Ex rank talent Awakening: 100% Dodge rate

"I watched the adults die one after another until I became the oldest survivor. But before their deaths, they had formed a group that would become a thorn in the demon god's side—the demon hunters. To this day, we continue that legacy, except we are much larger than we were back then," Aquarius narrated, a sad smile on his face.

"If I may ask—you're not obligated to answer, of course—but I'm genuinely curious. What exactly made the demons decide to destroy you all? I can't wrap my head around it," Scarlett asked, not really expecting an answer.

"The answer is quite simple—we cause the total destruction of demons when we kill them. You see, when an ordinary person kills a demon, the corrupted mana that makes up their being disperses into the atmosphere, eventually reforming and allowing them to return to life after an unknown period. But when we kill them, we kill them completely, preventing their reincarnation from ever happening," Aquarius replied, a knowing smile on his face.

The information shocked Scarlett, filling her with more questions. However, she knew when to stop pressing, especially when the topic was sensitive.

Minutes passed, and Scarlett and Aquarius returned to their shared silence.

"Commander Aquarius," the captains finally arrived, paying their respects. Most were visibly surprised to see Scarlett seated among them.

They found it unsettling to think she would be a part of the meeting.

"Commander Aquarius, are you sure she is—"

"Yes, she will be staying for the meeting," Aquarius interrupted, cutting Gendry short.

"I see you're all here. Aside from Azrael, who will arrive shortly after serving his punishment, the rest of you are present. We'll begin the meeting soon," Aquarius announced in a commanding tone.

"Commander," Krael bowed his head. His face was paler than when Scarlett had met him earlier, and he looked utterly exhausted. The discipline he had undergone must have been harsh—he was here purely through sheer willpower.

"Sit, Krael. We shall begin," Aquarius said softly.

Gendry glanced at Krael and let out a quiet snort, barely audible to those around him.

Krael took his seat near Scarlett. The other captains avoided sitting beside her as if she carried a plague—not that she cared. If anything, she preferred it. She wasn't in the mood to forge any friendships with these demon hunters, at least not for now.

Scarlett calmly sized up each captain in the room. There were ten in total.

One had the head of an eagle, sharp claws, and strong wings folded neatly against his back. It was easy to guess he was half-demon, half-eagle. His name was Iliac—a quiet captain who rarely spoke, but his keen eyes and sharp observational skills were unparalleled. Iliac served as the primary scout for the demon hunters during critical missions.

Next to him sat a half-demon, half-beastman of the tiger tribe. His sharp canines protruded visibly, his claws were formidable, and his muscular build made him an imposing presence. His powerful legs granted him remarkable speed, a nightmare for demons to deal with.

Another captain was a half-demon, half-demon-flower hybrid. Scarlett found her existence peculiar but chose not to judge the strange gathering of captains.

Vine, as she was called, resembled a typical demon except for her green-tinged skin and the vines that sprouted from her body at will. She was an expert in poison.

Then there was Little Finger—a short man who barely managed to sit properly in his chair. As expected, he was half-dwarf, half-demon.

Petra, another captain, was the offspring of a Medusa and a demon. Her ocular petrification abilities were far superior to those of regular Medusas. Unlike others of her kind, who couldn't control their petrifying gaze, Petra could. This allowed her to move freely among friends and fellow demon hunters without needing to keep her eyes covered. She was stunning, with green hair that turned into serpents at her command. Gendry had been interested in her for some time, but she had always rejected him. That, however, did not deter his persistent proposals.

Giant was an anomaly—born from a dwarf and a demon. One would expect him to be short like Little Finger, but for reasons unknown, he was incredibly tall. With his red eyes and demonic features, he could alter his height at will, a skill that often left Little Finger envious.

Jane, Jade, and Krael were all born from human-demon unions. Jade and Jane, twins, were exceptionally proficient in magic. Their beauty was only slightly less than Petra's.

"Now, to begin the meeting," Aquarius said, his gaze scanning the room. "I know everyone here has something to say regarding the new lady in our midst."

He watched their body language closely.

"Krael brought her here and has taken full responsibility for any consequences of her presence. He has already served his punishment," Aquarius continued, gauging their reactions.

Most of the captains softened their suspicious gazes. Their trust in Krael was strong.

Noting this, Aquarius nodded. "And she will be of great help in battling the demons. As you can see, she is not a demon but a human who passed through the recently opened rift to enter our realm."

His words made everyone, including Gendry, pay extra attention to Scarlett.

"So she knows a way for all of us to escape this place?! Human, tell us quickly!" Gendry shot to his feet, excitement surging through him. If they could find a way to leave the demon realm, perhaps they wouldn't have to live in fear anymore.

"Don't talk to me as if I owe you an answer," Scarlett said coldly. "I am not your property."

"You—!" Gendry was furious, a step away from attacking her.

"Gendry!" Aquarius's voice was ice-cold. "How dare you step out of line? Do you no longer respect my authority?"

Snapped back to reality, Gendry immediately lowered his head. "Forgive me, Commander. I was just too excited," he muttered, sitting down quietly.

"Forgive his rudeness," Aquarius said, turning to Scarlett. "But the secret of how to leave the demon realm is something we have desperately sought for a long time. If you have any information, please share it—not out of obligation, but out of goodwill."

His words were carefully measured—not too demanding, yet not pleading.