Kellan saw the Blade Demon's memories.
Back then, it existed in a distant realm, far from this world. A court of intangible, spectral wills held judgment there. The environment was a twisted chaos—time and space lost all meaning. Flesh and shadows crawled on the barren ground. Everywhere he looked, infertile rock stretched endlessly: desolate, scorching, rivers of molten lava flowing from the horizon, eternal flames burning bright. Huge magma cities drifted in the fire, volatile gases crystallizing on their surfaces, erupting into countless bursts of blinding light.
"You are out," a high-ranking formless entity declared. "We set the rules here, and you have broken them. Since you've started wars not yours to wage, and feasted on sacrifices not meant for you, you must bear the penalties not meant for you."
Other unseen wills echoed the condemnation, accusing the Blade Demon of defiling and dishonoring this domain.
"So this is your law? To exile a true demon?" Kellan felt the Blade Demon's rage and bitterness as it struggled, bound and restrained.
"Yes. Not your projections, shadows, or spirits—but the real you. We have chosen to cast your essence into that backward world. You will be safe there—a civilization so primitive, its inhabitants build cities from mud bricks, factions tearing each other apart, fighting with thrown weapons and smelted metal, arrogantly believing they own all things, wasting the present and fearing the future."
"Sounds no better than any other place filled with 'intelligent' life."
"You will grow to love it there—so you won't long for Hell."
"But if I die there, I'm utterly destroyed!" the demon begged. "I will come back, won't I?"
"Of course. When your fragments return, you will be a beautiful memory in my treasury."
"No—don't do this…"
"Very well. Since you plead, we may grant mercy. Your power's projection will remain in Hell, allowing you to be reborn there."
"I will never plead… but one day, you will regret this."
"Will we? Hmm, mortal, what do you think? Do you believe… Blade Demon… will ever claw its way back to Hell?" The supreme, chaotic entity's voice transcended time and space as it sensed Kellan sharing these memories, piercing into his mind.
To be noticed by such a thing was terrifying beyond words. Kellan trembled uncontrollably, snapping awake from the haze of fainting, visions, and memories, eyes wide open.
He saw the ruins of the camping stones, a place that felt like another lifetime. Blood stained the ground, flames flickered wildly, and the bodies of others lay scattered everywhere. The forest beyond, cloaked in night, remained pitch black and silent—dark and terrifying—but Kellan was no longer afraid.
His first instinct was to move his body. Lowering his gaze in disbelief, he saw his limbs and feet had been restored—reborn like a miracle.
"My body…" Kellan flexed his hands and feet. For the first time, he felt joy in having a whole body. Every finger now seemed priceless. He touched his skin to make sure it was real—not some illusion.
Being alive felt incredible.
He was naked, stripped of everything. All his gear had been destroyed in the blast.
Wait… something was still there. Kellan ran his hand over his neck—the heavy emerald pendant still hung there, solid and real.
And the magic cord. Etienne's magic cord lay on the ground, likely the old hunter's only remaining relic. Kellan picked it up, feeling a wave of confusion and sorrow over the sacrifice.
With a complicated heart, he walked over to the fallen Dylan. The crossbow bolt was still lodged in Dylan's face. He looked pitiful—mouth agape, eyes vacant, blood streaming down. No matter one's temperament or status in life, death left the body stiff and cold.
Kellan took off Dylan's black cloak and wrapped it around his waist to cover himself.
"Not keen on exposing your private parts to the air, huh? The delicate shame of humanity?" Blade Demon's voice echoed in Kellan's mind.
Blade Demon! It was still here! Inside me… inside my mind! Kellan's heart pounded wildly. Had it merged with him? Where was it?
"Oh, I can feel your thoughts perfectly. Yes, I am right here inside you. Let me introduce myself properly—I am Blade Demon, also known as Gladius. The Blade God, Supreme Cutter, Edge Executioner, Divider of Worlds, the Unknown Ripper."
What… It can read my thoughts? That means I have no privacy left! This is a monster! A demon!
"Listen, mortal, I have no interest in spying on your personal life. I just want to survive, okay?"
Kellan struggled desperately to keep all kinds of chaotic thoughts at bay, but Gladius saw everything as clearly as day.
"No, I'm not going to devour your soul. My situation's… complicated," Gladius muttered, scrolling through Kellan's mind while grumbling nonstop. "Stop overthinking it. I'm not going to turn you into a puppet either. When I'm bored, I just want to slice something up for fun. What? You actually think I'm some kind of parasite? That's disgusting. Ugh… your subconscious… what a mess. So embarrassing—I'm actually grossed out."
"Set clear boundaries!" Kellan shouted inside his mind. "Stop reading my thoughts!"
"Alright, alright," Gladius agreed. "Listen, at least for now, we need each other."
"You need me, not the other way around."
"Is that so? Look at you, ungrateful mortal. Who saved you? I used a powerful spell to bring you back. You owe me your life."
"You brought me back just so my body could host your presence."
"So what? I need a place to hide, and you need power."
"Power? What kind of power?"
"You'll see soon enough," Gladius's voice grew deep, almost reverent. "A power you cannot refuse, enough to command the world."
"I'm a demon hunter. I just want to hunt demons."
"Oh, fantastic! I think I want that too! Hunting demons? Sounds thrilling. Devouring my own kind is way more satisfying than feasting on mortals. Take me hunting demons! Where are the demons around here? I want to be a demon hunter too!" Whether it was sarcasm or sincerity, Kellan couldn't tell.
"…"
"Someone's coming," Gladius warned sharply.
Kellan vaguely sensed the demons' shifting activity—their restless energy now still and silent, as if waiting or dormant.
There was only one reason: a demon hunter was approaching.
Kellan spotted Jevnie moving through the forest, nearing the camping stone ruins.
"Miss Jevnie!" Kellan's heart leapt at the sight of his senior.
Jevnie wore her hunter's cloak, hair wild, blood staining her coat, and a look of pain and complex emotion on her face as she stared at him.
"What happened?" she asked.
Kellan froze for a moment. Should he tell her a demon had entered his body?
"Everyone…" Kellan started, voice trembling, "…Mr. Etienne is dead. Dalton's dead. Dylan's dead too."
"Then how are you still alive?" Jevnie drew her sword and stepped closer, eyes sharp. "Who exactly are you?"
"No… Mr. Etienne used the Aphen Flame to destroy Blade Demon." Should he lie? Should he keep it hidden? "Blade Demon… it…"
"Dead? Banished?" Jevnie pressed urgently. "Kellan, tell me! Where is Blade Demon?"
"It's… inside me." Kellan admitted with a pained voice. "It entered my body, but it…"
"Possessed you?" Jevnie crossed her hands behind her back, sword's tip pointed straight at him.
"…"
Kellan fell silent.
"I'm sorry." Jevnie's eyes filled with sorrow. "We've come this far—eight hunters entered the forest. Now only you and I remain. If the demon hasn't taken control of your mind yet, you should give up."
"Give up… what?" Kellan stammered, heart pounding.
"Give up your life… I know this is hard for you. You must die. Then I'll purge the Blade Demon from your body and send it back to Hell."
"I… don't want to die…" Kellan said with difficulty. "…Can't we return to the Hunter's Sanctuary? There must be a way, a way to 'take it out' of me… right?"
"No." Gladius's voice echoed in Kellan's mind. "There's no way to remove me. We're bound to live—or die—together."
What should I do?
"Kill her," Gladius whispered, tempting him. "She's hurt. You can take her. With me helping you. Do you want to die? You just came back to life."
"I don't know, Kellan." Jevnie stepped closer, voice soft but firm. "Just relax… it'll be quick."
Kellan's eyes snapped wide open. Suddenly, Jevnie thrust her sword toward him.
Pain!
Kellan felt a sharp jab in his liver, searing agony making him grit his teeth. He staggered back. Jevnie's expression was conflicted as she stared at her sword — the tip had been dulled by the demon's power, rounded off. Otherwise, that strike would have pierced straight through him.
"So you really have become a demon," Jevnie spat angrily, discarding the dulled blade. "Nuin's Edge!"
A sharp silver gleam shot toward Kellan. His emerald necklace blazed with radiant light, partially blocking the spell's effect. Still, the force drove into his chest, ripping open a bleeding wound. He collapsed onto the ground.
"Ugh—" Kellan clutched the injury, face pale. Should he fight back? Against Jevnie? Was that the only way to survive?
"Fight her! Kill her!" Gladius screamed inside Kellan's mind. "Cut her down! Do you want to die? Do you want to die?! If you want to live, she must die. If she lives, you don't!"
Jevnie lunged forward, pinning Kellan down, her hands tightening around his throat.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry… Kellan… we're demon hunters. We have no choice…" Tears streamed down her face. Kellan struggled to breathe. His windpipe was crushed, no air could enter his lungs. His eyes bulged, bloodshot.
"Struggle! Fight back! She's weak, you're strong—kill her! Survive! She's trapped in the snare I set in the forest—she's almost dead!" Gladius's voice was frantic.
Kellan surged up with all his might. Jevnie was indeed on her last legs; he easily broke free.
She coughed up blood. Now Kellan saw the terrible wound — a deep slash across her chest, bone visible beneath.
"The blades I laid down cut her deep, ha…" Gladius sneered. "She's dying. She can't defeat you, nor destroy me. We've won completely, Kellan."
Jevnie struggled to stand, wiping blood from her mouth. Bent over, she clutched her wound and staggered toward Master Frederick's corpse. Falling to her knees, she supported herself with trembling hands, blood dripping from her mouth, tears mixing with the crimson stains on the ground.
"You're hurt… you need to…" Kellan gasped. She wasn't going to last long. This was my fault. I should have destroyed Blade Demon once and for all, finished the hunters' mission…
Jevnie's face was pale.
"Are you Kellan… or the demon?" Her voice was weak.
"Kellan."
"This is the Sanctuary Key." Jevnie pulled a pure silver key from Frederick's grasp. "Don't lose it."
Kellan's hands trembled.
"Come here. Give me your crossbow." Jevnie's voice was weary.
"Don't listen to her—she wants to shoot you." Gladius urged desperately.
Kellan picked up his wooden crossbow from the ground. It had survived the impact. He loaded a bolt and handed it to Jevnie. Even if she intended to kill him, he wouldn't hold a grudge.
"Listen carefully." Jevnie faced the empty clearing and repeated an incantation three times. With each utterance, silver light flickered, and a shallow mark appeared on the earth.
Kellan felt a tight knot inside but didn't know how to cry.
"Did you hear it?" Jevnie asked softly.
"Nuin's Edge," Kellan whispered. But no fourth mark appeared on the ground. Damn it, damn it—why can't I remember clearly—
"You'll get used to it," Jevnie assured him. "Just promise me—never let it control you, okay?"
"I swear."
Jevnie raised the crossbow.
"You don't need to blame yourself anymore."
She pulled the trigger against her own throat. The bowstring twanged sharply.