I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 144

Demon Spirit (1)

 

Kang Ian looked at the masked woman with suspicion.

In America, there were those known as contractors of demons.

And this hazardous zone in Guam had long been sealed off, to the point that civilians couldn’t even approach it.

Yet she lived here alone?

It was only natural to suspect she might be a demon contractor.

“This lady is called Airi.”

“…Are you Japanese?”

“Yes.”

Kang Ian flinched in surprise.

Up until now, Airi had been speaking extremely natural Korean.

“Uh… you’re really good at Korean.”

“Hehe. This lady greatly enjoyed K-POP. So I studied Korean on my own.”

Airi lightly wiped under her nose.

With that remark, the suspicious impression she gave suddenly softened.

A mask and traditional robes.

An unusual outfit, but weren’t such things common in Japan?

‘Cosplay?’

One of the countries most passionate about cosplay in the world.

Thinking that way, she didn’t seem that suspicious anymore.

Still, however she learned Korean, her way of speaking was very peculiar.

“But putting aside whether you’re Japanese or not… how are you even here?”

“This lady is a Hunter.”

“Even Hunters can’t come here.”

He knew she was a Japanese Hunter, but this was a hazardous zone… and before that, it was U.S. territory.

“Hmm. You don’t know who this lady is?”

“…? Ah, no. I don’t really know Hunters from other countries.”

Is she famous?

He barely knew domestic Hunters, so it was impossible for him to recognize foreign ones.

Some Hunters memorized the appearances of powerful figures overseas, but Kang Ian had no time for that.

His schedule was packed 24 hours a day… how could he study such things?

BOOM! BOOM!

“!?”

At that moment, the mansion they were in trembled slightly, accompanied by loud noises.

“…It seems that monkey bastard has followed us here.”

“The Steel Monkey King?”

“Yes. Persistent, isn’t it? It’s been throwing things toward here from outside.”

It seemed like it was hurling chunks of asphalt, just like before.

“It’s not charging in directly?”

“If it comes here carelessly, it’ll suffer greatly. It learned that the hard way before. For a monster, it’s quite intelligent.”

She formed a strange hand seal with both hands, then bent her knees and struck the ground.

“Spell! Gate of Great Peace!”

Something spread outward, and the noise from outside disappeared.

“That should do it. Even that thing won’t be able to break through now.”

“Thank you for your effort.”

‘A magic-type skill? Its versatility is incredible.’

While fighting the Monkey King outside, she had shown various skills.

Binding it, trapping it… and now maintaining a barrier here…

Most of her abilities were different from Kang Ian’s, which were focused heavily on offense.

His thoughts turned back to the Steel Monkey King.

Though small for an A-rank, it was extremely fast, making it very difficult to deal with.

‘If only I could use Ataruk’s Spear, I might’ve had a chance.’

Ataruk’s Spear boasted tremendous power when used for throwing.

It had even worked against the Frost Phoenix in Russia, so it might have worked here.

But the distance was too close, and the creature was too quick to use it effectively.

“Phew. But who are you? Why are you in a place like this?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask. I came here under a U.S. request to cleanse this hazardous zone.”

“…Cleanse a hazardous zone? That’s even possible…?”

“Yes.”

“…Huh. It’s been quite some time since this lady secluded herself here, so I know nothing of recent news. It seems such things are possible now.”

“But why are you here, Airi?”

From the magic she displayed, she was at least a top-tier B-rank Hunter… more likely an A-rank.

Someone like that would normally be treated like royalty in their country.

So why was she in a place like this?

“…I just was.”

“Just?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Kang Ian’s gaze turned cold.

Such a flimsy excuse.

He wondered when he should draw his sword, thinking she might really be a demon contractor.

But there was no reaction from Valhalla’s Sanctuary, nor any quest appearing, so he hesitated.

Airi, too, noticed his attitude.

Anyone would find it suspicious… a person living alone in Guam’s hazardous zone.

After all, there were many who plotted dangerous schemes.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Airi let out a small sigh.

“…I don’t like introducing myself with my alias, but this lady is called Demon Spirit.”

She slowly removed her mask.

Her unusual appearance was revealed.

Black scales covered half of her face.

That eye was orange, with a vertically slit pupil like a reptile’s.

Her ears were pointed as well… now it was clear why she had that alias.

“You asked why I’m here? It’s because of this face. I got sick of hearing whispers behind my back every single day, so I came all the way here, where no one exists.”

Though she spoke calmly, Airi had suffered deeply for a long time.

An A-rank Hunter was a core strategic asset of a nation.

Every time she acted, it became a major issue.

Whenever she cleared gates or defeated monsters and villains, countless people praised her… but no star exists with only fans.

Naturally, there were haters.

Even Kang Ian had people who disliked him for no reason.

—Why is that monster acting like that with that face?

—Isn’t it a monster disguising itself as a human?

Malicious comments followed every article.

An ordinary Hunter might ignore them, but Airi, who lacked confidence in her appearance, couldn’t help but be affected.

As it piled up, she wanted to be alone.

So she left Japan entirely, to a place where not a single person existed.

That place was Guam.

A remote island in the Pacific… and a hazardous zone. No one would be there.

“I see.”

After hearing her story, Kang Ian shrugged.

“…You heard all that, and you’re not bothered?”

“Yes. Well… at least I know you’re not suspicious.”

From the moment she removed her mask, he remained calm.

Completely unfazed.

On days without missions, he regularly did volunteer work.

He often helped care for the sick and disabled.

People who couldn’t control their bodies, making strange expressions, drooling, or behaving unusually.

After seeing them every day, he had grown used to it.

In fact, he realized that many of them had warm hearts inside, despite their outward appearance.

Something you could only understand by observing over time.

Thus, he knew appearances weren’t everything.

And that struck Airi deeply.

With her heightened senses, she could perceive even what others tried to hide.

Most people acted calm but felt uncomfortable inside when they saw her face.

But Kang Ian was different.

‘…He’s really not bothered?’

Airi found it fascinating.

In her entire life, she had never met someone like this.

Even she found her own reflection horrifying… so how would others feel?

Yet Kang Ian showed no such reaction.

“But isn’t this U.S. territory? Since it’s a hazardous zone, I doubt they’d allow access.”

He was curious about her appearance, but asking directly would be rude, so he held back.

Instead, he asked how she got here.

“I didn’t get America’s permission. I came secretly.”

“That’s possible? Even if you flew, this area would be heavily monitored…”

“Then don’t fly. I swam.”

“…What?”

“It was my first time swimming such a long distance, but with my abilities, I managed somehow.”

“……”

Kang Ian’s mouth fell open in shock.

Swimming from Japan to Guam?

That had to be thousands of kilometers… was that even possible?

“Come to think of it, you’re the first guest to visit this lady’s home. A first guest deserves a gift.”

Airi stood up.

A faint smile formed on her lips.

Even if she chose this life, living alone in a land filled only with monsters couldn’t be enjoyable.

A silent, lonely existence.

And now a guest had come… someone who didn’t reject her appearance.

Of course she felt happy.

‘What should I give him?’

As she went inside, she thought hard.

She hadn’t brought any wealth, nor did she have useful items.

Since she had gained powerful sorcery in exchange for her appearance, she didn’t normally use items.

‘If I knew this would happen, I should’ve brought some jewels…’

She felt a rare sense of regret… when suddenly something crossed her mind.

She hurried somewhere and returned, holding out a small box to Kang Ian.

“Take it. You may take as much as you like.”

“You don’t have to… I’m the guest here. I should be the one bringing a housewarming gift.”

“Is that so? Then bring it next time you visit. For now, open it.”

Airi looked at him with sparkling eyes, urging him to open it.

Unable to resist that gaze, Kang Ian opened the box.

“!!”

He was genuinely shocked.

Inside were several black, pearl-like objects.

Jewels that seemed to captivate the eye with an eerie glow.

‘Th-that’s the Source of Evil?’

There was no doubt.

These were Sources of Evil.

“W-where did you get these?”

“Hehe. Aren’t they pretty? I picked them up while wandering around the island.”

“Picked them up? You’re saying these were just lying around?”

“Not exactly. They emitted a corrupting aura when approached, but since I handle demonic energy, it didn’t matter.”

Airi felt pleased seeing how much Kang Ian liked her gift.

‘Now I understand why people exchange gifts.’

If the receiver was this happy, she’d gladly give more.

Kang Ian carefully picked up one Source of Evil, placed it between his thumb and forefinger, and applied pressure.

CRACK!

Ding!

 

[You have destroyed a Source of Evil.]

[Malice Essence +450]

[Nobility +450]

 

‘Th-this is real!’

With the message appearing, it was confirmed.

This was truly a Source of Evil.

“W-why did you break it!?”

“Airi.”

“?”

Airi was flustered seeing him destroy her gift, but when Kang Ian looked at her seriously, she couldn’t protest.

“Have you ever tried breaking one of these?”

“I-I’ve dropped a few before, and they broke…”

“In that case, did anything change? For example, did the air feel cleaner?”

“Hmm. Not really.”

“……”

‘As I thought… only when I destroy them do they get purified.’

Connected to Valhalla’s Sanctuary… a Knight of Valhalla.

With abilities opposing demons, he could destroy Sources of Evil and produce purification.

Ordinary Hunters couldn’t even approach them due to mental corruption, but even if someone like Airi destroyed them, they wouldn’t be purified.

Those destroyed would likely regenerate somewhere else in the hazardous zone.

“Thank you sincerely for the gift.”

“It’s nothing. Seeing you happy makes me happy.”

“May I use these as I wish?”

“Of course. They’re yours now… do as you like.”

Airi smiled, and Kang Ian grabbed a handful of the Sources of Evil.

And then…

CRACK!

CRUNCH!

 

[You have destroyed a Source of Evil.]

[Malice Essence +420]

[Nobility +420]

[You have destroyed a Source of Evil.]

[Malice Essence +470]

[Nobility +470]

[You have destroyed a Source of Evil.]

[Malice Essence +390]

[Nobility +390]

…

 

“!!!”

Airi’s eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open in shock.

She had said he could break or discard them…

But to think he’d actually do it!!!