Request.
"It's around here."
At the ranger's gesture, the Priest of Azure Flame from the Sacred Fire Sect slowly bowed his head in gratitude.
"Thank you for guiding me. Could I ask you to step back for a moment?"
"Yes."
As the ranger slowly stepped back, the priest of Azure Flame took a step forward and gently waved his hand. Blue flames rose from his fingertips and softly enveloped the ground.
The blue flames crawled over the earth like a living creature, melting only the snow as they moved. The ranger watched the wondrous sight with genuine awe.
"It's truly an incredible power, no matter how many times I see it."
The priest of Azure Flame, who had cleared away all the surrounding snow, did not respond. His blue-glowing pupils scanned the winter earth, now exposed beneath the snow, as he stood in his white robes.
"It seems quite some time has passed… Monsters or beasts must have carried off the body."
"Is that so? Well, I suppose that's to be expected."
The priest quietly stared at the barren ground before slowly speaking.
"Could you perhaps tell me the names of the cities near this area?"
"Priest, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I would've died long ago."
A week had passed since the demon went on a rampage. Pueer was still wrapped in bandages all over his body.
I smiled warmly and patted Pueer on the shoulder.
"I only did what anyone should do. Don't worry about it."
Pueer's pupils trembled with emotion. He seemed choked up and couldn't find the words to speak easily.
"Priest…"
"I hope you stay safe when you return home. If I have the chance, I'll come visit."
Yesterday, Pueer told me he had decided to return to his hometown, having been deeply shaken after his comrades were all killed by bandits. He was now lying in a corner of a merchant wagon heading in that direction.
With eyes big and teary like a cow's, Pueer said to me,
"If you really do visit, I'll treat you to a feast even if it means losing all my worldly possessions!"
"I'll have to make sure I don't forget that promise."
A voice shouting something at the front of the merchant caravan could be heard—it was almost time for departure.
"It's about time we part ways. Safe travels."
"You too, priest. Please stay healthy!"
Pueer, struggling with his barely movable arms, waved to me. I gave a slight nod in return, then headed toward the mercenary guild through the western gate.
"I'm not sure what to do with my time today, Mother."
'Murder!'
"Yes, yes. I heard you loud and clear, Mother. Stop lazing around and do something, right? But you see, my pockets still hold plenty of coins that warm my heart every time I see them. You know that, don't you? I'm supposed to be lying low right now."
'Murder!'
The Mother of Decay scolded me, asking why I went out of my way to save that demon, knowing I had to stay hidden.
"True, you're not wrong. But what was I supposed to do after I already accepted a down payment of two gold coins?"
'Murder!'
I patted my chest pocket and said,
"Well, I guess I've got no choice. Looks like I'll have to use one of my hidden trump cards again."
'Mur…der…?'
"I overheard something earlier—apparently, a new skin-care potion has just arrived. I'll pick some up on the way and apply it gently, thoroughly, and with great care. How does that sound?"
'Murder…!'
I smiled brightly and strolled off. Mother's hand, full of anticipation, wiggled cheerfully in response.
Closing my eyes, I summoned the divine energy I'd absorbed during the previous incident.
[Divinity: 3482]
After saving the demon, I had gone around collecting as many corpses as I could find. Thanks to that, I'd gained a considerable amount of divinity. Massacres are always tragic—but those who live must continue living.
As a side note, Orbus had three fingers on each hand. When I harvested his mangled corpse, I received a full thousand points of divinity.
After purchasing the skincare potion I intended to use on Mother, I stepped into the Mercenary Guild, and Erin called out in a loud voice:
"Priest Marnak, the Demon Slayer!"
"I've asked you several times not to call me by that nickname. It's terribly embarrassing every time I hear it."
Yes—once the incident had been resolved, Lord Tredon officially announced that I was the one who had dealt the final blow to the great demon and saved him. And so, I ended up with the bombastic and completely ill-fitting title of Demon Slayer.
Erin, apparently fond of that nickname, insisted on using it constantly, drawing plenty of unwanted attention my way. Just like now.
"That priest—is he really the Demon Slayer?"
"I heard that despite his looks, he's insanely strong. They say he took down seven bandits all on his own."
"He killed a demon—taking out seven bandits must be child's play for him. Still, I can't help but worry that another monster like that might pop up somewhere."
I let the gossip pass in one ear and out the other, then turned to Erin and asked:
"How did the return of the relics go?"
The opaque mirror and the snow-white sword. Since the mirror sealed the divinity of decay, the sword, being an ordinary relic without it, yielded no divine energy.
Erin grinned, her bright white teeth adding charm to her playful smile.
"I handed them over to a passing merchant caravan. But… are you really okay with staying anonymous?"
"Of course."
There was no need to get further entangled with the fanatics of the Cult of Atonement. The mirror that revealed the demon's true form and the sword that could slay it were of no real use to me. Keeping them would only risk an unwelcome visit from cult priests attempting to reclaim the relics.
"Oh, right."
With a sharp clap, Erin brought her hands together, then spoke in a voice that tickled my ears.
"While you were away, some soldiers from the lord's estate came by looking for you. They said the lord would like you to visit when you have time."
"I understand."
Erin leaned in slightly, glancing around before whispering in a hushed tone:
"I think the lord wants to offer you a job. Jobs like these—secretive ones—usually pay well, but they can be dangerous, too. Be careful before deciding."
"And how do you always know these things?"
"I have my ways. Now off you go. Keeping a lord waiting is terribly rude, you know."
With a gentle push from Erin, I found myself outside the guild.
'Murder! Murder!'
Mother grumbled sulkily, disappointed about the delayed skincare treatment. I patted my chest pocket and set off once again.
"Now, Mother, this is the kind of opportunity you've been hoping for—why the tantrum?"
'Murder?'
"Come now. A moment ago, you were all for doing something productive. Now you want to rest? That's quite the sudden change, isn't it?"
'Kill '
"I know, I know—you're just sulking out of embarrassment. I'll go see what the lord wants, then come right back and apply the potion thoroughly, just like I promised. So please be patient."
'Murder!'
A dramatic compromise was reached, and I made my way to the lord's estate.
"Welcome, Priest! I've been counting the days until your arrival! Every time I see you, your radiant face just seems to shine even brighter! Hahaha!"
A demon greeted me warmly—one with a finely carved wooden prosthetic leg and arm, and a transparent artificial eye.
"You're too kind with your praise."
"What praise could be too much for Demon Slayer Priest Marnak?"
The demon poured warm tea and handed it to me. His wooden hand moved smoothly, almost like a living thing. It was a sight that fascinated me every time.
I took the tea, sipped it, and smiled.
"But isn't the demon that the 'Demon Slayer' supposedly killed sitting right here, perfectly alive?"
"Even demons deserve to live. No life is born just to die, right?"
The demon grinned and relaxed into his chair, gently swinging his wooden leg.
"It's always amazing how your wooden prosthetics move so naturally without any mechanism."
"Oh, I only do this in front of you, Priest. In front of others, I limp around like an old cripple. And besides, I paid a steep price for this level of natural movement."
"What price was that?"
The demon sipped his tea and answered with a playful smile.
"Soon, every last hair on this head will fall like autumn leaves. A few months from now, when you see me again, a shiny bald head will be the first to greet you."
It was a truly horrifying price. Perhaps it was because he was a demon that he accepted it so easily.
While I was marveling silently, the demon brought up the real reason for my visit.
"Priest, do you happen to have about a week free?"
"I do."
I had no other jobs at the moment, and since my purse was comfortably full, I had been lounging around, using 'self-reflection' as an excuse.
"That's perfect! As it happens, there's a promising job—and they specifically requested you for it."
"Requested me?"
I looked at him with a puzzled expression, and the demon quickly continued.
"My guess is they heard of the Demon Slayer and figured you'd be the right fit. It seems to be related to ruins of the Ancient Empire."
I was genuinely shocked.
"There are Ancient Empire ruins nearby?"
"Well, according to them, they came here to explore such ruins. The person leading the group is a noble from the capital, so it might not be an empty claim."
The Ancient Empire had been the one to end the era of twisted sorcerers and unify the continent. In this current age—having lost the Empire's advanced technology—relics from that time were considered powerful, precious treasures.
In simpler terms, most high-tier items in this game bore the title "Ancient Empire Relic."
Ruins of the Ancient Empire were basically this world's equivalent of dungeons in other games.
'Murder!'
Just as Mother seemed to urge, I figured this was something I had to take on.
"I'll take the job."
"I haven't even told you the pay yet—you're accepting already?"
"What's the pay?"
"Five gold coins. All paid upfront. And if you make a major contribution during the expedition, you'll get to keep one of the relics they uncover."
I answered instantly.
"I'm in. No matter what!"
The party consisted of three people.
One appeared to be a mage, hidden under a thick robe. Another was a one-horned man armed with a massive shield and axe. The last was a man in leather armor, carrying a bow on his back.
"May your life remain undisturbed and full of peace. I am Marnak, a priest in service of Yujin—the Goddess of Balance, who watches over our daily lives."
I bowed politely, and the handsome man with the bow stepped forward with a bright smile. At a glance, he looked slender, but the thick arms and legs beneath his clothes suggested he trained regularly.
"Pleasure to meet you, Priest! I'm Carmen Baltas, the one who sent the request. Lord Tredon has told me so much about you. Wise and remarkable, he said. I'm truly glad fate brought us together on this job."
I smiled gently and replied,
"Looking forward to working with you."