Different

[ Eva's POV ]

Screams.

I could hear screams echoing through the forest.

They sounded a lot like the ones in my memories...

Was this a dream?

"Run!"

"Come on, faster!"

...

No this was not a dream!

My eyes instantly darted toward the direction of the village.

These were the voices of the villagers and they were getting closer!

I lifted my tired body off the ground, unsheathing my sword and tightening my grip around its blade.

Why were they running?

"Demons!"

Suddenly, I heard a little girl's distant voice and my body tensed. My mind momentarily went back to the past, the fateful day when I lost my family.

I will not let this happen again!

Gritting my teeth, I quickly sprinted toward the commotion, my eyes quickly scanning through the villagers hurrying past me.

I also decided to join the crowd since there was still no sign of the Demons in sight.

Tap... Tap...

Our footsteps resounded through the forest, a symphony of fear and urgency. The dense foliage seemed to twist and turn with our every step as if the forest itself was alive and pulsating.

Finally, after a few minutes of intense running, we encountered a dead end - a towering cliff face, blocking any escape route.

"..."

Fearsome silence filled the air as the villagers pressed against the cliff, their panicked breaths becoming a chorus of disarray.

There was no escape.

They were trapped.

Swish...

A cold gust of wind brushed against my cheek and I could feel a familiar chill creeping up my spine.

Demons...

My eyes narrowed as I saw two figures emerge from the shadows of the forest and revealed themselves to be grotesque creatures with twisted horns.

One of the Demons had crimson-red eyes that glowed with a burning intensity, while the other had heterochromia - one eye glowed with an eerie green, while the other gleamed an icy blue.

The Demons moved with a grace that contradicted their terrifying appearance.

It was like watching predators stalking their prey.

"..."

I wanted to lunge at them, ignoring the villagers that blocked my path. I just wanted to go and plunge my blade into those monsters' necks.

All I needed was to see them bleed.

I was slowly being consumed by a deep rage, fueled by the memories of my lost family and the desire for vengeance.

Calm down...

However, I quickly got a hold of myself.

I couldn't just act impulsively and risk endangering the lives of innocent villagers.

If I were to dash and attack the Demons head-on, it would only result in chaos and further endangerment.

Instead, I needed to lay low and prepare until the opportune moment presented itself.

Click...

Holding my sword tightly in my hand, I slowly moved through the crowd and discreetly signaled to the other villagers to stay quiet.

Most of them didn't even notice me but some did and quickly averted their gaze.

They knew that I was the only one able to wield a weapon so I was their only hope for survival.

Tap... Tap...

As I walked closer and closer to the front of the crowd, I could sense the Dark Mana filling the air, emanating from the Demons.

I could tell that both of them were Imps, lowest-level Demons that could be vanquished even by me.

However, the problem was that there were two of them.

One I could dispose of easily, but facing both simultaneously would prove to be a formidable challenge.

'Do I even have a choice?'

I contemplated internally, weighing the options and risks of taking on both Imp Demons at once.

Blink...

Suddenly, I froze in my tracks as one of the Imp Demons turned its gaze in my direction.

His gaze met mine, and for a brief moment, it felt like time stood still. His green and icy blue eyes bore into mine, making my heart race and my breath catch in my throat.

For some reason, this Demon didn't seem to emanate the same malevolence as its counterpart.

His expression was calm and composed...

It was as if he was not driven by the same bloodlust and cruelty as the other Imp Demon.

However, this shouldn't be possible!

Demons are impulsive creatures, especially low-level ones! There was no way it could be any different.

Smile.

Suddenly, the Demon flashed a small smile, revealing sharp teeth.

Why was he smiling at me!?

I watched as the Demon suddenly turned toward his counterpart's direction, his eyes becoming cold and calculating.

Click...

His body began to shift and contort, growing taller and larger, transforming into a much more formidable creature.

Fur started to sprout from his skin, elongating into a sleek and menacing form.

I could only stand there in shock as the Imp Demon transformed into a large monstrous creature that made all the villagers quiver in fear.

It was a Wendigo!

"You pest humans! We will kill you, devour you, and every last of you will feel pain!"

However, his partner with crimson-red eyes didn't even notice the transformation, continuing to laugh sinisterly as if nothing had changed.

He didn't even notice as the Wendigo began approaching him, its towering figure casting a long shadow over his form.

For a moment mine and the monster's eyes locked once more, and I noticed a sword glistening in Wendigo's hand.

What th-

Pluck...

In a swift motion, the Wendigo lunged forward, plunging the sword through the heart of the crimson-eyed Imp Demon.

The wounded Demon turned toward his kin with a look of disbelief and agony.

"Why... Why did you betray me?"

I could hear him rasping as blood dripped from his mouth.

I also leaned closer to hear the response. I simply couldn't believe what was unfolding before my eyes.

A Demon killing a Demon.

This was not an everyday occurrence.

In fact, it's widely known that killing each other is prohibited by their King.

"..."

I couldn't quite pick up what the Wendigo replied, but he was suddenly pushed by his wounded kin.

[ Shadow Flash ]

Suddenly, for a moment, everything turned dark.

The injured Demon was probably using his trait.

However, the very next second when everything brightened again, I noticed Wendigo holding the wounded body of the Imp Demon in his sharp claws.

Swish...

Suddenly, he hurled the Demon into the air, his powerful throw sending the wounded creature soaring through the night sky, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Thud...

The Imp Demon crashed just a dozen feet before me, leaving a deep imprint on the ground.

It was as if the Demon threw his kin toward me on purpose.

He could have thrown him anywhere, but he chose to send him crashing at my feet.

Our eyes met again, however, he quickly broke eye contact, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.

I wanted to go after him but I couldn't just leave the wounded Demon lying there.

He was already trying to drag himself away, his body twitching in pain.

Although it was obvious he would die soon, I couldn't leave him alone with the villagers.

I had to kill him...

and I will gladly do so.