JUDICATOR JANE 6 - CHAPTER 3 (Patreon)

Hey… This Place Isn’t Half Bad!

Jane inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp, untainted air. Free from the Netherrealm’s sulfurous tinge and the ever-present stench of never-washed demons, it was intoxicatingly fresh. And warm. Only now did she realize how persistently cold both the Netherrealm and the labyrinth had been. She wiggled her toes in the soft grass, luxuriating in its silken texture.

Before her stretched a vast green valley, encircled by rolling, forest-clad mountains. A well-worn dirt path meandered down from the labyrinth’s entrance, curving gently toward a small cluster of wood buildings. Further up the mountainside, a large stone structure loomed. Its tall spires and rounded architecture immediately reminded Jane of the ancient temples of Southeast Asia—her first thought was Angkor Wat.

The valley seemed deserted at first glance, but as Jane squinted against the sunlight, she spotted movement. A network of neatly arranged fields covered the valley floor, their verdant rows meticulously cultivated. Is someone working the farms?

Behind her, Balostroze and Yiw’drog emerged from the labyrinth, scanning the skies with wary eyes.

“Hey, you two,” Jane called over her shoulder. “Take some demons and secure the valley—anyone you find, bring them to me. Don’t hurt anyone, and make sure every demon knows: no soulbinding in my name anymore.” Her gaze flicked to the distant temple-like structure, and she pointed toward it. “And leave that building alone. I’ll check it out myself later.”

“As you command,” Balostroze replied with deference.

Jane took a moment and watched as demons poured from the labyrinth’s entrance, scattering into the green fields below. You guys are going to love this world.

Then she turned back to Melindra at her side. “Ever seen anything like this valley?”

Melindra shook her head. “Never.” She glanced around, eyes narrowing. “I see no tall, snow-capped peaks like in Arcadia or the Providencia. And these rolling green hills… peculiar. The forests appear to be very dense.”

Jane followed her gaze. The green mountains flanking the labyrinth entrance sloped upward, cloaked in a thick canopy of pine trees. Unlike any she had encountered in Arcadia, these trees formed nearly impenetrable walls of greenery, their underbrush a tangled mass of brambles and roots.

“Once the last demon is free from the labyrinth, I’ll use The Drawn Veil to get a better look from above,” Jane murmured, scanning the ridgeline. There had to be a way out of the valley. But from this vantage point, none was immediately visible.

Her eyes drifted to her System log. 

You are dehydrated.

-1 HP

“Come on, let’s see if we can find something to eat.”

Jane set off down the dirt path leading away from the labyrinth, Melindra and Veralaktus flanking her.

This feels so good, she thought, relishing the simple act of walking under an open sky. The sight of farmland meant food and water couldn’t be far. More than that, it was a relief to find no soldiers or armies waiting for them. This valley was the polar opposite of the Netherrealm—peaceful, warm, alive. The well-traveled path was lined with wildflowers, their bright petals swaying in the breeze. It reminded her of a country road.

The path soon led to a crossroads. To the left, it wound up toward the temple-like stone structure. To the right, it veered toward a cluster of quaint wooden houses and buildings. Straight ahead, it disappeared into a grove of trees. There was no one in sight in any direction.

“You think this is where all those robed dragonkin guys lived?” Jane asked.

Melindra nodded. “It seems likely.”

Jane pressed her lips into a thin line. What happened with Gral’gor and them?

Now that the immediate danger had passed, the brutal reality of an entire community wiped out settled over her like a lead weight. She exhaled slowly.

“Veralaktus, are demons still coming through the portal?”

“Yes, Jane,” Veralaktus confirmed.

“Alright—pass the word along. Have some of the Hellguards and Tormentors gather the Dragonkin bodies. The least we can do is bury the dead.”

“As you wish.”

Jane turned right, heading toward the collection of wooden buildings. Still no signs of life. The dirt path wove between the structures—mostly single-story, sturdy, and built with care. The windows had shutters but no glass. Roofs were intricately tiled with dark painted clay. The architecture was unlike anything she had seen in Alur, steeped in a style that spoke of tradition and able craftsmanship.

She paused in front of a building with woodworking tools scattered outside—saws, axes, and chisels made of iron or steel. But not Arcanite.

Then—a flash of movement.

Jane reacted on instinct.

She triggered The Drawn Veil.

Her Gavel of Repentance materialized in her grip as steel wings flared behind her. A transparent blindfold enveloped her eyes, shifting the world into shades of gray. She surged forward, gliding across the ground at terrifying speed.

Rounding the corner, she found the source—a cluster of featureless gray figures, huddled together, staring up at her.

Jane flicked her gaze between them. Montages of their lives played in fragmented flashes, but nothing that made any sense.

They aren’t soulbound. At least there was that.

She deactivated The Drawn Veil—and gasped.

The hammer vanished from her released grasp as the situation dawned on her.

Before her huddled a small group of children, no older than three to eight. They clung to each other, their faces streaked with tears.

“Oh, jeez, I’m sorry, you guys.” Jane knelt, hesitantly reaching out.

The children flinched as one.

Biting her lip, she activated Piercing Gaze—fixing her eyes on a small girl near the front.

Trim Vindu (Level 2)

Human

Class: None

Strength: 7

Agility: 3

Constitution: 6

Intelligence: 4

Luck: 6

Health: 60/60

Fun Fact:

This adorable little marshmallow just made her grand entrance, fully prepared for a lifetime of relaxed backbreaking labor and joyous soul-crushing routine. She doesn’t know it yet, but every single moment of her existence has already been neatly scheduled—just like her parents, their parents, their parents-parents, and well, you get the idea. Or it was until the very gates of hell burst open. Now what’s in store for her? Let’s roll the dice and find out!

Human.

That was her first thought, but it was a relief to see the System confirm it. The disturbing Fun Fact, she made a mental note of—but now was not the time to dwell on it. Jane blinked, refocusing on the shivering children.

“Easy, easy—it’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you,” she said gently, keeping her voice soft.

A sharp voice rang out behind her.

“Mistress, wonderful. You have found their younglings.”

The children shrieked, their wide, terrified eyes locking onto the towering figure of Veralaktus. The demoness loomed, her black eyes gleaming and her claws catching the sunlight. Her lips arched up in a toothy smile.

“Perhaps you can bind them—”

Jane flung a hand back without looking.

“Veralaktus! Not now. Go stand behind a house or something—you’re way too freaky-looking!”

The demoness hesitated, then inclined her head and stepped back, disappearing around the nearest building. Jane exhaled, glancing at Melindra, who had cautiously peeked out from behind the children, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Jane turned back to the kids, her chest tightening. Hope that wasn’t their parents in the labyrinth… None of the bodies had been human, but she had learned not to take anything for granted.

Pushing stray hair from her face, she wiped her forehead—and frowned at the grime streaking her hand. She looked down at herself. Well, I’m filthy. Probably not much better-looking than Veralaktus at the moment. Still, she forced a reassuring smile and lowered herself to the ground, crossing her legs to appear less intimidating.

“Hi there, I’m Jane,” she said, keeping her tone light. “My friends and I just got here, so we’re a little confused. Sorry for all the commotion. Is this your town?”

Silence.

Most of the children had their eyes squeezed shut, too scared to even look at her.

Jane bit her lip, unsure how to break through their fear. What do little kids like?

Then, an idea.

She began to sing, clapping her hands in rhythm.

Ohhhh, there was a farmer had a dog,

And Bingo was his name-o,

B-I-N-G-O!

B-I-N-G-O!

B-I-N-G-O!

And Bingo was his name-o.

Jane repeated the verse a few more times, letting the melody settle. Then she waited, watching the children carefully.

Can’t imagine what they must be thinking—some crazy woman floating at them with a magic hammer, followed by a demoness like Veralaktus.

Silence stretched between them until, finally, a small voice broke through.

“M-M-My Papa is a Farmer,” a boy stuttered.

“Mine too,” a little girl squeaked.

Jane’s smile widened. “Well, isn’t that wonderful? I love farmers!”

A soft ping echoed in her mind—a System message.

You are dehydrated.

-1 HP

Running out of time…

If she was taking damage, the lower-level Hellguards had to be suffering too. Jane tapped a finger to her chin, masking her concern with an easy smile.

“You know, I’m just so thirsty after my travels. None of you happen to know where I could find something to drink, do you?”

A different girl, maybe seven years old, stepped forward with surprising boldness. “There’s water at the well! I know the way!”

Jane straightened. “That would be wonderful! Could you take me there?”

The girl nodded and marched ahead, the other children falling in line behind her.

The path wound through clusters of homes, eventually opening into a small plaza. At its center stood a wide well, its sturdy frame built from beautifully carved pine. A solid wooden cover rested atop it, and several neatly arranged buckets and ladles lined the edge.

“We’re not allowed to open the well ourselves,” the girl declared, stopping just short of it.

“Thank you so much!” Jane strode over and heaved one of the heavy wooden slabs aside.

The scent of deep, earthy water rose to meet her, flooding her senses. Her vision swam for a moment as an overwhelming, almost primal thirst surged through her. Steady… Swallowing hard, she reached for one of the ropes attached to the well, pulling it up hand over hand. At the end dangled a leather bag, swollen and sloshing with life-giving liquid.

Her fingers trembled with restraint as she emptied it into a few of the buckets, resisting the urge to drink straight from the source.

Still cautious, she let the bag drop back into the well and triggered Piercing Gaze on the water in the bucket.

No reaction.

The System didn’t flag it as anything unusual—which was exactly what she’d hoped.

Only then did she lift a bucket to her parched lips and take her first drink of fresh water in months. Cool and pure, it coated her throat, washing away layers of exhaustion she hadn’t realized she was carrying.

Melindra stepped up beside her, wordlessly taking a bucket of her own. She tilted it back, wisps of black hair falling over her shoulder as the water spilled over her lips and down her chin.

Jane exhaled, setting her bucket down with a soft clunk. Then, blinking back into focus, she turned to the children.

“Alright, listen up! This is Melindra. She’s a nice lady, and she’s going to help us find your parents. Does anyone know where they might be?”

A small hand shot up. “They’re working in the fields!”

Melindra nodded, already in motion. “Come along, children.” Her commanding tone snapped them into attention. The little ones obeyed immediately, letting her steer them away from Veralaktus, who lingered at a distance.

Jane strode over to the demoness.

“New mission,” she said. “Inside that hole is something like Mak’Sult. Don’t worry—it’s not acid, and it won’t hurt you. Drink it, and pass the word along to the lowest-Health demons. They need to rehydrate now. Food can wait, but dehydration damage won’t.”

“As you command, Mistress,” Veralaktus murmured, closing her eyes in concentration.

Jane stepped past her, moving toward an open clearing between the buildings. Beyond, vast farms stretched in all directions, dotted with figures hunched over their work.

The parents.

She exhaled in relief—then froze.

From the corner of her eye, movement.

A swarm of demons barreled through the fields. One Tormentor grabbed a man around the waist, slinging him over his shoulder before loping back toward the village. Two Hellguards gleefully snatched a pair of women working together.

Jane’s stomach lurched.

Oh. Right. Yep. Well.

I guess that’s one way to make an introduction.

***

The demons stood in a loose circle around the gathered humans, their massive forms looming over the trembling men and women. Though the demons remained still, their mere presence was sending waves of fear through the group.

Jane paced, considering her approach.

At least the children are back with their parents.

But that small comfort did little to ease the overwhelming tension. Surrounded by high-level demons like Balostroze, Yiw’drog, and the countless others who had emerged from the labyrinth, the humans were the definition of terrified.

Even if they’re scared, they aren’t really in danger.

For now, information was her priority. As grim as the situation might appear to them, she couldn’t risk anyone escaping—not until she understood what was going on.

She stepped forward, scanning the crowd before settling on a man standing alone, no children clinging to him.

Without a word, she knelt before him.

Then, she triggered Piercing Gaze.

Timook Pitra (Level 29)

Human

Class: Farmer (Common)

Strength: 8

Agility: 5

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 3

Luck: 4

Health: 100/100

Fun Fact:

From sun-up to sun-down, hardworking farmers like Timook Pitra do their best to provide for those around them. Of course, when you’re working in harmony, every day feels like your best day—until the music stops. Then it’s less “graceful waltz” and more “chicken with its head cut off.” Hope you’ve got a good singing voice, because somebody’s got to keep this dance going!

Farmer. Just like most of the other adults here. A handful had different classes—Cleaners, Cooks—but nothing that stood out. No combat classes, or anything above Uncommon rarities. Just ordinary people.

Jane tried to meet the man’s eyes, but he kept darting his gaze away, jaw clenched tight.

“Listen… Timook,” she began gently, reading his name from the System. “I’m going to use one of my skills on you—it might be a little scary, but just bear with me, okay?”

No response.

His shoulders twitched as if suppressing a flinch.

Right. Sorry, bud.

She extended a hand, invoking The Gray Inquisition. “Enter the Halls of Justice.”

Time slowed to a halt.

Shadows stretched and twisted, swallowing everything in darkness. A long stone walkway materialized beneath her feet, leading to a circular platform in the abyss. In its center stood Timook, encircled by swirling gray specters, their hollow gazes pressing down from every direction.

Jane stepped forward.

Instantly, she was with a child. His small hands gripped a wooden tool, standing in the same fields as before. Beyond the farms, the same village loomed in the distance. Before him, an older man guided his movements, his voice patient as he taught the child.

Looking around, Jane didn't see anything else of note. She kept going, her size increasing on the walkway.

Now the man was older, a teenager. He was hefting a sack of grain into a warehouse. After wiping his brow, he turned and left, exiting into part of the village. Aside from a few other men and women, there wasn't much else to see. 

On the platform, the scale and sword was now in her hands and she grew further in size.

Jane took another step—

And the world shattered. With a jolt, she was back.

What—

She blinked, disoriented. The familiar surroundings of the village snapped into focus, the towering demons, the wary humans. Her gaze flicked downward.

Timook lay sprawled on the ground, eyes closed.

“Oh, dang—sorry about that.”

She dropped to her knees, checking his Health.

Health: 100/100

Phew. Not hurt.

Jane glanced at Melindra, frowning. “What happened?”

Melindra knelt beside the man, checking his pulse and brushing her fingers across his forehead. “It would appear he has fainted. Your skills may be too much for these fragile people to bear.”

Around them, the gathered humans shrank back, hushed whimpers escaping from both adults and children. Jane straightened, placing her hands on her hips. What now?

“W-What happened to the Masters?” a voice called out.

Jane turned, spotting a man near the back of the crowd. His eyes darted nervously, but there was something else beneath the fear—concern? Hesitation?

“D-Do they know you’re here?”

The Masters? Jane raised an eyebrow, unsure what he meant. “Uh… you mean the Dragonkin?”

The man swallowed hard, staring straight ahead. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as if summoning his courage. “Y-You shouldn’t be here. N-Not unless you have p-permission.”

Jane exhaled sharply, then stiffened.

The golden mask…

Her mind snapped back to a vision—Nan. The old woman she had inducted into the Order of the Shining Circle. She had been an escaped slave, fleeing across the Green Sea to Arcadia. Moments of the brave woman’s escape were still vivid in her mind.

Are these… slaves?

Jane scanned the villagers again. No chains. No tattered rags. Their clothes, though simple, were stout and well-made. No injuries either, everyone’s Health was full.

Hmmm…

She turned to Balostroze. “Is this everyone? Were you able to find any dragonkin?”

“This is all we could find, Mistress,” the towering demon rumbled, bowing his head. “Though, we did not check the stone structure, as you commanded.”

A ripple ran through the gathered humans.

Jane’s sharp ears caught the murmurs—

“The Mistress?”
 “Is she the new Master?”
 “Mistress Jane King…”

Jane spun. “Now wait a minute! I am not the new Master—”

A hand settled on her shoulder.

Melindra.

“A moment, Jane.”

Jane let out an aggravated sigh but followed Melindra a few paces back. “What is it?”

“Look.” Melindra gestured subtly toward the villagers.

They were no longer cowering. The tension had shifted. Some were helping each other up, brushing dust from their clothes, speaking in hushed tones. Even the children looked different—less fearful, more… expectant.

“I do not know what circumstances have led these people to live this way,” Melindra said, voice carefully measured, “but this is their reality.” She exhaled, watching them closely. “When I led the children, I noticed it immediately. They respond on instinct to command. Slavery has been all but abolished in both Arcadia and the Providencia, the very thought of it disgusts me.”

Her gaze lingered on the humans, still surrounded by demons. “But you just marched a demon horde into their home. If acknowledging you as their new Master gives them any peace of mind, let them believe it—for now. At least until we understand what this place truly is.”

Jane hesitated, glancing at the young girl who had led her to the well. The child was pointing toward her, her face lit with a bright, open smile as she spoke to her mother.

Jane sighed, pressing a hand to her face.

I’m tired. Maybe Melindra’s right. I need space to think more clearly.

She strode back toward the villagers and clapped her hands.

“Alright, listen up!” she called out. “If you can all just go back to doing whatever it is you were doing, that’d be great. The demons you see around you? They’re here for your defense—they won’t hurt you.”

She tilted her head toward Balostroze and lowered her voice. “Get everyone out of the farms.”

“Of course.”

Balostroze closed his eyes in concentration. A moment later, the demons began to withdraw, melting away into the surrounding land.

As the farmers returned to work—some tentatively, others with open relief—Jane tilted her head back, staring up at the clear blue sky.

Just breathe.

It’s a beautiful day. No acid storms. No Pazuzi.

Stay positive.