He Who Hunts Demons Chapter 5: 5-Where’s The Hunter Who Killed A Ghoul?

Read chapter 5 of He Who Hunts Demons by A_Random_Turtle on NovelPedia.

5-Where’s The Hunter Who Killed A Ghoul? My choice of weapon was a sword. Considering it had been a while since I’d held one, it felt kind of strange in my grasp, so I tossed it from one hand to the other a few times to get accustomed to its feel. “Smoke charms,” said Veva as she walked up to me and placed three thin papers engraved with runes on my palm. “That’s all we can afford to spare.” I understood that. The duel was, in reality, a stupid one between two rookies. Expending valuable resources to satiate our ego would be even far more stupid. I could see it on Gaston’s face that he didn’t like this, most likely pressured about it due to the fact that there were some things a leader wasn’t supposed to allow. If one of us dropped dead for instance, the church wouldn’t just overlook it. That would most likely be Abel, though. I doubt they would care much about me—a peasant. I placed the charms in the small gap between my suspenders and my shirt for easier access, took a glance at my revolver, and flexed my shoulders. Unlike me, Abel said no to receiving charms, for the same reason I’d asked for them. To ensure the fight was a fair one. I was grateful for that. “Have you even used a sword before?” Abel asked, standing almost too casually a few steps away from me. Hopefully that wasn’t his stance. Surely, he wasn’t underestimating me. “Worry about yourself,” I said. He pointed a dagger at my revolver. “I give you permission. You may use it.” “Well, thank you,” I replied sarcastically. What gave him the idea that I wouldn’t use it if I had the chance? I just didn’t have enough bullets to make the revolver my primary weapon. “Listen,” Gaston shifted forward slightly just before we started hacking away at each other. “Go easy on one another. Do you understand? I will not tolerate any lasting injuries.” His eyes alternated between me and Abel, but his gaze predominantly settled on me at his last words. I understood that I had the experience edge against Abel, but the lad was a Transcendent; I should be the one to be pitied. Whatever the case, it didn’t matter any longer, because Abel burst forward at a blistering pace as everyone, besides Smith, watched the fight begin. I was honestly caught by surprise. I knew Transcendents had physical prowess greater than even the best of humans, but I hadn’t expected it to be this prominent coming from a rookie. His dagger glowed blue as the runes around it burst alive. I raised my sword to guard. His blades connected with mine, sending sparks flying. My feet creaked in response and I found myself stumbling backwards like a wild drunk. A very loud, sardonic hmph came from Pollie as Abel inclined his head. “What’s this?” Abel asked. “Where’s the hunter who killed a ghoul?” I glanced at him and nodded slightly. I had to give it to him, he was strong. “If you’re done talking,” I said as I flexed my wrist and took my stance, “why don’t we keep going?” Abel smiled. “Gladly.” He covered the distance between me and him in less than a second again, but this time I was prepared. I saw his blades coming from a mile away, and goodness was his inexperience leaking out. Every single fatal point in his body was open; not a single defense in sight. And to top it all off, he was charging in blindly, overreliant on the fact that he wanted to prove a point. Despite his strength, if he fought a ghoul, he would be lucky to leave with his limbs intact. This time I didn’t take his strike head-on. My analysis showed that he had the advantage of speed and strength, as a Transcendent should, which meant I had to be a second more prepared than I normally would. And I was. I swerved out of the way and angled my sword downwards. Abel’s blades connected with mine as usual, but the result left him unbalanced. He lurched forward, almost diving head-first to the floor, but managed to settle his footing. When I noticed his attempt to turn around, I took a smoke charm and tore it. A thick smog of grey burst into life around me,