Chapter 119: Something Is Missing
Leon forced himself to ignore the battle raging in the distance and focused entirely on the technique before him.
’The Ninth Form. Demon-Purging Aura.’
His eyes moved across the description.
’The aura that flows through one’s veins when hatred and desire burn as one. The desire to eradicate evil. The desire to cleanse what should not exist.
Only when hatred and desire coexist can this aura be awakened.
The Demon-Purging Aura possesses the ability to suppress the regenerative capabilities of the Demon Race.’
Leon narrowed his eyes. So that was why it was effective against demons. He continued reading. The next para contained the use of the technique.
It described which meridians had to be used, how one’s breathing should be controlled, and how the aura should be guided through the body.
Yet the more Leon read, the more he realized that merely circulating the aura through the veins wasn’t enough. That was only the first step.
To truly wield Demon Purging Aura, one had to project it outside the body and use it in combat. In a sense, it was similar to an elemental affinity.
Everyone possessed the potential to awaken it. But very few ever succeeded. Having the potential wasn’t the same as possessing the skill. It was like having two hands but never learning how to fight. The ability existed. The challenge was learning how to use it.
Leon focused entirely on the technique. He carefully memorized the breathing method described in the Ninth Form. He memorized the specific meridians through which the aura had to flow.
Yet the section describing the required emotional state still felt confusing. The more he read, the more familiar it seemed. As though he had seen it before. As though he had once known it. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t fully grasp it.
Something was missing.
A piece.
A crucial piece that prevented everything from coming together.
Still, Leon didn’t lose patience.
He continued studying the Ninth Form until he had memorized every word. Then he closed his eyes and replayed the technique in his mind.
Again.
And again.
Minutes passed. Yet Leon still couldn’t take the final step.
Meanwhile, the battle continued to rage across the battlefield.
The Rank 3 Demon faced three opponents at once.
Stanley.
Frenrir.
And Noira.
Boom!
Frenrir’s fist slammed into the demon’s chest and sent it flying backward.
Stanley narrowed his eyes.
"He wasn’t this strong earlier." His gaze remained fixed on Frenrir. "His aura felt comparable to an S-Class hunter before, but his actual strength didn’t match it. It was almost as if he once possessed that strength but had lost access to it. Perhaps his mana had been depleted."
Another explosion echoed across the battlefield as Frenrir and the demon clashed once more.
"But now... He truly possesses the strength of an S-Class hunter. And not just any S-Class. A peak S-Class."
His gaze shifted toward Noira, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The old man’s expression grew increasingly complicated.
"Her too."
Questions flooded his mind one after another.
’Where had Leon found these two beasts? Why are they helping him? And what exactly was that pillar of light that had descended upon him earlier?
The more Stanley thought about it, the more mysteries appeared. But there was no time to seek answers.
Not now. Not while a Rank 3 Demon stood before them. For the moment, all he could do was focus on the battle.
Whips of light materialized once more, wrapping around both of Stanley’s arms.
The next moment, he shot forward.
BOOM!
The demon had just been hurled in his direction when Stanley appeared behind it and threw a devastating punch.
The radiant fist pierced straight through the demon’s back and burst out from its chest.
Before the creature could even react, Stanley pulled his arm back.
Then he jumped. High into the air. He clasped both hands together above his head.
And then...
BOOM!
His joined fists descended like a gigantic battle axe. The attack crashed directly onto the demon’s head.
BOOOOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted. The demon was smashed into the ground with overwhelming force.
The earth collapsed beneath it. A massive crater formed instantly, spanning more than a hundred meters in radius.
Away from the battlefield...
A male hunter removed his glowing hands from Archie’s chest.
"There, Guild Master Archie. You’re fully healed now."
Archie rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck.
"Good work, Finn." Oliver nodded from the side. Then his expression became serious. "Now take everyone and leave this place."
Finn blinked. "Leave?"
Oliver nodded. "Make sure nobody gets anywhere near the Delvan Tower until we send a signal."
Finn hesitated. "Are you sure, Guild Master?"
He glanced toward the battlefield where explosions continued to erupt one after another. "We can still help."
Oliver shook his head. "No. I don’t know exactly what that thing is. But judging by Mr. Cooper’s expression earlier, anyone who stays here will be in danger."
"But..." Finn tried to protest.
"No buts." Oliver’s voice became firm. "That’s an order."
At the same time, Jasper gave the exact same command to the members of the Razor Wolf Guild.
None of them wanted to leave. But Jasper left no room for negotiation.
The members of the Raging Bull Guild were no different. Many wanted to remain behind and fight alongside Archie. Yet Archie rejected every request.
In the end, they could only retreat without their Guild Masters.
One by one, the hunters began withdrawing from the battlefield.
Once the others had left, Oliver turned toward Archie. "Are you sure you still wanna stick around?"
Archie adjusted his glasses. "What else? You think I’m going to let you hog all the fun for yourself?" He snorted. "Dream on."
Jasper stepped forward and cracked his knuckles.
"Then let’s join the fray."
The three Guild Masters exchanged glances.
Then they nodded. The next moment...
All three S-Class Guild Masters shot toward the battlefield, joining Stanley, Frenrir, and Noira in their battle against the Rank 3 Demon.
