Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 16.1

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Not many can smell the plague. Perhaps the average person couldn’t distinguish the characteristic smell of the devil.

Forsooth, the devil was the provenance of all contamination. Whenever people think about the devil’s, they will recall them as a vile revolting creature. Astonishingly, the smell was not as atrocious as they imagined, and it will be perceived as a peculiar smell only.

However, not everyone is the same. There were many outside the wall who were particularly sensitive to the smell of the devil. But not all of them can perceive the devil’s odor and energy, only the ones who possess powers outside the wall. And Asaya had the sharpest nose to perceive.

“It’s terrible. The smell is getting more portentous”

So, Asaya deduced it skeptically. She blindly rushed outside after the smell. Slowly, the private house is getting closer. It was in Riverarden Village, where she walked in the morning. Regarding the foul smell in Riverarden village, where the moon sank early in the morning, is in harmony and peace. The suffocating silence aggravated my solicitude. Breathing deeply, my throat tightens. Nevertheless, it was inevitable to happen. Because families are residing in the outskirts of River Garden town. Also, if the devil was not dealt with as soon as possible, then it wouldn’t end well in a few days.

The devil preys on people and exploits their bodies and blood as energy sources. Not to mention, they harness that power progressively and determine their class. It would be a jeopardy if they turned out to be an intermediate level or higher. With an intermediate class level, the body is larger, and its power will be catastrophic to pulverize a village.

“Leah!”

Asaya ran into the house where her family was staying, urgently shouting Leah’s name. Did she already hear footsteps from afar? Leah was already wearing a coat while holding a sword. She calmed Asaya by grabbing her coat.

“Calm down, take a deep breath. What the hell is going on?”

“It smells…”

“Smell. Really?”

“It’s a devil. Stay close.”

If someone else had heard her, they would have pointed at claiming that Asaya is a lunatic. However, hearing about the devil’s smell at dawn was baffling. Leah rapidly blinked, inferring the situation’s gravity. Both of them rushed out of the house.

“Suddenly, the devil. Here?”

“I don’t know. The smell came out of nowhere. It’s strange. All avenues should be sealed at all times. Hence, the devil shouldn’t be able to sneak in.”

The wall that divided the world was made by the goddess Hebia, which contained the sacred stone Rona, the gemstone of light. Whenever the devil touches the wall, will be annihilated; Therefore, the devil couldn’t cross the wall arbitrarily.

But then again, there were ways for the devil to get inside the wall. Beyond the wall, the world was infected. But there were times when the avenues opened because there were numerous resources buried. Some people pass through the wall, for instance: scholars, researchers, priests, soldiers, and merchants. Moreover, there were occasional cases of the devil coming in through the gap, but the likelihood was extremely slim.

Each access checkpoint has guards accompanied by a trained soldier specialized in demon subjugation expedition and priests with Holy power. How likely was it for a devil to trespass inside the wall without their awareness? Even it had the opportunity to enter the wall. It was absurd for a devil to reach near the private house. Noting that many guards patrol the streets and the consecration to harass the devil was scattered in various places; It’s bizarre to obscure a devil. Of course, this was the outskirt layer, but even so, it didn’t make sense for the devil’s ability to sneak into inhabited land.

“You are not mistaken. Are you?”

“I don’t know. Am I? It’s that foul smell.”

“First it was that bastard Reibene. Now, this.” Leah sighed.

“Let’s hurry. It’s late. We should take an expeditious initial response. I don’t know how much it is, but…..”

In the distance, they saw the entrance to the village where the dreary spirit of death lay thick, sending a shiver down their spin. The village filled with darkness was still peaceful. Throwing caution to the wind, hurriedly they returned to the serene village.

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Everyone was asleep at a soundless dawn; however, it was interrupted by the rowdy knock on the office door. There was a dire report to relay so early in the morning. Not to mention the chances that the report might bear some bad news. Knowing this, Edwin permitted him to come in while patting his heavy eyelid. An employee who remained to work overtime with him informed him urgently:

“There have been reports that all three bodies found in Riverarden have disappeared.”

“What do you mean disappear?”

“It is said that the people who were guarding the body, and all of the bodies, disappeared without a trace. There was no sign of trespassing.”

“When was it confirmed?”

“Two soldiers who were patrolling around 1 am confirmed it.”

“How on earth do you handle things?”

Edwin repressed his frustration. To make matters worse, something fatuous happened and the fatigue accumulated from staying up all night. He put down the quill he was holding and immediately picked up his coat.

“You will check it out by yourself?”

“Are you going to check it out yourself?”

“Then who will you call at this time? Also, why should I depend on those who failed to follow my instruction? Wouldn’t it be better If I check it with my own eyes so I can sleep comfortably tomorrow?”

Meekly, the man stepped back.

With his coat, Edwin left the office. His eyes, distorted by the sensitivity, squinted lightly. He didn’t know what happened, but Edwin fixated on unraveling the case himself; So, he headed to Riverarden himself.

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