HELL HUNTER

Jilpa's Dream: Meeting Professor Neigh Again

The darkness was thick and suffocating, yet Jilpa found himself walking through it as though it were a solid path. There was no sound except for the faint echo of his footsteps. The air felt heavy, like something—or someone—was waiting.

Suddenly, a single spotlight illuminated the space before him. Standing under it, with the same unsettling pig mask, was Professor Neigh. His lanky frame was dressed in an ill-fitting suit, and his gloved hands rested on a cane.

Professor Neigh: "Ah, the chain wielder returns! Or perhaps I should say... the birthday boy!"

Jilpa froze, confusion and irritation flashing across his face.

Jilpa: "What do you want now? Can't you leave me alone for one night?"

Professor Neigh (mockingly): "Oh, but where's the fun in that? Besides, you're the one who invited me. Your thoughts, your guilt, your sorrow... they're practically a banquet for a spiritual wanderer like me."

Jilpa clenched his fists.

Jilpa: "Get to the point, Neigh. What do you want to tell me this time?"

Professor Neigh tilted his head, the pig mask catching the dim light in a way that made it almost seem alive.

Professor Neigh: "Straight to business, I see. Fine, fine. I'm here to remind you of the importance of strength, boy. That guilt you're drowning in? That's weakness. And weakness won't serve you when he comes knocking again."

Jilpa narrowed his eyes.

Jilpa: "Who's 'he'? Enoch? Or someone worse?"

Professor Neigh: "Oh, much worse. You've only scratched the surface of the horrors in this universe. And if you think Enoch is terrifying, wait until you meet the true rulers of despair."

Jilpa's heart raced, but he kept his voice steady.

Jilpa: "What do you expect me to do? I'm training. I'm getting stronger."

Professor Neigh tapped his cane on the ground, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap.

Professor Neigh: "Stronger? Ha! You're crawling when you need to sprint. That's why I'm here—to push you. Remember what I told you about Egypt? The pyramids of Giza, April 15th, 6 AM? That's where your real journey begins."

Jilpa: "And what exactly will I find there?"

The professor leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Professor Neigh: "The answer to your chains. And perhaps... the end of your path. But beware, boy. The road to power is paved with sacrifices. Some... more painful than others."

Jilpa's breath hitched.

Jilpa: "Sacrifices? What kind of sacrifices?"

Professor Neigh straightened up and twirled his cane.

Professor Neigh: "Now, now, no spoilers! Just remember, Jilpa: the clock is ticking, and you'll need every ounce of strength to survive what's coming."

As he turned to walk away, he paused and looked over his shoulder.

Professor Neigh: "Oh, and one last thing... pigs don't actually go 'oink.' That's just propaganda from the shadow government. The real sound is 'neigh.' Spread the word."

Jilpa stared, dumbfounded, as the professor disappeared into the shadows. The darkness around him dissolved, and he woke up in his bed, drenched in sweat.

The cryptic warnings and unsettling humor of Professor Neigh left a lingering unease in his chest. The dream was a reminder that his battles were far from over—and that the stakes were higher than he could imagine.

[later that day after work]

The Sichuan Feast and the Call to Action

The aroma of fiery spices filled the air as Jilpa and Rivaan dug into the steaming dishes of a famous Sichuan restaurant. Their plates were piled high with red chili-covered chicken, mapo tofu, and dan dan noodles, their mouths tingling with the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns. The two laughed and enjoyed their hard-earned meal after weeks of working at the butler café.

As they were finishing up, Jilpa suddenly froze, his fork hovering in midair. One of his spirit slaves whispered urgently into his ear, its voice tremulous with fear.

Spirit Slave: "Master... a massacre is unfolding atop a mountain temple, 60 kilometers from here. Hundreds have died... the monks... and demons are crawling across the sacred grounds."

Jilpa's face darkened, and he immediately turned to Rivaan, his voice serious.

Jilpa: "Something's wrong. We need to go. Now."

Rivaan put his chopsticks down, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Rivaan: "I take it our peaceful evening is officially over?"

Jilpa: "Afraid so. We're heading for a Buddhist temple. Demons—lots of them. And it sounds bad."

Traveling Through Power

The two quickly exited the restaurant, their steps urgent. To stay undetected, Jilpa transformed his chains into their spirit form, invisible to human eyes, and wrapped them around Rivaan to carry him along. Rivaan's Light Heat power, though immensely powerful, wasn't suited for long-distance travel without risk of harming himself or others.

The chains shimmered faintly as Jilpa leaped into the air, speeding toward the mountain temple. Rivaan, suspended by the ethereal chains, focused on the mission ahead.

Rivaan: "I'm just saying, flying around like this isn't exactly my idea of travel. You sure these chains won't snap?"

Jilpa (smirking): "They're spiritual constructs, Rivaan. Not a string of spaghetti. You'll survive."

The Scene of Carnage

As they approached the temple, the scent of blood and sulfur hung heavy in the air. The sacred mountain, usually serene and silent, was now a battlefield. The once-beautiful temple grounds were drenched in blood, with shattered prayer wheels and scorched banners scattered across the landscape.

In the middle of the carnage stood a single man, his tall figure silhouetted against the moonlight. He was covered in demon blood, his shirt torn, revealing a muscular frame crisscrossed with scars. Around him lay the bodies of over a hundred demons—some sliced in half, others with their heads crushed. Most shocking, however, was that these demons weren't in their spiritual form but fully physical.

The man turned to face them as they landed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He cracked his knuckles and tilted his head.

Kael: "Well, look who decided to drop in. You boys here for the party, or are you just lost?"

Rivaan and Jilpa exchanged glances, unsure how to respond to the man's relaxed demeanor amidst the carnage.

Rivaan: "Uh... we were actually here to stop this."

Kael (grinning): "Oh, you mean this?" He gestured to the pile of demon corpses while punching one. "Nah, I've got it handled. Just me, my fists, and a mountain of demon meat. Good times."

Jilpa stepped forward, narrowing his eyes.

Jilpa: "Who are you? And why are these demons in physical form? We've only dealt with spiritual ones until now."

Kael smirked, wiping some blood off his cheek.

Kael: "Name's Kael. And these bad boys? They were summoned using an old, forbidden ritual. Some lunatic somewhere really wanted to stir the pot. And trust me, these guys don't come cheap. Whoever summoned them put in a lot of effort."

Rivaan: "And you? Why are you here, taking them on alone?"

Kael: "Why? Because I can." He shrugged. "You don't say no to a good workout, do you? Besides, punching demons in the face is kinda my thing. Who needs fancy powers when you've got these bad boys?" He raised his fists, flexing.

Jilpa raised an eyebrow, still suspicious.

Jilpa: "So you're saying you just stumbled onto a mountain full of demons and decided to fight them for fun?"

Kael (grinning): "Exactly. And hey, don't look so grim. I'm doing everyone a favor. No one likes demons, right?"

Rivaan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Rivaan: "This guy's like Deadpool but worse..."

Kael turned back toward the remaining demons, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Kael: "Well, boys, since you're here, why not join the fun? A few more fists—or chains, or lasers, or whatever it is you do—can't hurt."

As more demons emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes and sharp claws gleaming in the moonlight, Jilpa and Rivaan knew they had no choice.

Jilpa (to Rivaan): "Let's finish this and figure out what's going on later. Ready?"

Rivaan: "Always."

Together with Kael, they prepared to face the next wave, the mystery of the physical demons—and Kael himself—lingering in their minds.

A Second Feast and Revelations

After the gruesome battle atop the mountain, Jilpa, Rivaan, and Kael found themselves back at the Sichuan restaurant. The fiery dishes they ordered before now seemed like a comforting reprieve from the chaos they'd just faced. Plates of spicy hotpot, skewered meats, and bowls of noodle soup quickly filled their table.

Kael, still covered in faint smudges of demon blood, sat cross-legged with a massive grin on his face. He devoured his food with unrestrained enthusiasm, slurping loudly and drawing occasional stares from other patrons.

Kael: "Ah, this hits the spot. Nothing like some good food after punching demons in the face. You two sure know how to pick a restaurant."

Jilpa (raising an eyebrow): "You know, most people wouldn't be this cheerful after fighting a hundred demons."

Kael (grinning): "Well, I'm not most people, am I?"

As they ate, Rivaan finally broke the tension.

Rivaan: "Alright, Kael. Spill it. Who are you really? You're obviously not just some random guy who likes fighting demons for fun."

Kael leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin. His usual grin softened into something more serious.

Kael: "You're right. I'm not your average guy. I'm what you'd call... a Hell Hunter. Probably the strongest one out there. My job? To hunt down demons, corrupted spirits, and pretty much anything else that crawls out of Hell and threatens existence."

Jilpa frowned, his curiosity piqued.

Jilpa: "Wait. Hell Hunter? What even is that? And what do you mean by 'strongest'? You took down a hundred demons, including twenty from the First Hell, without breaking a sweat."

Kael chuckled, leaning forward.

Kael: "You're sharp, kid. Here's the thing: I'm not alive. Not dead, either. I'm just... a being that exists beyond your universe's understanding. Call it 'outerversal' if you want."

Rivaan blinked, the term clearly unfamiliar.

Rivaan: "Outer...versal? What does that even mean?"

Kael smirked.

Kael: "It means I exist outside the rules of your universe. Time, space, life, death—they don't mean much to me. That's why I can take on the big boys, like the Seven Deadly Sins, without dying."

Jilpa's fork paused mid-air.

Jilpa: "The Seven Deadly Sins? You're saying you can fight them and live?"

Kael (grinning): "Yep. They're nasty pieces of work, but someone's gotta keep them in check. That's part of my job too. Heaven's got a few favors to call in, and I'm one of their strongest assets."

Rivaan crossed his arms, his brow furrowing.

Rivaan: "If you're so strong and important, why weren't you there when Enoch was wreaking havoc? People died—my family died."

Kael's grin faded, replaced by a somber expression. He leaned forward, his tone serious.

Kael: "I know about Enoch. I'm sorry for what happened. But I wasn't sitting on my hands, Rivaan. Another universe was on the brink of collapse. A rift opened, threatening to erase everything in it. I had to stop it."

Jilpa's fists clenched.

Jilpa: "And what about this universe? Don't we matter too?"

Kael nodded, his gaze steady.

Kael: "Of course, you do. But here's the harsh truth: I can't be everywhere at once. The multiverse is vast, and the forces trying to tear it apart are relentless. Enoch's rampage was horrible, but if I hadn't stopped that rift, an entire universe would've been wiped out. Millions of lives would've vanished."

The table fell silent, the weight of Kael's words sinking in.

Kael (softly): "I do what I can. But I'm just one being, no matter how powerful."

Jilpa leaned back in his chair, his anger giving way to a grudging understanding.

Jilpa: "So you're telling us that while we're here fighting demons and trying to survive, there's a bigger picture we're not seeing."

Kael: "Exactly. But don't sell yourselves short. You two have potential. Big potential. You're not just players in this game—you're key pieces. And trust me, the game's only getting started."

Rivaan sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Rivaan: "Great. More pressure. Just what we needed."

Kael grinned, his lighthearted demeanor returning.

Kael: "Don't worry, kid. You've got me now. And trust me, things are about to get a whole lot more interesting."

As the three finished their meal, the weight of their conversation lingered. They paid their bill, stepping out into the cool night air.

For Jilpa and Rivaan, the fight atop the mountain and the words of Kael weren't just events of the day—they were reminders that their journey was far from over, and the challenges ahead were greater than they'd ever imagined and also the fact that they could die anytime soon.

A Christmas Shift

It was December 15, and the festive season had turned the butler café into a hub of activity. The soft jingle of bells played on loop, accompanied by the warm hum of conversations and laughter. The café was decorated with sparkling fairy lights, miniature Christmas trees on every table, and wreaths hanging from the walls.

Jilpa and Rivaan, dressed in their tailored butler suits, were on their feet for hours as the café struggled to keep up with the holiday crowd. It seemed like everyone in the city wanted a taste of their unique festive menu.

Jilpa, with his striking hair and eyes, attracted the usual attention, effortlessly charming customers with a smile and witty banter. However, today, Rivaan found himself in the spotlight.

At a corner table, a girl with wavy chestnut hair and a bright red scarf sat with her friends. Her laughter was infectious, and her warm brown eyes often flicked toward Rivaan. She seemed to be finding every excuse to call him over.

Girl (playfully): "Excuse me, but could you help me choose between the gingerbread latte and the peppermint mocha? I just can't decide."

Rivaan, balancing a tray of drinks, gave her a polite smile.

Rivaan: "If you're looking for something sweet, go for the gingerbread latte. But if you want something refreshing, the peppermint mocha's the way to go."

She tilted her head, studying him.

Girl: "You sound like an expert. Are you sure you're not secretly a barista?"

Rivaan chuckled.

Rivaan: "Just a butler for now. But who knows? Maybe I'll try my hand at coffee artistry someday."

Jilpa, passing by with a tray of desserts, smirked at the exchange.

Jilpa (teasingly): "Rivaan, you might want to be careful. I think someone's planning to take you home for Christmas."

Rivaan shot him a glare, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment, while the girl giggled behind her hand.

As the hours dragged on, the workload didn't seem to lighten. Customers kept pouring in, the sound of orders being called out mingling with the festive music. Despite the chaos, the girl continued to find reasons to strike up conversations with Rivaan, occasionally earning teasing comments from her friends.

By the end of the shift, Rivaan was exhausted, but he couldn't help noticing the small handwritten note the girl left on her table before leaving.

Note:

Thanks for making this Christmas season extra special. You're pretty good at your job, but don't work too hard! - Mira

Rivaan showed the note to Jilpa, who burst out laughing.

Jilpa (grinning): "Looks like you've got yourself a fan club, buddy. Maybe you should start charging for autographs."

Rivaan rolled his eyes, tucking the note into his pocket with a small smile.

As the two of them left the café after a long day, the city lights twinkled like stars against the cool December night. The festive cheer hung in the air, but for Rivaan, the note in his pocket felt like a small gift of its own.

THANK YOU FOR READING

TO BE CONTINUED