Chapter 1416 – A Friend You Can Rely On

When it comes to the obsessions that form the centre of a Demon’s identity, many fail to realise just how broad the scope of what can form this obsession really is.

This is most likely due to the prevalence of certain obsessions, especially those that tend to form around the fifth and sixth tiers. Wrath, Pride, Greed and so on, the fundamental building blocks of almost all demonic obsessions, are practically synonymous with the denizens of the third stratum.

However, these are not the only possibilities. Firstly, it is important to note that as a Demon type monster evolves further, its obsession can, and often does, grow more complex, gain nuance that it didn’t possess before. Demons who seek knowledge may now hunt only for particular fields of information, or chase specific sources. Demons who obsess over slaughter may now demand certain types of prey, or specific methods of killing.

Secondly, one must consider the paths less travelled: obsessions that simply do not pop up as often. In my studies, I have encountered reliable cases of demons with truly rare and often bemusing obsessions. These include:

Gardening.

Words starting with the letter ‘Z’.

The scent of fried food.

Red and Orange.

Carpets.

Poems by Margrave De’Champaugnee (of which only three exist).

– Excerpt from ‘On Demons’ by Magio Scholar Liruen

Not for the first time, Invidia considered what it meant to be a true friend. In fact, this was something he thought of often. To be even more precise, it could be said that this was something he pondered almost constantly.

To put it directly: he was obsessed with the idea.

Not only did he want to know the answer to this question, he wanted to be the answer to this question. Every moment of every hour, his prodigious mind was turned to this purpose, and he felt that, even so soon after his evolution and the subsequent shift in his obsession, he was starting to get a few solid ideas.

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Firstly, a friend was loyal.

Tiny turned and gave Invidia a thumbs up, and the little demon returned the gesture with his own, stick-thin digits. Another wave of attackers had been successfully dispatched, and there had been only minimal damage done to the safe-zone.