"Hey, buddy," a voice suddenly sounded from behind Bai Ye. "You killed Lower Rank Five, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
Bai Ye spun around abruptly, his expression shifting to surprise.
About five meters away stood a man.
Given Bai Ye's vigilance, it was highly unlikely someone could approach within five meters without him noticing. Especially since Bai Ye's high spiritual attributes meant a sensitive sixth sense, and his excellent physical attributes also affected his five senses.
Unless the other party used some ability…
No!
Bai Ye frowned.
The other party hadn't used an ability; rather, Bai Ye couldn't sense any human presence from him at all.
"Are you a demon?" Bai Ye asked.
The man paused, then chuckled, "Yes, I'm a demon. But don't misunderstand, I'm also a chosen one. I have no ill intentions. I just want to have a chat with you."
Bai Ye said no more, instead using his Steel Slime to condense a Predator mask and put it on.
Bai Ye didn't trust anyone's words, not even familiar people like Jin Sha, let alone someone he met for the first time.
Biological scan initiated…
Biological scan completed…
Karasu Maru (Demon) (Healthy): Chosen one from a spirit world, does not possess the blood of a Demon King.
Strength: 111
Speed: 77
Stamina: 150
Spirit: 62
Intelligence: 10
Weakness Search: ??
Held Items (Incomplete): ??
Abilities (Incomplete): Blood Demon Art: Scratch, Blood Demon Art: Clumsy, Basic Regeneration, Intermediate Healing, High-Speed Movement, Swift Steps, Strength Enhancement, Demon Eye, Blood Demon Art: Scent Tracking
Scan complete. He really was a demon.
"How did you know I killed Lower Rank Five?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasu Maru pointed to his nose. "My nose is very sensitive. I left a unique scent on Lower Rank Five for tracking. You have the same scent on you now, so there's a high probability you killed him."
Bai Ye nodded. The other party's abilities indeed included scent tracking.
"What do you want to talk about?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasu Maru spread his arms, pointing to his skin, then grinned, revealing jagged teeth that were not of a normal human.
"I am a chosen one, but before coming to the World Battlefield, I happened to be from this world." Karasu Maru pointed to the ground. "This is a world where demons and humans coexist, and where demons and the Demon Slayer Corps are constantly fighting…"
Bai Ye interrupted, "I'm not interested in you introducing your world. If you want to talk, get to the point."
"Alright," Karasu Maru said. "I've found a demon. Killing him is a hidden mission, and I hope you can help me kill him."
Bai Ye sneered, "Because I look like a helpful good person?"
Karasu Maru quickly replied, "Of course, I'll give you something in return."
"In that case, we can talk," Bai Ye said.
If there were benefits, it was a transaction, and there was no problem. What Bai Ye feared was the other party saying something like, "I'll be forever grateful to you, and I'll repay you in the future."
Did he think Bai Ye was an idiot?
"Two questions," Bai Ye said.
"You say them," Karasu Maru replied.
"First question: what benefits are you going to give me to help, and second question: why are you asking me for help?" Bai Ye asked.
"I'll answer the second question first. Because you killed Lower Rank Five, and the target demon in my hidden mission was a former Lower Rank Six."
"Former?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasu Maru nodded. "Yes, according to the mission background, that person was once Lower Rank Six. However, because his strength progressed slowly, the Demon King thought he no longer deserved the title and stripped him of it."
Bai Ye suddenly understood. "Since I can kill Lower Rank Five, I naturally have the strength to kill Lower Rank Six. After all, Five's rank is higher than Six, so he'll naturally be stronger. Moreover, it's a former Lower Rank Six, so this matter is even more assured."
"That's right," Karasu Maru nodded, then continued, "As for the reward, it's this…"
As he spoke, Karasu Maru produced a metal tube. It was hollow on both sides, revealing glass, and inside was a pale blue liquid.
"I obtained this from another region. It's called Cell Gene Recombination Fluid. It can boost basic physical attributes by 2 to 3 times, meaning it can randomly increase physical attributes other than intelligence by 20 to 30 points, but it doesn't include intelligence."
"That's good stuff," Bai Ye said. "Why don't you use it yourself?"
Karasu Maru sighed, "This is a potion targeted at human lifeforms. Demons and humans are different, so injecting this wouldn't do anything for me."
Bai Ye pondered for a moment. "Give me the item first."
Bartering was easier; they could just exchange directly.
However, when it involved a mission, it was different. After helping complete the mission, how could he be sure the other party wouldn't renege?
Of course, even if Bai Ye took the item, whether he would actually do the job was another question.
But was that Bai Ye's problem to consider?
Of course not!
That was the other party's problem to consider. Bai Ye only cared about his own interests. What did the other party's problems have to do with him?
"Sorry, that's not possible," Karasu Maru shook his head. "But we don't need to worry about each other. I have a reliable transaction plan, and neither of us will be cheated."
"Oh?" Bai Ye said. "Tell me about it."
"You come with me to the house where the demon is located. Once we're inside, I'll give you the item, and then you help me kill the demon."
"Is that meaningful?" Bai Ye asked.
"It is meaningful because that demon will kill everyone who enters the house. I can escape because I'm also a demon, and the other party didn't pursue me. But you're different."
Bai Ye chuckled. "So, as soon as I enter the house, I must kill him, or I'll be killed by him. You don't have to worry about me going back on my word, right?"
Karasu Maru nodded. "That's right."
"Alright," Bai Ye extended his hand. "Deal."
Karasu Maru extended his hand and shook Bai Ye's. "Deal. Also, one more question: are you planning to sell Lower Rank Five's demon blood? That's useless to you!"
"How do you know it's useless to me? Maybe I want to become a demon?" Bai Ye countered.
Karasu Maru shook his head. "If you can kill Lower Rank Five, why would you want to become a Lower Rank demon? At least aim for Upper Rank, or you might as well join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Makes sense!" Bai Ye said. "What do you plan to trade for it?"
"I don't have enough to exchange for demon blood. However, once I have the demon blood, I can become a Lower Rank and use that identity to go to the Infinite Castle and get on the Demon King's good side. If you're willing to give me credit, I can offer double, no, triple the reward later."
Bai Ye curled his lips. "I'll consider it."
Damn it, he wants to get it for free? Dream on!