” Dell said.

I reached down and picked up the sword. “What about the sword?”

A sudden jolt ran through me. “Hey, watch it buddy that’s my ass you’re caressing.” A one horned demoness appeared beside the weapon with a grumpy expression on her face. She was only three feet tall and flat chested to the extreme.

I dropped the sword. “How dare you drop me, I’m a lady.” She yelled.

Dell coughed to get our attention. “Here is the thing. I just made her a century ago and she’s only just cooled. She needs some time to mature. She’s a great sword and will be amazing.”

She glared haughtily at Dell. “I’d say I’m already amazing. I’m the sharpest best sword in the world and belong in the hands of a true master. Why would I want him as my wielder?” The demoness said.

Dell put a hand on my shoulder and walked me towards some other weapons. “Its just a phase my friend, don’t worry about it. She’ll warm up to the idea of anyone wielding her when we’re done. We just need to isolate her for a few decades to make her desperate for a wielder. I’ve done it a thousand times. Why don’t you just buy some of my stock and I’ll set you up with some brand-new weapons.”

The sword demon crossed her arms. “It won’t work. I’ll rebel with my every breath. I don’t care how long you lock me up, I’ll never break.” I sighed and walked back to the table.

I took hold of the sword. Jolts of electricity traveled up my arms. “Let go before I get serious.” She yelled.

With a grunt, I lifted the sword off the table. “Stop what you’re doing. You can’t just pick me up like that. Where do you get off?” She shouted.

I hefted the sword and looked over the blade. There were ripples in the steel. It shined with a mirror polish and sported a collection of red veins that resembled my own hands. The weapon extended to a sharp double-edged point. There was more than enough handle to fit both of my hands on the blade. A half a cross guard protected my hands from other blades. The flat of the sword was more than large enough to act as a shield in a pinch. When I swung the sword, I felt the weight and power behind the blade. My aura kept me in place countering the weight of the blade.

“That was sloppy. You call yourself a swordsman, straighten your stance, lock those hips, and put your weight into it. I’m a sword not a club.” I followed the instructions and found the swing much easier to control. “Keep light on your feet enemies won’t come at you one at a time.”

She watched me and nodded her head before her eyes shot open. “What am I doing? You are the enemy.” A sudden jolt shot through my arms. I sighed and grabbed a leather harness from a nearby work bench. The strap had a magnet on it. I placed the sword on my back and the magnet did the rest.

Dell held up his own black apple and sighed. “Are you sure you want to take her? I wouldn’t call her my masterpiece, but she was made well.” Dell said.

She glared at Dell. “I am the best sword you ever made. You got that.” My sword spirit said.

“It’s never too late to begin the isolation process. Many heroes have returned a blade its nothing to be ashamed of. There is a 500,000-return fee and an 1m per month isolation fee. Since we have to go out of our way of course.” Dell said.

I looked down at my black apple and then at the sword spirit. “Will she be able to hold up to the upgrades?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Of course, she is a true demon sword. No number of upgrades will chip her. To be safe only go with one tree at a time until they’re complete. Then feed her an elemental’s heart based on the skill tree upgraded. That should give you the best returns and lighten the burden on her.”

After paying Dell a final price of 75M for the sword, the harness, and some stock shares, I made my way out. “Don’t get used to wielding me. The second I find a better master; I’m going with them.” I said nothing and continued on my way. Truthfully, I was thinking of names for her. Lucina seemed like a good name. She was already talking about betraying me. Then again that was probably asking for trouble. Diabla sounded good.

Christine tossed me a set of pants. “I’m not sure I need these.” I looked down at my muscular black scaled legs and clawed toes. “The cold doesn’t really bother me.” She placed a full set of clothes complete with boots on the counter. Then she took out a set of black toenail clippers.

Christine snorted. “We are about to adopt a no shoes no service policy.” She said.

I picked up a pair of silken briefs. “At least you’re not dressing me in a banana hammock.” I said.

She looked over to another isle. “I was going to wake until your broke and indebted to me before I send you out stripping to pay off your debts. We demon ladies love exotic dancers of the hero variety.” Christine said with a chuckle. Three blurs shot out of the building. They were each human and armed with maces.

“Those crazy humans. They traded their stripping money for some faulty maces. That trick you did with your mace was like winning the lottery. Uncle Dell doesn’t sell good weapons to debtors the Elder Spawn has probably pathed up that weakness.” Christine said.

I looked down at my pink black apple. “Why did that work so well?” I asked.

She chewed on a black nail. “Uncle called in his best economists. From what he could figure out this area was untapped. There was a lot of bloody spirits. You turned those frenzied into super magnets and cleared out the area. Some of our scouts actually found statues made of frenzied that hadn’t exploded. Most of them were depleted by your mace. We’re lucky to get 1000BS from one.”

I was beginning to believe they were scamming me out of house and home. They were demons and I expected that and didn’t fight it too much. I was in their house and they were more powerful and knowledgeable than me. If not for the fact that they were lawful evil I wouldn’t trust them at all. They would steal both kidneys and then some, but they would do it with a contract. If we made an agreement, they’d stick to it.

I looked over the clothes. “How much,” I asked.

“200m,” Christine said casually.

I nodded and put the briefs down. “Well later then. I guess I’m not coming back here.” I said.

She blinked once then twice. “I’ll throw in my pussy.” She said.

I adjusted Diabla on my back and walked towards the door. “50 BS for all of it.” I said.

A grin stretched across her face. “50 million is rather low but maybe we could make it work if you show off one of our banana hammocks.”

“I said 50 and not one more.” I said.

The grin vanished. “Do you think you’ve become a big shot now that you have a fancy sword? I’ve seen better weapons come out of the bargain bin. My shaver is sharper.”

Diabla crackled with electricity on my back. “What did you say bitch?” My sword spirit yelled.

I placed a hand on her lips. “I’ll handle this Diabla.” I stared at the demoness. Any weakness at this point and I’d be an easy mark forever. I could never rebel again.

“Good luck, when she finally breaks, you’ll have nowhere else to go but here. All of Uncles swords break eventually.” Christine said. I blinked at her. Was she really that stupid or was it pride?

Dell’s Demonic Weapons Depo was a monopoly. There was no other competition. What does a monopoly that can set their price fear the most?

“You will give me a fair price, or I’ll use my pragma summoning again. You’ll be up to your eyeballs in competition in no time. If she breaks, you’ll repair her for free.” I said.

Christine’s eyes flashed black and for a second, I thought she’d attack me. Diabla stood in front of me ready to fight. Her single horn glowed with cackling red energy.