Kaien was sitting in the center of the cave, still buzzing from some leftover energy. Moonlight was creeping in, glimmering off the jade tablet beside him and highlighting his fingers that were faintly smoking.
Moki, his little fox companion, stirred a bit but then curled back up against Kaien's leg.
Suddenly, a twig snapped outside.
Kaien's golden eyes flickered open, shining like molten metal. He didn't move, just tilted his head slightly to listen.
"Wow, guests already? I didn't even clean up a bit," he said with a grin.
More footsteps sounded, quiet but eager. Breathing was heavy and impatient, kind of like wild dogs getting ready for a meal.
Moki's fur bristled, blue sparks jumping between his whiskers as he pressed closer to Kaien, clearly on edge.
Kaien stood up, the fabric of his robe sliding smoothly over the stone floor. The wild energy inside him coiled and pulsed like a hungry predator catching a whiff of blood.
Outside, six figures stepped out from the trees. They were clad in mismatched black armor and worn red sashes—probably rogue cultivators, maybe bounty hunters or something similar. The leader, a tall guy with a spider tattoo on his throat, took a step forward.
"Found him," Spider-Throat croaked, his voice raspy from years of using poison arts. His gaze was hungry as he scanned Kaien. "Little fox and the strange one. Easy pickings tonight."
Kaien cracked his neck with a smirk.
"Easy pickings? Are you here to buy my new shampoo recipe? I call it 'Blood and Regret'," he joked, his lips twisting into a lazy smirk.
Spider-Throat's eyes narrowed at that.
"Kill the fox. Capture the man alive. His qi is… different," he commanded, flicking his fingers.
Without a moment's hesitation, four rogues charged in. Their swords glinted with faint poison runes.
Kaien's eyes lit up. He stepped forward lightly, almost like he was dancing.
"Come on! I was starting to get bored!" he laughed.
The first attacker lunged at him. Kaien moved even faster, flicking his hand up with two fingers slicing across the guy's throat like it was nothing.
Blood sprayed as the man crumpled, his sword falling from his grasp.
Kaien stepped past him, a low, gleeful laugh escaping his lips. His golden eyes sparkled, reflecting the fear of the dying man.
The second attacker swung down hard. Kaien twisted, grabbing the guy's wrist. With a burst of demonic energy, he shattered the bone with a sickening crunch. The man screamed, but Kaien silenced him by pushing his palm against his chest, sending a blast of shadow-flame right through him — a charred hole left in its wake.
"Two down… how are the Yelp reviews so far?" Kaien cackled, moving forward.
The remaining two staggered back, but before they could retreat, Moki dashed in. Blue lightning crackled around him as he zipped through the air, smashing into the third man's leg.
With a sharp crack, the man's knee shattered. Moki jumped up and sank his tiny fangs into the guy's throat, sparks dancing in the wound. The man fell, twitching.
Kaien clapped slowly, amused.
"Bravo, Moki! Ten out of ten for style!" he called, his eyes shining with delight.
The last attacker panicked and tried to run, dropping his sword. Kaien's hand shot out, grabbing the guy's head from behind.
Leaning close, he whispered in a low voice.
"Where do you think you're going? The afterparty hasn't even started."
A surge of dark energy sparked in Kaien's hand, and with a sickening crack, the man's skull shattered. He crumpled like a rag doll.
Spider-Throat stood frozen, his sword shaking in his grip. Sweat dripped down his face.
"You... you're not human… you're—"
Kaien turned slowly, his eyes wild with twisted humor. He tilted his head, looking at Spider-Throat like he was studying a strange bug.
"Human? Huh… sometimes I forget what that even feels like," he said, then laughed — a deep, echoing sound like a beast howling at the moon.
Spider-Throat screamed, stumbling back and swinging his sword wildly.
Kaien was everywhere at once. One moment he was in front, then behind. He pressed his fingers to Spider-Throat's back, flooding him with demonic energy.
Spider-Throat's body jerked violently, his veins bulging and bursting beneath his skin. He let out a final, gurgled scream before collapsing, smoke curling from his mouth.
Kaien stepped over the twitching body, brushing dust off his sleeve.
"Thanks for the warm-up. I should start charging for entry next time," he sighed dramatically.
Moki trotted over, his fur singed but eyes sharp. The little fox looked up, a mix of awe and horror on his face.
Kaien crouched down, messing up Moki's fur with a bright, playful smile.
"Look at us… you, a little storm demon fox… and me, a stressed-out office worker turned demonic comedian," he chuckled.
Moki grumbled and nibbled Kaien's hand lightly but didn't pull back.
Kaien stood up, glancing toward the tree line. The moon was higher now, casting long shadows. His golden eyes flickered, sensing distant movements — maybe scouts from a nearby sect or another rogue group.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Word travels fast, huh? Well… good. Let them come. Let the whole damned continent hear."
He spread his arms wide to the moon, laughter echoing through the forest like a wild, haunting song.
"I'll laugh until your gods choke on their own golden thrones! Come dance with me!"
The forest shook. The moon seemed to glow colder, sharper.
Moki pressed close to Kaien, his eyes reflecting the wild light from his master.
Kaien finally lowered his arms, his laughter fading into a soft, almost gentle sigh. He looked down at Moki, his gaze softer now.
"Ready for the real game, little furball?"
Moki let out a determined yip, sparks crackling around him.
Kaien grinned wide.
"Good. Let's show this world what happens when you mess with a laughing demon."
Together, they moved forward, leaving behind six lifeless bodies — the first whispers of a legend that would soon shake every sect and demon realm around.