Garion walked through another district of the demon city, his pace steady but his expression growing darker by the second.
Demons filled the streets.
Too many of them.
So argued loudly.
Others laughed while dragging struggling creatures behind them.
A few stood still, watching everything with eyes that never blinked.
Garion clenched his jaw.
"...Just where am I supposed to find demons good enough to join my God Gym?" he muttered.
He stopped near a wide intersection and looked around slowly.
"Just what the hell is wrong with this demon world?"
Atlas answered right away.
[What can I say?]
[They are called demons for a reason.]
Garion clicked his tongue.
"Damn it," he said. "At least let et one decent candidate."
He resud walking.
Not far ahead, a group of demons caught his attention.
Their bodies were thin and twisted, covered in flickering runes.
Chains of light floated around their arms and torsos, tightening and loosening on their own.
Garion slowed.
"...Those ones," he said. "They look controlled. Disciplined, maybe?"
Atlas responded imdiately.
[Seal Demons.]
Garion raised an eyebrow.
[Their power focuses on suppression, sealing, and restriction.]
[They do not strengthen the body.]
[They weaken others instead.]
Garion watched one of them casually seal another demon’s movent with a gesture.
"So they don’t improve themselves," he said. "They just cripple everyone else."
[Correct.]
Garion shook his head and walked past.
A little farther in, the air felt colder.
Demons with dull eyes and grayish skin stood around like statues.
Their movents were slow, heavy, and lifeless.
Garion stopped again.
"These ones feel... sturdy," he said. "Endurance type?"
Atlas answered.
[Grave Demons.]
Garion frowned.
[They drain stamina and slow battles over ti.]
[Their bodies are resistant, but stagnant.]
[They do not grow stronger through training.]
Garion stared at them for a mont.
"So they survive by dragging others down with them," he said. "Not by improving."
[Exactly.]
Garion turned away without another word.
The next group he passed made his skin crawl.
Dozens of eyes blinked across their bodies, watching everything at once.
They whispered constantly, voices overlapping and shifting.
Garion stopped mid-step.
"...No," he said imdiately.
Atlas responded.
[Eye Cluster Demons.]
[They focus on observation, ntal pressure, and fear amplification.]
Garion exhaled sharply.
"Those wouldn’t last five minutes in the gym," he said. "They’d collapse the mont soone hit them."
[Or attempt to break your disciples ntally.]
Garion’s expression darkened.
"Yeah. Definitely not."
He kept walking, irritation building with every step.
Next ca a group of massive demons covered in scars, their horns thick and twisted.
They laughed loudly, shoving each other as blood ran freely.
Garion paused again.
"They’re strong," he said. "At least physically."
Atlas replied.
[Horn Tyrant Demons.]
Garion’s eyes narrowed.
[They gain power through domination and submission.]
[Their strength depends on others kneeling.]
[They do not train unless violence is involved.]
Garion watched one force a weaker demon to kneel, then visibly grow more energized.
"...That’s fake strength," Garion said. "Borrowed power."
[Yes.]
Garion rubbed his face with one hand.
"This is ridiculous."
He stopped in the middle of the street and looked up.
"Atlas," he said. "I don’t need saints. I don’t need heroes."
His voice dropped.
"I just need demons with strong bodies and the will to train properly."
Atlas paused for a brief mont.
[Those qualities are rare here.]
Garion clenched his fist.
"Just soone who can endure pain, improve step by step, and not lose control."
Atlas replied calmly.
[You are searching for exceptions.]
Garion let out a slow breath.
"...Yeah," he said. "I guess I am."
He started walking again, eyes sharper than before.
"Then let’s keep looking," he said. "Even if there’s only one."
He had barely taken a few steps when Atlas spoke again.
[Sorry to tell you, Host, but I’ve already scanned the entire city.]
Garion stopped.
"...What?"
[There is not a single demon here suitable for the God Gym.]
Garion’s brows pulled together. His jaw tightened slowly.
"God damn it," he muttered.
He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a breath. "So what, we move to another city?"
[That would be the logical choice.]
Garion nodded once. "Good. Then we..."
Atlas interrupted him.
[But why don’t you just destroy this city first?]
Garion turned his head sharply.
"...What?"
[They are demons, after all.]
Garion stared ahead for a mont, then slowly looked down at his own hands.
"Do you seriously think I’m a madman?" he asked.
Atlas answered without hesitation.
[Yes.]
Garion scoffed. "That was fast."
[You erased Black Ash City. You rember that, right?]
Garion clicked his tongue.
"That’s different," he said. "I was testing a new technique."
He paused, then added, "...And it worked."
Atlas stayed silent for a second.
[Exactly.]
Garion waved a hand. "Enough. I’m not here to wipe cities for fun."
He took another step forward.
"Let’s go to another city. Where’s the nearest one?"
Atlas responded calmly.
[Wait a minute, Host.]
Garion stopped again, slower this ti.
"...What is it now?"
[There is a very strong demon approaching this city.]
Garion raised an eyebrow. "Strong how?"
[Stronger than Kravos.]
Garion’s steps halted completely.
"...Oh?"
His interest finally sparked. He straightened his posture slightly.
"So a higher rank," he said. "That explains the tension in the air."
[Yes.]
Atlas continued.
[And there’s more.]
Garion glanced to the side. "Go on."
[Among the slaves that demon brought, I detected one individual that ets God Gym standards.]
Garion’s expression changed instantly.
"...Is that so?"
The irritation on his face faded. In its place ca a small, genuine smile.
"Well," he said, "that’s good news."
He turned around slowly, scanning the city again. His eyes felt sharper now.
"Then let’s go et them."
Atlas replied quickly.
[I don’t think that’s necessary, Master.]
Garion blinked. "Why not?"
[If you go directly to them, it will be too simple.]
[And not very fun.]
Garion paused.
"...Fun?"
[If you wait, things will co to you.]
[The strong demon will arrive and the tension in the city will make it more interesting.]
Garion crossed his arms and thought for a mont.
"...You’re saying I should just watch."
[Yes.]
[If you interfere imdiately, there will be no tension.]
Garion let out a low chuckle.
"...I guess I could use so entertainnt."
He nodded once.
"Alright," he said. "We wait."
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