Archdemon is a classification of a demon and its type is the second strongest of all kinds.
There are three kinds of demons: normal demons, archdemons, and sin demons. The normal demons are the weakest among these three, and this is the only kind that requires a gate to step foot on earth. They're the demons that Hayden recently encountered in the barrier. Although this kind is labelled the "weakest" they don't always come weak, they're just weaker than the other two. Furthermore, they have danger levels from F to S-level, meaning some normal demons can be as strong as the different kinds.
The next on the pyramid was the archdemons; they naturally have more potency than the normal ones and the difference that sets normal demons and archdemons apart is their ability to think. Normal demons act based on their instinct to kill whereas archdemons can generate IQ—they can learn like humans. That's not the only ability that makes them cunning, they can also imitate a human body structure and pretend to be one.
Lastly, the demon that guarantees death when you encounter one is the sin demon. Just like the name stated, they're demons of each sin and there are seven of them. They freely roam around the globe and share the abilities of the archdemons, having the power of intelligence and disguising themselves as a human. The difference between the two is the raw dark energy of the sin demon—their power is beyond fathomable and it will take 5 or more S-rank DHs to match its strength. What's scarier about it is that there are still 7 of them, and in that span of their 2000 years stay on earth, no DH has managed to kill one.
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"I have important errands to make. Can you cover my responsibilities from here?" Hayden asked for Jace's aid.
"If it's something important, you may go. I can handle the ladies from this point."
With a thankful nod, Hayden tread back inside the barrier, but Aubrey shouted at him just before his body passed through.
"Just where do you think you're off to?"
Hayden paused and turned, glancing at her sour face.
"You're not planning to go back there, are you?" Grace asked, also concerned.
"Jace will drive you home. I'll catch up shortly," Hayden explained.
"Enough with your rash bullshits! I don't care how strong you are, you're not going back in there, no buts," Aubrey asserted.
Hayden looked her in the eyes without uttering a word, showing no compliance.
Aubrey's salty demeanor interpreted that look as sort of belittling. Her sense of superiority was involved in this particular scenario, which is why she's extremely peeved by his disobedience.
"You're just my bodyguard, so do as I say! Get in the car!"
Hayden, being fed up with her demanding attitude, found a golden opportunity to cut ties with her.
While maintaining his calm and collected expression, he announced, "Not anymore. I resign."
A sudden bolt of shock ripples across Aubrey's face.
"I~ How~ But~ You…"
Thousands of negative emotions welled up in her. She was utterly overwhelmed that the words she wanted to release were jumbled in her thoughts, causing her to let out a stuttering and shaky voice. Tears began to knock on the corners of her eyes, but as always, Aubrey is the type who never wants to appear weak, so she just blinks it away.
"You…" her fingers balled to a fist. "You're fired!"
Hayden has already resigned, but Aubrey felt the necessity to fire him as a coping mechanism.
"You're the biggest jerk, Hayden! I don't wanna see your stupid face ever again. I hope you die there!!" She released her anger before rushing inside the car, thinking she had lost something she never even had.
Grace hurried after her sister, her face tight with worry. Jace lingered just long enough to clasp Hayden's shoulder in farewell before sliding into the car.
Hayden watched them sped away, contemplating if resigning was the best choice to get the twins to safety.
Hayden stood still, watching the vehicle shrink into the distance as it sped away. He was contemplating if what he did was right. Resigning might be necessary to keep the twins out of harm's way, but at the same time, it troubled Hayden since he might not get his salary after resigning.
*Whoosh*
A sharp whistle split the air. An arrow slammed into his shoulder, shallow but enough to ink out blood, staining his uniform. Hayden staggered back, teeth clenching against the sting. His hand shot up, gripping the shaft, and with a rough yank he pulled it free.
'The fuck?'
Hayden narrowed his eyes, muscles coiling for a demon ambush. His gaze darted toward the direction the arrow had flown, but the shot had come from a quiet alley beyond the parking area.
It was outside the barrier.
There was no one there.
Then it clicked.
He knew this arrow. Only one person could fire with that kind of speed and precision… It was none other than his colleague, Agent Eagle.
Hayden's eyes dropped to the weapon in his grip, blood sliding down its tip. Around the nock, a scrap of paper was taped. He tore it free and read the capitalized label written on top.
'New mission.'
Knowing that it's probably Franky's order, Hayden unfolds the slip and the instructions are short and straightforward.
'Prevent Ermit from killing Conor.'
Hayden crushed the paper in his fist, annoyance painted his face. Not because of the mission, but on how Eagle delivered that message. An arrow to the shoulder is just pure harassment.
~~~~~~~~~~
The school promenade stretched wide between two towering buildings, its brickwork patterned neatly under the glow of the lamps. Students often gathered here, laughter and chatter filling the open space…
…But now, it has become a remnant of ruins. Building windows broken, flower pots toppled over, silence so quiet it felt like a billion souls screamed for help.
Ermit strolled along the ruined promenade, heading toward the gymnasium where a squad of DHs battled demons. His pace was steady, his mind fixed on the fight ahead.
Suddenly, he paused.
Something blocked his path.
A figure loomed in the open walkway, human in body but crowned with the head of a wolf. The mask—or whatever it was—stared him down, bold and unyielding, as if daring him to take another step.
The mask hid everything but the eyes—almond‑shaped, unblinking, fixed on Ermit like a signal flare. The message was clear: a fight was inevitable.
The objective is to thwart Ermit's attempts to vanquish the archdemon. Allowing him to claim credit for defeating such a formidable threat would inadvertently bolster the influence of the White Hawks guild within the town. This, in turn, could empower their unscrupulous guildmaster, Gavynn, granting him the means to exert control over the entire community.
Wolf draws out his gun and points it at Ermit.
Unthreatened by the pistol aimed at him, Ermit dared not move as he knew that firearms aren't capable of puncturing through any DHs skin.
Although guns can kill normal humans with a single bullet, it's ineffective against DHs and demons, failing to deal any damage. That's why there are barely any military forces because they were all replaced by guilds.
"Wolf…" Ermit said, his voice sounding wistful. "...the Headhunter with the highest bounty. A young, exceptional DH with a proficient talent. You could've saved many lives if only you didn't go down that dishonorable path."
Wolf, without breaking eye contact, didn't give him a response.
"I suppose you're here to end me," Ermit added, thinking that the gun was a fluke since almost everyone knew it was useless. "I'd like to give you my warning, young man. Instigating a fight against me… is a surefire way to see the afterlife."
*Bang!!!*
The bullet hurtles toward Ermit at incredible speed, and his lightning-fast reflexes allow him to track its trajectory effortlessly. Confident that the bullet will fail to penetrate his skin, Ermit decides to absorb the incoming projectile, demonstrating to Wolf the uselessness of firearms in DH combats.
Then, Ermit began to bleed.