Chapter 2 – A Conversation with the Devil

When Lucifer brought me to Hell, I opened my eyes and looked around in shock. In panic, I kicked at him, but Lucifer stopped me instantly. When he revealed his true self, before me stood a figure in a pitch-black suit, with jet-black hair, skin as white as snow, a black crown upon his head adorned with a white star.

I picked up a stone from the ground, clutching it tightly in my hand, then studied his appearance carefully. But the fear inside me grew stronger, and I slowly stepped back.

“What… what are you? Are you, in some way… the Devil? The one everyone fears, the one everyone hates? Is that who you are?”

Lucifer rose to his feet. He bowed his head slightly, a mocking smile curling across his lips. His eyes glimmered with a devilish light, both cold and warm at the same time. With a velvet-sharp, mocking voice, he whispered:

“‘Feared and hated’… oh, how wonderful! I love how you’ve reduced me to something so simple, darling. I really do… Rachel.”

I froze in shock.
“H-how do you… know my name? You’re… you’re not the Devil, are you?” I stammered, turning my gaze away in embarrassment.

Lucifer’s eyes traveled from mine, sliding down from my chest to my legs.

“You’re… you’re not staring at my chest, are you? You pervert!” I snapped, pouting like a tsundere.

Lucifer burst into laughter. In a calm, deep voice, icy yet relaxed, he spoke:
“Oh Rachel… your shyness is so sweet. But if we got to know each other more closely, who could possibly say no to such an adventure?”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to keep my distance.
“Ihh, no! You’re disgusting. First of all, I don’t even know you. Second, you’re a psychopath. And third… I would never sleep with the Devil!”

Lucifer placed his hands over his heart, pretending to be hurt in a dramatic way. He spread his arms wide, his threatening charisma filling the scene. His eyes gleamed like those of a hunter, trying to corner me.

“Oh, my heart aches, princess… and here I thought you’d unleash the dark desires you’ve been suppressing. Do you have any idea how desirable you are? Your scent… it reaches me even here. And of course, a hunter always wants to devour its prey…”

I backed away, my eyes questioning him.
“What are you trying to say?”

Lucifer bent forward with a devilish grin. His voice was smooth as silk, yet deep and mysterious:
“For every creature in Hell, and especially for its King… you are nothing but a sweet meal, little rebel.”

I stared in shock. All around me, Hell boiled with lava and flames. Creatures passed by, magma erupted. My mouth fell open. Am I truly the prey of the King of Hell? To break the tension, I let out a nervous laugh.
“I don’t believe you. This is just another one of your games…”

Lucifer lowered his head, drawing closer. Time itself seemed to slow, space dissolved around us. His whisper brushed against my ears:
“Are you sure it’s a game, darling? If you want, we can find out together. Tell me, why do you always contradict yourself? Or… is it because you’re hiding something?”

He winked. I rolled my eyes and retreated into silence.

Lucifer’s lips curled with a mocking smile:
“Oh, wonderful. Now you use silence, hm? But even in silence I can feel your emotions, Rachel. Even in silence, I can speak with you. You can’t escape the game.”

I looked at him sorrowfully. With a soft, fragile voice I asked:
“Why are you so manipulative and narcissistic? Don’t you care about people at all? Is your only goal to toy with them?”

Lucifer sighed deeply. His voice came out calm, cold, like ice echoing in the air:
“Because I am the King of Hell, darling. I am no angel. My job is to manipulate humans, to play with them. I drag out the dark desires they try to bury. Humans wear masks, carry fake smiles. By manipulating them, I make them suffer—and in suffering, they learn just how dark the world really is. You humans live like a herd… fake, hypocritical, pitiful. But you… you’re different. You are like me. Rebellious, defiant, cast out by society… yet you shine with a mesmerizing balance between light and darkness. That’s why you don’t escape my gaze.”

Lucifer’s devilish grin drew closer. His words made me blush. I turned my head away, but whispered in a teasing tone:
“Wow… the Devil is empathizing with me. Maybe I was just born in the wrong place.”

Lucifer nodded, striking a dramatic pose, arms wide open:
“Exactly, darling. The world is not a place for you. Mississippi, Turkey, Greece—it doesn’t matter. People will never understand you. Your father, your mother, your sister… they judge you by your appearance alone. But me? I’ve seen your essence. In just a few minutes, I’ve come to know you better than your family ever did. Because you are of my blood. My daughter. My family. Your true family… is me.”

His voice grew heavier, his gaze a dangerous invitation:
“The world will consume you. But I will give you love forged in darkness—love that will make you free, that will fill your emptiness, that will heal your soul. Are you ready to build your own game? To become the Queen of Hell? To crown yourself from ashes?”

Lucifer extended his hand. His eyes glowed with a devilish light. I couldn’t resist his allure. In shock, I saw the reflection of light and darkness in my eyes. At last, I took his hand.

And in that instant… Hell exploded.

– To Be Continued –