The Magic Box Opens! A Cenobite Squad

Warm light wrapped around deep shadows, setting the tone of the bar.

A dark wooden counter directly opposite the entrance dominated the room. Partly screened leather booths lined either side, with strings of tiny lights wound around their backs.

Li Dan picked a seat by the window and ordered a drink.

Something sweet and sour.

He did not like beer or strong liquor.

Those drinks were good for getting drunk and numbing himself, not for a quiet night.

And this bar was quiet. No one was causing trouble.

Maybe that was because Pete was here.

Only that old rascal could send a crowd of underlings to search for the Magic Box while he drank here with his three best buddies.

Li Dan sat alone with his drink. Given his looks, someone was bound to come over and flirt.

Men and women alike got lonely late at night.

That stopped when Pete spotted Li Dan and came over to offer him a drink.

They stayed until dawn.

Three days later.

Li Dan's patience was running out. If this went on, he would head to Elm Street first.

For all he knew, the Magic Box had already been taken somewhere else. The Hermit might even have hidden it.

Another two days passed.

The Holy See finally sent over all its records.

It had taken longer than Li Dan expected, but once he read them, he understood why.

Asmodeus was described as one of the seven great kings of Hell, representing lust.

Li Dan thought it was a joke when he read the first page.

A king of Hell representing lust was this weak?

Then he read on... Oh. This was only one of his avatars.

Asmodeus had first made a pact with a woman named Lois. Through it, she gained wealth and