Chapter 26: The First Meeting of High-Ranking Demons (1)

Chapter 26: The First Meeting of High-Ranking Demons (1) Leo was waiting for him. All the other workers at the café had already left, so Damian didn’t find Samantha there. During the day, the café was like any other, but at night, it became the place for demonic meetings—a neutral ground where high-ranking demons gathered to discuss matters. "You’re finally here," Leo said with a smile. "Come with me." Leo showed him around the café. Eventually, they went to a private room, where Damian saw the contract he had to sign. There was nothing unusual in the contract. It was simply to make Damian one of the café’s owners and ensure he received a cut of the profits. Leo just wanted to make sure Damian got paid. Of course, that wasn’t the only payment. "I have a bag with demon parts for you," Leo said. "I know it’s not Sunday—the day I’m supposed to give these to you—but consider it a bonus. We’re having the first meeting tonight, so you deserve it." "The first meeting is happening today?" Damian asked, trying to hide his anxiety. He had hoped to have time to prepare before it started, but clearly, that wasn’t happening. "Yes, it is. If you’re okay with that?" Leo asked. "Sure, no problem. But I still don’t understand what you actually want from me in these meetings." "Well, you’re strong—one of the strongest hunters I’ve ever seen—and you’re not working with the hunters. You’re the perfect neutral party to observe the meetings and act as my peacemaker." Damian was terrified. He had no choice but to accept. The alternative was death at the hands of the high-ranking demons. "What if they start fighting here?" Damian asked. That was certainly not what Damian wanted to hear. He wouldn’t be able to fight against any of them. He had to make sure a fight never started. It would be a hard task, for sure, but Damian would have to find a way through it... After signing the papers, other demons showed up. All of them looked exactly like humans. These demons were the new security—demons that worked for Leo. They greeted Damian by shaking hands with him. "This is how humans greet, right?" one of the demons asked. Damian nodded. "Yes, it is. You’ll be the security taking care of the café while the meetings happen?" He looked them from toe to head, frowning. The demons noticed it—Damian wasn’t even trying to hide it. It made them nervous. "We’re not up to your standards?" one asked. "My master said you’re quite the figure, and I don’t want to piss you off." The whole story of Damian being powerful started only because he didn’t have visible mana in his body—or rather, he did, but no one could sense or see it. The mana came from his system upgrades. That was why the demons thought he was a legendary figure. How could a man with no apparent mana see high-ranking demons? They had such strong camouflage that even powerful hunters couldn’t detect them. Yet, none of them could hide from Damian. And not just that—unlike 99% of hunters, he could speak to them in the demon language. Damian still didn’t understand how it worked, since he thought he was speaking normally, but it was, in fact, the demon tongue. "No, that’s not it," Damian said. "You’re decent. I’m glad your master gave me decent bodyguards—it means he’s investing in our partnership." The demons sighed in relief. "Of course he is. All of us guards are AA-rank demons. No one will stress you out, sir." They were even calling him "sir." Leo had clearly instructed all his subordinates to treat Damian with the highest respect—just as they treated Leo himself. Damian wasn’t sure how to feel about that. It was nice, sure—but also a little strange. Anyway, Leo led him to the room where the meeting would take place. It was located on the café’s second floor. The only way to access it was through a back door that opened to a staircase. The back of the café faced a narrow alley—Leo had thought it all through when choosing the location. He needed a place where high-ranking demons could slip inside without being noticed. The meeting room had unusual lighting: dim yellow bulbs that cast long shadows, giving the space an eerie, mysterious atmosphere. "This is the table where the meeting will happen," Leo explained. "Each group of demons will sit on one side, and you’ll be at the head—controlling both." "And when are they coming?" Damian asked. "In about half an hour." The first meeting was approaching quickly, and Damian had no time to prepare. Worse, he had no idea what to expect. To make things even more complicated, Leo wouldn’t be there. That was the whole point of Damian’s role as mediator—so Leo could spend his time elsewhere. When Leo left and Damian was alone in the meeting room, he found himself staring into the silence, thoughts racing. He was scared. Would he even survive this? A ring from his phone snapped him back to reality. It was Samantha, sending him a message. She talked briefly about her first day working at the new café. She was happy. Genuinely happy. That calmed Damian, if only for a moment—until the high-ranking demons began to arrive. Leo’s guards entered as well. Six in total, all standing like statues around the table. Their purpose was clear: keep the meeting peaceful. When the demons settled into their seats, all eyes turned to Damian. A woman spoke first. "So you’re the mediator?" she said. "I thought you’d be more... intimidating. Scarier." Her tone was casual, but Damian could see it—she was hesitant. Nervous, even. He didn’t have mana—not the kind they could sense, anyway. It was as if he wasn’t even there. None of the high-ranking demons could feel his presence. And that was terrifying. It was the first time any of them had experienced that kind of void. "There’s no need to be intimidating," Damian said with a faint smile. "We’re here to talk and make peace. So... who’s going to start?" The demons glanced around the table. No one said a word.