The Damned Demon

Chapter 505 Learning From Experience

Nestled between the vast expanse of North America and the rugged landscapes of Europe, amidst the churning waters of the Atlantic, there existed an island shrouded in mystery and awe.

Only very few experts can even notice the thick and robust yet transparent barrier surrounding the island.

No other island in the world would ever have such defensive measures.

But this was no ordinary landmass; it was home to a structure so grand, so towering, that it seemed to touch the heavens themselves.

With its silver hues glinting under the sun, the structure spanned for miles, a mirror to the pinnacle of human civilization.

This was the Headquarters of the World Hunter Association, the most powerful and largest edifice known to the world, a beacon of strength and authority.

It was a hub of activity and discipline, a living organism pulsating with the energy of those who called it home.

The exterior, with its silver hues, shimmered like a beacon of power and prestige against the backdrop of the island.

Its architecture was a harmonious blend of strength and elegance, featuring towering spires that reached for the skies, vast courtyards that served as training grounds, and expansive windows that bathed its corridors in natural light.

Connected to this monumental structure was the world's first Hunter Academy, a place where ambition and potential converged to forge the next generation of protectors.

This academy was not just any educational institution; it was the most prestigious of its kind, a crucible where the best of the best were tempered.

Young and ambitious Hunters from across the globe aspired to walk its hallowed halls, dreaming of a future where they too could stand among the legends.

To be placed in this academy was to be given a key to the kingdom of greatness, offering unparalleled access to resources, knowledge, and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the most famous Hunters, even if from a distance.

But the headquarters was more than just an architectural marvel; it was a sanctuary for the Elite Hunters, the cream of the crop who had risen through the ranks to claim their place among the skies.

Here, they found not only rest and respite from their arduous quests but also a battleground of the mind, where strategies were created and missions briefed.

It was a place of constant evolution, where Elite Hunters trained tirelessly, honing their skills to perfection, ever ready to take on the challenges that lay beyond the safety of its walls.

Most of them directly came here after graduating from the academy, and after spending so many years on this island, they couldn't help but feel at home here.

Amidst the strategic planning rooms, the state-of-the-art training facilities, and the archives that housed centuries of wisdom and history of Hunters and Demons, the essence of the World Hunter Association thrived.

It was here that the line between legend and reality blurred, where heroes were made and tales of valor were etched into the annals of history.

To the general population, the headquarters stood as a symbol of hope, a fortress of protection against the darkness that threatened to engulf their world.

Upon stepping inside, one would be immediately enveloped in the bustling yet disciplined atmosphere that characterized the headquarters.

The air hummed with the sound of footsteps echoing on polished stone floors, the murmur of voices discussing strategies and recounting tales of quests, and the clashing of weapons in distant training halls.

Despite the flurry of activity, there was an underlying order to the chaos, a mirror to the rigorous discipline that was a hallmark of the World Hunter Association.

The interior was as grand as its facade, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate murals depicting legendary Hunters and their conquests.

Holographic displays floated in the air, providing real-time updates on ongoing missions and the status of the world's various threats.

The hallways were lined with armor stands showcasing historic gear worn by the greatest Hunters of ages past, serving as a reminder of the legacy each member was a part of.

The academy wing was a vibrant section of the headquarters, alive with the energy of young aspirants.

Classrooms were filled with eager students absorbing knowledge, while outdoor areas saw them practicing their newfound skills, their determination and ambition palpable in the air.

Training areas were equipped with the latest technological advancements, where Hunters of all ranks honed their skills against virtual enemies, pushing their limits under the watchful eyes of seasoned instructors.

Strategizing rooms buzzed with activity, where talented Hunters gathered around holographic maps, their faces set in concentration as they planned their next moves.

In a much larger hall buzzed an energy that was both tense and expectant.

The room was filled with Hunters, a sea of disciplined figures standing with military precision, their backs straight and hands clasped behind them.

Despite the variety in their ages and ranks, a shared focus unified them—their attention riveted on the statuesque woman who addressed them.

The newly appointed Legion Prefect stood before her audience, her presence commanding and undeniable.

With long blue hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of sapphires, bright blue eyes that sparkled with elegance and determination, and an athletic body clad in elegant blue armor, she epitomized both beauty and strength.

Her ample bosom rose and fell with each breath, a proof of the fervor with which she embraced her role.

"Some of you must be feeling upset that you all have to report to me, your new Legion Prefect, even though I am younger or weaker than some of you veterans who have served in the field for many long years," Rachel began, her voice carrying across the hall with clarity and resolve.

Her gaze swept over her audience, acknowledging their experience and perhaps their doubts, "I won't even blame those who think that I got here because of my father."

It was then that a Hunter spoke up, his expression earnest and filled with genuine respect, "Of course not, ma'am. We know you have proved yourself to get here, and every team you have led after joining the WHA has returned successfully without any casualties. It is no secret that the Judge personally oversaw the examination to select the new Legion Prefect, and you came out on top. It's no surprise since you are the Daughter of Justice," he declared, his voice tinged with awe.

His affirmation was not just his alone but echoed the sentiments of many in the room as they readily nodded.

Nobody doubted his words because they knew the Judge was the only person in the world who was truly unbiased and fair without answering to anybody.

"It is an honor for us to fight and work under your leadership. Even if you weren't our President's daughter, we have seen for ourselves how hard you have worked to get here, ma'am," A middle-aged Hunter spoke up, his words drawing respectful glances towards him as they knew his achievements as a powerful S Ranker.

Another Hunter, a woman with eyes that glowed with admiration and curiosity, added her voice to the chorus of support, "We have always looked up to you, ma'am. But we are even more curious about how you managed to learn and achieve so much at a young age, even though we went to the same academy," Her question, posed with genuine interest, reflected the curiosity of many present.

Rachel's eyes flashed with a complicated light for a brief second as she remembered certain memories, "I was not much different than you guys before the Quest of the Worthy. Maybe I had some advantage because of my family's resources and training. But it was after I survived the Quest of the Worthy that I learned more than whatever I learned at the academy," Rachel began, her voice resonating with the depth of her convictions, "As some of our wise Hunters had said throughout history, nothing can beat what we learn from experience."

The Hunters, a sea of attentive faces, leaned forward, their expressions a blend of curiosity and respect.

One of them, driven by a thirst for knowledge, voiced the question that lingered in the minds of many, "May we know what you learned from your experience during the quest, ma'am?"

Rachel's fists clenched momentarily, a physical manifestation of the emotional tempest she had weathered.

Yet, with a measured calmness, she opened her palms and shared, "I learned that it is so easy for us Hunters to make the wrong choices or even commit dishonorable acts to serve their selfish needs. It is why every day, so many Hunters still succumb to the temptations offered by demons because they either cannot control their emotions or their will isn't strong enough. But then there are Hunters who are already corrupt by nature and would do anything, including compromising their own morals and the vow they took as Hunters to fulfill their greed."

A hush fell over the hall, the atmosphere dense with introspection as her words echoed off the stone walls. Heads bowed, some in shame and some in contemplation.

"To truly be worthy of being called a Hunter, strength, and skills come only after your integrity. Without integrity, morals, and the willpower to do the right thing, your strength and skills only serve yourself and not our world you vowed to protect," Rachel's voice sharpened, her resolve crystal clear, "We don't need such Hunters; and I personally will throw out anyone who exhibits any such traits for I have vowed to make our world a better place, and I will do everything I can to see to it. Those who believe they don't fit the bill can walk out of this hall right now. Because once I throw you out, I will make sure nobody will ever call you a Hunter again."

The tension in the room spiked, the air crackling with the stern, uncompromising stand Rachel took.

Surprised by the juxtaposition of the gentleness she was famous for with her current severity, the Hunters realized that beneath her grace and beauty lay a steel spine and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Hunter community.