23:Night Creak City

Unlike the oceanic blue sky, the sky atop the demon world shone with crimson.

Staring at the inky red sky, countless thoughts swirled in my mind as I sat there treating my shoulder by pouring a few drops of potion on it that covered the wound a bit.

A stinging itch made my shoulder quiver a bit, but it was acceptable. Looking down at dried cold corpses, I wondered.

"Am I feeling numb because I lost my emotion, or is it because my mind has subconsciously gotten used to this?"

This seemingly unimportant question holds great importance that might decide my future path.

"Haa! This game world is countless times more complex in real time. With the way things are going on, I might forget important things. Thankfully, I had prepared a note... Wait a minute?"

"What was my previous name?"

The moment I muttered this, a chilling unsettling feeling washed over me.

I tried to remember my mom and dad's names, but except for their images, I couldn't remember much.

"This..."

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I realized that I had not only forgotten my name but also my friends. The image of my previous life was like a blurry landscape stretching into darkness.

"Let's... calm down. Maybe it's because of 17 years of solitude that led to this distorted memory. However, I remember the game details quite well."

I rubbed my chin and then sighed.

The trial clearly said you would lose something, and the moment I was burnt by the darkness flames, I felt something was being stripped from me.

I didn't know what specifically happened there in the game, but the one who originally inherited the class was one of the major villains revealed later.

He was truly a tough nemesis that led to a few sacrifices in the main cast.

"Whatever! It's not a big deal as I have already written down important things."

"Then, I should hurry and try my luck with finding the major antagonist and see if I can use him."

With this thought, I wrapped up my things and looted the corpses.

"Hmm! What's this?" I muttered, finding a small vial containing a dark liquid from the Dark Magus.

Except for that, I found seven 100 Crypt notes combined and a few miscellaneous items. I even found a shadow pouch from the cloak of Krus.

"Shadow pouch... that's a good find."

The shadow pouch is a novice-rank artifact that, when you die in a dark place, becomes one with your shadow. Except for you, no one can find it when they search your body.

Then, opening the map, I located my destination and cracked my neck.

"Enough warm-up... it's time the shit gets real."

.......

Night Creak City, located around the edge of the Crestfallen Desert that ran alongside the Grand Canyons of the Demon Continent.

Night Creak was a well-developed city as it hosted various kinds of dungeons around Crestfallen Desert and was under City Lord Gerath, who served Duke Jeruth of the Demon Continent.

Unlike human lands, infested with beasts waiting to prey upon you, the demon land was quite peaceful in comparison.

The reason?

It's because humans have highly fertile lands with numerous resources at their disposal, unlike the Demon Continent, which was entirely barren.

Monster and beast meat was the major source of food, and it prevailed so much that almost 80% of monsters and beasts infesting demon land had been tamed like cows and goats to be used as products. The rest were found in designated hunting grounds used for the training of young demons, alongside those in dungeons.

That was the major reason demons wanted to invade human land. But once teleportation arrays were placed and trade began, most grievances had been resolved.

One would be amazed to know that staple foods like rice, wheat, and other crops that humans eat daily are rare delicacies here.

On the way, I encountered a few monsters that seemed to have strayed out of the dungeons, serving as mere fodder.

By all means, monsters can't leave dungeons unless there is a dungeon break, but the administration handling the dungeons occasionally released a few. These, unfortunately, met me and served as sparring partners.

As I drew near the huge gate with an oversized board sign, I was stopped by two demons.

"Wow! What a sight to see—a human!"

"Boy, aren't you afraid to venture into demon lands? We demons could very well eat humans if we go mad. After all, they don't taste bad," the hell-born spat, licking his lips as if looking at food.

Not wanting to engage in unsavory acts, I took out a pouch and handed it over.

"Here! Now let me go!"

"Ohh! You are quite intelligent. Have a good day, sir!" The demons blocking my way separated and gave me a sincere salute.

Entering, I saw a hustling and bustling street. Not as cheerful as human towns, but it had a charm of its own.

On the side pathway stood a line of alluring and gorgeous succubi as escort girls, while on the other side were a few incubus.

"Tsk!"

I literally spat, seeing their handsomeness.

Each one of them looked like a top-class model, though they sold themselves on the street.

"These demons should invest in the entertainment industry. I'm sure people would be dying to watch this."

The moment I said this, I felt it wasn't a bad idea to invest in. I needed crazy money. Being penniless wouldn't get me anywhere—after all, money is a crazy superpower.

"Since the street looks unfamiliar, I should ask around a bit."

Thinking about this decision, I first roamed around, familiarizing myself with the street. But it seemed to be a problem.

"Hey, handsome, would you like me to accompany you tonight? I can feel the smell of youthfulness from you."

"No, don't listen to her. She doesn't shake her hips well like me."

"Hey, wait... wait..." One of the succubi extended her hand to touch me, but I tilted my shoulder to dodge, causing her to stumble.

"KYAA!"

She gasped heavily as she slipped on the floor and then started crying.

"Uwuwuw... this man hurt me..."

"What? This sick bastard dared to harm one of us?"

"Hey, hold him!"

The situation became tense as, hearing the succubus's scream, the incubi ran towards me with annoyed expressions and grabbed my collar. I stared at him blankly.

"Bastard, how dare you hurt one of ours?"

"If you don't want to die, pay up!"

"Pay... pay for what?" I asked, clearly shocked by this idiotic behavior.

What is this?

Pro max method of scamming?

"Uwuwuw... I'm hurt and broke my ankle because you pushed me. You need to give me money to get treated."

"Yeah, just give her 2000 Crypts."

"WHATTT?" I shouted.

"2000... my ass! A beginner healing potion costs just a mere 100 Crypts, and I didn't even touch her."

"Pay up or get beaten. Do you think you can take us on alone?" the incubus shouted and then whispered into my ears.

"I don't care if you're innocent or not, just pay up or else..."

His voice became quite seductive, and I saw his eyes glowing. Clearly, he was using his skills to break my mind.

I looked at him and the crowd of prostitutes surrounding him.

There didn't seem to be any law here, nor was anyone coming to interfere... No, wait a minute. Something is wrong.

Something is wrong.

Did they create such a farce to loot me?

Damn! Didn't that mean I needed to get serious?

[Hunter Gaze.]