"Actually, ten copper coins equal one silver coin, and ten silver coins make one gold coin. As for mana stones, one used to be worth ten gold coins. But because of the ongoing war against demons, the price has increased. Now, one mana stone is valued at around twenty gold coins."

Tyler listened calmly as the receptionist at the Guild’s money exchange counter explained the rates. Her voice was clear and professional, though her eyes occasionally flicked toward the small pile of mana stones Tyler had placed on the counter.

Tyler nodded slowly.

Using mana stones directly everywhere would attract too much attention. Even in a mid-sized town like Leafrest, casually paying with them would raise questions— and he wasn’t interested in unnecessary trouble.

That was why he decided to exchange some of them into standard currency.

As the receptionist worked, carefully counting coins and sliding them into small pouches, voices drifted in from nearby adventurers.

"They say a demon sneaked into town..."

"That has to be a rumor. There’s no demon subjugation request posted on the guild board."

"Still, I heard someone saw strange fireworks in the sky deep in the forest."

Tyler listened with mild curiosity.

A demon, huh...

It wasn’t his problem. He doesn’t care.

Once the exchange was done, Tyler leaned slightly closer to the counter.

"Can you tell me which store in town is best for buying seeds and herbs?" he asked casually.

The receptionist’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" she said enthusiastically. She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "There’s a shop near the eastern market that specializes in rare seeds—magic herbs too. A bit expensive, but the quality is guaranteed."

As she spoke, she leaned just a little too far forward, her uniform shifting enough to reveal her milky white breasts. Tyler noticed immediately.

Ah, he thought. So that’s how it is.

She was being extra friendly because he had exchanged several mana stones— and because he had casually tipped her earlier without comment.

She continued giving directions, adding small details about side streets, opening hours, and even the personality of the shop owner. At the same time her hand slightly touched Tyler’s hand giving him big hints.

By the time Tyler stepped away from the counter, she discreetly slipped a folded piece of paper into his hand.

"My address," she said softly, cheeks slightly flushed.

Tyler glanced at it once.

Then, as he walked out of the guild building, he tore the paper in half and casually tossed it onto the roadside.

He didn’t even slow down.

Just as he took another step—

A hand reached toward his shoulder.

Tyler sensed it immediately.

Before the fingers could make contact, a sudden movement cut in from the side.

The receptionist girl appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the approaching hand firmly.

"Why?," she said sharply.

The hand vanished instantly, retreating as if it had never been there.

Tyler stopped.

He turned around, surprised.

The receptionist was standing there with teary eyes, lips trembling slightly. She glanced briefly at the torn pieces of paper on the ground before looking back at him.

Tyler studied her for a moment.

He had already noticed the hand earlier —it didn’t feel hostile, but it was definitely suspicious. What he hadn’t expected was for her to intervene.

"...What do you want?" Tyler asked calmly.

She hesitated, then took a breath.

"It’s already afternoon," she said nervously. "How about... having lunch at my place? You can eat anything."

Her voice wavered, but her gaze stayed fixed on him.

Tyler blinked.

’This world’s girls are bold’, he thought.

He looked at her more closely now.

She was young, healthy, and full of vitality. Her face was average —not strikingly beautiful —but her body carried a natural charm, huge breasts and perky ass, the kind that drew attention without effort. There was confidence there, mixed with desperation and something else Tyler couldn’t immediately name.

Tyler exhaled slowly.

The town was already proving more complicated than he had planned.

And he hadn’t even started shopping yet.

---

Meanwhile, near an alley hidden between narrow stone buildings, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

It was a demon.

Its ears were long, but not like an elf’s— too sharp, too unnatural, tapering backward instead of upward. Its skin was pale with a faint yellow hue, and a single horn wrapped tightly along the side of its head, partially concealed beneath tangled dark hair. Its eyes glowed a dull yellow, predatory and calculating.

"That person..." the demon muttered quietly. "He was overflowing with vitality. I wanted to enjoy him."

Its tongue clicked in irritation.

"I wanted to devour him."

The demon’s gaze flicked toward the distant street where Tyler had disappeared earlier.

"But another interfered..."

It scowled.

That interruption had cost it a perfect meal.

For the past two months, the demon had been hiding in Leafrest Town, moving carefully, patiently. It only targeted people who were completely alone— those with no witnesses, no connections, no immediate consequences. Even so, rumors had begun to spread. Whispers of someone vanishing.

The demon didn’t like attention.

It turned its gaze outward again, searching.

Soon enough—

It found another target.

---

That night.

Kevin walked alone along the riverbank platform, the wooden boards creaking softly beneath his boots. The river flowed quietly beside him, reflecting the moonlight like a broken mirror.

Kevin was an ex-blacksmith.

Once, he had worked in a smithy owned by a man with only one 10 year old daughter. Kevin had been careless —drunk beyond reason. He sexually assaulted her. He didn’t do anything over the line but got caught. His actions that night had destroyed everything. The law had judged him, and he had spent a year in prison.

Now he was back. Not to repent. But to take revenge. He is going to break his ex-Boss’ legs and make him watch as he enjoys his 11 year old daughter. He couldn’t help but feel horny thinking of her despair face.

Lewdness filled his thoughts as he staggered forward, clutching a bottle that was already half empty. Lust simmered beneath the alcohol, festering and growing.

Then—

Someone tapped his shoulder.

Kevin froze.

A chilling sensation rushed through his body, so sudden and overwhelming that it felt as if his life were flashing before his eyes. His instincts screamed at him to run.

He tried.

But his body didn’t move.

An unimaginable pressure descended upon him, crushing him into the ground as if gravity itself had multiplied. His limbs refused to obey. His breath caught painfully in his throat.

Panic surged.

With trembling eyes, Kevin glanced to the side.

Behind him stood a silhouette.

Tall. Still. Wrong.

Yellow eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness.

The demon had initially planned to taunt him, to whisper fear into his ears and savor his terror. But one look at Kevin’s face— twisted in absolute horror —made the idea feel dull.

"Tch," the demon muttered. "Already broken."

It placed one clawed hand over Kevin’s chest and tore his clothes. He was now fully naked.

A strange symbol flared briefly in the air and it made Kevin’s object between his legs grew hard.

Devour Vitality.

Kevin’s body convulsed once, then again, as something went inside him from behind.

His breath came out in ragged gasps as warmth drained from his limbs. His eyes rolled back, whites showing as his muscles twitched uncontrollably.

The demon closed its eyes and enjoyed it.

Power flowed into it— raw life energy, desperation, fear, hatred, disgust, lust all consumed and refined into strength. The demon’s posture straightened slightly as the stolen vitality settled within its body.

The night remained silent.

Only the river continued to flow, indifferent to the act unfolding beside it.

The moon slowly sank below the horizon.

The sky lightened.

Sunrise arrived, golden light spilling over the westmere woods and washing across the riverbank.

In the growing daylight, the demon’s form appeared almost translucent, its edges blurred like smoke. Kevin lay motionless at its feet, eyes glassy, body limp and drained of all warmth.

Again hours had passed.

The demon finally withdrew its butt from kevin’s object.

"Empty," it said softly.

It crouched, rifling through Kevin’s items, retrieving a small pouch of coins. Then it tore Kevin’s face skin.

With a casual flick of its fingers, flames burst forth.

Fire swallowed the body.

In moments, nothing remained but scorched wood and ash.

The demon stepped back, watching briefly to ensure nothing recognizable remained.

Then—

It vanished.

Leaving behind no trace.

---

Meanwhile, Tyler woke up in the bed beside the receptionist who is butt naked. She slept peacefully, a tired yet satisfied smile resting on her face, her breathing slow and steady.

Tyler carefully rose from the bed and walked toward the balcony.

The cool morning air brushed against his face.

Just as he stepped outside, he suddenly paused.

That feeling—

The same presence he had sensed the previous day.

It wasn’t close this time. It felt like it was passing by, moving through the street below.

Tyler leaned forward slightly and looked down.

On the road beneath the balcony, a man walked casually among the townsfolk. He looked like an ordinary adventurer—nothing suspicious at first glance. His steps were relaxed, his posture natural.

Then the man stopped.

He frowned and slowly looked up toward the balcony.

But there was no one there.

"Hmph... where did that man with such great vitality go?" he muttered under his breath.

The voice was different.

Yet the face he wore—

Was Kevin’s.

The man turned away and continued down the street, disappearing into the crowd as if nothing had happened.

Tyler’s eyes narrowed slightly.