Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 476: Settling In

A day passed in quiet, relentless motion.

The Dungeon-Born adapted faster than anyone could’ve predicted. What began as confusion and hesitation the day before had transformed into focused determination. The once-tribal survivors had thrown themselves into building their new home within Kaiden’s domain, every one of them finding purpose for the first time in years.

The Combatants trained from dawn until their muscles screamed for mercy, though mercy never came. Taigi led them with fierce energy, her voice cutting through the forest as she barked orders and adjusted their formation.

”Frontline, shields up! Spears forward! You two, fall back and form a second rank! Don’t let the wings of the formation sag, or you’ll get flanked!”

The Dungeon-Born moved with startling coordination, their bodies syncing in rhythm. The weapons they wielded, gleaming steel blades, spears, shields, and, of course, bows for the ex-hunters, were gifts from Kaiden’s team, bought straight from the Awakened Marketplace.

Though untrained, the Combatants swung their weapons with raw hunger.

Their bodies were already changing, becoming stronger, faster, more durable. The beginnings of their Dungeon-gifted classes were taking hold.

However, Kaiden noticed that their progression system was different than that of the normal awakened, which made sense, after all, not only were they no longer normal humans but also part of a dungeon, governed by the Dungeon Core.

They had long surpassed the boundaries of their previous vessels, ready to become something much, much greater.

Taigi watched her warriors with arms crossed and satisfaction hidden behind her face. For once, she didn’t feel small. She didn’t feel used. She was building something, together with the people she grew up with.

And for the first time, others looked to her with respect rather than pity.

Nearby, the Supporters worked with equal vigor. Whole sections of trees were felled after receiving Kaiden’s approval. The trunks became shaped into beams and planks with startling efficiency. Teams coordinated effortlessly; some cutting, others hammering, others using dungeon-grown materials to bind everything in place.

Their productivity bordered on supernatural. Within a single day, outlines of proper homes began to rise, with wooden frames, thatched roofs, and organized streets connecting each build site. While the homes were humble, the natives couldn’t have imagined something better. They were not people of luxury. To them, living so close to nature was the most comfortable home setting.

They were shocked to notice that even so soon after choosing their specialization, it had already amplified their stamina and strength, letting them work longer and harder through the day.

Their new chief had given them a chance, and they were intent on seizing it as the hard-working people that they were.

All of them knew that never again would they receive such a chance. It was now or never.

...

Far from the bustle of the settlement, deep within the Abyssal Cathedral, peace reigned.

The grand blackstone hall pulsed with demonic energy. Candles burned blue in sconces carved into walls shaped like fanged arches. And in the middle of it all, a blonde woman hummed softly as she dusted an obsidian shelf.

Alexandra, Nyx’s best friend.

She used to live with them in the government-given bunker for a short bit, but as they moved, she came with them to the dungeon.

Truth be told, the girl wanted to stay away. Not because she didn’t want to step foot into this place - far from it... She seemed to be very intrigued. The reason for her refusal stemmed from the fact that she didn’t feel worthy, thinking she’d just get on their nerves with her presence, especially because, thanks to Maximilian’s abuse, she still couldn’t interact with Kaiden properly, despite being fully aware that he was a good man.

Merely talking to another man made the woman have a near-anxious breakdown.

But none of them would have it.

Alexandra still couldn’t face her parents after all this, feeling too much shame to look them in the eyes.

So what was she going to do? Live in a hotel?

The girls outright refused to let her book a hotel. After what she’d gone through and done for them, Alexandra deserved everything and more.

Thus... It might not be an overstatement to say that she was dragged.

But after she was forced to realize she was going nowhere, the woman underwent a rapid shift.

She had taken to this new home like she was born for it. In fact, she seemed a little too comfortable.

She’d even ”adjusted” her maid uniform to better suit the dungeon’s abyssal aesthetic. Her once pristine black and white outfit was now a deep onyx trimmed in blood-red lace, hugging her voluptuous figure with dangerous precision. The neckline plunged daringly, a choker with a small black gem resting at her throat. Her golden hair was tied into a perfect high bun, leaving two loose strands framing her soft, teasing smile.

And she dusted the gothic furniture like she was living her best life.

”Hm~ hm~ hm~” she hummed, happy.

Kaiden lounged nearby, surrounded by his lovers, as well as Alice, curled up near.

Vespera departed, but the girl was not dragged away. She would get to stay, at least for a bit.

Their attention, however, wasn’t on Alexandra’s humming, but on the glowing projection inside their minds. The Awakened Media Platform’s broadcast flickered across their inner view.

On the other end stood the face of the President of the United States, solemn and cold as stone.

”People of America,” he began, ”today marks a historic reckoning.”

Behind him, the flag hung limp, the courtroom footage playing alongside his words.

”After investigation and evidence collected from awakened and civilian sources alike, the Supreme Court has found the executives of ChronosX guilty of crimes against the nation and humanity itself.”

The feed was split into five panels, each showing a broken titan of industry being led away in chains.

Maximilian Vice, gaunt and bruised from Kaiden’s beating.

Elise Dupré, limping, eyes hollow, the aftermath of Bastet’s and Calypso’s punishment still etched into her face.

Anton Krieger, expression vacant.

Harold Veyne, sobbing quietly.

Lionel Hawke, defiant but trembling.

”Their crimes include: human trafficking, slavery under Black Contracts, sexual servitude, mass exploitation, and systematic violation of human rights.”

”They have been sentenced to death.”

The footage shifted to the five being marched from the courtroom. Their shackled feet echoed against marble floors. The same men and women who once dictated lives and destinies now faced the justice they’d denied countless others.

”ChronosX as a corporation has been dismantled,” the president continued. ”All assets will be liquidated. The funds will go directly to compensating victims and rebuilding the lives that these monsters in human skin destroyed.”

”Furthermore, a full-scale political purge has begun. Every ally, every enabler, every shadow benefactor of ChronosX, no matter how high their rank, will face scrutiny. No exceptions.”

His gaze hardened.

”This government does not shield the corrupt.”

”This government does not tolerate abusers.”

”And this nation will never again let power excuse the violation of its people.”

The air seemed to vibrate from the raw authority in his tone. He wasn’t a man preaching peace. He was a man declaring war on rot.

”We stand as the last line between order and chaos. Between civilization and ruin. Let this serve as a warning: justice will not stop at the weak. It will reach everyone.”

The broadcast cut off there.

...

For a moment, silence.

Nyx leaned into Kaiden’s shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek. ”Thank you...”

And just as Kaiden turned his head toward her and their lips brushed...

[Ding.]

A metallic chime rang in Kaiden’s mind.

[Main Quest: Space Valkyrie’s Tormentor, Completed!]

[Reward: ...]

...

Author: I wrote these Chapters on a plane where I was crammed into a small space, feeling beyond exhausted and had a crappy stomach to boot. I’m pretty sure today’s Chapters were not up to par, I apologize. This was as good as I could do.

I might take off tomorrow because this 24+ hour trip took a lot out of me.