"Already Tenth Ring? Doctor, I remember you were still Ninth Ring on Monday."
Shade said in surprise. The material of that Destiny Ring was still brass. If not for the additional Profane Demon among his Core Ling Runes, he might even have doubted whether what happened on Monday night had truly occurred.
"The Demon Hunter Spirit Rune was already sufficient as the Words of Sublimation Spirit Rune for Ninth Ring. After digesting the Demon of the Fire's power, Promotion to Tenth Ring was only a matter of time."
Doctor Schneider did not turn around. As he spoke, dense cracks appeared across the surface of the Brass Destiny Ring. As the cracks multiplied, brass flaked away and sparks flew, revealing the flowing-fire obsidian material enclosed within.
The cat gave the doctor an unhappy cry, likely disliking the smell of sulfur. After observing carefully, Shade concluded:
"You can already more or less balance those two powers."
"Yes, and those two powers haven't canceled each other out through mutual restraint. Instead, they've made me even stronger than before."
Only then did he withdraw his Destiny Ring.
"This week, I listened to that hunter from the past tell many stories at home—you don't need to look for him. He said I had learned enough and already left. I also roughly understand what lofty ideals the Ancient Hunters held when they fought evil spirits. I know I'm nowhere near as great as they were. If not for my personal experiences, I would definitely have done everything possible to avoid anything related to this."
He interlaced his fingers and looked at Shade across from him.
"Among everyone I know, you're probably the only one who has no connection to demons whatsoever, yet is still willing to hunt them."
"Doctor, I didn't come here so late just