"Hey, buddy." A voice suddenly rang out from behind Bai Ye. "You were the one who killed Lower Rank Five, right?"
"Huh?"
Bai Ye spun around, his expression one of surprise.
Standing about five meters away was a man.
Given Bai Ye's heightened senses, it was unlikely anyone could get within five meters unnoticed. Especially since Bai Ye's high spiritual attribute meant a sharp sixth sense, and his excellent physical attributes also enhanced his five senses.
Unless the other party used some kind of ability…
No!
Bai Ye frowned.
The other party hadn't used any ability; Bai Ye simply didn't sense a human presence from him at all.
"Are you a demon?" Bai Ye asked.
The other party blinked in surprise, 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 talk."
Bai Ye said nothing more. Instead, he used his Steel Slime to condense a Predator mask and put it on.
Bai Ye trusted no one, not even familiar faces like Jin Sha, let alone a stranger.
Biological scan activated…
Biological scan complete…
Karasumaru (Demon) (Health Status): Chosen one from the supernatural 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: Scratching, Blood Demon Art: Messy, 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.
Karasumaru pointed to his nose. "My nose is very sensitive. I left a unique scent on Lower Rank Five for tracking. You carry the same scent, so there's a high probability you killed him."
Bai Ye nodded. The other party's abilities did indeed include scent tracking.
"What do you want to talk about?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasumaru spread his arms, gesturing to his skin, and then grinned, revealing a set of jagged teeth unlike those of a normal human.
"I'm a chosen one, but before coming to the world battlefield, I happened to be from this world." Karasumaru pointed to the ground. "This is a world where demons and humans coexist, with demons and the Demon Slayer Corps constantly fighting each other…"
Bai Ye cut him off. "I'm not interested in hearing you introduce your world. If you want to talk, get to the point."
"Alright," Karasumaru said. "I've found a demon. Killing him is a hidden mission, and I hope you can help me kill him."
Bai Ye scoffed. "Because I look like a helpful person?"
Karasumaru quickly replied, "Of course! I'll give you a reward."
"Then we can talk," Bai Ye said.
If there was a reward, it was a transaction, and there were no problems. Bai Ye hated it when people said things like, "I'll be forever grateful, and I'll repay you in the future."
Did they think he was an idiot?
"Two questions," Bai Ye said.
"Ask away," Karasumaru replied.
"First, what reward do you intend to give me for my help? Second, why are you asking me for help?"
Karasumaru said, "I'll answer the second question first. It's because you killed Lower Rank Five, and the target demon in my hidden mission was once Lower Rank Six."
"Once?" Bai Ye queried.
Karasumaru nodded. "Yes. According to the mission's background, that demon was formerly Lower Rank Six. However, due to slow progress in strength, the Demon King deemed him unworthy of the title and stripped him of it."
Bai Ye realized. "If I can kill Lower Rank Five, I certainly have the strength to kill Lower Rank Six. After all, Five's rank is higher than Six, so he'd naturally be stronger. Furthermore, it's a former Lower Rank Six, so this is even more certain."
"That's right," Karasumaru nodded, then continued, "As for the reward, it's this…"
As he spoke, Karasumaru produced a metal tube with hollow sides revealing glass, containing a pale blue liquid.
"I obtained this from another region. It's called Cell Gene Reorganization Fluid. It can increase basic physical attributes by two to three times. That is, it can randomly increase physical attributes other than intelligence by 20 to 30 points, excluding intelligence."
"That's quite something," Bai Ye said. "Why don't you use it yourself?"
Karasumaru sighed helplessly. "This is a potion for human lifeforms. Demons and humans are different, so injecting this would be useless to me."
Bai Ye considered for a moment. "Give me the item first."
Bartering was more convenient; direct exchange.
However, when it involved a mission, it was different. After helping complete the mission, how could he be sure the other party wouldn't go back on their word?
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. Bai Ye only considered his own interests. What did the other party's concerns matter to him?
"Sorry, that's not possible," Karasumaru shook his head. "But we don't need to worry about each other. I have a secure transaction plan, so neither of us will be cheated."
"Oh?" Bai Ye asked. "Let's hear it."
Karasumaru said, "You'll accompany me to the house where the demon is. Once inside, I'll give you the item, and then you'll help me kill the demon."
Bai Ye asked, "Is there a point to that?"
Karasumaru replied, "Yes, there is. Because that demon will kill anyone who enters the house. I could 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?"
Karasumaru nodded. "That's correct."
"Alright," Bai Ye extended his hand. "Deal."
Karasumaru shook Bai Ye's hand. "Deal. Also, a quick question: are you planning to sell Lower Rank Five's demon blood? It's useless to you!"
"How do you know it's useless to me? Maybe I want to become a demon?" Bai Ye retorted.
Karasumaru shook his head. "If you can kill Lower Rank Five, why would you be willing to become a lower-rank demon? You'd at least aim for Upper Rank. Otherwise, you might as well stick with the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Makes sense!" Bai Ye said. "What will you trade for it?"
Karasumaru replied, "I don't have enough to trade for demon blood. However, once I have the demon blood, I can become a Lower Rank and use that status to travel to the Infinite Castle and gain the Demon King's favor. If you're willing to extend credit, I can offer double, no, triple the reward then."
Bai Ye curled his lips. "I'll consider it."
You damn old hag, trying to get it for free? Dream on!