How Long to Rescue

"Have you heard? The Black Tower is preparing to purge the Abyss Demons that infiltrated the mortal world."

At the town entrance stood an unnamed little shop. It looked like a leisurely place for afternoon tea, but in truth, it was a venue for exchanging information.

Here, identities and races could be ignored, and anyone could freely chat, ask questions, and answer them.

More secretive or valuable intelligence could also be sold, though its authenticity had to be verified personally.

"Whoosh..."

A horned Demon pinched an enamel teacup between two thick fingers and drained the black tea in a single hurried gulp.

Shaking his head, he said, "Not too sure! Who knows what fit of madness those Black Tower wizards have suddenly gotten into?"

Beside him, a Demon who looked human, pale-faced and with a cluster of bat wings growing from his back, was equally puzzled.

His eyes full of confusion, he said, "The Abyss isn't the only one infiltrating the Prime Material Plane. Besides, we Abyss folk have always kept the lowest profile and never leaked even a trace of our aura. By rights, this shouldn't be happening, should it?"

"Also, the price of Quasits has suddenly fallen badly lately. Does anyone know the exact reason?"

A First-Ring Bigmouth Demon, round as a ball, with a huge maw of tightly packed teeth and a pair of ram horns atop its head, spoke up.

"I want to know that too. Could it be because they breed too quickly? Everyone knows Quasits are the fastest-breeding race among Demons."

In the corner, a man entirely shrouded in a black robe, his race indiscernible, nodded in agreement.

"No! How many could breeding possibly add? I know the reason."

An Ice Demon shook his head and began explaining to everyone.

"Apparently, it was because