July 9, 2023, The Day of the Demon King's arrival on Earth…
"It has been an honor to fight you, Demon King. But I am afraid this is where your story ends," A young man looking around twenty-five said with his blade pressed against the neck of the Demon King, whose appearance was quite intimidating, especially because of his menacing fangs and dangerous dark red eyes that seemed to pierce through one's soul.
On his head there was a dark crown with two large, sharp horns curving inwards.
His skin was pale as expected of a vampire and was the strongest demon ever known to humanity.
The young man was bleeding and bruised all over. He was still astonished at himself that he managed to bring the Demon King to his knees, the most powerful boss ever to appear.
Entire countries were in lockdown, and people had gone into hiding just because of his presence. Most people were already thinking that the Demon King would uproot the entire world after killing all the Hunters.
The Demon King was a Doomsday-level Threat, and yet this young man was still standing even though this battle was the toughest he had ever fought. And even though the Demon King was kneeling, his entire being still emanated an indomitable aura.
"You are right, young Hunter. But your story is only getting started, Cedric," The Demon King said with a obscure smile as cracks formed across his body.
Cedric had a confused look, but before he could say or do anything, the Demon King's body suddenly turned into a dark red light and shot into his body.
"HUH?!" Cedric was shocked as he thought that the Demon King might be trying to take over his body or something.
But moments passed, and to his relief, nothing happened, and the Demon King was gone.
'Did I just imagine that?' Cedric thought that maybe he saw things due to how injured and exhausted he was.
However, when he looked at the spot where the Demon King was kneeling before, he furrowed his brows in bewilderment. He knew that sometimes the corpses of the bosses from the Shattered Dimension disappear into thin air while leaving behind rewards or treasures in the form of rare or exotic weapons, accessories, potions, and so on.
But he was disappointed to see that even after taking down the most dangerous boss the world had ever seen, there was not even a single common grade drop or anything.
What kind of sick joke was this? He almost died trying to kill such a powerful boss, and yet he gained nothing.
'At least the world will be safe, including my Aira,' Cedric mumbled inwardly as he softly smiled, thinking about the person he loved most. He no longer felt so disappointed, though he felt as if the Demon King never truly unleashed his strength.
And for some reason, what the Demon King told him just before he died was still lingering in his mind.
"Nevermind. I got to go back and tell everyone the good news. I am sure Aira would be proud and the world can finally feel relieved," Cedric mumbled to himself with a bright smile as he began to descend from the mountain peak.
Hunters were considered as heroes by the people of the world since they were the only defense they had against the Demons who always tried to sabotage and sow chaos and death in their world. These Demons were coming from a different dimension with powers and abilities that far surpassed any ordinary human.
The common people surely can't stand any chance against these evil creatures and could only put their faith in Hunters...the humans blessed by the angels, giving them the ability to use mana and used their powers to fight Demons to protect the world.
Within just two minutes, Cedric was surprised to see his team, and even the members from other Hunter teams gathered in front of him. He wasn't surprised to see other Hunter teams since the World Hunter Association had sent their best teams to battle the Demon King due to how terrifying he was.
However, all of them suddenly came down with some sickness, and Cedric had to proceed alone to fight the Demon King. He didn't mind it since he thought at least this way, he wouldn't have to worry about any of his team members dying.
But now he was surprised to see them all here since he thought they were probably still resting in their camps.
However, his gaze immediately got pulled towards the 5 8" tall radiant-eyed beauty with a slender curvy figure and picturesque face walking towards his direction with teary eyes. Even though her face was a bit pale, it couldn't diminish the radiance of her big hazel eyes. Her silky auburn hair was long and unfolded over her back like a river till her thighs; her luscious red lips, coupled with her delicate nose and her overall appearance, made her appear quite stunning.
She wasn't wearing her hunter armor, but Cedric could understand why since she was already sick before he and his team even set out to battle the Demon King. It was already a surprise that she suddenly rushed here, but he knew it was because she was worried about him and made him once again realize how lucky he was to have her and be alive to continue to spend time with her.
"Aira, I am so glad to see you here. Are you okay? Your face still looks a bit—"
"Ced! I…I am fine, but I…" Aira's voice was breaking up as she buried her face against his chest, making Cedric feel a bit guilty, thinking that he must have made her really worried by going after the Demon King alone, and now she must have been overwhelmed by relief to see him alive.
"Shh, Aira, don't cry. I am still alive and kicking. Don't get worried because of the blood. I will be alright right after drinking some potions. I exhausted my stock during my battle with the Demon King," Cedric chuckled as he hugged her and patted her head.
He and Aira were childhood sweethearts and had almost spent most of their lives together to the point of even fighting together as Hunters, where she played the role of a Spelldancer in his team. The two were well renowned to people as their heroes. They had been practically inseparable for most of their lives. With her presence on the team, none of them have to worry about quickly running out of mana while knowing that she had their backs. She was the best among the best when it came to the role of playing a 'Spelldancer, known to be good at casting quick spells on the move to support her team.
"B-But I—"
"Cedric, you really came back, huh?" A tall man looking in his mid forties with a bulky build and carrying a huge hammer in his hand said with slightly furrowed brows. He played the role of a 'Bulwark' in Cedric's team and had been fighting alongside him for years. As a Bulwark, his part in any battle was indispensable since he helped reduce the pressure on the team by taking the brunt of the strongest attacks dealt by demons.
"I know it's surprising, Derek. Even I thought I was a goner," Cedric said with a slight shake of his head while remembering his battle with the Demon King.
"It is very surprising indeed. I mean, none of us had ever witnessed a Doomsday-level threat, and there was no telling if we could even win, especially when all of us came down with some sickness. You have been surely hiding your true strength, eh, Cedric?" A slim man of average height chuckled awkwardly as a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He played the role of a 'Hound' in Cedric's team, and Cedric considered not only him but Derek as his very best friend, especially after fighting together for so long and having each other's backs.
His role in the team couldn't be ignored as he was someone who dealt most of the critical attacks while catching the demons unawares and was quite good at gauging their strengths.
"Nah. You know me, Lenny. I just got lucky," Cedric said with a wink.
"But you should not have come back, Cedric," Derek said with a low sigh.
Cedric blinked with a puzzled look as he asked, not noticing how Aira's fingers were clenching his armor even more firmly, "Eh? What was that, Derek?"
Derek's expression became a bit cold as he said, "I said you should have died so that we could have avoided this unpleasant situation."
And here we go...It would be great to know what you guys think after reading the first chapter. Feel free to put down your thoughts as comments or reviews :D
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"I what? Derek, are you drunk or what?" Cedric asked as his brows pulled together, feeling that something was off.
He didn't realize it before because he was distracted after surviving the battle against the Demon King. But now he noticed that all these Hunters before him were looking at him with serious, unkind expressions.
He could see them tightening their grip around the handles of their weapons while their eyes became focused. All these signs only happened whenever they were about to engage in battle, which didn't make sense since this was supposed to be a moment of happy reunion unless…
"I have never been more clear-headed, Cedric, especially since our mission involves taking you down before you could threaten humanity," Derek said in a gruff voice as the others exchanged glances.
"Enough with the jokes, Derek. I am not in the mood for this," Cedric said as his tone turned serious. Even though he said these words, Cedric felt these guys weren't playing around.
Lenny's expression also became solemn as he said, "Cedric, I am sorry, but this is no joke. The WHA has decided that you should be put away. The other Hunters had voted for the same as well. Honesty…this was a very hard and tough decision, but considering the circumstances, we have to do this."
"What circumstances?!" Cedric's tone became unfriendly as he asked with a glare.
Derek stepped forward and said, "The Oracle had passed down a new prophecy, and it mentions your name and that you will one day bring about doom in this world. The Oracle has never been wrong and never will. We already know how powerful you are, and this prophecy made us realize that one day you will lose yourself in bloodlust and power. It isn't that surprising since Hunters in the past had fallen prey to themselves. But you are different…You are already the strongest among us, but if we let you grow even more, then nobody in this world can stop you. It is the will of the heavens that the Oracle was able to pass down the prophecy before it was too late."
Cedric dryly chuckled as he shook his head with a look of disbelief, "Aira, do you hear the nonsense they are spouting? Tell me—" Cedric forgot his words when he saw Aira slowly walking away from him with a lowered head while covering her face.
"A-Aira?" Cedric didn't want to believe what he was seeing but seeing her silently walking away from him made him feel like his world was starting to crumble down.
Aira's expression was continuously faltering as she meekly looked at him with watery eyes, "I-I am sorry, Ced…I—"
"That is enough, Aira. You don't have to stay here any longer. Come with me," A woman in her late thirties, clad in armor, stepped forward and grabbed her wrist to lead her away. She was one of Aira's friends, Lena, and someone Cedric was friendly with as well…until now.
"Lena, don't you dare bring her away! Aira, what the fuck are you doing?!" Cedric still didn't want to believe what was going on. Even if everyone else were to turn on him, the last person he expected to turn on him was his girlfriend, whom he had known since childhood.
He had lived, fought, and bled alongside Aira for the most part of his life. He and she were there for each other through thick and thin, no matter the situation. They were practically inseparable…or so he thought.
Aira stopped in her tracks as her figure trembled, but she still had her back turned towards Cedric.
Cedric, who had his arm extended in her direction, had his eyes quivering in disbelief, sadness, and dismay. But then she continued to walk away as Lena led her away, and her figure began to fade in his vision.
"Aira…no…why…" Cedric mumbled as his voice cracked. The pain of his injuries seemed to bother him the least now. But it was the pain of his heart being slowly torn apart that was hurting him the most.
Why would his own lover betray him? Did he imagine her love for him all this time? No…This cannot be…
"Don't be angry at her. It is only best for her that she walks away. Associating with you any longer would only make her a target as well," Derek said without a change in his expression.
She left me to save herself? Was she really that selfish and cowardly? All because of a stupid prophecy?
'Heh…what a joke…So your promise about living and dying together was just a line to fool me?' Cedric wryly thought as he remembered something that had happened more than a decade ago.
"It's time, Cedric. This is it," Derek said as he lifted his heavy hammer with both his hands while the other Hunters began to slowly surround a devastated Cedric.
"Don't worry…You will still die as a hero, and your legend will live on. There are countless Hunters who would be willing to die to leave their mark in history. You should consider yourself lucky," Lenny said as he took a deep breath, preparing himself for the most unnerving battle of his life.
"Shut up…all of you cunning dogs…" Cedric mumbled with an empty look as he lifelessly drew out his blade.
"Do not fight back, Cedric. You are outnumbered, 25 to 1, and your injuries are another story. Just let this end quickly, and you won't even know any pain," Derek said with a narrowed gaze.
"Pain? You think I haven't felt enough already? I trusted you all…especially you two…my own team…You two even invited me to stay and have food with your family countless times. But I should have known all of you were just opportunistic dogs waiting to backstab me like cowards," Cedric said as his gaze became frigid.
Lenny swallowed his saliva as his heart thumped nervously. Even for a Catastrophic Level Threat, the World Hunter Association never sent more than ten Hunters to take care of it or two teams.
But for Cedric, they sent 25 Hunters whose ranks ranged from A to S class like Derek. However, Lenny wasn't that surprised as he knew how powerful Cedric was, especially since he was at the peak of S rank. Even if he was now in an injured state, Lenny had no doubt some Hunters would surely fall.
"I will take you all on!" Cedric said as his blade began to shine with a blinding golden light and charged forward with a resentful shout.
All twenty-five Hunters charged at him at the same time as well with a battle cry, ready to take down the strongest Hunter in the world.
….
30 minutes later…
"Ha…ha…How pathetic…You don't even have the balls to face me alone," Cedric said in an exhausted tone as he continued to bleed profusely all over his body while kneeling on the ground and holding onto his glaive for support.
"Cough…cough…you were not even in your best state, and yet you killed twenty of us. Even Lenny is barely standing," Derek coughed out blood as he wiped the blood off his lips with a grimace. One of his eyes was a bloody hole as blood trickled down his face. He was severely injured and standing before Cedric, yet not in a state as bad as Cedric's.
Dead, bloodied corpses were lying around Cedric while the battlefield was a scorched mess. Half of the mountain was wiped out, while the rest was just scorched land.
"This only made me realize how really dangerous it would have been for all of us if we had decided to let you live," Derek added with a wary glint in his eyes as he slowly lifted his heavy hammer with a grunt to deal the finishing move.
"Just get it over with…you piece of shit," Cedric said with a vengeful look as he looked up. He was no longer worried about dying since he realized that there was nothing to live for. The WHA whom he had loyally served since the beginning of his Hunter career, his friends, his own team, and even the love of his life had betrayed him. What was the point of struggling? It was best to let go…
Cedric saw the heavy hammer coming down on him slowly as it filled his vision. And before he knew it, he was plunged into a cold dark abyss.
Prologue ends here...What do you guys feel about it? Comment your thoughts :)
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