Red Butterflies flew out of the mist, and the swarm gathered again beside the bonfire that illuminated the Black Mist. Shade stepped out from the illusion of butterflies.
But the anticipation had vanished from his face. The small camp of the witch Miss Higgins and Old Mrs. Miles was still beside the bonfire, and the boy's soul, frozen in midair, remained where it had been. Yet the witch and the elderly woman were nowhere to be seen.
"What happened?"
He searched carefully and found a note pinned beneath a stone beside the bonfire. It was likely a message from Miss Higgins, informing Shade that they had gone to purchase something important. If Shade arrived, he did not need to look for them.
"But I only have fifty minutes."
Thinking this, he turned to the bonfire and said:
"Come out. I know you're watching me."
The quietly burning bonfire abruptly surged over ten meters high. Countless coins of all kinds flew out of the flames, clattering as they formed the Demon Face within the fire. Strange flames writhed through the gaps between the coins, and when the face opened its mouth, Shade smelled sulfur and even felt the heat licking at his eyebrows.
"Invited guest, you have finally returned." (Demon Language)
Firelight rippled across the surfaces of the coins. Though it was indeed shaped like a human face, it looked even more disgusting than those inhuman creatures. Compared to the demon before him, Shade still preferred demons like Stone Mirror Demon-Goth, who appeared in genuine human form.
"Where are the witch and that old woman?"
The demon laughed from within the flames.
"Oh, guest, dear guest, this is a place of fair trade. Without coins, do not attempt to obtain any information."
Shade had received one coin when he first came