The moon hung low and full in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the D’Aurélion State.

In the eastern valley, the bait had been set.

A small stage had been erected near the tree line, nothing extravagant, just wooden planks and lanterns for light.

The group of innocent village girls, carefully chosen and protected by Gray’s hidden formations, performed a simple folk dance.

Their laughter and music carried on the wind, innocent and pure.

The special perfume Gray had prepared worked perfectly.

A faint, sweet scent, the essence of untouched youth and purity, drifted through the valley like an invisible lure.

It was subtle to human noses, but to demons, it was absolutely intoxicating.

From the shadows of the forest, the first demons began to appear.

Low-tier creatures with twisted limbs and glowing red eyes crept forward, drawn like moths to a flame.

Their nostrils flared, saliva dripping from jagged teeth as they moved closer to the stage.

Mid-tier demons followed soon after, larger and more cunning, their eyes gleaming with hunger.

Gray watched from a hidden vantage point on a nearby ridge, his black eyes cold and focused.

His [Spirit Eyes] were active, so he could see the red lines of demonic energy pulsing toward the valley like blood flowing to a wound.

’They’re taking the bait,’ he thought.

’Good.’

He had spent the previous night reinforcing the ancient rune stones buried beneath the valley floor.

Now, as the demons gathered, he activated the containment field with a single, silent command.

Vvrooom!

The ground trembled faintly.

Invisible barriers of condensed mana rose around the valley, forming a massive dome that trapped the demons inside.

The creatures roared in confusion and rage as they slammed against the walls, unable to escape.

Seeing this, Gray’s lips curled up in satisfaction.

’Phase one complete.’

Meanwhile, at the main gates of the D’Aurélion Manor, Aurora began her diversion.

She appeared alone, dressed in a dark, elegant traveling cloak, her auburn hair flowing freely. She walked openly toward the gates, her presence radiating power but not aggression.

The guards, some of whom were human, while a few others were demons, immediately tensed.

"Who goes there?" one shouted.

Aurora smiled sweetly, raising her hands in a peaceful gesture.

"Just a traveler seeking shelter for the night," she called out, her voice smooth and charming.

"I bring news from the capital. The Duke may find it... interesting."

While the guards debated whether to let her in or turn her away, Aurora subtly released a wave of her mana, not enough to alert the stronger demons, but enough to create confusion and draw attention.

Several guards moved toward her, creating a distraction at the front gate.

Meanwhile, Gray moved like a ghost through the western forest.

He had already marked Nyxara’s patrol route.

She circled the western wall every night at the same time, merging with the darkness, thinking herself untouchable.

So, Gray waited in the shadows of an old oak tree.

Fortunately, because of his [Spirit Eyes], he could see the faint red lines of demonic energy shifting through the trees, the ultimate sign of the demon’s presence even when she was hidden.

The moment she passed his position, he struck.

[✧ Dream Mist ✧]

His body dissolved into silvery mist, reappearing directly behind her in a flicker. His rapier was already drawn, slashing in a clean, horizontal arc aimed at her neck.

Schlick!

The blade bit deep, drawing black blood.

Nyxara let out a startled, guttural hiss as she materialized, her shadowy form solidifying into a tall, slender demoness with pitch-black skin and glowing violet eyes.

"You—!" she snarled, spinning around with unnatural speed.

Her claws raked through the air where Gray had been, but he had already swapped positions with a nearby tree using his unique skill.

[✧ Dream Mist ✧]

Then, Gray quickly reappeared to her left, rapier flashing again.

[Nine Heavens Thunder Claw]

Golden-blue lightning exploded from his fingers in five razor-sharp claws, tearing across her side.

"KRUAAGHH!!!"

Nyxara screamed in pain as lightning seared her flesh, black blood spraying across the forest floor.

But she was a High-tier demon for a reason.

She melted into shadows again, vanishing from sight. Gray’s eyes tracked the red energy lines as she tried to flank him from behind.

He didn’t dodge.

Instead, he used Dream Mist once more, dissolving into silver mist and reforming ten meters away, rapier already swinging in a wide arc.

Splaat!

The blade cut through her arm as she emerged from the shadows, severing it at the elbow.

"Tsk... you DAMNED MORTAL!" Nyxara howled in rage, her remaining hand forming a spear of pure darkness and hurling it at him.

"[✧Swap✧]"

Gray swapped again, this time with a rock behind her.

He appeared at her back and drove the rapier straight through her spine.

Splurt!

Black blood gushed from the wound.

Nyxara shrieked, twisting violently and slamming her elbow into Gray’s side. The impact sent him flying into a tree, the wood cracking on impact.

THUNK!

"Coughf... agh..."

Gray coughed once, tasting blood, but he didn’t stop.

He used Dream Mist again, reappearing above her and dropping down with the rapier aimed at her head.

Nyxara rolled away at the last second, the blade embedding deep into the ground. She countered with a wave of shadow tendrils that shot toward him like spears.

"[✧Swap✧]"

Gray activated his skill once more, switching places with one of the tendrils. He appeared behind her again, swinging his rapier, slashing across her back.

Schlick!

Another deep wound opened, black blood pouring freely. Nyxara spun, her remaining arm transforming into a long, whip-like shadow blade that lashed out at him.

Split!

Gray dodged, but the whip grazed his shoulder, tearing through his clothes and drawing blood.

The shadow energy burned like acid, but he ignored the pain.

He reached out to his waist and then threw a poisoned needle, one coated with Bloodvein Poison, straight at her face.

Nyxara deflected it with a shadow barrier, but Gray had already closed the distance. He thrust the rapier forward, aiming for her heart.

The demoness twisted at the last moment, the blade piercing her shoulder instead. She screamed and headbutted him, her horned forehead slamming into his face.

Gray staggered back, blood dripping from his nose, but he didn’t retreat. He used Dream Mist to reposition behind her again, slashing across her lower back.

Splaat!

Nyxara roared in fury, spinning and unleashing a point-blank blast of shadow energy.

"[✧Swap✧]"

Gray barely managed to swap with a tree, but the explosion still caught him, sending him crashing through several branches.

Thunkkk!

He landed hard on the forest floor, coughing up blood. His body ached, but his eyes remained cold and focused.

’...Tsk, that was close...’ he grumbled inwardly.

Nyxara was breathing heavily now, black blood pouring from multiple wounds. Her left arm was gone, her torso covered in deep gashes, and her movements had slowed.

"You... insignificant mortal..." she hissed, voice trembling with rage.

"I will tear you apart and devour your soul!"

She charged at him, shadow energy coalescing into a massive blade in her remaining hand.

Gray waited until the last second.

[✧ Dream Mist ✧]

He dissolved into silver mist, reappearing directly in front of her.

His rapier flashed upward in a perfect arc while his other hand pressed against its blade, shining with a golden hue, as he used his [Nine Heavens Thunder Claw] on none other than his own rapier.

Golden-blue lightning exploded along the blade as it sliced through her neck.

Splat!

The demoness’s head flew off in a spray of black blood. Her body stood for a second longer, then collapsed to the ground, twitching violently before going still.

"...Haah... dammit."

Gray stood over the corpse, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his own wounds.

Swish...!

He flicked the blood off his rapier and looked down at the fallen High-tier demon.

[Ding!]

[The Demon-Hunting Book has reached the Early Saint Realm!]

[You now have a 35% all attribute bonus against demonic creatures!]

[The title "Intermediate-level Demon Hunter" has been forcibly raised to max level since you killed three High-Tier Demons in total! To upgrade this title, eliminate another High-Tier Demon!]

"Fucking hell... If she were an actual warrior and not an assassin... I’d definitely not be able to kill her this easily," he mumbled in thought.

Looking at the notifications, he took out the Demon-Hunting Book and crossed the name Nyxara with her own black blood.

Then, he turned to his status and checked the Demon-Hunter title.

[✧ Title: Intermediate-Level Demon Hunter ✧]

Level: 5

Proficiency: MAX (One High-Tier Demon needed to level up!)

Details: When it reaches the maximum level, it will transform into a High-Grade Demon Hunter Title!

Effects: When fighting against a demon...

+ 50% Demonic Magic Resistance!

+ 45% Attack Damage!

——+——+——+——

"Heh... against demons, my power should at least reach the Middle Saint Realm, that is, if I also use my Enchanted Demon Hunting Daggers. Although my rapier can cut through almost anything... It’s still sealed, so it only has the function of a normal rapier with extreme sharpness."

He decided to store his rapier for now, taking out his daggers.

The only reason he didn’t use these daggers against Nyxara was that, against a Shadow Weaver, what he needed was the ability to deal damage to her without getting extremely close to her.

"...Alright, I’ve already rested enough. Onto the next part of the plan..."

He stood up, but didn’t forget about absorbing Nyxara’s Demonic Energy with the Demon Converging Gourd.