Following that one-sided crushing defeat in the doll factory, the news spread like wildfire across the entire Pride Ring.
No one had expected it.
The Radio Demon, Alastor—the one who had swept through Hell in just a few short years, slaughtered several Overlords, and stood at the height of his fame—had actually fled from the territory of Spade, the Clown Demon, covered in wounds and looking utterly pathetic.
Even his most iconic radio cane had been snapped into several pieces.
The news passed from mouth to mouth, spreading to a thousand more.
In less than three days, every demon in the Pride Ring knew—the rising hegemon, the Radio Demon, had been sent running for his life by the clown Overlord of the toy factory.
Overnight, Spade’s reputation exploded.
Countless demons fought tooth and nail to order his “toys,” and even more Sinners sought to join him or swear fealty, desperate to attach themselves to this top-tier powerhouse who had hidden his strength so well.
But Spade rejected them all, one by one.
He sat in his dim office, the metallic talons of Prototype 1006 tapping impatiently against the desk with a rhythmic *clink, clink, clink*.
[How annoying…] [I just beat a barking mad dog.
Is all this fuss really necessary?] [I just want to stay quietly in my factory, counting money and handling production.
I don’t want to be some gang leader, and I definitely don’t want to deal with a bunch of nonsense every day.] [That Alastor fellow really brought a heap of trouble to my doorstep for nothing.] Spade curled his lip, his clownish features looking exceptionally lazy and disgusted.
He had no interest in power, and even less in expanding his territory.
He only loved his factory, his toy assembly lines, his steady income of Soul Coins, and…
occasionally teasing those who didn’t know their place.
Meanwhile, the old-guard Overlords of the Pride Ring had also received the news.
**Zestial’s Territory** The ancient garden was quiet and elegant.
Zestial was leisurely holding a teacup, admiring the dark flora unique to Hell.
A servant stepped forward quickly and reported in a low voice the news of the Radio Demon’s crushing defeat at the hands of the clown Overlord.
The moment he heard the report, the oldest Overlord, who had lived for centuries, snapped his cold, slit-pupiled eyes open in sheer surprise.
A moment later, he shook his head slightly and let out a low chuckle.
“My, my…
it seems my old friend has given that young Radio Demon quite the harsh lesson.” “That fellow Spade remains as inscrutable as ever.” **Carmilla’s Territory** Inside her office, Carmilla Carmine was processing territorial affairs with a grim expression, her aura cold and majestic.
Her two daughters, Odette and Clara, suddenly burst through the door, their voices thick with excitement.
“Mother!
Mother!
Have you heard?” “The Radio Demon, the one who rose up just a few years ago—he was beaten into a pathetic retreat by Uncle Spade!” Carmilla’s hand, holding a quill, froze.
She knew Alastor all too well.
The moment he landed in Hell, he began a killing spree, slaughtering weak Overlords until not even a servant was left alive.
Afterward, he would boast of his achievements over the radio with insufferable arrogance.
For such a vainglorious fellow to be thoroughly handled by her old friend, Spade…
Carmilla remained silent for a moment, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but turn up into a rare smile.
“Spade, oh Spade…
you really have given me quite the surprise.” **Cannibal Town · Rosie’s Emporium** Rosie was elegantly attending to the passing cannibal customers, the shop bustling with life.
The next second, the door was thrown open.
Alastor stumbled inside.
Not a single part of him was unscathed; his formal attire was in tatters, covered in claw marks and impact wounds.
That iconic radio cane was already twisted and shattered.
The smile on Rosie’s face vanished instantly.
She immediately rushed forward to support the nearly collapsing Alastor, helping him into a chair.
She then used her power to treat his wounds, her tone a mix of anger and helplessness.
“Where did you go looking for trouble this time?” “Seeing you in such a sorry state, I don’t even have to guess—you must have offended some serious powerhouse, didn’t you?” Alastor forced his elegant, fake smile, acting nonchalant as he downplayed the situation.
“It was nothing major…
I simply heard that the clown Overlord possessed impressive strength and went to engage in a little spar.” Rosie’s pitch-black eyes stared straight at him, her voice sharpening with reproach.
“A spar?
You actually went to provoke Spade?” “Do you have any idea that his factory is the lifeblood of our entire Cannibal Town?” Aside from producing hunting toys, Spade’s doll factory also manufactured a massive amount of demonic canned goods.
For the cannibals, it was the most popular and stable food source.
The flavors were varied and strange, making every can as exciting as a blind box—some were stinky yet fragrant, others tender and juicy.
Nearly the entire town of cannibals depended on them.
Because of this, Rosie knew better than anyone exactly how terrifying Spade was.
“That man is not someone you can just provoke whenever you feel like it.” “You should consider yourself lucky to have come back alive this time.” For the first time, the smile on Alastor’s face became too stiff to maintain.
**Back at Spade’s Doll Factory** In the office, Spade leaned back in his chair.
Listening to the various discussions from the outside world being broadcast across his territory, his clownish grin widened further and further.
He toyed with a metal component between his fingertips, his mechanical claw giving it a soft squeeze.
[Heh, Alastor.] [Did you think a little radio noise would let you walk all over the Pride Ring?] [Did you really think this ten-thousand-year-old monster was just a decoration?] [My toys aren’t meant for a brat like you to test your strength on.] [If you dare barge in again…
it won’t be as simple as just running away.] The cold mechanical voice echoed softly in the quiet factory.
Meanwhile, the clown-like Prototype 1006 simply closed his eyes lazily, continuing to enjoy his undisturbed peace.
As for the tremors, worship, fear, and gossip of the outside world?
He didn’t care in the slightest.
All he wanted was to quietly watch over his factory, count his money, produce his goods, and enjoy the show.
If anyone else came to disturb his leisure…
Then they could just become part of the toys.