Gun of Ashes-Chapter 488 - 92 The One Who Goes to His Death
Fear, that most primal and terrifying emotion of humanity, rose like a virus in the heart of every Demon Hunter at this moment, spreading along their veins with the boiling Secret Blood and devouring every weak will in an instant. They trembled, wept, praying that this was all just an unbearable dream, but everyone knew that this nightmare seemed never-ending.
In the silent night, the roars of Demons began to rise, coming from every corner of the Seven Hills like a surging tide, accompanied by blazing flames and the clanging of iron.
As time passed, other places in the Seven Hills also saw instances of people undergoing demonization. Cries echoed through the night, and it seemed some were fleeing here, their footsteps rising steadily.
Indeed, this is the Saint Nalos Cathedral. If there’s any place in this world closest to the Divine Kingdom, it would be here. All believers yearn for this place, and when all evils descend, it will be the last sanctuary.
How laughable this is — who would have thought that this sanctuary in people’s hearts would be the root source of sin? 047 wished to shout into the night, to urge those fleeing to leave, but his cold reasoning compelled him to grip the Nail Sword tightly.
Tonight is the War Faction’s experiment targeting the Holy Grail. Once successful, the Evangelical Church will regain its dominant position in the Western world; it will wield sharper swords to combat Demons and heretics.
To ensure safety, 047 led the Medanzo Demon Hunters to guard here, but it was evident that the experiment was already out of control, possibly marking the beginning of the Evangelical Church’s downfall.
Yet, 047 still must hold onto his duty, not for the Evangelical Church, nor for the elusive God, but for the Demons. He cannot allow this monstrous existence to step into the mortal world once again.
The footsteps of the crowd drew nearer, and the panicked masses appeared before the Demon Hunters. Oppressed by the corrosion, they were extremely frightened, their expressions twisted to the extreme... In truth, they should be running towards the city’s outskirts. Though there’s the Holy Hall Knight Order guarding there, at least it’s better than coming here, the root of the corrosion.
These people still retained a fragile rationality; on faces full of fear appeared a glimmer of joy. To them, the bloodstained Demon Hunters seemed to be their last hope. They cheered, but then suddenly, sharp Nail Swords pierced through their hearts, swiftly beheading them.
The jubilant crowd fell silent, staring at the Demon Hunters in seeming incomprehension as to why these guardians of the Celestial Kingdom would do such a thing, unable to even let out a scream, as the Demon Hunters leaped and skillfully killed one ordinary person after another without resistance. 047’s sword-swinging hand gradually grew numb, unsure if what he was doing was right or wrong.
When that oppressive fear’s corrosion spread throughout the Seven Hills, the ordinary people within had already been sentenced to death. Common people cannot resist the corrosion; even if not demonized now, it’s only a matter of time. They are no longer ordinary, but rather potential Demons one by one.
What 047 is doing now is merely preemptively eliminating the threat, but...is that truly the case? Those twisted faces perished just like that, eyes filled with confusion and pain.
The Demon Hunters’ will is being tested—the pressure of corrosion, the threat of Demons, the hesitation and guilt from killing ordinary people— they are alone and helpless in this blood-red night.
At the side, 051 seemed to have lost the ability to think, standing dumbly in place. At his feet lay a young girl beneath the bloodied sword, with her beloved teddy bear toy beside her in the pool of blood.
These ordinary people weren’t strong, and slaughtering them was not difficult. Yet beneath those iron masks came the beast-like panting, as they struggled to suppress the emotions that could shake them.
At that moment, 047 suddenly understood what Dean Lawrence had said—that a Demon Hunter should not carry excess emotions, but live like a cold weapon. Such is to avoid being bound by so-called ethics and morality, by notions of good and evil. Only then can they make cruel and ruthless decisions, becoming a weapon absolutely loyal to the will.
Only, it seems too late for this awakening. 047 is not a cold person; he is sentimental, longing for a beautiful life in Old Dunling, hesitating, faltering, wanting to escape.
Persisting like this is merely courting death. Demon Hunters are stronger than ordinary people, but fighting long-term in this high-intensity corrosion environment means they too will inevitably become Demons over time.
thought of this, glanced at the surrounding Demon Hunters; they all stood in the stinking pool of blood, where Demons and Demon Hunters and those ordinary people lay fallen. Sharp Nail Swords sliced deadly wounds into flesh, and warm viscera lay scattered, exuding faint heat, resembling a scene from Hell.
"Retreat, Medanzo,"
suggested again; he didn’t know why all this happened, but now it seems that the fall of the Seven Hills was destined. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
No voice echoed in his mind; the Static Holy Temple remained silent, issuing no directives...
With some palpitations, 051 looked at the ground beneath his feet; beneath it lay the Static Holy Temple, the source of the corrosion. Though 047 said nothing, the other Demon Hunters knew all too well what this signified—this crisis stemmed from the Static Holy Temple, the core of the Demon Hunting Order fell at the first moment.
