The Damned Demon

"Then you will pay for it!"

As Bernard lunged forward, his fist aimed with a precision born of years of combat experience, the crowd's collective breath hitched.

It seemed an inevitable conclusion, a swift defeat for the brash and crippled newcomer challenging an established veteran.

Yet, in a display of agility that belied his earlier casualness, Asher sidestepped with a fluid grace that rendered Bernard's attack not just ineffective but embarrassingly so.

In the same motion, Asher's hand snapped out, applying a technique that targeted Bernard's balance and leverage points, twisting him into a vulnerable position.

"What the!!" Bernard cried out in shock, and before the audience could even gasp, Bernard found himself immobilized, his own momentum used against him, before his back was violently smashed against the floor by Asher.

He couldn't even get the chance or the time to use his mana since for some reason his mana circuit just seemed to be sluggish.

The hall erupted into a stunned silence, the spectacle leaving them bewildered.

Rachel stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. This was not the Asher she remembered, and yet, it unmistakably was. His prowess had surpassed even her own expectations.

Bernard should have had the advantage in speed, defense and attack even if he wasn't using mana.

Yet she was stumped to see that Asher overwhelmed Bernard in at least two of the factors, even if he wasn't that fast compared to Bernard.

It was more than just these three factors since she also saw that Asher read Bernard's move like a veteran before Bernard even finished unleashing his attack which allowed Asher to compensate for his speed.

Just how strong did he become after the quest? If he kept up this pace…he might really have a chance at finishing what he set out to do.

But what still made her nervous was that she could never tell what he was thinking and if he might suddenly decide to try and destroy her world.

The only reason she agreed to help him was not only because he had a hold over her but because she also believed in taking down the unworthy Hunters.

Since she personally saw him punishing the unworthy ones during the quest and freed Emiko, Yui, and Amelia, she decided to try believing the fact that he wasn't like other demons.

She wanted to see if he could really change things like he claimed and also see if her father had lied about what had happened to Golden Prince.

Maybe his ideals and nature were also alien, just like his bloodline, and were not the same as the other bloodthirsty demons who would blindly kill any human in their way…just like the demoness standing behind him.

Rebecca, for her part, managed to retain a semblance of composure, though a flicker of surprise betrayed her expectations. It wasn't the swift takedown that had her caught off guard; it was the method, the utter ease with which Asher had handled Bernard.

Just how skilled was this alien bastard? Previously, she blamed his luck for getting born with a ridiculously strong bloodline that allowed him to get this strong so quick.

Yet seeing him take down someone far more experienced and older without using his mana made her feel like she had still yet to grasp the extent of his true abilities.

Still, she clicked her tongue since he went too easy on this human dog instead of making it a bloodbath. But thinking about it, it was better this way since they had to be careful here, especially her.

She can't afford to get exposed because of him.

Bernard himself lay on the floor, his expression a mix of confusion, disbelief, and boiling shame.

"I-Impossible…What the hell are you…" Bernard mumbled in a bitter but shocked tone while struggling to catch his breath after losing count of the spots he got immobilized before he even realized it.

Asher offered Bernard a hand to help him up, a gesture of sportsmanship that impressed the gathered Hunters, "I am just a cripple," Asher said with a hint of a smile, not just addressing Bernard but the room at large.

However, Ash's smile only unsettled Bernard, especially when those golden eyes stared down at him, reminding him of certain memories, especially during the days when his late disciple was getting bullied by that golden-eyed demon in a human's skin.

He still could remember what happened when he challenged him to a fight to get justice for his disciple only to be humiliated before everyone…just like today!

At that time, he swallowed his anger and humiliation because that corrupted brat had the backing of so many powerful people.

With a face twisted in fury and disdain, he smacked away Ash's hand, struggling to rise like a fallen knight, his pride more wounded than his body, "You...You are too dangerous to get placed here," he spat, venom lacing every word, as he snatched his shirt from the ground.

"We know nothing about you, and yet you possess skills that no S Rank, who supposedly nobody knows, should have. I'm taking this matter to the President," His snicker was cold, yet his face was burning with shame.

He didn't care if Rachel recommended this smug brat since her father definitely would have to give an explanation for how someone with no background could become the Combat Advisor.

Rachel, standing off to the side, her stance rigid, felt a jolt of panic at the mention of her father.

She was about to step in, to somehow smooth the ruffled feathers, when Asher, with a calm that belied the storm around them, stepped forward, "Please, go ahead if that will put you at ease," he said, his voice steady, a stark contrast to Bernard's seething rage though his smile appeared mocking to Bernard.

Bernard scoffed a sharp, derisive sound and stormed off, leaving a palpable void in his wake.

Rachel, clearing her throat, turned to the gathered Hunters, "All of you are dismissed for today," Her voice, firm yet laced with an unspoken tension, echoed in the now silent hall.

The Hunters, their curiosity piqued yet tinged with disappointment, shuffled out. Murmurs of disbelief and intrigue followed them, whispers of the cripple who had managed to unseat Professor Bernard,

"That poor old professor," one of them whispered while another added,

"First the Corrupted Prince, and now this guy. No one would blame him if he chose to resign first thing in the morning after getting trashed by juniors back to back, especially with one of them being a cripple."

"But what about that cold, red-eyed chick standing behind him. You guys managed to find her social handle?? Those huge tits and her sexy legs had me floored, bros."

As the hall emptied, leaving behind only echoes and the residue of conflict, Rachel approached Asher, her brows knit together in concern,

"Let's talk somewhere else...Ash."

"Sure, Rachel," Asher replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he put on his spectacles and buttoned up his shirt.

—

Rachel, accompanied by Asher and Rebecca, stepped into the sanctuary of her private quarters within the headquarters.

Asher looked around at the quarters that spoke of refined taste and luxurious lifestyle, reminding him of the rooms he used to stay in as Golden Prince, though now he only felt disgusted by certain memories he was reminded of.

The room exuded an air of opulence, with plush, deep-pile carpets in a rich shade of ocean blue, complementing the sleek, modern furniture upholstered in soft leather.

The walls were adorned with abstract artwork in metallic hues, adding a touch of sophistication and depth to the space.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a panoramic view of the seas afar, bathing the room in natural light during the day and allowing the owner to have a mesmerizing view, making them feel like they were standing on the top of the world.

Asher shot a glance at Rebecca to see if she made sure there was no surveillance inside this quarters since he couldn't say for sure Derek wouldn't try to monitor his daughter's activities.

Rebecca simply harrumphed in response, letting Asher realize he didn't have to worry about that.

And no sooner had the door clicked shut than an unexpected tension filled the air as Rachel took a deep breath and slowly turned around, "Let's tal-"

But she gulped down her initial response when Asher unexpectedly stood before her, his tall frame overshadowing her.

"Ah!" She gasped and had her eyes widen when his strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer still - mere inches separating them.

"L-Let me go..." she began hesitantly, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks at his nearness. Those piercing golden eyes bore into hers, igniting sparks within her she couldn't comprehend.

A hushed murmur escaped Asher's lips: "You are ordering your master so casually? Have you forgotten the moments we shared during our quest together? Some of those were quite eye-opening for you, weren't they? So, do you really want me to let you go?" He trailed off, gently tracing her delicate red lips with fiery fingertips that sent shivers down Rachel's spine, leaving her thoughts scrambled and her heart racing.

She didn't know why, but all she could feel was his hot breath tickling her ears and something within her getting drawn towards his heat radiating off him.

This warmth of his heat...Why did it feel so familiar and intoxicating just like 'his'?

"That's what I thought," Asher whispered with a charming smile as he leaned in to taste her lips. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyelids began to close on their own while her hands clutched his shirt as if wanting to push him away, though not letting him go as well.

Meanwhile, Rebecca watched this interaction unfold before her disbelieving eyes.

Shock etched across her features, she spluttered indignantly, "Is this some sort of jest?? This human, the WHA's President's own flesh and blood, is YOUR slave?!"

Rebecca couldn't believe that he was hiding such a powerful secret all this time when this secret could have been used in countless ways to put a deep dent in the WHA.