As the demons knelt before Haruto, he couldn't help but hold back the euphoric thrill churning inside him. In his head, he was jumping up and down, raising his hands in the air, and silently praying, "Thank you, God, for this chance! I will be the strongest Demon King! Stronger than that slime! No, even stronger than any demon king ever!"
Just as he was wallowing in his own illusions, a massive bolt of thunder boomed in the sky and struck the earth before him. The shock reverberated so strongly that the demons shook in terror. After the dust settled, a giant figure stepped forward—a man whose hair was sharply yellow, had two curved horns of red bursting from his scalp, and bore a gigantic scythe slung over his shoulder.
The man's intense stare fixed on Haruto. "Are you the one who calls himself a Demon King?" his powerful voice echoed through the quiet audience.
Haruto's eyes flicked about. Time to play weak! He instantly adopted his best fearful face, his lips trembling as he cowered over in terror. "N-No, no! I never did anything! They just knelt suddenly before me when they saw me! I swear, I don't even know why! Don't hurt me!"
The demons around him looked at each other in confusion. What the hell is he talking about?
The yellow-haired demon gave a low laugh. "Oh? Is that so? Well, it doesn't matter. You've wasted my time, so now you will fight me."
Haruto's eyes went wide with dramatic shock as he backed away a few steps, putting up his hands in mock horror. "No, please! I don't know how to fight! I have never fought in my life! Please, spare me!"
The demon commander smiled. "I don't care." Out of nowhere, he charged forward, swinging a punch directly at Haruto's face.
Haruto smiled to himself. Idiot. Just in time, he stepped back, the fist brushing against his nose. Then, before anyone could do anything, he quickly lifted his knee and—
BAM!
A firm kick hit right between the demon's legs.
The whole battlefield fell mute. The arrogant, overwhelming demon commander's eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground, writhing in a fetal position, holding his beloved jewels.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU DIRTY, UNDERHANDED BASTARD!" he wailed, thrashing about in pain. "FUCK YOU! MY CHILDREN! MY BLOODLINE! YOU ASSHOLE!" His cries could be heard throughout the space as all the demons watching cringed in sympathy.
Haruto brushed off his hands and gazed down at the squirming demon with a vacant look. "That's enough noise from you," he grumbled. Then, with a sinister glint in his eyes, he called upon his weapon-creation. Instantly, a massive iron slipper appeared in his hand.
Haruto grinned menacingly. "You need punishment."
Tai, that proud demon commander, looked up, horror and confusion struggling within his eyes. "W-What are you saying—"
Haruto drew back his slipper. "Punishment in the most Asian way possible."
"WAIT, WHAT?! "
SMACK!
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
The slipper came raining down mercilessly upon Tai's head, shoulders, and back. He flailed on the floor, hollering blue murder. The rest of the demons shivered with horror, covering their kids' eyes.
A demon whispered, "He's awful… God save us from this beast…"
With a complete slipper therapy session, Haruto wiped his hands off and approached the quivering demons. "Do you have something for me to sit on?" he asked with a sinister grin.
One demon, literally pissing himself, instantly prostrated himself on the ground. "P-Please sit on me, my Lord!"
Haruto raised his eyebrow. "Do I look like someone to sit on an inferior demon?"
The demon turned white. "O-Of course not! How could I even have the thought?!" He hasted away, before coming back another moment later with an elegant chair. Another demon came hurrying in with a tray of food, holding it out to Haruto as though he were a king.
Haruto sat down, one leg crossed over the other. "Not what I said, but fine."
He turned his focus back to the half-dead Tai, who was still convulsing on the floor. "Now, tell me your name."
Tai coughed and attempted to compose himself. "Why would I tell y—"
Haruto raised the slipper threateningly.
"OKAY! OKAY! I'LL SPEAK!" Tai exclaimed, straightening up. "I'm Tai, the Fourth Demon Commander! I enjoy consuming lion meat! I prefer sexy, mature demon women with thick thighs, large butts, and at least a G-cup! My father is named Jai, my mother is named—"
"STOP!" Haruto interrupted him, rubbing his temples. "What a mess. Why do I always encounter idiots like you?" He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just tell me what happened here."
Tai hesitated. "But—"
Haruto raised the slipper again.
Tai gulped. "A-A few weeks ago…