UNMASKED

CHAPTER 8

DEMON'S POV

“Well, hello, Joshua. Long time no see,” I smirk, pouring a cup of tea and setting it in front of him. “Did you know? Your son grew up quite handsome.”

“Mmph–hmph!” Joshua’s muffled protests make me chuckle. Poor fool, I think he’s trying to curse me. Too bad I gagged him so thoroughly.

I look around the room at each of them, bound and helpless, fury simmering in their eyes. “You all have children, don’t you?” I tilt my head, delighting in the flash of anger that darkens their gazes. They hate me—and I love every second of it.

“Oh, dear brother,” I say, turning to Nathan, “do you know I’ve got Megumi and Krystal...and the kids, of course.” I glance between Nathan and Jared, but neither of them so much as flinches. Resisting me? How adorable.

“Oh, right, my mistake! You all have children—except Sky.” I direct my gaze toward him, and he stares back with that familiar look in his eyes. It’s the same as when we first met, full of admiration. Even now, in chains, he can’t help but be captivated.

I can’t blame him. After all, I’m quite stunning.

I continue taunting them, each barb twisting the knife deeper into their pride, until suddenly, the door swings open. Clyde steps in, stopping dead as his eyes widen, taking in the sight of the bound district leaders in my room. Ah, I told everyone I was going to sleep. No wonder he looks so...unsettled.

"Ah, a guest, You didn’t say you were coming, Clyde. Had I known, I’d have prepared an extra chair—and maybe some rope.”

He's whispering.

“What brings you here, Clyde?” I ask, arching an eyebrow, but he mumbles something, obviously hesitant. Not good enough. I grab the axe from my table and hurl it straight at him, aiming for his head. He ducks at the last second, the blade embedding itself in the door behind him. Tch—my hand slipped.

“Tell me” I say, my voice laced with warning.

Gritting his teeth, he finally tells me everything, and I listen, feeling my grin widen with each word. Copies of me? Running rampant across the land, sowing chaos? A whole army of Demons? It can’t be. I didn’t even get to handpick them! What if some of them look...unworthy? I shudder at the thought.

Clyde starts to say something else, but I’m already moving. Blood rushes through me like fire, my pulse racing at the thought of facing these so-called “successful” clones. Success versus failure? I’ll show them what true success looks like.

As I race out, a thrill shoots through me, and I feel alive, more alive than ever. Today, I’m going to make them remember why I am the one and only Demon.

And I can’t wait to spill some blood.

---

**BOOM!**

I reach the city quickly, and the sight of burning buildings meets my eyes. So, this destruction is courtesy of those imitations? They think they can play my role? How adorable.

My hands itch with anticipation. I make my way through the ruins, drawn toward the chaos. Five figures wearing cheap imitations of my mask are wreaking havoc in the streets. My city, reduced to this by copycats. I grin, feeling that thrill rise in my veins.

“Help!” A woman’s scream pierces through the smoke. I watch as one of the imposters drags her by the hair, her face twisted in pain. How unoriginal.

From my spot on the third floor, I leap, landing a straight kick to the side of the fake Demon’s face. His grip on the woman releases, and she stumbles back, wide-eyed, staring at me as if she’s seen a ghost.