Gun of Ashes

The Silver Binding Bolt is a restriction for Demon Hunters, yet to some extent, it also serves as protection. The sturdy Holy Silver effectively safeguards vital organs, but the Demon Hunter before him lacks these protections.

Several thoughts rapidly churned in his mind, and Lorenzo once again swung the Folding Blade, continually wounding the enemy. At this moment, the Demon Hunter struggled to resist. He turned his back on Lorenzo, and the wound ignited with fierce flames.

This isn’t a simple Purifying Flame. Lorenzo doesn’t believe his own Purifying Flame could burn so fiercely in mere seconds. The fire surged several meters high, igniting everything combustible around them. The flames enveloped the Demon Hunter’s body, and in the intense heat, the Staff Sword began to glow red-hot.

Authority · Michael.

Lorenzo didn’t have time to think further; he kicked Shermans aside. There were still many questions he wanted to ask this old guy. He didn’t want him to die mysteriously like this.

Shermans was also somewhat bewildered. He didn’t even have time to feel the pain, holding his notebook tight. If he were to die, he at least wanted to preserve the notebook. Regardless of the successor, one day, this world’s veil would be lifted.

But besides this, he found the feeling rather strange, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint it.

Death God came knocking, but the odd thing was that someone jumped through the window, fired at the door. Shermans wasn’t clear about the intruder’s purpose, yet it felt as if Death God was obliged to wait for Lorenzo to resolve matters first.

Lorenzo didn’t consider Shermans’ nonsensical thoughts; he merely sensed he was caught in a greater predicament.

Not long after Lorenzo infiltrated, he spotted these Demon Hunters. They made no attempts to conceal themselves, boldly storming in. Empowered by the Secret Blood, Shermans’ guards were utterly defenseless, cut down effortlessly.

The old Order was completely destroyed after the Night of the Holy Arrival. Even surviving Demon Hunters like Lorenzo mostly hid in corners of the world, savoring their scarce peace. Thus, these Demon Hunters’ identities were fairly clear.

They were Demon Hunters of the new Order. From their combat style, incompatible with Lorenzo’s recognition, and the absence of Silver Binding Bolt within them, it’s evident.

Indeed, the heavy blow to the Evangelical Church on the Night of the Holy Arrival hasn’t fully recovered. These Demon Hunters may seem powerful, but compared to Lorenzo with roots in the old Order, they’re considerably lacking.

Lorenzo understood well the implications of lacking a Silver Binding Bolt. A Demon Hunter could freely undergo demonization if he wished, becoming a terrifying existence beyond ordinary demons. The best approach was instantaneous incapacitation, preventing any awakening of the Secret Blood... leading to death.

Amidst the blazing flames, Lorenzo didn’t retreat; instead, he advanced, thrusting the Staff Sword deeper into the Demon Hunter’s body, while the shotgun on his back fired again. Countless pellets pierced into flesh, severely wounding the Demon Hunter, leaving him struggling for a moment.

He attempted to turn around, the red-hot Staff Sword bending with his body’s twist. Meanwhile, the Secret Blood surged higher, engulfing the entire room in flames. Lorenzo’s vision was filled with fierce firelight, followed by a suffocating sensation.

”Stay down!”

Lorenzo cursed, yanking out the Folding Blade lodged in flesh.

Though bolstered by the Secret Blood, Demon Hunters possessed strength far exceeding ordinary people, yet they still had weaknesses. Like demons, they would perish if their heart was pierced or their head severed.

Lorenzo’s sneak attack precisely hit the Demon Hunter’s heart. He continued functioning entirely reliant on the terrifying power of the Secret Blood, driving his body to an inhuman state. Meanwhile, the formidable vitality began healing the heart. Given time, he could recover.

This was the troublesome aspect of Demon Hunters and even demons. Despite decapitation, they could fight instinctively, while a pierced heart allowed gradual recovery through sheer willpower.

Lorenzo fiercely twisted the red-hot Staff Sword, further tearing open the unhealed wound, shredding the vulnerable flesh. He then mercilessly swung the Folding Blade, striking hard at the neck.

The Demon Hunter struggled to fight back, caught off guard by Lorenzo’s relentless assault amidst the threat of death. He could only unleash his Authority to its fullest extent. Instantly, Lorenzo’s vision turned pure white, the dazzling light forcing his eyes shut. The Folding Blade began to melt, clothes ignited spontaneously.

In an instant, this place transformed into a burning hell.

A dull sound echoed, followed by occasional pellets striking Lorenzo’s body. At such close range, the ammunition on Lorenzo also detonated due to the high temperature. Lorenzo clenched his teeth, shut his eyes, relying on previous judgment, he swung the Folding Blade down forcefully.

The roaring flames halted momentarily, then subsided, scattering out. Lorenzo slowly opened his eyes, the blinding radiance had dissipated. Before him lay a kneeling, headless corpse.

Lorenzo inhaled deeply. This was the Authority of the Michael faction, the most directly lethal among Demon Hunters. That extreme temperature resembled daylight walking in the world. Fortunately, Lorenzo’s surprise attack succeeded, and his subsequent actions were decisive enough; otherwise, if the temperature reached its peak, steel would have melted on contact.

Gazing at the charred remains, the desiccated carbonized shell crumbled, beneath it flesh stubbornly squirmed. Suddenly, Lorenzo felt a strange hallucination, involuntarily reminded of Lacquered Antimony. This alchemical product shared similar properties, capable of releasing powerful light and heat with just a bit.

Slowly turning, Lorenzo looked at the fallen Shermans. The old guy was in a miserable state, his holy robe burned to tatters by high heat, and his body bore multiple burn wounds, blisters covering them. Yet even so, he fiercely clung to his notebook, frightenedly gazing at Lorenzo.

”Cardinal Shermans, long time no see.”

Heavy smoke dispersed, Lorenzo once again drew out a new Folding Blade from under his coat. Thankfully, he brought sufficient weapons for this departure, the cold gleam reflecting Shermans’ face.

Lorenzo carefully observed Shermans’ expression, watching as his terrified face gradually faded, replaced by a more complex expression. Shermans seemed somewhat incredulous about everything he was witnessing. Choked by the smoke, he coughed strongly several times, then asked in an uncertain tone.

”Medanzo...”

The elderly voice echoed, Lorenzo’s face cracked into an unsightly smile, a helpless demeanor.

Indeed, it turned out like this. Though he’d anticipated it, facing reality made it still hard to accept. Yet now, he didn’t have time to discuss such matters with Shermans. Lifting Shermans, picking up the Demon Hunter’s Nail Sword, he kicked open the scorched door.

Elsewhere in the manor, other Demon Hunters were still present, in search of Shermans like ravenous wolves.

Lorenzo managed to swiftly kill the recent Demon Hunter solely through ambush and extensive experience. Essentially, he was no different from other Demon Hunters. When engaging in battle, Lorenzo could barely ensure his own survival, with no ability to protect a Shermans.

As he dashed through, the sounds of conflict permeated the surroundings. The blazing fires consumed his entire view, the once vivid green lawn transformed to ashes, black snowflakes drifted in the air only to be shattered by falling raindrops. Lead-gray clouds appeared at the horizon’s end, slowly advancing toward them.