DEMON SUPREME

"I'm sorry for my family's behavior," Lily said finally, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared out of the car window.

Das kept his hands steady on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You don't need to apologize," he replied, his tone calm yet distant. "I knew what I was signing up for when I agreed to this… arrangement."

"But it's not fair," Lily insisted, turning to look at him, her brows furrowed. "They have no right to judge you. You've done nothing to deserve this treatment."

Das let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "Fairness doesn't really factor into this kind of deal, does it? Your family is just being themselves. Besides, it's not like I expected a red carpet welcome."

Lily sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Still, it bothers me. For what it's worth, I don't care whether you work or not. Just… live your life the way you want."

Das glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "And do what? Sit around the house all day? Your mom would have my head by the second hour. I need something to keep me occupied, Lily. Otherwise, I'll lose my mind."

"Well, then make sure it's something you want," she said firmly. "Don't let them push you into some dead-end job just to satisfy their egos."

Das sighed, his tone softening. "Don't worry about me. I've been through worse. I'll figure something out, eventually."

They drove in silence for a while, the hum of the car filling the space between them.

-

Back at the Frost family Residence…

At the Frost family mansion, Lily's sister Soya was hunched over the dining table, a pile of newspapers spread out before her. With a pencil in hand, she circled job listings with determined precision.

Ruby, lounging on the nearby couch with a plate of tiffin, glanced at her daughter with a smirk. "Why are you wasting your time?" she drawled, flipping the TV channels lazily. "Das will never amount to anything, no matter how many jobs you find for him."

Soya didn't even look up. "Mother, why don't you mind your own business for once?"

Ruby shrugged, taking a bite of her dosa. "Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when this little charade falls apart."

Soya's grip on the pencil tightened, but she kept her focus on the papers, her resolve hardening. "Everyone has a hidden talent. Once Brother-in-law Das finds what he is good at, he will also earn a 5 digit salary." she muttered under her breath.

Ruby only smirked like she heard a dirty joke.

-

At the Frost Family Textile Factory…

As they pulled up to the factory gates, Lily glanced at Das. "Don't go home just yet," she said with a small smile. "My mom will probably be in one of her moods again. You don't need that stress. Take some time, explore the city or something."

Das returned the smile, his expression softening. "Thanks for the heads-up," he said, waving as she got out of the car.

Lily waved back before disappearing into the sprawling textile factory grounds, her figure quickly swallowed by the bustling activity inside.

Das decided to take Lily's advice and headed to a nearby supermarket to pick up some essentials. Parking his old Ambassador car in the crowded lot, he stepped inside.

He was inspecting a row of shampoos when he felt someone's presence beside him. Turning, he saw a man in a crisp black suit, flanked by two bodyguards. The man extended a sleek black card and a brand-new iPhone toward him, placing them in his hands without a word.

Das frowned, confused. "What's this for—"

But the man had already walked away, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.

The phone in Das's hand buzzed, and the screen lit up with an incoming call. The caller ID displayed a familiar name and face—Arya.

Das hesitated, then swiped to answer. "Hello?"

There was a moment of silence before Arya's soft, measured voice came through. "Father told me everything. That black card has unlimited funds for you. Use it for whatever you need. If there's anything else, just ask me."

Das sighed, his grip on the phone tightening. "Thank you," he said, the words heavy with unspoken emotions.

"You don't need to thank me," Arya replied, her voice betraying a hint of sadness. "I know you didn't choose this for fun. I just want to make things easier for you." 

There is a hidden minor sadness in Arya's tone. If things went well, she and Das might be living a peaceful couple life. But reality separated them apart like two different poles.

After a long pause, Das finally spoke. "There's one thing I need your help with. Gather information about hidden cultivation sects—everything you can find. But don't take any action without consulting me first. Understood?"

Arya's voice grew firm. "Understood."

Das hesitated again, then added, "About my marriage…"

"You don't need to explain," Arya interrupted, her voice trembling slightly. "I know you wouldn't have agreed to this unless it was absolutely necessary. I trust you… I just… I envy her, that's all."

Her words struck a chord, and for a moment, Das didn't know how to respond. "Arya…"

"Goodbye," she said softly, ending the call before he could say more.

Das stood there for a moment, staring at the phone. With a heavy sigh, he pocketed it and continued shopping.

After buying a bag full of daily necessities Das paid the bill with cash in his purse. 

As Das exited the supermarket with a bag full of groceries, a loud screech of tires snapped him out of his thoughts. A bright red sports car came barreling toward him, stopping just inches from his legs.

Das skilfully skidded to the side, the groceries swinging wildly in his hand. He turned gracefully, only to find himself beside the driver's window.

The window rolled down, revealing a young woman—her sunglasses perched arrogantly on her nose, her outfit a picture of wealth and excess. "Are you blind?" she snapped, glaring at him. "If you want to die, pick a better place than in front of my car!"

Das straightened, brushing dust off his shirt. "Short lady," he said, his voice calm but dripping with mockery, "you might want to go back to driving school. Or better yet, learn how to park in an open lot before you kill someone."

The woman's jaw dropped. "Excuse me? Do you have any idea who I am?"

"No," Das replied smoothly, "but I can tell you what you are—a hazard. Now, move your toy car before someone gets hurt."

He turned and walked toward his Ambassador, leaving her fuming.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" she yelled, leaning on the horn.

Das didn't even glance back. Instead, he loaded his groceries into the trunk, moving with deliberate calm.

The woman's face turned red with fury as she got out of her car, her heels clicking angrily against the pavement. But as she approached, her gaze fell on the tattoo on Das's wrist—a mark of the criminal zone.

Her steps faltered, and the color drained from her face. Without another word, she retreated to her car, slamming the door shut.

After taking one last look at her, Das left the store. 

-

/// For Bonus-Chapters, vote power-stones and golden-ticket.///