Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 117 - : BLOOMING LOVE

Scarlett's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words heavy with frustration. "I don't know how to leave the demon realm," she disclosed. "When I passed through the rift, I found myself in this place—my current location. But there was no rift where I ended up." Her explanation hung in the air, met with skepticism. Gendry snorted, his disbelief palpable. "Stop with the lies already. If you don't want to tell us, just be honest and say it upfront." He didn't trust Scarlett one bit, and his tone made that abundantly clear.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "How have you lived so long with your stupidity and arrogance?" she asked, her voice icy and sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. Before Gendry could retort, Aquarius intervened, his tone calm yet firm. "Enough. So, you don't know the way back?" Though he, too, harbored doubts about Scarlett, he masked them expertly, his demeanor betraying nothing.

"She speaks the truth," Azrael interjected, stepping forward to defend her. "I saw her appear out of nowhere." His words carried weight, easing the doubt in the room—except, of course, for Gendry, who remained stubbornly unconvinced, dismissing both Scarlett and Azrael outright.

Scarlett stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "I don't care if you all believe me or not. I owe you nothing. If you don't want me here, I'll be more than happy to leave." Her voice was resolute, tired of being interrogated as though she were indebted to them. She turned to go, but Gendry's voice boomed after her. "Come back here! No one permitted you to leave!" he commanded, his arrogance dripping from every word.

Scarlett froze mid-step, then slowly turned back. Her gaze locked onto Gendry, a death stare so fierce it sent a chill through the room. "If you piss me off one more time, I won't be polite anymore. I'll ensure I kill you," she warned, her tone low and final. With that, she strode out of the room, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Gendry's face twisted in fury. "That arrogant bitch—how dare she talk to me like that?" he spat, his voice thick with venom. Azrael, unable to hold back any longer, snapped, "Shut up, will you? You've been stepping out of line from beginning to end." Gendry's constant attacks had finally worn through Azrael's restraint.

"Enough!" Aquarius's voice cut through the bickering, forcing Gendry to swallow his next retort. "We have more important things to discuss." The room settled, all eyes turning to the commander. "The Lust Province has been without a head for quite some time," Aquarius began, his tone measured. "Though her disappearance has been kept under wraps, our insider has informed me of the situation. It seems she's left our world entirely, and her return remains uncertain." Every captain leaned in, hanging on his words.

"This is the perfect opportunity to strike," Aquarius continued, his voice rising with conviction. "We can deal real damage to the demons and collect the interest they owe us." The captains murmured their agreement, united in their support. Gendry seized the moment, rising to his feet. "Allow me to take command of this operation, Commander. I promise I won't disappoint you." His ambition gleamed in his eyes, but Aquarius's response was swift and unyielding. "No. Azrael will lead. You, Gendry, are to stay behind and defend our home if the need arises."

Gendry's face darkened with fury and disappointment. He had planned to use this operation to bolster his reputation among the demon hunters, strengthening his bid to become the next commander. Aquarius, seeing through his scheme, had denied him outright. Azrael, undeterred, spoke up. "Pardon me, Commander, but to improve our chances of success, I'd like to include Scarlett in the operation. She's exceptionally skilled and powerful—I believe she'll tip the scales in our favor."

"Scarlett?" Gendry scoffed, his voice dripping with mockery. "That damned human? Just admit you're smitten with her, and we'll all understand." Azrael ignored the jab, keeping his focus on Aquarius, who considered the proposal. "Go ahead," Aquarius said after a moment. "If you can convince her and ensure she won't betray us, it's fine by me." He paused, then added, "For the operation, you'll be assisted by three captains of your choice, along with their squads."

"Yes, Commander," Azrael replied, already mentally assembling his team. Aquarius stood, signaling the end of the discussion. "I'll leave you to plan the operation. That's all for today's meeting." With that, he excused himself, leaving the captains behind. Azrael turned to the group. "Petra, Little Finger, and Iliac—I'll need your support for this." The chosen captains nodded, while Gendry snorted, "Tsk, don't screw it up," before storming off, followed by the others who hadn't been selected.

"Alright," Azrael said to the remaining three, "let's discuss our plans." Together, they began refining their strategy, each contributing ideas to polish the operation into something formidable.

Scarlett sat atop a building, gazing out over the underground city's peaceful sprawl. The soft hum of life below contrasted with the turmoil she felt inside. Footsteps approached, and she didn't need to turn to know who it was. "What do you want?" she asked as Azrael drew near.

He settled beside her, taking in the view. "It really is peaceful from up here, isn't it? This is my favorite spot. Looking down on the city gives me hope and strengthens my resolve to protect what I've sworn to defend." His voice was warm, reflective. Scarlett turned to him, unimpressed. "That's not an answer to my question." Their eyes met, and for a moment, they simply held each other's gaze, the silence between them thick with unspoken understanding.

"I'm sorry," Azrael said at last, breaking the quiet. "That wasn't the welcome I'd have wished for you. They mean no harm—it's just that trusting others has cost us dearly in the past. Everyone's afraid of being betrayed by a stranger again." His tone was soft, almost tender. Scarlett's expression softened slightly. "I understand. I know someone like that—someone who doesn't trust easily, fiercely protective of those he loves. I've seen what it's done to him. It's given him security, but it's also isolated him from others." Her voice was low, a sad smile tugging at her lips.

"Who are you talking about?" Azrael asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "My brother," she replied. "He's the reason I'm in the demon realm. He entered before me, but it seems we arrived in different places." Azrael's gaze softened. "Your brother, huh? I have one too, but we never grew up together—separated at birth." A faint, forced smile crossed his face. Scarlett tilted her head. "What happened?"

He hesitated, then began, "I suppose I should start from the beginning—the origin of the demon hunters—so you can understand…" She cut him off gently. "Don't. Your commander already filled me in." Azrael nodded. "I see. That makes things easier, then. I wasn't born in the underground city like the others. I was born outside. The demons once crossbred with other races, but they stopped when they realized the offspring posed a threat to their reincarnation—a bane to their kind. It became a crime among them."

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He paused, gathering his thoughts. "But a hundred years ago, the demon god broke that law. He fell for a human woman who'd crossed the rift into the demon realm. At first, she was just a plaything, then a companion, until they fell in love. She bore him twin sons, but she died in childbirth, leaving him devastated. The twins grew up under his care, untouchable despite the danger they posed to demonkind. One excelled, brimming with talent; the other lagged behind, earning the demon god's disdain. That second child—born last—was blamed for his mother's death. Disappointment turned to disgust, and at ten years old, he was banished to fend for himself."

Scarlett listened intently as Azrael continued. "He became a target—sport for demons. Rumors spread that drinking his blood or eating his flesh would grant power and elevate one's status. He ran, narrowly escaping death time and again, fear consuming him until Aquarius, head of the demon hunters, found him. It was Aquarius who saw his potential and nurtured it." He met her gaze. "So, you're that child?" she asked softly. "Yes," he admitted, a bitter smile on his lips. "The one who killed his mother and was loathed by his father."

"They didn't welcome me at first," he went on. "I was the son of their enemy—no excuses, no justification. My mother loved the demon god, unlike theirs, who were treated like livestock. I worked tirelessly to prove myself, until they finally accepted me, and I was no longer just 'the enemy's son.'" He stood, brushing off the weight of his story. Scarlett looked up at him. "And your brother? What's his name? Where is he?"

"His name is Kodiac," Azrael replied. "I reckon he's the one leading the invasion on your world—a powerful demon, respected by all, the pride of our father's eye. I know I shouldn't ask this of someone I've just met, but we need to strike the demons, and I need your help. I have to prove myself once more, and I need you by my side." His eyes bore into hers, earnest and pleading.

Scarlett considered him for a long moment. "I'm not sure I'm a fan of your actions," she said finally, her voice soft, "but something about you draws me in. I'll help you." Affection laced her words, subtle but undeniable. Azrael took a bold step forward, closing the distance between them. His lips pressed against hers, and though Scarlett's mind screamed to push him away, her body refused. She melted into the kiss, her heart pounding wildly.

When they parted, she fixed him with a serious look. "I must warn you—get stronger if you want to survive. My brother will likely have your head if he finds out about this." Azrael smiled gently. "With you by my side, getting stronger and surviving should be a piece of cake, I think." His words coaxed a small smile from her. "Yeah," she murmured, "I guess so."

From the shadows, Gendry watched, a smirk curling his lips. "I knew it. He's a fool for love—no wonder he defended her so fiercely. Well, that works in my favor. A perfect way to get to him. The opportunity just fell into my lap."