Henry packed his bags and got ready from the early morning. Thanks to the Dragonkin Potion, he had only slept for three hours, yet he felt very refreshed.

He donned the Swordmaster's Armor, which was a black set of leather armor with some crystals decorating it near the shoulders, along with a big crystal in the middle of the chest. The armor looked too big for him, but it shrunk to be an exact fit once he wore it.

You have equipped the Swordmaster's Armor. Initially, it will absorb a significant amount of your Demon Slaying Energy to strengthen itself, then passively absorb a miniscule amount of it while equipped.

Henry felt some of his aura get drained as the crystals on the Swordmaster's Armor started glowing in the same jade green color of the Demon Slaying Energy.

The Swordmaster's Armor has been imbued with Demon Slaying Energy. You now receive 25% less damage from attacks from attacks fueled by demonic energy.

He had Dawnbringer sheathed by his waist, and didn't wear a bag as all his things in the Inventory. In case somebody asked where he was pulling out his things from, he had put on his engagement ring and would tell people it was a space ring.

Henry walked to the Cathedral, where the Demon Hunter Corps were all standing, each wearing their armor and holding their weapons. The more well-off members had their things in space rings, while the average member was carrying a hefty bag. When she saw him, Captain Eve waved at him.

"Heya, Hellwalker. Here."

Henry walked to her.

"Good morning, Captain, everyone."

"Damn, Hellwalker. Where'd you get that sick armor?" Joseph, who was now wearing a light set of ranger armor, asked.

"Ah, it was sold in an auction in the Powerholders' Market yesterday. It took almost all my savings, but it's some great armor."

"Very good. I was planning to give you some common armor, but this is clearly much better." Said Eve.

"What are we waiting for, Captain?"

"Each year before the expedition, the Pope must come and give a speech or whatever."

"Ah, I see."

'The Pope of the Church of Light, huh? I remember hearing somewhere that this guy was an eighth circle mage with a Stigma of Light. He must be quite strong.'

A few minutes later, an entourage emerged out of the Cathedral. In the center was the Pope, a blond haired old man wearing a fancier version of the typical clergy robes. He walked with slow steps until he stood in front of Captain Eve, who kneeled and kissed his hand, as church etiquette required. After she stood up again, the Pope started talking.

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"Today, the faithful swords of God are to venture into the deepest pits of the Land of the Damned and slay the filthy enemies of all that is holy, the vile demons. I can clearly feel the blessing of God on you, so make sure to use it to its fullest. Those who live will gain glory and riches, while those who die will join God in Heaven. Fight, oh champions of God and his faithful, and purge the world of its evils!"

Henry listened quietly. The normal members of the Demon Hunter Corps seemed very riled up, while the higher ups instead seemed rather...frustrated.

'The higher ups must have been reminded of how they can never slay the leaders of demonkind and cut the roots of the evil, how they can only cut the branches, which eventually regrow.'

The Pope then turned to Captain Eve.

"Archbishop Forger, I wish you and your men the best of luck."

"Thank you, your holiness."

The Pope seemed like he was gonna leave, but he suddenly moved towards Henry. Now that he was this close, Henry noticed that his irises had the pattern of the Stigma of Light engraved on them, and that they were glowing.

"Young man, I do not sense the energy of God on you. Are you truly a member of the Demon Hunter Corps?"

"Ah, your holiness, this is Henry Hellwalker. He's not a member, but he has a unique energy that is toxic to demons, so I trained him and took him with us. He is a believer of God, it's just that he hasn't been in the church for long enough to awaken Holy Energy."

"Hmm...I see." The Pope kept staring at Henry, which creeped him out.

The Pope of the Church of Light has tried to gaze into your essence with the "Eyes of the Holy Sun".

The passive blessing "Shroud of Mystery" has blocked the Pope's vision.

"Hmm? I couldn't see anything?....Archbishop Forger, we are to discuss this after the expedition."

"Yes, your holiness."

"Alright, you may all go now. May the blessing of God be with you all."

With this, the Pope left. Then, Captain Eve pulled out a trumpet.

"What's that, Captain?"

"This is an artifact of the Church, Trumpet of the Damned. It opens a gate to Hell when used.

Captain Eve put the trumpet to her mouth and blew. It let out no sound, but soon, a large portal appeared.

"Let's go."

The members of the Demon Hunting Corps all went in, then Henry did.

Whew!

Whoosh!

Wham!

----------------------------------------

He found himself in a huge plain that had purple colored grass and leafless bushes with red wood. In the horizon, a giant volcano could be seen. It kept spewing gases and ash. The temperature was much, much higher than it was in the Severin Empire, even though it was summer in the overworld.

"Captain, this is Mephilis, yeah?"

"Yes, Hellwalker. This is the 72nd region of Hell, Mephilis. Everyone, remember, we have a special objective in this expedition. We must look for the artifact that was stolen by the 72nd demon king, Andromalius. However, that guy is a huge coward, so we must cause enough trouble that he must come and fight us. Then. once he uses the artifact, we steal it and proceed to the next region. We have one week to spend here in this region. Thus, we shall fight together for this first day, then split into four teams. One led by me, one led by Joseph, one by Hera, and one by Hellwalker."

"Actually, Captain. Can I be on my own?"

"What?! That's very dangerous!"

"Don't worry about me. I have some lifesaving trump cards."

"...Alright. However, you must stay with us today at least. There are some things you must learn in reality, not just through theory, but through practice."

"Yes, Captain."