The Final Protectors

Chapter 9: A New Adventure

“Say… this isn’t good. Although you all saved me, I cannot keep relying on you all to live. I still have to find a job.” John did not seem too fond of the taste of coffee. After the first sip, he scrunched his brows together and put it aside. “Is there anything I can do?”

Evan said, “Please stop joking. You’re a Cleric!”

“In truth, this is not my only profession. I was even a bounty hunter for half a year, and I helped to be a swindler in the gambling den but I was unfortunately found out, so I had to stay to help them keep an eye on the area for an entire year.” John stretched out his long legs. Even if he occasionally looked excessively energetic, the shadow of his good upbringing can still be seen through his every action. “Oh right, I even survived for a period of time through helping a bard with their lyrics. I originally wanted to join them, but I never could follow the rhythm. So I was politely ordered to shut up by those friends.”

Evan looked at him, dumbstruck.

“Oh, it was a period of hammering myself into shape.” John laughed very relaxed. “It helped a lot. From a piece of trash who could only squander money, I became a man who could earn my living.”

“Oh… no.” Evan waved his hand in dismissal. “I mean that you can earn a living without working. The Temple would not allow an ex-Cleric to be a swindler in a gembling den. Moreover, the Temple now is much richer than it was back in your day. Other than government grants, we even have a large amount of tourism income.”

“What income?” John did not understand.

“Tourism. The State of Salla has a long history, and we have many world-famous old infrastructure, especially the Temple and Cemetery. They are the trademark scenic spots in the State of Salla. Every year, we receive a large number of tourists. I heard that just based on the sale of entrance tickets and souvenirs, it was enough to support the Temple’s operation, much less the hotels and restaurants belonging to the Temple in the vicinity.”

Evan’s voice suddenly halted. He finally remembered what that terrifying history teacher taught him. A thousand years ago, the Temple was revered as “the final guardians of the land”. It was an absolute holy land. Every single person who stepped foot into the place carried the intention for a pilgrimage and devotion.

He cautiously shot a glance at John, thinking ‘he won’t be angry, would he…’ Because their disrespectful descendants had humiliated the holiness and glory.

“Many people pay money to tour?”

“Yes.”

“And you can even buy souvenirs?”
“Yes… Yes, in reality, many old hunters would return to the Temple after their retirement. They’ll memorize the nonsensical introduction of the Temple’s allusions, and take on roles as tour guides. Even the Archbishop would make an appearance sometimes to offer group photo service with the tourists.”

John was flabbergasted. “My Goodness!”

Evan sighed. “I know this might be very difficult to accept…”

“Who thought of this idea? They’re practically a genius!” John’s fingers tapped lightly on the table to express his agitated emotions. “In the past, when the Temple has to receive people on a pilgrimage, they even had to offer them food and lodgings for free, but due to their pride, they could not request the countries’ governments to increase their funds. At the end of every year, they would be at their wit’s end about their finances in the red. If you were to ask me, they should have done this long ago!”

Evan, “…”

He could imagine that this guy was undoubtedly a steamingly fashionable Cleric Knight in his own era.

“Then, can I also be a guide?” John asked, full of zeal. “I know many interesting things. Of course, according to what you said, some story fabrication is needed too. I’m also very good at making up stories!”

His beautiful green eyes seemed to be gleaming under the sunlight, with his long hair tied up behind him docilely. Many passersby were unable to resist turning their heads to glance at him. Evan contemplated and gave a suggestion right on the target, “I think it’s enough if you just put on the ceremonial robes and stand at the entrance as a model… But your injuries must recover first.”

“That’s already plenty,” John said without minding it at all. “Back where I was, even if we had purification water to clean the rot on our wounds, many still would die of a high fever after that. Although your healers are not too familiar with the healer collection, they looked like  experts in medicine.”

“Fevers are triggered by the bacterial infection from the wound.” Evan said, “Healer Berg has given you antibiotics. If you had never used it before, the effects are immediate. It will immediately kill off the virus and bacteria in your body.”

“Then, according to your words, other diseases can be avoided like this too?”

“Yes. Although this has been denounced by many scholars since its use, it’s true it saved many lives.”

John fell into a thoughtful silence after hearing that. But next, he lowered his head, forking a piece of a beautiful and attractive dessert into his mouth. A slightly overwhelming sweetness spread on the tip of his tongue very quickly, and all the way to his heart.

This world, he thought, did not have wars, did not have diseases, did not have city states and villages enveloped by death over a giant area. The air was filled with the fragrance from various food stores. No longer could he smell the sticky stench of blood and the rotting smell from the swamps.

He suddenly had a misperception—as though he discovered he had been reborn in Heaven upon waking up. Various feelings welled up in him.

Right at this time, music suddenly came from the hall on the first floor of the department store, attracting attention from the few customers seated on the outdoor coffee shop on the second floor. The musicians were highly skilled. It was only when the first piece ended and everyone around erupted with applause that Evan explained, “It’s almost Thanksgiving. In order to promote sales, the mall would invite some music students to perform. But that girl with the violin was really amazing. I believe that with her level, she can have her own concert.”

The boy sitting at the piano held the hand of the girl with the violin, and the two bowed towards the audience together. John was originally cheering for their performance with everyone else, but suddenly, his gaze inadvertently landed on a girl hidden in the crowds of people not too far away.

Although the winter here was not as dry and cold due to the maritime climate, it absolutely could not be called warm either. But the girl only wore a dark-colored dress, and her face was paling from the cold. She stood far away from the crowd, her eyes staring fixedly on the violinist bowing to everyone.

John watched her for a while, frowning slightly.

Evan looked strangely at his friend who stood up abruptly. “What’s wrong?”

John pushed down his shoulder. “Sit, I’m going down for a look.”

The second piece of music started very joyously. The two performers cooperated perfectly, as though every glance and movement allowed the other to understand each other. With so much silent understanding… The girl in the dress stood outside the crowd. Her entire body seemed to have left the ground, half standing on ice, and half burning in flames. Her fingers dug into her flesh—even the trimmed, short nails could leave a row of nail marks on her palm.

Suddenly, someone patted lightly on her shoulder. Shocked, the girl turned her head, seeing a handsome man holding up a small handbag. “Miss, you dropped this.”

The man had a pair of eyes that left a deep impression on people, as though they could see right into her soul. That gaze made her jolt. The girl took her bag in panic. She did not even thank him before she hastily pushed the people away before running away.

“What’s wrong?” Evan squeezed his way over. “Did something happen?”

John walked out of the crowd unnoticeably, stretching out his hand at him. Evan noticed a grey circular disc between his fingers that had a strange glint. Evan instantly widened his eyes, becoming completely skittish. His lips quivered as he searched everywhere, trembling. It was very unlucky that he had seen this grey round disc in an ancient picture album in the Temple library before. “Ab…A-A-Ab…”

It seemed that other than blood phobia, this unfortunate child still had a bad habit of stuttering when he was nervous.

“Abyss’s Eye.” John’s fingers withdrew, and the small disc dropped on his palm. Very quickly, it evaporated like an ice landing on a fire pit.

One behind the other, the two walked out of the mall. John explained to Evan in a whisper, “I think you should have learned this in the ‘The Study of Derot Types’. The Abyss’s Eyes are actually a symbol.”

“I… I-I don’t know,” Evan stammered. “This content is no longer in the ‘The Study of Derot types’. It isn’t among the frequently seen Derots in the modern age. I just… just saw it on a picture album before. It said that i-i-it’s a symbol made by a certain type of a very vicious Derot for their prey.”

John raised an eyebrow. “What picture album?”

“…”

“Mh?”

“Ancient Horror Stories,” Evan said it as softly as a mosquito.

Anyone who felt no urge to laugh at this time would not be normal. But John still coughed dryly and covered his mouth with his hand in the end. He attempted to push down his curving lips to prevent hurting the pride of his exceptionally sensitive and timid new friend.

“Abyss Dholes love jealousy-filled hearts. They even know to torture their prey for a long time to obtain even more negative emotions. Such a way of hunting will make them turn even stronger. This is also the reason that Abyss Dholes which committed more crimes are harder to catch.” John walked into the underground parking lot—he had an unbelievable sense of direction. After just walking through it once, he seemed to have a very deep understanding of the structure of this complicated mall.

Evan helped him open the car door. John sat down and continued, “The Abyss’s Eye represents ‘I am watching you at the edge of the darkness’. Once such a trace is left on you, you’ll be chased by these cruel and greedy things until your death—until it can fulfill its wish of obtaining its prey’s heart.”

Evan broke into a violent shiver. Then, he swiftly let out a sigh of relief too, patting his chest as he said, “You took down the Abyss’s Eye from her body, so she’ll probably be fine now, right?”

“No, it’s not that simple. Abyss Dholes do not rely on Abyss’s Eyes to locate their prey. This is only a… small tool to enlarge the negative emotions existing in their hearts,” John spoke and his voice paused for a moment. “I think we haven’t left the State of Salla yet, right?”

“Ah… Mn? Yes.”

“Oh.” John broke into a soundless laughter. At this moment, his smile was not his usual bright smile—likely due to the dimmer light in the car. Evan actually suddenly felt that his smile had an indescribable dark and ferocious color to it. “I can’t believe… there are Derots who dare to provoke us in the holy land, the State of Salla.”

“Then… Then, what should we do?” Evan’s throat moved, and he asked in a stammar. His heart was beating rapidly. The Ancient Horror Stories had clearly left a large trauma in his once young heart.

“What do you think?” John shot him back with another question, full of zeal.

“An intern… intern taking independent actions is… is… is against the rules.”

“You’re not taking independent actions,” John said, “I’m here.”

“But you… y-y-you’re an injured party.” Evan stuttered, “Injured parties are forbidden from going out on assignments too, unless the Healer believed they have recovered and gave their signature too.”

John spoke uncaringly, “Aren’t you also here?”

Evan’s head was in utter chaos. From the depths of his heart, he wanted to slam on the gas pedal to speed straight back to Advisor Jel’s home, and then let the strong “Golden Emblems” deal with these monsters who devoured human hearts. But… that was a girl, and he himself was a hunter who had already graduated.

“Maybe… we should contact Advisor Jel.”

“No,” John said easily, “We should contact a funeral director first, and then let this adorable missus choose a tomb with a beautiful scenery.”

Evan’s lips quivered, and he looked close to tears.

John continued with his knowledge points of Devil-ranked Derots. “Abyss Dholes are a type of extremely sensitive animal. When it targets a prey, it would normally stay within one kilometer of him or her. And if it thinks that the time was right, it can seize their prey within a blink of an eye… The time between targeting it and obtaining his or her heart won’t be longer than the time it takes for you to eat a roast chicken leg.

Evan swore to himself, he would never eat roast chicken leg ever again.

John gestured. “Do you have that little box that you can shove in a letter? We should start writing a letter to a funeral director…”

“No! We… We should save her!” Evan’s face was already red from holding himself back, and finally yelled this out.

John broke into laughter, giving his shoulder two hard pats. “Very good, brother. Since you are so brave, let’s move according to what I say. We’ll go catch the Abyss Dhole!”

The two words “Abyss Dhole” successfully made Evan tremble again. But fortunately,  he still had enough strength to step on the gas pedal.

“I swear on my life and soul, I am willing to use all of my life force to protect my good and honest fellow citizens—men, women, children—to spare them of death, of blood and of fear.

“We will slaughter the last savage beast, block the last curse, break the last thorn, raise up the last lantern until we spend the final drop of our blood.

“I will never cower, not even in death.”

Every hunter had once swore something like this. A tradition passed on from generation after generation was etched in everyone’s blood.

And a new adventure was about to begin.