Arlam District
Skyford's Outskirts...
The place was a mess. Theft, robbery, gang fights everything happened in broad daylight. Most of the children wore torn, filthy clothes.
Garbage, dirt, and a nauseating stench polluted the air. This was the most neglected district of the Skyfords. The people here didn't seem any different; they smelled as if they hadn't bathed in years.
'Can I really find a shaman here?'
Doubt crept into Ran's mind as he took in the primitive state of the people.
Bump!!!
A child bumped into him while passing by.
"Uh... sorry."
The child muttered before hurrying off. Ran's sharp-eye noticed what he just did.
"Hey, kid, you can take that money. Just tell me where the shaman lives. Consider it payment."
The kid froze. How had this man known? He was sure he had taken the pouch without being noticed. The child stared at him, wide-eyed, then snapped out of it when Ran moved closer.
"Tell me!"
Ran's voice was louder this time, not out of malice, but impatience. The kid flinched, clearly feeling threatened.
"Umm... Whoa!"
The child stumbled back in fear, and fell on the ground. Ran leaned in.
"I won't harm you. Just tell me where the shaman lives."
Terrified, the child pointed to the left, toward a hut some distance away. Ran nodded in acknowledgment and walked away. He could feel the kid's terror, so he decided to leave him be. He had no desire to further frighten the child.
As he walked, Ran couldn't help but think that the other kids might try to snatch the money back. He didn't care, though.
He was no saint, and his own problems took priority. While he felt sympathy for these poor souls, there was nothing he could do for them while he was struggling with his own demons.
The hut was small, constructed from wood and straw. It looked as primitive as the district around it, unlike anything Ran had ever seen. He hesitated for a moment before walking inside. Doubts flooded his mind.
'Could this person really help me?'
He walked inside nevertheless. He won't just walk away after coming this far.
The interior was cramped. The only notable items were a small bed and an altar filled with sacred objects: idols, totems, herbs, and ritual tools. The shaman herself was seated on the altar, her eyes closed in meditation.
She was draped in a black cloak that covered most of her body, her posture slightly hunched.
Her thin white hair fell in disarray around her shoulders, and deep wrinkles covered her face, giving away her age. When she opened her eyes and looked at Ran, they held a curious glint.
"You are quite intriguing, boy."
"..."
He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"Hohoho... Do you not realize the scent of a demon that clings to you so thickly?"
Ran's doubts vanished. He stepped closer and sat on the edge of the altar beside her.
"I want to know about demons."
The shaman raised an eyebrow, her tone becoming more serious.
"A strange question, coming from someone who reeks of one. What is it you seek to know?"
"I want to know everything."
The shaman studied him for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"Demons have not walked this world since the 'Holy Purge' war between the church and the demons, four hundred years ago. A legendary saint, known as 'The Wise One,' ended the demon era by killing the Demon King.
But it didn't end there. Not all demons perished in the purge. The subordinates and sin archdemons, who had revered the Demon King, managed to survive, going into hiding. Despite numerous searches by the church, none were ever found.
And so, for the world, they are gone. But the church does not believe this, and their relentless hunt continues."
She narrowed her eyes, studying Ran closely.
"You do not appear to be a demon. So why do you reek like one?"
"I..."
Ran hesitated, unsure how to explain. Finally, he told her everything: about the contract, about the archdemon of gluttony, the bloodlust, and the darkness that now consumed him.
The shaman listened carefully, nodding in understanding as Ran finished his tale. He clenched his fists when remembering all those painful memories.
"I see. This is all due to the contract you made with the sin archdemon of Gluttony."
"Is there any way to get rid of it?"
Ran asked, his voice filled with desperation.
"No! The blood pact is sacred to demons. Once made, it is absolute, and the promise must be fulfilled within limited time frame. For you, that promise is death.
The Demon of Gluttony, Gormund Mawriel, must have placed a fragment of his soul into your heart. That is why you feel such intense bloodlust. He craves human flesh and blood. He thrives on it. This thirst for violence is slowly becoming your own. It is a side effect of gaining his power. In time, you will be consumed by your own bloodlust and become a mindless lunatic."
Her words would send cold shiver down anyone's spine. Ran had known this might happen, but hearing it from someone else made it all too real. He wasn't surprised, but he was unsettled.
"You don't look surprised."
"I knew this would happen. But tell me... is there any way to suppress or break the pact?"
The shaman shook her head in disagreement.
"The pact cannot be broken. However, if you truly wish to be free, you must not only kill the archdemon, but also the Death God who oversees all contracts."
Ran's heart sank. Killing a demon was one thing, but a god? That seemed impossible. He couldn't even fathom how he could defeat such an entity.
"Is there another way? Can I at least suppress this bloodlust?"
She rubbed her chin thinking something.
"There is one possibility."
She said, her tone softening. Ran's heart skipped a beat.
Knowing there is still a way shimmered a flicker of hope in his eyes.
"The headmaster of Fafnir Academy, Gilbert de Roch is said to have lived for centuries. He fought in the Holy Purge alongside the church. He might be more useful than I am. He may even have the spell to suppress your bloodlust."
"Fafnir Academy? The academy for elites and prodigies? How do I get the headmaster's attention, especially among all those powerful nobles?"
"That is for you to decide. All I can offer is direction. Your situation is unique, and the headmaster will undoubtedly take an interest in you."
Ran thought for a moment. Standing out too much could be dangerous. He would be seeking out trouble especially if his father learned of his powers.
'Maybe I should go there as a commoner.'
As for the headmaster, Ran had heard rumors of his immense power and long life. If anyone could help him, it might be him. he should find a way to get his recognition in time.
"Thank you."
Ran bowed deeply out of genuine respect.
The shaman was taken aback. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she simply stared at him.
She had never expected someone to show her such level of genuine respect. Slowly, she placed a hand on his head, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"I hope you fulfill your goal."
Ran nodded, then turned and left the hut. The shaman watched him go, muttering a quiet prayer for the troubled boy.