The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

At night, the outer city came alive with vibrant activity. The bustling streets pulsed with energy, bathed in the warm glow of the guards' luminous orbs, casting an ethereal light that transformed the cityscape into a modern metropolis. In a narrow alley nestled amidst the abode of ordinary slaves and demons, two diligent guards stood their ground, ever watchful over the short passageway.

The guards remained focused, their attention unyielding, oblivious even to the audacious mosquito that dared to alight on their skin, greedily feasting on their lifeblood. After the insect had its fill, it took flight, leaving one of the guards to release an exasperated sigh.

"How long have we been trapped in this ceaseless cycle of monotony?" the guard inquired, his weariness evident in his reddened eyes and the pronounced bags beneath them.

His companion, casting a disdainful gaze upon him, sneered in derision. "Hmph! This may be a trifling duty, but it seems beyond your feeble capabilities. How do you ever expect to ascend within the ranks of the esteemed army?" he mocked.

Enraged by the condescending tone, the first guard's temper flared. "Do not presume to elevate yourself! Look upon your trembling legs, a testament to your own fragility. Hmph!"

"Nonsense!" retaliated the first guard. "Observe my firm grip, unyielding as it wields this spear, capable of effortlessly vanquishing any adversary. And my eyes, ever vigilant, capable of detecting the faintest of creatures crossing our path..."

Thud.

Just as the two guards engaged in their banter, a resounding thud, reminiscent of an object plummeting from a great height, ruptured the air, instantly halting their conversation. Without hesitation, they exchanged a quick nod, communicating their shared urgency.

"You investigate the disturbance; I shall remain vigilant here," the first guard instructed his companion, taking charge of their duties.

"Why not-" the second guard began to protest, but his friend swiftly interrupted him by raising a hand, effectively silencing him.

"-Just do it. Imagine if the officer were to arrive and discover our absence? We would undoubtedly face severe retribution for our dereliction of duty!"

The gravity of the situation weighed upon the second guard, compelling him to concede. Nodding in agreement, he replied, "Very well, I entrust it to you." With those words, he ventured into the dimly lit recesses of the small alley, preparing to confront the unknown presence of the demons.

Meanwhile, a sly grin stretched across the face of the first guard. "Hehehe... finally, a moment to unwind." Setting his spear aside, he settled onto the cold pavement, propping himself against the sturdy edifice behind him.

The passage of time seemed interminable as the guard drifted into a restless slumber. Startled awake, he realized that his companion had yet to return. "Hmm? I thought he wouldn't grant me a moment's respite," he mused, perplexed. Peculiar thoughts danced through his mind, conjuring vivid images of his friend indulging in unholy revelry with the demons. "Ah...

revolting. I ought to summon him before the officer arrives."

As the first guard ventured into the small alley, the passageway at the front remained unprotected, devoid of their watchful presence.

Upon reaching the alley's end, a scene of abhorrence unfolded before his eyes. His comrade lay sprawled on the ground while a figure, concealed behind a black mask, callously stuffed demon children into sacks.

"WHO ARE-" the guard bellowed, confronting the masked intruder.

But before he could utter another word, the mysterious figure swiftly silenced him, pressing a hand firmly over his mouth.

Harnessing his latent skill as a swordsman, the guard deftly brushed off the masked person's hand, casting his weapon aside, and launched a forceful punch toward the assailant's midsection.

Creak.

To his astonishment, his strike missed its intended mark, replaced instead by a sudden blow to his neck, causing his consciousness to wane, gradually fading into darkness.

...

"I nearly found myself ensnared," Desmond pondered, revealing his true identity as the enigmatic masked individual who had absconded with the demon children. "Overpowering even a single guard proves to be quite the challenge. I must hone my abilities. Let us verify if all the demons have been secured."

Deliberately approaching the sizable pouch containing the captive demons, Desmond gingerly unfastened it and began to count the occupants. "1... 2... 3... 5. This should suffice.

Time to execute the plan once more." Retrieving his sword from the ground, he sheathed it and attempted to lift the pouch.

"1... 2... 3... aarrrrg."

His muscles strained, veins bulging, face flushed crimson as he struggled relentlessly to hoist the pouch.

Thump.

Gasping for breath, Desmond stared intently at the pouch that had barely budged from its original position. "This... it's inconceivable," he muttered in disbelief.

Opening the pouch once more to inspect its contents, he observed the demons tightly packed within, prompting him to conceive a new course of action.

"It needn't be an entire horde. I can simply take one and leave the rest behind." His gaze darted around, taking note of the guards and adult demons strewn across the ground. "Returning here would undoubtedly heighten their vigilance. System, scan the vicinity, avoiding any detection of wizard or witch energy."

[Creating Task...

Used 1 Slot

Status: Working 0%

]

[Working 50% ...]

[Status: Completed]

[Saving to Database ...]

[Data Saved!]

[

System Conclusion: Within a 100-meter radius, there are 100 additional guards on patrol, with a likelihood of 4 guards approaching the host's current location.

]

Desmond let out a weary sigh, fully aware of the ticking clock and the limited options at his disposal. Assessing the captive demons, he discerningly selected those he deemed to be in subpar health and left the remainder behind. Carefully handpicking a robust and thriving demon child, he once again attempted to lift the pouch.

"1... 2... 3 sets."

This time, the weight seemed inconsequential as he effortlessly hoisted the pouch. A knowing smile played upon his lips as he murmured, "Custom spell: Light Distortion."

Gradually, his form, along with the pouch, faded from view, blending seamlessly into the surroundings as he navigated the narrow confines of the small alley and forged a path toward the bustling main road.

"Fortunate that this spell requires no intricate hand gestures," he ruminated, his mind focused on the task at hand. "Body enchantment, triple the speed." With the enchantment in place, he darted forward like a cheetah unleashed, the gusts of his momentum whipping up a flurry of dust from the road.

"May the gates be devoid of wizards, or at least ones who possess no inkling of my presence," he silently hoped, taking solace in the knowledge that the Masters had ventured into the perilous beast territory, leaving only Grimm behind.

After several minutes of brisk travel, Desmond finally arrived at the demarcation point between the outer city and the inner city. His eyes trained on the imposing structure of the massive gate and the vigilant guards stationed there, a twinge of unease coursed through him, eliciting repeated swallows of saliva.

"Let this work," he mentally implored himself.

With measured steps, Desmond advanced cautiously, his heart quickening its rhythm until, with a stroke of fortune, he managed to slip past the guards unnoticed. The seemingly peculiar figure had seamlessly blended into the tapestry of passersby, evading detection.

"Hey!" a guard's voice reverberated through the air.

Desmond's steps faltered as he pivoted toward the origin of the call. However, as the guard closed in, Desmond instinctively recoiled, retreating a step backward. To his immense relief, he realized that the guard's attention was directed toward his friend, not him.

Seizing this opportune distraction, Desmond swiftly veered toward the inner city, his stride propelled by an urgency that stirred up clouds of dust in his wake. The guard, momentarily diverted from his original intention, watched with perplexed curiosity as the swirling dust particles danced in the air.

"Thank the stars for this open gate," Desmond silently exulted. "Otherwise, I might have been compelled to abandon this bag and return for it under the cloak of tomorrow's veil."