Free Web NovelThe Demon-Hunting Order.
As the name suggests, a group formed by like-minded people, built for the sake of hunting monsters.
But why would they suddenly come to this tavern for inspection?
Could it be that the hiding place she had chosen so carefully, using her experience as a Hero, wasn’t so clever after all? frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Ye Chi’s eyes showed confusion.
Or... had her monster identity been exposed?
Impossible.
Ye Chi immediately rejected that thought.
She was very familiar with the methods this world used to identify monsters—no, more than familiar, she knew them inside and out.
Three years ago, the most advanced method was still flesh-and-blood testing. It required time, or special magic, or a sorcerer’s appraisal.
Even if human detection methods had advanced, the special disguise granted by the Hero’s Seal was enough to block every kind of magical detection.
As for flesh and blood—come on, her body was slime. Its composition was basically water.
What percentage of a human body was water, she couldn’t recall exactly, but compared to a slime, probably not much different.
In short, there was no risk of her being discovered as a monster.
It seemed something else had happened, which made the Order choose to “pay a visit.”
Once she understood, Ye Chi’s mood didn’t improve.
The problem now was her identity papers were fake. If they didn’t check too hard, fine. But if they did, that would be trouble.
“Forget it. Soldiers to block soldiers, water to block water. Worst case, I sit in a cell a few days. Food and lodging included...” Ye Chi muttered inwardly while dragging her feet to open the door.
Just as she expected, the tavern manager stood to one side, looking embarrassed. On the other side were three knights of the Order.
They weren’t in heavy knight armor. Just plain gray-white robes, with a burning blood-red rose embroidered on the chest.
“Miss Vieya, our apologies for disturbing your rest.”
Vieya—that was the name Ye Chi was using right now. Her real name, if spoken aloud, might draw unwanted trouble.
Three years wasn’t enough to erase the impact her title as Night Hero had left upon this land.
The tavern manager bowed slightly. He treated this guest with special respect, as the owner had personally ordered him to keep an eye on her.
Anyone singled out like that was probably from the capital. Or maybe some noble child, spoiled on storybooks, who had run away to the border to “experience adventure.”
Whatever the case, his job was simply to do everything perfectly.
Thinking this, the manager’s gaze toward Ye Chi was full of apology.
“Recently, some unfortunate incidents have occurred in town. According to the authorities, a malicious monster seems to be causing trouble.” He paused, then added:
“The knights of the Order will perform their duty and conduct a safety check throughout our tavern.”
“I understand.”
Ye Chi said softly. She opened the half-shut door fully, stood with one hand on her hip, and looked up at the people outside. She reminded them:
“I get your job. But be careful not to mess up my room.”
“Again, our apologies, Miss Vieya,” the manager said. “Later we will provide you with a free luxurious dinner.”
With that, the manager stepped aside. The three knights exchanged glances, and the leader took a step forward.
He bowed his head slightly, glancing at the girl—so pretty and cute it was almost excessive.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you here to check for monsters?” Ye Chi urged with a flat tone. “Why are you just standing there?”
Facing the Order knight’s scrutinizing gaze, Ye Chi didn’t flinch. She only wanted to send them away quickly.
Monsters, Heroes, monster-hunters, elves, witches—evil or righteous, she wanted no part of any of it.
That was her thought: from now on she would quit drinking, quit lust, quit all the useless, dangerous human desires.
“Heaven gave me talent, it must be useful. Gold scattered, it will return again!”
Hmph. If she quit those things, she wouldn’t stumble into carefully-laid traps again, wouldn’t throw years of effort into the fire.
“This lovely young lady, we mean no offense.”
The knight sniffed the strong smell of liquor in the room. Beneath his silver helmet, his brows creased.
“According to your registration, your age does not permit the purchase of this much alcohol. And your guardian—”
So what?
Ye Chi inhaled, swallowed the curse that almost slipped out, and changed it to:
“It’s not mine.”
“But the smell of alcohol still lingers on your body,” another knight, a woman, spoke up.
“Stay long enough in a room filled with it, and the smell sticks, doesn’t it?” Ye Chi folded her arms, adding sharply: “Besides, your first priority is finding monsters. Go fight those sly, wicked things. Not waste time arguing about me drinking.”
“A girl who doesn’t even look fourteen, no guardian, yet staying in an adult tavern, addicted to drink... isn’t that suspicious?” The female knight’s voice lowered, as if recalling rumors from the capital.
“I’ve heard certain powerful figures in the capital have... special tastes. Raising young—”
“Fino.”
The captain cut her off before her thoughts ran further. He ordered: “You search this young lady’s room. We’ll wait outside.”
“...Yes.” The female knight snapped her mouth shut, clenched a fist in salute, glanced quickly at Ye Chi’s unhappy face, then turned and went inside.
Moments later—
The female knight returned.
“Report, Captain. No trace of monsters inside. However—”
“That’s enough.” The captain cut her off with a wave. “If there’s nothing, then it’s fine. The longer we delay, the harder that infiltrating monster will be to find.”
“...Understood.”
“Whew.”
The three knights of the Order left to continue their search. The tavern manager also sighed in relief, keeping a professional smile as he bowed to Ye Chi, who still wore a cold expression.
“Miss Vieya, we will have someone deliver a free dinner to your room later. Please rest well.”
When everyone left and the corridor went quiet again, Ye Chi closed the door, shutting out the light.
Leaning against it, her green eyes fixed on the darkness inside. Her voice held no warmth at all:
“What did you do to that female knight who just came in?”
Silence stretched.
Then, in the corner, a pair of crimson eyes slowly lit up.
A small figure stretched like a black cat from the shadows.
Her eyes were strangely beautiful—scarlet pupils rimmed by a thin circle of flowing, golden light.
Unforgettable. Absolutely not the eyes of a human.
