Monster corpses littered the ground, and blood stained the earth dark red, forming a gruesome scene straight out of hell.
The thick scent of blood mingled with the monsters' distinctive, nauseating stench.
It spread unchecked through the cold late-autumn air.
Cui Ciyou slowly sheathed his sword, its blade untouched by even a trace of blood.
His gaze turned toward the handful of human survivors who had been surrounded by monsters moments before.
They had clearly been stunned by this sudden turn of events, as though divine warriors had descended to their rescue.
And by the terrifying, overwhelming strength Cui Ciyou and Roxy had displayed, cutting down monsters as effortlessly as slicing vegetables.
Now they huddled together, their faces filled with the terror of narrowly escaping death and a dazed inability to process what had happened.
They were:
A burly, middle-aged man who looked to be a hunter, around forty years old;
A haggard middle-aged woman who appeared to be his wife;
An older man with graying hair.
And... a little girl of about seven or eight, with dazzling short blond hair, whom the woman held tightly in her arms with all her strength.
"Who are you? Why haven't you evacuated as the lord's office ordered?"
Cui Ciyou stepped forward. His killing aura had yet to fully subside, lending his voice a cold edge.
The middle-aged hunter shuddered under his oppressive presence.
But he quickly gathered himself, recognizing the griffin crest of the Boreas Greyrat Family-the symbol of the highest authority in the Fitoia Territory-on Cui Ciyou's finely made, practical attire.
Almost immediately, he pulled his family down with him, and they all dropped to their knees with a thud.
His voice trembled violently with fear and emotion:
"H-honored knight!"
"We... we're hunters living in a mountain hollow. A few days