Within an instant, a whirlwind seemed to whip through the room.
Amidst a thunderous Space Break, the Cross Spear materialized in Huai Shi's hand. As he stepped forward, the spear once again sliced through the air, emitting a piercing shriek.
A flash of scorching light, like molten steel, flickered and died.
This was followed by faint, splintering sounds.
At the end of the basement, the special alloy-covered iron post had been pierced by the spear's blade, a deep crevice bored through it, while the branches of the Long Spear were wedged into the steel.
Amidst the crisp sound of the crack spreading, the outer alloy layer flaked off.
On the wall behind the iron post, a fissure appeared silently.
Where the spear pointed, dust trickled from the fissure, piling on the floor into a small mound of white.
In that moment, Huai Shi, exerting all his strength, replicated the speed and Power of a Vampire, though the cost was near exhaustion and numb arms.
But if he were to use Liberator, he could repeat such an attack several more times.
He could even use Alchemy Fire to control the burst, dividing Liberator from the inside out into sixteen layers, igniting them like a fuse to create an even more devastatingly lethal force in an instant.
"Very good."
Raven finally seemed confident. "With skills like these, I can confidently let you participate in the demon-hunting competition."
"What competition?" Huai Shi was taken aback.
"The demon-hunting competition."
Raven said calmly, "Just from the name, you should know what it's about, right?"
"There's such a competition?" Huai Shi was amazed; truly, the world was full of wonders.
"A group of rather irksome Owners of the Great Mob founded it. The competition is held in a small-scale Mobile Border and is considered one of the more renowned events within the Border. This time, it's just the selection for the southern region of Dongxia. If you participate, you stand a good chance of winning.
Most importantly, among the prizes offered are a number of items from Hell, likely including materials you'll need for your next advancement."
Hearing about materials for his advancement, Huai Shi instantly became extremely cautious.
However, he quickly caught on to her terminology.
"Owner of the Great Mob?" he asked, startled. "Some penguin group admin?"
"...If that's how you want to understand it, it's not too far off."
Raven glanced at him, speechless. "The term 'Owner of the Great Mob' is used by people in the Current Circumstances to refer to some rulers of Depth Hell. These are often powerful beings who have survived in Hell for hundreds of years—monsters among monsters. They are leaders and Rulers of their own kind, and each one can almost represent an entire hellish force. Do you understand now?"
"Sounds powerful!"
"There are strong and weak," Raven explained seriously. "The strong can clash head-on with their Natural Enemy, while the weak might be thrashed by you."
Raven spoke gravely, "This competition has received the tacit approval of the Astronomical Society and can even distribute invitations in the Current Circumstances. This shows their influence is significant. You need to be careful not to offend the organizers. Being blacklisted is the least of your worries; it would be terrible if they set you up.
Although they wouldn't kill their own contestants, leaving a Curse that makes you miserable for decades is within their capabilities. And their Curses are particularly troublesome. The last person who messed around in the competition was Cursed; ever since, everything he drinks tastes like cold water. He hasn't had a hot drink in decades—even his shit isn't warm."
Huai Shi shuddered, then quickly realized, "Wait, these guys are generally demons, right? Does it make sense for them to spend money hosting a demon-hunting competition?"
"You'll know when you get there."
Raven gave him a complex look. "This competition is of great significance for you, even though it might be a bit beyond your limit... but I hope you can win."
"Don't worry. As long as there are no Fourth Stage, I can put up a fight."
Huai Shi thought for a long moment, psyching himself up.
"If just being able to fight was enough, it would be easy," Raven sighed with worry. "Since you're so confident, I won't crush your spirits. I'll get everything ready later, and I hope you can use these tools effectively."
"When does this competition start?" Huai Shi asked.
"Coincidentally, it starts tonight." Raven revealed a smile that made Huai Shi uneasy. "How's that for timing, eh?"
As she spoke, she picked up the invitation—black with gold embossing and written in some hellish language—and placed it in front of Huai Shi.
"I wish you a smooth journey..."
「At midnight, twelve o'clock.」
On the lawn behind the Stone Marrow Pavilion, Huai Shi carried a huge metal case on his back, looking like a food delivery person. His face was covered with a cheap plastic Peppa mask as he stared at the invitation in his hand, completely baffled.
Something about this demon-hunting competition didn't seem quite right. But he couldn't put his finger on it.
Carrying the box of secret weapons Raven had prepared for him, which he hadn't had time to open, he was hastily sent on his way by Raven. But just before he left, Uncle Fang stopped him.
"Young Master, that..."
He looked at the two-dollar-for-eighteen plastic mask on Huai Shi's face, hesitated for a long time, and then pulled out a cloth bundle from his chest. "Wearing that seems a bit undignified. If you don't mind, I have something here..."
Huai Shi took it curiously, opened the cloth bundle, and his expression twitched behind the mask.
"Alright then..."
He picked up the mask from the cloth bundle. It was made of iron, clanging solidly when struck. If he wasn't mistaken, Uncle Fang had probably fashioned it himself by splitting a hairdryer from the backyard storage room in half and welding it. To cater to his young master's eccentric aesthetic, Uncle Fang had somehow acquired a can of spray paint and, after painting it pink, welded two bolts on as eyeballs. Steel Peppa.
"This is still Peppa!"
Huai Shi wanted to cry but had no tears. Seeing Uncle Fang's expectant gaze, he could only force a smile and don the mask.
Uncle Fang examined it closely, then picked up a paint pen and added two blush spots. He stepped back and smiled contentedly, as if looking at the most dazzling kid within a few hundred miles.