Right on cue, something emerged. It was almost certainly the killer they had been warned about. Several weapons thudded into the cobblestones, each pinned with a paper talisman, forming a perfect circle that trapped them within.
"That's him! That's the killer!" the guide shrieked hysterically.
Ficky and Aya spun around in shock. A moment later, the weapons forming the perimeter ignited with a haunting, bluish flame. Now, they were truly besieged.
"Who are you?!" Ficky barked.
There was no reply. Instead, a figure appeared, standing atop the statue of the legendary slave.
"Oh... so there really is a demon as foul as you here."
The man was completely covered in dark clothing, wearing a mask and a wig. He spoke of demons with a chilling certainty.
"I don't know who you are, but I heard you're a killer. Is that true?" Ficky challenged.
"How insolent. Who do you think I am? A killer? No! I am a hunter of spirits, ghosts, and foul demons!"
The man atop the statue pointed toward Ficky, and the blue flames behind him roared higher.
"There are no demons here. Are you sure you haven't got the wrong target?"
"Filthy creature! You dare suggest I've made a mistake? You beast-kin have no ethics!" he raged.
"Wait! He's right! There's no demon here. I think you've made a mistake," Aya chimed in, waving her hands to get his attention.
"No, young lady. I am not mistaken. I have a keen eye for such things. So do not blame me!"
With a sudden gust of wind, the flames surged, forming a towering wall of blue fire. Ficky stepped in front of Aya to shield her, while the guide collapsed in a fit of terror.
Aya stood still, unable to comprehend who the hunter was talking about. A demon? The thought raced through her mind, but she didn't dare suspect the one person standing beside her. Not Ficky.
"After much thought, I believe I'll try something first," the hunter said.
Suddenly, the hunter vanished from the statue and reappeared directly in front of Ficky. They locked eyes—one through a mask, the other through dark lenses. Despite the barriers, their mutual contempt was palpable.
"I won't let you near her," Ficky hissed, grabbing the hunter's wrist just as he reached for Aya. "Your eyes are on me, but you're aiming for another slave? Are you really that obsessed with them?" Ficky's grip tightened.
"Do not be mistaken."
The masked hunter had been hunted by adventurers for a long time due to his extreme actions, including murder. He didn't say much about his identity, only rambling about his "duty."
The hunter pulled out a paper talisman marked with red ink. As it ignited with blue flame, he slapped it toward Ficky's face.
"What the—?!" Ficky recoiled, but he couldn't shake the paper as it burned slowly.
Ficky stumbled back, confused. Blue glowing lines began to crawl up his legs and arms, snaking toward his neck.
"Ficky!"
"Stay back!" Ficky barked, thrusting his arm out to keep Aya away.
As Ficky issued the command, Aya felt a sharp, pulsing pain in her slave mark. It throbbed violently several times before finally subsiding.
"I've never seen this technique before. Are you from the East? Let me guess... are you someone who was dragged into this world just like her?" Ficky mused.
"Heh. You think I'll answer that?" The hunter's reaction caught Ficky off guard. Perhaps his guess was wrong.
The hunter stepped back, letting the talisman burn down to its edge. Suddenly, Ficky was paralyzed. A black, shadowy substance oozed from his face down to his hands.
Aya watched from behind, peeking out, desperate to help but knowing deep down she was useless. She couldn't do anything.
"Hey, guide! Tell me, what is this?!" Aya shouted, shaking the terrified guide.
"Sh-shut up! Don't... don't bother me! I don't want to be part of this!" the guide snapped. He was too paralyzed by fear to move.
Aya was panicked, but what exactly was she worried about? The remnants of the talisman fell to the ground, still flickering. Ficky casually wiped his forehead and looked over at her.
"Ficky?"
"That paper was useless. It conjured something dangerous, sure, but it's ineffective against me."
Ficky returned to normal. The black shadows vanished from his face, and the blue lines binding him disintegrated as if they had never existed.
"Are you really okay?"
"Stop worrying about others and worry about yourself. That blue wall of fire hasn't disappeared yet. He's still here."
Ficky looked up at the sky. He saw nothing but the deep blue-black void. No stars, no moon. For a moment, he felt a flicker of unease, then stared straight ahead. He could still sense the hunter's presence.
The hunter clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"So... the demon is among the elite. The foulest and most vicious kind. Tsk, I should have brought more weapons."
The hunter seemed to regret his lack of preparation, but his resolve remained. Within seconds, the blue wall of fire vanished.
"Let's try this instead."
The hunter flicked his cloak and threw three pointed daggers—without talismans—around Aya and Ficky. He chanted an incantation, twisting his fingers into a complex sign. A blue magic circle surged upward, appearing to bind them.
"I thought he was like us. Was I wrong?"
Ficky moved instantly, reaching for Aya's hand to shatter the circle. Somehow, his touch caused the magic to collapse. Even the hunter was stunned; Aya had no idea how Ficky had done it.
"You dispelled my magic that easily?! You lowly beast-kin! You!"
The hunter snapped. He moved with a speed that defied the naked eye. He lunged at Ficky, but his true target was Aya.
In an instant, Ficky's hand was empty. The hunter's presence vanished alongside her. Ficky's eyes went wide. He hadn't looked away for a second, hadn't loosened his grip, but Aya was gone.
"Who the hell is he?" Ficky growled. "He felt weaker than that dog-woman, but what was that just now?"