012

After half an hour or so, I've reached the library.

The library was a large building found in the outskirts of town.

As an avid reader, I've visited this place many times before and I'm quite familiar with the place.

I speak to the guards and show them my card which granted me passage.

There are actually two libraries.

The first library is found near the Guild and has some basic knowledge and other useful information.

This is a rather casual area and pretty much anyone can enter it.

The second library has guards stationed and only allows people with certain status.

As an adventurer leading a B-Rank party, I've gained access to it and checked the books there.

This is one of the reasons why advancement and promotions are quite difficult and very strict.

Because libraries like this hold a number of important information.

In-depth knowledge of various locations... A and S Rank monsters who once wrecked havoc in the country... Information on various races as well as some basic knowledge on forbidden and occult lore.

During the times where I did some research here, I found some books mentioning demon lore and other related incidents.

It contains the historical documentation of times when Demons attacked the country and other locations as well as the incidents that were resolved.

I need that book.

I proceed to the catalogue which is a rather large book and check the contents to see where the books I need are found.

"Found it."

I memorize the information then walked away after carefully putting the catalogue away.

"Section 23... Third shelf... Here it is."

I pass the numerous book shelves to find the one I need.

Bringing books out of this library is forbidden so I need to write down the information I need.

But I don't really need to.

I have a rather special ability...

It's called photographic memory.

I don't forget things.

I gather ten or so books and place them in a nearby table then I start reading.

Incidents of demon attacks...

Possessions...

Types of Demons...

Incidents of humans working with demons...

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Weaknesses...

I use magic and drastically increase the pace in which I read books.

After two hours, I'm done.

I close the final page of the book then let out a long sigh.

I close my eyes then begin organizing the information I gathered.

The Black Skull Uprising...

A gathering of cultists attempt a demonic ritual to summon a vile demon using the lives of slaves they bought.

Cuvar's Revolt...

A powerful and influential duke stages a rebellion while heretics join him. He uses the lives and souls of soldiers both his own and his enemies to summon demons.

From the number of incidents involving demons, these two are the most helpful examples that relate to this incident.

There are other incidents but those were merely heretics or witches using demons to fight in small-scale battles.

Though rare they're not that uncommon and even now, such hunts are still on-going.

Although I believe that this incident would soon be recorded within the pages of history and would soon be recorded here.

Next, the kinds of enemies we may face.

According to these books, the demons come from a demonic world are are separated from this world via a powerful barrier constructed by Heaven. Nonetheless, as inhabitants of another world, they can't simply come to this world as they please.

Even before the barrier was erected, a steep price was necessary to summon a demon.

This barrier simply restricted the number that could get through as well as drastically increasing the price that must be paid.

Therefore, it's safe to assume that low-level demons would be appearing with a small number mid-tier demons.

These are the most common...

Imps - Small winged creatures with the body of a child, red skin, horns, a pointed tail and wings of a bat. They are foul, less intelligent and serve as foot soldiers or servants of higher demons. Often used as scouts.

Hellhounds - Vicious wolf-like creatures with large bodies and sharp fangs. They are fast and are often in packs. They are similar to wolves. They are vengeful and cunning hunters. Each pack is led by a leader. They also have a sharp sense of smell and their eyes glow red like blood.

Succubi - Demons with beautiful appearances but demonic hearts. They have bodies similar to human women but they have purple skin, red horns and a long pointed tail. They are cunning and deceitful, often tricking foolish men to lure others to their graves. They use sexual intercourse to suck men dry of their essence as staple food. Once a human male is drained of essence, they eat them. They are skilled spell-casters and can control monsters.

Demon Brutes - An evolved form of imps. If imps are children, then these are the size of adults. They possess large muscle-bound bodies capable of crushing even armed men to a bloody pulp. Their intelligence is even lower than that of imps though.

Heretics - Evil men who follow the demonic teachings. They are vile villains who think nothing of human lives for their goals. They are often in groups commanding groups of demons and monsters alike. Heretics vary in strength. Some were swordsmen and some were mages. Regardless, they are a threat to all of mankind.

Witches - Evil women who forged a pact with demons for the sake of power, eternal life and other benefits. They are cruel beings who are no longer human and they love the taste of human children the most.

I believe that these creatures and lunatics are the ones who are a threat to me.

Although there are indeed other creatures but they are restricted by various powers and summoning them comes at a grave cost. If there were such summons, then the death toll should be much higher.

In terms of weaknesses... There is a paragraph that a paladin who once fought in a war against demons wrote regarding their weaknesses.

Demons are indeed vile creatures. They possess great cunning to lure men to their deaths, deadly demonic magics and terrifying battle prowess.

The vile spawn of the Underworld!

Beware their blood. It is poison to mortals.

The color of malice!

But they have weakness as well.

Just like us, they live and breathe.

Creatures of flesh and blood though cursed they may be.

Holy water blessed by our God is like poison to their kind. We have coated our weapons with holy water with great effect.

Simple wounds easily heal for them thus special means are important.

Alas, holy water has little effect against their curses.

Only our priests can hope to avert our suffering and undo their curses.

- Sir Sielamn Archron, 3rd Captain of the Fourth Holy Order.

...So goes the story.

Hm... I believe it's time for me to go. I've gathered as much intel as I could.

When I gaze outside the window, nightfall has arrived.

I return the books to their designated areas then head out.

Proceed to 013 if you didn't bring along Adrian and Chako to meet the Guildmaster.

Proceed to 014 if you did bring them along with you to meet the Guildmaster.