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Vox was always a big fan of monopolies. Well, at least if he was at the top of it.
When he first started rising to power in hell, he made it his mission to be atop the heap in whatever industry he could be successful in. He would smash and buy out whatever competition was in his way.
He had managed to buy out a few different companies so far, but he was far from done building his empire.
Usually, he'd just... get rid of them in his own way. But, he can't risk damaging his reputation with dried blood on his shoes if he wants to carry on with his big plans for the future.
That's why he’s currently sitting at his desk; there’s multiple screens curving around his desk. He’s looking at multiple chart ratings displaying those screens from different out-of-network channels and companies.
All of their ratings were meh, but he still needed most of them gone if he wanted to truly run the entertainment industry.
He has the big three: News, Social Media, and Explicit Content. But unfortunately for him, new channels keep popping up every day to try to rise the ranks.
He noticed one of the channels to his right actually had surprisingly high ratings compared to all the others. He must've missed that one when he initially scanned the area.
CHANNEL 666 NEWS is read in large white letters above the chart. He’d never even heard of this channel… why was he just now learning about it when its viewership was so high?
He used one of his other screens to open the channel to check it out.
He started watching a segment with a reporter standing in front of the newly-reconstructed ‘Has-been’ hotel, giving information about the raging war against heaven and the hotel’s pitiful redemption plans itself. They're babbling on for a few minutes about exterminations and fear mongering, before concluding their statement, saying, “Back to you, y/n.”,
The screen switches to a brightly lit studio with a large screen in the background, illuminating Sin City in front of the red, hellish sky. In front of the screen is a news anchor with her hands folded nicely, just at the edge of the white desk she sits at.
“Thank you, Bary. For other news tonight, be sure to check in later for new information regarding what this war means for hell and its future. Will we have a chance at redemption from Princess Charlie's little hotel? God knows that one, and its chances are low.”
She kept talking directly at the camera, but Vox’s static almost cancelled out the noise of her voice from his ears.
So this is why their ratings are so much higher.
“For other news tonight, VoxTek has just launched a brand new 150-inch TV for those who are here in hell for overindulgence with the media.”
“He does, however, produce the best screens on the market, so be sure to drop by one of his many locations or place an order online at VoxTek.com with our discount channel code “666” for 10% off your order!”
Yeah, I do produce the best screens, don’t I?
It was never spoken into existence that her validation did something for him, but for someone with such a fragile ego, it didn’t need to be for him or anyone else to know.
Damn, why are these slacks so tight when I sit down? Probably fucking Ethan getting my measurements wrong again at the tailor.
He unbuttons the top of his slacks. He’s not gonna let Ethan hear the end of this. Maybe he should kill him? Or give him a good scare at least.
He lifts his foot up to rest on his knee as he continues to watch the channel, y/n’s voice taking up the large empty space of his office.
“-Based on video footage and sinner testimony we’ve just received, it’s also been alleged that the Radio Demon, Hell’s most powerful and deceiving Overlord, has been injured in the battle with Heaven against his fight with Heaven’s army leader, also known as the first man on earth, Adam.
Fuck, now she’s talking about Alastor getting hurt? When did it get hot in here?
Okay, he unzipped his slacks and took off his jacket because it’s hot in here, so what? The thermostat is too far away from him to get up and move at the moment.
“This leads to so many questions regarding Hell’s most powerful and influential figures. Will Alastor remain at the top? And if not, who will take his place?”
“Many have speculated that if a new Overlord were to assume the top spot, the top hypotheses are on Industry Overlord Carmilla Carmine, or Media Overlord Vox.”
Oh? This is a new improvement.
“And if I were to give you guys my best, honest guess on who would rise the ranks, my bet would be on our Media Overlord. With such a thought for the future, his forward thinking could just give him that boost to the very top.” She emphasized her words with sweetness that dripped like honey, like she was trying to sugar talk her audience.
When did this happen?
Vox doesn’t even need to look down to notice the fact that his slacks were now down to mid-thigh, his length drawn out to stroke his hand against as he watched this girl praise him through the screen unknowingly while he watched.
She looked a lot more human than other sinners– dark, basically black, blown-out hair cascading down her shoulders. Her skin was a dark grey with a slight blue hint to it. Her eyes were red, contrasting against the dark liner that made her eyes look so much bigger than they were.
God, it’s like she’s talking to me right through the screen.
Vox’s other hand that wasn’t wrapped around himself gripped the edge of his arm rest so hard his claws started to sink into the layers of fabric and plastic. His eyes remained focused on her picture, not daring to look away. His smirk was visible, but not as wide as usual, with his power-hungry electronic blood spill showing on his screen.
“He has it all going well so far, and it’s only a matter of time until his next big project is announced. And when the time does come, you’ll be the first to hear it from us, at Channel 666 News! Remember, let us take care of your daily news.”
His screen glitches. He can just imagine her coming down to his office alone to find out more about some plans he has for the future.
With a single, glitched-out, needy groan, he came. His essence leaked out onto his tip and the edge of his hand as he finally took his eyes off the screen. Not because he was ‘done’ with her, but only because the video had changed from her to some random weather reporter.
Post-nut clarity hit, and now he’s pissed off. He grabbed a tissue from his desk and wiped himself off.
How the fuck did that happen? He’s never even met or seen the damn girl before 10 minutes ago.
He zipped himself back up, closing all the other tabs on his screens while only one thought clouded his mind.
He was buying that damn channel.