Tilting his head slightly, Charles Carter spoke in a low voice. Both hands flashed to his waist, and five cold gleams shot out toward the blood thralls closing in from all directions, slicing through the air with a sharp wind. Yet, not a single enemy was hit. Accompanied by a series of sharp thuds, the five throwing knives embedded themselves fiercely into the walls of the chapel in five different directions, drawing a wave of wanton mockery.

"With that speed and physical ability, you dare speak up to us? Are demon hunters this naive now, little brother?"

A sexy blonde beauty, naked, flexed her sharp fingers ever so slightly, tracing out a crimson hue. As she let her body recover from the afterglow of ecstasy, she slowly approached the surrounded demon hunter. Around her, more blood thralls with weaker constitutions stood up one by one—soon numbering over fifty. The dense, scarlet pupils sent chills down one's spine, but Charles Carter's expression didn't change in the slightest. He simply reached into his clothes and took out a necklace.

A flash of silver light, carrying a warm, positive energy, enveloped the man in protection.

"Tch... just a cross..."

"Metal as blade, spanning all directions; water nurtures kindness; blazing flame for virtue; earth bears all, life unending; the five elements in harmony, summoned by the talisman..."

Rapid incantations, paired with the seals formed by his hands, suppressed the mockery. Beneath the throwing knives embedded in the walls, five yellow talisman papers ignited spontaneously, though there was no wind.

With the final hand seal—

"Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array, arise!"

Boom!

The dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged toward Charles Carter, then poured into the glowing cross. As the man, with practiced ease, closed his eyes, the silver radiance that could barely protect him for a short while suddenly flared, connecting through the five talismans and filling the entire chapel.

Piercing, agonized screams instantly filled the chapel.

Thirty seconds later, Charles Carter slowly opened his eyes. The cross in his hand, having absorbed too much energy, gradually turned to powder and slipped through his fingers. At the same time, the blood thralls and the ominous magic array in the chapel were reduced to ashes.

The ruined chapel was utterly silent.

Retrieving his thrown longsword, the demon hunter slowly advanced toward the back of the chapel. In the deathly silence, only the steady sound of his footsteps echoed—step, step, step—like a death knell.

Creak—

The old wooden door slowly opened. A beam of light slipped through the crack, revealing a metal pillar. A young girl in white was tied to it with rope. Her face was clear and delicate, looking like a fallen angel, her thin body covered in wounds.

"A victim?"

He murmured, and in a flash, his longsword left its sheath, slicing through the ropes. He caught the falling girl with one hand and gently set her on the ground. The demon hunter's gaze then fixed on the alluring gemstone before the pillar.

"Lust... this must be the target of this mission."

"There is something to this, indeed."

Frowning, he studied the crimson gemstone intently. As Charles Carter observed, the girl behind him—her face pure as an angel—slowly approached, her steps light, tinged with a hint of timidity, like a young beast seeking protection. Yet the right hand she extended was stained with crimson, just like the gemstone of lust, as she gently reached for the broad back of the demon hunter.

Bit by bit, she drew closer, until—

The cold touch of metal pressed against her forehead—a dark pistol muzzle. The demon hunter in the trench coat didn't even turn his head, simply raised his hand and tucked the mission item into his coat.

"I..."

"Sweet dreams."

Bang!

Moments later, the chapel doors were pushed open. Charles Carter, in his trench coat, walked out slowly, carefully closing the doors behind him, just like a devout worshipper leaving after prayer, or a friendly guest departing a friend's home. In the scarlet eyes of the girl lying on the ground, the reflection was that of a calm, youthful face.

Creak—

The doors closed, and the chapel returned to silence and darkness.

Chapter Two: Vatican-Direct Demon Hunter—Charles Carter (Part 2)

Name: Charles Carter

Occupation: Paladin

Rank: A-rank Demon Hunter

Record: Solo, with only a sword, fought head-on against a baron-level vampire (three hundred years old) in the moonlit forest, and won!

"Thank you."

Taking the identity badge engraved with his record and status, he fastened it to his waist. Under the reverent gaze of the mission desk girl, Charles Carter slowly left the chapel. Before his eyes, only he could see the characters cascading down like a waterfall, forming a screen of light.

Mission: Fallen Priest—Completed!

Timely: Yes

All evil eliminated: Yes

Evaluation: A

Guaranteed reward: Lifespan increased by 30 days. Remaining lifespan: 300 days.

A warm current surged from every cell, and his body, which had grown cold, gradually regained warmth—his body from Earth had long since died; now, he was merely some kind of living dead.

By hunting those marked by the system, he absorbed lifespan, sustaining this broken body as it walked the earth.