Demons are creatures of mythical forces, blessed with dark powers and fueled by a force known as Demonic Ki. Demons, graded by their eyes, marks, and horns, possess different properties.
Their primary prey are living creatures, and they feast on humans.
Only a few highly marked and eyed demons possess intelligence, while horned demons, who are humanoid by nature, are referred to as generals of their respective kinds.
To fight back, humanity broke through its limits, creating technologies beyond their imagination—technologies known as Qi. This innovation shredded the skin of demons, transforming it into battle suits.
Demonic hearts were converted into cores, merging with human souls to grant them the power to kill demons. This is how humanity began to recover from its losses.
By hunting demons to create more battle suits and using demonic organs as generators to power their weapons, humanity developed spatial beams and Qi blasts capable of destroying a demon with a single strike.
Thus came the existence of the Veil—a barrier created from this technology. It acts as an anti-demon domain, protecting the Empire from demons and humans alike; what can kill a demon can easily kill a human.
Huntsmen are specially trained for hunting demons, while soldiers serve the Empire.
Although both are equipped with battle suits and Qi weapons, soldiers are experienced in fighting fellow humans, while huntsmen are practically demon hunters, tasked with eliminating demons.
Unlike those who are obsessed with their battle suits and unleashing their cores for chaotic power, a few humans possess skills that enable them to kill demons without suits.
Such individuals are rare, possessing what is known as battle arts and skills that define their strength among fellow humans.
The report of the Lyxx breakdown spread like wildfire across the Empire. Lyxx is currently overwhelmed by countless soldiers rushing in to confront a single being: the infamous Deathmaker.
A large explosion echoed at the entrance of Lyxx, shattering all security measures. The Deathmaker made his way out of the building, yawning softly and breathing in the fresh air. He chuckled.
"Based on the information I received from that soldier I tortured, my battle suit and weapons are currently located at a military operation site designated for the royal family. If I get them, I could kill her," the Deathmaker grinned evilly.
He heard fast-approaching footsteps and chuckled softly, moving like the wind. He activated his skill: **Fleet Foot**.
[ **Fleet Foot**: A skill that grants him the ability to move so quickly he merges with the wind.]
The Crimson Lion Company and the Bear Claw Company were deployed without hesitation. Captain Rudeus rode his horse, charging toward Lyxx, with his men behind him.
More than fifty huntsmen rode alongside him, their cores glowing brightly as they prepared to unleash their auras. Captain Rudeus noticed something: a rushing wind whooshed past him.
He slowly turned back, widening his eyes in shock.
He barely caught a glimpse of the Deathmaker before quickly turning his horse. His men were confused but followed him, scattering across the field.
"Deathmaker, I have no idea where you are going, but I will end you today!" Captain Rudeus declared, unsheathing his sword. He produced a syringe and injected his horse with it.
The neighing of his horse grew louder as veins spread across its body, making it ten times faster and releasing shockwaves into the air. Captain Rudeus was in pursuit of the Deathmaker.
The Deathmaker noticed the chase and increased his speed, darting through corners while pursued by Captain Rudeus. He caused his body to glow and leapt high into the air without hesitation.
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The commotion had reached the heart of the royal palace. Emperor Argilac sat on his throne when a military commander burst into the throne room without hesitation.
"What is happening? Why is there an emergency alarm?" Emperor Argilac demanded.
"Your Highness, we regret to inform you that the Deathmaker has escaped from Lyxx. I don't know how he did it, but we've lost many soldiers and huntsmen. The Bear Claw Company and the Crimson Lion are currently chasing him," the military commander replied.
Emperor Argilac gnashed his teeth in anger. The three princes remained calm, standing before their father, while the princess had already left for her chambers.
"How is that possible? How could that boy break free from Lyxx? I ensured the prison facility was secure to prevent any escape!" Emperor Argilac exclaimed, visibly enraged.
"Father, there's no reason to worry. He won't escape Vermax, and he will be killed. I will lead the royal force to hunt him down," the second prince offered calmly, showing his support.
"My princes, there's no need for you to stress over this issue. The military force will handle it. We don't even need the demon-hunting corps because we are strong," the military commander said with pride.
"You have my permission. That brat has insulted the name of Lyxx by breaking out. If you see him, you are permitted to kill him," Emperor Argilac stated, pride evident in his voice.
The military commander nodded. "Very well, we will carry out your command, Your Highness."
As the commander exited, Emperor Argilac sat back on his throne, taking a deep breath.
"That damned Deathmaker boy keeps stressing me," he muttered.
Meanwhile, the chase continued for several minutes until Captain Rudeus halted. He sat on his horse, gazing at the military special operation site. As a company captain, he lacked the authority to enter.
Lyxx is located deep within a forest controlled by the military force of the Vermax Empire. Since it is a military-controlled base, it is heavily monitored by Vermax soldiers.
Everything happening unfolded in the woods.
"Captain Rudeus, what are we going to do now? We do not have permission to raid the federal military operation site of the royal family. We could be imprisoned," a huntsman spoke up.
"Calm down. We wait. Whatever he is doing there, we will wait for him, and we will kill him," Captain Rudeus replied confidently while sitting on his horse. Suddenly, he heard screams behind him.
Four bodies dropped heavily to the ground, their heads rolling. Their horses were severed into pieces as if nothing. It became a bloodbath, with blood splattering heavily on the huntsmen.
"Oh? You think that's the right decision?"
The voice of the Deathmaker echoed as he stood right behind Captain Rudeus, clad in his battle suit. He held a bloody sword and grinned evilly, staring directly into the captain's eyes.
"The Deathmaker!!" Captain Rudeus exclaimed.
"Well, that's who I am. And besides, you noticed my Fleet Foot skill. Unlike the others, you are quite interesting, so I won't kill you or waste your huntsmen. Don't get in my way," the Deathmaker warned.
Captain Rudeus was overwhelmed by the intense killing intent emanating from the Deathmaker. The Deathmaker vanished from the scene without hesitation, blending into the wind, leaving Captain Rudeus barely able to move.
He had thought the Deathmaker was just a trained teenage assassin, but the figure he saw was far more terrifying—like a demon living inside him, one far too nefarious.
"Captain Rudeus, what are we going to do? The Deathmaker escaped!" a huntsman cried, ready to chase after him.
But Captain Rudeus knew what would happen. Such warnings do not come twice. If they chased the Deathmaker, he would kill them.
The entire forest was flooded with thousands of soldiers searching for the Deathmaker, as this was already a military operation. The alert system had been disabled to avoid inciting fear in the capital.
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Princess Lily sat on her bird with her windows open, enjoying the fresh wind. She noticed something and slowly rose from the bed.
"Who's there?" Princess Lily asked in shock.
She turned slowly, spotting a blade directed at her from behind. She couldn't even move, sweat dripping down her face as she felt the sharpness of the blade close to her neck.
"Hello, Princess," the voice of the Deathmaker resonated as she turned to see him standing before her. How he got there remained a mystery, as no one had noticed.
"The Deathmaker, what are you doing here?" Princess Lily asked, still in shock. She sensed the danger; if she screamed or tried to, he could easily chop her head off.
"Well, I came here to complete my job: your head. Someone paid me to kill you, Princess," the Deathmaker replied calmly, his eyes cold as he gazed at her, ready to kill.
"Someone paid you to kill me? If that's true, why didn't you kill me when we were outside the Empire, fighting that fire-type demon? Why did you bother saving me?" Princess Lily asked.
"Ummmm, because it was fun. I wanted to visit this Empire again to cause a little chaos before I killed you. And I did, so it's time to die," the Deathmaker said, gripping his blade tightly.
I apologize for the oversight! Here's the rest of the chapter without any omissions:
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"I read your files. You were always quick when it comes to assassinating a target. Why are we still talking? You could have just killed me already. Why do you hesitate?" Princess Lily asked calmly.
"Why? Because I want to," the Deathmaker replied.
"There's something I'm curious about, Princess. You were the only one who knew I could escape whenever I wanted. That prison was just a wall of paper for me; I could easily tear my way out."
"How did you come to that conclusion?" the Deathmaker asked calmly.
"Isn't it simple? You are an S-Class level assassin, someone who killed my uncle. I knew my uncle, and I was sad when he died. I vowed to kill the man who killed him, but here I am, standing before you," Princess Lily said.
"I see. And do you wish to kill me?" the Deathmaker asked.
"Yes. My uncle was like a second father to me. I would never forgive the man who killed him. I don't care if it was merely a job for you to kill him; I will kill you. So it's best to kill me right here and now," Princess Lily declared.
"He-he-he-he, such an interesting fellow you are. Very well then... I won't kill you today. Considering you hate me, I would like to see how much your hatred toward me will drive you to hunt me down," the Deathmaker said, slowly sheathing his sword behind him.
"Huh? You aren't going to kill me?" Princess Lily asked, bewildered.
"Yeah, I changed my mind. Killing you wasn't a special mission anyway, and the pay wasn't large enough for me to execute it without failure. You seem to be an interesting fellow—like that captain guy," the Deathmaker said, a warm smile plastered on his face.
"You are making a wrong decision keeping me alive," Princess Lily warned.
"Hmph, you think? And besides, you are wrong about one thing: I didn't kill Adrian because it was a job; I made him pay for his sins. There's a difference," the Deathmaker smirked evilly.
"You made him pay for his sins? What do you mean by—" Princess Lily couldn't complete her statement when she felt his presence vanish.
The Deathmaker had disappeared into the wind.
Without a single trace, it was as if he had ceased to exist!