Chapter Seventeen: Becoming a Demon

But there were exceptions. In the corner sat a boy with turquoise eyes, already having completed his spiritual manifestation, who spoke with a calm demeanor, “Killing a demon is not so easy. Most of the time, we have to rely on cold weapons to deal with them!”

“Cold weapons? Why not use guns? Haven’t we already discovered Red Marrow?”

A youth suddenly asked.

“Because the output is too scarce.” The boy with turquoise eyes had flawless skin and wore a finely tailored outfit; his cotton jacket was covered in embroidered brocade—a clear sign of a wealthy family. “Though the foreigners and the military government have developed Red Marrow metal, the mines are limited. Making bullets with it is wasteful. If forged into cold weapons, they’re easier to recover and recycle after battle.”

“Of course, Red Marrow bullets are installed at critical points, such as the artillery on this armored train. But for us new recruits, it’s nearly impossible to get our hands on such precious firearms.”

Du Huaishan listened with great interest. This matched his initial assessment. Besides the rarity of Red Marrow, there must be issues with its malleability. Since Red Marrow greatly increased hardness and toughness, it must have reduced ductility, which is crucial in bullet manufacturing.

Metals with good ductility, like common copper and lead, are suitable for the multiple drawing processes in bullet making. They increase accuracy, extend die life, and when fired, a ductile bullet head fits tightly to the barrel, ensuring a better seal and, together with rifling, delivers more power.

Red Marrow metal, however, lacks these advantages. With poor sealing, a bullet’s power drops. Against the massive bodies of demons, it’s like scratching an itch—far less effective than fusing with a demon and slashing with a blade.

The new recruits, seeing the seriousness in the turquoise-eyed boy’s explanation, fell silent. If they could fight demons from a hundred meters away with a gun, perhaps they’d be willing. But charging in with a blade made the fight far too dangerous…

“Brother, is the demon spirit within you also obtained by slaying a demon?”

After a long silence, a recruit stared curiously at the boy’s eyes.

“No, I bought it.”

His answer shocked quite a few of the recruits.

“After a demon dies, its heart bursts forth with a demon soul. If it isn’t absorbed, it dissipates within half an hour, returning to the earth as Red Marrow. But if you seal it in a vessel lined with Red Marrow, its dissolution is greatly delayed.”

Du Huaishan immediately thought of the red box that Chang Sui’an’s subordinate had produced back then.

“Can we see your guardian spirit?”

“Yes, I’ve never seen one myself!”

“I caught a glimpse of one when I was eight—soldiers were on a mission east of Fenghou City, and a blinding light erupted!”

…

Faced with the recruits’ eager clamor, the boy had no choice but to comply.

With a metallic clang, ripples of energy shimmered through the air. A giant bird, nearly two meters tall, stepped out from behind him. Its massive, razor-sharp beak stretched almost two feet; its head and tail were crimson, but its body was bare and blue. Its wings were not feathers, but ghostly claws resembling human hands.

The recruits, eyes wide with awe, reached out to touch it. Their fingers passed through the guardian spirit, feeling only a chill, as if no substance was there at all.

Other youths who had completed their spiritual manifestation also sneaked a few more glances.

“Amazing! When will I have a guardian spirit of my own?”

“I’ve heard that when a demon possesses you, you gain supernatural strength! Is that true?”

“Brother, how powerful is your guardian spirit? Where does it rank?”

…

The crowd buzzed with excitement. For the first time, the turquoise-eyed boy showed a hint of pride—there were not many with guardian spirits among the recruits, perhaps only three or four in the entire hundred-person carriage, including himself.

“Demons are ranked by size for threat level, and so are guardian spirits. But some have special attributes, or are hybridized with different demon types—those are unique cases.”

Hearing this, Du Huaishan’s eyes flickered. No wonder Chang Sui’an and Yan Xiaoman were so astonished—his demon guardian spirit possessed both traits!

“After completing the spiritual manifestation, you gain some passive benefits. If you merge with the demon soul, my master calls it ‘Ghoul Transformation’—your power multiplies, but it is extremely dangerous.”

“You must keep the fusion ratio to within one percent, training repeatedly to find the threshold. Otherwise, you’ll be devoured!”

“There’s no need to be envious. It’s said that the military academy and army reward outstanding performers and decorated soldiers with demon souls!”

At this, the new recruits erupted in excited shouts, even Tan Hai’s eyes sparkled.

Du Huaishan, however, focused on the concept of “Ghoul Transformation.” If precise control over the fusion ratio was required, then improving this ratio quickly must be the central research direction for guardian spirits in this world—gangs, armies, nations, all likely had their own methods.

The train rumbled on its tracks. Though the scenery outside was invisible, everyone knew they had long since left Fenghou City behind.

Just as the recruits were still mulling over the turquoise-eyed boy’s words, the sudden crackle of gunfire erupted from the roof of the carriage, snapping many out of their reverie.

It was the machine gun turret!

“What’s happening?”

“Are we under attack by demons?”

“Too bad there are no windows—we can’t see anything!”

“There’s a crack by the door!”

Sensing excitement, many recruits scrambled toward the door. Perhaps to prevent accidents, the soldiers had locked the doors from outside, but by forcing them open a little, a thin gap became visible.

“I see it! There’s a shadow!”

“Hurry, let me see!”

The recruits jostled for a look, as if they had never seen a demon before.

Du Huaishan was not surprised at all. In the refugee camp, he’d learned that ever since humans discovered Red Marrow and mastered guardian spirits, cities seldom fell—especially the main ones. Many people spent their whole lives within walled cities, and could only imagine demons through newspapers and media. This was why, at first, so many looked down on the threat of demons.

“The train is slowing—we’re almost there.” Du Huaishan felt the carriage sway less and patted Tan Hai.

They stood up.

Soon, with a deafening blast of the whistle, the armored train came to a complete stop.

The crisp footsteps of soldiers approached.

The recruits held their breath, some tense, some excited.

The locks were removed, and with a metallic crash, the iron door was dragged open by a soldier on duty. A slant of sunset pierced the dim carriage, the dazzling light overwhelming the recruits’ eyes.

When their eyes adjusted, they gradually made out a barren platform.

On the platform stood five or six army-green transport trucks, and a few officers and soldiers in military uniforms.

“All new recruits, disembark!”