Witch Hunter (Seeking Collection! Recommendation!)

Following Rhode's explanations and combining them with his own memories, Sulu gained a thorough understanding of the power system in this world.

First-rank Extraordinary, second-rank Elite, third-rank Expert, fourth-rank Master... Each promotion requires a specialized "Class"!

However, some class systems are quite treacherous.

For instance... some class paths only go up to the third rank, with no records of a fourth rank at all. Unless the professional designs and explores a fourth-rank class suitable for that path themselves, they simply cannot advance.

Unfortunately, such exploration requires vast amounts of resources, time, and energy, and success is far from guaranteed.

Rather than wasting effort on that, it is often more cost-effective to take up a secondary class.

Of course, even then, one would have fallen significantly behind, perhaps remaining stuck at that stage for the rest of their life.

But for me... even if I choose the wrong class, it doesn't matter. As long as I have enough experience, perhaps I can force my way up?

According to Rhode, becoming an [Apprentice] requires extensive study under a mentor, while becoming a [Soldier] requires grueling physical training.

But Sulu does not need to do any of that; as long as he has enough experience points, he can directly take the class!!

This is my greatest advantage... Of course, I could also choose not to consume experience points and learn like a normal person... Furthermore, even the attribute panel must meet certain rigid conditions. For example, for [Corpse Maiden Creation], if the attributes and class requirements aren't met, the skill cannot be upgraded. The requirements for taking a class will only be more stringent than those for learning a skill!

Just then, he heard Rhode continue: "Any class system that can reach the Master rank can be called a 'Heritage.' It contains a complete set of four classes, along with their respective training, medicine, rituals, and class-taking information. It is the fundamental basis for the existence of many extraordinary families, institutions, churches, and secret societies! Our Portley Family possesses the Witch Hunter Heritage!"

In his voice, Sulu seemed to hear "pride," but even more so, pain.

"Witch Hunter Heritage? I've only learned some basic demon-hunting knowledge!" he said truthfully.

"You were too young when you left home, your mind wasn't mature enough to withstand the power of the ritual. The timing wasn't right back then, the Dawn had not yet arrived, so your father didn't say much..."

Rhode took a deep breath: "Our family's class system starts from the first-rank [Demon Contractor], to the second-rank [Witch Hunter], the third-rank [Demon Hunting Expert], and the fourth-rank [Demon Hunting Master]. It is a complete system that can even be promoted further, though the subsequent path is held by the Church of the Goddess of Light..."

"Witch Hunter class... are we really hunting... demons?!" Sulu widened his eyes.

"No!"

Rhode's voice suddenly filled with heavy sorrow and despair: "What do you think... a demon is? That is merely a general term, a title we mortals gave Him based on our own delusions. His true name is unknown to anyone; perhaps merely reciting His true name would result in total corruption, or even seeing His back would cause your death... Wherever He passes, the earth cracks, rivers dry up, and the void is left with permanent scars! Those who are noticed by Him will fall into the deepest despair!"

This description... is very idealistic! Sulu understood.

The "demons" of this world are completely different from the demons he heard of in his previous life.

They are more idealistic, indescribable existences. Judging by Rhode's description, this is essentially a god! An indescribable god of the extraordinary world!

"Indeed, the demon is the embodiment of chaos and disorder. He resides in the Abyss and possesses unimaginable terror. He is neither pleased by your worship nor does He bring disaster because you curse Him. He only responds to rituals from time to time based on His own whims, granting power. That chaotic power, filled with evil, ultimately leads to terrifying consequences."

This... sounds a lot like some indescribable evil gods from my past life. They don't care about faith or anything else; they just grant evil power and watch as their believers bring about their own destruction...

Sulu thought to himself.

Rhode continued: "The influence of the demon has always existed in this world, bringing fear and despair... We are not fighting Him, but hunting those 'kin' to whom He grants power, or rather—those polluted by the power of the Abyss! This struggle has been ongoing since the Dark Era, before history was even recorded. The first generation of Witch Hunters discovered that we mortals are as insignificant as ants before the demon. The demon can never be defeated or killed! However... we can use the demon's power to fight the demon's kin! This is the origin of the [Witch Hunter] class!"

"We are using the power of the demon to fight the demon's kin?!"

Sulu widened his eyes: "Would He even agree? Besides... even so, it is impossible to fulfill the destiny of eliminating the true demon."

If a certain generation of Witch Hunters fought their way to the demon himself, what would that be? Defeating me with the power I granted you? Would the demon mock them?

He couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering. What kind of scene would that be?

"I have already said... one cannot use a mortal mindset to guess the demon. Perhaps our resistance, our struggle, is merely a game in His eyes!" Rhode gave a bitter smile, his expression turning resolute again: "But as long as we can eliminate those demon kin from this world and prevent the demon's interference in this world, that is the highest goal of us Witch Hunters!"

"Alright..."

Sulu was speechless. The Witch Hunter class seemed to have no hope at all.

"To become a [Witch Hunter], you need a sufficiently resilient mind and firm conviction, otherwise, you are highly likely to fall!" Rhode warned: "Although I have become a [Witch Hunter], I do not recommend you follow my old path!"

"Fall?"

A chill ran through Sulu's heart.

"Unlike the class trees of [Soldier] or [Apprentice], the [Demon Contractor] only has two branches. One is the [Witch Hunter], and the other is the [Fallen]!"

Rhode said: "Whether it is [Witch Hunter] or [Fallen], the first-rank class is [Demon Contractor], which means one who has contracted with a demon! To become a [Demon Contractor], one must perform the 'Gaze into the Abyss' ritual! When you gaze into the Abyss, the Abyss also gazes into you. Only by completing this step and falling into the eyes of the Abyss will the [Demon Contractor] possess a trace of demonic power... Of course, this does not come from the true demon, or rather, it is diluted ten million times and can only be called the power of the Abyss, but it is enough to allow an ordinary person to advance to the Extraordinary!"

"After becoming a [Demon Contractor], one must either hold firm to their conviction and use the demonic power with limitations to become a Witch Hunter—a path that is extremely dangerous, especially in the later stages, which is why we need the help of other faiths after the fourth rank... Historically, the Goddess of Light was the first to extend an olive branch to the Witch Hunter groups!"

"As for the rest, they worship the demon and constantly transform toward the demon, going further and further down an inhuman path. That dark path is also a class level... It is said that the initial concept was derived from monsters polluted by the Abyss!"