Chapter 660: Dark Elf

A Demonic Hunter!

And a Demonic Hunter among the dark elves—how rare!

Even Reslin, who came from the mysterious Touch of Change, born with a cold, calm heart, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his eyes filled with surprise.

The Demonic Hunter is a very ancient profession, born over ten thousand years ago.

At that time it was still the late Second Epoch, when dragons and giants ruled the world, and the second Abyss invasion recorded in history occurred. According to scholars, the second Abyss invasion began around 8800 B. C. E. (New Era Calendar) and lasted until about 8300 B. C. E., a total of five hundred years.

The two great races, dragons and giants, were almost exterminated, and the slave armies they enslaved were likewise decimated.

By then, the elves had already founded a kingdom in Aoroan, having discovered Moon Lake and settled its shores for tens of thousands of years. Generation after generation, purified magical energy cleansed them, evolving from primitive, ignorant trolls into intelligent, elegant elves, and tribal bloodline differences gave rise to multiple elf sub‑races.

The elves refined the ancient druidic arts, creating the world's earliest pure spellcasters—the mages.

During the second Abyss invasion, the elves also suffered attacks from Demons.

The still‑immature mage system could not repel the Demon armies; the elf peoples suffered heavy casualties, and their homelands were nearly destroyed.

This shook the convictions of many elf mages and druids, and gradually some elves suggested using Demon power to fight Demons.

In the dire situation, some elves quickly put the idea into practice.

They extracted the essence of Demon flesh and blood, infused it into their own bodies, and merged with it; most elves were polluted by the Abyss's corrupt energy and fell, becoming Demons.

Only a very small fraction of elves succeeded.

They mastered the corrupt energy, could transform into Demons, wielding great power while retaining their sanity, and then used Demon power to hunt Demons.

This is the origin of the Demonic Hunter.

However, the elves strongly rejected Demonic Hunters, deeming them traitors to the gods; even with sound minds they were seen as defiling the noble elf bloodline, and thus they expelled the Demonic Hunters from Aoroan.

For over ten thousand years, Demonic Hunters have lived in exile.

Demonic Hunters can be seen in many regions of Ai Lun E Si, but not in the Elf Kingdom.

Even during the elves' most glorious Third Epoch, Demonic Hunters received no recognition. Though some elves seeking power or vengeance chose to become new Demonic Hunters, their numbers remained few.

Until the end of the Third Epoch, when the Abyss launched its third invasion of Ai Lun E Si, this time the main Demon forces were met by elves and dwarves.

Facing endless Demons, the two races fell back step by step, soon losing the New Continent.

The elves' homeland Aoroan on the Old Continent also faced Abyss Demon threats; in the crisis, a group of Demonic Hunters stepped forward, saving many kin and their homeland.

After seven thousand years of dormancy, Demonic Hunters became active again, and many elves joined their ranks.

Yet after repelling the Abyss, Demonic Hunters were again spurned by elf society; they could only leave Aoroan, return to the New Continent, and hunt countless Demons.

After the Third Epoch ended, there was a Dark Millennium.

During those thousand‑plus years, the New Continent fell completely into a haven for monsters and Abyss forces; Demonic Hunters were isolated, their numbers plummeting, nearly extinct.

After the Dark Millennium came the new era forged by humanity.

It took humanity about 900 years of the New Era Calendar before extraordinary beings began returning to the New Continent, clearing monsters from the western coast and establishing bases. When humans first encountered Demonic Hunters, the latter had been barely surviving on the New Continent for nearly two thousand years, and their only source of new recruits were the blood elves left on Nuo Wa Fa Ke Si Dao.

Blood elves likewise despise Demonic Hunters and refuse to accept these kin whose bodies reek of corrupt energy.

Moreover, blood elves are few to begin with, and even fewer walk the path of Demonic Hunter.

Thus Demonic Hunters placed their hope of inheritance on humanity, recruiting apprentices among humans. At first many humans tried to become Demonic Hunters, but after a few years humans discovered they could go further, directly integrating Demon souls, and it was safer.

Through trial and research, a brand‑new extraordinary profession was soon born.

It is the Demon Slayer!

A Demon Slayer's strength isn't necessarily greater than a Demonic Hunter's; they're comparable, but the former is safer, lacking the constant risk of corruption. The Demon Slayer's advancement system is mature and stable, demanding less talent and Willpower, and suits humans better.

With so many advantages, humanity naturally abandoned the Demonic Hunters.

After more than a thousand years of growth, Demon Slayers have spawned multiple schools and have become one of the mainstream professions on the New Continent, with many practitioners.

In contrast, Demonic Hunters remain desolate; their name is heard but no one is seen.

Some even doubt whether Demonic Hunters have already become extinct.

Now, not only is there a Demonic Hunter before us, but one from the dark elves—a rarity upon rarity; there may be only one in the whole world!

Reslin watches Zhuo Er step out of the house.

Just as the rumors described, he has skin like black silk, a modest height of about 1.7 m, a slender, graceful build, moving with a hint of breeze. Though his skin is dark, his features are handsome, with long white hair neatly draped over his shoulders; his eyes are pale violet, his gaze calm and gentle, revealing a faint melancholy and restrained friendliness.

The dark elf wears fitted leather armor, bears no weapon, has a magical necklace around his neck, and a pale‑green leather‑collared cloak on his back, masking any Demon aura.

The All-Seeing Eye peers through, revealing Abyss runes etched across the black skin beneath the leather armor, covering his body, flowing with a faint green corrupt energy that penetrates deep within.

His face also bears corrupt energy runes, the method of embedding them beneath the skin unknown.

If one ignores appearance and judges solely by the corrupt aura, the dark elf resembles a Legendary High‑rank great Demon, with corrupt energy fully unleashed, equivalent to a level‑19 extraordinary being, only half a step away from Saint Rank.

A Demonic Hunter of Legendary Peak!

Marino and Jie Wei Si Ke are seeing each other for the second time, yet they remain nervous, inexplicably feeling a huge pressure that quickens their hearts.

A Xi Na keenly perceives the dark elf's evil aura, her gaze instantly hardening as she reaches for the round shield and single‑handed sword behind her.

Reslin gives her a slight shake of the head, indicating not to act.

The Soul Eye sees clearly.

This Zhuo Er truly is an outlier among dark elves—pure of spirit, with steadfast Willpower, showing no trace of corrupt energy, and bearing no ill will toward us.

Most importantly, he does not worship the evil Spider Queen Ros, but is a follower of the Dark Moon Goddess Ai Lu Na.

Ai Lu Na is one of the two most important and powerful elf deities.

She holds the divine offices of "Moon," "Night," "Dreams," and "Elf," representing the kind and beautiful aspects of elf civilization. Zhuo Er, who fled the shadowy world, turned his heart toward the light and usually chooses to worship the Dark Moon Goddess.

The dark elf's devotion is extremely fervent, bordering on fanaticism; the blaze of his faith burns hotter than that of most surface elves.

Faith is the most immediate way to discern a person's inner good and evil.

Reslin instantly judges that this dark elf can be trusted and befriended, requiring no excessive guard.

He steps forward half a pace, bows slightly in return, showing no overt enthusiasm, and, as always, says in a detached tone, "You have my two friends under your control, probing for information about me; should you not give me an explanation?"

The dark elf's face shows remorse: "I'm sorry, this is my fault; I earnestly ask you both to forgive me."

Marino and Jieweiske quickly waved their hands, accepting his apology.

"Lord Reslin."

The dark elf turned back, his face sincere, "I bear you no ill will; I only heard you two were inquiring about the Spirit-absorbing Monster's city. Out of curiosity, they refused to reveal the true reason, so I couldn't help using a charm spell. It caused no real harm, nor did I ask any unrelated questions."

Marino and the other both nodded in confirmation.

Reslin had actually known for a long time, but was merely testing, confirming that this dark elf was not a fabricated friendliness.

His expression softened, and he introduced, "You may call me Reslin; no need for honorifics. She is my friend Asina."

"Pleasure to meet the beautiful Lady Asina."

The dark elf's eyes flickered, merely appreciating beauty, and with elegant bearing introduced himself, "Honored guests, I am Yizite, from the Mosuobulai City in the Dark Realm, though I have left my homeland for many years and am now a surface elf."

Asina sensed Yizite's goodwill, lowered her guard, and replied with a greeting.

After meeting each other, the dark elf invited the group inside.

Marino and Jieweiske courteously stayed in the courtyard to wait; upon entering the house, the freshly elegant room felt very comfortable, with the roof and windows fitted with the finest transparent glass, allowing light to stream in and keep the interior bright.

There was also a small tea room, where Yizite invited the two to sit and brewed tea for the guests.

Every one of his movements was exceedingly graceful, lacking the evil and cruelty typical of dark elves, resembling instead a noble-born high elf, merely with slightly darker skin, and his demeanor felt like a spring breeze.

If not for the Soul Eye, Reslin would not believe this truly is a Demonic Hunter.

When seated, he casually released a Soundproof Force Field.

"This is black tea I cultivated myself; please both have a taste," Yizite said, picking up a cup and drinking it first.

Reslin harbored no doubt, lifted the tea before him and drank; Asina hesitated briefly but did not refuse.

"Having drunk my tea makes you my friend," Yizite smiled, appearing very pleased.

Reslin set down his cup and gave a slight nod.

He no longer wished to beat around the bush and asked directly, "Yizite, have you been to the Spirit-absorbing Monster's city?"

"Yes."

Yizite recalled, "That was over a hundred years ago; at the time I had just left my hometown, wandering in the Dark Realm, struggling to survive, and gradually becoming a powerful hunter."

"In those years I faced many perils, but the most dangerous encounter was meeting a Spirit-absorbing Monster."

"I struggled against its spell, nearly dying; fortunately I seized the chance to counter‑kill and scarred it, yet it managed to flee. I pursued it deeper underground, and after half a month, just as I was about to catch up, I discovered it had slipped into a hidden city."

At this point, Yizite's mind drifted for a few seconds.

"I have lived over a hundred years in the Dark Realm, yet never heard of such a city. The whole city is shrouded by a mysterious force; merely approaching fills me with dread. From afar I saw many Spirit-absorbing Monsters within, along with countless slaves."

"They detected me; at least ten Spirit-absorbing Monsters came out to hunt me."

"Several times I nearly perished at their hands; if not for…" Yizite still wore a look of lingering fear, yet did not explain how he escaped, "that was the adventure closest to death I have ever had. Even after all these years, I sometimes see those disgusting octopus heads in nightmares."

The dark elf lifted his tea and drank it down in one gulp, as if to steady himself.

"Do you still remember the location of the Spirit-absorbing Monster's city?" Reslin asked.

"Of course I do," Yizite nodded, continuing, "The road I fled on was a near‑death ordeal, extremely concealed, yet even after another five hundred years I would still remember it."

Before Reslin could ask again, he curiously said, "You intend to go to the Spirit-absorbing Monster's city?"

"Exactly," Reslin's mouth curved with a hint of amusement, "I need to borrow something from them."

Yizite shook his head, advising, "If not essential, keep your distance; I suspect that city harbors Saint Rank creatures."

"I have a reason that compels me to go," Reslin said calmly.

Yizite looked at the silent Asina, "Lady Asina, will you also go together?"

"Certainly," Asina replied firmly, "I came to the New Continent for adventure; wherever Reslin goes, I will go as well."

"I understand."

Yizite's gaze swept back and forth over the two, lingering a moment, evidently pondering something.

Reslin knew he was about to propose a condition.

Ten thousand Gold Shields might seem a lot to others, yet to a Demonic Hunter at the Legendary Peak they hold little value. Yizite was assessing his and Asina's strength, surely having other motives, intending to trade the information he possessed.

A few minutes later, the dark elf finally made a decision.

"Gentlemen, I can tell you where the Spirit-absorbing Monster's city lies, but the Dark Realm is intricate, like a maze; a few words cannot pinpoint it accurately. It is best to have a guide familiar with the terrain," Yizite said slowly. "If you are willing to do something for me, I can lead you into the Dark Realm toward the city."

"Speak, and we'll see if we can manage it," Reslin said, unsurprised.

"I have a plan lacking assistants," Yizite's tone shifted, then he asked abruptly, "Reslin, may I boldly inquire about your Wizard level? How proficient are you in teleportation spells?"

"I am level nineteen," Reslin replied lightly. "Below Holy Soul, there is none better than me as a teleporter. Asina is also among the world's strongest defenders."

Yizite instantly rejoiced, "Excellent!"

"What is your plan?" Asina asked curiously, seeing his face full of delight.

The dark elf inhaled deeply, whispering, "I intend to hunt a Baro Flame Demon and use its flesh and blood essence to ascend to Saint Rank!"

(End of Chapter)