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Vox had lived for centuries, witnessing various eras of both humankind and monsterkind, but this might be his first time meeting someone like Ike Eveland.
At a first glance there was nothing special about him. He was just a human priest who lived in a small town, had the most boring life schedule Vox had ever seen, and always prayed for the nonexistent god everyday. Yet at the same time, Vox couldn’t ignore the smell of thick mana coming over the church Ike had taken residence.
He knew this smell. It reminded him of the holy country—a place he used to visit when Gods still walked alongside humanity, when everything wasn’t as boring as nowadays. Though, of course, the energy he sensed was way too weak he couldn’t even laugh at it.
And for that reason, Vox found himself pushing the church door and taking a step in. It was all driven by boredom and curiosity; he was simply curious with the human who had taken his interest, that is all. If he was able to impress him then Vox would stay, but if that priest bore him down then Vox would leave.
Or at least, that was his initial thought.
He was so, so wrong.
Vox had readied himself to be disappointed since that’s all mortals always do to him. They were either trying to deceive him down or simply too scared to do anything.
What Vox didn’t expect though, was Ike Eveland to immediately fight him, and curse his stupid ass always had this ‘holding back when fighting with human’ policy, he was brought into the brink of death by the same human he had ridiculed ten minutes ago.
The demon could only stare at the knife basked in holy energy shoved into his throat, hands were stabbed into the ground with throw knives and both of his legs were wounded by gunshots. His eyes moved slowly to the opposite side of the knife, in silent noticing a well hidden tattoo on Ike’s neck.
Fuck, he is an executioner , Vox cursed to himself. And a good one too. Probably one of the superior.
Executioner—a mercenary group who worked under church. Vox thought that they had been disbanded a couple hundred years ago, but it seemed they were still there under everyone’s eyes. He could recognize those iconic throwing knives— black keys, his memories popped up here and there—that were only owned by executioners.
Either way, it was a quick fight. Too quick for Vox’s taste especially with how he prided himself as the lord old blood, noble kind of demon race. For what reason did he hold himself back, again? Vox couldn’t remember. Probably it’s just his stupidity.
The only thing that soothed his wounded pride was that his soon-to-be killer had a pretty face and supported wounds, proving that it’s not an easy fight for him either.
“Tell me,” Ike opened his mouth while shoved his knife closer to Vox’s throat. Unconsciously Vox’s Adam’s apple bobbed down, feeling a weird kind of heat crawling up. “Who is your lord?”
“No one,” Vox smirked. “I am lord to myself.”
Ike stared down, eyes went up and down as if waiting for some kind of result. Maybe he was testing whether he was lying or not? Perhaps the knives stabbing his hand had another effect, who knows. Vox never cared about human’s matter or other monsterkind; it’s not like he had reason to lie when Ike could cut his throat anytime.
“He seems not lying,” Ike murmured to himself. “The wounds don't burn, either. Is he not a ghoul…?”
Vox barked a laugh, surprising Ike. So the reason why this pretty boy attacked him relentlessly was he thought he was that lowly kind who loves to pretend they were the strongest? Then again, he distinctly remembered that in recent hundred years the ghoul had been actively hunting humans. No wonder he was on edge.
“I’m not a ghoul, pretty one,” Vox talked back. Oh, how he enjoyed the surprising look at his face. “Do you really think there is only one monsterkind inhabiting this world?”
Ike jolted back and pushed down his knife deeper. “You—!”
His words halted. Vox watched as the young man seemed thinking about something, until he continued to speak, “Then, who are you? Do you also hunt humans?”
Vox couldn’t help but chuckle. Oh, sweet, sweet human. Even in the face of unknown danger, it’s admirable and cute with how he still persisted to interrogate him.
This could be fun.
Vox let out his demonic aura, created a space between alerted Ike who jumped back ready to fight back. He used this opportunity to pull up his pinned hands, ignoring the amount of blood pouring up dirtying the floor and stood up. With one wave of hand, Vox regenerated back as if all the wounds from the previous fight were nonexistent.
Ike widened his eyes and took one step back. He never saw a monster regenerate this fast—he didn’t seem affected by the amount of holy energy poured into his body, either.
This man—no, cold sweat rolled down on his neck. This monster is dangerous.
“What a funny question you ask, my dear,”
Vox took one step closer. Ike didn’t move from his spot, readying himself for the worst case.
“Sadly, I don’t hunt humans. For what I am, the lord of the most noble demonkind, spend my time bullying a fickle life who isn't even equal to our brethren?”
Demon… ? Ike lowered down his weapon. Wait, so this person is—?
“But,”
Ike flinched back when Vox stopped his walking. He immediately raising his weapon, but stopped when he instead saw a hand offered to him.
“You are an interesting one, Ike Eveland. And for that you deserve a reward from me, the lord of the demon, Vox Akuma.”
Vox grinned, similar to a Cheshire cat bringing shivers to spine.
“Do you mind making a deal with a devil, human?”