As I followed the old man, I noticed that the population was calmer. Apparently, the soldiers had informed them that it wasn't demons who attacked the village.
The traces of demon scent in the places I passed were scarce, suggesting that only a minority of them attacked the village. With this information, I formed two hypotheses: either the village was very weak, or the demons were powerful. I hoped it was the latter.
Upon reaching the old man's quarters, I saw that some parts were destroyed, but the table and some chairs were intact.
"When will the demons appear?" I asked the old man.
The old man sat down in one of the chairs and said, "They will appear tomorrow, and they are not demons. Once a week on the same day, a demon appears that devastates our entire village. Defeating it costs the lives of many villagers."
"Too much time to waste in this dead village."
"I assure you, this demon will be worth your time."
"I hope so, or it will be you who wastes your time."
The old man found my words strange, but didn't respond. He was probably more concerned with using us than finding out who we really were.
'One day wasted in this village won't make a difference. Fighting a strong demon will be a good warm-up before facing the fearless ones.'
"And what is this demon like?" Max asked.
"It doesn't matter; knowing they are strong is enough."
"Hmm?"
"Don't worry; it's just the way it is."
"I see."
'I felt like I was treated like a madman in this conversation, but I would ignore it because my focus was on the demon, and not knowing its abilities would make the battle more exciting.'
We were willing to solve a problem for this village, but I didn't feel like we were being treated well. The least they could do was thank us and beg on their knees for our help, but no one did. To make matters worse, they didn't offer us anything in return. This village was far from pleasant.
"Hey, old man."
"My name is not old man; my name is…"
"It doesn't matter. If you want our help, you have to cover the costs, and I don't see any costs."
"What can we offer you, sir?"
This old man had already understood his position in the hierarchy. All that initial posture now seemed shrouded in doubt. It was clear he thought he couldn't afford my services, but this village was lucky because my request was something fundamental for their survival.
"Give me your food, prepare a bath and a room, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
The old man was relieved with the request and immediately began talking to the soldier accompanying him. He asked us to sit at the table and wait for the meal. I sat down and put my feet on the table, showing my dissatisfaction with the village.
It didn't take long for two girls to appear with plates of food, and the soldier brought the drinks, placing everything on the table.
"I'm sorry it's so little, but it's all we have right now," the old man said.
"You…"
"Thank you for the food, isn't that right, Izumi?" Max interrupted me.
"How irritating!"
I knew this village was in trouble, but I didn't expect them to be unable to prepare a proper feast. What they brought was just an appetizer.
To make matters worse, those two women sat next to me. Surely, the old man had told them to come and pester me. Did they think I was some teenager who got excited when two hot girls pressed their big breasts against my shoulder? No, in this life of mine, I will die a virgin. I refuse to have a human and give them pleasure.
"Hi, I'm Ui."
"And I'm Ai."
At least the women were interesting. I was a little impressed when I saw the short one's white hair; it was the first time I had seen someone like me. Her eyes were black, nothing remarkable. The other woman was similar to her, but didn't have white hair and was taller. They were probably sisters.
"May I know your name?" the short woman called Ui asked.
"It's none of your business."
The short one began to feel awkward after my rejection; she seemed genuinely interested in me, unlike the other girl, who remained indifferent to my response.
They were probably whores who would show up in my room at night wanting to rub their tomato against my cucumber, but they didn't know that my reproductive system had never risen in my life. It would take a lot of courage for it to get excited by humans.
"His name is Izumi."
'Bloody hell, that Max is a nosy bastard, ain't he? Can't he read the room? Didn't he see I ain't in the mood for chitchat with tarts? Absolutely clueless.'
After finding out my name, the short one seemed visibly more excited, as if that meant a lot to her. However, I wondered what was behind that enthusiasm. Suspicions arose that she might have a penchant for getting involved with clients at night, a real tart.
"Izumi, what a lovely name. Nice to meet you, Izumi," the short one said with a cheerful face.
"Sod off!"
"Nice name," Flat-chested whispered with a slight snobbish smile.
From the smile on Flat-chested's face, I could deduce what she was thinking. The short one might find my name pretty, but in my town, it was considered ugly. However, it would be interesting for the town's folks to hear her scream my name at night.
When Flat-chested whispered, the short one examined her and then looked at me with doubts.
"I'm 15, how about you?"
"Sod off!"
Max and Flat-chested started laughing at the situation; I almost thought they were laughing at me, but it didn't matter. I would continue to ignore the short one's advances.
"You seem strong, where are you from?"
"I am indeed."
The plan was to ignore, but when it came to strength, I never let it slide without a fitting response. When I answered her question, the short one became happy again. Unintentionally, I gave her a reason to call me strong during the night, which was better than being called a 'cuddly puncher.'
"And you look like the strongest in your village."
"Hahaha! Seems you have a good eye."
"So handsome," the short one said so softly, but I could hear it.
She covered her mouth and started blushing, looking away. I didn't fully understand what was going on with her, but the fact that she called me 'handsome' reminded me of my mother. Even though I knew everything she did was under the old man's orders, it made me a little happy.
The short one's reaction seemed to indicate that she wasn't used to complimenting people. Was she inexperienced? It seemed like this old man had a bold approach.
"Do you want to know how I became the strongest?"
"I do," the short one replied with a happy and curious face.
"Stronger? Surely, Max is the strongest."
"I won the tournament and became the strongest man."
"Man? You're nothing but a demon."
"Oh, damn it," Max said.
The villagers were confused by Flat-chested's statement, and she realized she had spoken nonsense, but it was too late to take it back. I should have killed her earlier.
"What's this about being a demon? Are you a demon?" the old man asked.
It had been days since I hadn't felt this negative energy around me, and I could tell I had been getting more complacent lately, like them. It was probably because it had been a few days since I hadn't felt that negative energy all the time, but now it was back.
"Yes, I'm a demon," I replied with a smile.
All the villagers became alert; the soldier drew his sword, and one of the girls moved away from me. However, I wasn't surprised by this reaction. Even though the short one knew I was a demon, she didn't move away from me. What was her deal?
"Ui, stay away!" the soldier said as he advanced towards me with his sword raised to attack, but Max jumped onto the table and kicked him with her left leg, hitting him.
"Are you a demon too?" the old man asked.
"I am…"
"I'm the only demon."
If everyone gets kicked out of the village, we won't get any information about the fearless one's location, as Max's map was unreliable. I might be arrogant, but I realized that. I pushed the short one away, and she looked at me with doubt. I really didn't understand this woman. I began to leave the old man's quarters.
"Do you think we'll let you leave alive?" the old man asked.
"Let? Hahahaha! Who? And why?"
I lowered my head, closed my eyes for a moment. When I raised my head again, I opened my eyes and smiled.
"Speed Iz!"
I disappeared, and probably the only one who could keep up with me was Max. Everyone was confused, but at the same instant, I was behind the old man, with one of my swords pointed at his throat.
"Are you sure?"
The old man started sweating in fear, and when everyone looked in his direction, I disappeared again. I slapped Max's cheeks and headed for the village's exit. I sat on one of the ruins outside the village.
"Now it's up to you, Max."