5. The Best Demon Hunter! [1]

5 The Best Demon Hunter! [1]

Sixteen years had passed since humans first discovered the invasion of demons...

"Hey, Kevin! Are you heading to the royal academy?" Andrew asked, running and shouting.

"You don't have to shout when you're right next to me, you know," Kevin replied, observing Andrew's approach.

"Huff... Kevin, you scoundrel! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Andrew, in his rough village accent, questioned his best friend.

"Well, after my awakening, they assessed my affinities and told me to keep it a secret. After all, they were all ranked as 'B' affinities," Kevin answered with a smug expression on his face.

"B... B-rank? So that's why... Well, I only have 'D' rank affinities," Andrew shyly replied, scratching his head.

"But that's not important!" Suddenly, something came to Andrew's mind. "Have you heard that Alex's village was attacked by demons and demon worshippers?"

Kevin's cheerful demeanor and gentle smile transformed into a look of anger and disgust the moment he heard the word 'demons.'

"Did Grandpa and Uncle John know about this?" Kevin inquired.

"Are you daft, Kevin? The chieftain receives all the news first and then disseminates it throughout the village," Andrew retorted.

"Ah! Sorry, I forgot about that. Those vile demons drive me insane," Kevin lamented, facepalming himself.

"Let's both strive to excel at the academy and become the best demon hunters!" Kevin changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on the topic of demon raids any longer.

"Um... about that, Kevin... You see, my affinity is low, and I can't afford the regular fees for the royal academy... So, I've decided to become an adventurer," Andrew replied, suppressing his tears while wearing a wry smile.

Attending the royal academy was a dream come true for anyone with affinities above 'C' rank in any particular element. If all affinities were above 'C' rank, success in life was almost guaranteed. However, those below 'C' rank were treated as mere pawns in demon hunting. For them, becoming an adventurer was a better career choice. After all, who wants to be a stepping stone for others? No one.

"I can speak to Grandpa, you know? I can help you with admission and fees," Kevin tried to convince Andrew.

"N-No, please don't! If I were to go to that academy, I would only be bullied or treated as a plaything... It's better for me to be an adventurer," Andrew smiled, gripping Kevin's hand.

"But when you become a great demon hunter, please... avenge my sister. As an inadequate son, brother, and human... I... I can't... even... save her..." Tears started streaming down Andrew's face.

Reflecting on the past when his sister was abducted by demons and never found again...

His parents, who cursed him for letting go of her hand, met their demise at the hands of demons right before his eyes.

If it weren't for the village reinforcements, he would have surely perished that day.

Not to mention his low affinities after awakening... He felt a profound sadness and lost all hope...

Kevin, observing this, placed a hand on Andrew's shoulder and said, "You are not incompetent, Andrew! Stop speaking nonsense. And do you really think I need to avenge them? I know you alone can defeat hundreds of higher demons on your own!"

Kevin spoke while gently punching Andrew's chest.

Seventeen-year-old Andrew stood tall at six feet, with light blue hair, purple eyes, and a perfectly toned, chiseled physique.

Over the past several years, Andrew had trained tirelessly to become the kingdom's finest demon hunter.

He was the most skilled martial artist in their entire town of Brown.

However, due to his low magical affinities, he was rejected from the royal academy's scholarship program.

"You can count on me, Kevin. I will hunt down those despicable creatures," Andrew declared, wiping away his tears and displaying a beautiful smile.

"So, when are you leaving for the academy?" Andrew inquired.

"By the end of this week. That's the earliest carriage I could secure. Besides, there is still over a month until the royal academy's enrollment date. So, let's have some fun, shall we?" Kevin replied.

And just like that, Andrew and Kevin returned to the town.

A week passed, and the time had come for Kevin to depart from Brown Town. After bidding farewell to everyone, he took his seat in the carriage.

As the adopted grandson of the chieftain, the entire village had gathered to see him off. Elderly individuals, shopkeepers, children, his family, and his best friend—all were waving at him, sending him off on his long journey. Kevin couldn't hold back his tears.

He would miss the scent of the soil, the tranquility of the trees, and the sound of the river. Everything about his hometown.

His new life awaited him in the capital city.

His aspiration was to become a demon hunter and vanquish those vile creatures, but that future was still far ahead. For now, he wanted to cherish this peace.

As he gazed upon his memories of the town, a beautiful smile graced Kevin's face.

Brown was once a small village, but with the incorporation of surrounding villages due to the fear of demons, it had grown into a town.

Kevin had witnessed it all.

After the people and the town disappeared from his sight, Kevin stopped waving and sat down, observing the carriage's surroundings.

…

Some time passed, and the serene wind suddenly turned chilly. The once-clear clouds grew dark, and an unsettling feeling permeated the air.

Kevin, with his <B >-rank affinities for wind and space, keenly sensed this subtle shift. His brows furrowed in concern as the chilly atmosphere sent shivers down his spine.

"Excuse me, sir," he called out to the carriage's coachman. "Could we please stop for a moment?"

The coachman, uncertain about Kevin's sudden request, obliged, knowing he had to heed the chieftain's grandson. He parked the carriage and allowed his horse a much-needed rest.

Kevin gazed toward his town, attempting to grasp the source of his unease. Time passed as he focused on sensing the ominous presence.

"Um... chieftain's grandson, should we continue? We will have to stop again during the night-"

Before the coachman could finish his sentence, a disturbing sound reached Kevin's ears.

Splurt-

Thud-

The coachman's lifeless body slumped to the ground with a heavy thud.

"What?!" Kevin stammered, his eyes fixed on the sound's origin.

In that moment, he understood the cause of his discomfort.

"Kreeeee!"

A piercing and eerie screech filled the air as a red creature lunged toward Kevin, attacking him.

Caught off guard, Kevin struggled to adapt, taking a claw strike from the creature.

"Ugh!"

Regaining his balance, Kevin groaned but wasted no time, immediately unleashing two magic spells.

"Space Crumble!"

"Holy Spear!"

The mindless red demon, being of lowly <G > rank, lacked the capacity to dodge the attacks. It met its demise the instant the holy spear pierced its body, its futile struggles futile against the encroaching space crumble.

"Huff... huff... filthy demon..." Kevin spat on the lifeless body.

However, a realization struck him, and he turned his gaze toward his town.

"Shit!"

Without hesitation, he seized the horse's reins and, leaving everything behind in the carriage, dashed toward the town.

"Fuck! It's a demon raid!"

(A/N: Please read the author's thoughts.)