9 Chapter Nine: Answer

Matthaius charged back. Tigreal is filled with disbelief. Knowing that his partner is an Abyssal as well hit him hard.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" his voice is padding with anger.

Matthaius refused to talk.

Tigreal ordered Karina to go chase her sister as he decides him and his former ally's strength.

"Alright then, since you're one of them, I'll take the honor to slay you myself." Tigreal walked forward as he draws his sword and prepared his shield for a potential defense.

Tigreal charged forward his former ally and raised his sword above. Matthaius couldn't move.

Though hesitant at first, Tigreal decides to choose the best for his realm! "For honor!" he charged towards Matthaius but the scorpion demon successfully dodged it.

Both of them had quite a fight however, Tigreal made a wrong move which decides the outcome of their battle. Despite their vicious battle, the commander barely makes a scratch against his opponent and eventually, he found himself at a disadvantage.

They were partially even at first however, when Tigreal finally had a chance, he used his ability whom he named it himself as Implosion which sucks enemies around him in order to gain momentum.

However, as he is burying the tip of his sword at the ground, Matthaius who knew this ability decided to evade however, Tigreal's conviction is high. He even managed to partially capture Matthaius however, another darkness appeared and Helcurt suddenly arrived. The demon slashed Tigreal's armor however, it didn't penetrate enough. Together with him are 6 bullets being fired consecutively by the demon hunter who is chasing him since day one.

However, Granger's eyes is filled with disbelief upon seeing the scorpion demon's appearance.

"You're one of them?" he asked.

Matthaius spoke for the first time during his abyssal form. "All the answers to your questions will be answered by me."

Helcurt turned everything to darkness once more.

"To your hometown, the answer awaits." Matthaius's voice resonates the atmosphere.

And thus, vanished after the pitch-black darkness had gone.

Helcurt remained at the scene. "What are you waiting for kid?" as if signaling the young demon hunter to chase after Matthaius.

Granger stared at Tigreal. "Go! Chase after that double-crosser! I'll be the shadow bringer's opponent!" the commander ordered him to do so.

Granger dashed outside the bloody battlefield in order to chase after the traitor who once trained him to fight.

"If he is a traitor, why did he help me in the first place?" Countless questions are flooding, inside his troubled mind. "Nevertheless, I'll perceive the answers that I seek."

The moonlight shines throughout the forests; giving light to every living things lurking in the deep forest in the south.

Soon he reached the village which started everything. In front of his former abode stood a man very familiar to him.

"Let's make this quick!" Granger loaded his pistol with his bullets as he walks towards mentor.

Matthaius this time is currently in his human form. He faced towards Granger's wrecked home as he spoke with a serious and grievous tone. "After all these years, the moment we've been waiting for has arrived."

"What do you mean?"

"Several years ago, before the day you were born, your father was a caretaker of the Monastery of light. He also serves as poet who brings light to the monastery. He is the sole responsible of establishing a group of people who serves the temple through music. However, him being a caretaker of the monastery isn't really on his own accord. In fact, he is an Abyssal demon as well who serves the Abyss since his parents decided to worship the Abyss Dominator years ago. He was asked to spy against the Moniyans so that a successful invasion will occur in the latter years. However, despite everything, he chose to serve the empire and became a demon hunter---hunting every single one of us. And thus became a notorious opponent to us abyssal. When he was younger, he was a friend of mine that's why I vowed to myself to raise and train you well so that you can fight alongside us against those selfish humans who keeps tormenting our lives every single day."

"So you were saying, my father was originally an abyssal?"

"Yes…it was when he fell in love with your mother that he decided to betray his former allies. Unfortunately, I was asked to slay your father. However, my bond towards him is great that I can't even dare lay a hand against him and his family. That's why I was sent to the empire to be a soldier and replace him from his job and Helcurt was asked to eliminate him instead."

Granger couldn't believe what he had heard. He thought that after all, his life as a demon hunter isn't really for justice---But a fruit of his father's betrayal.

Matthaius walked towards him---slowly, his body is turning in the abyssal state. "Use what you've learned throughout eh whole training we had in the earlier years." He walks closely towards the troubled demon hunter. "Protect you real fellowmen and together we will triumph over the land."

Finally, the abyssal is standing close in front of him.

Granger stared at him. Known for his emotionless eyes, this time his eyes are filled with trouble and disarray of feelings. "Why me? I've been a demon hunter fighting against demons day after day."

Matthaius smirked at him. "That emotionless eyes of yours is a symbol of a killer. I know the task of eliminating an individual isn't a burden to you."

"I'll be frank. Despite of how I look, I seek to revenge against my parents' death. For me, that doesn't seem emotionless at all."

"Never worry, the pain inside will no longer perish your emotions. Follow our path and together, we can achieve greatness."

Granger is about to accept the abyssal demon's suggestions when…

A metallic clang sounded somewhere and a bullet land a hard hit on the demon's shoulder. Matthaius wailed in pain as if a critical hit had landed in his body.

Suddenly, a lady with a long magenta hair, an eye patch on her left eye and is carrying long sniper rifle came rushing towards the troubled demon hunter. "Pull yourself together!"

She faced the demon with a grim look. "I was about to end this demon's life but I can't afford to listen to your nonsense!"

Granger is quite confused about the sudden change of pace. "Who are you?"

The lady faced him with a mean look. "Seriously?! I'm the one who helped you outside the old cathedral when your careless self, refused to bring any spare bullets in fighting against deadly thieves!"

Matthaius charged forward as he slashes his deadly pincers towards the stranger who interrupted their talk!

The lady quickly tossed a grenade on the ground knocking the three of them distance away from each other.

"Hey! Don't you dare listen to what this scum is trying to say. He's just trying to lure you." The lady warns the troubled demon hunter who still couldn't get back to his senses.

"How can you be so sure?!" his eyes are suddenly filled with distrust!

"I was there!" She kneeled as she aimed her weapon towards the agile demon. "When I was younger, my father was killed by this unmerciful trash---the time when I lost my left eye. And against his notice, I managed to determine their next hunting location which brings me to your village as I carry my father's rifle to eliminate him myself. There I saw him slay a guy whom I believe is your father since you arrived soon after and mourned for their deaths. I haven't had the chance to shoot this demon here since at that time, I don't have enough strength to follow up my vengeance." Her tears are starting to flow as she utters those words.

"NONSENSE!" Matthaius charged towards the lady---and is ready to slash the lady with his deadly pincers.

The lady who acted brave to enlighten the troubled demon hunter knew to herself that she doesn't have enough energy to dodge this next attack. After all, she fought a lot of demons just to be in the position she's here right now. Her energy is already drained and her last bullets were her last. "I guess I couldn't even fulfill my unfinished task."

Then…

A series of bullets showered upon the demon's body.

Matthaius who is filled with disbelief realized where those bullets came from. He stared at Granger who is pointing his pistol at him saying…

"It's two against one!"