The Incubus System Chapter 847. Dancing Lady I

The Incubus System Chapter 847. Dancing Lady I

After indulging in the gastronomic feast, Larry eventually conquered the last bite of his ice cream sundae. Half an hour later, we both rose from our seats, satiated and ready to leave the coffee shop. The clinking of cutlery and the hum of casual conversations formed the backdrop as we prepared to exit.

I approached the counter to settle the bill, ensuring the tab was squared away. Once the transaction was complete, we made our way toward the exit. It was at this juncture that I anticipated parting ways. Yet, to my surprise, Larry announced his decision to accompany me further.

Larry grinned as we stepped out of the coffee shop, his gaze meeting mine. "Hey, Ethan, how about I drop you home?" he suggested, a friendly glint in his eyes.

I shook my head, offering a casual smile. "Nah, I'm good. Besides, your place is in the opposite direction, isn't it?"

His smile widened, and he chuckled. "True, true, but it's a small favor. A little thank you for the feast," he said, gesturing playfully to his now content stomach.

I hesitated for a moment, considering his offer. Then, with a shrug, I replied, "Alright, if it's just a small detour."

The city streets were quiet under the soft glow of the night lamps. Larry and I strolled casually along the sidewalk, the evening breeze ruffling our hair as we exchanged stories and laughter. The rhythmic sound of our footsteps echoed in the stillness, creating a serene atmosphere.

The air was crisp, carrying a hint of the impending fall. Every now and then, a gentle rustle swept through the trees lining the sidewalk.

"So, how did you spend your holiday yesterday?" I inquired, breaking the comfortable silence that enveloped our conversation.

Larry chuckled. "Well, I didn't go anywhere exciting. Just stayed home and played games."

I raised an eyebrow. "Games? Isn't that what you do every day?"

He grinned. "Yeah, but this time it was different. Our guild got a bunch of quests piled up. There's this guy from the opposing guild, and nobody knows if he's a friend or foe. So, we had to grind through quests to level up and be ready for anything. Turns out, the guy is pretty strong, and he brought some serious firepower. People were more overpowered than we initially thought."

I couldn't help but chuckle. I knew he meant me. "Sounds like a sucky holiday."

Larry shrugged. "Better than spending your time running away from Ruby all day, don't you think?"

I snorted. "Hey, I wasn't running away; I was working. There's a difference between being productive and dodging a relentless stalker."

He laughed. "Productive, huh? If you say so. But seriously, how's it going with Ruby? Still haunting your every move?"

I rolled my eyes. "You have no idea." I couldn’t tell him she had kidnapped me.

Larry burst into laughter. "You're like a character in a cheesy romance novel. Maybe she's your destined love interest, and you're just resisting the inevitable."

I shot him a deadpan look. "Destined love interest, that’s a weird term for us. Anyway, you should be grateful you're not dealing with a stalker."

He nudged me playfully. "Who says I'm not? Maybe I have a secret admirer following me everywhere, too."

I shook my head from side to side. "Right, I completely believe in you," I said in a sarcastic tone.

The playful banter ceased abruptly as an unexpected announcement blared from my system, the urgency seeping into every word.

[!!!Warning!!!]

[Another demon detected!]

Larry's eyes widened as his Demon Compass emitted a vibrating sound, mirroring the gravity of the situation. The foul smell that accompanied the warning lingered in the air, an ominous precursor to the potential danger that lay ahead.

In an instant, Larry's expression transformed, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a palpable unease. The concern etched on his face wasn't solely about the impending threat; it also bore the weight of a more personal worry. I could see it in his eyes — the realization that he wasn't in his demon hunter uniform, the protective armor that concealed his identity. The demons, if hostile, could now easily identify him.

We pressed forward in an uneasy silence, attempting to regain the casual rhythm of our stroll despite the lingering threat. Out of habit, I cast a furtive glance at the demon who had triggered the warning. To my surprise, it wasn't a menacing figure but an elderly woman, her frail frame moving slowly in our wake.

Yet, a closer look revealed the grim reality—the woman was not as she seemed. Her shuffling steps weren't merely the result of age; a visible strain contorted her face, and the subtle grimace hinted at the hidden pain beneath the surface. It was evident that her leg bore the brunt of the damage; a sprain or injury was slowing her down.

My eyes narrowed as I felt the tension escalate, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. Sensing trouble, I invoked my skills.

‘Observation.’

The truth revealed itself, and my fears were confirmed. The frail old lady, seemingly vulnerable, was nothing more than a human host to a parasite demon. It seemed the demon managed to escape the last incident and I didn't know how many more there were.

I sighed inwardly, my disappointment mixing with a hint of frustration. In the aftermath of recent events, the fact that such demons still roamed freely highlighted the persistent challenges we faced. The gravity of the encounter shifted, and the shadows of the night, once ominous, now cast a sympathetic hue on the struggling figure. Larry glanced at me and looked in dilemma, but he didn’t say a word.

As we continued our stroll, the old lady maintained her shambling pace behind us. The juxtaposition of her feeble appearance and the concealed threat within heightened my sense of responsibility.

My thought echoed with a touch of disdain for the demon hunter organization for addressing such mundane issues. 'These humans can't manage these small things,' I mused.