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Three years later.
Haru walked alone across the wasteland. The air was dry, the sky dim, but his steps were steady and calm. A lot had changed over the past three years. He had become almost unrecognizable from the boy he once was.
I've definitely gotten stronger, he thought. But I still haven't been able to reach Archdemon classification yet even though I probably have the power. I wonder what it is I'm missing.
Diablo had taught him everything in his arsenal. Realistically, anyone below Archdemon should be lightwork for him by now.
Just like the two demons approaching him at this very moment.
One of them, who we will name Demon 1, who had horns that pointed straight upward, grinned.
"Oh, what do we have here?"
The other, who we will name Demon 2, who had horns curving downward, chuckled.
"It seems prey has delivered itself on a silver platter."
Haru stopped and studied the two calmly. Both were most probably Greater Demons just like him. Well at least in classification. But the gap in strength between them could not be wider.
Haru gave a polite nod. "Gentlemen, I'm looking for a certain Demon Swordsman. I've been here before and he knows me. So if you both could respectfully let me through, I would really appreciate it."
The two demons stared at him⊠then burst into laughter.
Demon 1 wiped a tear. "Why do you think we would let you go? You walked straight to us. We get a chance at evolution, why would we let that pass us by."
Demon 2 added, "Sorry, demon. But we'll at least leave your core intact so you can get reborn."
Haru sighed. "Look, you two⊠I'm really not here to cause trouble. I don't want to kill Juane's people and give her a reason to want to kill me, okay? So just let me through."
Yes. These two demons were from the Yellow Lineage, evident in the sclera of their eyes. The lineage under Carrera, if that wasn't obvious yet.
The demons laughed again, even louder.
"Kill us?" Demon 2 scoffed. "In case you haven't noticed, the odds are stacked against you. Two of us and one of you."
Haru placed a finger on his chin thoughtfully.
"Actually, that's true⊠But numbers really mean nothing to me. At least not anymore."
Demon 1 frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Haru didn't blame them for misunderstanding. On paper, he was just another Greater Demon wandering alone. And when you believe you've found prey, you never consider the possibility that the prey is stronger. To them, he was just an easy meal wandering into their territory.
Unfortunately for them⊠he was not a normal Greater Demon.
Demon 2 grinned eagerly.
"It doesn't matter what he's talking about. With evolution so close, I'm itching to clobber him."
Demon 1 nodded. "You're right. Once we get to Archdemon status, we'll rule this Domain."
Haru let out another tired sigh.
The two demons lunged at him simultaneously. Haru simply shifted his body, weaving between both strikes with minimal movement. Then he turned toward them and said calmly:
"Noir Flame."
Black fire erupted from his hand, engulfing both demons instantly. Their bodies disintegrated into ash before they even understood what happened.
Haru exhaled.
"How troublesome."
He then turned his gaze toward a rocky outcrop in the distance.
"How long do you plan on hiding there?"
Then A figure stepped out. Esprit. Carrera's best friend, smiling playfully.
"Impressive," she said. "You sensed me even though I was concealing my presence fully."
"I see," Haru replied.
Esprit tilted her head. "Was that Noir's black flames you just used?"
"That's correct." Haru responded.
Her smile grew. "So Violet wasn't lying when she said Diablo was training you. How interesting."
Haru raised a brow. "If you were that curious, why didn't you just search me out directly?"
Esprit laughed lightly. "Oh no, don't get it wrong demon. I wasn't curious at all. In fact I couldn't care less about what you two weirdos do. I just found the situation entertaining and weird. Besides, I was planning on looking for you anyway."
"Oh? And why is that?" Haru asked.
Esprit's expression sharpened.
"I actually wanted to kill Diablo. But he's too strong for me. So my anger has been passed on to you. And now that he even trained you, you're even closer to him."
Haru paused for a moment, then responded.
"I see. So basically, you're saying you're too weak to fight Diablo, so you go for his underling."
"No matter how you phrase it," Esprit said, "it doesn't change what I plan to do. Besides, you killed two demons from my kin, so revenge is in order."
Haru sighed.
"Really now⊠I don't need this trouble. You don't even care about those two demons, do you?"
Esprit put on an exaggerated expression.
"Oh, I care. I care very much. I'm heartbroken at how brutally you murdered them without a second thought. I must avenge them."
"You were watching the entire time and made no effort to stop them," Haru replied flatly. "Of course you don't care. Besides, I do want to fight you someday, but not now. I came here to peacefully meet the Demon Swordsman I fought before and leave."
Esprit smiled, amused.
"Well, things don't always go according to plan now, do they?"
Haru took a breath, resigned.
"I guess not."
Esprit was always a very reckless and chaos loving demon In the light novel. Good to see these characters personalities haven't changed at all.
Haru then shifted into a battle stance.