Self-Summon [Demon Summoning/Evolution LitRPG]

“I’m interested in joining because I want somewhere I can belong!” Gawk went first, spouting his eager answer. “I’m still figuring myself out, and I’m not yet committed to going down a certain path. My Worth is still unsure and growing. Right now, I’m just me. So I’m looking for a place where that’s enough, but at the same time, they appreciate that and still expect things from me all the same. Because I’m going to give it my all regardless. I’m ready to start contributing to the cause, and joining a Cult like Zebub is the best way to do so!”

Both Ba Skin and Crectal nodded along with that answer, content and expectant, as if Gawk had been interviewing for a job. Gelic on the other hand had absolutely no intent of dishing up platitudes or lip service. So she chose to be more blunt.

“I’m here for the Growth Points. That’s what I care about. And to support my friend. I have no real interest in joining a Cult, but he does. So if the only way for him to join is for me to join as well, then I’ll at least learn about it and maybe give it a shot. But I’ll state it plainly. My priorities are myself and my master. I don’t care about growing in such an organization. If this is not a beneficial arrangement, then I’m out.”

“Pfah, insolent Puck!” Crectal croaked. “Where’s your Pride?! Bringing glory to your Cult is the most worthy thing a Demon can ask for, just shy of serving the Demon Lord directly! Ba, we have no use for her. Send her away!”

“No…” Ba Skin’s stern face lit up a little, glancing at Gelic with a lot more interest now. “I actually quite liked that answer, both of them. Gawk’s was fairly typical, expected of a fresh-faced recruit trying to make something of themself. And Gelic’s is more practical, weighing the pros and cons. A good Legion needs both to thrive. Those willing to do anything for the greater good, and those who will take more measured steps. Too much of one, and it’ll fall apart. What we don’t need are those in the middle, who lack ambition and are just looking for coattails to ride. Like a certain snitch I know.” Crectal ribbited again in protest, but ultimately kept her mouth shut.

“We can go over the specifics in more detail in my office.” The Daemon gestured to the room he came out of. Once the Pucks entered, he turned to his second-in-command and mostly closed the door behind himself. “Sorry, not enough seats in here. Why don’t you make yourself useful for once and man the lobby in case anyone else arrives?” He then slammed the door in Crectal’s face. She apparently had no intention of obeying, and hopped up on a table in the lobby, so her third eye could keep spying on their conversation.

Ba Skin ignored that, seeming happy to have a moment of peace for once. “Believe it or not, she’s actually one of the more competent snitches from my understanding.” He went and leaned against the marbled stone desk, not even using the seat behind it that he’d deprived the Ghoul of. “But without her here, we can speak more plainly, and don’t have to profess like Morgo Gorgo is the greatest Archdemon to ever live.

“In appreciation for your candor, Gelic, I too will speak without reservation. The Zebub Cult is nothing special. It’s not terrible. I’s not great. It’s just sort of there, lingering right outside the zeitgeist of Hell society. Morgo has grand aspirations that will likely eventually lead to his ultimate demise. I’m sure he’s reading my mouth, but I don’t care. I said it to him plainly when we first met. He doesn’t need me to betray him, because I strongly believe that he will be his own downfall.

“If he does manage to grow the Cult and make it a hovelhold name, then great, but it doesn’t really concern us. It’s my job to solidify this Legion as much as possible before that happens, so we can weather the storm no matter which way it blows. As the newest Legion, I’ve been doing my best to bolster our ranks. We’ve gotten a decent number, mostly Gremlins, one other Ghoul, two Hellions, but sadly, no other Daemons besides myself. Which is fine, I suppose. It’s generally considered best for the Heir to maintain the highest rank. Limits the chance of a mutiny.

“Unfortunately, my well of allotted Growth Points to serve as a new-member incentive is running dry. So we can only get a few more recruits until our next stipend from our dear leader. That’s not on a fixed schedule either. Merit and accomplishment are also a factor. Meaning there’s no telling how many or when. I say all this so that you understand what it means for me to give the two of you, two Pucks, almost all that remains because of the companion bonus. But those are the terms, and I will hold to them, assuming, as you said, that the arrangement is beneficial for you. And I can see the value that the two of you would bring.

“To continue in my frankness, Gawk, you’re worthless as you are.”

Gelic wanted to jump at that, to defend her friend’s honor, but she was disarmed by the Daemon suddenly smirking at her.

“But your friend’s response shows that you have value. Your real Worth doesn’t come from your stats and Skills. It’s from the ability to forge a connection that would stand beside you, a truly rare trait. That said, until you’re up to par, you will only be a burden. If you didn’t share that connection with Morgo, and didn’t have a committed friend, I wouldn’t have spared you a second thought. However, if you are willing to put in the work, I would be open to helping you develop yourself, do my best to set you down the right path.

“And you, Gelic, are the complete opposite. I get the feeling that you’ve chosen your path already and have committed to it. And that no way anyone tries to push you will get you to waver. Am I right?”

“Art Demon,” she muttered, but then repeated again with a bit more gusto. “I’m going to be an art Demon!”

“Ha, I have no idea what the Hell that means.” He shook his head, with a few fingers resting against his temple, as if he was exasperated beyond belief, but still let out a snicker. “Definitely not what I would have expected for someone aligned so deeply with Pestilence, and yet, I believe you. Unlike Gawk, I have a lot less reservation about recruiting you, assuming what your friend has said is true. Do you really already know Transfiguration?”

Gelic figured that showing was easier than convincing, so she briefly turned into a random human. Who was she? Angelica honestly had no idea. That wasn’t important. She didn’t think about it and just let the Skill fill in the details. All she knew was that she wasn’t herself, and that fake human vanished a second later, never to exist again.

“Quite impressive indeed.” Ba Skin nodded. “Then I have no reason to doubt the other details that Gawk mentioned. I am willing to move forward with the recruitment if you are. So let me explain the details of how the Ba Legion works. We do not operate like most other Cults, or even Legions within Zebub. They demand loyalty, try to chain you with Pride and other Sins, make you feel that if you’re not committed to them and their goals, that your Worth means nothing.

“I have no need for such manipulative tactics, and like to keep things as transactional as possible. You help me out with something, I pay you. I help you with something, you pay me, usually in favors or additional work rather than Essence. Even amongst you as the rank and file, I would expect such equivalent exchange. If someone isn’t pulling their weight, they will not be rewarded.

“I try to levy Pacts as much as possible. Sadly, as the only Daemon, I’m the only one who can make them. Ferrul probably received a lot of heat when they raised the requirement up from Gremlin, but I can understand why. I was a Hellion at the time, and watching them make Pacts for the stupidest things just for their own amusement was hard to bear, especially as their inferior. So I do my best to ensure they are used properly, and am willing to take on that burden. As a demonstration of that, I will make one with the both of you know. Here.”

[Pact Received | Terms: Ba Skin will tell no lies regarding the recruitment for the Ba Legion and the Zebub Cult | Length: 1 Day | Punishment: 1 GP to Each Stakeholder | Subjected: Ba Skin | Stakeholders: Gawk, Gelic]

“With that, if I tell you a lie during this discussion, you’ll both immediately receive a Growth Point, so hopefully, you can trust what we discuss. With that, ask away. I’m sure you have many questions.”

Gawk jumped in first, quick on the draw. “I have no questions!”

“Well, I have some,” Gelic followed up. “How much time would we be forced to dedicate to Cult activities?”

“Hmm, I was about to say none, but I realize that would be a lie. There are no day-to-day duties or requirements. However, if we make a transactional exchange, you will be expected to uphold your end of the bargain within the established or otherwise reasonable timeframe. It’s sort of like Summoner Contracts but without the nastiness of Order Obligation. You can participate as much or as little as you like. There are two exceptions I can currently think of.

“When the next tournament comes around—estimated to be sometime in the relatively near future based on rumblings—if you’re asked by the Cult to participate on our roster, it would be best that you oblige. I, as your Legion Heir, would not force you, but it would not be a good look for either of us. And the second, if we offer you a lead on a Summoner or Sect that we believe would be a good fit, and you take the lead, then you’re expected to accept the summons when the call comes. Otherwise, that’s a wasted opportunity we could have given to another.”

“Huh, Summoner leads?” What the heck was he talking about? “Like, you find Summoners to pair us up with?”

“But of course.” The Daemon looked a bit confused by that but then remembered, “Right, Gawk mentioned you’ve spent most of your time in the human world and have been Bound since birth. That is one of the main benefits of joining a Cult. We form working relationships with Summoners and Sects. If they’re good, and we want to keep working with them, we’ll send them Demons that fill their needs. It’s a lot safer for everyone involved.

“That said, since Zebub specializes in subterfuge and the like, we have a lot of partnerships with those of a similar nature. Some I’m definitively not a fan of, so I’ve been working on building the Ba Legion’s brand as a separate entity on the side. Preferably, we’ll only work with Summoners who will accept Pacts regarding Bound limits. But if it’s a good match, then I also won't stop a Demon from becoming a permanent Bound like you seem to be.

“Ah, but you probably don’t know this part then either. Summoner leads come with a tax since we’re doing the discovery work for you. Fifteen percent of any Essence you gain working with that Summoner. Five goes to the Cult as a whole, ten goes to the Legion. But if you find your masters yourself, then we don’t take anything unlike most other Cults. That’s an example of keeping our transactions fair.”

It didn’t actually sound too bad, and apparently no lies detected yet. So Gelic posed a not-really hypothetical. “What you’re saying is I could join the Cult to help Gawk, get the Growth Points, and then never be involved with it ever again?”

“Yes, if that’s what you wanted.”

“Yeah, even with the Pact, that’s hard to believe.” Something stunk, and it wasn’t Crectal. No, there was definitely some of her swampiness lingering in the room, but that was besides the point. “What would you all get out of it? Seems like throwing away Growth Points to me.”

“Just like any investment, it’s a gamble,” Ba grinned. “You say you have no interest in this, but you have other interests I’m sure. Such as… you want to be an art Demon—still don’t know what that means—but you do. So I would just need to learn that for myself. What if I found you a Summoner who was also an artist and needed an assistant. What if I could pay you for other work in a Rune that would increase your own art abilities. How about then?”

“Mngngn,” she grumbled, not forming anything coherent. Devilishly handsome looks while also being a good listener and smooth talker. This Demon was dangerous indeed. But if he could really be the gateway to such things, maybe the idea of joining a Cult wasn’t so bad. She was starting to understand the idea. At least for this Legion, it wasn’t about amassing power and followers. It was more like a community with a shared goal and mutual benefit, kind of like a guild in some fantasy stories she’d read.

“I suppose I would be open to such things,” Gelic admitted. “But what if I don’t like it and want out. Am I allowed to quit?”

“Yes, at any time, for any reason,” he assured her. “But know that you would be on the hook for those recruitment Growth Points according to the terms. Simply, you must pay it back in full, minus one GP per year of your record. So if you stay with us for three years and then quit, you’ll need to pay back seven. If you cannot pay them immediately, your next seven GP earned would be transferred to us automatically.

“If we are the ones who terminate your membership, then depending on the reason, we may pursue repayment or other forms of remuneration. And if you are uncooperative, we may take the matter to court.”

Eh, court? Demons had court? Actually, with their love of bureaucracy, Pacts, and Contracts, yeah, made total sense. Surprise retracted.

“I will send you both the onboarding Pact here shortly so that you can read through the whole thing ahead of time before agreeing. It is quite wordy, so please pay attention to all the details. But none of it matters if you don’t pass the trial. I’ve never had to scale back the trial to accommodate for Pucks before, so coming up with ideas hasn’t been easy. And the one I have in mind actually has a time limit by when it needs to be started, which is up soon, or else we will need to wait for another day for me to come up with a new idea. So, are you ready to dive into it?”

Spoiler

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