A Guide to Raising a Demon Cub

Four demons—Bazel, a black dragon; Bode, a slime; Lance, a Nightmare Demon; and Nick, a Shadow Demon—live in hiding within the Forest of Calamity, a perilous region even demons avoid. Once powerful Greater Demons, they are now wanted criminals hunted by Demon King Eris for a thousand years. Their life in the dilapidated underground palace is marked by boredom, constant bickering, and reliance on Nick to sneak into nearby towns for food. During one such trip, Nick infiltrates the Demon King's Palace while Eris is away quelling rebellions. He steals a sealed Black Bone Wood box, believing it to contain a valuable treasure. Upon breaking the seal, the group discovers the box is filled with ordinary stones, leading to frustration and exhaustion. As Nick dumps the stones, one white, oval stone rolls onto Bode and begins to glow, revealing itself to be a demon egg.

The four demons speculate on the egg's origin. Lance identifies the seal as Eris's work, leading to the shocking realization that the egg belongs to the Demon King. Despite their long-standing enmity with Eris, the demons decide to incubate the egg rather than destroy it, finding purpose in the task after centuries of idle hiding. They channel their demonic power into the egg for five months, during which their hostility toward each other diminishes. When the egg finally hatches, it reveals a pale, cute cub with black hair, golden eyes, and small wings. The cub bears an unmistakable resemblance to Eris, confirming his parentage. The demons are initially conflicted, considering killing the child for revenge, but each fails to harm the innocent, well-behaved infant. Bode claims the cub as his son, sparking a playful brawl among the four over who will be the father.

The group decides to raise the cub, whom Bode names Beresien Alix Sleight, though they settle on the nickname Baobao. Their domestic life begins chaotically. They struggle to feed the hungry infant, eventually capturing a nursing Hellhound and her pups. The cub bonds with the Hellhounds, who become his companions and protectors. The demons face numerous challenges, from changing diapers to making baby clothes, all while hiding in the dangerous forest. Nick ventures out to buy supplies but learns that the entire Demon Realm is searching for the stolen cub. Skeleton soldiers led by the Greater Demon Constans are scouring towns, and rumors confirm that Demon King Eris is distraught over his missing child.

Meanwhile, Eris dispatches his forces to search the Forest of Calamity, the Desolate Lands, and potentially the Dark Abyss. Back in the palace, Baobao grows stronger, discovering he can absorb ambient magic elements from the air, a unique trait that surprises the demons. He also learns to fly, albeit clumsily, and forms a close bond with the Hellhound pups. The four demons, once bitter enemies of the Demon King, now find themselves deeply attached to his son. Their daily lives revolve around caring for Baobao, protecting him from the forest's dangers, and maintaining their concealment. The story ends with the demons settling into their new roles as surrogate parents, unaware that Eris's search is closing in on their hidden sanctuary.