Doctor and the Flame Demon

"Ever since what happened to Priest Augustus, whenever I see you showing up here this early, my heart starts pounding."

That was the first thing Doctor Schneider said, covering his forehead, when Shade arrived at his psychological clinic with Mia in his arms on Friday morning.

"Doctor, that's a psychological issue. You should treat yourself."

Shade teased as he followed the doctor into the study.

"Detective, what are you here for this time? You came so early—you're not out for a walk, are you?"

"Of course not. I want to ask you about demons."

As he spoke, Shade closed the study door. The doctor leaned against his desk and frowned.

"A few days ago, you asked what would happen if someone drank Demon Blood, and now you're asking about demons. Detective, don't get too entangled with demons like I did. It's very dangerous."

"This time was just an accident. Doctor, listen to me."

Holding the well-fed and energetic Little Mia, Shade sat down on the sofa and briefly explained how he had obtained the Demon Hunting Seal. Only then did he describe in detail what he had seen inside Sikar Mountain the previous night. The doctor was astonished—extraordinarily so.

"Why do you always run into such strange things?"

"Doctor, what I saw yesterday—was it an alien demon, or an Evil Spirit Demon from the Third Epoch?"

"Demon" itself was merely a type of powerful alien creature, while so-called "Evil Spirit Demons" were terrifying, twisted beings born in the Third Epoch. The latter originally had no fixed form, but beginning in a certain period of the Third Epoch, they borrowed the appearance of alien demons and manifested physically. Thus, the word "demon" usually referred to both creatures, and methods used against demons could affect both kinds of "demons."

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