Helluva Boss X Reader

Overlord Intro Part 5: The World XXI

You were greeted with a variety of faces, most of them quiet, but three in particular were in verbal fisticuffs with some of the others, as well as each other. One resembled a moth, another a TV (you knew that to be Vox), and the third one a dark-skinned doll, though she resembled being human enough. You had heard of an Overlord group called "The V's" and assumed this must be them. Vox was attempting to argue with an Overlord who you recognized as Alastor, a demon adorned in reds who resembled a deer. Despite the shouting, Alastor made no attempt at defending themselves, or even paying the other Overlord any attention. He just kept a creepy smile up the entire time.

All of the Overlords went silent as you entered, save for Vox, who was still shouting at Alastor. When he noticed everybody else had gone quiet, he turned to look at where their collective attention had been directed. He gave a cackle, then gestured rudely.

"Who the fuck invited the Hellhounds? Are they some lost security?" he laughed. Then he kept laughing. And laughing. You maintained your composure, reminding yourself that the great strides you had made for Hellhound kind were not erased by one sinner's behaviour, no matter how powerful they were.

The Overlord who you recognized to be Carmilla cleared her throat, silencing Vox. The doll, whose name you now remembered to be Velvette, scoffed at this, but went silent as every other Overlord stared her down. You looked around the room. All of the seats had been taken, save for the one in front of you. It was the one that faced towards the middle of the table, towards all of the other Overlords; it was obviously intended for Kerberos. You moved to stand to the right side of it, and Loona moved to stand at the left. You were equals in this.

"Will you be representing Kerberos?" Carmilla asked, treating you with a level of respect that surprised you. She was an Overlord; surely she would have talked down to a couple of Hellhounds? She had done so at I.M.P. This must be different, you concluded. Now you were here, obviously to speak in the name of Kerberos.

You swallowed, aware of the lack of moisture in your own throat. Still, you kept an air of dignity and refinement. Loona looked at you and nodded, and you nodded in turn. Clearing her throat, she spoke.

"We're Kerberos's servants. Sorry they couldn't be here in person. We'll let 'em know about any messages or concerns you have. Oh, and they have also given us permission to negotiate with all of you."

You and Loona had planned this before either of you came here. This was a gamble; the identity of Kerberos was a card that was not to be given up except in the direst of circumstances. Once your cover was blown, who knows how the public might react to a sinner who looked nearly exactly like a Hellborn? Or the fact that an ordinary (though Loona was invaluable in your eyes) Hellhound was helping Kerberos? Your peaceful days of not being recognized would be over.

Although, Loona could've been more respectful when it came to addressing the Overlords. Her casual tone wasn't really working for the situation, even if you recognized that she had probably censored herself considerably.

"Yeah, I've got a concern," one of the V's spoke up. It was the moth. "For such a public figure, they sure do make a point never to show their face! How do we even know you're telling the truth? How do we know you're not posing as their servants, and there'll be no consequences if we just gut you like fish?!" he slammed his fists against the table, standing up from his seat as he did so. He was intimidating, a tall and lanky insect, though not as large as the dinosaur on the opposite side of the table.

"Because, Val, Kerberos has too much to lose," Carmilla said. "We've checked every sinner we've ever known who's made one of these 'carrier deals,' and all of them are brand new souls, who have successfully given these souls in their possession to Kerberos. Kerberos relies on their Hellhounds to bring the sinners to them, and they've been informed of the threat made to the drive out the Hellhound population. Such a drastic measure is only being taken because every Overlord here is aware of the threat Kerberos poses. I would've thought your fellow V's would've informed you of that," she said, maintaining a composed tone, though clearly intending her words to be taken as an insult.