Chapter 02
Krima was currently sitting on a tree's branch, atop a hill where he could observe how the humans live their daily lives in their village. His prioritization was to find the Hero and make a contract with her. He was not still not sure on whether the Hero would accept, but if she would attack him out of nowhere, not bothering to listen to him, then he would have to retreat and think for other plans.
"To think that I would use this cowardly tactic," he said to no one particularly. "Well, I am not going kill humans though so it's okay."
Demons didn't tactics such as assassination as it would violate their pride. They would always fight head-on, without using any trickeries that the humans greatly rely on. Krima was probably one of the few who had infiltrated the Human Empire.
Fortress and city walls usually have a weak barrier that could be used to detect demons, but apparently, they didn't work on him. He was a half-human, who was extremely rare since almost there were virtually no demon who would love speak with a human casually let alone love them, and vice versa. Both race didn't really have a good relationship with each other but it still didn't result with war. At best, there would be small skirmishes and everything had changed when Demon King Gerbeis arrived.
"…So humans are like this." This was the first time he observed humans living peacefully. Appearance aside, they were basically like the demons as well but with weaker combat abilities and magic capabilities.
He gradually stood from his spot seeing that it the sky was turning red already. He knew that the hero wasn't here because the strong demons could feel her presence whenever she was nearby, unless she was concealing it. But instead of leaving, he thought of asking around the village for the Hero's whereabouts. He didn't have to worry about concealing anything as his appearance was undoubtedly of a human's…
Krima had a bit of uneasiness as he realized various facts. His half-human status, the barrier that wouldn't detect him, his stealth abilities, his human appearance being the dominant one, and the revelation he had received. It felt creepy as if everything was right in place.
Was this caused by the one who gave him the revelation too?
"—!"
Suddenly, he suddenly felt a massive pressure gradually approaching and he immediately blended with his surroundings, effectively removing his presence. Soon, he saw a sight he thought he would never see here.
It was a black Minotaur emitting excess miasma from its body. His name was Throgdim, a famous rogue demon who was known to possess strength just below the Four Demon Generals. One more notable fact about him was that he possessed the ability of teleportation, which he must have used to bypass the barrier unlike Krima who passed it naturally.
Really, Throgdim was living up to his fame as a rogue. It would seem that he was heading to the village and probably he would massacre everyone in it. Should he stop it?
"What should I do…" his words trailed off as he felt another presence approaching at an extreme speed. Soon, it arrived at the village's gate and prepared to stop the imminent adversary.
It was a girl in her teens wearing a golden armor. Her white hair was waving gently from the wind, and her beautiful features was something that no other humans he had seen so far possess. Her most notable trait at the moment was her eyes which were full of unwavering determination.
Krima then thought for a while and then concentrated in hiding. He choose to observe the Hero.
****
The Minotaur Catastrophe had appeared out of nowhere, undetected by the barrier. It was just few days ago when she had first heard of it but to think that she would find it now. At least, now that she was here, the village wouldn't be destroyed anymore.
"Minotaur Catastrophe, I will defeat you here!" the Hero, Ingrid announced. She walked forward leaving the village's gate and stared at the monster who was nearing. "Here I come!"
She dashed forward, unsheathing her holy sword and she slashed when she was in range. The minotaur blocked her slash with its hands, reinforced with wicked magic power. It smirked and then snorted. "Ghrmm. Human Hero, is it? You're not that strong hahaha!"
She glared at it for underestimating her and retreated for a small distance. "I may not be able to kill the weakest general, but I'm strong enough to defeat you!"
"Let's see if you can!" The monster ran forward and swung its fist. The hero evaded it and the attack went straight to the ground, creating a small crater and shaking the whole area.
Ingrid resumed her attack, and when another fist was heading her way, she effortlessly evaded it and landed a clean slash on its torso. It didn't stop attacking fervently and she dodge it all. When she found a perfect chance, she stepped in and countered it again.
"…It seems that you're all talk," she said as she stared at the blood flowing from its body. Ingrid felt that this would be easy.
"Curse you human."
The minotaur's attack were terrifying but its pattern were simple and Ingrid could easily evade them. It was not a big deal after all. Skilled Adventurer's could even triumph against it if it weren't for its unbelievably tough body. However, if she didn't possess the holy sword then she might have trouble dealing with it.
"What's wrong, where'd all those confidence go?" she taunted it so that it could defeat it soon. If they take too long then the landscape would be destroyed and it would be bad for the villagers.
"How dare you insult me?!" The minotaur attacked in pure rage and made a wide swing. Taking that chance, the hero weaving while making her sword shine in blue, and then she slashed…into the thin air?
She immediately positioned her sword in her back, and she was able to block the attack. However, it did little to its incredible force and she was sent her several meters away before crashing into a tree.
"…Ack!" she groaned in pain as she desperately tried to stand. She gazed at the minotaur, who must have used its special power to dodge her attack.
"You're quite a tough human. As expected of the hero," it announced with its revolting voice as it started walking forward to her. "I, the great Throgdim, will be the one to kill you, Hero. And someday, I will take his Majesty's throne too."
A disgusting grin curved up into its lips as it readied its right hand to smash her.
Ingrid had not recovered yet, and she would not be able to evade nor would block the imminent attack. Dying would not a problem for her as she would revive again but then there would be no one who will protect the village.
Her heart was bitter but she could do nothing but close her eyes in resignation. It was then when he heard a new voice.
"I won't let you do that, Throgdim."
A young man stood between her and the minotaur. She stared at his back as she recognized it and the powerful aura he exceeds. He was the he weakest of the Four Demon General, the Ligthning Krima.