The Slayer Ascension: Cursed and Blessed.-Chapter 30: Hunt for the blessed (3)

Chapter 30

"Oh well. Since you chose death, I will gladly satisfy you."

Orion said it in a cheerful voice.

The moment the demon closed in, Orion’s body rippled and vanished. In the next instant, he landed calmly a few meters away. In his right hand was a finger sized black crystal.

Orion blinked. "Just a high monster," he muttered. "No wonder you’re weak. And stupid."

Without ceremony, he crushed the crystal.

For a brief moment, time itself seemed to freeze. Then it resumed in a blink.

What followed was nothing short of shocking.

The demon that had been charging at them suddenly stiffened mid stride. Its body convulsed once before collapsing lifelessly to the ground. Seconds later, it crumbled, turning into ash that scattered across the ruined street.

James watched it all. Or rather, he watched nothing and everything at once.

The beast that had reduced the city to ruins. The demon that had killed so many. The monster that would have torn him apart if not for sheer luck.

Dead.

In an instant.

The most terrifying part was not the death itself. It was the fact that James never saw Orion move.

One moment he was here. The next, he was there.

That was all.

Orion turned and began walking toward him.

James shouted involuntarily and stumbled backward. Fear took over his body. This man was wrong. The way he entered the battle was wrong. The way he spoke was wrong.

Who asks someone if they want to live or die?

As Orion took one step forward, James took two steps back. Another step forward. Three steps back this time.

Instead of being annoyed, Orion found it amusing. He smiled.

"Why are you running?" he asked.

James blinked. "Me?" He pointed at himself. "You’re talking to me?"

He shook his head quickly. "No. I’m not running."

In his mind, he added, not yet. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

He would have already bolted if not for two things. First, his injuries. Second, the certainty that this man would catch him in seconds. So why bother.

Every muscle in James’ body screamed danger. This man felt far more terrifying than the demon he had just killed.

He gulped.

Orion let out an awkward cough. "Hey. You aren’t really comparing me to that demon, are you?"

James nodded without thinking. Then shook his head violently.

Orion laughed. James laughed too, though his was nothing more than nervous chuckles.

Was he about to die now?

The golden haired stranger reached into his clothes. James froze.

Orion pulled out a badge and tossed it to him. James caught it clumsily. On it was an insignia of a golden shield crossed with a radiant white spear.

Orion spoke calmly. "That will guide you to the Bulwark. Get there on time and you’ll be safe. Most of the demons in this area are already cleared. You should be able to make it."

And just like that, he vanished.

James stood there, staring blankly.

There were more of those lizard beasts.

His mouth went dry again. It had happened too many times in a single day. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Maybe those fairytales about demons were never lies after all.

And something told him this was only the beginning. The thought of facing multiple creatures like that made his blood run cold.

Meanwhile, in another city far away, dark clouds gathered overhead. Heavy rain poured down, forcing people to lock themselves inside their homes, oblivious to the massacre unfolding just meters away.

Inside the city lord’s palace, chaos reigned.

Guards clashed desperately with abominable creatures. Their numbers were in the tens, and through sheer coordination, they managed to wound and even bring down a few of the devilish demons.

Two had fallen.

Three remained.

For a brief moment, hope flickered.

They thought victory was possible.

Littering the floor were not just the bodies of demons, but also those of fallen soldiers. Many had already perished since the battle began. At first, the guards proved they were not ordinary.

They learned quickly, adapted fast, coordinated their movements, weaving their attack patterns cleanly and efficiently. Through grit and teamwork, they managed to bring down two demons.

Victory almost seemed within reach.

Then the walls of the massive building began to break apart, one after another.

Stone cracked. Pillars collapsed.

More demons poured in.

Fangs bared. Eyes glowing red.

The soldiers felt their blood crawl. Just three of these creatures had already cost them several lives. Now there were more than ten. Some guards lost the strength to even lift their weapons. Swords slipped from trembling hands. Knees buckled.

Those who still stood were overwhelmed in moments.

They were devoured alive.

Their screams were drowned beneath the grotesque sounds of feeding.

The reason for the battle in the large hallway was not hunger alone. Demons were always hungry. No, their true objective lay just beyond the massive door at the far end.

The city lord’s chamber.

The door was ripped from its hinges by a powerful high ranked monster.

Inside the room knelt a man dressed in beautiful fine silk. Gold ornaments, jeweled rings, and extravagant chains adorned both his body and the chamber itself. Everything about him screamed status. Authority. Power.

The city lord.

The moment he saw the demons enter, his face went deathly pale. He collapsed to his knees and began begging for mercy.

The demons walked closer and stopped before him.

Their red eyes illuminated his face like ornaments of death.

The city lord gulped as his body tingled. He possessed power, yes, but against numbers like this, it meant nothing. Only one option remained.

"I will give you everything," he cried. "My wealth. My status. Just let me live."

The demons exchanged glances.

Then their eyes shifted.

Not to his face.

To his body.

A soft golden glow radiated from him.

They spoke in unison.

"Everything."

They attacked.

The scream that followed was short.

Then silence.

Only the sound of feeding remained.

Meanwhile, not far away, a figure dressed entirely in black stood still. His lower face was hidden behind a dark mask. White hair whipped through the air, illuminated by fading daylight. A shural badge rested on his chest, marking his identity.

Ashiro.

His gaze was anything but warm.

At his feet lay the head of a young boy, no older than six. The severed head still radiated a faint golden glow.

A blessed human.

Ashiro slowly lifted his gaze to meet the demons surrounding him.

"I don’t know how long this slaughter will last," he thought.

His eyes hardened.

"But I will be more than happy to kill as many of you disgusting creatures as possible."

The demons grinned and prepared to lunge.

Ashiro flicked his wrist, throwing a spinning dagger into the air. Mid flight, it split into eight shards, each one embedding itself around the area.

His eyes opened fully, cold and filled with killing intent.

"I will be taking your lives now," he said quietly. "Just as you took his."

His hands moved through complex seals.

"Eight Barrier Dome."

"Octazon."

To be continued.