Gun of Ashes

Nightfall descended, just like usual, without anything significant.

The streets appeared somewhat desolate at this moment; intentionally driven away, few pedestrians were about, with barricades piled at the intersections to prevent unnecessary people from approaching.

Many individuals wearing maintenance uniforms walked amongst them, including the Red Falcon. Though Old Dunling’s winter had already passed, the lingering chill still existed; coupled with the naturally damp environment, he felt a bit cold as he paced by the roadside.

”Is the handling almost done?”

Someone emerged from a nearby mansion, drawing near to see the Red Falcon clearly, then asked.

”Almost, according to the report, it was Lorenzo who handled these demons, but after dealing with them, he didn’t remain at the scene; no one knows where he went.”

Joey was also feeling somewhat cold, glanced around, catching vague shadows casting curious glances here.

When Lorenzo battled the demons, the corruption they brought was detected by nearby large Geiger Counters, and not long after Lorenzo concluded the fight, the Purification Mechanism arrived, processed the scene, and now it’s the Cleaners’ turn to conclude the cleanup. They declared that the steam pipes here had ruptured, potentially causing underground chain reactions, temporarily sealing the area.

”Lorenzo, huh? Really comes and goes without a trace, is he not home?” asked the Red Falcon, merely playing the role of substitute supervisor here.

”No, I sent someone to look for him,” Joey replied.

”Yet his ability to act is astonishing, as if he doesn’t tire... does slaying demons bring him joy?” Saying so, Joey couldn’t help but sigh.

”What’s up?” Hearing Joey’s lament, the Red Falcon grew curious about what Lorenzo had done before this.

”In the operation against Lawrence, he exhausted all his weapons, even his beloved Winchester was blown apart; he required new arms, and I delivered some to him this morning.”

”And by evening, he dealt with the demons...” the Red Falcon’s voice weakened, this efficiency was extraordinarily high. Fortunately, there was no formal employment contract between Lorenzo and the Purification Mechanism, otherwise, the Red Falcon might find himself out of a job before retirement.

”Indeed...”

Joey reminisced about the scene underground, where the demon was caught by the intercepting net, its tattered body still clung with familiar hook guns; he could picture Lorenzo’s heroic stance, the demon hunter’s brilliant debut, demons beaten and fleeing in panic.

Sadly, that demon couldn’t escape the underground, it was caught by Lorenzo, easily slain like a ceremony of execution.

”Any findings?”

”Many discoveries, such as hallucinogen mixed with Secret Blood, the demon named Ban’er injected an overdose of hallucinogen, mutating into a demon. We also discovered some other corpses, after a simple examination, confirmed to have injected hallucinogen, though killed before mutating.

”Lawrence’s remnants still exist within Old Dunling, this matter holds significance and has been reported to Arthur.”

The pair set their playful banter aside, shifted to seriousness, just as mentioned, this matter indeed held great importance.

Searching for the whereabouts of ’Revelation’ was after Lawrence’s demise, the Purification Mechanism’s most critical task; yet now, there’s new Secret Blood appearing, ’Revelation’ still lingers around Old Dunling, Lawrence’s remnants hide within the shadows.

”What about Arthur? I thought he would personally be here,” inquired the Red Falcon.

”He has been here before, now he’s probably at Black Mountain Hospital.”

”Directly asking those involved for intelligence? Seems like he really cares,” continued the Red Falcon.

”Not only that, this event involves the Suyalan Hall police; according to the sheriff, he obtained some intelligence, uncovered this smuggling operation, and led the raid, simply didn’t anticipate its connection to demons... indeed, ordinary people can’t fathom demons over such matters, for him, at worst, these smugglers wield firearms.”

Joey remarked again, glancing at the Red Falcon, ”Additionally, his daughter is part of the team, seemingly tied to her as well.”

”Arthur probably feels vexed by such things too.”

Joey spoke, then gazed at the sky, where the giant whale of steel, as usual, slowly cruised amongst the clouds.

Demons... demons...

”Red Falcon, do you think we’ll end up like this in the future?”

Joey suddenly asked.

”What?” the Red Falcon queried.

”I mean after retirement, you should know the Purification Mechanism’s ordinances, we’ll be moved into the logistics section, gradually detaching from all demon-related matters, that dark door will close for us, then everything we experienced within the Purification Mechanism will be merely an unusual nightmare.”

”Upon awakening, it’s time to return to normal life, they’ll deposit our pay regularly, along with monthly psychological evaluations, persisting for many years, perhaps we’d end up dead from unexpected events before it’s over.”

Joey took a deep breath, unsure why the sudden wave of melancholy surged, yet more than that, he felt disoriented, somewhat dazed.

”Can this nightmare really be over?” he doubted.

”Just like that mysterious connection, even with Arthur’s earnest efforts, still involving his family, first his wife, then his daughter... I indeed understand Arthur, I’d rather not want my children involved in these.”

Upon uttering this, Joey paused unexpectedly, as though uncovering some grand conspiracy, realizing the Joshua family consistently has one or two members per generation joining the Purification Mechanism, initially thinking it was familial tradition, yet now it seems they’re merely getting deeper ensnared.