33 approaching the end3

"I am a Flame Ability User, is there a problem with that?"

As I asked this, I remembered telling Zhu Shi about my superpower and how she was surprised that I defeated the Fallen Demon Hunter using my Flame Ability.

And during the clash with the Fallen Demon Hunter, when he discovered I was a Flame Ability User, he immediately lowered his guard significantly.

Previously cautious, he carefully used deceptive tactics against me, an opponent of unknown ability. Yet later, he brazenly closed the distance. It seemed not only because the unknown had become known, but also because he truly believed that the Flame Ability was not something formidable.

Did Zhu Shi think the same? But I had already told her about my battles. Since she considered the Fallen Demon Hunter a strong opponent, shouldn't I, who could defeat him relatively easily, at least not be seen as weak?

"The common problem with Flame Ability Users lies in their severe lack of defense and mobility," Agent Kong provided the answer. "Those like you, who control natural elements, especially Flame Elements, are characterized by extremely powerful destructive abilities. Once an opponent takes your attack head-on, they can easily be pulverized. Even if the opponent has strong defenses, it's just a matter of a few more strikes—provided they stand still like a wooden post for you to hit.

"Correspondingly, your margin for error in facing dangers is far lower than that of your opponents. Once you embark on the path of a demon hunter, you will face countless dangers and weird beings, some of which can afford many mistakes; whereas you, one mistake could mean your doom.

"Surviving long on the path of the demon hunter is not about achieving great success but about bearing great failures."

"I see, it's a matter of margin for error..." I finally understood, "So it means, I just need to improve my defense and mobility, right"?

"While that's easier said than done," he continued. "The forms of danger brought by weird beings are numerous, not just physical but also Spiritual Power and curses, even temporal and rule-based forces, as well as other incomprehensible powers. I've never envied those demon hunters, their world is too terrifying." Agent Kong sighed, "You've experienced it firsthand, right? That kind of true helplessness, the despair of being utterly unable to escape...

"Zhu Shi mentioned in the report that below the cave in the room on the fifteenth floor, there is an absolutely isolated Different Space. Not only are electronic signals unable to pass through, but even supernatural connections are cut off. You seem to have a spiritual connection with the flame you summon; that must be the conclusion you've reached through your explorations."

"Yes," I recalled the isolating experience beneath the cave and empathetically said, "Even with powerful forces, facing unpredictable weird beings, there's always a time when they can't be countered... So is this why Zhu Shi is resisting my becoming a Luoshan Demon Hunter?"

Thinking about it, Zhu Shi hadn't directly used this argument with me, maybe because she was afraid of hurting my pride.

"Not just that," Agent Kong thought for a moment, "Zhu Shi also deeply detests killing and bloodshed. Although she would still act when necessary... After all, the opponents of demon hunters are not just demon weird beings but also humans who misuse Mana for evil purposes. Perhaps she doesn't want you to kill."

"Even though I've already fought with the Fallen Demon Hunter?" I countered.

"That's different. First, the Fallen Demon Hunter wasn't killed by you; second, you didn't defeat him in his human form." His voice suddenly became very serious, "With your superpowers, killing a human would be incredibly easy. There's this debatable claim that in today's era, humans find it easier to overcome the psychological burden of killing each other than in ancient times. Do you know what this claim is based on?"

I had never been on a battlefield, but I understood the implication immediately: "Because of the difference in weapons?"

"Correct. In ancient times, humans killed with swords and spears. Although there were ranged weapons, more often, they had to thrust the weapon into the enemy's living flesh up close, even listening to the enemy's screams and watching their pained expressions, making it a cruel process," he said slowly. "In modern times, humans use firearms, pulling a trigger can take a life.

"Those who use firearms are more relaxed than high-ranking officials who only need to give an order from their office, causing people miles away to die, and are even less burdened psychologically. Many high officials harm countless people, not because they were born cold-blooded demons, but because it's all too easy for them, almost like clicking the left button of a mouse in a strategy game.

"So, what about you? As a supernatural power user, you naturally possess a more terrifying 'power' than high officials. You don't need to move your limbs, nor do you need to command anyone other than yourself; just a thought, and you can take many lives... Once you start killing, can you really go back?"

Listening to his words, I couldn't help but engage in serious reflection.

This was a questioning of my own spirit.

I was well aware of my power to take lives with a mere thought, and thus, I often imagined killing others. At this moment, I was also visualizing the act of murder in my mind, repeatedly confirming my resolve.

But as someone living in a peaceful society, whether I can decisively kill at a critical moment is something that cannot be genuinely confirmed without an actual event; and whether one would become indifferent to human life after killing effortlessly, treating lives as light as grasses and dust, is also unknown without practical experience.

Thinking thus, I noticed that Agent Kong seemed not to be waiting for my answer, but was silently gazing into the distance, deeply sunk in his own thoughts.

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed through my mind. His question was not only applicable to me but also to the demon hunters. Did they not possess a power "more terrifying than that held by high-ranking authorities" just like me?

Perhaps not all of them, like me, had the ability to easily reduce a human to ashes, but methods such as spiritual control and curse attacks must surely be plentiful. Since ancient times, many grassroots heroes at the beginning of their rise have claimed to be blessed by auspicious omens. Even the slightest coincidence in their achievements was beautified into a destiny ordained by heaven, portrayed as being watched over by a presence beyond human imagination, thus able to garner the support of many superstitious followers.

If mere fabrications could have such an effect, what about the demon hunters who actually wielded supernatural powers?

Why, in the presence of a supernatural organization like Luo Mountain, has history still been dominated by ordinary people? By rights, today's political systems should rather be dominated by "Transcendents." This isn't to say that "Transcendents" would necessarily govern a country better than ordinary people, but it is difficult to understand how ordinary people could outcompete them in power struggles.

To date, there have never been reports of demon hunters causing major upheavals in society, which indicates the presence of a powerful force keeping them in check.

Is that force Luo Mountain? Then how do the Luo Mountain demon hunters ensure they aren't the source of turmoil?

According to Zhu Shi, the current situation in Luo Mountain seems unsettling...

I wondered if I was overthinking in this conversational context, but I seemed to smell the approaching storm.

As an outsider, I had no right to delve into the internal affairs of Luo Mountain. Even when I last inquired why Luo Mountain concealed information about strange events from the public, Zhu Shi was evasive.

It seemed I needed to become a demon hunter to unlock more clues.

Agent Kong shifted his gaze from the distance, smiled, and said in a tone intended to lighten the serious atmosphere, "After all that, I still hope you would join Luo Mountain."

I immediately perked up, "Why?"

"I am an agent of Luo Mountain, and it's part of my job to identify potential demon hunters among the populace, but that's secondary. More importantly, I hope Zhu Shi can be your guide, and you can stand by her side to support her." He spoke calmly, "She, as a bearer of the demon hunting mission, is not as strong as she thinks. Afraid of bleeding herself and afraid of making others bleed, even if the killed are evil, she feels remorse... she's too naive and fragile. If you could support her spirit, that would be perfect."

"She is my friend's younger sister; if she were in danger, I would definitely help her with all my might," I replied earnestly.

"That's good," he nodded happily, "Soon, I'll be transferred to another area. With you looking after her, I can rest easy."

During our conversation, we had already moved away from the residential area and arrived at the streets near Saltwater University. It was still the peak of rush hour; the roads were bustling with cars, and the sidewalks teemed with pedestrians and students. There were also snack carts at the corner selling hand-held pancakes and hamburgers.

Our discussion touched on many secret details unknown to the general public, yet Agent Kong did not care whether passersby overheard us, and seeing this, I too spoke freely. Clearly, even if passersby heard our conversation, they would not take it seriously. Demon hunters, supernatural power users—these concepts would seem like mere fantasies to the uninformed.

Although I was walking in this everyday scene, part of a landscape so familiar, I gradually began to feel a sense of "being far removed from normal society."

This was a type of loneliness distinctly different from being isolated in a cavern below.

"Agent Kong, may I ask you a question?"

"Only if it's not something I can't answer," Agent Kong responded.

"It's about the last time you impersonated a police officer."

"Cough cough..." He again looked embarrassed, "Isn't that topic already closed?"

"No, I'm not trying to tease you... I want to ask about the girl you accused of being a serial killer." I was momentarily speechless, then continued, "I previously asked Zhu Shi, and Zhu Shi said it was your assignment and couldn't reveal more information, so I came to ask you.

"Why is Luo Mountain looking for this girl, and who exactly is she?"