"Demon Slayer."
Jason, who had just returned from outside, said to the few people resting in the camp.
Juanlu, lying in bed, took off his blindfold at Jason's voice, opened one half-closed eye and stared.
"What weird nonsense are you talking about again?"
"Hey, you're so polite! I'm calling everyone here."
Jason walked in and plopped down on a stool, leaning back, his head tilted slightly upward as he looked at the ceiling.
Juanlu silently put his blindfold back on and turned his back to Jason.
The others had already turned their backs to him the moment Jason spoke, showing no sign of paying any attention.
Taking notice of the silence in the camp, with no one questioning what he had just said, Jason lowered his head to see everyone's backs.
"Don't you want to know what it means?"
Silence...
Even Pororo could be heard snoring softly; he hadn't woken up at all from Jason's words.
His sleep was excellent.
Faced with this situation, Jason's forehead throbbed with a vein. He could only sigh helplessly. Just as he was about to tell his story,
Simon walked in from outside, some tools in hand.
"You're back."
Jason looked at him and immediately said, "Guess what I heard people calling us outside?"
"What?" Simon asked.
"They call us Demon Slayers."
"Why?"
Seeing Simon's cooperation, Jason finally smiled and deliberately raised his voice twice as he answered.
"I heard it got the name because we've been clearing out so many demons lately."
"I see. I thought they'd call us something like Demon Slayer. Sounds like it's okay."
Simon shrugged and replied casually, then walked past him and headed inside.
They had already cleared out the demons from four areas, but there were still several areas they hadn't yet completely cleared.
This was mainly because Stage 5 demons would periodically patrol these areas, preventing them from being too aggressive.
The demon clearance was relatively low-key.
But they were numerous, and their coordination was excellent.
Add to that the puppet girls' cooperation, and they were able to clear out these demons at an incredible speed.
Especially with a small team like the little ghosts, they had already achieved a complete dimensionality reduction attack.
They had already divided into more puppet teams, even forming two teams composed entirely of puppet girls.
Using Alka's mirror teleportation, they could quickly escape and join the battle. For these smaller puppet girls, neither their physical strength nor their soul integrity would cause significant damage to the teleportation mirror.
Alka only needed to replenish it every one or two days.
The puppet squad, on the other hand, was specifically tasked with clearing out these imps and patrols of their own level.
This made them incredibly effective against the demons' lower-level monsters.
Like a bulldozer.
The demon race became a cancer throughout the world not only because of the Abyss's malignant mechanisms, but also because, infected by the Abyss's powerful negative energy, these demons possessed both mass and quantity.
Furthermore, demons, especially the lower-level cannon fodder, were not subject to death. Of course, you couldn't expect them to have any discipline.
Therefore, they had a significant advantage when waging war, coupled with their numerical superiority.
It's rare to find a truly powerful, bottom-level force like the Abyss in a normal world.
Invasion of other worlds is surprisingly easy, with some weaker worlds inevitably being devoured whole.
However, due to the ritual and the fact that this area is still partially under the control of the Flower Fairies, these demons are currently limited in number and quality.
Because each demon portal can only transport a limited number of demons, the recently opened portals are no longer filled with large numbers of Imp-level demons. Instead, they are more likely to be ordinary demons and a few Demon Centurions reaching the fourth stage of their power.
The fact that they were able to eliminate so many demons wasn't due to the time it took them.
All told, they only spent about a month.
This was mainly due to their expansion outward from the Fragrance Land.
"These demons are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with. Compared to those reckless fools before, they're much more organized now," said Alka, who had sat up at some point.
Because they'd eliminated enough demons.
Alka even took down several fourth-stage demons, demons that clearly held significant positions during the demonic invasion.
These demons realized the harshness of the environment, and began to change.
This was primarily due to the large-scale elimination of low-level demons, replaced by more common ones.
They were often operating in larger groups, and even multiple mid-level demons could be seen operating together.
Although their hunting efficiency had decreased, their destructive power had also decreased accordingly.
This was because they were forced to gather larger numbers and stronger demons together.
This was especially true in the area surrounding the area where Alka and his team were hunting.
Those slightly further away were naturally less affected; they were primarily dealing with personnel sent by the Church of the Two Gods. At this moment, Lucelia, who had been sleeping, suddenly sat up and opened her eyes.
"Someone's coming."
Hearing this, everyone immediately became more alert, but they didn't show it outwardly.
"It's the Holy Mother Church. What are they doing here?"
Lucelia, having received the confirmed information, said with some surprise.
During this period of hunting, they had reached a tacit understanding with the demon hunters organized by the church around the front lines: each of them would take care of one task.
Sailed straight towards them, clearly on a mission.
Otherwise, who would come to such a haunted place? Everyone knew that this had become their temporary camp.
Soon, the small boat docked at the harbor. The church members, along with some guards and the Flower Fairy's followers, boarded their makeshift camp.
"I'm looking for Alka."
The voice was a little loud, and Alka had already packed up and arrived at the camp entrance. The church member waved to his followers and walked into their camp alone, turning to survey the surroundings.
‐‐Although the camp was composed of trees and rocks, it had to be said that Alka and his companions had transformed it remarkably well with their own abilities.
‐‐It could be considered a small wilderness inn.
‐‐The church member was none other than the temporary leader of the Our Lady Church team that had come with them earlier.
‐‐"Alati, why are you here? Is there something?"
‐‐he asked, looking at Ala. Juanlu, standing beside him, had already brought over a few drinks and placed them in front of the group.
‐‐Alati must be very busy on the front lines right now. Coming to them personally seemed like a big deal.
‐‐Logically, there shouldn't be any conditions or requirements for him to come to them.
Arati didn't mince words. He looked at Alka and the others and said, "We have a mission here, and we'd like your teammates to join us."
"What mission?" Alka asked with a hint of caution.
He had a bad feeling.
Besides, he was responsible for his crew.
"After some research and reconnaissance, we've probably discovered the main reason for the frequent appearance of those demon portals in the rear.
It's a combined magic circle covering the entire Land of Spirits.
But the problem is that the area engraved with the magic circle has a power that can block outside observation, so we have to turn our attention to the source that powers the entire large magic circle."
The place that powers the magic circle? Cutting off its source? That's a good option, Alka thought.
But if there was an area around here that could power the frequently activated demonic magic circle,
it would have to be an area filled with negative energy.
Arati looked at the crowd and continued, "It's clear you've already understood that the energy source of the magic circle lies within the nearby boundary between life and death. If we want to destroy the energy source, we'll have to infiltrate it, taking a certain risk.
We also need strong and trustworthy members to join us."
At this point, his needs were self-evident.
He simply wanted to temporarily recruit Alka and the others to help solve this problem.
Once this problem was resolved, the rear would finally be relatively safe and peaceful.
This would make it easier to open a gap on the front lines and complete this war.
"Going to the boundary between life and death?" Alka asked, frowning.
Arati nodded.
Although eliminating the source would be disadvantageous for Alpha and the others at this stage,
they had made a considerable fortune this month by clearing out demons.
But this was simply a matter of profit, devoid of any sentimental considerations. After all, their primary goal was the Nafas family's treasure.
Furthermore, they had received considerable assistance from the Flower Fairies and their subjects in this area.
They also had a very good impression of the people there.
Personally, Alka was inclined to go, believing it might offer a chance to obtain their final Holy Grail artifact.
Acquiring it would essentially put Vastva's orange artifact within reach.
They had collected another Scepter-level artifact.
Since they were going to get it anyway, why not do it together now?
Thinking of this, Alka began to consult his teammates, asking for their opinions.
Faced with such a situation, Sofia and the others didn't overthink it. After briefly considering the risks involved, they all agreed.
Then Alka asked, "This energy source can't be deep within, right? That would be too dangerous."
The shallow and deep sides of the border are completely different places.
At least they knew that a sixth-stage Life Master had to face death while exploring the depths.
Alati shook his head, "Of course not. Otherwise, these cultists would be wishful thinking to set up an energy source so easily."
The Border of Life and Death hadn't reached an agreement with these cultists; they simply wanted to attack on their own.
However, it was foreseeable that it would be truly unusual if the cultists didn't seize this opportunity to launch an attack.
Since it was on the periphery, there was no reason for them to refuse.
After a brief consideration, Alka agreed.
If there was a chance, they could also take possession of the treasure at the border.
"Okay, then we'll meet at the Azure Fortress on the front lines in a week." Alati nodded and took his leave.
The Azure Fortress was the island they first landed on. Due to the war, it had become an island fortress. However, the name Azure survived.
"Everyone, get ready. We'll gather at the fortress in a week to ensure optimal performance. Get some rest. We'll depart tomorrow."
Everyone nodded in agreement at Alka's words, not refusing.
The next day.
At the first light of day, Alka and his companions had packed their belongings and boarded the Flying Swallow, heading towards the front lines.
Thankfully, the front line was no longer a true border as before; it was only about half of a map.
Sitting on the Flying Swallow, Alka looked at the map in his hand. It was a map of the entire Land of the Spirits.
Kalutor, whom he had marked, stopped at a certain location on the map, but he hadn't stopped there before.
This scumbag teleports almost everywhere. Alka has seen him reappear in other places several times, and his speed is clearly off.
This makes it impossible for Alka to even determine his exact location or where he frequently goes.
It seems he'll have to deal with him after this incident is over.
Help their side quickly gain an advantage so they can quickly push back on the battlefield and reveal the treasure's location.
Let them retrieve the Nafas family's treasure.
Otherwise, they'll have to hold out like this until the Flower Fairy resurrects. The closer it gets to the Flower Fairy's resurrection, the more difficult the situation will become.
None of the neighbors want the Flower Fairy to revive.
Otherwise, Zehai won't be Zehai anymore.
…
Their voyage was fast, and it only took about four days before they could see the fortress in the distance.
Despite being called the Azure Fortress, the entire wall was clad in vines and covered in black stone.
This gave the wall greater defensive power.
Their arrival drew the attention of the flower cannons and mechanical weapons facing their section of the wall.
However, the men above quickly identified them, raising their guns. The vines in front of them shifted, revealing a passage leading inside.
The group walked straight in.
The moment they entered, Julia seemed to notice something and paused.
The others followed Julia's gaze.
They saw two beautiful women with different-colored hair standing not far away. As if sensing Julia's gaze, they turned to look at them.
Their expressions changed in the same way as Julia's, and they both stood there.
"Do you know them?" Alka asked from the side.
If they were acquaintances, it was truly a coincidence.
For Julia to have met someone familiar under such circumstances, the only possibility was that these two people had come to the Boundless Sea many years ago.
Julia shook her head.
"No, those two are mermaids, and mermen of the Seed of Life who believe in life and receive its blessings."
In front of the two believers of life appeared Julia, a member of their own race who had abandoned life.
This situation immediately made everyone think of a bad situation, and they quickly adjusted their positions to block Julia behind them.
Seeing this, Julia smiled and patted the two people blocking her way. "It's okay, believers of life are not driven by violence."
As soon as she finished speaking, the sisters walked straight over.
It was possible to see them
A hint of arrogance was detected in the mermaid, who passed by Alka and the others and came directly to Julia.
"An abandoned…" A young girl seemed about to say something, but the mermaid next to her slapped her mouth, signaling her friend to shut up.
Julia, no longer believing in life and no longer adhering to dogma, simply watched the two of them silently.
"Sister, why have you given up your innate faith?"
The two wanted to inquire about Julia's situation. After all, mermaids are born believers in life, just like Alka on Home Island.
For someone like her to not believe in life is a great loss, and they must have suffered great trauma.
Julia said nothing more, but her ring flickered slightly.
A translucent crystal, its shape altered, appeared in her arms, and within it lay a body.
This body was the remains of the mermaid Alka and the others had found in the sea earlier.
Her features could be clearly seen through the crystal.
Since they hadn't been out at sea much, and certainly hadn't had time to visit the Church of Life, the body remained encased in crystal and stored in her pocket ring.
At the two mermaids' strange looks, Julia handed the crystal coffin to them.
"Are you from the nearby Temple of Life?"
"Yes, we're from the Temple of the Breath of Life on Breeze Island."
Julia nodded and said to the crystal coffin, "Take a look. Does it look familiar?"
After a closer look, the expressions on their faces shifted from panic to sadness.
"Master Meister, I didn't expect her life journey to end here?"
"I've found her body and am returning it to you. I hope you can lead her body and soul to the Kingdom of Life."
The two nodded, gently accepted the crystal, expressed their gratitude, and hurried away.
Clearly, they weren't in the mood to dwell on Julia's problem right now.
Julia then led Alka and the others inside.
"Why are the members of the Seed of Life here? Aren't they mermaids?" Jason asked curiously.
From their understanding, the people of the Land of Spirits disliked mermaids, or rather, the members of the Seed of Life.
There seemed to be a certain hatred between the two.
Though they didn't know why.
Coming here at this time seemed very strange.
"Who knows? Perhaps the previous statements were just false, just rumors."
"Never mind. Let's go in first. We'll know when the time comes."
Now that the Seed of Life members have arrived, it's clear what they're going to do.
Alka said this as they led the group into a tall greenhouse, which must be their gathering area.
Soon, two soldiers met them and took them to their resting area.
Waiting for everyone to arrive.