Gun of Ashes

Just like the dead Gavin, the Demon raised the Folding Blade and pierced its own heart, twisting the handle to shred the heart completely, then exerting force again, fell backward, pinning itself firmly to the ground.

The impaled Demon started twitching violently. It craved blood and flesh, yet was pinned to the ground by the Folding Blade. It tried to pull it out, but it was thrust too deeply; no matter how hard it struggled, it couldn’t break free, just like a pitiful insect, desperately flailing its limbs until the blood soaked into the water.

No one noticed the demise of this Demon; everyone’s attention was overshadowed by the hope of survival, wielding any weapon they could to fight off the Demons trying to breach the fortress.

When the Folding Blade broke, they picked up the metal remnants. Once they shattered, they resorted to fists; if their arms broke, they would bite, and having lost all, they fell into the water, cursing everything with their dying breath.

In a flash, this seemed like a microcosm of the struggle between humanity and Demons, from fearing the darkness to illuminating it, from dreading the Demons to eradicating them.

Like primitive men wielding stones, humans refused to live in fear any longer.

The sharp blade lights tore through the falling rain as Joey leaped out of the barrier, his heart pounding violently, sending scorching blood to every part of his body.

He was just an especially specialized Upper-Rank Knight, with the only peculiarity being that he wouldn’t be easily corroded by Demons like ordinary people when faced with them.

Joey had no idea how many Demons he had slain. His consciousness was left with nothing but pure slaughter, yet the kindled flames seemed to awaken his mind, reason once again dominating this body, continuing to drive the defense line forward.

He had been corrupted by Moriarty, and coupled with this high-intensity combat, he should be the one most susceptible to transforming into a Demon among the Upper-Rank Knights.

Joey was well aware of this, and to preserve more lives, he said nothing, plunging straight into the most terrifying slaughter. It was then that a Demon knocked him over, its sharp claws piercing through his waist and abdomen.

Am I going to die?

Such a thought flashed through Joey’s mind. In fact, dying wouldn’t be so bad; that way, he wouldn’t be tormented by past Nightmares, and he wouldn’t make so many mistakes...

No... I can’t die yet.

Thinking this, he crawled up from the water.

Yes, I can die, but not so easily.

Joey’s face gradually twisted in ferocity, in his chaotic vision reflecting one hateful Demon after another. Unknowingly, he had slain so deep, trapped in a tight encirclement.

He was doomed unless a miracle happened.

No, there were no more miracles; enough had already happened on this battlefield of Hell.

No, there are still miracles.

The so-called miracles are just human-created words, created by humans, not gifts of some God or Devil.

Joey staggered to his feet one last time, falling onto the body of the Demon that was pinned by the Folding Blade in the water. From its distorted face, it seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere... It felt like a patient he once knew.

But it didn’t matter anymore. Joey bent down, and immediately, a sound more terrifying than the Demon’s echoed, a sound of chewing, as if some monster was greedily feasting under the rain.

When he raised his head again, his pale face was covered in blood, and crimson blood was flowing from the corners of his mouth.

”Isn’t the so-called Secret Blood something extracted from Demon’s blood? Then does that make me a Demon Hunter now?”

Joey joked to himself, but no one paid him any mind. He grasped the Folding Blade and stood up once more, the forbidden, restless power rising within him.

”Life is meaningless... No, life has some meaning.”

He recalled the late-night snack with Red Falcon, though he couldn’t quite remember what they ate.

It was those ridiculous and tiny meanings that held everyone up to this point.

”Life is short... burn indefinitely.”

He whispered, the Folding Blade slicing through the rain curtain, shaking the raging winds, producing a melody akin to a sacred hymn.