Chapter 35 (2/2)

Obviously, the demon in this world was totally different from what Thulhu understood a demon to be in his past life.

The demon in this world was something beyond description. If Roald’s comments were true, the demon in this world was also a god!

“That’s right. The demon is the incarnation of chaos and mess. Living in the abyss, its power is beyond terrible. The demon gets no joy from its worshippers and takes no offense at curses. What it does is all according to its own will, and it can give or take power. It revels in chaos and celebrates the horrible consequences of its own actions.”

It seemed that the demon in this world resembled some evil gods in Thulhu’s past life. Evil gods didn’t show mercy to even their followers.

Thulhu thought this to himself.

Roald continued, “The demon has always existed in this world and brings fear and despair. Demon hunters don’t fight the demon, but hunt down its ‘subordinates.’ We also call them ‘The Contaminated.’ Subordinates receive the power of the abyss from their lord. This fight can be traced back to the dark ages before history. The earliest demon hunters realized that human beings could never kill the demon – we are all just ants in front of it. However, demon hunters can use the demon’s power to fight its subordinates! This was how the occupation came into being!”

“You’re saying… we use the demon’s power?!”

Thulhu’s eyes opened wide and he was extremely astonished. “Why would it allow that? Also, that means we can never defeat the demon, right?”

Thulhu couldn’t fathom a bunch of demon hunters going up to the demon and killing it with its own power.

He couldn’t help picturing that weird scenario.

“I told you, as a human being, don’t even try to understand the demon’s will. Perhaps our fights and struggles are nothing more than a game to it.” Roald forced a smile, but his eyes showed great determination. “But as long as we can prevent its subordinates from overrunning our world, we’ve achieved our highest goal!”

“I see…”

Thulhu had to say that this occupation seemed quite hopeless to him.

“To become a demon hunter, you have to have great determination and a strong will, or you can be easily corrupted!” Roald warned Thulhu. “I’m a demon hunter, but I don’t want you to choose the same path!”

“Corrupted?”

Thulhu’s heart sank when he heard the word.

“Unlike [Soldier] and [Apprentice], we only have two further major options after reaching the level of [Demon Contractor]: one is to stick to our original path, and the other is to become [The Corrupted]!”

Roald explained, “The rank one occupation is called [Demon Contractor], and we have to start by signing a contract with the demon through a ritual called Staring Into the Abyss! If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. We have to fall into the eye of the abyss before we can obtain a small amount of demonic power. Of course, that power doesn’t really come from the demon; or at least, it’s reduced thousands of times. We call it the power of the abyss, which is still more than enough for an ordinary to become an extraordinary!

“After becoming a [Demon Contractor], one has to have a strong will and use the power responsibly. The higher one’s rank is, the greater the danger. So, after reaching rank four, we need faith. Historically, it is the Goddess of Light who offers us help!

“…As for the rest,” Roald’s voice dropped, “they worship the demon and become ever closer to the evil power. They’ll gradually no longer be human! It is said that this dark career path was first inspired by those monsters contaminated by the abyss!”