Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Eileen, with the half-demon boy by her side, controlled the staff and flew at high speed through the dense forest.

Branches whistled past my side.

The half-demon boy gripped his staff tightly, his thin body trembling slightly in the wind.

Those blood-red eyes were filled with vigilance.

Eileen kept glancing back.

Her brows were furrowed and her lips were pressed tightly together.

She knew that her magic scroll couldn't hold off the opponent for long.

She took a deep breath, activated her staff, and increased her speed even further.

However, what she didn't know was...

The moment the Ross family established the magical pillar and connected it to the perception barrier.

They discovered the remaining half-demon.

The other magical families involved in the hunt also discovered it.

Unlike the Ross family, they weren't a group of abandoned young masters sent to their deaths.

Rather... they are the true hunters.

Seven kilometers away.

At the top of a dead giant tree, a figure wrapped in a dark cloak knelt on a branch.

He held a dark gold short bow in his right hand.

The bow was covered with densely packed runes, which glowed faintly in the dim light.

He held a headless arrow between two fingers of his left hand.

The arrow shaft was dark black, and a layer of visible wind aura was wrapped around it.

The wind swirled slowly around the arrow, emitting a very faint hissing sound.

He raised his head.

Beneath the hood were a pair of narrow, sharp, eagle-like eyes.

Those eyes were fixed on Eileen, who was flying at a great distance.

A slight smile curved the corners of his mouth.

then.

He loosened his grip on the arrow.

"Whoosh"

A sharp whooshing sound suddenly rang out in the dense forest.

The arrow transformed into a streak of eerie blue light, tearing through the air at incredible speed as it hurtled toward its target seven kilometers away.

It weaves through the gaps in the branches and leaves, and winds around the thick trunk.

It swept past the wing of a flying demon, startling the demon into a sudden sideways roll.

The arrow's speed did not decrease at all.

It is like a silent judgment, emerging from the shadows of the dense forest.

It struck the flying staff with pinpoint accuracy.

"boom".

The enormous impact caused the staff to explode.

Eileen and the half-demon boy were both thrown off the staff.

The two had no time to react.

It tumbled and rolled high in the air, drawing an arc.

Then it crashed heavily onto the ground deep in the forest.

More than ten meters in the air.

That's enough to seriously injure an unprotected mage.

Eileen's back slammed against the mud and dead branches, creating a shallow crater.

The bones made a teeth-grinding creaking sound.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Blood foam spilled from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin into the black soil.

The half-demon boy fell not far from her.

He struggled to get up, but his arms went limp and he fell back down.

In those blood-red eyes, the initial wariness was finally dispelled by another emotion.

That was fear.

Eileen lay among the dead leaves and dirt, her black hair scattered in the stains.

My chest was still heaving, but each breath was accompanied by excruciating pain.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

It was a man wearing dark leather armor.

Lean, lean, and silent.

He had two short blades hanging from his waist, and his fingers were long and slender with slightly bent knuckles.

He completely suppressed his aura.

If he hadn't shown himself, you would hardly have noticed his presence.

assassin.

An assassin who rises above the ordinary.

He glanced at Eileen, who was lying on the ground.

She glanced at the half-demon boy again.

A faint smile curved at the corners of her lips.

Then he moved.

His figure left a trail of afterimages in the air.

He appeared in front of the half-demon boy in an instant.

The half-demon boy didn't even have time to react.

A hand had already gripped the back of his neck.

With his other hand, he pulled out a metal collar.

The inside of the collar was engraved with densely packed binding runes, which gleamed with a cold silver light in the dim light.

"Click".

The collar was fastened around the half-demon boy's neck.

The half-demon boy's body stiffened abruptly.

He instinctively reached out to grab the collar.

My fingers just touched the cold metal.

"Sizzle"

Blue electricity exploded from the collar.

The half-demon boy's body trembled violently, he screamed, and knelt on the ground.

His fingers were curled up, his nails digging into the soil.

His bloodshot eyes were filled with pain.

The assassin smiled.

The smile was faint, carrying a condescending, predatory indifference.

"Stop struggling."

"You should know very well what this stuff tastes like."

The half-demon boy gritted his teeth and remained silent.

But her body was still trembling uncontrollably.

The assassin withdrew his gaze and turned to Eileen, who was lying on the ground.

He drew the short blade from his waist.

The blade gleamed with a cold, sharp light in the sunlight.

He started walking, step by step, towards Eileen.

The footsteps were very light.

The boots made a soft rustling sound as they stepped on the withered grass.

Each step was taken at a leisurely pace.

Every step was filled with pressure.

Eileen lay on the ground, watching the boots get closer and closer.

Her fingers gripped the soil tightly.

I want to get up.

But my body simply wouldn't cooperate.

The severe injuries from the fall from a great height made her limbs feel like they were filled with lead.

With every movement, the bones screamed.

She gritted her teeth and tried to summon her magic.

The magic circuits seemed to be blocked, and I couldn't sense them at all.

She tried to sing.

Only a muffled groan escaped his throat.

The assassin walked up to her.

He looked down at her.

He twirled the short blade between his fingers, then let it hang at his side.

The blade tip was aimed at Eileen.

"Rose, Rose..."

"Ah, I remember now, there really is such a family in the City of a Thousand Towers."

His voice was soft, with a hint of amusement.

It's as if he's recalling something interesting.

"Your family is considered quite prominent in the City of a Thousand Towers."

"Why did you have to get involved in this mess?"

He squatted down.

The short blade was pressed against Eileen's chin, and her face was gently lifted.

Eileen was forced to tilt her head back.

Black hair lay scattered in the mud.

The assassin's cold face was reflected in his black eyes.

The assassin looked at her.

"Why did you have to resort to greed when you could have just made a good perception node?"

"This hunt is not something you should interfere with and try to get a share of."

"Trying to participate in the hunt?"

He shook his head.

"They really don't know their own limitations."

The short blade was removed from her chin.

The blade was pressed against her throat.

The cool, metallic touch made Eileen's hair stand on end instantly.

The assassin gripped his short blade tightly.

"People should have self-awareness."

"Don't touch what you shouldn't touch."

"Remember this in your next life."

The short blade was raised.

The blade tip flashed a cold light in the sunlight.

then.

Stab it down.

Eileen instinctively closed her eyes.

The expected death did not come.

A sharp, piercing sound of blades clashing exploded in Eileen's ears.

The sound was piercing, making her eardrums ache.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

A cascade of long, golden hair fluttered in the air.

Golden, dazzling, like a waterfall formed from condensed sunlight.

A woman stood in front of her.

He held a rapier, the blade of which met the assassin's short blade.

Sparks flew between the blades.

The woman's blonde hair was blown up by the gust of air, revealing her exquisitely beautiful profile.

High brow bone and straight nose bridge.

His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his golden eyes were filled with murderous intent.

The veins on her arms were bulging.

The rapier pressed down firmly on the short blade, preventing it from piercing any further.

She roared, and her inner energy erupted.

A silvery-white light shone from the rapier.

The light grew brighter and brighter, becoming increasingly dazzling.

The assassin's pupils contracted slightly.

He wanted to sheathe his sword and retreat.

But it was too late.

Elvia twisted her wrist, and the rapier slashed upwards.

A massive, silvery-white sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword.

It's not the kind of fine, condensed silver thread.

Instead, it was a broad, violent, crescent-shaped sword aura.

The sword energy tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek.

The assassin was struck head-on by the sword energy.

He was sent flying backward as if he had been struck by a giant hammer.

He tumbled twice in the air before landing on the ground.

The boots carved two deep furrows in the ground, and slid for more than ten meters before coming to a stop.

The assassin regained his footing.

Raise your head.

For the first time, a look of seriousness appeared in those cold eyes.

He did not hesitate.

With a flash, he disappeared from the spot.

hide.

Assassins excel at hunting in the shadows.

Elvia stood before Erin, sword in hand.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.

The slender sword pointed diagonally at the ground, its blade still trembling slightly.

Her long, golden hair was slightly disheveled by the wind.

A few strands of hair clung to his sweaty cheeks.

Her chest rose and fell slightly, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.

But those golden eyes were astonishingly bright.

She didn't turn around, but looked around warily, trying to find the hidden assassin.

He glanced at Eileen, who was lying on the ground, out of the corner of his eye.

"How are you? Can you get up?"

Eileen stared at her blankly, her lips moving slightly.

"Why...do...?"

He got halfway through his sentence and it got stuck in his throat.

She didn't know what to ask.

Why did you save me?

Why are you here?

Who exactly are you?

Elvia chuckled softly.

"I never intended to hurt you."

"After all, you protected our guest whom we've been searching for for a long time."

"They still owe me millions of gold coins."

Elvia's gaze shifted to the corner.

They moved toward the half-demon boy who was bound by a collar.

The boy knelt on the ground, his body still trembling slightly.

Blood-red eyes peeked out from between the strands of his disheveled hair.

With vigilance, with hostility, with fear.

Those eyes were so piercing, yet so familiar.

Elvia frowned slightly.

The prey was a half-demon. Why hunt a half-demon?

Elvia was filled with questions.

But now is not the time to ask questions.

The enemy is probably still hiding nearby.

An assassin who rises above the ordinary.

Even in the capital of Carter, he was an absolute powerhouse.

Elvia's power has become inflated.

There was not even the slightest possibility of defeating the opponent.

She clicked her tongue in amazement.

If only we had taken advantage of the moment when the other person hadn't noticed us.

Before the protective energy could reach him, he swung it directly at the neck.

Even if she can't kill the opponent, she can still severely injure them.

However, the opponent was also able to kill Eileen when she made her move.

Could it be that after hanging out with that bastard Lin Gui for a while, I've softened up?

She had nothing to do with the woman's life or death, but she still saved her.

Elvia was lost in thought.

He protected Eileen with a knightly stance.

His eyes constantly scanned every corner.

Treetops, grass, and the shadows of rocks.

Any place where they might hide.

Her fingers gripped the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles turning white.

I breathed very softly.

Ears pricked up, catching every subtle sound around them.

And just when her nerves were stretched to the limit.

A voice rang in her ear.

It's very faint and light.

With a hint of helplessness.

"Keep the change, please."

"He ran away."

"And that wandering swordsman."

Elvia's body stiffened.

Then it felt like my bones had been removed.

His shoulders slumped.

She let out a long breath.

The murderous intent in his golden eyes dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief at surviving a calamity.

She turned around and looked at Lin Gui behind her.

Lin Gui emerged from behind the withered bushes.

Black hair, black eyes.

Grey robes, oak staff.

Elvia looked at him.

"I thought you would make a move against him."

Lin Gui shook his head.

"I'd like to make a move... but..."

"The other party ran too fast."

Although the opponent had concealed himself, he could not escape the capture of the Ghostly Eyes of the Forest.

Even if the assassin turned around and found that the attacker was just a high-ranking knight.

He took off running as soon as he could.

There wasn't a trace of lingering affection.

"As expected of an extraordinary assassin."

"That alertness, that decisiveness."

Lin Gui withdrew his gaze and looked at Eileen behind Elvia.

Their eyes met.

Eileen looked at him.

When you look at his black hair and those black eyes.

His eyes were filled with an undisguised disgust.

Lin Gui was stunned for a moment.

This inexplicable aversion stems from not even knowing the other person.

But he didn't ask any further questions.

He walked toward the half-demon boy kneeling on the ground.

The boots made a soft rustling sound as they stepped on the withered grass.

The boy raised his head, his blood-red eyes fixed on him.

He shrank back a little.

The collar around her neck was still shimmering with a faint blue light.

With each flash, the boy's body would tremble slightly.

Lin Gui squatted down.

He stretched out his hand.

"Grey Dagger".

Elvia drew a dagger from her waist and handed it to her.

Lin Gui took it.

The dagger was dusty and unremarkable.

It has no luster whatsoever.

Ash said that this thing can even reduce the armor of the Starry Armor.

It's unbelievably sharp.

That means we should be able to destroy it before the collar can react.

Lin Gui gripped the gray dagger, the tip of which was aimed at the collar around the boy's neck.

The boy's body tensed up suddenly.

His blood-red eyes were wide open, staring intently at the gray dagger.

It was less than two fingers' width away from his throat.

His breathing became rapid.

His chest heaved violently.

His fingers clenched the soil so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something.

But only muffled syllables came out of his throat.

Lin Gui looked at him.

"Don't move."

"It will hurt you."

The voice was very faint.

But there was no command or threat in his tone.

It's just a statement.

It's as if they're saying something that's taken for granted.

The boy was stunned.

He stared into those dark eyes.

There was no hostility, no discrimination, and no condescending scrutiny in those eyes.

There was only a calm, inexplicably reassuring tranquility.

He didn't know why he thought that way.

Subconsciously obeying what the other person says.

Lin Gui held the gray dagger firmly in his hand.

The tip of the blade pressed against the edge of the collar's clasp.

With a gentle pry.

"Click"

The crisp sound of metal breaking.

The collar broke off, slipped off the boy's neck, and fell to the ground.

It produced a dull thud.

The boy's breath hitched.

He subconsciously reached up and touched his neck.

The marks from the collar still remained on her skin.

But that cold, suffocating restraint disappeared.

He looked up at the black-haired youth in front of him.

His lips moved.

"……Thanks."

His voice was hoarse, as if it were being squeezed out from deep in his throat.

After saying that, even he himself found it somewhat unbelievable.

Why would he say thank you to someone?

This person is human.

He was of the same race as the mages who were hunting him down and wanted to experiment on him.

He should hate them and be wary of them.

But the man in front of him gave him an unexpectedly reassuring feeling.

Just like... Mr. Hewlett.

The boy looked at Lin Gui and Elvia and asked.

"Who are you? Why are you saving me?"

Upon hearing this question, Lin Gui stood up and raised his hand.

Delicate magic flowed from the fingertips.

The outline of the flying boat emerged from the depths of the grass.

The silvery-white metal gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

Behind the airship, several heavy bags of grain were being dragged.

One bag, two bags, three bags...

Neatly arranged, they were hung at the rear of the flying boat.

Lin Gui lowered his hand.

Looking at the half-demon boy in front of him, he smiled slightly.

"Us."

"We are entrusted by the Dalton family of White Cliff City."

"Deliver the grain to Drywood Town."

"The people from Dalton said you would come to us to pick up the goods."

He paused for a moment.

"We waited in Deadwood Town for two weeks, but you never came to collect the goods."

"Here we are..."

"Delivered to your door."

"So, may I sign for it?"