The Silver Seal and the Demonic Quest

A few days after Demonic Body reached level 2, I was sitting at the bar in Raven's tavern. I still had some things to test, and someone to meet.

"So, you can't sense any demonic energy from me at all?"

"Yeah. Nothing like that at all."

Raven answered my question and kept wiping down his glass. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The reason I was asking was, of course, the level-up of my Demonic Body. Before, there hadn't been any hint that might make people mistake me for a demon beast. That's why I could blend in among humans without issue. But now, with Demonic Body at level 2, my appearance was the same, but if my strengthened body was emitting something vaguely like demonic energy, that would be a huge problem in all sorts of ways. So, I needed to check.

I'd asked others, and none felt like I was giving off demonic energy or looked like a demon beast. Even Raven, whose senses should be far sharper than a normal person's, hadn't noticed a thing.

Good. At least I won't get suspected just from my looks.

This meant I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠might pass security checks if I played it smart.

"But why ask out of the blue?"

"Just had some contact with a demon beast. Figured it'd be bad if some weird smell lingered."

"You mean that incident a few days ago?"

"Yeah. Speaking of which, it's coming on."

I pointed with my finger at the small TV across the table. It was playing footage of the commotion from a few days back.

The incident where Grave Neon’s elf leader turned into a demon beast and rampaged. A quick search online showed it was blowing up everywhere.

"That's all the news these days plays. Must've been a real shock."

"A demon beast showing up in the city? Yeah, no wonder. If it'd been inside the walls instead of the slums, it'd be way worse than this."

Villains and monsters weren't all that rare to people here. The city even had a zoo that raised monsters, and villains popped up every so often to wreak havoc downtown. In other words, folks here were somewhat used to threats to life. But demon beasts were different. Rifts known to spawn them appeared in deep forests, mountains, or wastelands far from cities—places ordinary people never saw in their lives unless they were soldiers, heroes, or hunters.

Yet one had appeared right in the city heart. The news that the city's supposedly ironclad safety against demon beasts had crumbled must've hit hard.

I smirked inwardly and casually lifted my glass to wet my throat. The news made no detailed mention of the demonization drug, criminal organizations, or smuggling. Probably the government or association suppressing info to prevent panic. Things must be chaos on their end right now.

If word got out that people can turn into demon beasts, the world would flip. Suits me just fine.

The TV kept droning on.

"You'll be busy for a while. Technically, isn't this illegal business?"

"......If you're done, get out. Opening time soon."

"Hang on a bit longer. Someone's coming."

I was teasing Raven to kill time when—

Ding-a-ling.

The bar door opened with the bell chime from behind. I turned to see a familiar presence entering with the glaring afternoon sunlight. Lien, hood pulled low, scanned the room cautiously before approaching and sitting in the chair beside me.

"Welcome, hero. Saw you on the news."

"...Don't tease."

Lien whispered softly as she removed her hood. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Her voice was calm, but her eyes looked a bit puffy, like she hadn't slept.

"What'll you have? Juice?"

She nodded slowly. Raven deftly poured yellow liquid into a long drink glass packed with ice and slid it over.

"Here."

"Thank you."

She gripped the glass with both hands.

"Your face looks rough. Rough time with the investigation?"

"Ah... Just tired. It wrapped up fine. Just like you said, they reported it all as my doing."

She pulled a finely engraved silver card from her pocket and slid it across the table. Two crossed swords were etched into it, glowing faintly.

"This is the seal I promised. You sure this is enough? It feels too skimpy..."

"It's fine, more than enough. Thanks."

The day after slaying the demon beast, I'd messaged Lien requesting payment. This was it—a pass to roam the city freely. Essential for my plans. Skipping the wall scan entirely would be ideal, but even the Crossfield family couldn't swing that.

I picked up the card. Heavier than it looked.

"Issued under my personal attendant. Should get you through most areas in Novapolis. Even routine checkpoints."

"You did great. As expected, you've got talent."

Her shoulders twitched faintly at my words. She ducked her head, but I'd caught her expression—blushing and smiling.

She likes praise. Age-appropriate innocence.

"I'll put it to good use. Finally, I can move around easy."

"...Glad. If it helps you... that's enough."

Lien said that and downed her juice in one go. I tossed back my drink too. The sharp burn hit the back of my nose, throat heating up as warmth spread.

Clink.

Lien fidgeted beside me.

"What's up?"

"......"

She toyed with her glass silently before speaking cautiously.

"...Can I stay a little longer? I'll go soon, just a bit more."

Her eyes trembled endlessly. Fragile.

...Maybe skip today's training.

"Do what you want. Got nothing today."

"Thank you."

Her eyes lit up, a relieved smile breaking through.

After that, we sat in silence for a good while. I'd sip occasionally; she'd stare into her melting ice, lost in thought. Only the clink of Raven's glasses and faint jazz filled the place.

As the sunset faded to dusk, Lien set down her empty glass and stood slowly.

"Gonna head out."

"Yeah. Careful. Keep your combat senses sharp."

"Yes. Got it."

She pulled her hood back on and left. At the door, she turned.

"Really... thank you. You've given me so much strength."

She smiled—bright, dazzling. Stunning enough to daze me for a second.

Ding-a-ling.

With the bell, she was gone.

"......"

Her smile sparked thoughts, but I brushed them off. Just results, nothing more. I downed the rest of my drink. Time for me to move too. I rolled the silver seal between my fingers and pocketed it.

"Raven, I'm out."

"See ya."

Leaving his farewell behind, I stepped outside. The dimming sky greeted me.

The next morning, I stood before Novapolis's massive wall. The line dividing C City slums from real C City. At the gate stood stern guards and scanning devices galore.

After queuing for 30 minutes, I touched the terminal. The long-awaited biometric scan began. The Crossfield seal was separate—this cleared city movement, not wall checks.

Weeeeng.

Blue lasers from countless machines scanned me.

"......"

If Demonic Body got flagged, it was over. Even with the seal, no way they'd let a demon beast in. My plan could still work if exposed, but difficulty would skyrocket. Tension built; my heart raced a bit faster.

Moments later—

Ding!

Cheerful tone, gate opened. I stepped through.

Nice.

Perfect pass. Demonic Body wasn't detectable by external scanners. Maybe it was fully part of me now? If so, no risk no matter how high I leveled it.

I exited the checkpoint.

"Been a while, Novapolis."

Ahead stretched dazzling streets—clean, vibrant, nothing like the slums.

I walked on lightly. Wide asphalt roads, skyscrapers piercing the sky, stylishly dressed people. Finally felt like I'd entered the real Novapolis.

Fingering the seal in my pocket, I smiled.

"Alright... let's get started."

I stopped by a nearby mart for supplies, shouldered the bag, headed to the station, boarded a train. The scenery blurred by impressively. Half a day on the train, then hours by car. Now, I stood before a forest.

This was the Helm Mountains. West from C City, a natural preserve. Beyond: monster paradise, off-limits to civilians.

And home to demon beasts.

Hunters' prime hunting ground and rift hotspot. From afar, the entrance bristled with military-grade facilities.

I headed straight there. Guards stood armed to the teeth.

Spotting me, they spoke.

"Beyond this is the Helm Mountains special preserve and danger zone. No unauthorized entry. Turn back."

I showed the seal instead.

"!"

Their postures stiffened, attitudes vanishing.

"Crossfield family attendant? Our apologies."

"Can I pass?"

"Yes, of course."

Leaving them behind, I entered the forest.

Looking back, the facilities vanished behind dense leaves. Now: thick trees, ankle-high weird plants.

"Hoo..."

I breathed deep. City stuffiness washed away.

Leaves rustled like thousands of bugs crawling, scraping my ears.

Definitely different.

Time to execute. One reason I came: level up Demonic Body.

Think back. After killing the leader, level-up alert: "Demonic Body level-up conditions met." Some condition for growth, fulfilled fighting the demonized leader.

From that: Growth condition likely "Slay demon beasts."

Alert right after killing him. If slaying demon beasts levels Demonic Body, solid path forward: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Clear all rifts in Helm Mountains, hunt them down.

That was the plan. Mart stop for rations and essentials.

About to head deeper—

Ding!

System alert from the side. I turned, puzzled. No skill or Demonic Body level-up expected.

"......!!! "

I doubted my eyes. First time since arriving in this world.