Chapter 416 - I am here
When does this flame go down? When does it ever calm down? Will it ever disappear?
Will I be able to relieve this anguish?
That is the question that I ended up asking myself all over again.
I couldn't understand it. Many times, no matter what I have done, I wouldn't be able to keep myself controlled. There were many days when I couldn't get enough sleep continuously, and the same day replayed in my head.
But there were also many days where I would simply sleep soundly. What was the reason, those days, I would ask myself?
Yet the answer wouldn't be clear at all. But at the end of the day, what I need to do is pretty simple, isn't it?
To reach my goal.
STAB!
That was why I just stabbed the last demonic human that was right before me.
With each demonic human I killed, I felt a subtle change in my strength. It was almost imperceptible, but it was there—a slight increase in my power, a sharpening of my senses. The demonic energy I absorbed from each kill fueled my resolve, making me stronger and more focused.
As I stabbed the chest of the last demon, her eyes widened in horror. She saw my hand reaching for her core, the source of her corrupted power.
"No," she whispered, her voice trembling with pain and fear.
But I didn't care. My cold eyes pierced through her, reflecting none of the emotions that churned within me. She was a demon, a monster that had abandoned her humanity. She had no right to beg for mercy.
"You're a demon," she gasped, her voice filled with accusation.
I looked into her eyes, unflinching. "You don't have the right to say that after you abandoned your humanity," I replied, my voice devoid of empathy.
"It wasn't my choice," she pleaded, her eyes desperate.
People like these are the ones I hate the most. If you are doing something, why are you not accepting what you did? No one is forcing you to become a demonic human? Even if you are forced to become one, at the end of the day, you are one.
For no reason that you need someone's sympathy. You are not allowed to do that, and you will never be.
"Is that the case?" I said, my voice calm and detached. "Then this is not my choice either."
With that, I crushed her core in my hand. The woman screamed in agony, a sound that would haunt the dreams of anyone who heard it. If people heard a woman screaming like this, or if this was happening where many people could hear, she could definitely evoke their sympathy to make them go soft even if people knew what she did.
And that sympathy would most likely be the reason why she would eventually get a lighter punishment.
After all, such cases could be often seen on Earth with many female offenders.
But her screams fell on deaf ears since no one other than me was there. And I just stood there, cold and unfeeling, as her life slipped away.
The light in her eyes faded, and she slumped to the ground, lifeless.
'This makes it fifteen.'
I could definitely kill more than fifteen demonic humans, but that would make me expose myself. After all, I needed to find demonic humans who were away from the eyes of people and needed to make sure that I wasn't being observed.
'Next.'
PAT!
As I thought about it, suddenly, something inside me got cut off.
'What?'
Immediately, I noticed what was happening. The slight mana that I had put onto Irina was cut off suddenly.
I used a special liquid and a small needle to do that. After all of the things that had happened to Sylvie, Irina, and Senior Maya, I felt the need to somehow find a way to locate them in case something had happened to them.
And that was when I decided to use my green moon mana.
The liquid was coated with my green moon energy, and I put it under their bodies with the needle. Normally, just using my mana wouldn't be enough.
However, I noticed one thing.
My mana was also somehow sensitive towards demonic energy and intents. After experimenting with it a little, I found a special usage of mana that I could use to create a basic but effective formation.
This formation allowed me to get notified when a demonic presence or a 'Killing Intent' was found in the presence of my target of the spell.
The engineering behind it was simple yet ingenious. I had to manipulate my green moon mana into a state of hyper-sensitivity. This involved channeling it through a series of intricate runes and sigils that I designed.
These runes acted as sensors, amplifying any traces of demonic energy or hostile intent.
The formation itself was small and discrete, easily concealed. It consisted of a tiny, barely noticeable sigil that I could inscribe on a small object or even a piece of clothing. When demonic energy or intent was detected, the formation would trigger a feedback loop, sending a pulse of mana back to me.
The feedback loop was crucial. It allowed me to receive the signal without any significant delay, giving me precious seconds to react. The pulse was subtle, a mere whisper of mana, but it was enough to alert me.
I had created a network of these formations, ensuring that I could monitor the people without drawing attention.
The green moon mana's sensitivity was key—it could detect the slightest fluctuation in energy, making it nearly impossible for demonic entities to bypass it unnoticed.
However, I doubted if I could do this for high-ranking hunters. For example, against Eleanor, such a thing must not be possible, but of course, it is not like the problem she wouldn't be able to solve can be solved by me.
'Irina,' I thought, my mind racing as I adjusted my focus. The feedback loop had been severed, which meant she was in immediate danger.
I needed to act quickly, but I also had to remain cautious and not draw unnecessary attention to myself.
'But who can it be?'
Since the executives didn't appear, most of the demonic humans were low-rank. It made sense since higher-ranking demonic humans wouldn't be disposable trash after all.
But that also meant there shouldn't be someone who is strong enough to break my loop.
I moved swiftly through the shadows, my senses heightened. The path to Irina was clear in my mind, the severed connection guiding me like a beacon. I had to be precise and efficient—there was no room for error.
But then, as I checked something else, I noticed something.
'Senior Maya.'
Her mana was also responding from almost the same location as Irina.
If she was also there, and the loop was broken.
That meant one thing.
'Corruption Seeds. Don't tell me?'
Her evolution to a vampire was not completed fully, and she was somehow a half-vampire. But wouldn't that make her prone to demonic corruption?
That was an oversight on my part, as I had never thought about it, but it was possible. And if it is possible, it is dangerous as well.
I rushed to the forest of the academy, my heart pounding with urgency. As I neared the location, I sensed four presences. Two demonic presences and two humans.
Irina and Seraphina lay on the ground, injured and unconscious, while Maya stood over them, growling with her vampiric characteristics fully manifested.
One of the demonic humans, realizing the danger, tried to escape. In an instant, from far away, I activated my [Eyes of Hourglass], and time seemed to slow. I observed the fleeing demonic human.
'So it was all because of you.'
He must have played a crucial role in what happened here, but there was no need to ponder about it now.
His mana was almost depleted, and his demonic energy was about to go berserk. Seeing that, I instantly grabbed my [Celestalith] and turned it into its rifle form.
'Die.'
With precise aim, I sniped the demonic human from this distance, the bullet piercing his head. He fell, lifeless.
But I didn't waste a second. Maya, in her corrupted state, was about to attack Irina.
I used [Shadow Leap] to teleport instantly to their side. The world blurred, and in the next moment, I was there, right as Maya lunged toward Irina.
The logical and correct approach would be to subdue Senior Maya in her vampiric state and wait for her to return to normal.
But, if I were to use logical approaches every time, she should have been dead long ago. I should have killed her there at that time.
But I didn't.
And once a decision is made, there is no going back.
At least I won't.
"I am here, Senior. You can calm down now."
As I put my arm right before her fangs.
PIERCE!
As her fangs pierced my arm, I felt slight pain different from before. It was evident that, right now, she was not in her usual state. It seemed her beastly senses were taking over her body.
But, well, what was the pain anyway? Hadn't I gotten used to it already?
It is not like a slight pain will be too much for me anyway.
Senior Maya started drinking blood from my arm, her grip on my body tightening. Her eyes were red, glowing with an intense hunger, and she growled like a beast. I could feel her desperation, her need for sustenance overwhelming her rational mind.
She pulled her mouth away from my arm, blood dripping from her lips as she looked at me, still growling.
'How pitiful?'
Her eyes were wild, filled with a primal intensity that was both frightening and pitiable since tears were flowing from her beautiful eyes.
I shook my head, saying, "It's fine. You held it enough."
I turned my [Unknown's Armor] into my school uniform and opened my neck wide, exposing the vulnerable flesh. "You can drink as you want."
Maya hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with a mixture of confusion and need.
'This the Senior Maya I know.'
She must have come here to lock herself, as she is not someone who can harm others easily.
"So….grrr…..y."
Such a pure person who even apologies in such a state.
She didn't deserve to die.
Chapter 417 - I am here (2)
Maya's world was a shroud of darkness, a self-imposed exile to control the raging hunger within her. Leaning against the tree, she clung to the fleeting relief brought by Junior's blood. The minutes stretched into an eternity as she fought to maintain control, her senses dulled to the chaos outside.
But then, like a whisper through the void, the throbbing sensation returned, a relentless pulse that cut through her self-imposed isolation. Her eyes snapped open, the darkness replaced by a crimson haze. The demonic energy that had been a distant hum now roared in her ears, and she felt it—three distinct blood scents wafting through the air.
The first two were thick, rich, and tantalizingly close. The third was more subtle, hidden beneath the overpowering aroma of the other two, but it was there, beckoning her with an irresistible allure.
"No..." she muttered, her voice a faint echo of defiance. But her body betrayed her, muscles tensing, fangs elongating, and her eyes now a deep, unrelenting crimson. The primal hunger surged within her, overwhelming any semblance of control she had left.
With a speed that defied her human past, Maya dashed through the forest, her movements a blur. Trees and underbrush seemed to part before her as she followed the scent, her mind consumed by the need to sate the thirst that gnawed at her very being.
After that, she lost control of herself. She didn't know what she did. She didn't know whom she fought.
She still vividly remembered a certain moment when she plunged at someone. The taste in her mouth was disgusting as if she was drinking water with salt. It was bad, but at the same time, something inside her continuously pushed her forward.
Her world was crimson, and she needed to drink blood. And that figure was blocking her. That figure was against her. Thus, she didn't care and attacked.
But then, suddenly, the scent disappeared. Instead, the world slightly changed this time. The source of the blood of her target changed.
As she neared the source of the blood, the scene came into focus. Two figures lay prone on the ground, their bodies mangled and bleeding. The thick, coppery scent of their blood filled the air, intoxicating and maddening.
Her eyes locked onto them, the overwhelming urge to feed taking over her mind. She felt herself slipping away, her humanity being swallowed by the monstrous hunger. Tears of frustration and fear welled up in her eyes, mixing with the crimson that painted her vision.
"No... I don't want to be a monster..." she whispered, her voice breaking. She tried to resist, to hold back, but the primal need was too strong. It clawed at her insides, driving her to the brink of madness. She felt like she was losing herself, becoming the very thing she feared the most.
She tried to pull back to regain control, but it was no use. The hunger was too intense, too overpowering. Her fangs bared, and she lunged at the nearest figure, the need for blood overriding all rational thought.
Just as she was about to sink her fangs into the prone figure, a sudden sensation entered her mouth. She had bitten something. The blood flowed down her throat, rich and intoxicating, a taste that she could never have enough of. Her mind cleared momentarily, and she realized what she had bitten into.
'Junior.'
Her heart ached with a mixture of relief and guilt. She was feeding on him, the one person who had always believed in her, always trusted her.
The blood tasted too good, too perfect, and she couldn't stop herself from drinking. Each drop was a lifeline, pulling her back from the edge of madness.
Her grip on his arm tightened, and she drank deeply, the taste of his blood grounding her. The crimson haze in her vision began to recede, replaced by a sense of warmth and familiarity. She felt his presence, steady and reassuring, and it anchored her to reality.
As she fed, she could hear his voice in her mind, a soothing whisper that cut through the chaos.
"It is fine," he said softly, his voice a balm to her tormented soul. "You held it long enough."
Tears streamed down her face as she continued to drink, her body trembling with relief. She find this taste always so intoxicating that she couldn't help but always like that. However, there was also something that continuously ate her inside.
'I couldn't hold it in even though I promised him. Even though I said, I would be normal.'
"So…..Grrrr…..y."
Even while she was talking, even while she was trying to apologize, she still sounded like a monster.
Like a monster who can only think about its meals.
PAT!
But as if he knew about what she was thinking, a hand reached out to her back. Her body was bare; at least, the clothes on her back seemed to be ripped.
SHIVER!
She felt a sense of coldness on his touch. His hands were cold, in contrast to the heat that was spreading from her body.
However, this time, she was filled with more and more guilt. His soothing touch awoke the memories of their first interaction after she became a vampire.
At that time, she also had sucked his blood like this as if she was in a frenzy. It might have been because of the fact that she was under the influence of that Vampire Duke, but at the end of the day, what mattered wasn't the existence of the outer influence but her own lack of control.
At that time, she had promised him that she wouldn't lose her control no matter what happened. She would always control her urges and would stay as a normal human regardless of everything.
But what was happening right now?
What had she done? Had she satisfied the end of her deal?
No, she hadn't.
Once again, she disappointed him.
Showing her true self.
Yes, her true self.
Maya felt her sanity slowly slipping away. The realization that she had failed to control herself once more gnawed at her, eroding her sense of humanity.
'What if such a thing happened when he was not around?' she thought, panic rising in her chest.
'What if it happened when I was around my family?
What if I had harmed those who were fond of him?'
"What am I supposed to do then?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "How am I supposed to control myself? How am I supposed to look at all those people who have been on my side from the start? How am I supposed to live after knowing all these things?"
Her thoughts spiraled into a maelstrom of fear and self-loathing. She grabbed Junior's clothes, burying herself in his chest, feeling ashamed and guilty about her own existence. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him, her body shaking with sobs.
"I'm so sorry," she cried, her voice muffled against his chest. "I promised you… I promised I would control myself, but I couldn't. I'm a monster. I'm a failure. What if I hurt someone else? What if I hurt you?
No, I am already hurting you right now. Even now, you are dealing with my failure of control. I am just a monster, a monster that shouldn't be here."
PAT!
At that moment, as tears continued to fall down from her eyes, she felt a hand on her back once again.
Junior's arms wrapped around her, his embrace firm and comforting. He didn't say anything immediately, allowing her to vent her frustrations and fears. His presence was a steady anchor amidst the storm of her emotions.
After a moment, his hand slowly reached for the tip of her chin, grabbing her from there. Then, in a split second, she found herself looking into his eyes, with her face lifted by his hand.
Maya looked into his eyes, his purple eyes that felt like they contained the stars, making her lose herself in them. It was as if the entire cosmos was hidden in them, as if he could see through everything. But at the same time, they contained a resolve.
He opened his mouth, not breaking eye contact even once. "I don't know what you are even now, or how to cure you from your state. I can't promise you that you will return to normal, as that would make me a liar. But there is one thing I can do for you. I can promise you one simple thing.
If it ever comes that you lose your humanity, if it ever comes that you become someone you would hate yourself to be, at that moment, I am going to end your life."
His words hung in the air, heavy with a solemn promise.
"So that I know that you always stay as Senior Maya. So that you can always remember yourself as the human Maya Evergreen. For the sake of this, I am going to end your life with my own hands. You can count on me for that."
Maya's breath caught in her throat. The weight of his words pressed down on her, a mixture of relief and dread. His resolve was unwavering, his promise both a comfort and a burden. She felt the intensity of his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes, and knew he meant every word.
"I... I don't want to lose myself," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm scared, Junior. I'm so scared."
"I know," he replied gently, his thumb brushing away a tear from her cheek. "And that's why I'm here. To help you fight, to be your anchor. But if the worst happens, if you lose yourself, I will be there to ensure you are remembered as you are now. Strong, kind, and human."
His words were a lifeline, a promise that anchored her to her humanity. She nodded slowly, taking in the gravity of his vow. The fear and guilt that had consumed her began to recede, replaced by a fragile but growing hope.
"I trust you," she said, her voice steadying. "I trust you to keep that promise."
Junior smiled, a warmth in his eyes that melted the remaining ice around her heart. "Always," he said simply. "I will always be here for you."
At that moment, Maya felt something.
For the first time in her life, she felt the urge to drink his blood.
Not because of hunger. Not because of the beastly instincts she felt but because of something else.
It was because she could feel her beating so fast.
'I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.'
She felt unworthy of his feelings, given the monster she had become. She didn't want him to see the depth of her emotions, to be overwhelmed by them. So, she did the only thing she could think of to hide her expression from him. She pushed her fangs towards his neck, sinking them deep into his flesh.
The moment her fangs pierced his skin, she felt a rush of warmth and comfort. It was different from the frantic feeding she had done before. This was intimate, filled with a depth of emotion she had never experienced. His blood, rich and potent, flowed into her, and she felt a connection to him that went beyond the physical.
As she drank, she closed her eyes, her mind flooded with thoughts of him. Every heartbeat, every drop of blood, carried the weight of her love for him. She didn't want him to see her tears, the vulnerability she felt, or the fear that she was not worthy of his love.
Junior didn't flinch. He held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair as she fed. He understood her need, not just for sustenance but for the reassurance that she was still connected to him, still tethered to her humanity through their bond.
'I love you, Junior,' she thought, her heart aching with the intensity of her feelings. 'I love you so much, and I am so scared of losing you, of losing myself.'
She drank deeply, savoring the taste of his blood, not because of the hunger but because it was a way to express the emotions she couldn't put into words. Each drop was a silent declaration of her love, a promise that she would keep fighting and hold on to him.
Chapter 418 - I am here (3)
She hadn't thought about this until now, but there was a certain feeling she had about this Junior of hers.
As she continued to drink, her thoughts began to wander. Junior's skin was pale, even paler than hers, almost like porcelain. His blood, though different from most people, had a strange, almost enchanting taste that she couldn't quite place. It was somehow richer, more potent, and it made her feel stronger, more alive.
It was rich with mana. Though she hated to admit that she was like a beast, she knew the reason why his blood tasted this good was its potent mana quality that no other human possessed. That was the reason why its smell was a lot better compared to others as well.
His body was also tender, not overly muscular, but his muscles held a strange, almost ethereal quality stemming from its mana absorption, most likely.
And his mana was also different. Being the person who had taught him how to move his mana by pushing her own mana into his body, she inwardly knew that something about his mana and body was inherently different.
For a while, she had been thinking about it, trying to understand what made him so different. There was a possibility, a growing suspicion in her mind, that her Junior was not a normal human and might be something different.
'Why is his blood so unique?' she pondered as she fed, her mind racing with questions. 'Why does he always seem so calm, so understanding, even in the face of danger?'
She remembered the countless times he had been there for her, his steady presence a constant source of comfort. She thought about his uncanny ability to remain unflustered, his knowledge that seemed to surpass that of his peers.
It was as if he had seen and experienced things far beyond the scope of a typical student.
Her mind flashed back to moments when he had demonstrated abilities that defied explanation, moments when he had seemed almost supernatural. The way he moved, the way he sensed things before they happened, it all pointed to something more than human.
There was more to Junior than met the eye. Maya recalled subtle hints about the way he would sometimes hold back in training, hiding his true strength. The way he would deflect questions about his past or his origins.
'What is he hiding?' she wondered, her thoughts drifting as she continued to drink his blood. 'Is he scared of something? Trying to hide from someone? What is his goal?'
Junior had always been a mystery, and the more she thought about it, the more questions surfaced. Was he like her, someone who had been changed into something more than human? Or was he something entirely different, something ancient and powerful, hiding in plain sight?
'Why does he hide his strength?' she mused. 'What is he afraid of?'
Is it because of his very being? Is he an existence that would be an enemy of humans? Why?
'Is it because of the demons? Why do you reek the blood of demons on your body even now? Have you been hunting them? If that is the case, why? Why are you risking yourself?
The answer relied on demons. That was what she could be sure about. After all, she still vividly remembered how he brutally killed that vampire. Even though her memories were filled with blanks, she knew the hatred-filled intent oozing from him.
It was not something a normal human could possess.
'What are you, Junior?' she wondered, her fangs still embedded in his flesh, drawing the lifeblood that sustained her. 'Are you like me? Or are you something entirely different?'
She felt his cold hand gently stroking her back, his touch both soothing and grounding. Despite the questions and doubts swirling in her mind, his presence was a comfort, a reminder that she was not alone in this struggle.
Slowly, she pulled back, her lips stained with his blood. Her crimson eyes met his pale gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. She saw the understanding in his eyes, the acceptance, and it filled her with a sense of peace she had not known in a long time.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, this time more clearly, her voice tinged with sorrow and gratitude.
"It's okay, Senior," he replied softly, his voice steady and reassuring. "You did well."
As she looked into his eyes, she realized that whatever he was, whatever secrets he held, he was still her Junior. The one who had always been there for her, the one who had never judged her, and the one who had given her hope when she had none.
And that was enough for now. She would find out the truth in time, but for now, she would trust him, as he had always trusted her.
RUSTLE!
Suddenly, she sensed a movement from their side. Maya flinched, turning her head sharply to the side. There, she saw the two girls they had forgotten about starting to wake up.
'Did they see it?'
Her eyes widened in surprise, and her face turned crimson. In the intensity of the moment with Junior, she had completely forgotten their surroundings, lost in their emotional and physical bond.
She turned to look at him only to see his calm eyes.
'Right. He is not that clumsy. There is no way he would overlook such a thing.'
She thought after seeing that.
Not wanting to show any weakness or any signs of her vampiric form, Maya focused on controlling her bestial instincts. With her urges calmed, she managed to suppress her vampiric features and return to her normal appearance. She gave Junior one final look, then quickly backed away like a startled rabbit.
In his eyes, she saw the silent communication, the unspoken understanding. He was trying to hide his identity, and she knew what she had to do.
'This is at least what I am supposed to do.'
She nodded her head, signaling that she understood.
Junior moved swiftly, disappearing into the forest, his movements graceful and silent among the branches. In no time, he was lost in sight.
"Hmm...?"
At that exact moment, the first girl woke up. It was the silver-haired girl, someone even Maya recognized as a sophomore.
Seraphina Frostborne.
The girl whose reputation exceeded the other students of the academy with her strength and her notes. To be perfectly honest, she wanted to watch the fight between Irina and Seraphina, but she was a bit late, and the seats were already taken to the full, even at the start of the morning.
But that wasn't what was important right now.
Before Seraphina could ask any questions, Maya reached for a potion in her spatial ring. Covered in blood, her clothes slightly ripped, she looked as if she had just emerged from a fierce battle. She intended to use this appearance to cover the truth—that she had been the one to deal with the demonic human who tried to kidnap Seraphina and Irina.
As Seraphina woke up, she instantly turned vigilant. In a second, her mana started oozing out from her body, even though she wasn't in her best shape. As she saw Maya, she quickly raised her body to attack her, but Maya only raised her hand. The ice particles that formed around Seraphina and flew toward her instantly hit something like an air barrier and crashed down.
After that, Maya looked at Seraphina with a smile and said, "No need to be vigilant. You're safe now."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed as she took in Maya's appearance. She noticed the uniform on Maya's body, identifying her as an Arcadia Hunter Academy student and a senior on top of that. Taking a clearer look, she recognized Maya and her guard lowered.
"I... I remember you," Seraphina said slowly, her voice still tinged with suspicion but easing out of its initial hostility. "You're Maya Evergreen, right? The upperclassman who..."
"Yes, that's me," Maya interjected gently, not wanting Seraphina to strain herself trying to remember. "I was here when those... attackers came. I managed to fend them off."
Seraphina looked around, her gaze falling on Irina, who was still unconscious but now stirring slightly. She turned back to Maya, her cold expression softening a little.
"Thank you, Senior," she murmured, her previous readiness to fight to subside as she reassessed the situation. "It seems we owe you our thanks."
Maya nodded, offering Seraphina a reassuring smile. "Just rest now. You both need to recover," she advised, her tone kind yet firm. "Everything's under control."
Relieved but still visibly shaken, Seraphina nodded and settled back down, her energy slowly receding as she took the potion that Maya had given to her.
SWIRL!
At that moment, suddenly, the two noticed movement. Unlike Seraphina, Irina had woken up silently, awakening unnoticed until a swirl of fire erupted from her side, directed straight at Maya, who was standing before Seraphina.
Reacting instinctively, Maya waved her hand. Water flowed around her body, forming a protective shield, and clashed with the incoming fire. The resulting interaction created a burst of hot steam, but Maya deftly manipulated the wind to lift and disperse the steam away from them, preventing any harm.
As the steam cleared, Irina's eyes were fixed on Maya, filled with confusion and the remnants of defensive aggression. Recognizing the need to reassure Irina just as she had Seraphina, Maya repeated the calming words she had used before.
"Irina, you're safe now," Maya said gently, keeping her tone soothing and her posture non-threatening. "There's no need to fight. I'm here to help."
However, something was different this time.
The eyes were locked on Maya. They were supposed to be calmed after sensing her presence, just like Seraphina's.
After all, even though she didn't like to brag about it, Maya was well aware of her reputation, and she knew that people knew about her in the academy.
Thus, there was no way Irina wouldn't have recognized her by now.
Maya expected Irina to calm down as Seraphina had, recognizing her as a senior and a protector within the academy. Her reputation generally preceded her, and she was accustomed to a certain level of respect and recognition from the student body. Thus, she anticipated that Irina, once aware of who was aiding them, would relax.
However, the expected calm did not come. Instead, Irina's eyes remained locked on Maya, glaring daggers at her as if something was deeply wrong.
'What now? Why is she looking at me like that?'
This feeling wasn't foreign, and neither was this glare. She had gotten such types of glares from other girls before. But right now, she was not sharp enough to make the connection.
'Urghk….'
This reaction created an awkward and tense atmosphere, contrary to the usual responses Maya received.
"Is there something wrong?" Maya asked, her voice tinged with concern and a hint of confusion. She took a tentative step forward, trying to bridge the gap between them, hoping to soothe any fears or misunderstandings.
Irina, however, did not respond with words. Her glare intensified, and her body language remained defensive. As Maya approached to see if Irina was injured or needed further assistance, Irina abruptly waved her hand, signaling for Maya to stop.
"Don't approach," Irina said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I can handle myself." Her words were firm, and her expression unyielding.
Taken aback by the cold dismissal, Maya halted, her hand mid-air and her face a mask of puzzled concern. Irina then turned to leave, casting one last glare over her shoulder at Maya, leaving the older student bewildered and unsure of what had just transpired.
"That bastard…..He was entangling himself with another woman?"
And Irina was feeling furious.
Chapter 419 - I am here (4)
Is everything in this world can be seen through?
The answer to this question would most likely be no. No human is omnipotent. Nothing in this world can know everything beforehand. No matter how many plans we make, no matter what we do, or how far we achieve, there are times we realize that we are not that great after all.
But, in our very essence, we want to be like the gods that we believe in.
We want to be the greatest, the ones that direct everything. That is why we fall into the delusion that we are great when everything is going our way.
Those thoughts. They suddenly appeared in my head. While I was hunting down the demonic humans one by one, secretly, suddenly, a bad premonition indulged my heart.
The reason for this wasn't some sort of intuition. It was because my eyes were observing things that I knew subconsciously should happen differently.
When something tells us that the thing in front of us is wrong, most of the time, it is not because of the fact that we somehow get a divine revelation. We are not that special.
It is because our subconsciousness sees and notices the signs of difference. And that was what exactly was happening to me right now. The reason why I was feeling such a thing.
'Why are they not appearing?'
This was the first question that came to my mind. After all, according to the game, the high-ranking executives of the organization must have appeared by now. That was how it went in the game, the plan of their attack.
Even in the cutscenes, it was explained that this attack was being prepared for two or three years. Therefore, I doubted that such a plan would be changed thanks to the derivations from the game.
That was also the reason why I notified Eleanor while securing the evidence that the professor had contacted the 'Mad Puppeteer.'
I precisely waited for that moment. I had already secured a lot of evidence on him, contacting many different people of demons.
They are also recorded in my memory, and I won't forget their faces. But, even then, I didn't stop until I found Mad Puppeteer.
I knew she would not be able to contain her emotions. After all, that Mad Puppeteer is her weakness. Something that can be used against her for a while.
This place was bound to be their grave. I confirmed this. After all, two other S-rank Hunters were also there, and they were from the Real Demonic Human Bureau. Though the situation concerning the Demonic Human Bureau is a lot more complex to explain, those hunters are real Demon Hunters, at least.
Amelia and Callum.
Those two are future-named characters that will significantly impact the storyline, and this is something that won't most likely change.
With their existence confirmed, I was sure that everything was about to go according to the plan I made.
After all, even if Verian Drakos is strong enough to kill professors and go against Eleanor one-on-one, he wouldn't be able to face three S-rank Hunters by himself.
And once Verian Drakos was killed, this would deal a significant blow to the Demon Followers since he has the Bestowal of a [Demon Lord]. Why is this that important?
The answer is related to how Bestowals works.
Once a person Bestowed is killed, the Bestower will also receive significant damage, making them require a lot of time to recover.
And this will become something that is exploitable. After all, just like humans, demons are also greedy and obsessed with power.
No. Compared to humans, demons are worse. After all, the hierarchy of strength runs a lot deeper in their society.
And, if other [Demon Lords] were to be informed that the other one was weaker, what would happen?
An internal war.
This was such a good opportunity to exploit. Since it was also the time for the semester to end, I would have a lot of free time to work against them.
But things didn't happen as I wished.
'They were not here.'
The fact that those people were not even here.
'Why?'
The first question to ask was why. Why did they not appear here?
Did they just abandon the three-year plan that they had made? But for what reason? What could possibly make them abandon such an important plan?
The answer was evident.
'They knew.'
The fact that they knew the academy was preparing to trap them. No other thing could be explained. Then what was the reason?
How did they know?
'Did they see the future? A divination? Oracle?'
But this didn't make any sense. After all, if I can think about this early, Eleanor must have also already thought about it. There is no way she wouldn't interfere with such things.
After all, nothing is omnipotent. Every power has its own weaknesses and counters. Therefore, Eleanor must have already taken countermeasures to address that.
So, if divination or foresight wasn't the reason, then it had to be something more direct and reliable.
'Someone from the inside must have informed them.'
The realization hit me with chilling clarity. Someone within the academy, someone with access to the plans and strategies, had betrayed us.
And that certain someone must have displayed enough evidence to persuade Valkara to abandon the preparation of three years, which would mean they were at least aware of the existence of Callum, Amelia, and other hunters here.
This would mean they knew quite a lot. The most possible candidates would be the ones that Eleanor would have contacted.
It wasn't just an average informant. It had to be someone deeply embedded within the academy's operations, someone trusted enough to be privy to critical information.
'A mole, then.'
Someone who is playing both sides, feeding the demons the necessary intel to thwart our plans. It explained everything—their preparedness, the absence of the high-ranking executives, and the altered sequence of events.
'But, that is still….Eleanor wouldn't trust that many people easily.'
If the traitor was someone from Eleanor's side, then there was no need for me to identify the traitor since Eleanor could easily deal with this alone.
At this point, she must have reached the same conclusion as I did, and she could foresee everything.
But something didn't make sense.
'I had already seen him.'
Verian Drakos.
Most people wouldn't be able to notice his disguise, but nothing can pass through my eyes. Even if he had perfectly hidden his demonic energy and no ounce of it was even leaking, I knew it was Verian from the start.
The way he positioned himself and the way his eyes observed his non-focused areas from his posture gave away the weapon he was using. The clothing he had chosen, everything matched my analysis of his character from the game.
He also mumbled from time to time to himself, which gave away the fact that he was giving orders. I could observe his lips, after all.
Just yesterday, he was in the academy.
But, if he were to be informed by an insider, why would he still risk himself to come here? Why would he show himself? I didn't get this point.
If someone inside knew about this plan, they could have informed him way before then how it was supposed to be, and there was no way, with his personality, he would take such a risk.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, he left the academy last night?
Why?
'Was the informant able to access the information just yesterday? Or are they trying to make a distraction?'
But this wouldn't happen unless the informant knew that someone on our side knew about the existence of Verian, which is not possible since Eleanor doesn't know about his existence.
After all, if they knew, there was no need for them to wait for the attack to happen. They could just attack him to capture him.
This made it evident that something else was in play.
'Think, Astron, think.'
I needed to connect the dots. Verian's sudden departure, the absence of high-ranking executives, and the presence of a mole—these were all pieces of a larger puzzle. But how did they fit together?
'The timing.'
Verian left just last night, shortly after I had confirmed his presence. It's too coincidental to ignore. If the mole had informed him of our plans, then they must have known I was watching him.
'This is impossible.'
This part can not be possible. No one in this world knows about what I think. Even the ones closest to me only know me on the surface.
My interactions were limited, and my movements were careful.
'It must be something else. They must know about this beforehand.'
The mole had to be someone with access to such sensitive information and someone who could relay that information without raising suspicion.
'Eleanor's inner circle.'
But as I thought about it more, it made less sense. Eleanor was meticulous in her selection of confidants. The mole had to be someone who could bypass even her scrutiny.
'The faculty or higher administration?'
But even they were under tight observation, especially during times of heightened security. And I doubted Eleanor would even trust them after seeing the professor.
'The students.'
The mole didn't need to be someone from the administration or faculty. It could be a student with the right connections and access. Someone who could blend in without arousing suspicion. This would make sense from the suspicion part. However, it is also limited to another.
It raised another question.
'If they were to be a student, who would be? Which student?'
There were many possibilities, but it had to be someone with the means and motive to betray the academy. Someone who had something to gain from aligning with the demons.
There were many students who turned into a villain in the future. The list could go on further, reaching at least fifty.
The amount of students Ethan would need to kill in the future was this high. I knew every one of their names.
But none of them had the necessary access to this information. There was no way a student could know about the plan when even the academy faculty members didn't know about it.
It was not possible.
'Nothing seems to fit into this puzzle.'
I couldn't find the missing piece, no matter how hard I tried.
As I mulled over these thoughts, frustration began to creep in. The pieces of the puzzle were scattered, and no matter how I tried to arrange them, they didn't form a coherent picture. There was something I was missing, something crucial.
And then, suddenly, a thought struck me. It was so simple and yet so profound that it almost felt like a revelation.
I myself was an odd phenomenon. A special being who had the knowledge of another world. Whose soul somehow was split and was not complete.
What if there was someone else like me?
The idea was both unsettling and intriguing. If I existed in this world with the knowledge of the game, why couldn't there be someone else with similar knowledge or abilities? Someone who also knew the events that were supposed to unfold and had their own agenda.
What if the mole was another person with foreknowledge, someone who understood the intricacies of this world as well as I did, or perhaps even better? Someone who could predict our moves, manipulate events, and guide the demons with precision.
It made sense. It explained the discrepancies, the shifts in the timeline, and the uncanny awareness the demons had of our plans. It wasn't just a traitor; it was someone playing a deeper game, a parallel player in this world.
But who could it be? Another transmigrator? A reincarnator? Someone from my world or another with similar circumstances? The possibilities were endless, but the implications were clear.
'A person similar to me but is against me. A person who needs to be exterminated.'
They foiled my plans.
'You are going to pay for it.'
Chapter 420 - I am here [Interlude] (5)
The room was dimly lit, with only a soft, warm glow emanating from a single bedside lamp, casting elongated shadows against the walls. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and a hint of perfume.
In the center of the room, on a luxurious bed draped with satin sheets, lay a man with a lean, sculpted build. His face was chiseled and handsome, and he exuded confidence even in repose.
Beside him stood a woman with incredible beauty, her silhouette striking against the muted light. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her eyes, gleaming with an enigmatic allure, were fixed on the man before her.
"God, I hate them all," the man began, his voice tinged with frustration. "My boss, my coworkers—they just keep piling work on me. Do they think I'm some kind of machine? Every random task, every little thing that goes wrong, it's always my responsibility to sort it out."
The woman listened intently, her presence a calming force in the room. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, her touch soft and soothing.
"Mhmmm…..That feels good…."
It was evident that she was good with her fingers. Her voice, low and sultry, wove through the air like a warm embrace. "Tell me more," she murmured, her tone inviting him to continue.
"They wouldn't be able to do anything without me," he continued, his voice growing more impassioned. "I'm the one who keeps everything running smoothly. They don't appreciate the effort I put in or the hours I work. It's like they don't even see me. And that woman! Even after all those things I am doing for her, she refuses to acknowledge anything.
Not even a word of appreciation. You bet she even looks down on me just because her father is a high-ranking executive."
The woman's lips curled into a subtle smile, though her eyes remained sympathetic. She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "It's their loss," she whispered in her voice, a blend of reassurance and temptation.
"Yeah…..."
The man answered while his body slowly relaxed and his breathing slowed down.
"But I heard you have even investigated what happened in that cursed land."
"Cursed Land?" the man asked, puzzled.
"Yes, the place where everything was covered with fog," the woman replied, her tone still sultry.
"Phantom's Land," the man named the place, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you talking about that place?"
The woman nodded, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Yes, that's the one."
The man nodded slowly. "Yeah, I was one of those who investigated that place." Suddenly, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How did you know that I—"
Before he could finish his question, the woman grabbed his lips and sealed his mouth with hers. They shared a long and erotic kiss, their breaths mingling in the dim light. When they finally pulled apart, the man's eyes had lost their light, as if he had been enchanted or drugged.
The woman's voice was soft and commanding as she asked again, "Tell me about the investigation in Phantom's Land."
The man, now entranced, began to speak. "We investigated the place and discovered that the phenomenon that bugged the government for at least fifty years was actually related to a demon. An ancient demon, on top of that."
The woman smiled as if she had expected this answer. "What happened to that demon?"
"The demon was killed by Academy students," the man replied.
The woman raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Academy students? They killed such a demon?"
The man started to speak again, but his body convulsed as he showed signs of resistance. The woman's long fingers caressed his body once again, her eyes glowing bright purple. The man relaxed and continued talking obediently. "Three students from Arcadia Hunter Academy reportedly killed the demon on their own. They were rewarded for their accomplishment, though it was hidden that they killed a demon."
The woman's eyes narrowed in thought. "Who were the ones that killed the demon?" she asked.
The man's eyes glazed over as he conjured three faces in his mind, and the woman easily found their faces.
The woman studied their faces, memorizing them with a cold smile.
"Even though the academy students were talented, from the data that I measured, it was highly unlikely that they could achieve such a thing. The demon was too strong. I suspected that there was someone else there, but their traces were fully covered, and no proof was left. The investigation was soon covered up, and it was stopped."
The woman's smile deepened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of satisfaction and intrigue. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice a soothing balm to his entranced mind. "You've been very helpful."
As the man drifted into an enchanted sleep, the woman stood up, her silhouette a dark shadow against the dim light.
"These three faces, huh?" She mumbled as she waved her hand. A black smoke rose from the man's mouth after he fell asleep, not knowing he would forget everything by tomorrow.
"Let's see if they were really the ones."
On the document she had on her watch, three faces and three names could be seen.
Irina Emberheart.
Sylvie Gracewind.
Astron Natusalune.
"Students of Arcadia Hunter Academy."
******
The bustling grounds of Arcadia Hunter Academy were alive with the energy of the duel between the two strongest mages of freshmen.
In the midst of the crowd stood a woman with an eye-catching presence, her sultry body, showcasing attire, and raven-black hair setting her apart.
Beside her was a young man, his demeanor confident and inquisitive.
"So, what do you think about the duel between the two greatest mages of our generation, Sophia?" the young man asked, his voice tinged with excitement. He was Zark Muckerberg, a scout for a newly rising guild. He turned to the woman with curiosity, eager to hear her thoughts.
After all, she was his girlfriend of one year, and she had been with him for a long time. There were many different times that she had given her own ideas, which turned out to be the best decision that he had made.
The woman referred to as Sophia, kept her gaze fixed on the arena where two students were locked in a heated magical duel. Her eyes, cold and calculating, focused on one student in particular—a young student with fiery hair and amber eyes who moved with fierce determination and grace.
"They are incredible," Sophia replied, her tone measured. "Both possess immense talent and skill."
Yet, inwardly, her thoughts were far from impressed. She recalled the conversation with the man whose memory she had wiped clean.
He had claimed that Irina Emberheart, one of the students before her, was part of the group that had killed the ancient demon.
'There is just no way that Belthazor can be killed by this girl. No matter how pathetic he is.'
But as she watched Irina now, Sophia could see that the young woman didn't have the necessary strength to accomplish such a feat.
'Something is not adding up. But, it seems there was really someone who was hiding behind and working behind the scenes.'
Something was being hidden.
'But well, isn't this more exciting? After all, I really want to see who that person is. So that I can eat them before my lady does.'
She licked her lips with a slight smile.
'And it seems the opportunity will reveal itself soon.'
Seeing all the familiar energy surrounding her, she couldn't help but lament.
'Humans surely have a way of inventing all these new things. If not for them directly planting one to me, I would not have sensed what was happening.'
She thought after looking at the seed on her hands.
Zark, unaware of Sophia's inner turmoil, continued to watch the duel with fascination. "It's hard to believe they're still students," he remarked. "The future looks bright for the Arcadia Hunter Academy."
Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed Irina's every move. "Indeed," she murmured. "But there are always layers beneath the surface, hidden truths that need to be revealed."
After the duel ended, suddenly, many explosions started happening everywhere across the place.
–BOOM!
And seeing that everything was starting, the woman instantly disappeared.
"Sophia? Sophia? Where are you? Urghk–! My head….." Zark's voice faded into the chaos.
In the midst of the chaos, 'Sophia,' or, originally known as 'Zafira,' moved towards the arena, keeping herself hidden. As she reached the arena, smoke covered the area, and she saw the two students lying on the ground, unconscious after the duel that had tired them to the maximum.
She moved to capture Irina Emberheart, but just at that moment, she sensed the barrier that had been formed over the academy. The spatial barrier would make it impossible for anyone to leave using teleportation. Thus, she decided to let things go for now, as it wouldn't be wise for her to reveal her identity just to capture Irina Emberheart.
But as she saw the two professors approaching the students, she had an idea.
'This barrier is no ordinary one,' Zafira thought, studying the intricate patterns of the spatial distortion. 'Someone has gone to great lengths to ensure no one escapes. Interesting.'
As the professors neared the unconscious students, Zafira's mind raced. She needed to find a way to get close to Irina without arousing suspicion. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for an opportunity.
'Perhaps a little subterfuge is in order,' she mused, her lips curling into a cunning smile.
Zafira quickly slipped into the shadows, her form blending seamlessly with the smoke and debris. She moved closer to the professors, overhearing their frantic discussions.
"Get them to the infirmary immediately," one professor ordered, his voice urgent. "We need to stabilize them before anything else happens."
The other professor nodded, beginning to cast a levitation spell to carry the students.
Zafira waited until the spell was in place, then made her move. With a subtle flick of her fingers, she sent a tiny, almost imperceptible burst of dark energy towards the spell. The energy seeped into the magic, embedding itself deep within the spell's matrix.
And then, in an instant, something different happened.
"Huh?"
As one of the professors exclaimed, suddenly, the target of the spell had changed.
From the two students that they were ordered to care about to their own selves.
–SWOOSH!
Following that, the two professors flew uncontrollably from arena two and outside of the academy. And in the midst of the chaos, no one noticed what was happening to them.
'That should do it,' she thought, satisfied.
'Now. Let's see if Irina Emberheart is really hiding her strength or if someone else was there.'