Chapter 12: “Demon Hunter”
Demon Hunters were a peculiar group.
They wielded demonic power, yet they weren’t demons. In fact, they considered demons their mortal enemies.
But they couldn’t be called human either. Despite some outward similarities, the difference between Demon Hunters and humans was as vast as the difference between humans and demons.
Although Demon Hunters were once… human. Humans unfortunate enough to be tainted by demonic power.
Being corrupted by demonic power usually resulted in one outcome: a gradual descent into madness, the body breaking down, transforming into a mindless, grotesque monster, just like the Fallen Demonspawn from earlier.
But in extremely rare cases, those tainted by demonic power managed to retain their sanity and consciousness, their bodies undergoing a partial “demonification.”
These individuals could then wield demonic power, but they also had to endure its continued corruption.
With each use, the demonification progressed, until eventually, they met the same fate as the others.
Some succumbed to the demonic influence, but most harbored a deep-seated hatred for demons. They called themselves “Demon Hunters,” vowing to slaughter all demons before their own transformation was complete.
They were a group of obsessive madmen…
Salred was clearly one such Demon Hunter. Beneath his seemingly gentle exterior lurked an extremely volatile soul.
“I am not your enemy, sir,” Xu Bai said, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword behind her back as she kept her eyes on Salred’s crossbow.
“Oh? Then, would you mind removing your little hand from that little toy behind your back?” Salred’s gentle tone remained unchanged, but Xu Bai clearly sensed a dangerous aura swirling around his crossbow, ready to be unleashed.
“Alright,” Xu Bai raised her hands in resignation. “As you can see, I’m just an ordinary little girl.”
If it came to a fight, Xu Bai wasn’t certain she would lose to Salred. Although she hadn’t used her psychic circuits in nearly a year, her combat experience was ingrained in her very being.
However, in her current situation… it was best to avoid conflict, especially with a Demon Hunter, a group known for their unpredictable nature.
“And where did this ‘ordinary little girl’ learn about Demon Hunters?” Salred narrowed his eyes, his crossbow still aimed.
He was suspicious. He had seen Xu Bai rush to protect the little girl, and her immediate recognition of him further fueled his suspicion. He instinctively felt that this seemingly ordinary, beautiful girl was more than she appeared.
“A senior member of my family was a knight who fought against demons on the front lines,” Xu Bai calmly recited her prepared explanation. “He… mentioned you. He said you were friends of humanity, fighting alongside the Knights, wielding demonic power.”
“Hmph, not exactly friends. We just have common enemies,” Salred snorted, but his tone softened, losing its edge.
“But you still fought against demons together.”
Seeing Salred’s reaction, Xu Bai inwardly sighed in relief. It seemed this Demon Hunter hadn’t completely succumbed to his obsession with hunting demons; he still valued the opinions of humanity.
However, in truth, even the Knights on the front lines were extremely wary of the Demon Hunters, who were no longer entirely human.
Their combat methods were similar to those of demons, brutal and sinister.
And in their pursuit of demons, Demon Hunters often caused collateral damage, sometimes even using civilians as bait to lure demons into traps. The fate of those civilians… was regrettable, to say the least.
Fortunately, Salred didn’t seem like that type of extremist. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked his life to save the little girl.
That shot had seemed simple, but it was incredibly difficult and mentally taxing.
In that split second, Salred had only one chance to save the little girl.
He had to time it perfectly, severing all the monsters’ claws simultaneously the moment they were about to reach her. Missing even one would have been fatal.
He had even used his demonified eye, and even now, his face was pale, his breath slightly ragged.
“But you still make me uneasy,” Salred’s voice hardened again, his sharp gaze fixed on Xu Bai. “Like I’m facing one of those monsters.”
“This is a Knight’s close-combat dagger, left to me by that senior,” Xu Bai sighed, pulling a delicate dagger from her pouch and activating its psychic circuits. “If you’ve fought on the front lines, you should recognize it.”
Xu Bai was reluctant to reveal the dagger unless absolutely necessary.
It wasn’t just a painful reminder of her past; it was also proof of her true identity.
A Knight’s close-combat dagger wasn’t just a weapon; it was a symbol of their status.
Even if captured by the enemy, they couldn’t activate its psychic circuits.
Only the Knight themselves, or someone with similar bloodline and psychic energy, could do so.
If it weren’t for Salred’s paranoia, Xu Bai wouldn’t have revealed the dagger.
“…Indeed.” Salred nodded silently, finally lowering his crossbow.
As if receiving some news, the hesitant City Guards finally approached. The captain saluted Salred respectfully.
“Apologies, Mr. Salred. We didn’t know you were a Demon Hunter. Please forgive our offense…”
However, his legs were still trembling. Clearly, Demon Hunters didn’t have a good reputation among humans either.
The difference between Demon Hunters and humans was, in many ways, as significant as the difference between humans and demons.
Salred waved it off dismissively.
“Clean this up. If anyone comes into contact with this blood, even I won’t be able to save them. I’ll have to kill them.”
“Y-yes, Mr. Salred.” The captain’s eyes widened as he looked at the blood, then he turned to his men and barked, “Get to work!”
Salred ignored the captain, turning back to question Xu Bai further.
But she was gone, only the little girl remained, sitting on the ground, clutching her father’s clothes.
Salred looked in the direction Xu Bai had disappeared, a chuckle escaping his lips.
“What an interesting little girl.”
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