The Damned Demon

Upon hearing his question, Rachel slowly shook her head and said, "I honestly don't know. This was the first time I had even heard about Project Mars. He had never told me before, and when I asked why, he said he couldn't because it was a classified project. But now that it was nearing completion, it was okay for me to know. I never expected he would have such a huge project on a different planet and not here."

Asher's frustration was evident as he frowned, his words laced with cold resentment, "That cunning one-eyed rat...he used my surprise attack as a stepping stone to boost his own agendas."

Asher was surprised by all this and realized he still wasn't fully aware of Derek's capabilities.

He pulled off that surprise attack to cause panic and shake up the WHA a bit while boosting his own cult's rank.

It was also the only way he could take down a decently strong guild without giving them time to prepare. Going forward, he would need to do it at least a few times.

It did succeed to an extent and he expected the WHA to come up with some strategies but not this quick.

He never thought Derek would use this as an opportunity nor did he have any idea that Derek was planning something big on Mars. All these years he knew him and yet Derek hid his plans so well.

All those talks of being like a family and best friend to him just seemed even more bullshit now. Not even his own daughter knew.

And the fact that most countries already caved in to the WHA's might wasn't that surprising considering how the WHA was in a way the largest and oldest empire in the world that had been consolidating power for thousands of years with only changes in the name as time passed.

Going against them would be suicide though he suspected once Derek initiates his Project Guardian, there should be opportunities available to not make this a smooth road for him.

Rachel's discomfort grew as she listened to Asher's harsh words about her father.

Her brows furrowed, a mix of hurt and defiance in her eyes. "Why do you hate my dad so much, talking as if you knew him for years? You keep hinting that I shouldn't trust him, but you never gave me any solid reason except for the circumstances surrounding the Golden Prince. I've looked for answers but found nothing. All I see is my dad trying his best to protect this world from demons like you and looking out for me. You... You are not really planning to take over or destroy my world, are you?" Her voice carried a blend of accusation and desperation, seeking clarity in the murky waters of their conversation.

Asher's expression tightened slightly, his golden eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

She felt her heart getting heavy for no reason again, especially whenever she looked into those golden eyes.

"Maybe it's time you realized how rotten the WHA you work for and your father are. Do you want to?" His cold gaze challenged her beliefs to their core.

Rachel felt a chill run down her spine, the weight of his gaze unsettling yet strangely compelling.

She knew that agreeing to Asher's implied offer might lead her down a path that could change everything she believed in about her father and the WHA. What if she might regret finding out whatever he wanted to show her?

"Seems like you really don't want to know. We are done here," Saying so, Asher prepared to get up and leave.

Rachel's eyes suddenly shifted as she lunged forward and grabbed onto the edge of his shirt near his waist, making Asher slowly turn around and look down at her hand, which was holding onto his shirt.

Rachel quickly lowered her hands upon feeling his gaze. She felt greatly uneasy about this, yet the seed of doubt had been planted, and her desire for the truth urged her on.

"Show me," she finally said, her voice a whisper, barely audible over the hum of the desert wind against the old restaurant's windows, "I need to know the truth."

"Then are you willing to help me destroy the Blazing Slayers Guild?" Asher asked, his voice chillingly calm.

Rachel's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Blazing Slayers Guild? The Legendary Tier guild owned by the Stan Family? You can't be serious..." Her voice was a mix of shock and a faint trace of nervousness.

"Do I look like I am joking?" Asher replied with a subtle scoff, his piercing gaze locking onto hers, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.

"No, but...it's one of the most famous and powerful guilds in the world, renowned for taking care of serious demon threats and protecting the people no matter which country," Rachel protested, her voice growing stronger as she recounted the guild's heroic deeds, "Not too long ago, when a Mindslayer of Soul Devourer strength took an entire city hostage in Israel, they stepped in and saved all the people despite losing so many good Hunters. They also run charities, train the unprivileged manaborn and—"

"So what? Every guild my cult and I took down ended up being rotten to the core. Do you think the Blazing Slayer guild will be any different since I am targeting it?" Asher cut her off, his gaze intense and challenging.

Rachel swallowed hard, her initial resolve wavering as she considered Asher's past actions.

His history of dismantling corrupted guilds was notorious, and though part of her wanted to deny it, she couldn't refute the evidence he'd provided before.

"Once I expose the piece of filth Lenny is, you might find some of the answers you are looking for. You must not have forgotten that Lenny was one of the 'brave' hunters that killed Golden Prince," Asher continued, his smile turning cold and calculating.

At the mention of Lenny and the Golden Prince, Rachel's chin quivered, her emotional turmoil palpable.

Her hands clenched into fists as she wrestled with the conflicting thoughts in her head.

But the next moment, she looked up at him with newfound determination.

She asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her, "What do you want me to do?"

—

The air was crisp and cool on the balcony of the WHA Supreme Commander's, one of many private villas nestled against a backdrop of majestic snowy mountains.

The scene was one of quiet luxury, a peaceful retreat from the world's chaos.

A man who was in his mid forties but looked surprisingly no older than a 25-year-old moved with a languid grace that spoke of confidence and pleasure.

His casual yet expensive red robe was parted to reveal his chest, a hint of narcissism in his otherwise relaxed demeanor. In his hand, he cradled a glass of red wine, the rich color mirroring the depth of the surrounding twilight.

On the balcony, a woman stood wrapped in a white robe, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, bright green eyes reflecting the serene beauty of the landscape.

Hearing his steps, she turned to face him with a knowing smirk and teased, "Just yesterday, you looked double your age and couldn't get it up. But today, it was as if you ate a horse. You already resumed your 'activities', Lenny?"

Lenny, undeterred by the jest, flashed a crooked smile and wrapped an arm around her waist.

He took a leisurely sip of his wine, then responded with a wink, "My Lena, it's not my fault my family has a small genetic issue among men when they become older than 40. But it is for you that I couldn't wait to look and perform better for you. What would I not do for the world's most beautiful woman? You can enjoy the fruits of my labor in the future if you want." His tone was light and flirtatious, and he leaned in for a kiss, emboldened by the wine and the moment.

But Lena coyly pressed a finger against his lips, halting him mid-advance.

Her gaze narrowed as she retorted, "You should know that the lines you use with your side chicks aren't going to work with me. I still know that the woman you lust for the most was none other than Aira."

Lenny, caught off guard, cleared his throat and took a step back, attempting to maintain his composure, "What? Aira? Come on, my Lena. Do you seriously think—"

Lena cut him off, her voice laced with amusement and a touch of scorn, "What's the point in acting innocent when she is probably dead already? I remember how you salivated whenever you saw her but acted like the gentlemanly big brother before her and Cedric. I must admit that I am impressed at your self-control and suppressing your true intentions before those two. But if not for the fear of Cedric lobotomizing your ass, you wouldn't have held back, would you? You must have thought you could take Aira for yourself once Cedric was out of the picture. But it's a pity that you underestimated how much she loved him," As she said this, a hint of bitterness briefly flashed past her eyes.

Lenny, frustrated yet candid, let out a grunt as he waved his hand dismissively, "F-Fine, fine. I did have a huge crush on that Evangelion chick, okay? But you have to admit that every man must have felt the same. She was too hot—uhh, I am not saying you are not hot," he fumbled, his usual smooth demeanor crumbling under Lena's sharp gaze.

Lena's expression darkened as she pushed him away, her tone final, "I am not going to sleep with you again until you can forget that cold-faced cunt."

"W-Wait," Lenny winced as he tried to go after, but suddenly, he felt a vibration on his wrist, making him look at the digital band lighting up with a caller sign.

"Why the fuck are you disturbing me now?" Lenny muttered as he answered the call.

However, from the other side, a tense voice echoed into his ears, "S-Sir, forgive me, but…we have a guest in our guild."

"Who the fuck shows up on a Sunday?"

"It's…Rachel Sterling, sir."

"What??" Lenny's brows raised in bewilderment.