Warlock: Demon Bane

William took a deep breath and pushed open the door, hoping to find Baker and have a proper conversation. But to his dismay, Baker was already gone.

Dusk had fallen, and the sky was darkening. The setting sun, blood-red, painted the horizon in eerie hues. A few crows let out hoarse cries as they circled before vanishing into the withered forest in the distance.

On the village roads, people hurried home, their faces filled with urgency. The bustling energy of the daytime had completely faded, leaving behind only a somber silence.

William noticed that the villagers no longer greeted him as they had during the day. Instead, they avoided him, their expressions filled with clear disdain and hostility. Some even spat on the ground, muttering curses under their breath.

A tight feeling settled in his chest. He knew it was because of his status as an "unprotected one."

News traveled fast in this small village. In a place devoid of entertainment, even the tiniest bit of gossip could spread within hours. And in a world plagued by monsters, those without protection were seen as harbingers of danger and misfortune.

He understood their fear, but the rejection still stung. It felt like the entire world had abandoned him.

As he stood there alone, lost in thought, a rough voice suddenly interrupted him, dripping with malice and amusement.

"Hey! You the unlucky bastard without bless?"

William turned toward the voice. A burly man with a face full of scars was striding toward him, flanked by a few equally menacing thugs. Their eyes gleamed with hostility, their heavy footsteps echoing like a pack of wolves closing in on prey. Judging by their crude mannerisms and the weapons at their waists, they were the village guards. A sense of foreboding crept into William's heart.

"I am," William replied evenly, his voice devoid of emotion. But his gaze sharpened, like a watchful predator assessing a threat.

The leader sneered, baring his yellowed teeth in a twisted grin. "Damn, you're really unlucky, huh? This kind of thing happens maybe once in decades, and it had to happen to you. Tough break, kid! Hahaha!"

His laughter was filled with mockery and cruel delight, as if he were watching a trapped animal struggle.

"Shame, really. You've got a decent face—if you were blessed, maybe some noble lady would've taken a liking to you. Too bad you're just a useless piece of trash!"

The men behind him burst into laughter, their eyes filled with malice, as if they were already looking at a dead man.

The leader's grin faded as he adopted a more authoritative tone. "I'm here to inform you of something," he said, his voice laced with condescension. "According to village law, all unprotected individuals must join the defense squad. You'll be sent outside the village to patrol and fight off monsters."

He chuckled darkly. "Honestly, I almost forgot this rule existed. But hey, lucky you, it's your only way out!"

William's heart sank. He hadn't expected the village to have such a harsh rule. Joining the defense squad meant facing terrifying monsters head-on—a death sentence for the untrained. Suppressing his unease, he forced himself to remain calm.

"And if I refuse?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse. His eyes locked onto the man, searching for any hint of an answer in his expression.

The man's grin widened into something even more sinister. "Oh, that's simple," he whispered, leaning in close. "We burn you alive. Just like the heretics."

His eyes gleamed with cruelty, as if he could already see William struggling in the flames.

"Or maybe you'll just get kicked out of the village and left to fend for yourself. How long do you think you'll last in those monsters' jaws? A day? Or maybe just an hour?"

The men behind him chuckled darkly, sending chills down William's spine.

"Of course, you could always join the defense squad. Who knows? You might even last a few extra days! Hahaha!"

he leader burst into laughter again, clearly enjoying William's predicament.

"So? What's it gonna be, loser? Which path do you choose?"

Seeing William hesitate, his eyes filled with mockery and scorn.

William's face darkened, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

He knew there was no way out.

He never imagined this world could be so cruel, where even the most basic right to survive wasn't guaranteed.

"What's going on here?"

A deep, authoritative voice rang out from the edge of the crowd, breaking the tense standoff.

The hostile atmosphere in the village square was instantly disrupted by the unexpected voice.

An elderly yet sturdy man stepped through the crowd—it was none other than Village Chief Jimmy.

He looked quite old, his neatly combed white hair contrasting with the deep, chiseled wrinkles on his face—marks left by the passage of time.

Despite his age, he stood tall and straight, dressed in a simple, well-worn linen outfit, yet radiating a commanding presence.

In his hand, he held a wooden pipe—plain in material but polished to a glossy sheen from frequent use, clearly a cherished possession.

"Chief!"

The once-aggressive guards immediately toned down their hostility upon seeing Jimmy, greeting him with respectful nods.

The leader of the group even bowed slightly, a sycophantic grin spreading across his face.

"Chief Jimmy."

William gave a slight bow, greeting him politely.

Though he had lost his memories, it was clear from the villagers' reactions that this man held considerable authority.

Jimmy nodded before turning a stern gaze toward the guards, his tone laced with reprimand.

"What do you think you're doing? Is this how you treat a fellow villager? Step back, all of you!"

Chastised by the village chief, the guards lowered their heads in silence and obediently stepped aside.

Only then did Jimmy turn to William, his eyes softening with a mix of concern and apology.

"William, I'm sorry you had to go through that. These boys have been spoiled under my watch, they don't know when to hold their tongues. Don't take it to heart."

"I'm fine, Chief."

William shook his head, sensing the chief's sincerity, and let out a small sigh of relief.

Even so, his mind remained sharp, quickly analyzing the situation—his only viable option was to join the defense squad, and the chief seemed to be steering him in that direction.

...

At night, William lay on his bed.

He thought about everything that had happened during the day, about the cruelty of this world, and about the future that awaited him.

It all happened so suddenly that he had trouble processing it at first.

No wonder Dr. Baker was so eager for me to leave... So this was the reason.

But since I can't escape my fate, I might as well accept reality, make the best of the present, and look forward to the future.

With a bitter smile, William closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.