The Damned Demon

Asher's boots made a muted thud against the polished floor of the WHA outpost in China, contrasting the bustling energy of the unveiling ceremony for the Junction Tower. The air buzzed with a mix of tense anticipation and the sharp scent of freshly brewed coffee, mingling with the occasional clinking of glasses from the nearby refreshment tables.

Cecilia Sterling, the epitome of grace and authority, moved through the venue with a meticulous eye. Her gaze darted from one security checkpoint to another, ensuring every protocol was followed to the letter.

She was accompanied by a tall, devilishly handsome young man who trailed behind her with an air of confident calm—Advisor Ash.

Once Cecilia finished her inspection, she turned to Ash with a soft sigh, her light smile a rare moment of relaxation amidst her rigorous checks, "Everything seems to be fine. Honestly, it's better than what we had before. I'm impressed with your idea to keep everything discreet by hiding Hunters in plain clothes. If those cult members are foolish enough to lower their guard, it'll be easier to catch them."

Asher's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile, "Unless they're remarkably foolish, they won't dare to even come here. But enough about that. You should focus on the ceremony now. You've been working tirelessly—negotiating with the prime minister and making sure everything goes off without a hitch. We'd be at a loss without your successful negotiations."

Cecilia's smile widened, though she tried to downplay his compliment, "Oh, I'm just doing my job. It's the least I can do as a retired Hunter."

Asher chuckled, appreciation in his eyes, "Don't be so modest, Mrs. Sterling. I greatly appreciate those who don't hold back for the greater good. If I could do more, I would. I heard you're flying to Russia next to negotiate the installation of a Junction Tower there. May I accompany you?"

Cecilia's eyebrows arched in surprise, "Accompany me? But that's just boring negotiation talks. I'm not even sure they'll agree, but I have to try because their cooperation is crucial. I wouldn't want to burden you when you could be more effective with your team."

Asher waved off her concern with a nonchalant gesture, "Eh, they can manage without me for a while. If the Russians have safety concerns, I could be of help. It might be useful for me to be there in person."

Cecilia studied Ash's earnest expression, the hint of determination in his eyes. Her hesitation melted away, replaced by a thoughtful nod, "Alright. I would appreciate your company, Advisor Ash."

Asher's grin widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes, "Great! I'm looking forward to it. Now, let's enjoy the ceremony and make sure everything goes smoothly."

---

In the brightly lit, opulent Guildmaster's office of the Blazing Slayers Guild, the air was thick with the scent of something sublime.

Lenny lounged behind his mahogany desk, the rich tones of the wood contrasting sharply with the cold steel of the syringe he had just set aside. The radiant green liquid within it had left a glistening residue on his veins, a reminder of the indulgent pleasure he had just experienced. "Haa…" His eyes half-closed in bliss as he savored the aftereffects, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

*Creak*

The sudden creak of the door swinging open shattered the momentary tranquility, and Rachel strolled in casually dressed, her presence as striking as ever.

Lenny quickly tucked away the needle with a practiced flick, his expression morphing from surprise to a relaxed smile upon recognizing her, "Oh, Rachel. I was about to cuss out for barging into my office without a knock, but you are a pleasant sight. I take it that your last trip went well?" He licked his lips, a trace of the green liquid still glistening in his veins.

Rachel's lips curved into a playful smile as she placed a steel box on Lenny's desk, "You might say that. I've been busy," she said, her eyes twinkling as she opened it and looked at the empty slots.

Lenny's eyes widened with delight as he scanned the box, his excitement palpable, "Wow. You sold more than I ever could in a week. As expected, your connections as the president's daughter can't be ignored." His grin grew wider, and he leaned back, thinking about his next moves.

Rachel leaned in slightly, her expression eager, "That and also because I have more followers than I realized who are ready to make my job easier. So, how much would my share be this time?"

Lenny's face lit up with a mischievous gleam, "Oooh, you're really getting into this, and I like it. You're making me richer than I ever anticipated. If we keep this up, I can confidently revive the EternaSynth Project on my own and perfect it, hehe. Since you're working so hard, let's make it 50-50 now. We're close enough to be partners," he said with a wink.

Rachel arched an eyebrow, as if intrigued by the proposition, "Partners? That does have a nice ring to it, but I wouldn't want to steal your spotlight and I would be just happy with the extra mana shards. I am better off working behind the scenes. Still, I want to do more than just sell Eternum to those old people. How about something with a bit more risk and action?"

Lenny's lips curved into a smirk as he regarded her with a mixture of amusement and respect, "I'm really starting to like you more and more. It's hard to recognize the old Rachel in you now. But I suppose you don't want to be left behind by your dad's achievements. I get it. But…"

Rachel's brows furrowed in curiosity, "But what?"

Lenny's face darkened with frustration, his tone tinged with bitterness. "Your dad kicked me out of a lot of interesting projects he'd been running for decades. It must be because he thinks I'm not capable enough when I was the one who helped him set these projects in motion all those years ago. If only he was as grateful and appreciative as you…"

Rachel's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued, "Interesting projects? Like what? If it's Project M.A.M, it's intriguing but a bit boring for me now after working in the same thing for months."

Lenny's lips curled into a sly smile, "Heh, do you really believe that Project M.A.M was founded to only enhance us Hunters?" His tone was teasing, his eyes glinting with hidden knowledge.

Rachel's brows lifted in surprise, "It isn't? Then what was it founded for?"

Lenny leaned forward, his gaze locked onto Rachel with a sense of mystery,

"Do you remember the long-dead Eleanor Family?" Lenny's voice was low and deliberate, "Ah, of course, just that kid is left in that family and studying in our academy."

Rachel's brows knitted together as Grace's face flashed through her mind, "Of course. They were a powerful Supreme Class Family, most of whom were expert Exorcists in their prime. The famous Hunter, Firestorm Huntress, was from that family. But... why bring up a family that isn't even in the picture anymore?"

Lenny's smirk grew wider, a hint of dark amusement in his eyes, "You might know that the Firestorm Huntress had a son named Ruven. He was a genius in the research field but never in the limelight, unlike his mother or grandparents. But boy… the work he did was beautiful and ahead of its time. Nobody knows, but he is the man behind the M.A.M. tech."

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise, "He is? Seriously? Why didn't he get famous for such groundbreaking technology? Even if it's not perfect, it's still very powerful."

Lenny let out a long sigh, shaking his head, "Obviously, when he started working on it, it was all classified because our enemies might misuse it. Ruven was working on it solely to enhance Hunters like us. So, the higher-ups decided to keep it hidden until it was perfect. But that was when your dad came along."

Rachel's curiosity was piqued, "My dad?"

"Yes," Lenny confirmed with a bitter edge to his tone. "He was young but very motivated to do something extraordinary. He befriended Ruven and felt he could make use of that naive chap to do something more with the M.A.M. tech."

Rachel's gaze sharpened with suspicion, "Something more? Like what?"

Lenny leaned back, a dark glint in his eyes, "Something like making certain adjustments to a variant of the tech to work for demons."

Rachel's face fell into disbelief, "Demons? But why? Why would my dad want to make demons powerful? And I doubt someone like Ruven would agree."

Lenny chuckled, though there was no humor in his voice, "Ha, you must know your dad well. He sweet-talked Ruven with this absurd idea of coexistence. By offering M.A.M. to demons, he promised them a chance to live in a better world and have no reason to attack us. Change our destinies and whatnot. That idiot, who was also an idealist, believed in such a dumb idea and did as Derek said. But… things went south when Ruven discovered something."

"What?" Rachel asked, her hands clenching into fists.

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