The situation was critical. Alex stood frozen, bewildered by the absurdity of the demand. He had no idea how to respond.

"Samuel, I think we should call Agent Vick and inform him," Danny suggested.

Samuel nodded and immediately dialed Agent Vick's number. But there was no answer.

Danny scratched his head. "What do we do now?"

Alex watched their faces for clues, hoping to follow their lead, but the boys simply stared at each other in silence. Awkward. He didn't know they were already exchanging their next move telepathically.

"I say we accept the demand," Samuel proposed. "We tried contacting Vick, but he didn't respond. If we proceed, he can't complain. The situation is escalating."

"There are five Class-C demons," Danny reminded him. "Even with our power upgrades, that's dangerous. Based on earlier readings, these five might be on par with the Demon Queen."

"Hell Order, initiate combat simulation. Can we face five Class-C demons head-on?" Samuel asked.

"With Battle Assist Mode activated, success probability: 100%. Banishment of the five will trigger Maya's awakening. Chance of awakening: 100%," Hell Order responded.

"We're going in," Samuel declared.

Danny nodded in agreement.

"Alex, we're moving," Samuel said firmly. "But I need to speak to that guy. Pass me the phone."

Alex hesitated. Was it really the right call to let them proceed? Still, he handed over the phone.

"Grux," Samuel said into the receiver, "We'll enter for the hostage exchange, but I want all four of your companions to step in as well. Don't try anything funny I know exactly where they're hiding."

Grux laughed darkly. "Impressive. You already sensed that? Not bad for mortal Hell Enforcers. It'll be a thrill to face you. They broke out just to hunt you down. Once inside, you two step in, and we'll release the hostages."

The call ended.

"Hell Order," Samuel said quickly, "Identify the demon types."

"Reporting: All five Class-C demons belong to the Mocking Demon Clan, Impersonators. Same classification as Demon Agent Rex. Proceed with caution during hostage recovery. These demons leave mental imprints on human hosts to maintain control. Note: They are significantly stronger than Demon Rex one tier higher."

"Mental imprint?" Danny asked. "Can Himalayan salt erase it?"

"Confirmed. Mental imprint removable via Himalayan Salt Drink," Hell Order replied.

Danny turned to Alex, his voice crisp and commanding. "Find any floral-scented products detergents, air fresheners, or perfume. ASAP. Also, prepare Himalayan Salt Drinks for the hostages. Make sure every one of them drinks it. Even if they resist, insist. They may be infected it's part of that guy's usual M.O."

"What?" Alex asked, confused.

"No time for questions," Samuel cut in. "Please just follow our instructions. The target is allergic to floral scents. We need that edge now. Go."

Just then, two officers burst into the command center.

"Sir! Four men have breached the hostage zone! We couldn't stop them!"

"They're in. We need to move. Find floral-scented products now!" Samuel barked.

A female officer stepped forward, holding out a perfume bottle.

"This is my perfume rose scent. Will it help?"

"Yes," Danny said, grabbing it. He sprayed himself and handed it to Samuel, who did the same.

The female officer looked pained. It was an expensive perfume. Even she rarely used it.

"If possible," Samuel added, "find floral-scented floor cleaner. Pour it around every entrance. Saturate the area."

Everyone stared at the boys awkwardly. They smelled like ladies dressed for a candlelit dinner. But Danny, serious as ever, pocketed the perfume without a word, while the female officer stared at him. The two walked out from the command post toward the hostage zone.

"Let's do this," Danny said, eyes burning.

"For Maya," Samuel replied.

The boys stepped into the hostage zone.

Inside the dim hallway of the tuition center, the air felt heavy like something venomous had soaked into the walls. Four men stood at each corner of the room, silent sentinels. Their eyes gleamed unnaturally. The twenty-five students were seated in rows backs against the wall, knees curled, some sobbing quietly, others shaking uncontrollably.

Fear hung thick.

Grux stood near the whiteboard, arms folded, a jagged grin slicing through his face.

"We're in," Samuel called out. "Now release the kids. That was the deal."

Grux chuckled low.

"Deal? You think demons honor promises? I'll release nothing until I carve your flesh for sport."

He snapped his fingers toward the corner.

Two demons stepped forward mocking grins stretched across rotting faces. In each hand, they held long, rusted chopping knives, blades etched with blood runes.

They approached like butchers.

"On your knees," Grux hissed. "Raise your hands. Do you know how we sever Enforcer power? We slice the channel the wrist that binds you to Hell Order. So raise your cursed hands… and say goodbye."

Samuel glanced at Danny.

Now.

"Hell Order," Samuel whispered, "Activate Battle Assist Mode."

"Order received. Assist Mode engaged."

In perfect synchronization, the boys dropped to one knee appearing to surrender.

They raised their hands.

The demons snarled, blades lifted high.

At the precise moment of the strike, the boys struck first.

The Hell Bracelets pulsed red.

Danny exploded upward, twisting his body mid-motion. His hand flashed with spectral steel; the Hell Sword uncoiled in a single heartbeat. He spun sideways, blade slicing through the air and landing at the throat of the nearest demon not cutting, but holding like a death sentence waiting for permission.

Samuel erupted at the same time, one arm extended, fingers crackling with demonic glyph light. A rune flared under his feet the Binding Circle activated. He grabbed the second demon by the neck, lifted him with supernatural force, and slammed him down into the glowing seal.

Behind Samuel, the Hell Gate opened midair its edges burning with violet fire. It pulsed like it was breathing. Hungry.

The two remaining demons flinched.

Grux's smirk vanished.

Samuel tightened his grip around the demon's throat, eyes glowing with Hell Order's fury.

"Release the hostages," he growled, "or lose two of your companions now."

To Be Continue.