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━ The trees swayed gently in the pale glow of the moon, their leaves whispering ancient secrets. Deep in an isolated forest, hid a small, simple cabin covered in vines and moss. Inside, a lone female figure delicately stirred an array of herbs and vials, her expression one of absolute concentration. [Y/N], a demon with a delicate appearance, but with a tormented soul.
[Y/N] wasn't like other demons. Before succumbing to the curse that transformed her, she was a kind young woman full of dreams. However, fate had other plans for her. Upon becoming a demon, her first actions were driven by an insatiable thirst for blood and power, leaving a trail of destruction and death. Every scream of pain and every life taken were now scars on her conscience, wounds that would never heal.
She took refuge in the forest, away from human eyes, and began her journey of redemption. After sometime living alone she discovered that she possessed a rare ability among demons: the ability to heal. Using her powers, she began to help lost travelers, heal the wounded, and alleviate the suffering of those she met on her way. Each life saved was a small penetration of light into her dark soul. But no matter how hard she tried, [Y/N] knew she could never completely erase her past.
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Hundreds of kilometers away, Giyuu Tomioka, the Water Pillar, walked silently along an ancient trail. He carried the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, knowing that each day could be the last for many of his fellow slayers. A mysterious disease had spread among the hunters, slowly weakening them and making them easy prey for demons. The situation was desperate, and Giyuu felt a mixture of frustration and helplessness.
He had heard rumors about a healing demon, a creature as unusual as it was mysterious. Initially, Giyuu had been skeptical, not wanting to believe that a demon would be the slayers' only chance of survival, but the gravity of the situation forced him to explore all possibilities. He knew that finding this demon could be the last hope for many of his friends. Giyuu's journey was not just for his companions, but also a search for answers. He knew the chances of finding this healing demon were slim, but he couldn't afford to give up. Every step he took was driven by a silent determination, a flame of hope that refused to be extinguished.
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Back at her cabin, [Y/N] worked tirelessly at her makeshift desk. The vials and herbs were organized meticulously, each with a specific purpose. She was preparing a healing potion for a villager who had a mysterious fever. [Y/N] crushed some lavender leaves and mixed them with a ginseng root extract. Every ingredient had to be perfect... With the potion finally ready, [Y/N] placed the vial into a leather pouch. She waited until nightfall, when darkness would provide the cover she needed for her journey to the village.
[Y/N] moved silently through the forest, her steps light and almost imperceptible. Upon arriving in the city, she remained in the shadows, avoiding any direct contact with humans. Unlike most villages, this village knew about the existence of demons, so she needed to be twice as careful not to be discovered. She found the sick villager's house and knocked softly on the back door. An elderly woman, with worried eyes, opened the door.
- You came - said the woman, relieved. - He's getting worse.
[Y/N] nodded and entered silently. The elderly woman, Mary, was one of the few people who helped [Y/N] adapt to her new life, she owes a lot for all the good things Mary has done for her. In the small room, a middle-aged man lay on the bed, sweating and shaking. His eyes opened weakly when he felt [Y/N] presence. That was Tomoji, Mary's husband, he never really trusted [Y/N] and always tried to keep Mary away from her, but even without him liking her she would help him with the greatest pleasure.
- You... - he tried to speak, but his voice broke.
- I came to help, - [Y/N] said softly, sitting down next to him. - Drink this. It will help with the fever.
She carefully administered the potion, supporting the man's head as he drank. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, [Y/N] saw fear and distrust. But gradually, as the potion took effect, he relaxed and closed his eyes.
- Thank you, - murmured the elderly woman. - I don't know what we would do without you.
[Y/N] just nodded.
- Whenever you need, call me, I'll do what I can. Take good care of him.
As she retreated, [Y/N] felt a wave of conflicting emotions. She knew the road to redemption was long and arduous, but each small victory pushed her forward. On the way back to her cabin, [Y/N] kept to the shadows, her cloak carefully covering her. But as she turned a corner, she bumped into a drunk man staggering along the street. The impact caused her to lose balance and fall, her hood sliding back and revealing her demonic features.
- What...? - the man murmured, eyes wide. Others passing by stopped and stared in horror.
- It's a demon! - someone shouted. - Run away!
Panic spread quickly. [Y/N], panicking, pulled her hood back up and ran, her heart beating wildly. She could hear the murmurs of fear and the hurried footsteps of people trying to get away from her. She ran into the forest, her eyes burning with unshed tears. When she got home, [Y/N] closed the door behind her and slid to the floor, holding herself back from crying.
Would her ever be accepted? Or was she doomed to be seen as a monster forever? Rejection from humans always hurt her deeply. She felt torn between the desire to help and the constant fear of being discovered.
- No... I can't give up yet... - She muttered to herself.
With those words, [Y/N] decided to get up and continue her mission, even if the path was full of obstacles and pain. For her, every life saved was a step towards a better future, not just for others, but also for herself.
