Most of them undergo treatnt at Black Mountain Hospital for a period of ti. Those who recover are reassigned to work, but for those who don't improve, their outcos vary.
People from the Purification chanism are quite repulsed by it, calling the hospital a graveyard, as most who enter never return.
"Yes, I recuperated there for quite a while."
Joey replied slowly, his gaze reflecting on the past.
"At that ti, I was just a rookie, following my family's will, becoming a mber of the Purification chanism. I thought I was part of a state secret agency, combating spies from Gaulunaro and other countries."
Thinking back to his sowhat naive self at the ti, Joey couldn't help but laugh.
"But later, they started talking about so damn demons. I was unprepared, scared out of my wits, but without any ti to prepare, I began my work, rushing everywhere, carrying an aluminothermic rifle, shooting one demon after another."
"I liked this job."
Lorenzo was forever so enthusiastic about slaying demons.
"I didn't like it. At the ti, the Armor of Original Sin wasn't widely used yet, and we could only rely on modern weapons and numbers to suppress the demons. Our casualty rate was very high; I watched my teammates slowly descend into madness, then point their guns at their own people. I couldn't save him, only shoot him, then continue killing demons."
Joey's voice was calm, maybe accustod to such slaying, now recalling it with no emotional fluctuation.
"Did you get addicted to hallucinogens at that ti?" Lorenzo asked.
"Sort of, maybe it was the influence of erosion and my own stress. I intercepted a lot of hallucinogens during an operation, held onto so strange hopeful mindset, and tried it out, seeking so dreamlike escape in this hellish world."
Joey shrugged.
"Next ca what everyone was familiar with: I consud hallucinogens, leading to my unstable ntal state, causing a mission failure. I was penalized and isolated, then sent to Black Mountain Hospital for compulsory treatnt. That's truly not a pleasant mory."
It might have been an unbearable mory, but in Joey's words, it turns ordinary.
"So, fighting demons, the mind always has so problems. I developed a cleanliness obsession afterward, unable to tolerate filthy blood splattering on ."
Indeed, Joey's clothing was always so pristine, compared to Lorenzo, who looked like a wild dog rolling in a mud pit.
"Are others like this too?" Lorenzo asked curiously.
"Sort of, everyone's personality flaws beco magnified under the influence of demons. We usually disguise it well, appearing as fit patients despite being precariously unwell."
As Joey spoke, his eyes turned to Lorenzo. This detective seed indifferent to the conversation just now; words like sickness and madness had beco as commonplace in his life as leaves by the roadside.
Thinking about it, Joey couldn't help feeling a strange sensation: his life involved madness, but at least he hadn't fully succumbed to it. Joey still maintained so semblance of normal life, but Lorenzo was different; growing up in this crazy world, to him, this terrifying madness was as ordinary as everyday life.
Joey couldn't help but ask.
"Lorenzo, don't you have any... flaws or dark sides?"
"Flaws... dark sides?"
Lorenzo thought carefully for a mont, then laughed.
"I, Lorenzo Hols, am invincible. How could I have such things?"
Flaws and dark sides; Lorenzo really seed not to possess them, always maintaining absolute rationality in any situation, even when facing strong foes like Lawrence, devoid of fear.
"No, it might be that you're just used to them, like being stuck in a quagmire unaware," Joey said.
In his eyes, humans aren't invincible; anyone has flaws, even the most formidable demon hunter. Perhaps Lorenzo just hasn't realized his own flaws yet.
"Maybe you have so peculiar psychological disorder; you just haven't noticed it."
Listening to Joey's words, Lorenzo considered in silence for a mont before responding.
"Slaying demons, perhaps?"
"Oh, actually I used to feel each ti slaying demons was exhilarating. If demons had human emotions, they'd probably see as a mad killer."
This person beca inexplicably proud.
"But... Joey, where are we really headed?"
Looking out the window, the street scene gradually grew bustling, apparently heading towards the Inner City District. Joey ntioned a conversation awaiting him, yet didn't specify who was coming.
"You'll know when we arrive."
Joey seed to be hiding sothing.
The carriage finally stopped before a hall, with guards nearby. This appeared to be a significant place. Then a waiter opened the door, guiding Lorenzo and the others forward.
Passing through towering archways, beneath the steel and glass do, massive pillars fell behind one by one, until Blue Jade and Bola appeared at the end of sight, dressed quite formally, surrounded by soldiers holding aluminothermic rifles.
Lorenzo started feeling sothing amiss, his subconscious warning him as he reached into his pocket, gripping the shotgun under his coat. But Bola, already familiar with this maniac's routine, ca forward and grabbed Lorenzo's arm.
"You can't bring weapons inside, Lorenzo."
"Why are you here?"
Lorenzo retorted.
Bola manages the Lower City District, leaving there only for urgent matters. Clearly, today's events were unusual.
"Please cooperate, Mr. Hols; it's best for both of us."
Blue Jade added, "We seldom reach such cooperation."
Lorenzo fell silent, hesitated for a long ti, and then handed over the shotgun.
"And there's more."
Knowing Lorenzo too well, Bola continued.
Lorenzo glared at this bastard before handing over a short knife and his staff sword.
Once done, Bola let him through, stepping aside as the door slowly opened.
Sunlight stread in; behind the door was a eting room, seemingly those people had awaited Lorenzo for long, seated already in place, Lorenzo slowly advanced and recognized their identities.
Arthur and rlin, and the two Knight Commanders he encountered at the Perpetual Motion Pump, Gawain and Percival. On the other side sat people unknown to Lorenzo, yet he felt an eerie familiarity, compelling him to take a few extra glances.
Clearly distinguishing two factions in the eting room: one led by Arthur from the Purification chanism, the other those mysterious individuals.
Lorenzo sat on a chair near the door, maintaining a safe distance from both factions, till Arthur spoke.
"Long ti no see, Mr. Hols."
Lorenzo lazily leaned against the chair back, though his casual deanor sensed the current situation's peculiarity.
"What now, Arthur?" Lorenzo asked.
"Nothing much, just a short eting. We want to confirm so things. Explaining everything instead of cooperating with doubts is more reassuring, isn't it?"
Arthur said, glancing around, then continued.
"Soone wants to et you, to personally confirm so matters."
After Arthur finished, a man from another faction stood, gestured to Lorenzo, then introduced himself.
"Hello, Mr. Lorenzo Hols."
The Priest smiled at Lorenzo, then spoke so words that made Lorenzo feel suffocated and tense.
"You may call Fr. Anthony, currently the new Dean of the Demon Hunting Order."
Lorenzo first froze, then all his muscles tightened up; he scanned around Anthony, looking at those expressionless waiters. At this mont, he finally realized where that familiar feeling ca from.
Demon Hunters, they were all demon hunters.
The Secret Blood slightly stirred, as if jubilant and excited.
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