Chapter 343: Savage Demons, Savage Creed
Despite all the time he'd spent being chased by demons through the Commonwealth, Kai found that he needed to adapt his strategies again now. Anaelina had been aggressive and personal, always pursuing him in hopes of getting her revenge or draining him. By contrast Troulon was careful and methodical, which was proving to be worse.
What he'd painfully discovered was that Troulon was both bribing and threatening the local citizens to provide information about Kai, so he couldn't trust anyone. He didn't blame the citizens, who had difficult enough lives without demons breathing down their necks. It was simply one more option not available to him, forcing him to stay away from civilization and assume everyone was an informant.
Even though Anaelina hadn't reappeared - presumably still injured - Lilaetiel and Gorutiel were absolutely brutal enforcers. Kai might have taken a gamble on fighting one of them individually, but together would be suicide, even before Troulon or other forces got involved. He'd had several vicious encounters and never dealt more than minor injuries, while he would be in bad shape if not for Behemoth's Heart.
He was running through a desolate hilly area when he suddenly spotted someone atop a nearby hill. At first he sighed, assuming he would need to change course again, then he realized that their clothing was familiar. Not shimmering Commonwealth linens, just skins and furs.
It had to be a follower of the Savage Creed. If anyone was resisting the demonic mandate, it would be them, and he'd wanted more training anyway. This could be a way to get more out of the grueling experience.
As he drew closer he saw that it was a young woman, not particularly impressive with under 200 Power. She started to move away before she realized how fast he was going and understood that she couldn't outpace him. Instead she drew a weapon from a spatial fur and braced herself.
Kai abruptly realized what he must look like, charging directly at her in the middle of nowhere. Now that he was thinking properly, it was obvious that a young woman would be afraid in a situation like this, especially of someone like him. There was likely nothing he could do to completely ease her fears, but when he got closer he slowed down and approached with a smile.
"Excuse me! You haven't seen demons nearby, have you?"
"Some flew east in a ship less than an hour ago," she told him tersely. It was hard to say if she was telling the truth or just trying to make him go away.