*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
After Void's laughter finally died, silence flooded back into the tavern.
"…Now then," he murmured, almost bored, "time to pull some information out of you. And while I'm at it—there's a rather interesting kid in the corner too, huh."
He grabbed the tavern master's finger with a light, almost casual smile. "Here are the rules. Every time I ask a question, you answer. No matter what. Understand?"
The tavern master chuckled through gritted teeth. "Hehehe… You damn brat. I thought you'd actually unbind me, but I guess this is it for me, huh? If I'm gonna die here, then so be it. I'm not telling you shit."
Void's smile twisted.
"Congratulations, old man," he said softly. "You've completely transcended the fear of death."
The tavern master blinked.
Void's eyes darkened. "Is that what you thought I'd say?"
His voice dropped, turning cold enough to peel flesh. "Listen carefully, old bastard. From this moment on, if you don't answer my questions, I'll twist—or better, *cut*—one finger at a time. And when I'm done, I'll give you the most miserable death I can think of. Hehehe."
Fear flooded back into the old man's eyes. Tears welled up without his permission.
Before he could speak, Void leaned in, tone almost gentle. "With that worn‑out body of yours, every cut will hurt more than you can imagine. And don't misunderstand."
His smile widened, showing teeth. "I'm not stopping at your fingers. I'll start with your toenails. Then your legs. Then your limbs. Then your throat. What do you think? Kekekeke."
"I… I still won't say anything," the tavern master whispered, tears spilling.
Void's expression softened into something almost kind. "Okay then. Let's begin, shall we?"
In the corner, Violet's tears wouldn't stop. She bit her lip until it bled. *Is he going to do something like that to me too…?*
Void suddenly tightened his grip around the tavern master's finger. "First question. Where are we right now?"
"I–I don't know," the tavern master stammered. "Even if I did, I'm not telling you anything. No matter what."
Around them, the other men slowly regained consciousness. Confusion crashed over them as they realized they were tied up, Void holding their boss's hand like a butcher inspecting meat.
A sharp crack echoed through the tavern.
The tavern master's finger bent at an impossible angle. He screamed, voice tearing his throat. "AGHHHHHHHHHHH! N‑no! I still won't tell you anything! Do your worst, kid!"
Void chuckled. "As you wish, sir. Hahahahaha."
He let go for a moment, as if reconsidering.
Then he lazily swung his arm.
For the men watching, there was only a blur—and then a finger dropped to the floor with a wet thud.
The tavern master stared at it, then howled. "Please… stop… I'm begging you. I'll talk. I'll talk…"
The others trembled. Tears streamed down their faces. They had seen monsters before—but this blue‑haired man, smiling as he peeled someone apart, felt worse than any demon they'd heard of.
Violet pressed a hand over her mouth. *I must not catch his attention,* she thought desperately. *Right now, he just sees me as a bug. That's the only reason I'm still alive.*
Void's smile brightened. "See? You're a kind, reasonable man. I knew it." He tilted his head. "Now then. Answer my question properly. Where are we?"
"We… we're in a tavern…" the tavern master whispered.
The room froze.
Even Violet, still crying, fell silent.
Void just stared at him, expression empty.
"W‑what?" the tavern master snapped, confused. "Why are you all so quiet? Didn't he ask where we are? I told him—we're in a tavern."
Violet's eye twitched. *Is he stupid?* she thought. *Void's asking about this world. About this place. Not the building.*
Everyone else came to the same conclusion.
Void sighed. "Old man, is your brain rotting from age? I'm asking about this *world*. This region. Where should I go from here? Tell me everything."
The tavern master glared weakly. "We… we're in a tavern. There's no town nearby. Are you trying to make fun of me? You talk like… like you're new to this world."
Void clicked his tongue. "This fool's not completely useless. Anyone could guess that much, I suppose."
He loosened his shoulders slightly. "Fine. A little pressure, then. Maybe that will help you remember."
The air changed.
Invisible weight crashed down on everyone in the tavern. Chests tightened. Knees buckled. Breath caught in throats. None of them could even think about speaking; their instincts screamed at them to kneel and pray.
Several actually did.
Void stared down at the tavern master. "Now. Talk. And don't waste my time with nonsense."
"I–I'll tell you," the old man gasped. "I'll tell you everything."
Void's thoughts brushed past his face like a shadow. *They're taking too long. I need to drag everything out of them quickly and then erase them. If I'm right, they're praying to the gods.*
His eyes narrowed. *If the gods feel a crowd begging for mercy, they'll look this way. And once they do, they'll know I'm here. I need to finish my preparations before that happens.*
The tavern master gulped. "This is just… just a small tavern. If you leave and walk straight for thirty to fifty kilometers, you'll find the Heavenly Demon Cult. After that—"
"Heavenly Demon?" Void cut in, amused. "That sounds arrogant."
The tavern fell utterly silent.
There was not a single person in this land who hadn't heard that name.
Especially Violet. Her blood ran cold. *He doesn't know…? Someone like him… doesn't even know about Father?*
"I don't know why you're pretending ignorance," the tavern master said, swallowing. "But I'll say it anyway. The Heavenly Demon—Lucian Draven. The current Heavenly Demon. They say he's the strongest cult leader in history… aside from their ancestor, of course."
Void's lips curved. "Aside from his ancestor, huh? So he's the strongest *now*, at least."
"Yes," the tavern master said quickly. "The first Heavenly Demon wasn't just a cult leader. He was the Heavenly Demon *God*."
He lifted his hand—what remained of it—and pointed a shaking finger toward Violet. "And that useless girl over there… she's from the Heavenly Demon Cult too."
Void tilted his head, finally focusing on Violet.
"…She's from that cult as well?" he murmured. "Interesting."
His gaze sharpened. "Good. Old man, tell me everything you know about the Heavenly Demon. The cult. The demon gods. This whole world. Don't leave anything out."