Somewhere on the outskirts of London.

“This foul scent led me here.”

Eric stood outside an old chapel located deep within the forest. From its appearance, the chapel seemed to have been abandoned long ago.

Taking a deep breath, Eric placed both palms together. “By the light of God, I beseech Thee—grant me the power to seal this space. By Thy decree, no evil shall escape, save by Thy permission. Holy Sanctuary!”

He slammed his hands onto the ground, and a glowing blue web spread outward, covering the entire chapel and forming a protective dome. With the barrier in place, Eric stepped inside.

Pushing the dilapidated chapel doors open, a loud, eerie creak echoed through the air. To his surprise, he found a man with long, disheveled hair kneeling in apparent prayer. Yet, faint, deranged laughter slipped from the man's lips.

“Hmm... It seems I have a guest.” The man stopped laughing, his expression twisting into a sinister smile. A bloodstained knife lay beside him. Without hesitation, he grabbed it and stood, facing Eric with a crazed grin.

Eric scanned the man’s appearance, his gaze lingering on the knife. “Tell me, is that your knife, or did you pick it up from somewhere? Even though I already know the answer, I’d like to hear it from your mouth.”

“Oh, this knife? Yes, it’s mine,” the man replied, breaking into manic laughter once again.

“So, you’re the killer everyone’s been searching for. Hiding out here, I see.” Eric’s face remained unreadable as his thoughts churned.

Why does this man reek of a demon when he’s clearly human? This scent... it doesn’t make sense. He’s not possessed, nor does he look like a demon in disguise. But this stench—it’s stronger than any I’ve encountered.

“Are you doing this of your own accord, or is someone commanding you?” Eric asked calmly.

“I can’t stand your voice anymore!” The man suddenly dashed toward Eric, his knife poised to strike, a crazed smile stretching ear to ear.

Eric remained steady, unfazed by the attack. As the man lunged, Eric effortlessly blocked the strike. Disappointment flickered across his face at how easily he had stopped him. Gripping the man’s wrist, Eric twisted it until it snapped with a sickening crack. The knife clattered to the ground as the man screamed in pain. Without hesitation, Eric delivered a punch to his face, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Let’s not waste any more time. Who do you work for?”

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“Hah, fool! You think I’ll tell you?” The man sneered, clutching his broken wrist. “They’re coming.”

“They? Who’s coming?”

“Your death, you bastard!”

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Eric’s senses heightened. “The barrier is broken!”

The chapel roof shattered, and two figures descended from above, landing amidst the debris. Eric leapt back, his movements cautious. “Demons?”

From the settling dust emerged two figures: a limping man and a hunched, grotesque figure.

“Well, well,” the limping man said with a smirk. “What do we have here? A hunter.”

“What a lucky day,” Eric retorted, brushing the dust from his shirt. “Two demons in one place.”

“Baroga, kill this man,” the limping man commanded. “We can’t afford any interference with the plan. I’ll take this fool with me.”

Baroga—the hunched figure—nodded, his grin widening. The limping man picked up the unconscious long-haired man, who had fainted from the impact earlier. With a swirl of black smoke, the limping man disappeared, leaving Eric and Baroga alone in the chapel.

“A few days ago, I killed a hunter,” Baroga sneered. “And now, I get to kill another.”

“A few days ago?” Eric asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Don’t worry. I’ll send you to meet him,” Baroga growled. In an instant, the hulking figure dashed forward. Despite his massive build, he moved with astonishing speed.

He appeared in front of Eric in a flash and swung a heavy fist. Eric barely managed to raise his arms to block the strike, but the sheer force sent him flying backward. He crashed into a wall, the impact causing rubble to collapse on top of him, burying him under the debris.

Baroga smirked at the sight before him. “As expected, humans are weak. One hit, and they crumble.”

As he turned to walk away, a sound emerged from beneath the rubble. Baroga paused, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a slight tremor. Suddenly, the rubble exploded outward, sending debris flying in every direction.

Baroga stared in confusion, watching as Eric emerged from the wreckage.

“Did you really think I’d be that easy to kill?” Eric spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground, his eyes burning with defiance.

“Hah! You’re a fool, human. To choose torture over death? Very well, since you insist on standing before me again, I’ll grant you your wish.”

Baroga dashed forward, appearing in front of Eric in an instant, and threw a powerful punch, this time with even greater force. But Eric was ready. Without hesitation, he launched his own punch to meet it.

The two fists collided, creating a deafening shockwave that shook the chapel and sent a thunderous echo reverberating through the air. To Baroga’s shock, he was the one thrown backward, while Eric barely budged from his position.

“H-How was I thrown back? Are you telling me I lost in a contest of strength? Are you fucking kidding me!?” Baroga roared, disbelief and rage contorting his features.

Eric didn’t give him a moment to recover. He dashed forward, closing the distance in a flash, and delivered a powerful punch. Baroga raised his arms to block, but the strike landed squarely against his ribs. A sharp pain shot through him as he staggered back, his thoughts racing. How could a mere human make me feel pain?

Baroga’s momentary distraction left him vulnerable. Seizing the opportunity, Eric channeled his strength into his left arm and delivered a crushing blow to Baroga’s face. The force of the punch sent Baroga to his knees.

Humiliated and furious, Baroga’s anger surged. He swung wildly at Eric, but the hunter evaded the attack with ease, leaping backward.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Eric taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. “How pathetic.”

“You dare mock me, human!?” Baroga bellowed, his voice echoing with fury.