"Hey, buddy," a voice suddenly rang out from behind Bai Ye. "You're the one who killed Lower Rank Five, right?"
"Huh?"
Bai Ye spun around abruptly, surprise flashing across his face.
About five meters away stood a man.
With Bai Ye's alertness, it was unlikely anyone could approach within five meters without him noticing, especially since his high Spirit attribute meant a sensitive sixth sense, and his excellent Body attribute also affected his five senses.
Unless the other party used some ability…
No!
Bai Ye frowned.
The other party hadn't used an ability; Bai Ye simply didn't sense any human presence from him.
"Are you a demon?" Bai Ye asked.
The other party blinked, then chuckled, "Yes, I am 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 didn't say much 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 someone as familiar as Jin Sha, let alone a stranger.
Biological scan activated…
Biological scan completed…
Karasu Maru (Demon) (Healthy): Chosen one from the supernatural world, does not possess the blood of the Demon King.
Strength: 111
Speed: 77
Stamina: 150
Spirit: 62
Intelligence: 10
Weakness Search: ??
Inventory (Incomplete): ??
Abilities (Incomplete): Blood Demon Art: Scratch, Blood Demon Art: Clumsy, Basic Regeneration, Intermediate Healing, High-Speed Movement, Swift Step, 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, and 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 did include scent tracking.
"What do you want to chat about?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasu Maru spread his arms, pointed to his skin, and then grinned, revealing a row of jagged teeth not found in normal humans.
"I'm a chosen one, but before arriving in the world battlefield, I happened to be from this world," Karasu Maru said, pointing to the ground. "This is a world where demons and humans coexist, where demons and the Demon Slayer Corps are constantly at war…" 138 Reading Network
Bai Ye interrupted, "I'm not interested in hearing you introduce your world. If you want to talk, get to the point."
"Alright," Karasu Maru said. "I've found a demon, and defeating him is a hidden mission. I hope you can help me defeat him."
Bai Ye scoffed, "Because I look like a helpful person?"
Karasu Maru 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 was afraid the other party would say something 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.
"You say them," Karasu Maru replied.
"First question: what reward are you planning to give me for my help? Second question: why are you asking me for help?"
"I can answer the second question first," Karasu Maru said. "Because you killed Lower Rank Five, and in my hidden mission, the target demon is a former Lower Rank Six."
"Former?" Bai Ye asked.
Karasu Maru nodded. "Yes, according to the mission background, he was formerly Lower Rank Six, but because his strength progressed slowly, the Demon King thought he no longer deserved the title, so he stripped him of his name."
Bai Ye understood, "If 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 be stronger. Moreover, it's a former Lower Rank Six, so it's even more certain."
"That's right," Karasu Maru nodded, then continued, "As for the reward, it's this…"
As he spoke, Karasu Maru produced a metal tube, hollow on both sides with glass revealing a pale blue liquid inside.
"I obtained this from another region. It's called Cell Gene Recombination Fluid. It can increase basic physical attributes by 2 to 3 times, meaning it can randomly increase physical attributes other than intelligence by 20 to 30 points, but not intelligence."
"A good item," Bai Ye said. "Why don't you use it yourself?"
Karasu Maru sighed. "This is a potion for human life forms. Demons and humans are different, so injecting this wouldn't do anything for me."
Bai Ye thought for a moment. "Hand over the item first."
Bartering was more convenient, direct exchanges.
However, when it involved missions, it was different. After helping complete the mission, how could he know if the other party would go back on their word?
Of course, whether Bai Ye would do the work after receiving the item was another question.
But was that Bai Ye's problem to consider?
Certainly not!
That was the other party's problem to consider. Bai Ye only cared about his own interests; the other party's well-being was none of his business.
"Sorry, that's not possible," Karasu Maru shook his head. "But we don't need to worry about each other. I have a secure transaction plan where neither of us will be cheated."
"Oh?" Bai Ye asked. "Let's hear it."
Karasu Maru said, "You come with me to the house where the demon is. Once we're inside, I'll give you the item, and then you help me kill the demon."
"Does that make sense?" Bai Ye asked.
"It makes sense, 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 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 shook Bai Ye's hand. "Deal. And one more 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?"
Karasu Maru shook his head. "You can kill Lower Rank Five, why would you want to become a low-ranking demon? At least aim for Upper Rank, otherwise, you might as well join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Makes sense!" Bai Ye said. "What do you want to trade for it?"
"I don't have enough to exchange for demon blood, but once I have demon blood, I can become a Lower Rank and use this identity to go to the Infinite Castle and get close to the Demon King. If you're willing to extend credit, I can pay double, no, triple the reward then."
Bai Ye curled his lips. "I'll consider it."
You damned old hag, trying to get something for free? Dream on!