"This has to be a joke..." Hazelle groaned, slamming both fists onto the table. "This is not how this was supposed to go!"
A small dagger shimmered into existence in her hand.
"I'm not even the hero! My abilities are mediocre at best..." She stared bitterly at the blade. "And to top it all off, I'm a freaking demon!"
It had been nearly two weeks since she'd died, been reincarnated, and promptly tossed out onto the streets.
The capital of the Orenna Empire didn't allow demi-humans within its walls unless they were slaves or servants. Demonkind ranked even lower. Simply existing inside the city was considered a crime. If High Priestess Oraesa hadn't quietly provided her with official papers from the castle, Hazelle doubted she would have made it beyond the gates alive.
"I can barely manifest two items at once..." she muttered, rubbing her forehead. "...And after what happened last time..."
The memory made her wince.
The night before, she'd tried to conjure a simple set of cutlery for dinner and immediately collapsed unconscious from the strain.
"...Forget making arrows or throwing knives, and I don't even know how to use a sword or an axe."
The dagger dissolved into glittering motes of light.
"I thought I'd get to live out my ultimate fantasy after getting isekai'd." She let out a hollow laugh. "Instead, I'm just an outcast with a bargain-bin ability."
Her hands drifted to the two small horns protruding from her forehead before brushing against the slender black tail behind her.
"There hasn't even been a Demon Lord for over two hundred years..." She threw her head back dramatically. "And somehow I end up as a full-fledged demon."
With a long sigh, she slumped back into her chair.
"Would it have killed them to apologize, at least?" she grumbled. "They're the ones who summoned me. I never asked to be reborn like this. If anything, this entire disaster is their fault."
Her eyes wandered toward the heavy pouch of coins resting on the table.
"...Although..."
A grin slowly spread across her face.
"I suppose I can forgive a little if they're paying me. I'm not above accepting compensation."
She walked over to the mirror and examined her reflection.
"...Besides..."
Her smile widened.
"It's not like the new look is terrible."
Aside from the horns and tail, she appeared to be an ordinary woman in her early twenties. Her grey-green eyes were bright and full of life, and her figure was tall and elegant. Every wrinkle from her old life had vanished. Her once-aging body had been replaced with a slim waist, long legs, and thick crimson hair that flowed almost to her knees. Even her bust was youthful once again.
It wasn't the body she'd been born with...
...but she certainly wasn't about to complain.
By anyone's standards, she was gorgeous.
"I guess sitting around feeling sorry for myself isn't going to solve anything." She sat back down and reached for the map the innkeeper had sold her. "At least the priestess was kind enough to point me in the right direction before kicking me out on my ass."
She spread the map across the table.
"First priority: get as far away from the human nations as possible."
She had no intention of spending the rest of her life as a social outcast, scrounging for scraps in an alley.
The world was called Rela.
Hazelle had been summoned to its most powerful nation, the Orenna Empire, ruled by Emperor Alderbran Orenna XVI. It was a wealthy human empire composed of several smaller nations under its banner.
To the north lay the mysterious nation of Kasai. Information about it was surprisingly scarce. According to the map and the books she'd managed to find, the entire nation consisted of a single enormous city hidden among the mountain ranges. Nothing was publicly known about its government or its people, though one fact appeared consistently in every source: many of the world's greatest magical artifacts were crafted there.
To the west, beyond Orenna's coastline, stretched the Tomo Alliance—a chain of islands governed almost entirely by merchant guilds. Trade was their lifeblood, and politics seemed secondary to profit.
Scattered along Orenna's eastern border were dozens of smaller nations populated primarily by demi-humans. Unfortunately, the map offered little more than their borders. Most weren't even labeled, leaving Hazelle with little idea of what awaited beyond the empire.
"They didn't even bother marking the capitals of the demi-human nations." Hazelle frowned at the map. "Of course they didn't. Why would they? Those places don't matter to them..."
Her eyes stopped on the lone demi-human nation that actually had been properly labeled with names and main roads.
"...Well, except this one, apparently."
"Kel'asa..." She traced a finger along the winding road leading east. "I guess that's where I'm headed." She let out a weary sigh. "Maybe I can hire a cart. Walking all the way there would take at least a week."
"I can't even buy food or basic travel supplies around here." She threw her hands into the air in frustration. "Of all the things I thought humans understood without prejudice, I figured money would be one of them. They don't have to like me—they just have to take my gold!"
She let out an exasperated groan.
"It's one thing after another with this stupid empire. Forget it. I'm going back to the inn. I'm leaving first thing tomorrow, and I'll pick up whatever I need somewhere else along the road. I am done with this place."
Hazelle collapsed onto the bed with a dramatic flop.
"I couldn't even bribe someone to drive me to Kel'asa..."
Before she could continue complaining, a furious pounding erupted from the other side of her door.
"Get out here, you filthy demon! We know you're in there!" a man bellowed, pounding on her door hard enough to rattle the frame. "Give yourself up and make this easy on everyone!"
"Damn it..." Hazelle shot upright, her heart sinking. "I should've seen this coming."
A longsword shimmered into existence in her hands as she stumbled to her feet. She gripped it with both hands despite her inexperience.
She might still be able to scare them off.
"Go away!" she shouted through the door. "I'm armed!"
A chorus of mocking laughter answered her.
"Like that matters! Even if you did manage to get past us, the entire inn is surrounded! There is no escape for you, demon!"
Hazelle rushed to the window and pulled the curtain aside just enough to peek outside.
Torchlight flickered across the street.
Dozens of villagers had gathered around the inn, some carrying clubs, others holding pitchforks or hunting spears.
"...Great." Her stomach dropped. "A mob."
"Break the door down, Gerard! I'm tired of waiting!" someone shouted. "Looks like we're dragging this thing out!"
"No other choice!"
Gerard slammed his shoulder into the door with a thunderous crash.
The frame groaned.
Again.
Another deafening impact shook the room.
With every strike, the wood splintered a little more, the hinges bending farther out of place.
I'm out of time.
Her thoughts raced desperately for a way out.
Maybe... if I surrender...
The idea died almost as soon as it formed.
Who am I kidding? They're not letting me walk away from this alive.
She glanced down at the sword in her trembling hands.
And what's the point of this? I don't even know how to use it. Those men are obviously trained mercenaries. I might be stronger than an average human, but against three trained fighters... I won't last long.
With one final crash, the door exploded inward.
Wooden splinters blasted across the room as the broken door slammed into Hazelle, knocking her off her feet.
"We've got you now," Gerard sneered as he strode through the wreckage.
Before she could recover, he kicked the sword from her grasp.
"Careful now," he mocked. "You'll hurt yourself with that."
"Hey, Gerard." One of the other men grinned as he stepped inside. "You ever seen a demon this pretty before?"
Gerard looked Hazelle up and down.
"Can't say I have." A cruel smile spread across his face. "Tell you what—give us a good time, and maybe we'll let you live."
He grabbed her by the throat with one hand and effortlessly slammed her against the wall.
"Well?" he asked, tightening his grip. "Nothing to say? Fine. We'll decide for you."
With his free hand, he drew a dagger and sliced across the top of her shirt, tearing the fabric open.
"No... stop... please..." The words barely escaped Hazelle's lips. Gerard's grip around her throat was so tight she could hardly breathe.
"Man, I love it when they beg!" Gerard laughed, driving his dagger into her thigh.
A cry of pain escaped her.
"That's it!" His grin widened. "Do it again—but louder."
He yanked her off balance and threw her to the floor. As she struggled weakly against him, he ripped away the remaining fabric of her clothes.
"First things first..." His eyes settled on her tail. "Let's get rid of this disgusting thing. Maybe you'll look a little more human."
Chuckling to himself, he slowly dragged the blade through her tail.
"There." He looked back at his companions with a satisfied grin. "Much better, don't you think, boys?"
"Heh, yeah." One of the men snickered. "Too bad she's still got those horns... but I guess we can live with that."
"P-please..." Hazelle whispered, her voice barely audible. "S-stop..."
She had already accepted her fate.
These men were going to do whatever they wanted to her...
...and then they were going to kill her.
Life wasn't fair.
This time, she'd simply been dealt a losing hand.
At least it'll be over soon...
As her consciousness began to fade, an image suddenly flashed through her mind.
A tiny silver handbell.
Funny... why am I thinking about that now?
The image appeared again.
This time, a single clear, high-pitched chime echoed through her thoughts.
The Chime of Dusk...
It was one of the countless magical artifacts she'd imagined and sketched over the years.
Even if I could manifest it... I don't know how it or anything else in there actually works. My Armory was just a hobby. Nothing more than drawings in a notebook... a way to kill time...
The bell appeared one final time.
Without thinking, Hazelle reached toward it.
A faint shimmer of light gathered in her trembling hand.
Then, impossibly...
The Chime of Dusk materialized in her grasp.
Gerard stared at it for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"What the hell is that?" he sneered. "You planning to fight us with a bell?"
The others laughed along with him.
"Well, just to be safe..."
Gerard slammed his blade into her again and twisted.
"That's the scream I was looking for!"
Gerard's eyes turned wild with delight. He leaned in and kissed her neck.
"Such a nice body."
Breathing heavily, he worked his hand farther down her body.
Please... it has to work.
With trembling fingers, Hazelle managed to ring the bell.
A single, clear chime echoed through the room.
Then, without warning, all three men froze.
Their bodies went slack, collapsing to the floor.
Gerard's eyes widened in panic.
"W-what did you do to me?" he stammered. "I... I can't move!"
The bloodlust drained from his face, replaced by raw fear.
"What kind of magic is this?" another man shouted helplessly. "What are you, demon?"
Hazelle shoved Gerard aside and slowly forced herself to her feet. Every movement sent fresh waves of agony through her wounded body, but she refused to let them see her falter.
"The Chime of Dusk," she said between ragged breaths. "Anyone who hears it loses control of their body."
She paused, studying the three motionless men. She had no way of knowing whether it was functioning exactly as intended, only that—for now—it appeared to be working.
"It doesn't cloud your mind," she continued. "You'll remain fully aware... just unable to move."
A weary smile tugged at the corner of her mouth despite the pain.
"And you'll stay that way until I decide to lift the spell."
"Release us, filthy demon!" one of the thugs spat. "How dare you do this to humans? Know your place, monster!"
Hazelle regarded him with cool indifference.
"You've got a lot of nerve for someone completely at my mercy."
She stepped over Gerard's motionless body, her earlier desperation replaced by quiet confidence. Every movement still hurt, but the panic that had gripped her moments ago was gone.
My wounds... they're closing faster than I expected.
She glanced at the ragged stump where her tail had been severed. Already, fresh flesh was knitting itself together, and the first signs of regrowth were beginning to show.
So that's one of the perks of being a demon.
Turning her attention back to the three helpless men, she studied each of them in silence. They could still glare, curse, and threaten her, but none of them could so much as lift a finger.
She had escaped death, but survival was only the first step. If she wanted to leave this place alive, she would have to think several moves ahead.
"Now then..." she murmured. "Whatever am I going to do with the three of you?"
"I-I-I-If you hurt us, the guards will come for you."
"You came here and attacked me!" Hazelle shouted. "I wasn't bothering anyone. All I wanted was a place to sleep for a little while, and then I was going to leave."
Her hands trembled as they curled into fists.
"Why am I the one who's hated while people like you exist? You tortured me. You were going to kill me. Just for existing!"
"This is Orenna. Your kind isn't welcome here!" Gerard spat. "We can do whatever we like to monsters like you. And don't forget everyone waiting outside. What do you think they'll do if we don't come out soon?"
Hazelle's expression hardened.
"Still acting brave?" she said quietly. "Fine. I'll be the demon you all so desperately want me to be."
A longsword shimmered into existence in her hand.
"First, I'll deal with the three of you. Then I'll deal with the rest of the village." She lowered the blade until its tip hovered over Gerard's throat. "I'll make sure they know whose fault it was they died tonight."
The words tasted bitter.
She didn't want this.
But if she showed mercy now, they would simply try to kill her again.
"Be grateful," she whispered. "Unlike you... I'm not a monster."
"Please... don't kill me. I'm sor—"
The sword flashed.
Gerard's head struck the floor before the rest of him collapsed.
He wasn't sorry.
The other two men begged and sobbed, but her resolve never wavered.
One swift swing for each.
Three bodies lay motionless on the inn's floor.
She looked down at the blood running along the blade.
That was... easier than I thought it would be.
A knot formed in her stomach.
"...Now comes the disgusting part."
Suppressing a gag, she wrapped the severed heads in a cloth before summoning a small silver bell. With the bundle in one hand and the bell in the other, she stepped outside.
"Someone's coming out!"
The crowd tightened their grips on spears, axes, and hunting bows.
The bell rang.
A strange weight settled over the villagers.
"W-What's happening?! I can't move!"
Panic rippled through the crowd as they struggled against bodies that refused to obey.
Hazelle stood in the inn's doorway, the bundle hanging from one hand.
"It's that demon woman!" someone screamed. "What happened to the mercenaries? I told you we should've burned the inn down! She cast some wicked magic on us!"
"I have done nothing to any of you," Hazelle called, her voice carrying across the square. "Nor did I ever intend to."
She hurled the bundle into the crowd.
Three severed heads rolled across the dirt as the cloth unraveled.
Cries of horror erupted from every direction.
"You sent those men to murder me," she continued. "This is their punishment."
Fear spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Good, she thought. Let them fear me. Fear is the only thing that will keep them from following.
A trembling voice called out.
"...Are you going to kill us too?"
Hazelle shook her head.
"No. I never wanted to hurt any of you." Her voice softened for only a moment. "Those men paid for their crimes. The debt is settled."
She turned toward the forest.
"I will leave peacefully, and you will never see me again."
She looked back one last time.
"But if any of you follow me..."
Her eyes drifted to the heads lying in the dirt.
"...you already know what I'm capable of."
No one dared to move.
Hazelle walked into the darkness beyond the village.
The bell rang once more.
"The spell has been lifted," she called without turning around. "Go home."
Only when the trees swallowed her did the villagers begin to move again.
Several minutes later, with the village far behind her, Hazelle's legs finally gave out.
She collapsed against the trunk of a tree.
"I just wanted to be left alone..." Hazell shouted into the night. "Was that really too much to ask?"
The forest offered no answer.
After several long moments she stood and looked into the darkness ahead.
"...Whatever."
"I'm getting as far away from this place as I possibly can."