These Demons Do it for Free

“But,”

Just as Valen finished his brief introduction, he continued speaking without pause.

“The Cult of Destruction is an exception.”

That was unexpected.

“Why’s that?”

“They’re unsustainable.”

Abyss worshippers don’t all gather with the same purpose or intention. Compared to the explorer organizations rooted in the city, they’re more like a loosely formed pile of sand. While there are exceptions, explorers generally share camaraderie, common goals, and a sense of belonging—none of which Abyss worshippers possess.

Their bonds are based on two things only:

Reverence for the Abyss. And personal gain.

They group together reluctantly, out of necessity, to avoid being excluded by explorers, but they’re ultimately in it for themselves. Abyss worshippers might appear united on the surface, but beneath that veneer, they’re just coexisting.

Yet, even among Abyss worshippers, there are groups as cohesive as explorer organizations.

Those who follow a single, clear ideology.

“The Cult of Destruction stands at the extreme end of that spectrum.”

They’re maniacs, hell-bent on world annihilation.

Their madness surpasses that of other Abyss worshippers.

The cult, united under a shared ideology and doctrine, is more powerful than any other Abyss-worshipping group and dedicated to realizing its own twisted vision.

“Money’s good. Money and information—together, those are enough to control the world, even if you’re a bit short on power. But what’s the point if the world itself burns down and vanishes?”

“Is the Cult of Destruction truly that powerful?”

“You’ve encountered them yourself, haven’t you?”

He knows about that?

‘Well, if he has a source in the Alliance, that wouldn’t be hard to find out.’