NECROMANCERS are humans who have been blessed with shadow magic and the ability to make contracts with demons. Unlike servants who are lower-ranking demons and have pledged loyalty to a demon lord, necromancers rely on shadow magic and can contract with demons.

In the south, there was only one necromancer, who just happened to have formed a contract with the Lord of the South, the dark mage, Gayin of Tharlan.

Gayin is a previous magic tower master, born human turned immortal, who is now receding in the underworld as part of his signed contract with the demon of the south, Caius.

"Greetings! Souls and demons of the South!" The door slams open like a whirlwind when an unimportant guest arrives at the castle, announcing its presence. "I, Gayin, have returned from my strenuous journey to strengthen my magic. I had conq-"

"Shut it, necromancer."

Gayin pouted, "That's so rude, you demon. You didn't even let me finish my speech."

Caius glared, silencing Gayin with a single glance. Gayin had always been one for dramatic entrances, ensuring that his presence was known and acknowledged by all. Despite being a low-born human in the southern realm, he strived to blend in, refusing to be perceived as different from the demons around him. He had immersed himself in demon culture for years, long before becoming a necromancer. His fascination with demons stemmed from his childhood experiences when he found himself hunted and dragged into the underworld.

Caius had long known about Gayin. Before he became a necromancer, the human had once been dragged to the underworld for being blessed with shadow magic, which made him pray to the demons. If it weren't for him and the king of the underworld's help, Gayin would have been long dead. Their interaction sparked Gayin's interest in researching the demon world, firmly believing that there was goodness to be found in the underworld, contrary to human perceptions. This belief drove him to dedicate his life to studying demons, their customs, and laws. It took him years to gather credible resources and even longer to master the summoning rituals necessary to call forth a demon. It was during the inaugural summoning that he first encountered the lord of the south, and that meeting was over a century ago by now.

"So? What could the ever so cold-blooded lord of the south possibly need a necromancer for?" Gayin inquired, hands resting casually on his waist as he addressed the demon lord nonchalantly. He made no move to bow to the menacing figure seated upon his throne. He doesn't need to. Gayin never did bow down to the lord of the south since their contract included equal ground. Besides, he knows that the Lord of the South couldn't care less about formalities anyway. Well, to some degree, it is mandatory. But even if the Gayin treats the demon lord casually, he doesn't disrespect him. He follows his orders and the laws of his land. He knows hierarchy, power and boundaries.

When Gayin met Caius, he was the demon lord of cruelty, someone who wouldn't show mercy to anyone. It was even worse during Gayin's first hundred years with him when blood and chaos covered the underworld. They were constantly at war, killing demons, beasts, and creatures alike. Because of their contract, he had to assist him on every frontline. Gayin couldn't count how many times he almost went crazy because of the wars he participated in, but the demon lord of the South was not fazed at all. He knows they are demons, and demons are different from humans, but he also knows that demons and all beings in the world have a core. A core that serves as a heart and soul of the being, making it their rationality and emotion. It is because of this core that Gayin decided to live in the underworld. It was this core that made Gayin believe that all of us are not much different from the other beings and creatures.

"I need you to take care of something," the demon lord replied.

"Take care of something?" Gayin frowned. "That's rare. Whenever I come here, you always order me around, not take care of something. Has your icy heart finally started to melt? Have you seen my val-"

"I'm cutting your treasures, necromancer."

"What?! Why? What did I do?" Gayin shouted, his voice laced with disbelief. The demon lord knows how much he cares about his treasury more than anything. His treasury was a testament to his hard work in the netherworld, a collection of gains earned through his contributions to the progress of the underworld and gifts received from other realms connected to it. It is his human greed. His greatest sin, if ever he was asked to evaluate himself.

"You talk a lot," the demon lord nonchalantly replied.

Gayin knows. He was well aware of his tendency to talk a lot. He attributed this trait partly to the quiet nature of demons.

Communication was often sparse and strictly functional in the underworld, particularly among those who pledged their loyalty to a demon lord. It was ingrained in the very fabric of their existence, governed by the laws of their realm and their unwavering devotion to their lord.

The servants in Caius's castle epitomized this characteristic. They operated with secrecy and obedience that sometimes bordered on inscrutability. When summoned, they carried out their tasks precisely, adhering strictly to their lord's commands, no questions asked. For Gayin, this often meant being left in the dark regarding the purpose of his summons, as the servants would offer little more than the cryptic phrase, 'the lord has called you,' before whisking him away.

The demon's way of communication frustrates Gayin, who grapples with communication limitations in the underworld. While he understood the importance of loyalty and obedience in demon culture, he couldn't help but long for more meaningful interaction and exchange of ideas. Yet, he also recognized the inherent risk in pushing too hard against the established norms, knowing that any deviation from the prescribed hierarchy could be perceived as challenging their lord's authority or result in his vanishment.

"So? What exactly was I called for?" It's better to ask now before his treasury ends up empty again for talking too much to the demon lord, who seems to have no patience with him at all.

"I found a new hobby -"

"Finally!" Gayin interjected, a sense of relief evident in his voice at the news. Gayin felt grateful. Very grateful, as this meant he could now divert his attention to advancing his research on improving housing in the underworld, which had been delayed for a century due to the necessity of entertaining the demon lord. "After a century of enduring your grumbles, it seems you've found a hobby at last. I mean, it has been a lon-"

"I order you to attend to my hobby," the demon lord interjected, causing Gayin's jaw to drop in astonishment.

"You've got to be kidding me," Gayin uttered in disbelief. The demon lord didn't say a word, remained silent and unhinching, and looked at Gayin seriously. "Yeah... I forgot you don't joke around," Gayin added nervously before posing his question. "But why me? Surely, you have enough servants to do the task."

Caius's castle was indeed full of loyal servants who were ready to do everything if he ordered. Hence, Gayin doesn't understand why he needs to be the one to do the task. But, before he could ask another question, the demon lord snapped his hands and ordered the other servants to bring something in.

Immediately, Gayin frowned at the sight of a baby carrier. As far as he knew, only he and Luxen could bread in the castle. It wasn't his since he had not sired any humans since he entered the underworld, and even if he could create a hybrid or artificial human through magic, he would still need a partner with high magic, preferably from another realm, to breathe life into the so-called child. "Surely it wasn't Luxen, right?" he said without thinking.

"Why would Luxen even be brought up here?" the demon lord inquired, causing Gayin to blush slightly.

"I mean, he's the only other being in your castle with the ability to breed unless there's been some progress in demon procreation methods." Demons, formed from human desires and negative energies, cannot reproduce. However, other inhabitants of the underworld, such as gargoyles, liches, specters, and ghouls, may possess this capability.

"There is no such thing," the demon lord replied. "Take a look for yourself."

The servant moved closer to Gayin, showing him the baby lying in the carrier. "Why is there a child in the underworld?" he asked, touching the sleeping baby's cheeks. The baby is warm, breathing softly.

Gayin observed the sleeping child, noting their peaceful demeanour amidst the chaotic environment of the underworld. Despite the unpleasant stench and noises surrounding them, the child seemed undisturbed, radiating tranquillity. Gayin also detected a faint aura of protection magic enveloping the child, which likely contributed to why the child remained calm in the presence of the demons, at least for the meantime.

"The little human is part of my hobby."

"Hobby? When did humans become an object?" Gayin questioned.

"Tone down your voice, necromancer," the demon lord glared, unsatisfied with Gavin's tone. "I do not care about human hobbies."

"Right, hobbies are different for humans and demons," Gayin reminded himself, feeling his agitation subside.

For demons, hobbies are more than just ways to pass the time—they express their unique interests and desires. Instead of mundane activities, demons pursue hobbies that bring excitement and fulfillment to their underworld existence.

Some demons may be avid collectors of curious trinkets and oddities, scouring the realms for rare artifacts and treasures to add to their collections. Others might delight in the art of mischief-making, joyfully playing pranks and practical jokes on unsuspecting underworld denizens.

Additionally, many demons are passionate about honing their skills in various crafts and trades, whether crafting intricate sculptures from molten lava or perfecting potion-making using exotic ingredients found only in the depths of the underworld.

Ultimately, demons' hobbies are creative outlets for their boundless imaginations and adventurous spirits, adding colour and excitement to their lives in the shadowy realms they call home.

"Then how did the child become a hobby?" Gavin asked in a severe tone.

"I desire knowledge, human. That is my hobby, and part of that hobby is acquiring more things of my interest," the demon lord declared, his voice tinged with amusement. "My interests just so happen to include the human child who managed to sneak through the underworld alive and full of radiant light. It makes me wonder... how long it will survive. What will it do? Why is it so different from other humans?"

There was a hint of amusement in the demon lord's tone, something rare that Gayin hadn't heard since their days on the battlefield ages ago. Familiar with the demon lord's expression, he knows there's no convincing him to give up on the child until he satisfies his desire.

Gayin could only sigh. "Although I am glad you've revived your hobby, I am still conflicted about it being a human child. How did this even happen?" Gayin inquired, puzzled by the unusual turn of events.

"The little human came to the underworld without my notice. I was ready to send it to the afterlife, as returning to the mortal realm is only a waste of time, but it piqued my interest. They show no fear, not much negativity, like a blank canvas so pure and innocent."

It is indeed rare to encounter a child devoid of fear, especially within the dangerous confines of the underworld. Even with strong protective magic shielding them, the inherent volatility of human emotion constantly threatens the stability of any magical barrier. Human emotions, particularly fear, possess a potent energy capable of unravelling even the most formidable enchantments. That's why seeing a child navigating the treacherous depths of the underworld with unwavering courage and resilience is remarkable and perplexing. It hints at a stability and inner strength rarely seen in one so young, suggesting there may be more to this child than meets the eye.

"So, what exactly do I need to do?"

Gayin was ready and brave enough to ask, but he wanted to take back his words when he saw the smile painted on the demon lord's lips. But it was too late. His death sentence has been bestowed.

"Be the little human's caretaker."

"Hell no."